USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1956-1957 > Part 6
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Officers for extra duty at Dance Halls
Officers for extra duty at Theatres
Officers for extra duty
Safes found open.
Sick persons assisted.
Street lights reported out
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner
Water found running in buildings
Water main burst, superintendent notified.
Windows found open and secured.
Windows found broken ..
Summons served for other Police
Pistol Permits Issued.
Guards for Money Transfers
Messages Delivered.
Visits to Liquor Places.
Visits to Parks & Playgrounds
Animals killed by Automobiles
Animals struck by Automobiles
Bicycles Registered.
Notified to license Dogs.
Drownings.
Persons bitten by Dogs
Dogs Shot.
False Alarms Sounded.
Murder.
Suicide
Breaking and Entering Cases
Fingerprints taken
Traffic lights out
36 2 2 70 4 104 48 1 32 646 6 2 1
19 60 59
101 396 322 4447 102 27 77 165 419 1 6 1 5 1 1
48 109 20
Respectfully submitted,
James E. Sullivan City Marshal
Annual Report Newburyport Fire Department
To His Honor the Mayor and
Members of the City Council
Newburyport, Mass
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the required report of the Newburyport Fire Department for the year beginning January 1, 1956 and ending December 31, 1956.
34 Bell Alarms (for fires)
8 Bell Alarms (false) 4 Bell Alarms (Chief's calls)
195 Still Alarms 29 Miscellaneous calls
1079 Miles travelled by apparatus
176 Hours service at fires etc.
47 Hours Pumpers worked
8200 Feet of 22 inch hose laid
3300 Feet of le inch hose laid 552 Feet of ladders used (Aerial excluded)
16 Injuries reported while on duty
3 Help sent out of city (Plum Island excluded)
7 Locked out parties assisted
9 Halyards replaced on flag poles
3 Parades attended 1 Funeral attended
1079 Telephone calls to and from station(No school calls excl.) 665 Ambulance Calls
8085 Miles travelled by ambulances
410 Oil burners inspected 80 Buildings inspected 50 Complaints attended to
342 Permits for fires issued 72 Soda and acid chemicals recharged (in school buildings)
Value of buildings and contents $536,850.00
Insurance carried on buildings and contents 1,631,050.00 Insurance paid on buildings and contents 142,218.57
Respectfully submitted, Herbert It. C. Bryant Herbert H.C. Bryant Chief of Fire Dept.
89
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
ADJUSTED
SEALED
NOT SEALED
CONDEMNED
Over 10,000 pounds
0
1
0
0
5,000 to 10,000 pounds
0
1
0
0
100-5,000 pounds
0
4
0
0
Under 100 pounds
0
66
0
0
Weights
0
259
0
0
Vehicle Tanks
0
1
0
0
Wire, Rope Cordage
0
2
0
0
Feos Collected by Sealer during 1956
$77.90
90
BOARD OF HEALTH
BIRTHS
Newburyport Resident 238
Male
114
Female 112
Twins 6 sets
Stillborn 2
Non-Resident 151
Mal
69
Fomalo
80
Twins 1 set
DEATHS
Newburyport Resident 171
Non-Resident
67
Non-Resident Died Here, Buried Here
11
Resident Died Here, Buried Here
132
Resident Ashes
3
Romovala
5
TUBERCULOSIS
cases on Register 1/1/56 28
New Cases during 1956
5
TOTAL 33
Deaths during 1956
0
Number patients Moved Away
0
TOTAL 0
NUMBER REMAINING ON REGISTER DECEMBER 31, 1956
33
91
BOARD OF HEALTH
CAUSES OF DEATHS ACCORDING TO INTER# NATION LISTING 1956
ll- Cancer and other Tumors (45-57)
f liver
1
g pancreas
50 breast 2
51 prostat 2
55 abdomen 4
other 4
lll Rheumatism, Diseases of Nutrition and of Endocrine Glands 73d other and unspecified anemias 1
61 diabetes mellitus 1
v1 Diseases of Nervous System and Sense Organs (80-89)
83ª Cerebral hemorrhage 6
b Cerebral thombosis 2
V11 Diseases of Circulatory System (90-103)
93d Arterioselerotic heart 26
0 Other myocarditis 15
94a Coronary occlusion
60
95c Other heart diseases
1
Vlll Diseases of Respiratory System (104-114)
106€ Bronchopneumonia 5
111 bronchitis
1
a pulmonary embolism
2
C Hypostatic pneumonia 3
IX Diseases of Digestive System (115-129)
118 Other diseases of stomach
124 Cirrhosis of liver
1 5
x Diseases of Genito-Urinary System (130-139)
132 Nephritis
3
b Other diseases of kidneys and ureters
2
XV Diseases Peculiar to First Year of Life (158-161) 159 Prematures
5
xvll Violent or Accidental Deaths (163-198)
164ª Suicide by strangulation
1
166 Homicide by firearms
1
170 Motor vehicle accident
1
173 Airplane
1
183 Drowning
2
195 Fall
1
Causes not stated
7
Stillbirths 5
1
92
BOARD OF HEALTH
CONTAGIOUS DI SEASE
Chickenpox
78
dogbite
52
mumps
3
G. measles
6
measles
5
Scarlet Fever
2
Meningitis
2
Polio
2
pul. T. B.
