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Annual Reports of the City Officers + Depts. 1947
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https://archive.org/details/reportsoftownoff1947attl
ANNUAL REPORTS
AS SUBMITTED BY THE
Officers and Departments
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO MASSACHUSETTS
AXA
HUSET
. S.
AJ12 . 1694 .
FOR THE YEAR 1947
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY JOSEPH L, SWEET MEMORIAL
-
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY a31654001302451b
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Officers and Departments
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO -
AXA
SE
10.1694
AT 974.48 ASSa C.2
FOR THE YEAR
1947 1
ATTLEBORO PRINT, INC., ATTLEBORO, MASS.
ATTLEBORO FRE FIINDARY JOSEPH L. SWEET MEMORIAL
48-3142
ANNUAL REPORT
City Officers
Small numbers after office indicate how chosen
1-Appointed by Mayor 2-Elected by Council 3-Elected by Voters
Office Inspector of Animals-1 City Almoner-1 (Welfare Agent) Assessors-1
Incumbent
Dr. Frederick L. Briggs
Term Expires March 31, 1948
Frederick J. Franz
Permanent
John J. Hodge
February, 1948
Isaac H. Bruce
February, 1949
Patrick J. Byrnes, Chair.
February, 1950
Edward H. Brown
January, 1948
Joseph O. Mowry
February, 1948
Kenneth F. Blandin
January, 1950
Doris L. Austin
January, 1950
Hormidas Allard
February, 1948
Merle L. Clarke
February, 1948
Howard H. Caswell
February, 1948
Eli Franklin
February, 1948
Municipal Council-3 Members at Large
James A. Freeman, Pres.
January, 1950
Cyril K. Brennan
January, 1950
John J. Johnson
January, 1950
Gordon M. Mackinnon
January, 1950
Earl G. Pithie
January, 1950
Members by Wards
Ward 1
Willis A. Newton
January, 1950
Ward 2
Arthur Hinds
January, 1950
Ward 3
Franklin R. McKay
January, 1950
Ward 4
Bertrand O. Lambert
January, 1950
Ward 5
Herbert C. Lavigueur
January, 1950
Ward 6
Charles A. Smith
January, 1950
Guardian of Foreclosed Property-1
Henry Rotenberg
Indefinite
Dog Officer-1
Antone Dias
June, 1948
Electrical Inspector-1
William S. King
Permanent
Fence Viewer-Field Driver-1
Hartwell H. Crossman
February, 1948
Fire Department
Joesph O. Mowry
Indfinite
William E. Sweeney, Chair.
February, 1948
Hayward H. Sweet
February, 1949
Joseph O. Mowry
February, 1950
Charles G. Thomae
February, 1951
-
Supt. of Fire Alarm-1
William S. King
Permanent
City Auditor-2
Building Inspector-1 City Clerk-3 City Collector-3 Constables-1
3
Board of Fire Engineers-1
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY JOSEPH L, SWEET MEMORIAL
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Office Forest Warden-1 Acting City Forester, Moth Supt .- I
Health Officer-1 Health Nurse (Appointed by Health Officer)
Dental Hygienist (Appointed by Health Officer) Sturdy Memorial Hospital, City Representatives on Board of Managers
Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor William Marshall, ex-officio
February, 1948
James A. Freeman-2
February, 1948 February, 1948
John E. Turner, Chair.
Indefinite
Charles C. Cain, Jr.,
Indefinite
Theodore Leavens
Indefinite
Robert W. Mawney
Indefinite
Christopher W. McNary
Indefinite
E. Raymond Truell June, 1949
June, 1951
Francis P. Cronan, Chair. Zelotis Wetherell
June, 1953
Raymond M. Horton, Treas.
February, 1948
Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Sec.
February, 1948
Mrs. Gertrude F. Chilson
February, 1948
Leland B. Smith
February, 1949
Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
February, 1949
Frank Licher
February, 1949
Mrs. Margaret W. Conro
February, 1950
Lydia J. Gregory
February, 1950 February, 1950
Librarian (Appointed by Library Trustees)
Lockup Keeper-1 Mayor
Measurer of Lumber-1
George F. Lincoln
February, 1948
John B. Bowen
February, 1948
Frank L. Cushman
Permanent
Harry C. Wolfenden, Sec. Thomas G. Sadler Samuel M. Stone, Chair.
