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 24
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 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
38
1,606
Religion
1,647
313
1,960
Sociology
7,232
1,980
9,212
Language
596
66
662
Science
2,216
1,306
3,522
Useful Arts
6,111
1,633
7,744
Fine Arts
5,304
1,416
6,720
Literature
7,638
3,658
11,296
History
9,387
4,038
13,425
Biography
6,480
1,802
8,282
Fiction
31,152
20,376
51,528
Total
84,947
37,261
122,208
361
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF QUINCY
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1942
Chairman HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN, Mayor
Vice-Chairman MR. HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND
HON. THOMAS S. BURGIN Term expires Dec. 31, 1942 131 Monroe Road, Quincy
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS. Term expires Dec. 31, 1942 45 Elm Street, Quincy
MR. HESLIP E. SUTHERLAND.
19 Avon Way, Quincy
Term expires Dec. 31, 1942
DR. EDWARD R. LOFTUS, JR. Term expires Dec. 31, 1943 94 Cedar Street, Wollaston
MR. L. PAUL MARINI. Term expires Dec. 31, 1943 223 Presidents Lane, Quincy
MR. A. WENDELL CLARK Term expires Dec. 31, 1944 223 Franklin Street, Quincy
MR. JOHN H. TAYLOR Term expires Dec. 31, 1944 108 Warren Avenue, Wollaston
Secretary to School Committee and Superintendent of Schools
JAMES N. MUIR, B.S. 132 Winthrop Avenue, Wollaston
The regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. on the last Tuesday in each month.
362
CITY OF QUINCY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD, Chairman
ALBERT C. BLACKMAN FERDINAND J. COMI
FRANK FOSTER
CONRAD HALLGREN ALBERT W. Koss GEORGE A. OSTER
ARCHIBALD WESTHAVER
OFFICE STAFF
Secretary MARION NILSEN 33 Nilsen Avenue, Quincy
Bookkeeper HELEN M. CANTY 65 Safford Street, Wollaston
Clerks ANNIE M. OHMAN 71 Bennington Street, Quincy THERESA V. KROESSER 49 Buckingham Road, Wollaston
Office: School Committee Rooms, Quincy High School Building, Coddington Street.
Office Hours: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M .; Saturday, 8 A.M. to 12 M.
Supervisor of Attendance HARRY G. BURNHAM 226 Everett Street, Wollaston Office: School Committee Rooms Office Hours: 8 A.M. to 12 M .; 1:30 to 5 P.M. Saturday, 8 A.M. to 12 M.
363
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
IN MEMORIAM
DAVID H. GOODSPEED
Died December 17, 1942 Principal at the Massachusetts Fields and Wollaston Schools
September, 1909 - June, 1924 Principal at the Central Junior School September, 1924-December, 1942
CATHERINE M. MURPHY
Died November 28, 1942 Teacher at the Quincy School September, 1930 - November 1942
364
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Quincy:
In accordance with our practice I am submitting the Annual Report for 1942.
The schools are usually in session approximately 180 days dur- ing the school year. The current school year will have fewer ses- sions because of the many interruptions, such as rationing and the fuel situation. If the pupils attended school all the days and all the hours that the schools are in session, they would be in school approximately 12% of all the hours in the year. Every request and every demand, both local and otherwise, which interrupts the pupils' regular school program and with which school authorities are expected to comply, must be taken out of this 12% of the year.
Demands on school officials have been many and varied during the year.
Regardless of the type of request, the first thing any group of citizens thinks of is why can't the public schools do it? For in- stance, the salvage drive, the selling of war stamps, the Red Cross work-"Have the schools do it." The officials of the United States Government have felt the same way about rationing.