2
TOTAL
152
LICENSES ISSUED
plumbing
128
Funeral Directors
8
Kindergar ton
8
Milk
115
Carb. Beverage
2
Ice cream
6
Masseurs
2
oleo
51
pasteurization
1
TOTAL ISSUED
321
93
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
March 14, 1957
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
[G Lis Honor The Mayor
Members Of The City Council
This report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1956 shows an overall in- crease in gross costs over 1955.
In the Federal - State Programs increases in budgets were mandatory to comply with Legislative action. The increased cost in Old Age Assistance was a direct result of this legislation since our caseload dropped from 421 cases in January, 1955 to the current caseload of 403. Each case representing an average cost of approximately $80 a month.
A.D.C. costs decreased $1,500.00 for the year while D.A. shows increased costs be- cause of a larger caseload and heavy hospital costs in some cases. General Relief shows a substantial reduction in costs compared to 1955 of approximately $16,000.00.
Services of physicians, cost of medicine, hospitalization and nursing home care is in excess of one fourth of our total disbursement.
Respectfully submitted,
Donald R. Eck Frank 7. Mouill
WELFARE AGENT 7. Ericeira
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
94
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Federal
State
Local
Total
January
$2509. 70
$1906.50
$1303.30
$5719.50
February
2448.60
2046.92
1645.23
6140. 75
March
2439. 28
1919.28
1399.29
5757.85
April
2746.50
2372.73
1998.97
7118. 20
May
2660.03
2179.05
1698.07
6537.15
June
2669.70
2215.93
1762.17
6647.80
July
2680.73
2326.25
1971.77
6978.75
August
2619.50
2075.91
1532.33
6227.74
September
2464.73
1981.01
1497.29
5943.03
October
2758.98
2094.33
1429.68
6282.99
November
2786.88
2141.93
1496.98
6425.79
December
2709.75
2149.44
1589.14
6448.33
Total:
$31,494.38
$25,409.28
$19,324. 22
$76,227.88
.
