USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1952-1953 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
74
Licensing Board
-5-
The following named persons were granted Pin Ball Permits for which a fee of $20.00 per year, prorated monthly, was paid for each machine :
Loyal Order of Moose, No. 160T,
Frank M. Jones, Mgr. (2)
$40.00
D. Caramagno, 13 Market Sq. (2) 40.00
Roland Haines, 131-133 Merrimac St. (2) 40.00
The Olde Newbury, 43-44 Market Sq. (1)
20.00
State Cab Co. (1)
20.00
Louis Festo (1)
20.00
Hubert Greaney (1)
20.00
Anthony Soffron (1)
20.00
John J. Twomey, Mgr. (1)
20.00
Lodge Cafe, Inc. (1)
20.00
Park Lunch, Inc. (1)
20.00
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks
#909 (1)
20.00
K & C Spa (1)
20.00
Andy's Diner (1)
20.00
John Buciak (1)
20.00
John J. 0'Bara (1)
20.00
Jennie Vourlalis (1)
20.00
Sarkis & John Kalashian (1)
20.00
Polish American Citizens Club (1)
20.00
John J. Loary, Duke's Grill (1)
20.00
North End Boat Club, Inc. (1)
20.00
Being twenty-one permits $ 480.00
Your Board received the sum of Nineteen Thousand
Eight Hundred Twenty One ($19,821.00) Dollars for all licenses issued during the period from January 1, 1952, to December 31, 1952, which amount has been turned over to the City Treasurer.
RECAPITULATION
Licenses to sell All Alcoholic Beverages
Retail Package Goods Stores, 4 - 1953 Licenses at
$850.00
Common Victualler's, 11 - 1953 Licenses at $850.00 9,350.00
Clubs, 4 - 1953 Licenses at $400.00 1,600.00
Licenses to sell Malt Beverages
500.00
Licenses to sell Wine & Malt Beverages
Retail Package Goods Stores, 2 - 1953 Licenses at
$350.00.
700.00
Common Victualler's, 3 - 1953 Licenses at $500.00 .. 1,500.00
Seasonal Licenses to sell All Alcoholic Beverages
Common Victualler's, 2 - 1953 Licenses at $600.00 ..
1,200.00
Seasonal License to sell All Alcoholic Beverages
As Innholder
Common Victualler's, 1 - 1953 License at $600.00 500.00
Amusement, 3 - 1953 licenses at $5.00 15.00
Lodging House, 8 - 1953 licenses at $2.00. 16.00
Frozen Desserts, Etc., 50 Licenses at $5.00 250.00
Common Victualler's, 42 Licenses at $5.00 210.00
Pin Ball, 21 - 1953 Licenses prorated at $20.00
480.00
A Total of 153 Licenses $19,821.00
75
.$ 3,400.00
Clubs, 2 - 1953 Licenses at $250.00
-6-
Your Board incurred the following indebtedness which was paid :
Office Supplies
$51.47
Travel Expense
31.00
Advertising
24.00
Clerical
5.00
Telephone calls
3.50
$114.97
Respectfully submitted,
Carl W. Elwoll Chairman and Secretary.
76
Report of City Marshal
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Councillors of the City of Newburyport : Gentlemen:
The whole number of Arrests during the year 1952 for offences committed within the City of Newburyport is 547 of which 23 were foreign birth, 524 were born with in the limits of the United States. 47 were females and 56 were minors.
Arrests Were for the Following Causes :
Adultery.
Assault and Battery.
36
Accessory to Breaking and Entering and Larceny.
3
Bastardy ..
Breaking and Entering Night Time and Larceny.
10
Carrying Concealed Weapons
6
Concealing Leased Property
1
Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency.
]
Desert ion of Minor Child.
1
Deserter- A. W. O. L. from Army.
5
Disorderly House.
Disorderly Conduct
Disturbing the Peace
Drunkenness.
194 2
Escaped Prisoner
1 8
Insane
Keeping Gaming Implements
Larceny.
Lewd and Lascivious
14 2
Malicious Mischief
Malicious Injury to Property.
Neglected Children
Neglect of Children
Non-Support.
Resist ing Arrest
1 2
Runaway Girls
3
Stubborn and Disobedient
3
Throwing Glass in Street
1
Truants
Vagrancy.
