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 1943 > Part 21
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Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. ADAMS, Chairman, GEORGIANA CUSHING LANE, Secretary.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
305
TREASURER'S CONDENSED STATEMENT, 1943
Crane Memorial Fund
Balance in banks, Dec. 31, 1942 $4,372.98
Payments, Principal Vorst mortgage
New York City property less service fee 664.99
Interest, Vorst mortgage less service fee
1,209.39
Refund, taxes New York City property for 1939-1940
131.11
Interest on deposits in savings bank 80.22
$6,458.69
Payments equipment and repairs library building
$216.08
Payments converting boiler to coal 510.75
Payments miscellaneous library items
313.40
Payments mortgage interest
300.00
Payments mortgage principal
1,000.00
Balance in banks Dec. 31, 1943
4,118.46
$6,458.69
Crane Special Fund
Balance in bank Dec. 31, 1942
$320.98
Interest on deposit in savings bank ...
6.48
Distribution trust income and principal
24.16
$351.62
Balance in bank Dec. 31, 1943 $351.62
Ellery Channing Butler Fund
Principal and balance in savings bank, Dec. 31, 1943
$1,000.68
Interest on deposits in savings bank 20.10
$1,020.78
Payments on miscellaneous library items
$19.93
Principal and balance in savings bank,
Dec. 31, 1943
1,000.85
$1,020.78
Cotton Center Johnson Fund
Principal and balance in savings bank,
Dec. 31, 1942 $156.83
Interest on deposits in savings bank 3.10
$159.93
Payments for books
$4.00
Principal and balance in savings bank,
Dec. 31, 1943
155.93
$159.93
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CITY OF QUINCY
George W. Morton Fund
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1942 (cost) $1,880.50
Principal and balance in savings bank,
Dec. 31, 1942
$3,220.20
Interest from securities
80.00
Interest on deposits in savings bank
64.22
$3,364.42
Payments equipment, repairs library
building
Payments miscellaneous library items ....
Principal and balance in savings bank ..
$66.74 74.74 3,222.94
$3,364.42
Securities on hand Dec. 31, 1943 (cost)
$1,880.50
Alice G. White Music Fund
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1942 (cost)
$991.00
Balance in savings bank, Dec. 31, 1942
$11.47
Dividends on securities
35.00
Interest on deposits in savings bank
.33
Payments for broken records
1.83
$48.63
Payments for music books
$30.28
Payment for phonograph records
14.19
Balance in savings bank, Dec. 31, 1943
4.16
$48.63
Securities on hand, Dec. 31, 1943 (cost)
$991.00
VINCENT J. READDY, Treasurer, HENRIETTA C. THOMAS, JAMES S. COLLINS, Auditing Committee.
307
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Thomas Crane Public Library:
This report of the Thomas Crane Public Library for the war year, 1943, will record no outstanding achievements, but we trust that it will be found to contain evidence that, in both tangible and intangible ways, some small contributions have been made to the war effort. Naturally it has been a year of many adjustments and vexing problems, and we have not accomplished all we hoped, but, on the whole, the satisfactions of the year outweigh the disap- pointments.
Certainly, it is a satisfaction to be able to report the recovery of some of the ground lost through the severe cut in the book appropriation in 1942 to only fifty per cent of that of the three previous years. The increase of $4,500 for books in 1943 was used largely for books for the branch libraries, which had suffered most severely, but, as it was not available until April, the increased purchasing power did not affect the circulation until the fall months.
That the figures for the circulation of books for 1943 showed a considerable loss was disappointing but not unexpected. Quincy is a typical war industry city with a very large proportion of its working population, men, women and girls, engaged in long war- time hours, leaving little time for reading. Hundreds of our young men and many young women are in the armed forces, and a con- siderable proportion of these had been regular borrowers. That our circulation statistics are not out of line is shown by the report on a questionnaire issued by the American Library Association, which reveals that practically all public libraries have suffered similar losses in book borrowing as high as twenty per cent. However, it is interesting to note that beginning in November and continuing into January of the current year, there has been an upswing, the returns showing very appreciable gains over the same months in 1942.