The school personnel accepted the challenge of rationing and have given their time and energy and have done a splendid job. We dismissed school for a period of four and one half days to do the sugar rationing, five days for fuel oil. We shall soon be obliged to do the rationing for War Ration Book No. 2 and, probably before the school year is over, for Book No. 3. This will take two weeks. My estimate is that it will cost the City of Quincy to do this job of rationing approximately $125,000. But this is not the great cost. The great cost is the interruption of our regular school program; the loss in education to the twelve thousand boys and girls.
Governor Leverett Saltonstall says: "An alert, intelligent, and confident youth is the greatest bulwark for the preservation of our democracy and the safety of our nation. In moulding this future generation in the American way of life, education becomes our most powerful guarantee that right will be master over might."
It is true that education becomes our most powerful guarantee that right will be master over might. But this education must not be diluted. It must be strengthened in every particular. We must have our educational program free from constant interruptions. We must have teachers with zeal who are working for pupil efficiency and school efficiency. Pupils must be taught to do a real day's work.
What Governor Saltonstall is thinking of in his statement is undoubtedly what Dr. Stringfellow Barr, President of St. John's College of Annapolis, has so aptly expressed: "There is a kind of education called by our forefathers liberal education that is good
365
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
in war, good in peace, that is good for all men, at all times, and in all places. It is concerned with developing the powers of the individual to read, to write, to speak, to think. It has been given to thousands of human beings in many centuries. It used to be widely given in the United States."
Dr. Barr has struck the key note. This was the purpose for which the public schools were established but we have drifted far afield. Who suffers ? The pupils.
The Government has requested the School Committee to approve Defense Refresher Courses. Defense Refresher Courses were or- ganized in sheet metal, pipe fitting, two divisions in machine shop practice-all full-time or eight hour shifts. In addition, there have been Pre-Employment Refresher Courses, four hour courses, in machine shop for men and women. They cover blueprint reading, shop mathematics, drawing and sketching, and discussion of shop problems. In addition to this, a welding school, which is also a part of the defense program, was established October, 1942. The welding school is running three eight-hour shifts. These courses are paid for out of federal funds. Before they are established they are recommended to the School Committee by the Advisory Com- mittee for Defense Training. The function of the School Committee is to approve or disapprove these courses. It is a matter of outside agencies conducting schools within the school system and over which the School Committee has no control except the approval of the bills and the approval of the personnel. They have taken much of the time of the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent, and the School Committee.
Forty-seven teachers left the school system during the year 1942.
25 have resigned 2 have retired 17 have gone into service 3 were given a leave of absence
Despite all these diversions, the schools have continued to function. We have gone on with our regular work. We have em- phasized and re-emphasized the fundamentals.
In most of the schools attention was given to Education Week which gave the parents an opportunity to feel free to confer with the teachers and principals, particularly in the elementary schools, and with the teachers, principals, and counselors in the junior and high schools. Evening programs were omitted this year. Parents came to the schools in the afternoon. We put out pamphlets and posters describing the purpose of American Education Week and much good resulted. In the Central Junior School, under the lead- ership of the late David H. Goodspeed, the program included an Armistice Day Assembly, another for a Health Day Assembly, etc.
We have attempted to change toward the war effort. A new Pre- Induction program has been offered to the pupils in the twelfth grade at the Quincy High School and the North Quincy High School.
Because of war requirements and the impending induction of high school boys, changes are being made in the high school pro- gram as follows:
366
CITY OF QUINCY
1. A full PRE-INDUCTION PROGRAM will be open to all twelfth grade boys beginning January 1943.
The program includes:
No. of Periods
No. of Points Jan .- June 2
Current Readings
4
Physics (Selected Units or second semester if course is already being taken)
5
21/2
Mathematics Refresher Course
5
212
Choice of
Elements of Aeronautics
2
Meteorology, Navigation,
5
212
Problems of Democracy
5
21/2
Physical Education
Boys transferring into the Pre-Induction Program will be given credit on a half year basis for all first-semester courses.