Violation of Parole.
2 27
Violation of the Food Law.
2
Violation of the Rules of the Board of Health
2
Violation of the Liquor Law.
1
Violation of the Fire Arm Law
1
Violation of the Firework Law
2
Violation of the Victualler Law
1
Automobile Violations :
Fa il ing to Stop at Signal of Officer
1
Operating under Influence of Liquor.
18
Operating so as to Endanger.
17
Operating without License
9
Operating after Revocation
4
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle.
2
Leaving the Scene of Accident
14
Speed ing . ..
64
Violation of Traffic Signals
2
Violation of Parking La
2
2 3 12
Fornication
Gam ing
10 2
2 2 7 2 20
Runaway Boys.
1 5
Violation of Probation ..
Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle
2
77
1
3
Report of City Marshal
Other Violations
10
Disposed of as Follows
Appealed.
12
Bound over to Grand Jury.
9
Cases Continued.
22
Cases Dismissed.
Committed to Danvers Hospital.
10
Committed to the Essex County Training School and Suspended.
1
Committed for Non-Payment of Fine $50.00
3
Committed to State Farm, Bridgewater
1
2
Defaulted ...
3
Discharged by Court.
Fined and Paid, $3440.00
Fined and Suspended, $775.00
House of Correction, 1630 days
11
Placed on File
39
Put on Probation.
73 83
Turned over to other Officers
9
Turned over to Parents ..
5
Turned over to the U. S. Army
5
Miscellanous
Amount of Property Lost.
$21438.00
Amount of Property Recovered
Amount of Imprisonment Imposed (Days)
1630
Amount of Imprisonmert Imposed (Days) Suspended.
3525
Accident Reported.
167
Assisted other Officers
250
Automobiles Stolen ...
15
Automobiles Recovered.
16
Buildingg found open and secured.
426
Bicycles Stolen ..
30
Bicycles Recovered.
28
Complaints Investigated.
1579
Dangerous Wires and Poles Reported.
17
Dead Animals found on Streetq.
72
Defective places in Streetq Reported.
22
Defective places in Sidewalk Reported.
67
Diaturbances suppressed without arrest
4
Duty Calls
26988
Escorts furnished processions and parades
4
Fire alarms given Still
6
Gas Escaping in Building.
1
Injured persons assisted.
27
Intoxicated persons helped home
7
Lights found burning in buildings
113
Lights furnished for dangerous places
7
Lights reported out in stores.
45
Lost children restored to parents
14
Number of visits to Pool Room ..
511
Officers for extra duty at Ward Room
38
Officers for extra duty at Church ..
2
Officers for extra duty at City Hall.
10
Officers on Extra Duty ..
162
Officers for extra duty at Ball Games
50
78
21 152 22 41 64
House of Correction and Suspended, 3525 days
Ordered to Make Restitution.
Released by Probation Officer.
Committed to the Industrial School at Shirley.
17
30
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk
Report of City Marshal
Officers for extra duty at High School.
5
Officers for extra duty at Dance Halls.
24
Officers for extra duty at Theatres.
104
Officers for extra duty at Circus
1
Safes found open ...
Search warrants for property
Search warrants for gaming implement
Sick persons assisted.
23
Street obstructions removed
5
Street lights reported out.
652
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner
Telephone calls
Wagon calls.
Water found running in buildings
4 4
Windows found open and secured.
65
Windows found broken.
226 83
Summons served for other Police.
Bicycles Registered.
242
False Alarm Sounded.
4 12
Air Rifles Confiscated
4
Person bitten by dogs
57
Hens killed by dogs.
21
Persons reported missing
14
No-Fix Summons Issued.
656
Fingerprints taken ..
87
Notified to license dogs
372
Dangerous limbs reported.
19
Drown ing
1
Suicides
2
Traffic lights out.
22
Visite to Liquor Places ..
6275
Speeders stopped and warned.
294
Signs left burning.
23
Meggages delivered.
322
Guarda for Money transfers
138
Officers on Duty at Court (Days )
306
Respectfully submitted,
James E. Sullivan, City Marshal
79
12
4
1
6
170
15
Water ma in burst, superintendent notified.
