USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1927 > Part 17
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3 00
Ideal Power Lawn Mower Co., Inc.,
parts
29 20
Quincy Lumber Co., lumber.
8 76
George E. Thomas, screen door and labor
31 85
M. Martin, labor
18 00
Mabel S. Baxter, work done for
Treasurer
20 00
Winer's Hardware Store, Christmas
tree electric sets
7 92
John V. Mead, care of building and grounds
5 00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
Balance in Quincy Savings Bank
250 01
$391 24
$391 24
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1927:
2 $1,000 Kansas City Terminal bonds, 4's
$1,880 50
3 $1,000 Massachusetts Gas, 4's.
2,912 38
$4,792 88
JAMES H. SANKEY, Treasurer. BEEFY' GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Auditing Committee.
276
CITY OF QUINCY
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library:
The report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1927, is herewith submitted.
Beyond the possibility of doubt, more people have walked a mile for a book than ever did or ever will walk a mile for a Camel. Yet this fact has never been so strenuously advertised. Public libraries have very properly refrained from shouting their wares from the housetops or the roadsides and have seldom sought and have so seldom been awarded the limelight. This has not been due to the fact that their administrators have anything to conceal or have any lack of belief in the practical value of their services to a com- munity. Perhaps too much have they adopted the attitude of the physician or the lawyer who feels that if the quality of his services is high, people will find him out and that satisfied clients should be his only advertisement. However, if a city is appropriating money for the support of a public library, it is only fair that the library should endeavor to show from time to time and in a modest and seemly manner how the money is being spent and the extent and quality of the service rendered. With such an idea in mind, we welcomed the opportunity afforded by the Trading Post of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce to show the citizens of our city so far as the limitations of space permitted something of the work of the Thomas Crane Public Library.
The committee of the Chamber of Commerce in charge of the Trading Post were not only favorable to the suggestion but re- sponded by allotting for our use a booth in a very central and de- sirable location. A large map of Quincy (5' x 31/3') was placed in the background of the booth with red streamers reaching out to the ten branches, the City Hospital and the nineteen schools where the library maintains classroom libraries, thus showing the extent of the service. Under the map we filled shelves with selected books on all subjects with special emphasis on business and technical books and books on home-making. The sides of the booth were lined with attractive posters, many of which proved the artistic talent of our own staff. A large flier containing both the printed text and a fac-simile of the Declaration of Independence with a library directory was given away to those interested, together with copies of the last issue of the library Bulletin. All the members of the staff had hours assigned for work at the Trading Post, and when not engaged in answering the questions of those interested, occupied their time by preparing books for circulation. It was made possible for all who wished to sign borrowers' application slips and to designate the branch or other agency to which their borrower's card should be sent, and a gratifying number of new borrowers availed themselves of this opportunity. As over 15,000 people visited the Trading Post in the three days it was open, it may be assumed that the same number saw our exhibit and that many realized for the first time something of the character of the work done by our public library. Even if not a new borrower had been added to our files, we believe that the exhibit would have been worth the time and energy spent in its preparation.
Circulation figures showing the number of books loaned for home use do not tell the whole story of the activities of a public library, but they do form probably the best statistical guide we have for measuring the response of a community to the services
277
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
rendered by its public library. With a certain amount of satisfac- tion, therefore, we report that the response of the people of Quincy to their public library has been greater than in any previous year in its history. Over one-half million books have been loaned from the various agencies of the Thomas Crane Public Library during 1927, the exact number being 512,221, a gain of nearly ten per cent over the figures for 1926. Though not susceptible of numerical proof, we are quite sure that there has been a like increase in the use of the main library for reference purposes and for reading in the building itself. While the increase in circulation is probably only a normal increase, for Quincy is growing rapidly, it would in- dicate at least that the library is keeping pace with that growth and is not lagging behind. Furthermore, it is a fact that in very few cities comparative in size to Quincy have the libraries so large a circulation and that in many cities of over 100,000 population the public libraries have not yet reached the goal of a half million books loaned in one year. The latest statistics published by the American Library Association show the average per capita library circulation in cities in the United States over 50,000 in population to be less than 4. Our per capita circulation was 8.4. The unit cost per volume circulated $.095 last year was well below the aver- age unit cost for cities of the same size or larger. Analysis of the circulation statistics shows that the main library registered a sat- isfactory gain of more than 5,000 in books loaned over 1926 and that all the branches but three had more or less substantial in- creases.