February, 1949 February, 1950
Robert W. Sharkey
William O. Sweet
Robert W. Mawney Walter A. Cunningham Clifford A. Swanson
J. Burleigh Moulton Rev. Frank L. Briggs, Chair.
Indefinite
Peter J. Marron
February, 1948
Francis J. O'Neil
January, 1950
City Messenger-2
Milk Inspector (Appointed by Health Officer)
Park Commissioners-1
Park Supt. (Appointed by Park Commissioners) Planning Board-1
Incumbent
Term Expires
Joseph O. Mowry
February, 1948
Warren P. Hofmann
February, 1948
Dr. Fernand L. Girouard
February, 1948
Lois E. Wilmarth Permanent
Mrs. Mary E. Turner
Indefinite
Emergency Housing Com- mittee-1
Board of Licenses 1
Public Library Trustees of-1
Edwin F. Leach, Chair.
Mrs. Lucile Palmer Cavender
February, 1948
Permanent February, 1948 February, 1949 February, 1949 February, 1950 February, 1951 February, 1952
5
ANNUAL REPORT
Office
Incumbent Term Expires
Plumbing Inspector (Appoint- el by Health Inspector-)
Police Commissioners-1
John W. Wolfenden
February, 1948
Frank J. Nerney
February, 1949
John E. Turner
February, 1950 February, 1951
Police Department-1
Peter J. Marron, Act. Chief
Indefinite
Public Works Department-1
Recreation Commissioners-1
Frank Miller
February, 1948
John W. Redding
February, 1948
William A. Blackburn
February, 1949
John J. Murray
February, 1950
William Liddell
February, 1950
Board of Registrars
Clayton A. MacDonald
February, 1948
Louis J. Perry
February, 1949
Mrs. Lilla Conant
February, 1950
Mrs. Eva L. Kent
February, 1951
Rehabilitation and Reemploy- ment Director-1
Retirement Board
Edlworl H. Brown, Ex-Off.
Indefinite
Doris L. Austin, (Elected by members of system) March, 1948
Earl P. Cooper-1
July, 1950
School Committee-3
Mrs. Deborah Richardson
January, 1950
Anderson S. Briggs
January, 1950
Mrs. Alice Stobbs
January, 1950
Mrs. Olive M. Keeler
January, 1950
Victor G. Vaughan
January, 1952
Mrs. Pearl Briggs January, 1952
William A. Nerney, Chair.
January, 1952
Henry M. Crowther January, 1952
Thomas G. Sadler, Jr.
January, 1952
Supt. of Schools (Appointed by School Committee)
Richard A. Martin
Permanent
School Nurse (Appointed by School Committee)
Dorothy B. Wendell, R. N. Permanent
School Physician (Appointed by School Committee)
Dr. Herbert G. Vaughan Permanent
Sealer of Weights and Measures-1
Daniel O'Connell February, 1948
Soldiers' Relief and Burial Agent-2
Arthur B. Cummings
February, 1948
City Solicitor-1
Daniel A. J. Doyle
February, 1948
City Stenographer-2 City Treasurer-3
Gladys Hinds
February, 1948
William Marshall
January, 1950
Allen A. Gross
February, 1948
Thomas H. Brennan
Robert W. Mawney, Supt.
February, 1948
Christopher W. McNary Indefinite
6 0
ANNUAL REPORT
Office Treasurer of the Capron and Deborah Starkey Funds
Incumbent
Term Expires
All ex-officio Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor William Marshall, Treasurer William A. Nerney, Chairman of School Committee
February, 1948
February, 1949 February, 1950
Board of Public Welfare-1
G. William Goddard John J. Maynard
February, 1949
John K. Henderson, Chair.
February, 1950
Zoning Board of Appeals-1 Elmer E. Tufts, Chair. Lawrence B. Gilbert, Associate Member
February, 1948
Clarence D. Roberts
February, 1949
Charles E. Judge
February, 1950
Viola O'Hare, Clerk
Indefinite
Trust Fund Commissioners-1
Kenneth Crook, Secretarv Thomas E. McCaffrey, Chair. James McBrien
February, 1948
February, 1948
7
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the City Clerk
1947 Expenditures $5,840.30
1948 Budget 5,912.50
Attleboro, Mass., January 2, 1948
Hon. Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor City of Attleboro, Mass.
I herewith submit the annual report of this department for the year of 1947. The department handled a total of $13,823.81 during the year, which includes all fees for licenses, permits, etc., also dog and sporting licenses, with the detail explained in breakdown that is also a part of this report.