Gaming Machine Seized
Fire Department
February 10, 1953
To His Honor the Mayor and Members of the City Council City Hall Newburyport, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The undersigned herewith presents the required report of the Newburyport Fire Department for the year ending December 31,1952.
42 Bell Alarms 6 Bell Alarms
(for fires) (false)
4 Bell Alarms 288 Still Alarm8
(Chief's calls)
1389 Miles travelled by apparatus
269 Hours service at fires, etc. 42 Hours pumpers worked
20,050 Feet of 2%" hose laid
1,250 Feet of 12" hose laid 346 Feet of ladders used (aerial excluded) 27 Injuries reported while on duty
. 5 Gallons Foamite used
1 Help sent out of City (Plum Island excluded)
33 Assistance rendered (misc.) 5 Locked out parties assisted
2 Halyards replaced on flag poles
2 Funerals attended 8 Parades attended 89 22 gal. S. & A. Chemicals recharged 2526 Telephone calls to and from station 549 Ambulance calls
6612 Miles travelled by ambulance 8 Men on duty at City Hall 14 Men on duty at High School
207 Permits for fires issued
840 Oil burners inspected
139 Buildings inspected
10 Complaints attended to
Value of Buildings and contents Insurance on Buildings and contents $386.450.00
$342,330.00
Insurance paid on Buildings and contents $ 18.456.34
Respectfully submitted, Burton T. Lunt Chief of Fire Department
James A. Croteau
Deputy Chief
80
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed Condemned
Over 10,000 lbs.
3
5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
1
100 - 5,000 lbs.
35
3
Under 100 lbs.
205
6
Weights
360
Yard Sticks
29
100 gals. or less
1
1 gallon or under liquids
18
Gasoline meters
88
1
Oil, greas.
19
Vehicle tanks
32
Gasoline pumps
2
Kerosene, oil, grease
47
Leather measuring devices
1
Cloth measuring devices
2
Wire, rope
2
TOTAL FEES COLLECTED DURING 1952 - $432.81
81
BOARD OF HEALTH
DEATHS
Resident
177
Non-Resident
82
Residents Ashes Interred 2
Non-Resident
Died Here, Buried Here 29
Resident
Died Here, Buried Here 143
Non-Resident Ashes 3
Interred Here 2
4
Removals
BIRTHS
RESIDENT
243
Males
130
Females
113
Stillborn
7
Twins
2 sets
NON-RESIDENT
146
Malos
73
Females
73
Twins
3 sets
PERMITS ISSUED
Plumbing
97
Masseurs
4
Milk ( store)
118
ole0
61
Pasteurization
3
Ice cream
6
Undertaker's
7
Milk (dealer)
13
Carbonated Bev.
2
Day Nursery
4
315 Licenses issued
FEES COLLECTED FROM THE ABOVE LICENSES $690.50
82
BOARD OF HEALTH
CONTAGIOUS DISEASE
Number of Cases
Chickenpox
177
Mumps
89
Measles
66
German Measles
110
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
7
Whooping Cough
1
Dogbite
59
Scarlet Fever
2
Polio
2
TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES
513
TUBERCULOSIS
NEW CASES
8
REACTIVATED CASES -
1
CASES CONTINUED ON REGISTER - 16
TOTAL CASES ON REGISTER 25
DEATHS DURING YEAR FROM TUBERCULOSIS
3
DIAGNOSIS REVOKED - 1
NUMBER OF CASES ON REGISTER AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1952 - 21
83
BOARD OF HEALTH
DEATHS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL LIST
1 - Infective and Parasitic Diseases (1-44) 13b Tuberculosis
1
11-Cancer and other tumors - (45-57)
45a Esophagus
2
b Stomach
2
e Intestines
6
f Pancreas
1
47d Lung
4
48b Other and unspecified sites
2
50 Breast
5 3
51b Prostate
550 Other and unspecified organs
1
lk- Diseases of the Blood and Blood-forming Organs (72-76)
1
V1- Diseases of the Nervous System (80-89)
18
b Cerebral embolism and thrombosis
1
Vll- Diseases of Circulatory System (90-103)
92a Aortic Valvular Disease
1
b Chronic myocarditis
2
93d Diseases of other and unspecified valves
39
94ยช Diseases of coronary arteries
40
95 Other diseases of the heart
1
97 Arteriosclerosis
2
VIII
Diseases of Respiratory System (104-114)
107 Broncho-pneumonia
108 Lobar-pneumonia
109 Pneumonia
1
llla Hemorrhagic infaction of lung
lllc Chronic congestion of lung
1
114. Other and unspecified diseases of respiratory system
IX Diseases of Digestive System (115-129)
121 Appendicitis
1
128 Diseases of pancreas
1
130 Acute nephritis
1
131b Arteriosclerotic kidney
1
132 Nephritis not stated to be acute or chronic
1
XV Diseases Peculiar to First Year of Life (158-161) 159 Premature births
4
XV1 1 Violent or Accidental Deaths (163-198)
2
170b Collisions between autos
1
181 Accidental burns
1
183 Accidental drowning
1
Korean war Death
1
Stillborn
7
84
164 Suicide by hanging
X Diseases of Urinary and Genital Systems (130-139)
114d Abscess of lung
75c Other diseases of spleen
838 Cerebral Hemorrhage
Board of Public Welfare
March 20, 1953
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To His Honor the Mayor
Members of the City Council
The report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1952 covering disbursement for Aid to Dependent Children, Disability Assistance, General Relief and William Horton Home, up to the time of closing, is fully itemized and is reported on a monthly basis.
