USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1939-1941 > Part 40
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Conference and advice re status of Curran Avenue as a public way.
Attention to papers relating to retirement including notice to Selectmen and to Retirement Board.
Attention to papers, docket entries and files.
Conclusion
Adopting the language used in the report for the year 1939, which appears to be appropriate, the situation on October 11, 1940, with respect to litigation and claims involving the town, as viewed by this department, offers no cause for concern.
The confidence, cooperation and consideration uniformly ex- tended to the Town Counsel by present and former officials of the
348
town with respect to service rendered and to be rendered by the Law Department are deeply appreciated. In this respect men- tion should be made particularly of Chairman Houghton of the Selectmen, General Manager Kendrick, Town Clerk and Account- ant Blasenak and Agent Latham of the Board of Public Welfare, who were at all times helpful and ever ready to furnish desired information.
I wish again to state that in the nearly twenty-five years in which James E. Pendergast served the town in his various official capacities prior to his active retirement on account of illness, and during all of which period this department had almost daily con- tact with him, his assistance which was always available, together with his wide knowledge and great experience in the affairs of the town were invaluable, and this department again takes this oppor- tunity to pay its tribute to him and regrets that illness has caused the retirement of so devoted an official.
And now I come to the final chapter of my own term of service to the town of Norwood. Your counsel is deeply grateful for the privilege of being allowed to serve as your legal representative and guide for the last thirty-two years.
Keenly, and even at times painfully aware of the tremendous re- sponsibilities that were mine, I console myself in the thought that I have striven always to preserve your interests with a service guided by justice and conscience.
I am grateful to God for the health and strength of the years that permitted me to execute my duties.
Ever mindful of the cooperation and loyalty of officials and friends through the years, to all I extend my gratitude.
I welcome my successor and wish him well in perpetuating the service and traditions of this office-Honorable George F. James- AVE!
To all who have helped me shoulder my burdens and have joined in forwarding the progress of our beloved town I now say
AVE! VALE.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. HALLORAN Town Counsel
349
THE TOWN OF NORWOOD COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
December 31, 1940
Mr. Charles E. Houghton Chairman Board of Selectmen
Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs:
I respectfully submit the following report of my activities as Town Counsel, covering the period of October 14, 1940 to Decem- ber 31, 1940. My services have been required only in an advisory capacity during the period of my incumbency. I have advised and given opinions to the Selectmen, General Manager, Clerk of the Retirement Board, Board of Health, Assessors, Board of Public Welfare, Town Clerk and Accountant, School Department, and Town Treasurer and Collector.
The following suits have been brought against the Town of Norwood since October 14:
The suit by Florence J. C. Hennessey against the Town of Norwood, pending in the Superior Court of Norfolk County. This is an action for land damages by reason of a taking on Nahatan Street.
A claim by Michael Flaherty for compensation for injuries re- ceived while employed in the Public Works Department, pending before the Industrial Accident Board.
In performing the duties as Town Counsel, I have had the full- est cooperation and valuable assistance from the Department Heads and the Town employees in general, for which I am greatly indebted.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. JAMES Town Counsel
350
MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS
February 11, 1941
To the Citizens of Norwood:
We transmit herewith the annual narrative and statistical re- ports of the Morrill Memorial Library, for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1940.
Respectfully submitted, W. W. EVERETT, Chairman, Board of Trustees
STATISTICAL REPORT
February 11, 1941 1
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1940, arranged according to the form recom- mended by the American Library Association.
Name of Library
Morrill Memorial Library
Name of Librarian
Norwood, Massachusetts Edna Phillips
Date of Founding
1873
Terms of Use
Free for Lending; Free for
Reference
Number of Agencies
6
Number of Days Open in 1940
302
Number of Hours Open Each Week
66
Number of Staff
8
Books
Number of Volumes Added by Purchase
2,145
Number of Volumes Added by Gift
78
Number of Volumes at the End of the Year
29,133
Circulation
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Total
Adult
60,853
22,677
83,530
Intermediate
9,499
2,685
12,184
Juvenile
8,550
3,392
11,942
Balch School
2,269
Callahan School
1,742
High School
322
St. Catherine's School
3,808
Shattuck School
1,962
Winslow School
2,447
120,206
Town
351
Finance
See Report of Town Accountant
Registration
Adult Inter. Juv. Total
Number of Borrowers Registered in 1940
227
59
223
509
Number of Registered Borrowers
4,213
813
763
5,789
1
Books Added to the Library
Fiction by Purchase
1,174
Non-fiction by Purchase
971
Fiction Gifts
7
Non-fiction Gifts
71
Total
2,223
Respectfully submitted, EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian
1940 at the Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood, Mass.