In the Librarian's report for 1926 we laid considerable stress on the fact that the size of our book stock was wholly inadequate to meet the legitimate demands for books created by the increased circulation and the extensions of branch service. We are glad to report that our request for an increase of $2,000 in the budget ap- propriation for books was very willingly granted by Mayor and Council and that in this past year we have not only been able to purchase more new books than usual but have duplicated more ex- tensively for the branches and have made many much needed re- placements. A large and growing circulation increases the wear and tear on books and necessitates the annual withdrawal of a large number from active service. Our total book stock was in- creased from 67,228 at the end of 1926 to 71,710 on Dec. 31, 1927. I should like, however, to repeat what I said in my report last year, that I do not know of another library in the country having a circulation as large as that of this library which does not have a book collection of over 100,000 volumes.
On Jan. 5, 1927, the Montclair Branch, the tenth branch in the Quincy library system, was opened to the public. Situated in one wing of the new Montclair Community House, and equipped with modern library furniture and shelving, we consider it one of our most attractive branches from the physical standpoint. That it has been appreciated by residents of the Montclair district is indi- cated by a home use of 24,814 books, exceeding the circulation of some of our other branches. Any fear that the opening of this branch might draw circulation from the three nearest branches happily proved unfounded for two of these made gains this year and the other had only a very small proportional loss.
In the fall, the General Palmer Branch at Adams Shore was moved into smaller but more attractive quarters in the same block and the book stock was augmented by a considerable number of
278
CITY OF QUINCY
new books. A gratifying increase in circulation followed the change, more than three times as many books were loaned in Octo- ber, November and December as in the same months in 1926.
Since 1921, the Parker Branch at Norfolk Downs has occupied a fenced-off portion of a basement room in the Francis W. Parker School, the entrance being in the rear of the building across the large playground. There are many decided drawbacks connected with such a location, the chief drawback being that the allotted space is large enough only for a minimum amount of shelving and furniture and there is not opportunity for growth. In my report last year I called attention to the fact that these quarters were fast being outgrown and that a new location providing more spacc for shelves and reading tables would soon be needed. This past year the circulation has again increased and it is the feeling of the trustees and the librarian that the change of location should be made early in 1928, particularly as quarters which are adequate and allow for future growth are available in a location as well located from the library point of view as the present site. It is also altogether probable in view of the contemplated changes and extensions of the Quincy school facilities that our tenure in the Parker School would be limited in any event. It seems, therefore, that we should take advantage of the present opportunity to pro- vide the better library service which the increasing patronage of the Parker Branch merits and warrants. Items to effect this change have been included in the 1928 budget.
The library service at the Quincy City Hospital has been re- warded by a marked increase in the use of books and by commen- dation of the character of the personal service rendered. We have continued our cooperation with the Americanization work of the Quincy School system, which is in charge of Miss Nellie Perry. Additional purchases have been made of books suitable for easy reading by those to whom the English language is new. During the winter, groups of these classes visited the main library and the Temple, Baxter and Parkway branches. Talks on the public library, what it is for, how it is supported, what it contains and how it may be used with profit were made by the librarian and Miss Callahan. At these meetings, the Americanization Commit- tee of the Women's Clubs of Quincy has assisted by furnishing refreshments and in creating an atmosphere of genuine social fel- lowship. The practical result of these group visits to the library is demonstrated by the fact that many members of these classes become active users of the library.