2. Elements of Aeronautics, Meteorology, Communications, and the Mathematics Refresher Course may be elected as single courses by boys who do not transfer into the Pre-Induction Pro- gram.
These courses may be carried as extra courses or may re- place some elective course that the pupil has been carrying. (In the latter case, credit will be given on a half year basis for the first-semester course.)
3. A new 2 period course in Blueprint Reading will be offered be- ginning January 1943 (1/2 credit). Some Freehand or Mechanical Drawing is pre-requisite. The course is open to all twelfth grade pupils-boys and girls.
4. Credit toward the high school diploma may be allowed any high school pupil who submits satisfactory evidence of having com- pleted Red Cross First Aid and Home Nursing courses between January and June 1943.
Before this Pre-Induction program can be of any value, there must be the utmost cooperation and willingness to do on the part of the teacher as well as the pupil. Not only willingness to do but the desire to take hold of it and put it over.
An outstanding talk given to the teachers during the year 1942 was that of Robert King Hall of Harvard University. His lecture was on the German and Japanese threat in Brazil. He analyzed the economic, the political, and the military threat of these racial groups. The teachers have been enthusiastic in their praise of this lecture, stating it was one of the best we have had. Dr. Hall is a leading authority on Latin America and Assistant Director of Harvard University Commission on English Language Studies under the direction of I. A. Richards of Cambridge, England.
The solution of the problems of both war and peace will require college trained men who have had a background of the best pos- sible preparation that the schools can give. I shall continue to advocate a strong College Preparatory curriculum in our schools.
and Map-Making
Communications
367
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
I shall continue to advocate for every pupil that kind of educa- tion which will teach him to read, write, and speak the English language correctly, that when he leaves the high school he may be able to read a paragraph, interpret it, and tell what is in it; that he may be able to do common fractions and the simple processes of arithmetic; that he may know something of the elements of geography and history in order that he may be able to take his place as an intelligent citizen.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools.
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools,
Quincy, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Muir:
I submit the following report on the Day Trade School for the year 1941-1942.
The year 1941-1942 has been a difficult one because of the transition from peace to war conditions. Many of our third-year students have sacrificed their diplomas by leaving school to accept employment at high wages in war industries. Even first and second-year students have left for the same reason. This has had a disquieting influence on the boys who remain, and is reflected in many cases in poor interest in work. The lowering of the draft age to eighteen has taken some boys, while others have enlisted in the various branches of the armed service.
A total of 124 boys have left school for reasons listed below:
Number left to enter armed service 16
Number left to accept employment 108
Number of above employed by Bethlehem Steel Corporation 88
The "turn-over" caused by the war this past year has been un- usual. Since September, 1942, 138 boys have been accepted to fill vacancies caused by reasons stated above.
The war has also had its influence upon the faculty. In Septem- ber, 1942, Mr. H. Porter Perkins, machine class instructor, enlisted in the Navy making necessary the transfer of Mr. Leonard Tor- doff, class instructor in the Auto Mechanics Department, to the Machine Department to fill the vacancy caused by the departure of Mr. Perkins. Owing to the unsettled condition of the automobile industry caused by the war, and the lessened number of applicants for that department, it was thought advisable to make the Auto Mechanics Department a two-man department with Mr. Forest L. Mason, former shop instructor, becoming class instructor and Mr. Maurice J. Daly having entire charge of the shop.
During the past year we have accommodated all Quincy ap- plicants who completed the ninth grade or higher, and also have accepted boys from the eighth grade. Eighth graders were former- ly not accepted while there were sufficient ninth graders to com-
368
CITY OF QUINCY
plete the enrollment. This practice of accepting eighth grade boys will probably be necessary for the duration, although it does not seem wise ordinarily.
In addition, it is necessary to take many tuition students from surrounding towns to complete enrollment.