It is also a satisfaction that we have been able to keep all our branches and other services intact and going. It was, however, necessary because of the gasoline shortage to cut down the branch exchange of books from the daily schedule to two days a week. Though this has caused some inconvenience to our branch borrow- ers, it has been accepted in good spirit. A check of the circulation figures shows that the percentage of circulation losses ran fairly even over the whole system, with the exception of the music room and the hospital service where the loss was very small. Miss Zottoli, our hospital librarian, attributes her decrease almost wholly to the unusual number of contagious diseases, principally pneumonia, in the hospital in 1943. Naturally such patients are not allowed the use of library books.
Even if the reference department cannot report as many requests for information as usual, the character of the requests shows that much real help was given to people engaged in war activities and research work. For two or more years, Mrs. Wilford, the reference librarian, has been engaged in indexing some of the histories of Quincy, and especially the related pamphlet material. Thus, she has made much fugitive information of importance instantly and easily available, and already this has been of decided help to those
308
CITY OF QUINCY
interested and especially the teachers engaged on the information booklets about Quincy sponsored by the Quincy School Department. This is valuable work of a permanent nature that, when done, is taken for granted without thought of the time and patience and intelligent work that goes into it.
Miss DiBona has continued her work on the index to the Quincy Patriot Ledger, and now this newspaper is completely indexed for all important local events from 1915 to July 1928 and from 1932 to date. The gap of three years should be completed in another year or two. The weekly book comment by Mrs. Joyce have appeared regularly in the Patriot Ledger, except for the summer months, and she has given book talks to many groups.
It is also a real satisfaction that results have begun to show for the work done in the days of the W.P.A. in the mounting of pic- tures under the direction of Mrs. Alice Brown, who has charge of our picture collection. This collection of pictures illustrative of almost every conceivable subject has grown to the number of 4406, all so classified and catalogued as to be readily available. This last year the circulation of pictures has increased seventy-five per cent, and there has been a gratifying use of this feature by Quincy merchants for advertising purposes. An innovation and example of initiative has been the establishment by Miss Bean of a small young people's collection of books in a corner of the reference room, and this has already proved popular with the group for which it was instituted.
By having on hand and available technical and other books of assistance to war workers, and through our reference room, the library has made many indirect contributions to the war effort. Our most direct contribution was through the Books and Authors War Bond Rally on October 11, at the end of the Third War Loan Campaign. This library accepted the invitation of the Quincy War Bond Committee to arrange for this project, and the librarian was made Rally Chairman. He had the cooperation of a small but en- thusiastic and hard working committee and also the invaluable assistance of Miss Martha Huddleston, Director of the Books and Authors Committee, War Finance Division, U. S. Treasury, which also secured the authors who spoke at the Rally at the Quincy High School Auditorium. An audience of more than one thousand was present and war bonds and stamps were sold and credited to the Rally amounting to $2,060,810, more than double the quota assigned the project. The addresses of the authors, the sale of manuscripts and the responsive atmosphere of the assemblage were added evidences of the success of the Rally.
The librarian has been asked to be the librarian of the Quincy Defense Council. So far this has not entailed much work on his part. Eventually, however, the Thomas Crane Public Library will have the custody of the records of that organization, valuable historical source material of the part played by Quincy in the present war.
Last summer this library suffered a loss in the retirement of Miss Sarah B. Kingman, children's librarian for over eighteen years. Miss Kingman was a real children's librarian; she knew children's books and her standards were high; she liked children, had patience and a sense of humor in dealing with them. Her relations with parents and teachers were congenial and coopera- tive. For a number of years she had entire charge of the school
309
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
collections of books sent to the elementary grades, and she put an immense amount of thought and hard work into that department. Her associates on the staff miss her, and it is safe to say that Miss Kingman will go on for many years living in the memories of the boys and girls, many of them now fighting our battles, who over these eighteen years she guided and helped and to whom she was a real friend. In September Miss Greta Rose resigned her position as children's librarian of the Swampscott Public Library to become Miss Kingman's successor. Miss Rose, a graduate of the Simmons School of Library Science with special training in chil- dren's work, has taken hold with energy and enthusiasm.