95
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Federal
State
Local
Total
January
$ 398.00
$ 538.47
$ 312.15
$1248.62
February
771.23
1289.35
686.86
2747.44
March
778.95
1409.23
729.39
2917.57
April
790.30
1097.17
629.15
2516.62
May
957.48
1329.95
762.47
3049.90
June
872.76
1250.68
707.81
2831.25
July
973.43
1341.05
771.49
3085.97
August
926.38
1390.71
772.36
3089.45
September
938.33
1404.42
780.92
3123.67
October
1033.25
1578.81
870.69
3482.75
November
1054.28
1704.90
919.72
3678.90
December
1056.78
2986.88
1347.88
5391.54
Total:
$10,551.17
$17,321.62
$9,290.89
$37,163.68
96
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Summary Report, 1956
Payments
Welfare:
Board & Care
$5,005.38
Drugs
837.73
Fuel
1,290.03
Glasses
18.00
Groceries
8,958.45
Hospitalization
2,062.95
Lights
152.33
Meal Ticket
771.00
Medical
1,115.50
Office Equipment
425.00
Office Supplies
127.69
Rental
3,049.46
Shoes
216.25
Telephone
174.35
Temporary Aid
2,971.51
Transportation
42.46
Miscellaneous
97.71
$27,315. 80
$27,315.80
Cash
$7,225.94
$7,225.94
Other Payments :
Aid to Dependent Children
City
$19,324. 22
State
25,409.28
Federal
31,494.38
$76,227.88
$76,227.88
Disability Assistance
City
$9,290.89
State
17,321.62
Federal
10,551.17
$37,163.68
Salaries :
Welfare
$10,695.00
10,695.00
Total Payments :
$37,163.68
$158,628.30
97
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Receipts
1956
A.D.C. Federal Grant:
Nov. /55 & Jan. /56
$2,617.20
Dec./55 & Feb./56
2,366.33
Jan. & March/56
2,399.70
Feb. & April/56
2,328.60
March & May/56
2,379.28
Apr. & June/56
2,926.50
May & July/56
2,850.03
June & Aug. /56
2,689.70
July & Sept/56
2,700.73
Aug. & Oct. /56
2,579.50
Sept. & Nov./56
2,274.73
Oct. & Dec. /56
2,878.98
$30,991.28
$30,991.28
A.D.C. Fed. Adm:
Oct. thru Dec. /55
508.01
Jan. thru March/56
514.87
April thru June/56
568.77
July thru Sept./56
705.74
$2,297.39
2,297.39
A.D.C. State:
July/55 thru May/56
23,426.49
June & Aug. /56
2,215.93
$25,642.42
25,642.42
Returned A.D.C. Checks :
57.70
57.70
D.A. Federal Grant:
Nov. /55 & Jan. /56
665.60
Dec. /55 & Feb./56
781.38
Jan. & March/56
596.01
Feb. & Apr. /56
736.23
March & May/56
743.95
Apr. & June/56
755.30
May & July/56
922.48
June & Aug. /56
837. 76
July & Sept./56
988.43
Aug. & Oct. /56
991.38
Sept. & Nov. /56
1,003.33
Oct. & Dec. /56
1,094.25
$10,116.10
10,116.10
D.A. Fed. Adm:
Oct. thru Dec. /55
296.71
Jan. thru March/56
201.51
Apr. thru June/56
332.83
July thru Sept. /56
282.42
$1,113.47
1,113.47
$70,218.36
98
BOARD OF PUBLIC WEI.FARE
Receipts (continued)
Brought Forward:
$70,212.35
D.A. State Adm:
Oct. thru Dec. /55
148.35
Jan. thru March/56
100.76
Apr. thru June/56
166.41
July thru Sept/56
141. 22
$556. 74
556.74
D.A. State:
Nov. /55 & Jan. /56
961.70
Dec. /55 thru May/56
7,630.78
June & Aug. /56
1,224.44
July thru Sept. /56
1,314.81
Aug. & Oct. /56
1,364.47
Sept. & Nov. /56
1,378.18
Oct. & Dec. /56
1,556.57
$15,430.95
15,430.95
Returned D.A. Checks :
230.65
230.65
Other Cities & Towns:
Cambridge
20.00
Ipswich
300.78
Rowley
243.63
Salisbury
1,304.34
$1,868. 75
1,868.75
Returned Aid & Welfare Checks:
35.45
35.45
Miscellaneous Receipts :
500.00
500.00
Rent of Land at Infirmary:
110.00
110.00
State Bills:
3,688.37
Indigent Persons
829.22
$4,517.59
4,517.59
TOTAL RECEIPTS :
$93,468.49
99
WELFARE OTHER EXPENSE January 1 to December 31, 1956.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar .
