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AT 974.48 A88a 1949
ANNUAL REPORTS
AS SUBMITTED BY THE
OFFICERS AND DEPARTMENTS
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
MASSACHUSETTS
AXA
ET
12 1594
ATTLEBORO JUSE HL
FOR THE YEAR 1949
. Ma
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY JOSEPH L. SWEET MEMORIAL
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
a 31654001302519b
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO MASSACHUSETTS
AS SUBMITTED BY THE
Officers and Departments
A
AT 977-71 Assa
AXA
TS
AJ12 . 1694
FOR THE YEAR 1949
ATTLEBORO PRINT, INC., ATTLEBORO, MASS.
-
CYRIL K. BRENNAN Mayor January 1, 1950
50 60
ANNUAL REPORT
City Officers
1-Appointed by Mayor Office Inspector of Animals-1 City Almoner-1 ( Welfare Agent ) Assessors-1
City Auditor-2 Building Inspector-1 City Clerk-3 City Collector-3 Constables-1
2-Elected by Council Incumbent Dr. James C. DeWitt
3-Elected by Voters Term Expires March 31, 1950
Frederick J. Franz
Permanent
Patrick J. Byrnes, Chairman
February, 1950
Christopher W. McNary
February, 1951
Harold E. Williams ( resigned ) September, 1949 William E. Hannan
February, 1952
Edward H. Brown
Joseph O. Mowry
Kenneth F. Blandin
Doris L. Austin
Hormidas Allard
February, 1950
Eli Franklin
February, 1950
Howard E. Caswell
February, 1950
Clarence E. Weeman
February, 1950
Municipal Council-3 ( At Large Members )
James A. Freeman, President
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
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
Henry Rotenberg Antone Dias
William S. King
Hartwell H. Crossman
Joseph O. Mowry, Chief
Joseph O. Mowry
Charles G. Thomae
February, 1951
William E. Sweeney, Chair.
February, 1952 February, 1953
Hayward H. Sweet
William S. King
Joseph O. Mowry
Permanent February, 1950
Warren P. Hofmann Dr. Fernand Girouard
February, 1950
Health Officer-1
February, 1950
Lois E. Wilmarth Mrs. Mary E. Turner (resigned June, 1949) Miss Barbara Arnold
Permanent
Indefinite
Ward 2
Custodian of Foreclosed Property-1 Dog Officer-1 Electrical Inspector-1
Fence Viewer-Field Driver-1 Fire Department Board of Fire Engineers
Indefinite June, 1950 Permanent February, 1950 Indefinite February, 1950
Supt. of Fire Alarm-1 Forest Warden-1 City Forester-1 Moth Superintendent
Health Nurse ( Appointed by Health Officer ) Dental Hygienist ( Appointed by Health Officer )
3
January, 1951 February, 1950 January, 1950 January, 1950
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Sturdy Hospital ( City Repre- sentatives on Board of Managers )
Housing Authority-1
Board of Licenses-1
Public Library, Trustees of-1
Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor
February, 1950
William Marshall, ex-off.
February, 1950
James A. Freeman-2
February, 1950
Charles C. Cain, Jr.
(resigned May, 1949)
Harold W. MacDonald
April, 1950
Edmund F. Henry-( appointed by State )
April, 1951
Leonard I. Lamb
April, 1952
John E. Turner
April, 1953
Leland B. Smith
April, 1954
Francis P. Cronan
June, 1951
Zelotis Wetherell
June, 1953
E. Raymond Truell
June, 1955
Mrs. Margaret E. Conro
February, 1950
Lydia J. Gregory
February, 1950 February, 1950
Raymond L. Horton, Treas.
February, 1951
Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Sec.
February, 1951
Mrs. Gertrude F. Chilson
February, 1951
Leland B. Smith
February, 1952
Frederick V. Murphy, Jr.
February, 1952
George E. Nerney
February, 1952
Mrs. Lucille Palmer Cavender
Indefinite
Peter J. Marron
February, 1950
Francis J. O'Neil
January, 1950
George F. Lincoln
February, 1950
John B. Bowen
February, 1950
Frank L. Cushman
Permanent
Samuel M. Stone, Chair.
February, 1950
Harry C. Wolfenden, Sec. Thomas G. Sadler, Jr.