The gross cost for operating these four categories for the year totaled $141,684.10. Re-imbursements from State, Federal and other Cities and Towns totaled $67,285.55, including a percentage of salaries and administration paid by the Federal Government, making the net cost to the City $74,398.55. The Department closed the year with substantial balances. With the closing of the City Infirmary the Department was able to place the most worthy cases on Old Age Assistance, Disability Assistance and a few who couldn't qualify for either program, we were able to place in licensed boarding and nursing homes.
A separate report will be submitted at a later date with a detailed statement of the disposal of equipment and furnishings from the Horton Home.
Respectfully submitted, Second F. Muchly. Japh R. Thebault Crobert G. Fuller
Welfare Agent James A. Cereden
Board of Public Welfare
85
Board of Public Welfare
SUMMARY REPORT 1952
PAYMENTS
WELFARE :
Groceries
$ 12,009.05
Fuel
2,370.49
Board & Care
5,034.19
Office Supplies
102.80
Rent
2,702.41
Shoes & Clothing
257.82
Telephone
187.41
Temporary Aid
8,784.19
Glasses
60.00
Medical
1,904.00
Drugs
1,212.78
Hospital
4,430.03
Dental
27.00
Travel
41.01
Miscellaneous
191.43
Cash
10,356.10
$ 49,670.71
INFIRMARY :
Groceries
801.61
Fuel & Light
981.44
Feed & Grain
350.86
Gas
25.45
Medical
55.20
Supplies
242.65
Tobacco
160.32
Pest Control
33.32
Telephone
45.30
Miscellaneous
65.75
Barbering
96.00
Shoes & Clothing
89.28
Repairs
16.22
Repairs on Truck
15.25
Insurance
91.05
Express
6.20
Veterinarian
31.70
Gasoline (Truck)
55.93
3,163.53
OTHER PAYMENTS :
Aid to Dependent Children
City
17,359.69
State
22,009.63
Federal
26,659.68
$ 66,029.00
Disability Assistance
City
2,659.41
Stato
3,996.38
Federal
3,981.91
$ 10,637.70
SALARIES :
Welfare
11,031.71
Infirmary
1,151.45
$ 12,183.16
TOTAL PAYMENTS:
$141,684.10
86
Board of Public Welfare
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
MONTH
FEDERAL
STATE
CITY
TOTAL
January
$ 2,179.85
$ 1,845.26
$ 1,510.68
$ 5,535.79
February
2,195.62
1,859.98
1,524.33
5,579.93
March
2,179.52
1,840.10
1,500.70
5,520.32
April
2, 134.33
1,848.53
1,562.75
5,545.61
May
2,102.99
1,759.89
1,416.79
5,279.67
June
2,089.87
1,838.97
1,588.09
5,516.93
July
2,144.82
1,814.24
1,483.66
5,442.72
August
2,135.85
1,813.87
1,491.90
5,441.62
September
2,084.27
1,794.83
1,505.41
5,384.51
October
2,024.91
1,831.26
1,637.60
5,493.77
November
2,717.51
1,981.10
1,244.70
5,943.31
December
2,670.14
1,781.60
893.08
5,344.82
TOTAL
$26,659.68
#22,009.63
$17,359.69
$66,029.00
87
Board of Publio Welfare
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
MONTH
FEDERAL
STATE
CITY
TOTAL
January
$ 266.55
266.29
$ 177.61
710.45
February
259.23
234.41
164.54
658.18
March
236.30
240.34
158.88
635.52
April
222.66
376.02
199.56
798.24
May
294.72
237.52
177.41
709.65
June
291.02
211.53
167.51
670.06
July
351.07
242.08
197.72
790.87
August
321.98
446.12
256.03
1,024.13
September.