1940 is the first full year the present Board and librarian have been associated with the library.
During this transition year work has centered about an effort to integrate today's library service with real gains drawn from the library's past, and with an appraisal of future trends, in the town, the world, and the library.
This report reflects sound counsel, comprehension and a for- ward look on the part of the board. It reflects the librarian's happy working relationship with them and with members of the library staff.
How the Library Meets the Crisis
1. By trying to do its fundamental job increasingly well.
2. By realizing that now is none too soon to have books play their part in helping people glimpse, and hasten the advent, of a better world.
3. By presenting books that help readers understand the portent of current events.
1. In liberal purchase of technical books needed by Norwood workers in industries affected by defense preparations.
5. By developing reading service to aliens and to citizens of foreign origin.
What the Taxpayer Gets - A Summary
5,789 Norwood people, and residents of nearby towns who pay for the privilege, are borrowers. 509 joined this year; 42 more than the preceding year. 120,206 books were borrowed. A gain
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of 4,586 over 1939. 4,950 magazines were lent for home use; a gain of 2,900.
More advantageous rates in book purchase were obtained this year. With the same book fund as in 1939, 729 more books were bought. At $1.18 per capita residents, by cooperative buying through their public library have the free use of 2,223 new books, and a total collection of 29,500.
Under the state sponsorship of the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries, and with the effective aid of town officers, a Works Progress Administration project was started January 23rd to clean and repair all library books. Miss Henry is the staff member in contact with the WPA workers. 2,160 books have been cleaned, 1,266 repaired, 2,418 covered, 3,052 shellacked, 5,410 labeled and 26,930 dusted.
Beginning January 3, other extremely valuable work of a non- professional nature has been done by a corps of National Youth Administration workers. Miss Probert is the staff member in contact with them.
An Information File has been started of 424 clippings, articles and pamphlets. They were not collected, they were professionally selected, in relation to live needs of readers. Subject heading's were assigned, the items labeled and filed for ready access. In the same way, a Picture Collection has been started of 120 mounted pictures, assigned subject headings according to a professional plan. These two services were greatly needed.
The Schools and the Library: Formal and Informal Education
Working toward the goal of giving every boy and girl in Norwood schools the benefit of knowing how to find and use the public library's resources, the following progress has been made:
In groups of about 25, each group with a teacher, grades five and six from the Balch, Callahan, Shattuck, Winslow and St. Catherine's Schools came to the Children's Room for a half hour's instruction and practice work. This brought 771 boys and girls.
As part of the same plan 476 young people in the Sophomore and Senior classes of the Senior High School came to the Adult! Department.
Four evening school classes of 58 men and women have also had introductory lectures at the library.
Not counting the principals or teachers who came with every group, 1,305 men and women and boys and girls have come for a half-hour smallgroup instruction in book resources and use. As comprehensive a plan as this has not been attempted in Norwood before, and it cannot but affect the reading habits of the town, The plans for it were made by the school authorities and the li- brarian, and it was carried out by the joint efforts of principals, teachers and library staff.
Formerly 2,000 library books were placed in permanent de-
353
posits in four public grammar schools. The use of these books was declining. It was felt by school authorities and the librarian that better reading service for the junior population would result, if these deposits were all returned to the library and the new plan started of smaller, more frequently changed dposits. Hence, this was begun during summer vacation. At the end of the year 1,779 books have been prepared and sent to the four public grammar schools and the Parochial school. This will be used according to the new plan of fresher collections, better responding to current needs and interests.
Added Services To Young People
900 boys and girls came to the story hour series: an increased attendance of more than 200, over 1939. This increase followed announcements at the schools, given for the first time; a change in hour and in place the better to accommodate the listeners, and the addition from time to time of Norwood leaders from outside the library.