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Board & Care
$ 172.00 $ 473.11 $ 390.44 $ 332.02 $ 749.61 $ 339.74 $139.09 $936.33 $ 348.37 $ 266.47 $ 624.49 $ 233.71 $5005.38
Drugs
103.88
80.35
101.41
77.52
86.03
36.48
44.88
42.28
79.40
75.30
110.20
837.73
Fuel
158.63
192. 14
232.10
309.29
54.45
12.90
64.53
17.20
60.84
70.90
117.05
1290.03
Glasses
18.00
18.00
Groceries
667.00
1256.00
1084.00
1343.00
934.00
400.00
374.45
426.00
459.00
363.00
613.00
1039.00
8958.45
Ilospitalization
187.85
510.80
491.20
122.85
21.80
52.40
9.90
94.95
369.60
201.60
2062.95
Lights
4.00
4.00
12.03
9.65
9.37
11.19
17.63
26.03
21.69
15.95
16.79
4.00
152.33
Meal Ticket
42.00
95.00
84.00
91.00
121.00
103.00
24.00
35.00
49.00
56.00
70.00
771.00
Medical
10.00
168.00
123.00
174.00
113.00
60.00
73.50
36.00
60.00
86.00
117.00
95.00
1115.50
Office Equipment
425.00
Office Supplies
5.70
37.26
1.55
1.69
26.62
41.54
4.99
2.34
6.00
127.69
Rental
323.53
413.69
384.24
321. 75
295.01
212.91
215.98
215.92
171.29
138.46
173.15
183.53
3049.46
Shoes
19.85
50.55
10.90
33.50
5.96
15.91
5.00
2.98
14.39
23.44
9.98
23.79
216.25
Telephone
14.50
13.95
14.25
14.70
16.00
14.00
15.05
14.10
13.60
13.90
15.20
15.10
174.35
Temporary Aid
396.20
106.58
414.25
267.63
557.04
197.87
37.11
994.83
2971. 51
Transportation
2.26
2.26
1.27
11.30
1.33
11.36
2.36
4.72
5.60
42.46
Miscellaneous
10.00
1.50
52.26
3.75
3.75
7.70
5.00
13.75
97.71
$1825. 37 $2979.43 $3071. 22 $3648. 62 $2926. 96 $1304. 10$1380. 87$2277. 92 $1490. 75 $1105. 52 $2190. 58 $3113. 16$27315.80
Cas !:
574.00
717.50
619.50
509.30
738.00
591.50
611.00 717.50
540.00
648.50
434.00
425.14 7225.94
-
-
-
-
-
$2399. 57 $3693. 3 $3690. 72 $4257. 92 $3664. 96 $1895. 60$1991. 87$2995.42 $2030. 75 $1755.02 $2624.58 $3538.30$34541.74
100
425.00
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Federal
State
Local
Total
January
$12,467.01
$ 9,488.05
$ 3,762.49
$25,717.55
February
13,703.65
16,474.88
6,698.40
36,876.93
March
13,646.06
15,520.92
6,124.57
35,291.55
April
13,687.21
16,345.26
6,601.59
36,634.06
May
13,592.96
15,690.46
6,106.30
35,389.72
June
13,582.26
16,288.00
6,418.36
36,288.62
July
13,809.50
17,864.25
7,043.57
38,717.32
August
13,516.54
17,093.59
6,798.42
37,408.55
September
13,448.09
17,960.96
7,209.41
38,618.46
October
14,964.02
16,666.12
6,703.06
38,333.20
November
15,252.58
17,376.57
7,070.38
39,699.53
December
15,265. 70
24,706.31
10,402.83
50,374.84
Total:
$166,935.58
$201,475. 37
$80,939.38
$449,350.33
101
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
DOCTORS
O.A.A.
A.D.C.
D.A.
G.R.
TOTAL
Ames
$890.90
$ 9.00
$ 68.00
$ 14.00
$ 981.90
Anglem
30.00
--
30.00
Annis
122.00
3.00
17.00
56.00
198.00
Barnard
105.00
105.00
Berg
10.00
5.00
--
15.00
;lais
29.00
.-
--
29.00
Bouchard
4.00
--
--
4:00
Bullard
305.00
--
--
18.00
18.00
Clancy
100.00
..
5.00
17.00
122.00
Cloyes
366.00
--
23.00
23.00
Connors
5.00
6.00
11.00
Councilman
313.00
-
--
313.00
Crook
2,213.70
268.00
175.00
2,656.70
Darling
207.00
165.00
109.00
481.00
Davis
4.00
--
-
177.00
Dervan
1,043.80
198.00
173.00
181.00
1,595.80
Duncan
25.00
--
- -
40.00
Goldberg
204.00
--
196.00
--
400.00
: evett
--
20.00
20.00
Tugenberger
20.00
5.00
726.00
296.00
3,447.70
Kaplan
92.00
--
Kilgore
4.00
23.00
65.00
18.00
106:00
Kirsner
--
42.00
.-
42.00
Larrabee
10.00
Leary
8,937.55
160.00
151.00
72.00
9,320.55
Livingston
48.00
Longley
349.80
26.00
3.00
3.00
381.80
:'aletz
5.00
5.00
Kilden
20.00
-
Lur dy
24.00
18.00
18.00
60.00
Tice
98.00
20.00
118.00
"ichols
55.00
--
-
55.00
o'Connell
5.00
- -
--
5.00
Pearson
6.00
29.00
3.00
38.00
Peirce
309.00
4.00
172.00
485.00
Poletta
4.00
Rogers
276.40
27.00
15.00
18.00
336.40
Sapareto
124.00
-
124.00.