The much regretted resignation of Miss Margaret Hebert as music librarian at the end of 1942 was commented upon in the report of that year. It took some time to find her successor, but in March Miss Marjorie Holman came to us from the West Hart- ford Public Library and has proved by training, qualifications and interest in her field, well capable of carrying on the work in this special department.
In January 1943 Miss Claire Germaine, junior assistant, joined the Women's Army Corps, and in April Miss Carol Philip went with the U. S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Both have advanced in rank, Miss Germaine being a sergeant. We have been proud to add their stars to our service flag, which now has three stars. The other star is for Lester White, who enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1942. During the year we lost by resignation Mrs. Elinor Stelfox, and Miss Carolyn Kittredge, and Miss Irene Ponti left after being married. For these vacancies we consider the library very fortunate in securing the substitute services of Mrs. Marie Zezzos, Mrs. Betty Morris, Mrs. Esther Mennell, Mrs. Frances Webber and Mrs. Helen Griffin.
The death of Mr. John V. Mead in December came as a shock to all the staff. Mr. Mead began his services as janitor about six months before I came to this library. Through all these years his loyalty and devotion to the library and librarian could always be counted upon, and I also regret the loss of a real personal friend.
Before concluding this report, I want to thank all the members of the staff who have loyally carried on the real burden of the work of the year under often disturbing conditions. I am especially grateful to Miss Callahan whose regular duties were augmented by extra details of wage check offs and the many schedule difficulties due to staff changes and the large number of absences caused by illness during the year. Your Board of Trustees have given me much personal help, and I am deeply appreciative of your support and confidence.
Respectfully submitted,
GALEN W. HILL, Librarian.
310
CITY OF QUINCY
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Population served, 76,605 (1940 census) Free for lending and reference
Total number of agencies, consisting of :
Central Library Branches
13
Stations
Deposits
4
Number of days open during year :
For lending
303
For reference
303
Hours open each week for lending
72
Hours open each week for reference
72
Total number of staff
35
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
97,777
21.2%
Number of volumes of adult fiction lent for home use
212,894
46.2%
Number of books for children lent for home use
149,881
32.6%
home use
460,552
Number of phonograph records lent for home use
7,134
Registration
Adult 13,311
Juvenile 7,979
Total
Total number of registered borrowers
21,290
Borrowers registered or re-registered during year
4,499
2,281
6,780
Number of non-resident borrowers
(included above)
14
14
Book Stock
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes at beginning of year
84,947
37,261
122,208
Number of volumes added during year Number of volumes withdrawn during year
1,260
1,249
2,509
Total number of volumes at end of year
88,114
37,712
125,826
Number of newspapers
7
Number of periodicals
146
Fines, non-resident fees and miscel- laneous receipts paid to City Treasurer
$4,355.85
4,427
1,700
6,127
Total number of volumes lent for
311
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Library Expenditures, 1943
City Appropriation
Endowment Funds
Total
Books
$10,204.03
$34.28
$10,238.31
Periodicals
1,253.50
56.30
1,309.80
Phonograph records
540.98
29.07
570.05
Binding
963.20
963.20
Library Service
44,786.27
44,786.27
Janitor Service
9,843.34
9,843.34
Police
442.00
442.00
Rent
4,380.00
4,380.00
Electricity and gas
1,592.80
1,592.80
Heat
1,759.13
1,759.13
Maintenance supplies,
telephone, misc.