February, 1952
Robert W. Sharkey
Permanent
Philip F. Leach
February, 1950
Clifford A. Swanson
February, 1950
J. Burleigh Moulton
February, 1951
Rev. Frank L. Briggs
February, 1952
William O. Sweet
February, 1953
John J. Hodge
February, 1954 February, 1954 February, 1950
John E. Turner, Chair.
February, 1950
Thomas H. Brennan
February, 1951
John W. Wolfenden
February, 1952 February, 1953
Frank J. Nerney
Peter J. Marron, Chief
Indefinite
Robert W. Mawney, Supt.
February, 1951 February, 1950
John J. Murray William Liddell
February, 1950
Frank Miller
February, 1951
John W. Redding
William A. Blackburn
February, 1951 February, 1952
Librarian ( Appointed by Library Trustees ) Lockup Keeper-1 Mayor
Measurer of Lumber-1
City Messenger-2
Milk Inspector ( Appointed by Health Officer ) Park Commissioners-1
February, 1951
Park Supt. ( Appointed by Park Commissioners ) Planning Board-1
Plumbing Inspector Police Commissioners-1
Robert W. Mawney Allen A. Gross
Police Department-1 Public Works Department-1 Recreation Commissioners-1
Edwin F. Leach, Chairman
5
ANNUAL REPORT
Board of Registrars-1
Mrs. Lilla Conant
February, 1950
Mrs. Eva L. Kent
February, 1951
Clayton A. MacDonald, Chair. Louis J. Perry
February, 1952 February, 1953
Rehabilitation and Reemploy- ment Director-1 Retirement Board
School Committee-3
William A. Nerney
January, 1950
Thomas G. Sadler
January, 1950
Mrs. Pearl Briggs
January, 1950
Pierre B. Lonsbury
January, 1950
Henry M. Crowther
January, 1950
Dr. Anderson Briggs
January, 1952
Mrs. Olive M. Keeler
January, 1952
Mrs. Deborah O. Richardson
January, 1952
Mrs. Alice H. Stobbs
January, 1952
Supt. of Schools ( Appointed by School Committee )
School Nurse ( Appointed by School Committee ) School Physician ( Appointed by School Committee )
Dorothy B. Wendell, R.N.
Permanent
Dr. Herbert G. Vaughan
Permanent
Daniel O'Connell
February, 1950
Arthur B. Cummings
February, 1949
Daniel A. J. Doyle
February, 1950
Gladys Hinds William Marshall
February, 1950
January, 1950
All ex-offieio Francis J. O'Neil, Mayor William Marshall, Treasurer William A. Nerney, Chairman of School Committee
James McBrien
Kenneth Crook, Sec. Thomas E. McCaffrey, Chair. John K. Henderson, Chair. G. William Goddard John J. Maynard
February, 1951 February, 1952
Charles E. Judge Elmer E. Tufts, Chair.
February, 1950
February, 1951
February, 1952 February, 1950 February, 1950
Clarence E. Roberts Lawrence B. Gilbert ( Asso.) John D. Baer ( Asso. Member ) Hazel Shaw, Clerk Indefinite
February, 1950 February, 1951 February, 1952
Board of Public Welfare-1
February, 1950
Zoning Board of Appeals-1
Daniel O'Connell Edward H. Brown, Ex-Off. Doris L. Austin ( Elected by members of system) Earl P. Cooper-1
Indefinite Indefinite
March, 1951 July, 1950
Richard A. Martin (resigned Sept. 15, 1949) Dr. Anson B. Barber
Permanent
Sealers of Weights and Measures-1 Soldiers' Relief and Burial Agent-1 City Solicitor-1 City Stenographer-2 City Treasurer-3
Treasurer of the Capron and Deborah Starkey Funds
Trust Fund Commissioners-1
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the City Clerk
Attleboro, Mass., Jan. 2, 1950
Hon. Cyril K. Brennan
Mayor, City of Attleboro.