Schlissel
90.00
90.00
Shlossberg
122.00
5.00
33.00
160.00
Silverman
124.00
Stockwell
1,333.00
211.00
404.00
104.00
2,052.00
Thompson
95.00
95.00
90.00
50.00
140.00
Walton
160.00
8.00
-.
168.00
Wheeler
--
9.00
9.00
Whitten
37.00
.-
37.00
TOTAL:
$19,688.35
$2,308.00
$2,446.00
$1,129.00
$25,571.85
--
5.00
5.00
Danis
4.00
Davitt
25.00
Echlov
40.00
--
25.00
Johnson
1,882.70
543.00
92.00
4.00
Kimball
-
C'Connor
5.00
--
.-
--
124.00
. -
39.00
39.00
Sirdsall
305.00
Callahan
366.00
Cohen
177.00
10.00
48.00
20.00
5.00
- 4.00
-
102
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
MEDICINE
O.A.A.
A. D. C.
D.A.
G.R.
TOTAL
Boyle's Drug Store
$1,156.30
--
$ 78.00
$ 10.70
$1,245.00
Center Drug Store
618.55
--
--
.-
618.55
Davis Drug Store
818.68
163.30
112.24
133.15
1,227.37
Eaton's Drug Store
6,048.49
533.24
497.64
363.80
7,443.17
Highland Pharmacy
59.35
--
--
59.35
Hoyt's Drug Store
5,904.55
158.51
588.78
114.20
6,766.04
Lynch Drug Store
1,354.52
194.65
128.79
52.00
1,729.93
North End Pharmacy
1,699.43
151.30
304. 14
152.20
2,307.07
Pelham Drug Company
151.80
--
--
--
151.80
Richey Drug Company
58.25
58.45
--
113.70
Saunders Drug Store
1,549.14
323.65
39.98
10.70
1,923.47
Mass. General Hospital
55.80
--
55.80
Dr. Clancy
18.00
--
--
--
18.00
Dr. Cloyes
3.00
--
--
--
3.00
Dr. Danis
7.00
--
--
7.00
Dr. Johnson
6.00
--
--
6.00
Dr. Longley
1.00
--
--
--
1.00
Dr. Peirce
4.00
--
4.00
Dr. Stockwell
1.50
1.50
TOTAL:
$19,513.86
$1,524.65
$1,808.02
$838.25
$23,684. 78
--
103
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
HOSPITALIZATION
O.A.A.
A.D.C.
D.A.
G.R.