2,600.42
321.40
2,921.82
Repairs and equipment
978.38
298.31
1,276.69
Insurance
801.79
801.79
Automobile expense
202.17
202.17
Boiler conversions
874.00
510.75
1,384.75
$81,222.01
$1,250.11
$82,472.12
Books in Library January 1, 1944
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General
1,659
611
2,270
Periodicals
4,045
24
4,069
Philosophy
1,588
38
1,626
Religion
1,687
317
2,004
Sociology
7,477
1,988
9,465
Language
626
73
699
Science
2,321
1,355
3,676
Useful Arts
6,524
1,638
8,162
Fine Arts
5.418
1,400
6,818
Literature
7,813
3,487
11,300 *
History
9,933
4,036
13,969
Biography
6,668
1,824
8,492
Fiction
32,355
20,921
53,276
Total
88,114
37,712
125,826
312
CITY OF QUINCY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF QUINCY
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1943
Chairman HON. CHARLES A. Ross, Mayor
Vice-Chairman MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS
HON. CHARLES A. ROSS. Term expires Dec. 31, 1945 98 Independence Avenue, Quincy
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, 1945
223 Franklin Street, Quincy
MR. JOHN H. TAYLOR Term expires Dec. 31, 1945 108 Warren Avenue, Wollaston
MR. WILLIAM A. ANDERSON Term expires Dec. 31, 1945 212 Whitwell Street
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS. Term expires Dec. 31, 1945 45 Elm Street, Quincy
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.
313
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
WILLIAM A. BRADFORD, Chairman
ALBERT C. BLACKMAN
CONRAD HALLGREN
FERDINAND J. COMI
ALBERT W. Koss
FRANK FOSTER
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 DOROTHY A. HETHERINGTON (Substitute) 116 Greene Street, 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.
314
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Quincy:
The School Committee for 1943 presents its annual report to the citizens of Quincy.
The schools as usual have cooperated whole-heartedly in the various phases of the War effort. In February, the school per- sonnel conducted the registration for War Ration Book #2. Again in October, the school personnel conducted the registration for War Ration Book #4. To the personnel and students who did this work so efficiently and enthusiastically the city of Quincy is indebted.
The Committee has on many occasions been confronted with requests from boys who entered the Service before completion of their High School education that the School Committee grant them diplomas of graduation.
The School Committee has adopted, as a basis for practice, the program outlined by the National Association of Secondary School Principals providing for allowance of credit toward high school diplomas for all types of courses taken in service, also, up to a limited extent, for the educational experience of military service as such; that it be the established policy of the School Committee that boys entering military service who have earned 50 points or more be considered eligible for a high school diploma upon completion of their basic training and that boys who have less than 50 points be eligible for a high school diploma upon com- pletion of basic training plus sufficient accredited courses to make up the necessary points.
To further assist boys who are about to enter military service the Committee voted that summer courses be offered. Courses in mathematics and physics were suggested,-additional courses to be provided later if warranted by the demand.
The sale of war stamps and bonds has been carried on through the schools very effectively, - approximately $180,000 worth of stamps and bonds having been sold through the schools during the past year.
During the spring the metal window sashes and metal doors at the Trade School were repaired, recaulked and repainted. The interior of the Trade School, excepting the shops, was given a refreshing coat of paint.
During the summer the interior of the Massachusetts Fields School, excepting the basement, was painted, and in the fall the exterior of the Montclair School was waterproofed.
The following members of the school personnel retired during the year: Miss Sally F. Dawes, head of the English Department at Quincy High School since 1913, Mrs. Alice Maude Bates of the Lincoln School, Mrs. Lillian Palmer of the Central Junior School, Miss Lucy H. Rand, school nurse, Mr. Daniel Murphy and Mr. Robert Dykes of the custodial staff. Miss Annie E. Burns, a teacher in the Quincy schools since 1897, died after a short illness.
For the school personnel and students who have entered the armed forces of the United States, the Committee, cognizant of
315
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
their contribution during this crisis, wishes an early termination of the war and a healthy and speedy return.
To Mr. Owen Webb of Quincy the School Committee is truly appreciative. During the football season, the outlook for this sport appeared unfavorable. It appeared, at the beginning of the season, that there would be no coach. Mr. Webb volunteered his services. Every day for three or more hours Mr. Webb could be found on the field of practice with his boys. He was a true sportsman and a gentleman. The boys and the city of Quincy express their gratitude to a true and sincere public spirited citizen. Such an exhibition by Mr. Webb is in these days, surely, a rarity.
