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 1942 > Part 23
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Pottery
Mr. Louis Douglas supervising, made ceramics, tiles, florals and trays, figures, bowls, nauticals, etc. This proved a very attractive activity.
Reed Work
Miss Mabel Stewart in charge. Work was done with serpentine, bowls, trays, candle-holders, hats, etc. Reed and raffia was also used for baskets, bracelets, slippers, pocketbooks and many other fine nic-nacs.
Metal Tooling
Mrs. Sarah Powers instructor. Copper tooling of juvenile nauti- cal, animal and scenic designs. Also plastic broaches.
Other handcraft conducted by Playground Instructors as listed: Wooden name and animal pins, novelties of walnut shells, jewelry- boxes and shells. Rag dolls, macaroni and paste beads.
Folk Dancing
Mrs. Emma Harvey, leader. All forms of Country, National, Patriotic and period dancing was very ably handled.
Clubs
Various types were organized and conducted by the playground instructors. The playgrounds offered whatever assistance requested in cooperation with the Defense Council for the development of the bicycle corps.
Educational Dramatics
This activity was offered in conjunction with the story-telling. Mrs. Osborne rendered excellent help in her short stay.
Camp Craft
Selection of foods, hiking, fire-making, cooking and activities in the open. Many trips were made using our picnicing facilities within the city limits. Also trips were made to Nantasket Beach and all facilities enjoyed.
Community Music
This was encouraged on all playgrounds. Also individual play- ground songs were encouraged with excellent results.
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CITY OF QUINCY
Instrumental Work
This was developed in some of our playgrounds. I would like to make special mention at this time of the H. L. Kincaide orches- tra. This was organized and conducted by Miss Kathryn S. Chrisom, and rendered beautiful music to the satisfaction of all at the final Field Day.
The figures for special and regular attendance was most grati- fying with daily average per playground of 176. Combined aver- age of all playgrounds 3,520, weekly average of all playgrounds 21,120, seasonal average of all playgrounds 168,960.
The figures for the special experts were per playground :- Daily 35, weekly per playground 210, season per playground 1,680. Combined daily average 750, combined weekly average 4,200, com- bined seasonal average 33,600.
Theme of the Final Field Day was "A Day on the Quincy Playgrounds." On Tuesday, the final for the baseball champion- ship was conducted. On Wednesday morning, the Track and Field meet was held with two hundred and fifty boys and girls competing for top honors. This was the final and big day which opened with the Flag raising and singing of the "Star Spangled Banner." This singing was led by the H. L. Kincaide choral group.
The noon recess was devoted to the distribution of some eighteen hundred bottles of milk.
The afternoon activities were devoted to the Horseshoe contest with eighty boys of all ages competing.
At 2 P. M., time was devoted entirely to the exhibit of the handicrafts with well over five hundred pieces being exhibited. The features of this exhibit was the work basket and afghan present to his Honor Thomas S. Burgin. This afghan has been placed in the Rice Eventide Home as a permanent memory of the 1942 Playground Season. I wish to express my thanks at this time for the fine work done by the judges, "Doc" Kendall, Mrs. Edwinna Robb, Misses Betty Schultze, Dorothea Bates and Messrs. Ben Hodgkinson and W. Edgar Wyllie. Also, I would like to thank the W. P. A. for such an excellent group of special experts.
Next was the Vehicle Parade which demonstrated originality and creative ability in abundance.
The final event of the day was a vivid demonstration of play- ground games and Folk Dances.
The awards to the bicycle group ran into a considerable number with the playground activities awards amounting to 60 "Firsts," 18 "Seconds," and 18 "Thirds."
The final Field Day drew eleven-hundred and fifty-one children, also a very sizable group of spectators.
I wish to express my thanks to all for their wonderful coopera- tion in making the 1942 Playground Season the huge success that it was.
Sincerely, WILLIAM BOWYER, Playground Supervisor.
349
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Park Board had several recommendations, but owing to the United States entering into World War II, it was thought best to withhold them at this time.
PERMITS
During the year, the following number of permits was issued for various activities.
24
Tennis Courts
Permits 13,200
Estimated Attendance 37,400
9 Baseball Fields School Baseball
660
161,600
14 Softball Fields
18,000
73,400
10 Football Fields
220
63,630
School Football
80
71,710
4
Soccer Fields
70
3,300
1 Bowling Green
240
10,200
Field Days and Picnics
143
151,500
Fore River Club House
Occupied by U. S. Army
Total
32,998
589,240
EXPENDITURES
The financial statement of this Department may be found in the Auditor's Report.