350.85
419.22
256.69
1,026.76
October
400.68
287.03
229.23
916:94
November
444.45
354.43
266.30
1,065.18
December
542.40
681.39
407.93
1,631.72
TOTAL
$ 3,981.91
$ 3,996.38
$ 2,659.41
$10,637.70
88
Board of Public Welfare
RECEIPTS
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
Federal Grant:
Nov. 1951
$2,287.60
Dec. 1951
2,347.27
Jan. 1952
2,139.50
Feb. 1952
2,205.62
March 1952
2,235.52
April 1952
2,074.33
May 1952
2,032.99
June 1952
2,049.87
July 1952
2,184. 82
August 1952
2,175.85
Sept. 1952
2,234.27
Oct. 1952
3,038.11
$27,005.75
Federal Administrativo:
Oct .- Dec. 1951
402.28
Jan. - March 1952
430.88
April-June 1952
462.64
July-Sept. 1952
477.24
$ 1,773.04
State Grant:
July-Dec. 1951 & Jan .- May 1952
19,602.64
June 1952
1,838.97
$21,441.61
Returned Checks :
A. D. C. - City
40.10
$ 40.10
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE:
Federal Grant:
Advanced -Jan. June 1952
1,080.00
Jan. 1952
66.55
Feb. 1952
69.23
March 1952
39.86
Advanced-July-Oct. 1952
1,400.00
April 1952
52.66
May 1952
124.72
$ 2,833.02
Federal Administrative:
Oct .- Dec. 1951
134.33
Jan. - March 1952
44.47
April-June 1952
132.33
July-Sept. 1952
60.17
$ 371.30
State Grant:
Jan. 1952
266.29
Feb. 1952
234.41
March 1952
194.11
April 1952 & advanced on May-
Sept. 1952
1,726.02
$ 2,420.83
89
Board of Publio Welfare
RECEIPTS - CONTINUED
State Administratives
Oct .- Dec. 1951
April-June 1952
67.16 66.17
$ 133.33
Returned Checks :
D.A. - City
83.56
$ 83.56
TEMPORARY AID:
State:
July 1951-June 1952
$7,459.26
S. S. P. July 1951-June 1952
568.33
$8,027.59
Other Cities:
Amesbury
954.60
Boston
412.66
Brookline
56.45
Georgetown
147.19
Ipswich
233.38
Lynn
99.00
Rowley
140,84
Salisbury
633.88
$2,678.00
RETURNED AID:
Board & Care
420.00
Returned Checks
57.42
$ 477.42
Total Receipts:
$67,285.55
90
INFIRMARY EXPENDITURES - JAN. - DEC. 1952
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
Total
Groceries
126.61
217.37
230.08
210.34
17.21
801.61
Fuel & Light
150.90
318.14
313.16
135.24
64.00
981.444
Food & Grain
70.18
82.06
133.04
65.58
350.86
Gas
5.80
6. 80
6.55
6.30
25.45
Medical
23.60
.60
31.00
55.20
Supplies
31.86
125.59
5.57
79.63
242.65
Tobacco
41.76
62.16
19.68
36.72
160.32
Pest Control
8.33
8.33
8.33
8.33
33.32
Miscellaneous
11.20
9.80
10.00
7.75
27.00
65.75
Barbering
18.00
30.00
24.00
24.00
96.00
Shoes & Clothing
4.85
9.90
74.53
89.28
Repairs
5.72
10.50
16.22
Repairs on truck
15.25
15.25
Insurance
91.05
2.40
2.05
6.20
Veterinarian
5.00
10.00
16.70
16.57
7.30
55.93
484.94
998.82
818.97
597.26
263.54
$3,163.53
Salarios
280.00
280.00
280.00
280.00
31.45
1,151.45
764.94
1,278.82
1,098.97
877.26
294.99
14,314.98
Board of Public Welfare
91.05
Express
1.75
31.70
Gasoline (Truck)
18.92
13.14
91
WELFARE EXPENDITURES - JAN. - DEC. 1952
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Groceries
715.00 1162.81 1270.00 1400.00 1109.00 913.00
Fuel
147.45 478.70 362.01 454.62 151.17
2370.49
Board & Care
20.00
355.79
503.75
805.70 513.91
605.33
45.00
835.56
239.67
321.32
572.16
5034.19
Office Supplies
4.50
47.70
9.30
1.00
7.90
19.40
1.85
7.40
3.75
102.80
Rent
224.04
190.21
195.02
173.99
267.16
243.98
270.05
322.25
213.84
211.67
182.95
202.25
2702.41
Shoes & Clothing
19.95
24.440
78.30
11.75
15.87