Total
Amesbury Hospital
--
2.00
2.00
Anna Jaques Hospital
27,020.88
1,594.50
2,581.20
1,526.65
32,723.23
Benson Chronic Hospital
1,060.20
--
--
1,156.20
Boston Children's Hospital
374.10
-
--
374.10
Free Hospital For Women
--
564.46
--
--
564.46
Hale Hospital
15.00
15.00
30.00
Jewish Chronic Hospital
. -
--
4,721.40
- -
4,721.40
Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary
- -
- -
94.95
94.95
Mass. General Hospital
680.87
331.75
441.35
1,453.97
New Eng. Baptist Hospital
19.50
--
--
--
19.50
Salem Hospital
246.36
4.10
- -
250.46
Worcester Memorial Hospital
1,101.16
1,200.00
2,301.16
TOTAL:
$30,143.97
$2,550.06
$7,734.45
$3,262. 95
$43,691.43
Nursing Home Care:
$59,387.30
$5,832. 72
$763.14
$66,483.16
-
--
--
--
- -
--
96.00
104
ONE HUNDRED - FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWBURYPORT, MASS. Board of Directors for 1956
Mrs. Charles D. Baker Mrs. Robert M. Driver Everett M. Follansbee
John P. Learned T. Joseph Mannix Mrs. Morris B. Wood
Trustees of Building Fund and Permanent Members of the Board
William Balch
John J.C. Coffin James T. Connolly
Ex-officio
Henry Graf, Jr., Mayor Albert H. Zabriskie, President of Council
Librarian
Katherine M. Kuechle
Library Staff
Grace Bixby, Assistant Elizabeth M. Brennan, Assistant Eleanor M. Clancy, Children's Libr. Grace L. Colby, Assistant
Eleanor E. Gannon, Assistant
Bessie W. P. Hills, Permanent Part- time Assistant
Beulah E. Moody, Assistant Catherine W. Parsons, Assistant Marion G. Todd, Assistant Dorothy M. Walton, Permanent Part-time Assistant
Substitutes
Eleanor H. Rogers Laurence Maroni Beverly Wells
Janitor
John Szymura
Report of the Librarian
To the Board of Directors of the Newburyport Public Library:
During the year 1956, our 101st and long to be remembered as the year of the blizzards, the library was opened 302 days with a total of 89,035 books circulated for home use. The is a decrease of 3, 311 from the total book circulation of 92, 346 in 1955. The loss in adult book circulation was 2,241 while that in juvenile circulation was 1,070. A month by month comparison of circulation for 1956 and 1955 reveals that the year was evenly divided with six months of circulation gains and six of circulation losses. The fact that the losses occurred in winter
105
months when snow, ice and the ensuing parking problems presented distinct hazards to frequent visits to the library appears to be the logical ex- planation for this circulation decrease.
The following table is included for purposes of comparison :
1955
1956
Main Library
Adult
57,395
55,727
1,668 loss
Juvenile
16,120
15,118
1,002 loss
Total
73,515
70,845
2,670 loss
Andrews Branch
Adult
7,357
6,846
511 loss
Juvenile
5,036
4,965
71 loss
Total
12,393
11,811
582 loss
Belleville Branch
(Closed July & August )
Adult
2,507
2,445
62 loss
Juvenile
3,931
3,934
3 gain
Total
6,438
6,379
59 loss
Adult non-fiction circulated in 1956 was 36% of the total adult book circulation compared to 37% in the previous year. The percentage of juvenile non-fiction circulated rose to 29% of the total as compared to 27% in 1955.
The total number of registered cardholders increased from 11,437 to 11,753 - a gain of 316 in 1956 despite the withdrawal of 1226 expired numbers. The gain was 134 in the number of adult cardholders, 182 in juvenile. Newbury cardholders, included in the total registration fis - ures, numbered 472 in 1956 compared to 420 in the previous year.
The book stock of the library was increased from 95,066 volumes at the end of 1955 to 96,763 at the end of 1956 - a net gain of 1,697 volumes despite the withdrawal of 294 volumes. Of the 1991 books added, 1206 were purchased from the income of trust funds, 557 from appropriated funds, and the remainder received as gifts.
The Children's Room of the Main Library and of the two branches were much used in 1956. Although the circulation of juvenile books de- creased, there seems to have been no lessening in the number of reference books consulted in the library for school assignments. Of the non-fiction books borrowed by children biography, science, and social science and history, led all other classes in popularity.
Instruction in the use of the library catalogue and basic reference books was given by Miss Clancy, in the fall, to all fifth grade classes in the public schools. Six classes, accompanied by their teachers, came to the Library for this instruction. In addition, library instruction was given to the seventh and eighth grades of St. Aloysius school.
Teachers borrowed twenty school deposits (collections of juvenile books numbering up to thirty or more) for use in their classrooms.
The 1956 vacation Reading Club provided reading enjoyment for the 173 children who signed up as members of the "Catch a Fish" junior Isaak Waltons. Fifty-six children finished the required reading and enjoyed the party in their honor in September. In addition, 26 children received the State Reading Certificate after completing the required reading.
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Book Week, November 26-December 1, was observed in the Children's Room with story hours and displays of new books - all emphasizing the general theme of " It's always book time." During the week, Miss Clancy visited each of the 7th grade classes in public and parochial schools to review some of the new books for the children.