VANDALISM
The Park Board noted a marked improvement in this annual headache, no doubt due to war conditions and the serious thinking of our younger generation. Drinking fountains on playgrounds seemed to be the chief target for the vandals. This proved to be serious, as our quota was limited. Therefore, when a bubbler was broken beyond repair, it could not be replaced.
The Board acknowledges with sincere thanks, the efforts of citizen groups who met with the Board and gave valuable assist- ance to help stamp out destruction of City and Park property.
CONCLUSION
We acknowledge the magnificent spirit of cooperation evidenced by His Honor, the Mayor, the City Council, the Quincy Patriot Ledger, the Police and Fire Departments, the City Engineer's De- partment, Public Works Department, Manager of Parks and Play- grounds, Foreman of Parks, Park workers, Supervisor of Play- grounds, W. P. A. Recreation Project, Playground Instructors, members of all leagues sponsored by the Board, referees and um- pires of all leagues, and anyone who by act or deed has made the work of 1942 a pleasure. It is fitting that we should here record our appreciation and gratitude.
385
16,500
350
CITY OF QUINCY
It has been a pleasure for this Board to serve the citizens of Quincy. Much has been accomplished and we pass on to our suc- cessors, a park system second to none. If at any time we can be of assistance, we will be ready to help.
We are proud of our city, our citizenry, and our parks, and earnestly hope that this, the 54th Annual Report, will mark an- other milestone in the upward path.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM M. TRUSSELLE, Chairman EDMUND J. SAUNDERS, Vice-Chairman FRANK G. PRAY, Secretary WILLIAM J. SPARGO, Manager and Director
351
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE THOMAS CRANE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1942 Published by the Trustees 1943
TRUSTEES 1942 COL. GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman GEORGIANA C. LANE, Secretary
PAUL C. REARDON, Treasurer
JAMES S. COLLINS
ERVIN A. HINDS
HENRIETTA C. THOMAS
LIBRARIAN GALEN W. HILL
STAFF
GERTRUDE F. CALLAHAN, Assistant Librarian SARAH B. KINGMAN, Children's Librarian MARTHA E. ROSVALL, Cataloger
* MARGARET HEBERT, Music Librarian ELEANOR Gow, Readers' Adviser JESSIE D. WILFORD, Reference Librarian ELIZABETH G. KEATING, Chief of Circulation
SENIOR ASSISTANTS
SHIRLEY BEAN MARGARET JOYCE
AIICE BROWN DOROTHY NEWTON
FLORA DIBONA CHRISTINE O'BRIEN
JUNIOR ASSISTANTS
EUNICE BLACKWOOD
*MARTHA MATTSON
EMILIE GASSETT
ELINOR STELFOX
CLAIRE GERMAIN
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
CAROLYN ALLBRIGHT, Atlantic Branch ELIZABETH CLOSE, Manet Branch
* BEATRICE M. CONNOR, Manet Branch MARIE CORAYER, Parkway Branch
*MABEL E. CORIATI, General Palmer Branch M. LOUISE DINEGAN, Norfolk Downs Branch
*BARBARA M. HILL, Montclair Branch RAGNHILD LINDBERG, Temple Branch
* BETHIAH MORRILL, Squantum Branch MARY O'BRIEN, General Palmer Branch CAROL PHILIP, Lakin Square Branch
* MABEL F. PORTER, Merrymount Branch CATHERINE SAVILLE, Wollaston Branch CHARLOTTE STONE, Baxter Branch
+FRANCES WEBBER, Squantum Branch +DOROTHY K. WHITE, Montclair Branch ¡MARIA ZEZZOS, Merrymount and Palmer Branches
*Resigned
+Part-time
352
CITY OF QUINCY
SHELF ASSISTANTS
HELEN HOLMES AMELIA MARINELLI
JANITORS
JOHN V. MEAD SAMUEL ALWARD
CHAUFFEUR AND GROUNDSKEEPER
LESTER A. WHITE (on miilitary leave) HENRY WARD
CLEANER
ERNESTINE KELLEY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
To HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF QUINCY :
The seventy-second annual report of the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library is submitted herewith.
This report is purposely made brief in order to conserve paper and printing.
Our Library has been affected like all others by the fact that we are a nation at war.
There have been changes in the types of questions asked at the reference desks. There has been a decided emphasis in the demand for books for war workers and for books about the war and the countries involved both by men about the enter the armed services and by the general public.
War conditions have also caused an unusually large number of changes in the personnel of the staff.