Would like to call attention that all this business has been handled by the clerk and a very efficient assistant, also with some aid by the City Stenog- rapher. The time is coming when this department will have to be provided with additional help for clerical work. A separate office for the clerk's depart- ment, more storage room for records, as well as better lighting for the office would be an immediate help. All of this would appear to be justified and reasonable in view of the economic conduct of the department for the past several years. The total appropriation for the department in 1947 was $5,886. Of this amount over $600 was for vital statistics expenses, set by the state and recording of deeds in connection with taking of land by the city-something that has no connection with the City Clerk's office.
Very truly yours,
Kenneth F. Blandin, City Clerk
8
ANNUAL REPORT
Receipts 1947
Total
Mot. Veh. Sales
Hack & Express
Pool & Bowl.
Auc. tioneer
Sec. Hd. Junk
Theatres
January
266.12
6.00
29.00
10.00
February
185.35
10.00
1.00
2.00
8.00
March
648.55
2.00
12.00
50.00
154.00
6.00
April
871.65
6.00
243.00
4.00
100.00
112.00
May
378.75
14.00
70.00
4.00
6.00
June
321.20
2.00
6.00
10.00
July
270.19
4.00
4.00
10.00
August
189.85
2.00
5.00
8.00
September
293.05
4.00
6.00
50.00
8.00
October
327.45
8.00
50.00
10.00
November
352.15
37.00
26.00
8.00
December
307.25
12.00
6.00
10.00
Totals
4411.56
85.00
360.00
120.00
10.00
354.00
206.00
BREAKDOWN OF SPORTS LICENSES-1947
Month
Gross Value
Fees
To State
January
$1,264.00
$108.75
$1,155.25
February
141.00
11.50
129.50
March
177.50
19.25
158.25
April
1,159.25
134.25
1,025.00
May
559.00
68.50
490.50
June
333.50
41.00
292.50
July
246.25
30.25
216.00
August
135.25
15.50
119.75
September
76.00
6.75
69.25
October
333.00
35.00
298.00
November
355.25
39.00
316.25
December
65.25
7.75
57.50
Totals
$4,845.25
$517.50
$4,327.75
9
ANNUAL REPORT
Signs
Gas Amm. 3.00
.22
23.00
82.25
15.90
46.00
29.75
1.00
7.00
5.00
65.75
19.60
5.00
30.00
31.00
56.00
41.00
1.55
2.50
98.50
15.00
130.00
52.00
28.00
53.00
27.50
5.00
128.35
18.80
70.00
60.00
44.00
11.00
5.50
.60
7.50
95.50
21.40
35.00
76.00
32.25
1.00
11.20
15.00
99.75
22.00
15.00
102.00
37.25
1.00
5.30
2.31
2.00
106.28
31.10
40.00
64.00
1.00
1.00
.30
76.50
18.80
5.00
56.00
16.25
4.00
2.75
81.50
23.30
5.00
60.00
48.50
2.00
.90
7.00
132.95
31.60
36.00
49.00
2.00
.40
17.50
102.00
23.00
5.00
52.00
79.25
1.00
5.50
.20
49.00
126.70
11.10
40.00
45.75
146.00
104.00
20.43
133.50
1196.03
251.60
270.00
650.00
505.00
DOG LICENSES-1947
Month
Gross Value
Fee to City Net to County
January
45.00
$3.60
$41.40
February
None
None
None
March
1,590.00
131.80
1,458.20
April
1,680.00
132.40
1,547.60
May
349.00
29.60
319.40
June
350.00
26.80
323.20
July
237.00
19.00
218.00
August
93.00
7.20
85.80
September
65.00
6.20
58.80
October
58.00
5.20
52.80
November
57.00
3.80
53.20
December
43.00
3.40
39.60
Totals
$4,567.00
$369.00
$4,198.00
Misc.
Com. Vic. Record- Lodging
ing
Cert. Copies
Sun. d. ys
Marr.
Amuse- ments
21.00
10
ANNUAL REPORT
1947 SALE OF DOG AND SPORTING LICENSES BY MONTHS Dog Licenses
Sporting Licenses
Month
Male
Female
Spayed
Kennel
Whole
No.