Miss Kingman reports an increase of 3,201 in the circulation of books from the children's room of the main library. The horde of children who flock into the library after school hours is visible evidence of their interest. The usual exhibit of children's books suitable for Christmas gifts was held in November and a special bulletin published at that time listed the titles of the children's books added to the library in 1927. The use made of the classroom libraries sent to the schools of Quincy has also shown an increase, the circulation being 67,602, a gain of 5,228 over the figures for 1926. The number of these libraries sent out in May was 144; this number was decreased to 118 in the fall owing to the consoli- dation of the upper grades in the new junior high schools, each of which has a library of its own, supplemented, however, by books from the Thomas Crane Public Library. As a matter of interest, a careful accounting shows that each book sent to the schools had
279
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
an average circulation of 12 times for the year as compared with an average turnover of 7.1 for each book in the whole library, and that the unit cost per book circulated for the classroom libraries was 11/2 cents while that for the entire library was 91/2 cents. The deduction to be drawn from these figures would seem to be that at a comparatively low cost we are bringing directly to many of the children of Quincy, books which not only supplement their text- books but aid in developing a taste for reading good, wholesome literature.
The quarterly Bulletin with its annotated lists of new books has been continued and through the mail and by desk distribution has kept borrowers informed of what is being added to the library. With the cooperation and encouragement of the Quincy Patriot- Ledger, a weekly column of book comment and library informa- tion has been conducted by the librarian with a fair degree of reg- ularity except for the summer months.
It seems that changes in the staff must occasionally occur, and it was with sincere regret that we accepted during the past year the resignations of Miss Louise Warren and Mrs. Ruth Chambers. Miss Warren, always accustomed to give more than her utmost both as general assistant and as instructor of the school children who came to learn how best to use the library, acquiesced in the advice of her physician to take a year off for rest and recupera- tion. We know that users of the Atlantic and Montclair branches will always remember the ever alert and quietly efficient service given by Mrs. Ruth Wilmore Chambers and share our regret at her resignation in October. The opening of a new branch this year necessitated the employment of an additional assistant and we were fortunate in securing Miss Mabel F. Porter, who brought to the library a valuable experience gained as librarian of the public library at Holbrook. Miss Porter joined the staff in March and was given the Parkway Branch as her assignment. Miss Marion Davis, who had served as summer substitute for several years, was secured for a full year's service and has taken over Mrs. Cham- bers' work at the Montclair Branch. In October Miss Ingrid Blom, a former resident of Atlantic, came to us from the Somer- ville Public Library. A very considerable part of her time is given to assisting Miss Kingman in the children's room and in her work with the schools.
Practically all the members of the staff have, at their own ex- pense, attended one or more of the meetings of the Massachusetts Library Group at Boston, Marblehead, and Nantucket, or the Nor- folk County Library Group meeting at Brookline. The advantages, both professional and social, of mixing with others in the same line of work have decided value. Several members of the staff have availed themselves of the opportunity of taking courses on library technique and evaluation of literature which have been given in Boston during the year. Staff meetings have been held with some regularity. Last fall, the staff was divided into com- mittees of three, each of which was assigned full responsibility for the arrangements and the conduct of one staff meeting during the
fall and winter. All the programs so far have been interesting, enjoyable and helpful. Twice we have had outside speakers to whom we are indebted for talks of unusual interest.
To conclude, there are doubtless many points at which our library service might be improved. We need, as I have emphasized be- fore, to increase our stock of books by more and more purchases if we are even to begin to meet the constant demands. Both in ma-
280
CITY OF QUINCY
terial and quality, we need to improve our reference services as well as other phases of our work. The wide area in service by its very extent precludes intensive cultivation. However, I am con- fident that the Thomas Crane Public Library is in a healthy con- dition, growing normally, and I can testify that it is served by a loyal, intelligent and hard-working staff and by a board of trustees genuinely interested in the work of the library and whole-hearted in its support.
Respectfully submitted,
GALEN W. HILL,
Librarian.
Statistical Summary
Population served 60,811 (Census of 1925).
Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies, consisting of:
Central Library
Branches
10
Stations:
Hospital service
1
Deposits
3
Schools (buildings)
21
Number of days open during year: For lending
304
For reading
334
Hours open each week for lending
72
Hours open each week for reading
76
Total number of staff
15
Total valuation of library property
$318,000
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes at beginning of year 45,149
22,079
67,228
Number of volumes added by purchase ..