Dear Mr. Mayor:
I herewith submit the annual report of the City Clerk's Department, cover- ing 1949. The report does not show the great amount of detail attached to the bookkeeping and accounting of the office or the keeping of records, such as vital statistics. There was a total of $4,841.58 taken in for the various licenses, issuance of permits, certified copies of records and recording of chatel mortgages and other legal papers. In 1949 there were 1778 dog licenses issued for which $4398 was taken in, $4042.20 being paid over to the City Treasurer for the county's share of the gross, and the balance $355.80 was paid to the city treas- urer as fees. There were 1895 sporting licenses sold in 1949 at a gross value of $3883 with $3440 of it going to the State Department of Conservation for the Fish & Game Department and the balance of $443 going to the city for fees. Attleboro is one of the very few cities of the Commonwealth that deprives the city clerk of the fees for sporting licenses.
As a matter of comparison, the income for licenses, permits, fees, etc., in 1948 was $4837.08. Gross of dog licenses sold in 1948 was $4628 and for sport licenses $4886.
Broken down the income on licenses, permits, etc., was, in 1949-Motor vehicle dealers' licenses, $59; hackney and express licenses, $305; Sunday licenses, $270; common victuallers and lodging houses, $156; pool and bowling, $120; auctioneers, $18; second hand and junk licenses, $405; amusement licenses and permits, $349; theaters, $204; gas tank registrations and ammuni- tion permits and licenses, $201; sign licenses, $135; marriage permits, $416; sale of certified copies, $270.80; recording mortgages and discharges, $1889.93; and miscellaneous receipts, $42.85. Total, $4,841.58.
Up to closing time of business on Dec. 30 there had been 1123 births reported in 1949, as against 1185 in 1948. There were 278 marriages recorded in Attleboro in 1949 as against 397 in 1948. Attleboro deaths (including many out of the city residents) stood at 368 in 1949 against 367 recorded in the previous year. As in deaths, the births at the hospital included many to out of town parents and on the whole, these records do not give a true picture, as regards local statistics. Additional reports of births, deaths and marriages that may come in will probably revise all the 1949 figures upward, to some extent.
The below table will give a clear financial picture of the city clerk's de- partment for 1949.
7
ANNUAL REPORT
Received All Sources
Paid Treas. Licenses, etc.
Paid Treas. For Dog Lic.
State Sport Lic.
January
$ 1,331.65
$ 395.35
$ 1.80
$ 934.50
February
362.10
293.05
1.80
67.25
March
3,116.80
1,569.85
1,352.20
194.75
April
3,603.90
671.70
1,729.20
1,203.00
May
1,335.98
547.78
327.20
461.00
June
818.20
372.65
195.80
249.75
July
658.50
351.75
116.00
190.75
August
426.60
302.05
64.80
59.75
September
418.70
260.25
111.20
47.25
October
709.90
299.15
69.00
341.75
November
548.20
337.90
52.80
157.50
December
362.05
286.45
18.60
57.00
Totals
$13,692.58
$5,687.93
$4,040.40
$3,964.25
During the past year the city clerk's office has remained open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., each Wednesday, affording an opportunity for those unable to visit the office in shop working hours to transact business there. The clerk kept the office open three nights until 9 p.m., when the dog licensing season was at its height and also was at the South Attleboro Tax Payers headquarters for one evening and also at the South Attleboro fire station, during the dog licensing season.
Yours truly,
Kenneth F. Blandin,
City Clerk
-
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OF COUNCILMEN AT 1949 COUNCIL MEETINGS
Present
Absent
Tot.
President Freeman
29
0
29
Mr. Newton
25
4
29
Mr. Smith
29
0
29
Mr. Hinds
27
2
29
Mr. Johnson
26
3
29
Mr. McKay
26
3
29
Mr. Lambert
28
1
29
Mr. Lavigueur
26
3
29
Mr. Pithie
28
1
29
Mr. Brennan
28
1
29
Mr. Mackinnon
22
7
29
Total number of meetings held
29
MEETING DATES-1949
January 4th
January 18th
February 1st
February 15th
March 1st
March 9th-Special
March 15th
March 25th-Special
April 5th
April 19th
May 3rd
May 17th
May 26th-Special
June 7th
June 21st
July 5th
July 12th-Special
August 2nd
August 18th-Special
September 6th
September 20th
October 4th
October 18th
October 27th-Special
November 1st
November 15th
December 6th
December 9th-Special
December 20th
8
ANNUAL REPORT
9
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Fire Department
To His Honor the Mayor and Municipal Council:
Your Fire Department submit their Annual Report for the year 1949 and Recommendations for the year 1950.