The following table shows the number of Trade School tuition pupils over a five-year period:
First Year Second Year Third Year Total
December, 1938
2.2
29
12
63
December, 1939
1
12
20
39
December, 1940
5
4
T
16
December, 1941
2
1
3
6
December, 1942
29
1
2
32
The following is a financial statement of the Trade School for the last two years:
1940-41
1941-42
Tuition for non-residents
$2,433.90
$1,252.88
Cash for products made in the school
402.62
320.55
Aid from the Federal Government
4,014.35
5,732.71
Aid from the State of Massachusetts
20,264.18*
23,232.45*
Miscellaneous receipts
136.75
63.06
Total receipts
$27,251.80
$30,601.65
Net cost to City of Quincy
24,823.21
25,301.74
* These figures are from September 1 to August 31, to conform to time of disbursement of State and Federal funds.
Last year in the Spring we started the practice of giving mechanical aptitude tests to boys from the ninth grades of the four junior schools. Mr. Albert H. Cochrane, Assistant Super- intendent of Schools, supervised the giving of the Detroit Mechan- ical Aptitude Test in April to all boys in that grade.
The results were very interesting and helpful. In addition, the Director interviewed every boy who expressed a desire to enter Trade School and tested all with the O'Connor Wiggly Block Mechanical Aptitude Test. These tests have proved valuable sup- plements to our regular bases of selection.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK C. WEBSTER, Director.
369
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Muir:
I submit the following report for the Department of Health Edu- cation for the year of 1942.
Health Service
Medical Examinations by School Physicians:
1. Routine Examinations 8,524
2. Special Examinations 1,698
3. Examinations of Athletes 636
4. Miscellaneous Examinations 137
5. Pre-School Clinic Examinations 441
Total 11,436
(These figures do not include the examinations of teachers, new entrants and tenure appointments, or those made by family physicians, or specialists upon the recommendations of school doctors.)
School Nursing Service:
I. Number of pupils inspected by nurses for
various causes
41,283*
II. Field Visits by Nurses:
1. to home 1,214
2. to physicians 12
3. to other agencies 68
III. Office Visits (or conferences in school buildings)
1. Parents
729
2. Teachers:
a. re health of pupils 3,291
b. re hygiene of classroom 408
c. re home conditions 643
3. Pupils :
a. re health advice 9,116
b. re first aid
3,599
c. re illness and suspected communicable disease 3,652
d. re follow-up
4,643
IV. Parents Notified re Defects of
1. eyes
2. ears 264
3. nose and throat
451
4. teeth
1,732
5. feet and posture
511
6. others 225
V. Corrections Reported 2,197
258
* Figure includes all schools in the City except the North Quincy High School.
The following figures were submitted to the Director of Health Education by the City Health Department :
370
CITY OF QUINCY
Contagious Diseases Reported : Scarlet Fever
98 cases
Measles 830 cases
Only Scarlet Fever and Measles are reported since they are the most prevalent and require constant checking to prevent epidemics.
Dental Work
The dental clinic program conducted by the City Health Depart- ment in cooperation with the Department of Health Education has been somewhat modified since the last report. Dentists this year examined only the first three grades. Clinic schedules were started on September 30 as follows:
Monday
Miss Rand
Tuesday
Mrs. Ewing
Wednesday Miss O'Brien
Thursday (P. M.) Friday
Mrs. Ewing Miss McEwan
Twelve appointments are scheduled for each morning and four for each afternoon. Emergency work is cared for as it arises. No porcelain fillings are included in this work. While the actual work of the clinic is under the direction of the local Health Department, all appointments and follow-up is arranged for through the De- partment of Health Education. Arrangements have been made by the Director to have needy Quincy High School pupils fill vacancies at the clinic when elementary school pupils fail to keep their ap- pointments.
Tuberculosis Clinic
(Conducted by the Norfolk County Tuberculosis Clinic in Cooperation with the School Department)
Summary
Population of Grades tested
2,287
Children Tuberculin tested
1,674
Per cent tested
73%
Number reacting to the test
338
Per cent reacting to the test 20%
Children X-rayed
463
Children examined
22
Adult-type Tuberculosis cases found
0
Adult-type Tuberculosis observation group ...