Story hours, held by Miss Clancy at the Main Library and Mrs. Brennan at the Andrews Branch, were popular throughout the school months. The Christmas story hour in 1956 was enhanced by the singing of Christmas carols by a small group of Girl Scouts. A larger group of Girl Scouts, from all the troops in the city, sang carols outside the library just before the story hour began.
As in the past, we are indebted to the Friends of the Newburyport Library, for a special gift of $150 to the Ethel Parton Fund. This gift, plus the income from the fund, purchased 78 books for children in 1956. Five nature books for children were purchased from the interest of the Newburyport Garden Club's Elizabeth Lispenard Johnson Phister Lane lemo- rial Fund. This brings the total number of books bearing the "Bessie Books" bookplate up to 73.
The badly crowded - catalogue case in the Children's Room was re- placed with a new, and larger, one. Both children and librarians enjoy using this new piece of equipment.
As in previous years numerous demands were made on the resources of the library's reference collection. High School students, in step with the times, seemed to favor scientific subjects for their term papers, and a great variety of books pamphlets, and magazines were consulted on such topics as atomic power, automation, underwater exploration, miracle drugs and various diseases. Requests for material for club papers were many and varied - ranging from archaeology, to the Wolfe Tavern, to American cos- tume, to Edna St. Vincent Millay. Requests for genealogical information came from various parts of the country, and even as far afield as England. Both Edward Rowe Snow, in connection with "The Vengeance of the Sea" and Alpheus Mason, in connection with the biography "Harlan Stone" consulted this library.
During 1956 the State Library Extension Division lent us a total of 254 books of which 171 were books in Polish, Italian, German, Greek and French. The remaining books were individual requests for titles on sub- jects such as explosives, silicons, vocational guidance, and Hypnotism (shades of Bridey Murphy ! ). Eight books were sent on inter-library loan to the University of Vermont, to the Fort Devens Public Information office and to an individual in the cast of the "Silk Stocking Company" then playing in a San Francisco theatre. The latter book had been re- commended to him by Poland Haves as obtainable here. He wished to use one of the songs in his forthcoming Juilliard School audition. The books sent to Fort Devens, all titles by Adolphus W. Greely, were used there as part of an exhibit commemorating Greely's birthday March 27, a date which coincided with the departure of a weather group for Europe.
The list of donors attached at the end of this report reveals that many individuals, publishers, and organizations have presented books or magazines to the library in 1956. Especially noteworthy among the gifts of large numbers of books were those received from the heirs of Miss Margaret W. Cushing, from the Estate of Miss Grace C. Moody, and from Mrs. George 0. Clark, upon the occasion of the family's removal to California. Mrs. George A. Bushee presented the library with three handsome volumes containing the architect's drawings and photographs showing each step, in. detail, of the restoration of the Dole-Little House in Newbury. Dr. William Safford's collection of classical music, numbering over 1300 vol- umes, plus additional pieces of sheet music was presented to the library by a group of anonymous donors who purchased the collections for the lib- rary. Although the names of the contributors are not known, the gift was
107
made possible through the devoted labors of Mr. John M. Jepson. The nusic is for the most part for the piano, and for two, four or eight hands and for one or two pianos.
The Friends of the Library held its annual meeting in the Reading Room on May 31, 1956. Rabbi Yellin gave a most enlightening talk on the "Dead Sea Scrolls -an Ancient Library and a Modern Controversy" - a subject which has been of great interest to many people as a result of the widely publicized recent archaeological discoveries and studies.
In March, a group of approximately fifteen students and two teachers all from Punchard High School (Andover) visited the public library after visiting Newburyport High School. They enjoyed a tour of the library, and found the Directors' Room of special interest.
No major repairs were made at the Library this past year. A few ad- ditional book cases were built to shelve some of the overflow of books, but this is only a stop-gap measure for an increasingly accute shelving and storage problem. At the Emma Andrews branch library, the new chain link fence installed at the back and sides of the grounds vastly improved the appearance of the property.
This condensed summary of the library year in review can, of neces- sity, be only a sampling of the year's activities. The Librarian is grateful to each Director, to each staff member, and to Mr. John Szymura, custodian, for each individual's contribution to our mutual aim of provid- ing good library service for Newburyport.
Respectfully submitted,
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