The Lecture Room in the new main library building has been designated as an Air Raid Shelter and has been used many times for lectures on First Aid and Civilian Defense.
Because of the necessity for fuel conservation the main Li- brary has been closed on Wednesday and Sunday of each week. Staff schedules were adjusted so that all members worked the same number of hours per week as before.
In order to save oil in accordance with National Defense regula- tions a change to coal is under way for the main library buildings.
Our Library acted as host for the annual meeting of the Massa- chusetts Library Association on June 18th. The attendance was unusually large considering travel conditions.
Mayor Burgin has made a gift to the Library of the following pictures:
U. S. S. John Adams leading her division off Gibraltar and U. S. S. John Adams capturing a privateer in the West Indies.
353
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Both are copies painted by the artist, Frank Vining Smith, of the murals which he painted for the U. S. Cruiser Quincy. These murals were the City's gift to the cruiser. Mayor Burgin also made a loan to the Library of a splendid colored photograph of the Cruiser Quincy.
During the year our Librarian, Mr. Hill, has been Chairman of the Victory Book Campaign for this city. About 25,000 books have been collected and forwarded to army camps, naval bases, army and navy hospitals and to the vessels of the Merchant Marine.
Because of the very small appropriation in the annual budget for books, the Library has been unable to meet the demands of our citizens for new reading matter. It is sincerely hoped that the budget for 1943 will include a sufficient appropriation to meet the requirements of the patrons of our Library.
The trustees take this opportunity to acknowledge again the efficient and loyal work of the librarian and members of the staff, and to thank the Mayor and members of the City Council for their support and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Secretary
354
CITY OF QUINCY
TREASURER'S CONDENSED STATEMENT, 1942
Crane Memorial Fund
Balance in banks, Dec. 31, 1941 $5,656.34 Payments, principal Vorst mortgage N. Y. C.
property less service fee 665.00
Interest Vorst mortgage less service fee 1,234.37
Interest on deposits in savings bank 100.87
$7,656.58
Payments, equipment and repairs library build- ings
$1,310.92
Payments miscellaneous library items 121.01
Payment mortgage interest 351.67
Payment on mortgage principal 1,500.00
Balance in banks Dec. 31, 1942
4,372.98
$7,656.58
Crane Special Fund
Balance in banks, Dec. 31, 1941 $ 275.20
Distribution trust income and principal 40.19
Interest on deposits in savings bank 5.59
Balance in bank Dec. 31, 1942. $320.98
$320.98
Ellery Channing Butler Fund
Principal and balance in savings bank Dec.
$1,000.09 31, '42
Interest on deposits in savings bank ... 20.10
$1,020.19
Payments miscellaneous library items $19.51
Principal and balance in savings bank, Dec.
31, 1942 1,000.68
$1,020.19
Cotton Center Johnson Fund
Principal and balance in savings bank Dec. 31, 1941 $168.82
Interest on deposits in savings bank 3.14
$171.96
Payments for books
$19.19
Principal and balance in savings bank, Dec. 31,
1942
152.77
$171.96
355
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
George W. Morton Fund
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1941 (cost) $1,880.50
Principal and balance in savings bank Dec.
31, 1941 $3,238.60
Interest from securities
80.00
Interest on deposits in savings bank 64.60
$3,383.20
Payments equipment repairs library building ....
$103.25
Payments miscellaneous library items 59.75
Principal and balance in savings bank Dec. 31, 1942 3,220.20
$3,383.20
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1942 (cost) ...
$1,880.50
Alice G. White Fund
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1941 (cost) $991.00
Balance in savings bank Dec. 31, 1941. $5.44
Dividends on securities 35.00
Interest on deposit in savings bank .08
$40.52
Payment for music books and records
$29.05
Balance in savings bank Dec. 31, 1942. 11.47
$40.52
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1942 (cost)
$991.00
Katherine A. Raycroft Bequest
Balance in bank Dec. 31, 1941 $107.23
Payment for equipment library building
$107.23
PAUL C. REARDON, Treasurer HENRIETTA C. THOMAS JAMES S. COLLINS Auditing Committee
356
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library:
President Roosevelt in a letter to the Council on Books in War- time on the occasion of its Pearl Harbor anniversary meeting wrote: "In our country's first year of war, we have seen the growing power of books as weapons. Through books we have appraised our enemies and discovered our allies. We have learned something of American valor in battle. We have above all come to understand better the kind of war we must fight and the kind of peace we must establish. A war of ideas can no more be won without books than a naval war without ships." Elmer Davis, Director of the Office of War Information, in a message to Ameri- can librarians, stressed the point that "In the present war, libra- rians carry a responsibility such as they have never carried in their history. ... They must see to it that the people of the country have the facts before them." Thus are libraries challenged to carry the ammunition on their particular front and to pass it on.