We wish again to call your attention to the age of the apparatus in the Department and the location of same.
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
LOCATED AT UNION STREET STATION
Engine 2-750 gal. triple combination purchased 1926
Ladder 1-85 ft. aerial truck purchased 1945
SOUTH ATTLEBORO STATION
Engine 4-750 gal. triple combination purchased 1926
Ladder 2-65 ft. junior aerial truck purchased 1944
TWIN VILLAGE STATION
Engine 5-500 gal. triple combination purchased 1932
The Department has responded to the following alarms in 1949: Alarms by boxes 66
Assembly 3
Still alarms 511 Total 580
io
ANNUAL REPORT
CLASSIFICATION
Automobiles
41
Awnings
3
Blow torch
1
Bonfire
2
Brush
213
Buildings 51 include chimney 9, electrical appliances, wires and
motors 14, oil burners 32, overheated boiler 1 and Xmas
lights 2.
109
Dump and rubbish
41
False
13
Flushing gasolene from highway
18
Filling boiler and wells
7
Flooding pond
1
Gain entrance
26
Inhalator
24
Lumber
4
No fire
33
Needless
3
Rescue animal
2
Rescue person
3
Railroad car
1
Rope in flagpole
9
Sprinklers
20
Tar kettle
1
Water pipes
3
Wetting field
2 Total 580
Hose laid 35,400 ft. of 22 in., 5,750 ft. of 112 in., raised 28,127 ft. of ladders, Water cans 586, Booster 288, Pyrenes 21, Foam 6, Co2 1, Oxygen tanks 29, Boat 1, Air pak 2, Assistance to North Attleboro 1.
FIRE LOSS 1949
Value of Buildings at risk
$1,343,460.00
Value of Contents at risk
2,565,070.00
$3,908,530.00
Insurance on Buildings
1,639,629.00
Insurance on Contents
2,566,550.00
Loss on Buildings
43,681.45
Loss on Contents
70,679.77
Insurance paid on Buildings
43,681.45
Insurance paid on Contents
70,604.87
114,286.32
Loss not covered by Insurance
74.90
RECOMMENDATIONS
Salary and Wages
We have recommended an increase in wages for the Officers and Men. If this increase cannot be granted we recommend that a cost of living bonus be granted.
4,206,179.00
114,361.22
11
ANNUAL REPORT
Apparatus and Equipment
We recommend a replacement program as follows:
The purchase of one triple combination pumping engine in 1950.
The purchase of one junior aerial ladder truck, tractor drawn, in 1951. The purchase of one triple combination pumping engine in 1952.
This program, if followed, will replace apparatus 31 years old, 26 years old and 24 years old.
We again recommend one Two-way radio be installed on apparatus in South Attleboro. This radio would save us many miles travel and wear on our apparatus.
We recommend the purchase of one thousand feet of 2/2 inch hose.
Station Recommendations
We recommend that a new Central Fire Station be built to house all the apparatus in the two Central Stations.
We again recommend that the Police and Fire Committee of the City Council, the Board of Fire Engineers and the Sup't. of Fire Alarms bring before the Mayor and Council a report covering a suitable location and estimated cost of land and building at an early date.
Repairs
We recommend an appropriation be made to cover the following needed repairs: A new apron, new doors and cement floor at Union street. Cement floor and covering of second story floors at South Attleboro. Rebuilding of parapet wall on north side of Central station.
ESTIMATED EXPENSES Salary and Wages
Appropriated-1949
EXPENDED-1949
$204,026.85 195,667.80
BALANCE-1949
8,359.05
By Transfer-1949
4,498.52
NET BALANCE-1949
3,860.53
RECOMMENDATIONS-1950 SALARY & WAGES
Chief-$4,500.00 $ 4,500.00
4 Deputies-$4,000.00
16,000.00
9 Captains-$3,500.00
31,500.00
1 Mechanic-$3,500.00
3,500.00
59 Men-Full Pay-$3,000.00 177,000.00
7 Men-Not Full Pay
19,828.40
$252,328.40
1949 RATE
Chief
$ 3,300.00
ยท 4 Deputies
11,200.00
9 Captains 23,400.00
1 Mechanic 2,600.00
$ 40,500.00
59 Men-Full Pay at $6.86 per day
147,730.10
1 Man-120 days at $6.50-245 days at $6.86
2,460.70
1 Man-162 days at $6.50-203 days at $6.86 2,445.58
5 Men-181 days at $6.10-184 days at $6.50 11,500.50
$204,636.88
12
ANNUAL REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS 1950
Appro. 1949
Expended 1949
Needed 1950
Maint. of Equip.