2
Observation group for annual check-up
56
Number of children examined by special request
181
Hospitalized for observation
1
The 56 cases for observation are divided as follows:
Grade 4- 2 cases
5-3 "
6- 2
8 -- 5
9-15 10- 8 ,,
11- 9 12-12
371
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
It is regrettable that due to a shortage of medical personnel, this clinic will not function as in the past. Follow-up cases will be checked but no large groups will be tested.
Orthopedic Clinic
Dr. Arthur A. Thibodeau, the orthopedic physician in charge of the clinic, was called into military service in May, 1942, making it necessary to discontinue the work for the present. We are deeply indebted to the Quincy Lodge of Elks for meeting the expense of this clinic and for much other financial aid they have given our handicapped children.
Clinic Summary-1942
School
No. pupils attending clinic
Conditions
No. recom'd for corrective work in school
Quincy High
13
13
13
No. Quincy High
8
5
2
2
8
South Junior
2
1
1
2
Adams
2
2
1*
2
Atherton Hough
3
3
3
Coddington
1
1
Cranch
5
5
5
Daniel Webster
3
2
1
1
3
Francis W. Parker
4
3
1
4
Gridley Bryant
5
5
5
John Hancock
14
14
14
Lincoln
6
6
6
Massachusetts Fields 1 **
1
Montclair
5
4
2
5
Nathaniel S. Hunting 1
1
1
Quincy
1
1
Squantum
1
1
Thomas B. Pollard
2
2 ***
2
Willard
5
3
1
1
5
82
69
10
4
81
* Recommend Massachusetts General Hospital
X-ray of hips
* * May need surgery
Many of the above cases have attended the clinic as many as six times. Others have been discharged. The remainder should be given more attention. All of these cases, and many others, should be receiving special exercises each week in school. My recom- mendations are that we again start this work which was discon- tinued in September, 1940. This would be real health conservation.
Feet
Spine
Posture
372
CITY OF QUINCY
Eyes and Ears
Because of the rationing program it was not possible to start audiometer tests as early as usual. Our telebinocular instruments continue to be used more each year with greater effectiveness. Reports clearly indicate their value in the early detection of sight difficulties. This same instrument is used in examing air corps cadets because of its value in measuring the important function of Depth Perception.
Considerable good might be accomplished in the field of vision if the lighting of classrooms was improved.
Analysis of Accidents during 1942
Reported Accidents
Sent to
Hospital
Fractures and
Dislocations
Athletic
Injuries
Playground
Gymnasium
Classroom
Lavatories
Shop
Cafeterias
Laboratories
Miscellaneous
All elementary schools .
47
13
7
32
8
3
2
Quincy High
31
24
7
19
9
1
2
No. Quincy High 27
17
6
14
7
2
1
1
2
Central Junior
7
4
3
2
1
1
2
1
South Junior
4
3
1
1
1
1
1
Quincy Point Jr.
6
3
1
4
1
1
Trade
14 ** 9
136
73
25
35
33
22
11 4
5
1
1
8
*Sheet Metal Shop
- 4
Auto Mechanics Shop -4
Machine Shop
-3
Plumbing Shop
-2
Woodworking Shop -1
373
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Physical Fitness Index Chart High School Boys
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Totals
SCHOOL
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
for Group
Quincy High 1941
301
120.
215
119.7
193
119.2
709
119.6
1942
240
124.
227
126.2
181
123
648
124.4
No. Quincy High
1941
129
120.
114
112.3
No report
243
116.1
1942
140
113.3 123
115.9
No report
263
114.6
Remarks-Because of the large number of pupils to be tested at North Quincy High, 12th grade pupils were not tested in June.
High School Girls
Quincy High 1941
336
114.9
301
109.6
257 260
112.