Amount
Number
Amount
January
14
3
1
0
18
S45.00
456
$1,264.00
February
50
141.00
March
397
62
193
8
660
1,590.00
89
177.50
April
424
71
156
11
662
1,680.00
569
1,159.25
May
107
15
25
1
148
349.00
287
559.00
June
81
22
29
2
134
350.00
181
333.50
July
57
13
24
1
95
237.00
129
246.25
August
23
7
6
0
36
93.00
68
135.25
September
23
1
7
0
31
65.00
28
76.00
October
20
2
4
0
26
58.00
144
333.00
November
12
1
4
2
19
57.00
157
355.25
December
12
3
2
0
17
43.00
31
65.25
Totals
1,170
200
451
25
1,846
$4,567.00
2.189
$4,845.25
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OF COUNCILMEN AT 1947 COUNCIL MEETINGS
Present Absent Total
President Freeman
28
0
28
Mr. Newton
26
2
28
Mr. Smith
28
0
28
Mr. Hinds
28
0 28
Mr. Johnson
27
1
28
Mr. Mckay
26
2
28
Mr. Lambert
28
0
28
Mr. Lavigueur
27
1
28
Mr. Pithie
27
1
28
Mr. Brennan
24
4
28
Mr. Mackinnon
24
4
28
Total number of meetings held
28
11
ANNUAL REPORT
MEETING DATES-1947
January 7th
January 21st
February 4th
February 10th-Special
February 18th
March 4th
March 11th-Special
March 18th
March 28th-Special
April Ist
April 15th
May 6th
May 20th
June 3rd
June 17th
July 1st
August 5th
August 13th-Special
September 2nd
September 16th
October 7th
October 21st
November 4th
November 10th-Special
November 18th
December 2nd
December 16th
December 29th-Special
VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1947
Marriages recorded in 1947-325
In 1946-485
*Births to Dec. 1, 1947 1215 Whole number in 1946 1129
* Deaths to Dec. 25, 1947 419 Whole number in 1946 405
* The statutes allow 40 days for report of births and 10 days for report of deaths. Births to Attleboro parents outside of the state, or for parents whose children are born in Attleboro with parents residing out of the city will be re- ported up to Feb. 10 and will make this figure expand. The same applies to record of deaths of Attleboro people, outside of the city.
12
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Fire Department
1947 Expenditures $216,056.97
1948 Budget 233,127.04
To His Honor the Mayor Francis J. O Neil and the Municipal Council:
We herewith submit our Annual Report and Recommendations of the Board of Fire Engineers.
On January 1, 1947, Assistant Chief Joseph O. Mowry become Acting Chief of the Department, Chief Fred A. Clark retiring on pension December 31, 1946.
A complete reorganization of the Department took place February 4th when the Department went onto a 48 hour week as voted by the citizens.
With this reorganization a comprehensve plan of Fire Prevention and In- spection has been put into operation and will be improved upon, if the man power of the Departinent permits us to use our men for Inspection.
Our Board as well as other Fire Officials feel that Fire Prevention and In- spection is just as important as Fire Extinguishment. A fire prevented means the saving of building materials that are badly needed and the loss of business in manufacturing and retail stores.
It is obvious that any fire may mean the injury of human beings and loss of life.
We hope with the co-operation of our citizens to cut down our fire losses and trust that in making these inspections that every one will feel it is for their own interests.
The loss of life and financial loss in 1947 has been the largest ever known.
The Board of Fire Engineers wish again to call to your attention the age of the apparatus in the Department.
LOCATED AT CENTRAL STATION
Engine 1-750 gal. triple combination .. purchased 1918
Engine 3-500 gal. triple combination purchased 1939
Ladder 3-City service truck purchased 1924
Supply-Ford pickup purchased 1941
Chief-Chrysler sedan purchased 1942
Deputy-Hudson sedan purchased 1946
UNION STREET STATION
Engine 2-750 gal. triple combination purchased 1926 Ladder 1-85 ft. aerial truck purchased 1945
SO. ATTLEBORO STATION
Engine 4-750 gal. triple combination purchased 1926
Ladder 2-65 ft. Junior aerial truck purchased 1944
13
ANNUAL REPORT
TWIN VILLAGE STATION
purchased 1932 Engine 5-500 gal. triple combination
The Insurance Underwriters consider obsolete any piece of fire apparatus over fifteen years old.
Attleboro is rated next to the lowest classification for cost of insurance, being in class B., and there are only eight other cities in the state that have better rates, and listed in class A.
Many of the large losses during 1947 throughout the United States have been due to failure of apparatus to meet the demands because of age and inability to get new parts or replace with new apparatus, dne to War Conditions which still delay delivery of new parts and apparatus because of a large demand.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend a new 750 gal. triple combination to replace the one purchased in 1918. This unit is undependable and it is very doubhful if it will survive the winter.