3,439
3,175
6,614
Number of volumes added by gift
254
18
272
Number of volumes added by binding.
80
2
82
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn ..
766
1,720
2,486
Total number at end of year ..
48,156
23,554
71,710
Volumes of fiction lent for home use.
224,570
133,475
358,045
Number of volumes lent for home use ..
268,560
243,661
512,221
Number of registered borrowers
17,355
Number of publications issued
5
Number of publications received: 101 titles; 188 copies.
Library Expenditures
City App. $11,000 75
Endow- ment Funds $247 10
Books
Periodicals
772 40
Binding
1,565 50
Library service
20,917 84
Janitor service
3,466 50
528 00
Rent
2,695 00
Light
802 27
281
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Printing
418 93
Heat
1,568 38
Librarian's petty cash
305 00
Main building, repairs, etc.
633 61
434 90
Other maintenance
2,660 62
248 12
Insurance
537 63
$47,344 43 $1,458 12
Books in Library, January 1, 1928
General
Adult 620
121
741
Periodicals
3,316
2
3,318
Philosophy
793
15
808
Religion
1,028
194
1,222
Sociology
3,674
2,280
5,954
Language
318
1
319
Science
1,144
825
1,969
Useful arts
2,404
854
3,258
Fine arts
2,171
712
2,883
Literature
4,958
2,682
7,640
History
5,185
3,740
8,925
Biography
3,468
1,053
4,521
Fiction
19,077
11,075
30,152
48,156
23,554
71,710
Juvenile
Total
Circulation by Classes, 1927
BRANCHES
JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
Main
Wollaston
Atlantic
Parkway
Parker
Temple
Manet
Montclair
Baxter
Squantum
Palmer
Hospital
Children's
Room
Schools
Total
General
4,068
1,668
445
679
372
758
492
568
794
56
2
258
1,023
....
Philosophy
1,314
245
41
30
36
21
20
17
5
3
10
3
4
27
1,776
Religion
705
224
70
41
44
85
37
63
22
3
9
2
170
917
2,392
Sociology
2,473
2,334
1,358
2,270
1,449
1,697
1,565
1,621
889
337
286
113
4,364
8,323
29,079
Language
332
7
26
35
3
13
5
14
7
1
2
445
Science
1,489
626
389
385
347
247
135
195
190
35
42
11
878
2,255
7,224
Useful arts ....
3,351
796
409
383
225
283
169
306
178
69
30
15
764
1,015
7,993
Fine arts.
3,611
954
362
398
251
336
343
287
161
44
36
3
896
860
8,542
Literature ...
4,851
2,901
2,123
3,910
2,290
2,278
2,302
2,218
1,886
773
939
136
4.922
8,331
39,860
History
2,205
1,154
442
996
482
398
754
730
381
93
147
4
2,143
4,675
14,604
Travel
2,380
1,944
1,130
1,530
1,255
1,421
517
889
1,092
246
113
10
1,101
6,255
19,883
Biography
2,787
1,555
554
773
398
642
196
392
370
90
29
8
1,387
2,014
11,195
Fiction
64,451
54,768
31,072
26,875
26,629
24,720
23,371
17,514
14,110
8,019
6,864
5,601
21,121
32,930
358,045
Total
94,017
69,176
38,421
38,305
33,781
32,899
29,906
24,814
20,085
9,769
8,507
6,164
38,775
67,602
512,221
Circulation per capita
8.42
Circulation per registered borrower 29.5
Maintenance expenditure per volume circulated. $.095
Maintenance expenditure per capita ..
.80
11,183
CITY OF QUINCY
282
283
REPORT OF CITY CLERK
REPORT OF CITY CLERK
I have the honor to submit the thirty-ninth annual report of this department, being for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Receipts
Junk licenses
$280 00
Amusement licenses
2,763 00
Common victualler's licenses
735 00
Express and carriage licenses
48 00
Pool and billiard licenses
685 00
Auctioneers' licenses
10 00
Druggist licenses
13 00
All other licenses
2,782 50
Marriage permits
676 00
Recording and special
916 45
$8,908 95
The above sum has been paid to the City Treasurer.