$9,225.00
$9,573.39
$10,775.00
Autos
$3,000.00
$3,203.16
$3,500.00
Stations
3,000.00
3,015.82
3,500.00
Hose
1,450.00
1,587.24
1,550.00
Apparel
1,675.00
1,591.56
2,025.00
All Other
100.00
175.61
200.00
$ 10,775.00
Other Expenses
$4,915.00
$4,915.00
$5,760.00
Light
740.00
768.40
800.00
Phones
525.00
711.06
725.00
Water
150.00
137.90
150.00
Fuel
3,400.00
3,251.96
3,400.00
Out of State Conference
360.00
360.00
585.00
5,760.00 $
New Equipment
750 gal. Triple Combination pumping engine
$ 15,000.00 One Two-way Radio, South Attleboro Station
650.00
New apron, doors and cement floor, Union Street Station. New eement floor, South Attleboro Station.
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 the doctors who have assisted us in many ways with their kindness during fires.
As always the Police Department has assisted us at fires and with radio, their cooperation has been excellent.
His Honor the Mayor, Franeis J. O'Neil, members of the Municipal Coun- eil, our Committee Fire and Poliee, have studied our requests for improve- ments and have assisted materially to keep our Department in working eon- dition satisfactory to the Insurance Underwriters.
ATTLEBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT,
Board of Fire Engineers
Chief Joseph O. Mowry Chairman William E. Sweeney Clerk Charles G. Thomae Hayward H. Sweet.
13
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Public Library
Honorable Mayor and Municipal Council
February 3, 1950
Attleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Enclosed find Trustees' report of the Attleboro Public Library for year 1949, and Librarian's commentary on activities and needs-Building, Branches, Bookstock and Personnel.
We hope it will be convenient in the near future for you to visit the Library and see the condition in some of the departments where space is at the very limit, and plans should be made for some expansion.
Very truly yours, Trustees of Attleboro Public Library Edwin F. Leach, President.
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY JOSEPH L. SWEET MEMORIAL
Attleboro, Mass.
Commentary on activities and needs-Building, Branches, Bookstock and Personnel.
BUILDING
The Library is starting its 43rd year in the present building. Designed to accommodate approximately 25,000 volumes, and for administration from a centrally located desk within view of reading rooms and a section reserved for children, the library has developed a collection of 65,183 volumes plus the various special collections of pictures, maps, charts, pamphlets, family and historical records, which must be classified, filed, and stored for ease of access. From time to time additional shelving and verticle files have been added, but the year 1950 finds the present quarters so crowded that valuable material is damaged from being crammed on over-crowded shelves, and far too much time consumed trying to locate items temporarily stored where they don't belong, in the vain effort to salvage a few feet of space for titles of ir nediate demand.
Work space that was ample for 1907 needs is totally inadequate for 1950, resulting not only in loss of time, motion and temper, but the still more serious slowing down of service. Immediate remodeling of the present quarters is of primary importance.
The building as a whole has reached the stage where maintenance is a major factor. The problem of the roof seems to be perpetual, and 1949 brought its quota of leaks.
As a means of surface protection, the window sills, frames, etc., were refinished on the main floor and in the galleries and lecture hall, and the bronze grill work and trim on the outside of the building was painted. An installation of Bird's-Off seems to have entirely eliminated the pigeon nuisance.
14
ANNUAL REPORT
Redecoration of all wall surfaces has long been needed. A beginning was made in the summer by the painting, in light terra-cotta beige to blend with the floor decorations, of the reading rooms on either side of the foyer. The lighting as well as the appearance of the remainder of the building would be improved by repainting all other main service areas. The Children's Room has had no fresh paint since 1930.