In December the Superintendent of Schools, James N. Muir, presented a communication advising the Committee of his inten- tion to retire from the School System on May 1, 1944. His retire- ment was accepted and the Committee voted that applications be received for his successor.
To Mr. Muir, who devoted a lifetime to one of the highest call- ings, the best wishes of the Committee are extended for a pleasant retirement. The Committee expresses its gratitude for his interest and industry tendered this school system. He truly should be proud of his accomplishments in Quincy.
The foregoing report was prepared by Mr. L. Paul Marini and was adopted as the report of the School Committee for the year 1943.
316
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
IN MEMORIAM ANNIE E. BURNS Died April 28, 1943 Teacher 1897-1943
-
317
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Quincy:
In accordance with the usual practice I am submitting the An- nual Report for 1943.
This has been a difficult year in school work. The effect of war is felt keenly in the public schools. This makes it more difficult than usual for commonsense and good judgment to prevail.
The principals and teachers have made every effort to carry on the work and for the most part have done a good job.
There has been a good deal of sickness during the year among pupils and teachers. When a large percentage of pupils is out of school, it means a drawback to those who are in school because the teachers feel they must go over the same work again with those who have been out. There has been much time lost by the teachers and it is only the exceptional substitute who keeps the children up to par when the regular teacher is out.
We started in September with a surplus of teachers and during the past month we have been obliged to go on without our full quota of teachers. A great many changes have taken place in the personnel of the teaching force. Fifty teachers, one school nurse, and one clerk have left the school system during the year.
Of these-
34 resigned 4 retired
12 went into military service 1 is on leave-loaned to the State
1 deceased
During 1942, as reported in the Annual Report of the School Department for that year :
26 resigned 2 retired
died
17 went into military service 2 were on leave of absence
This shows the tremendous change that has taken place during the past two years.
If our schools are to justify themselves in these times they must of necessity be geared up more closely to the demands which war- fare is making on education. The youth leaving the schools will have to adapt themselves to rigorous demands. We have attempted to change toward the war effort.
We are emphasizing more than ever before the place that mathe- matics holds in the curriculum. To this end we have increased the time allowance for arithmetic in the junior schools. We are re- quiring algebra of all high school boys and urging them to elect as much additional mathematics as they are capable of assimilat- ing.
318
CITY OF QUINCY
We have increased the time allowance for general science in the junior schools and are requiring physics of all boys in the high schools. These changes in requirements are consistent with the needs of the armed services.
We have also increased the time allowance in the junior schools for history and geography. We have added a half-year course in world civilization at the ninth grade level and a course in global geography at the high school level.
The course in home management for senior girls which we have offered for a number of years. and which has proved most valuable is now required of all girls.
You will be interested to know that we have been cooperating very effectively with the home Nursing Division of the local Red Cross. The course in Home Management for girls includes a unit on family health. Arrangements were made with the Home Nurs- ing Division of the Red Cross for one of their home nursing in- structors to meet with the girls in the Home Management classes. This proved very effective. As provided for last year, credit is allowable toward the high school diploma for standard Red Cross courses in First Aid and Home Nursing.
The recent action taken by the School Committee upon the recom- mendation of the Superintendent makes possible a program of Junior Red Cross activities in the schools.
The various special provisions which have been made for boys entering military service have been timely and are proving effect- ive. A definite effort is being made within the schools to keep the boys informed in regard to related matters and to encourage them to get as much education as possible.
Never was there a more urgent need either for applying every kind of knowledge to the solution of everyday problems or for try- ing to seek the solution free from prejudice or bias. Never before has a generation been called upon to learn so much, to learn it so well, in so short a time, and for so serious a purpose as now.
Dr. Howard E. Wilson, Professor of Social Studies at Harvard University, and Chairman of the Commission on Wartime Policy of the National Council for the Social Studies, gave an outstand- ing educational address to the Quincy teachers. It was a clear, concise statement on the principles underlying the teaching of good citizenship, the obligation of the teacher to keep abreast of modern thought, and the extreme importance of snapping out of the lethargy in which we find ourselves.
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