Number of marriage intentions issued in 1927
676
Number of marriages recorded in 1927
706
Number of births recorded in 1927. 1,530
Number of deaths recorded in 1927
732
The number of dogs licensed in 1927 was 1,656 male; 311 female; 298 spayed and 3 breeders' licenses, for which the sum of $5,538 was collected. The sum of $5,084.40 was paid to the County Treas- urer and $453.60 to the City Treasurer. The sum of $2,441.75 was collected for hunting licenses. The fees amounting to $261.75 was paid to the City Treasurer and the balance to the Commonwealth. Annexed are the births, marriages and deaths recorded in Quincy in 1927 and the election reports.
EMERY L. CRANE, City Clerk.
284
CITY OF QUINCY
BIRTHS RECORDED IN QUINCY IN 1927
DATE
CHILD
PARENTS
Jan. 1 Susan Black.
Leslie and Nan
Jan.
1 Rosario Vella.
Catogero and Gina
Jan.
2 Stillborn
Jan.
2 Meredith Jenks
Roger and Helen
Jan. 2 William Murray.
John and Genevieve
Jan. 2 Woodbury
Harland and Ramona
Jan.
2
Channell
Harry and Florence
Jan. 3 Therese Rydings
James and Elizabeth
Jan. 3 Samuel Francis Hoyt, Jr
Samuel and Bertha. James and Isabel
Jan. 4 Lillian Elizabeth Quinn
John and Agnes
Jan. 5 John David Pope, Jr ..
John and Dorothy
Jan.
6
Bernice May Schroth, Twin
Charles and Elizabeth
Jan.
6 William Samuel Mattson.
William and Edna
Jan. 6 Virginia Rose Hultin.
Victor and Rose
Jan.
7 Alan Stewart Anderson
Harry and Thelma
Jan.
7
Carolyn Drummond Forbes
Stewart and Mary
Jan. 8 Edwin Everett Ricker
Roscoe and Wilhelmina
Jan. Jan. 8 Lawrence Nelson Jan. 8 Robert Harold Emerson
Irwin and Agnes
Jan. 9 Benedetto Livorsi
Carmero and Antonia
Jan. 9 David Roy Shepard
John and Anna
Jan. 9 Marion Cynthia Andrew.
John and Cynthia
Jan.
10 Marjorie Jean Moyle.
John and Frances
Jan.
10 Doris Margaret Chisholm
John and Ivy
Jan.
10 Helen Grace Eckl
Arthur and Helen
Jan. Jan. 11
10 William Duncan MacPherson. William Axel Lanti.
Roderick and Annie
Jan. 11 Russell Robert Oster, Jr
Russell and Eva
Jan. 11 Ronald Henry Poulin
John and Mabel
Jan. 13 John Harder Johnson
Jan. 13 Mary Veronica Miller.
Jan. 13 William Parker.
Harry and Prudence William and Margaret Clarence and Sarah
Jan. 14 Helen Veronica McClellan
Warren and Helen
Jan. 14 Edison Malcolm McLeod.
Murdock and Isabelle
Jan. 14 Chester Theodore Robinson
Jan. 14 Bruce Warner Beaudean
Chester and Alice Emile and Anne
Jan. 15 Stillborn
Jan. 15 Gertrude Therese Burke.
Jan. 15 George Clifford
William and Frances William and Martha Jacob and Esther
Jan. 15 Bernard Constantine
Jan. 16 Elizabeth Josephine Baratelli. John and Catherine
Jan. 16 Carmella Lomano
Jan. 16 Barbara Gloria Olson
Frank and Domenica Vernon and Anna
Jan.
1 Yvette Mailhot.
Adrion and Blanche
Jan. 2 Colin Alexander MacPherson
John and Florence
Jan. 4 Elizabeth Helen Williams
Jan. 6 Eileen Clare Schroth, Twin
Charles and Elizabeth
8 Lena Berrini ..
Emelio and Teresa
John and Susan
Axel and Katherine
John and Synove
Jan. 13 Clarence Henry Shepard.