A summer vacation reading club for grammar school age was called the "Pocket Club," and it enrolled 248 members.
Miss Shumaker spoke at the Shattuck School on "The Care and Use of Library Books"; and Miss Phillips spoke at the Callahan School on "Youthful Reading Habits of Three Great Americans."
New registration has been given all borrowers in the Chil- dren's Room, to make it uniform with other departments.
No behavior problems have been reported in the Intermediate Room since October and none of any moment by Senior High School pupils using the Adult Department during the entire year. This represents a decided gain following much thought and planning and the joint efforts of the library staff, school authorities and the young people themselves.
The Books People Borrow
Miss Eaton, and under her supervision, Miss Shumaker and other members of the staff, cataloged 2,223 books newly added to the library, by purchase, gift and removal from storage. In addi- tion to this, continuous re-cataloging was done to keep subject headings and class numbers in step with the changing times.
For the first time, an actual count was made of the total number of books owned.
Work has been completed in a much needed book-by-book in- spection of all books in the library. If a collection is kept de- pendable and up to a good standard, weeding of the obsolete at periodic intervals is just as necessary as book additions.
Thousands of old magazines in the basement were put in order, arranged according to a usable plan, labeled, dated, and oil cloth covers cut to protect them from dust. The project was carried out by Miss Greig.
354
Remembering Old Friends and Making New Ones
Seventeen former borrowers whose cards had expired resumed use of the library following a postcard invitation mailed to 225. This is the first of a series to be sent to ex-users of the library.
Men and women from many countries enrolled in evening school were received at the library in small groups, to introduce them to the special aids available to new Americans.
The story of what happened during a library's year was printed in the local papers for the first time in 1940. Following this, the type was kindly lent by the "Norwood Daily Messenger" for printing extra copies for distribution. 1,100 were taken by in- terested residents. Hence, at very small cost the library's re- sources are becoming known to a wider group than heretofore.
Miss Jordan spoke before the Norwood Literary Club on "Books in a Lighter Vein"; The Graduate Club of the Congregational Church on "New Roads in Reading"; The Women's Union of the United Church, and the Friday Club on "Refreshing Viewpoints in Books"; the Norwood Woman's Club on "A Sampler of Recent Books."
Miss Phillips spoke before the Norwood Woman's Club on "Effective Reading Habits"; twice at the annual convention of the American Library Association, on "Integrating Racial Service with General Library Administration", and on "Building Commun- ity Contacts"; the Norwood Women's Club on "Reading Skills"; and the Massachusetts Library Association's radio talk over Sta- tion WBZ on the "Friends of the Library Movement."
This Library's Part in Professional Progress
A citation came to this library by the judges of the Wilson Honor Roll "For outstanding work in 1939 in interpreting the library to the community, in particular for the leaflet 'What is a good library ?'" Requests for this leaflet have come from 13 states.
Five librarians and two trustees have visited Norwood to ob- serve the work of this library for the first time. Members of this staff have visited at least as many other libraries for the same purpose.
The staff was represented at the American Library Associa- tion, Massachusetts Library Association, and the Old Colony Library Club library meetings. Two added members of the staff joined the A. L. A., three the M. L. A. The Misses Greig, Henry and Probert completed the course in reference work offered by the Massachusetts Divisions of University Extension and of Public Libraries.
Miss Phillips has served as a member of the Norwood Woman's Club Art and Education Committee, of the American Library As- sociation's Friends of the Library committee, the Massachusetts
355
Library Association's Scholarship committee, and chairman of its Friends of the Library committee.
Reader-Relationships
Two maps of the town were made to show distribution of popu- lation and town services. One map to determine mile and half- mile distances from the library of the census enumeration districts. The other to show decentralized placing of work among the people by schools, playgrounds and churches.
Twenty-seven people have filled in book purchase suggestion slips recently placed on the charging desk.
A poll taken on the best-liked books brought out added informa- tion on readers' preferences.
Norwood readers benefit greatly by the activities of the li- brary's friends.
Special recollection and gratitude is due:
The local newspapers, who by their constant use of library news, bring book resources of the town to the attention of library readers and potential readers.