6.36
41.10
18.39
12.85
28.85
257.92
Telephone
11.10
12.10
9.15
12.25
8.90
17.05
17.35
19.41
19.70
19.40
20.80
20.20
187.41
Temporary Aid
851.66
1333.82
23.40
233.56 2948.22
248.28
2272.18
873.07
8784.19
Glasses
6.00
25.00
12.00
5.00
60.00
Medical
15.00
206.00
177.00
228.00
235.00
176.00
113.00
149.00
94.00
12.00 142.00
185.00
184.00
1904.00
Drugs
1.60
189.09
98.52
104.54
74.00
81.62
184.84
62.45
99.40
77.64
61.14
177.94
1212.78
Hospital
32.50
151.00
77.50
75.00 14478.01
256.32
261.00
243.55
114.25 1740.90
4430.03
Dental
2.00
8.00
Travel
7.17
2.04
5.10
5.65
5.65
12.00 2.26
2.00
3.00
27.00
Miscellaneous
1.55
8.00
18.54
31.24
11.79
5.24
11.77
17.64
85.66
191.43
Cash
837.00 756.00 718.58 1047.71 1209.10
813.39
931.95 749.25 739.21 1004.20 734.71 815.00
2028. 14 4541.48 3536.77 5768.83 3681. 64 0461.78 2975.03 5870.39 3066.39 2601.35 4947 .14 6148. 72 49, 670.71
Salaries
671.49
626,72 998.30 1095.65 876.52
876.52 1095. 65 876.52 876.52 1095. 65
876.52 1095.65
11, 061.71
TOTAL
2699. 63 5168.20 4535. 07 6864.48 4558. 16 5338.30 4070.73 6746. 91 3942 . 91 3740. 00 5823 . 66 724.37
60,732.42
818.00
743.00 1013.00
72.55
641.00 44.88 216.00
758.00 1166.24
12009.05
62.04
59.51
16.10
245.32 276. 14
Board of Public Welfare
92
1191. 14 3785.48 2818. 19 4721.12 2472.54 3648.39 2043.13 5121. 14 2327 . 18 1640.15 4212.42 5333.72
39,314.61
10,356.10
10.58
2.56
41.01
PUBLIC LIBRARY Ninety-Seventh Annual Report of the Public Library Newburyport, Mass.
Board of Directors for 1952
Mrs. Charles D. Baker
Mrs. Robert M. Driver
John F. Leary
Erving A. Le Cain T. Joseph Mannix Miss Grace G. Pettengill
Richard L. Walsh
Trustees of Building Fund and Permanent Members of the Board
William Balch
John J. C. Coffin Peter I. Lawton
Ex-officio Andrew J. Gillis, Mayor
Arthur W. Southwell, President of Council
Librarian Katherine M. Kuechle
Library Staff
Grace Bixby, Assistant Elizabeth M. Brennan, Assistant
Bessie W.P. Hills, Permanent Part-time Assistant
Beulah E. Moody, Assistant
Eleanor M. Clancy, Children's Librarian Catherine W. Parsons, Assistant
Mary A. Cummings, Permanent Part-time Assistant
Marian G. Todd, Assistant
Eleanor E. Gannon, Assistant
Dorothy M. Walton, Permanent Part-time Assistent
Josephine Johnson, Substitute
Janitor C. Frank Kelleher
Report of the Librarian
To the Board of Directors of the Newburyport Public Library:
During the year 1952 the Library was open 298 days with a total of 84,950 books circulated for home use. This is a decrease of 1, 507 as compared to the total book circulation in 1951. A gain of 3,255 in the Andrews Branch circulation was not sufficient to make up decreases in the Belleville Branch circulation and the Main Library juvenile circula- tion. General high employment in Newburyport, and the stepped-up draft program which makes heavy inroads on our young adult popul tion would ap- pear to be the explanation of the loss in adult circulation. The compe- titive attractions of TV and other forms of commercial entertainment, plus the limited funds available for purchasing new juvenile books for an in- creasingly numerous population of school age is the probable explanation for the decrease of 2,256 in juvenile book circulation in 1952 as com- pared with 1951.