Working under a certain handicap, the Thomas Crane Public Library has endeavored to do its duty in its own position in the line. We have purchased the best of the books dealing with what Mr. Davis calls "the facts." We have bought technical books for war workers, books for the civilian defense, for the home front, books helpful to men and women waiting the call to active service, and books and pamphlets dealing with information of all kinds pertinent to the war effort. America is fighting a global war and our soldiers and sailors are finding themselves in strange, far-off corners of the earth. We have tried to find the books which will tell the folks at home about these places where their boys are fighting. Though the emphasis has been on the types of books just described, librarians are also told that they should not forget that there is still need for recreational books, books which will furnish relaxation for tensed nerves and the fatigue of long work- ing hours.
Unfortunately, and this is where the handicap comes in, we have been unable to do as much as we had anticipated, and would have liked to do in bringing "the facts" to the people in every section of our city. Just as the library had enthusiastically gotten under way on its program, the city's budget was passed, and the library found that its book appropriation had been cut to exactly fifty per cent of the appropriation for each of the years 1939, 1940 and 1941. This book budget for 1943 was the lowest since 1919 when the library had only two branches instead of thirteen and Quincy was one half its present size. The drastic cut, which came without warning and without an opportunity to present the library's needs, was accepted with as good grace as possible, but its effect could not be otherwise than to severely curtail the effi- ciency of the library's services. With the money available, no reference books could be or were purchased after April, the antici- pated allowance for technical books was cut one-half, the allot- ment for children's books reduced two-thirds, and no books of any kind were bought for any of the branches after the first of May.
The inability to provide enough new books was reflected in the percentage of our loss in circulation. While the average losses reported by other public libraries, due to wartime conditions, seems to have been about seven per cent, our loss was nearly
357
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
thirteen per cent. The number of books borrowed was 557,329, the lowest since 1927. It may be worth noting that the figure for the total number of borrowers, 23,058, was only two and one-half per cent below that for 1941. Our borrowers apparently kept their cards but came less often and took out fewer books because they could not find the ones they wanted. As another item of the effect of wartime conditions, the rationing of gasoline during the summer was followed by an upward flurry in circulation, which in time was followed by a noticeable drop, particularly at the branches, after the dimout regulations went into effect.
Two features of our library service have been shining exceptions to the rule of losses in 1942. Our hospital library service at the Quincy City Hospital is one. The hospital has been a very busy place this past year and that the library has been used and ap- preciated is evident in the number of books borrowed by patients and staff. The circulation broke all previous records by more than 4,000 books, the total of 20,767 being above the circulation figures for some of our smaller branches. It was found impossible to give satisfactory service on the five afternoon schedule and a six afternoon schedule, begun late in 1941, has worked more satis- factorily. We are proud of our hospital library department and under Miss Zottoli it is one of our most worth while services.
In the Music Room, the circulation of phonograph records was the other exception to the record of losses. The appreciation of good music seems to be under no decline even in the midst of war, and by making its enjoyment possible by the circulation of phonograph records, we believe we are making a real if small con- tribution to the general morale. Anyway, 11,206 records were borrowed for home use, which compared with the 8,401 of the year previous is an indication that this department is filling its own special niche in the work of our library. The listening booths have been well patronized and many of those using them have been soldiers and sailors from neighboring bases. Our satisfaction in the fine record of our Music Room is somewhat dampened by the severe loss this department has suffered through the resigna- tion at the end of the year of Miss Margaret Hebert as Music Librarian. It is only the simple truth that Miss Hebert has been almost wholly responsible for the development of this depart- ment from its inadequate beginnings in the old building. Many of the music books and all the phonograph records are her selection. The special catalogs represent hard and more or less pioneer work on her part. Through her background and enthusiasm, her friendly interest in all who came to the room and by her record concerts, she was the prime factor in the popularity and achievement of her department. While as librarian I cannot but regret our loss in her resignation, I hope she will find satisfaction and success in her new field of service.
While the reference department does not report so many indi- vidual questions as in some previous years, many of the inquiries have had to do directly or indirectly with the war, and many have required considerable detective intelligence on the part of Mrs. Wilford and the other reference librarians.