BRANCHES
The concept of branch libraries as merely dispensories of books is definitely out-dated. Present day branches are representative unit libraries, adapted to the particular needs of the locality; simplified perhaps in some instances, but maintaining as high standards of service as the library of which they are a part.
The four branches operated by the Attleboro library are individual in their needs, and vary considerably in terms of housing, equipment, etc. The growth of the city, the increase in school enrollment and new housing developments are reflected in the demands made on branch library costs. It is recommended that studies be made in terms of localities available transportation, and type of service desirable for the various districts now served or which will need service in the near future.
Reports from the assistants in charge of the branches all stress the need for more frequent change of collections, and for more books, and pictures for the lower grades.
An instance of change of service necessitated by increasing school enroll- ment is shown at the Tiffany and Lincoln School branches. When the class- room formerly used as a library at Tiffany School was again needed for class purposes, a storage bay in the basement was fitted up, attractively painted and curtained, and through the cooperation of the school principal, Miss Young, the children and teachers are making enthusiastic use of the facilities offered. On the other hand, only 49 adults are registered as against 341 children. This lack of adult use is probably due largely to the fact that the branch is only open during school hours.
The need for using every available bit of space for classroom purposes necessitated the closing of the branch library at Lincoln School at the end of the school year. A room in Legion Hall, in South Attleboro Village, was made available and service began there in September. The room is of ample propor- tions affording plenty of reading room space and shelving arrangements which make for ease of selection. Unfortunately, the Village branch, while in a more convenient location for use by adults, cannot serve the school population which used it so avidly when it was housed in the Lincoln School.
In the Washington School region, service is dispensed from a portable building long ago abandoned by the school department. Gay posters, attrac- tive book displays, a sizeable book collection ( approximately 2,200 volumes), magazines, picture and pamphlet files, reading tables plus good lighting and a good floor are offset by very insecure underpinning and walls and window frames which offer but slight resistance to wind and weather. The building may hold up another year. Washington branch has a registration of 83 adults and 371 children. The past year it circulated 13,853 books, 11,611 of them to children.
15
ANNUAL REPORT
The Hebronville Library is located in half of the Community Cottage presented by the late Joseph Finberg. Service to children is given largely through the weekly visits of classes from the lower grades of Finberg school. The proportion of adult readers is about the same as at Washington Branch. The room is attractive, but too small to permit more than the mere selection of books. Space for reading and study tables is highly desirable and could be obtained by some slight alteration in the partition and the extension of shelving into a now unoccupied room.
As will be seen from the above comments, it is highly desirable that the means and manner of library branch service be given careful study during the coming year.
BOOKS
Although books are the very reason for a library's existence they are oftimes relegated to a position of minor importance in library reports, whereas the selection and care of books is a major function.
Attleboro has a good book collection. It was a good collection in the days of the library's beginnings and the succession of librarians and trustees have taken pains to maintain high standards. Maintenance involves the dis- carding of worn out copies and obsolete titles that have served their usefulness, as well as the acquisition of new titles and the replacement of those which have permanent value. Maintenance involves also knowing when and how to repair, or have bound; a knowledge of paper, book making, book cloths.
Book selection must always be correlated to the budget, and a separate book budget must be constantly checked to assure purchase of essential items in various fields while providing more adequately for specific subjects most in demand.
The art collection, comprising design, fine metal work, jewelry, antiques, ceramics, photography, and music is the most used (and most expensive) with technical books a very close second. A constant check for revised editions is essential in the technical and scientific field in order to keep the collection at its maximum usefulness. Consequently a greater proportion of the book budget is required for these fields.
It is interesting to note that of the 2,064 adult volumes added in 1949, 1,460 titles were non-fiction. The central library alone circulated 76,217 adult books, 45.4% of which were non-fiction.
Adults may have to be content with fewer new titles the coming year, however, due to the ever increasing demands on the collection for boys and girls. Children read 67,333 books in 1949, and of the 1,315 books added to the juvenile collection, 785 were duplicates or replacements. It is impossible to fill the almost daily requests for classroom collections to correlate special subjects; 5,742 books were loaned in this way. The branches constantly clamor for more books for the lower grades; the children swarming into the main library after school are reading more and more biography, science, and how-to-do books, and on some days there is scarcely a book left for the youngsters below the third grade.
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