Belleville Branch, located in an upstairs room of the Belleville Church parish house, had a number of unavoidable closings because of ex- cessive cold in the winter and early spring. Since Labor Day the branch has had new hours - Tuesdays from 9 to 5 - instead of Tuesday and Friday
93
PUBLIC LIBRARY
afternoons in accord with the new policy of having all parish house ac- tivities scheduled in the first part of the week. Under this new ar- rangement, no emergency closings have been necessary because of inade- quate heat in the library room and book circulation at the branch has been steadily increasing. Many Belleville library patrons have stated their preference for the new hours which they find more convenient and less subject to change.
The percentage of adult non-fiction rose from 36 to 37 per cent of the total adult book circulation in 1952. This percentage has been gradually rising from 33 per cent in 1949 to 37 per cent in 1952. The relatively poorer quality of new fiction published as compared to the general high quality of the non-fiction offered by the various publish- ing houses is reflected in these figures which show the trend toward increased reading of non-fiction. The sea featured prominently in both fiction and non-fiction "bests" for the year- for "Kon-Tiki", "The Sea Around Us", "Caine Mutiny", and "The Cruel Sea" were in constant demand throughout 1952. The percentage of juvenile non-fiction circulated, which had remained fairly stationary at 22 per cent of the juvenile circulation, increased to 26 per cent of the total in 1952. Here again, such attractive offerings as the new "Landmark" series of popular bio- graphies of American heroes such as Buffalo Bill Cody and Daniel Boone may be partially responsible for the definite trend to non-fiction.
The total number of cardholders increased from 10,081 to 10,178 in 1952 - a gain of 97 despite the withdrawal of 1, 144 expired numbers. The numbers of juvenile cardholders increased 136 over the previous year. Total Newbury registrations are 332.
During the year 1, 731 volumes were added to the book collection and 157 volumes were withdrawn from it. The net gain to the book col- lection was 1,574 bringing the total book stock of the Library up to 89,464. While a considerable number of the books added pertain to some aspect of Newburyport history and are thus shelved in the vault of the Library, the greater portion are new publications added either through purchase or as gifts. All available shelf space is in use and crowded shelves seem to be the order of the day. A careful weeding out of un- important material of an ephemeral nature, as well as the discarding of some of the too badly worn books seems to be indicated as a project for 1953 to ease our congested book shelves. This is a task not to be undertaken lightly for in a collection as old as our Library's many books which are o utmoded by present standards are of great historical value as being among the earliest books on a subject. The vault shelv- ing facilities are fast becoming crowded too, and enlargement of the vault must be undertaken in the near future. We hope that this can be accomplished in 1953, budget permitting.
The Children's Room of the Main Library and the two branches have been much used and enjoyed during the previous year. Use of the Library for school reference work showed a marked increase although book circu- lation showed a decrease. Demands on the juvenile book collection con- stantly grow as the school population increases and there is evidence of a real need for more children's books in both the Main Library and at the two branch libraries. During 1952 a total of thirty-six books were purchased for the Children's Room from the Ethel Parton Fund, raised under the sponsorship of the Friends of the Library and formally established as a fund in May of 1950. The Newburyport Garden Club gave three nature books for the "Bessie Books," purchased from the interest of the club's Elizabeth Lispenard Johnson Phister Lane Memorial Fund. This brings the total of "Bessie Books", all on nature, up to 61 since their beginning in 1949.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.