285
REPORT OF CITY CLERK
DATE
CHILD
PARENTS
Jan. 17 Dorothy Grace Cowe.
Jan. 17 Philip John Alexaner Gillis.
Jan. 17 Dora Pompeo
Jan. 18 Remo Caldaroni
Jan. 18 Jean DeForest.
Jan. 18
Coletti
Jan. 18 Angelina Olinda Marcolini
Jan. 19 Herbert Dana Moran.
Jan. 19 Dawn Leadbetter.
Jan. 19 Daniel William Cunningham
Jan. 19 Robert Earl Engle.
Jan. 20 Lorraine Lyons ...
William and Dorothy Kester and Annie Ralph and Martha Thomas and Florence
Jan. 19 Vivian Shirley McLean
Jan. 19 Francis Edwin Murphy
Francis and Mary
Jan. 20 Joan Worswick.
Jan. 20 Kenneth Francis Sheehan
Jan. 20 Richard Francis Costly
Jan. 20 Stillborn
Jan. 21 Donald Lewis.
Jan. 21 Russell Stearns Campagna
Jan. 22 David Charles Vena ..
David and Jessie
Jan. 22 Leo Francis Mullaney
Jan. 22 Antonio Fred Mannai.
Jan. 22 Rita Gertrude McNabb
John and Gertrude
Jan. 22 Lea Mary Melanson.
Ralph and Lea
Jan. 22 Vincent Francis Lockary
Louis and Elizabeth
Jan. 22 Dorothy Louise Marini.
Seraphine and Dorothy
Jan. 22 Corwin Vincent Mudge
Jan. 22 Philip Colby Woodman.
Jan. 23 Michael Mchoul
Mansour and Wedad George and Norah
Jan. 24 Marion Louise Kilpatrick
Jan. 24 Charles Andrew Blomquist
Jan. 24 Sumner Lloyd Hopkins.
Jan. 25 Ernest Francis MacDonnell
Jan. 25 Mary Lalor
Jan. 25 Stillborn
Jan. 25
Helen Elizabeth Murray
Jan. 25 Barbara Louise Parlee.
Jan. 25 Lawrence Erickson
Jan. 26 Robert Arthur Gardner
Jan. 26 Stillborn
Jan. 26 Vincon Gherardi.
Jan. 26 Virginia Paggio.
Jan. 27 Stanley Donald Lawrence, Jr.
Jan. 28 John Clifford Welch.
Jan. 28 George Eric Nelson.
Jan. 28 Alice Louise Lamb
Jan. 28 Adeline Saffer
Jan. 28 Evelyn Antonelli
Jan. 29 Clare Norrene Dillon
Jan. 29 Edward John Drysdale
Percy and Marion George and Inez Rubin and Alice Arthur and Vivian
Gino and Lena Egedio and Susie
Stanley and Frances John and Agnes Eric and Corinne Francis and Catherine
Hyman and Lena
Carmine and Carmella
Edward and Honora Edward and Gertrude
Melvin and Irene Duncan and Catherine Pasquale and Carmella Giuseppe and Maria Samuel and Mary Beneditto and Georgina Joseph and Angelo Herbert and Mildred John and Ruth
Frederic and Dorothy James and Lillian Alfred and Helen
William and Jessie Joseph and Martha
Leo and Margaret Fred and Eva
Raymond and Ermina Raymond and Ruth
Oscar and Marion Sumner and Belle
Ernest and Katherine Richard and Henrietta
286
CITY OF QUINCY
DATE
CHILD
PARENTS
Jan. 30
Peterson
Jan. 30 Marion Morris.
Jan. 30 Leighton Edward Goodwin
Jan. 31 Doris May Keegan.
Jan. 31 Catherine Donovan
Jan. 31 Ethel May Gabriel.
Jan. 31 Carmela Chiminiello
Feb. 1 John Edward Taylor
Feb. 2 Joan Teresa Oldroyd
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