Under that sometimes abused word "publicity" should be men- tioned the continuation of Mrs. Joyce's weekly column "Leaves from the Library" in the Quincy Patriot Ledger, and her books talks, of which she gave twelve during the year to various clubs
358
CITY OF QUINCY
and groups. Their popularity is attested by Mrs. Joyce's engage- ments for the current year. Posters and displays made and ar- ranged by Miss Ponti, Mrs. Brown, Miss Gow and Mrs. Stelfox have not only been attractive, but have interested borrowers in the books displayed. Many of the branch librarians also have been enterprising and assiduous in arranging exhibits and dis- plays in their branches. At the main library Miss Keating's pre- view table of books about to go into circulation has resulted in reserves for many worth while books not on the best seller lists.
The library is also grateful to the following persons who loaned displays for the exhibit cases in the new building, Mr. Henry W. Porter, old metal and glass lamps; Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Spillane, Toby jugs and Staffordshire figures; Mrs. Martha Bixby, Wedge- wood pitchers and lustre ware; Mr. Wesley Fuller, polished beach pebbles; Miss Mary Ellen Bonsall, old buttons; Mrs. Mar- garet Joyce, old music books; The South Shore Camera Club, pho- tographs; Mr. Roland Howard, drawings and woodcut by the Rev. Jonathan Fisher of Blue Hills, Maine."
Our library suffered from an unusual number of resignations during the past year, marriage or a desire to change to another field of work being the chief reasons. Beside Miss Hebert, we lost Miss Martha Mattson, Miss Bethiah Morrill, Miss Mabel Coriati, Miss Beatrice Keniley, Miss Barbara Hill and Miss Mabel Porter. Miss Porter's resignation was in the nature of retirement after fifteen years in our library, for thirteen of which she served as librarian of the Merrymount Branch. All her associates on our staff wish her many happy years in the enjoyment of a well earned leisure. The library achieved its first service star when Lester White, chauffeur for twelve years, volunteered in September for service in the U. S. Navy. Miss Shirley Bean, Miss Mary O'Brien and Miss Emilie Gassett were the newcomers on the staff during the year, and Mr. Henry Ward was appointed to fill Mr. White's position as chauffeur.
I would not end this report without acknowledging my great indebtedness to the assistant librarian, Miss Callahan, who found the solution to many of the problems of the year, especially those of personnel schedules, and expressing my tribute to all the mem- bers of the staff who cooperated finely in carrying on under some- times discouraging conditions. Also to your Board of Trustees, I am sincerely grateful for your interest, confidence, advice and practical assistance in the year's work.
Respectfully submitted, GALEN W. HILL, Librarian
359
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Population served, 76605 (1940 census) Free for lending and reference
Total number of agencies, consisting of : Central Library Branches
12
Stations
Hospital service
1
Deposits
5
Number of days open during year : For lending
303
For reference
327
Hours open each week for lending
72
Hours open each week for reading
72
Total number of staff
33
Total valuation of library property
$630,500.00
Circulation and Use
Volumes
Percentage of Total Circulation
Number of volumes of adult non-fiction
lent for home use
117,308
21.1%
Number of volumes of adult fiction lent for home use
258,648
46.4%
Number of books for children lent for home use
181,373
32.5%
Number of phonograph records lent for home use
11,206
Total number of volumes lent for home
use
557,329
Registration
Total number of registered borrowers ......
Adult 14,736
Juvenile 8,322
Total 23,058
Borrowers registered or re-registered
during year
5,246
2,176
7,422
Number of non-resident borrowers (in- cluded above)
29
Book Stock
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes at beginning of year Number of volumes added during year ....
83,425
36,878
120,303
3,026
1,629
4,655
Number of volumes withdrawn during year Total number of volumes at end of year .. Number of newspapers
1,504
1,246
2,750
84,947
37,261
122,208
7
Number of periodicals
141
Fines, non-resident fees and miscel-
laneous receipts paid to City Treasurer
$3,996.76
360
CITY OF QUINCY
Library Expenditures 1942
City Appropriation $5,960.31
Endowment Funds
Books
$68.27
Periodicals
1,161.70
38.99
Phonograph records
376.07
11.53
Binding
852.94
Library
Service
44,923.69
Janitor Service
9,946.77
Police
450.00
Rent
4,380.00
Electricity and Gas
2,095.10
Heat
2,265.75
Maintenance supplies, telephone misc.
2,737.69
95.91
Repairs, equipment
838.25
1,551.15
Insurance
504.98
Automobile expense
203.68
Grading, special
5.40
Convention expense
99.00
$76,846.33
$1,765.85
Books in Library January 1, 1943
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General
1,582
611
2,193
Periodicals
4,034
24
4,058
Philosophy
1,568
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