894
112.2
1942
304
111.8
254
114.4
109.2 818
111.8
No. Quincy High
1941
117
110.
137
120.
No report
254
115.
1942
138
114.3
155
115.
No report
293
114.6
See Note under Remarks for "Boys."
374
CITY OF QUINCY
Junior School Boys-1942 Records
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
SCHOOL
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Cases
Med. P.F.I.
No. Quincy High
181
115.3
172
120. 105.9
178
118.8
Central Junior
141
109.9
124
112
115.9
South Junior
Records not complete
Quincy Point Junior
97
113.5
94
114.8
101
114.5
Totals and Group Med. P.F.I.
419
112.9
390
113.6
391
116.4
Remarks-Records were not completed for South Junior but from past years it is safe to imply that the Physical Fitness of these boys is equal if not superior to those of other schools.
Junior School Girls-1942 Records
No. Quincy High
174
100.3
143
108.2
168
107.2
Central Junior
114
104.1
145
102.9
121
110.3
South Junior
116
120.5
114
112.1
123
118.2
Quincy Point Junior
90
108.
60
106.2
90
111.1
Totals and Group Med. P.F.I.
494
108.2
462
107.4
502
111.7
Remarks-It is not surprising that South Junior girls show a superior Fitness since records show the largest attend- ance for after school activities.
"Education for War time has been defined as 'the shortest dis- tance between two points.' 'The two points are the position of the contestant to the position of victor.' Education can help to shorten this distance to victory."*
To this end I propose that we make every effort to give our potential contestants, while they are still in school, every tool that may help them not only to win the war, but the peace that will follow.
* Taken from the reports on the National Institute on Education and the War at Washington, D. C., August 28-31, 1942.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. CARTER, Director of Health Education.
375
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
APPENDIX A
STATISTICAL DATA 1. Financial Statement for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1942 I. REGULAR AND STATE-AIDED SCHOOLS
Appropriated by City Council (exclusive of Federal Funds ) $1,245,000.00
Appropriated for outstanding 1941 bills
503.00
$1,245,503.00
Transferred to Public Buildings
5,000.00
Total available (exclusive of Federal Funds ..
$1,240,503.00
Expended, Regular and State-aided Schools
(exclusive of Federal Funds) $1,218,153.02
Outstanding Bills
2,136.03
Outstanding Contracts
12,634.00
Outstanding Salary
120.69
1,233,043.74
Balance unexpended
$ 7,459.26
Itemized Expenditures
Instruction
$ 929,921.43
Instruction-Outstanding Bills
177.33
General Control
23,523.81
General Control-Outstanding Bills ..
113.75
General Control-Outstanding Sal- ary
120.69
Coordinate and Auxiliary Agencies
28,723.58
Operation of Plant
143,648.27
Operation-Outstanding Bill
11.00
Maintenance
29,273.79
Maintenance-Outstanding Bills
1,442.05
Maintenance-Outstanding Contracts
12,634.00
Maintenance-1941 Bill
27.74
Maintenance-New Equipment
3,015.74
Maintenance-Outstanding Bills
309.40
Miscellaneous
2,909.36
Miscellaneous-Outstanding Bills
82.50
Evening School
1,988.12
Total for regular schools
$1,177,922.56
Trade School
$ 52,534.36
Trade School-1941 Bill 455.00
Trade School-Smith-Hughes Fund ..
1,651.85
Trade School-George-Deen Fund ... 2,269.41
Out of City Industrial 777.37
Adult Alien Education
1,354.45
Total for State-aided Schools . $ 59,042.44
Less: Smith-Hughes and George-
Deen Funds
3,921.26
55,121.18
Total Expenditure (exclusive of Federal Funds) $1,233,043.74 Outstanding Bills 14,890.72
$1,218,153.02
376
CITY OF QUINCY
II. STATEMENT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Smith-Hughes Fund
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.