We recommend the purchase of a new 500 gal. pump unit with 500 gal. tank capacity and.50 gal. liquid foam tank capacity, equipment of truck to fur- nish instant use of foam for gasolene tank fires. The 500 gal. tank of water is the answer to fires in the outlying district where valuation has increased and hydrant service is not available.
We recommend that a two way radio be purchased and installed on a piece of apparatus in South Attleboro.
We recommend the purchase of one thousand feet of two and one-half inch hose and one thousand feet of one and one-half inch hose.
We recommend that the position of Mechanic be established and the rat- ing be that of a Captain. From experience this year, we find that the gen- eral repairs can be taken care of by a member who is a mechanic and welder, which has saved the Department much more than the difference in pay. It should also be noted that as our apparatus becomes older the services of a Mechanic becomes a necessity.
We recommend that a cement floor replace the wood apparatus floor in the South Attleboro station. That the upstairs floor be covered.
We recommend that the recommendations of the Superintendent of Fire Alarms', which has our approval, be accepted.
ESTIMATED COST OF NEW EQUIPMENT
750 gal. Triple Combination $16,500.00
500 gal. Triple Combination 10,000.00
Two way radio 560.00
14
ANNUAL REPORT
ESTIMATED EXPENSES
Salary and Wages
1. Salary of Chief
$4,000.00
Salary of Deputy Chief (4)
12,800.00
Salary of Captain (9)
27,000.00
Salary of Mechanic
3,000.00
Salary of Men (66)
165,710.16
$212,510.16
2.
Maintenance of Equipment
1947.
2703. Autos
3,000.00
4583. Stations
4,000.00
972. Hose, 1000 feet at 1.45-1000 feet at 1.05
2,500.00
900. Apparel, 80 Officers and Men
4,000.00
29. All other
30.00
13,530.00
3 1947.
- Other Expenses
586. Light
600.000
481. Phone
500.00
140. Water
150.00
Fuel, 25,000 gals., at 12c
3,000.00
86. Office
350.00
4,700.00
270. Incidentals
Total-$230,740.16
The Department has responded to the following alarms:
Alarms by boxes
73
Assembly
4
657 Total 734
Still Alarms
100.00
15
ANNUAL REPORT
Classification
Autos
53
Awning
1
Bridge
1
Broken water pipe
1
Brush
365
Building
80
Chimney
22
Dump
40 1
Electric appliance
5
Electric motor
1
Electric wires
1
False
11
Fence
4
Flushing, gasolene and oil
6
Gain entrance
15
Insurance test
1 6
No fire
39
Oil burner
29
Out of city
3
Pump out pond
2
Railroad ties
1
Remove light
1
Remove icicles
1
Remove shingles
1
Romove from wires
1
Rescue animal
3
Rescue person
1
Resuscitator
13
Rope in flag pole
7
Sawdust
1
Sprinkler
12 5 Total 734
Hose laid 29,350 ft. of 2 1-2 in., 10,000 ft. 1 1-2 in; ladders raised 3,716 ft.
Water cans 1,156; Booster 397; Pyrenes 34; Foam 5; Oxygen tanks 21.
Assistance was given to Mansfield, North Attleboro and Rehoboth
Appreciation
During the year several organizations and individuals have assisted our Department in many ways.
At this time we record our appreciation and thanks to the Red Cross, Box 9 Club, and Doctors Tyson, Lawrence and Bennett for their kindness during fires.
As always the Police Department has assisted us in many ways at fires and with the Radio their co-operation has been excellent.
His Honor, the Mayor Francis J. O'Neil, members of the Municipal Coun- cil, our Committee Fire and Police, have studied our requests for improvements and have assisted materially to keep our Department in working condition satisfactory to the Insurance Underwriters.
Syphone
Emergency water
Lumber
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Resolution
Whereas-Our esteemel friends and fellow Officers Chief Fred A. Clark, died July 4, 1947 and Assistant Chief Leonard Gould, died November 25, 1947, have left this World, called by our Maker, and
Whereas-they have for many years filled the high offices in the Attleboro Fire Department with universal satisfaction, therefore,
Resolved-That we hereby express our sincere and heartfelt sympathy to their families and assure them that their examples of Loyalty and Leadership will ever be an example for the Department to follow.
Resolved-That a copy of these resolutions properly engrossed be included in the Annual Report and a copy sent to their families.
ATTLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT, Board of Fire Engineers
Chief Joseph O. Mowry Chairman William E. Sweeney Clerk Charles G. Thomae Hayward H. Sweet
Fire Loss
Value of Buildings at risk
Value of Contents at risk
$1,119,578.00 2,055,300.00
$3,174,878.00
Insurance on Buildings
1,254,030.00
Insurance on Contents
2,044,300.00
3,298,330.00
Loss on Buildings
50,441.42
Loss on Contents
23,031.28
73,472.70
Insurance paid on Buildings
50,291.42
Insurance paid on Contents
21,511.28
71,802.70
1,670.00
Loss not covered by insurance
17
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Public Library
1947 Expenditures $32,563.22
1948 Budget 36,069.00
March 4, 1948
To the Mayor and Council of the City of Attleboro:
Your trustees have held their regular monthly meetings as scheduled and tried to cope with the various problems that regularly confront such service together with the added complexities of the results of the war and its post war impacts.
The circulation of books and materials has greatly increased, which also in- creases the services required from the staff, such as guidance and research, as well as the handling and processing.
It is most gratifying as a standard of judging the cultural and intellectual tastes of the citizens of Attleboro, to note that the percentage of serious read- ing and study habits of our community is well above the average, as compared to other circulations from libraries of our size.
In order that this work may be satisfactorily performed it of course re- quires the skill of a trained and well coordinated staff. We have been most fortunate in the past several years in having had the benefit of a very loyal, willing and competent staff, but we have been so terribly understaffed that it has not only thrown too much work upon them but also it has been impossi- ble to render the service which the library requires.
Quite often, we believe, the library work is considered in the terms of the main library alone and to overlook the fact that the many branches must also be staffed and supplied with books and trained service.
Many gifts of books, music and pictures have been made to the library by our local friends and we wish them to know how greatly they are appreciated and used.
We hope to go forward in the coming year with the fulfillment of plans which are long over due and to serve the community in their growing demands for the things they so rightly deserve.
Respectfully yours, Attleboro Public Library Joseph L. Sweet Memorial
Ethel H. Barden, Secretary for the Trustees
18
ANNUAL REPORT
January 4, 1948
To the Board of Trustees:
A survey of the activities of the Attleboro Public Library for the year 1947 shows not only greatly increased use of the library but changing conceptions of the functions of a Public Library.
The circulation of books from all departments and agencies totaled 103,903 volumes and 3,596 pictures. This is a gain of 8,750 books and 1,181 pictures. This is a gain of 8,750 books and 1,181 pictures over 1946, and is equivalent to more than an average month's loan of books, pictures, and other printed matter.
A check of card holders registered at the main library and at various branches over a period of three years lists 4,967 names, (borrowers registered prior to 1945 are not counted) of which 3,070 are adults.
In answer to the inevitable "So what?" an analysis of the books loaned show that adults borrowed 47,763 volumes. That means that every adult bor- rower read an average of 15.55 books during the year 1947. The actual use of books was probably at least doubled as several members of a family usually read any book taken home. As for the children, the 1,897 having library cards read 56,140 books.
Since quantity alone is no adequate guage of a library's worth, it is wiser to question What kind of books? Who reads them? Why?
Well, the books circulated were not all fairy tales, marshmallow love stories or Who-done its, by any means. At the main library 43.3 percent of the adult books borrowed were non-fiction, with books on applied science and industrial processes, design theory and techniques, house planning, music, drama and essays topping the list. High School assignments probably account chiefly for the drama and essays.
Assistants working with boys and girls not only report an increase of 6.035 books circulated, but an ever increasing need for assistance in the use of books. Changing methods of instruction demand a wide range of material and tools. The library's collection of books for different interests and grade levels, its charts, maps, and other pictorial material help provide some of the tools.
Contrary to the general notion that women constitute the chief users of the library is the Attleboro record. In 1947 54 percent of the applicants for new library cards were men; of those who re-registered expired cards 44 percent were men.
Masculine readers are quite definitely readers-with-a-purpose, whether that purpose be the following of a hobby, help on business or industrial prob- lems or for purposes of study. Business and industrial users expect prompt and efficient service and up-to-date resources. Students must have a basic collection of authoritative reference material, often in several languages. Every user of the library takes for granted assistants skilled in locating the particular item in which he or she is interested at the moment, be it a picture of a seraphim (angel with 6 wings), a history of the safety pin, the 50 best books on the voy- ages of the Northmen, or reports of the industrial uses of static electricity.
Which brings us to the key to library service -- the staff.
Books must be selected, classified and catalogued and made accessible for use to be of value. This process takes not only natural aptitude and a liking for books, but requires workers trained in professional skills. As in the teaching
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