The Knights of Columbus, who voted $25 for a year's subscription to the Catholic Book of the Month Club.
Mrs. Robert T. Whittlesey, who undertook on behalf of the president and members of the Norwood Garden Club, a weekly ser- vice of bringing and arranging flowers. This gave untold pleasure to all users of the library.
Highly valued gifts of 78 books have come from many friends. The local donors are: Mrs. Edwin P. Capen, W. W. Everett, Hon. Charles F. Holman, Rev. Marinus James, Mrs. Mary Lazelle, Miss Delphine Lozier, Norwood Council, Knights of Columbus, Henry C. Payne, Mrs. Mahlon Perry, Miss Edna Phillips, Michael Swaid, Wil- liam T. Whedon and United Spanish War Veterans.
Mr. Charles Rich lent a rare and important collection of Toby jugs for library exhibit.
Mrs. Harold Alden, John Morrison and Edwin Guise accepted invitations to lead story hours for the boys and girls.
Invitations To Read
Monthly lists of new books have been issued, beginning in July, instead of quarterly lists as heretofore. Another change is to issue separately lists of new books for adults, intermediates and children. As a result, patrons learn more quickly of new accessions, and many more lists are used.
Descriptive notes about new books are pasted in them now. These synopses give readers a quick way of gauging a book's in- terest.
Every week a book display is placed on the entrance table, directly on the current interests of Norwood. For instance, books
356
on Picasso, when the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Institute of Modern Art sponsored an exhibit of his work.
Purchase suggestions were made by a group of books selected and display in advance of Graduation Day, June weddings, and Christmas. The names of all Norwood stores selling books were listed, where the selections could be bought.
Operation and Equipment
With the benefit of the Plimpton Fund, a Reference Room has been made from a small room hitherto rarely used by readers. Day- light fluorescent lighting was installed and metal stacks to take care of reference books now placed in proper sequence.
A magazine rack was installed in the Reading Room, new book- shelves in both Adult and Junior Departments, and six wooden benches in the Plimpton Wing the better to enable readers to use lower shelves in comfort.
Progress has been made in offering readers quicker service and greater convenience. It is no longer necessary for them to wait while books are stamped on and off a borrower's card. A visible index of application cards and a numerical file of borrower's numbers in a book both greatly expedite access to this constantly needed information. The clerical work involved in effecting this change has been great, and it is now two-thirds finished.
Unmet Needs
1. Neighborhood service.
A small branch in South Norwood.
A bookmobile or car with book trailer for direct service to other appropriate points a mile or more from the main library; for taking books to playgrounds, and to other in- stitutional centers.
2. Better lighting in the main lobby.
3. Oilburning furnace, and installation of hot water in lava- tories.
4. Unfinished basement room prepared for use as a place for book forums, for listening groups to important radio broadcasts, and for committee meetings.
EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits its annual re- port for the year ending December 31, 1940.
The present Board of Public Welfare was appointed on May 16, 1939 and has carried on continuously since that date. The or- ganization remained the same namely, Harry F. Howard, chairman, Eileen J. Folan, secretary, and Francis J. Doran.
The authority of the Welfare Board as the Works Progress Administration referral agency continued to be delegated to Mr. Thomas A. Rorke as Sponsor's Agent.
The selecting of the junior Civilian Conservation Corps appli- cants was handled by the Welfare Department and there were four quotas sent totaling twenty (20) young men. The quotas were not filled entirely due to apparent lack of interest among the elig- ible group. This service offers opportunities in many fields of en- deavor for young men between the ages of seventeen and twenty- three. New enrollees now need only make family allotments of $15 a month, previously this was an amount of $22. There is a sum of $7 a month deposited to the credit of each young man which he receives upon completion of his enrollment.
There have been no important changes in the administration of Public Welfare during the year 1940. Individual attention has been given to each case and the needs of the recipients have been considered.
During the year there developed a shortage of houses in the low rental group that were available for Welfare people. A survey was made of this situation and thought was given to the advisa- bility of sponsoring a low cost housing project of some description.
A summary of the active General Relief cases with the num- ber of people as of the last day of each month in 1940 appears on page 358.
Aid to Dependent Children increased a net total of eleven (11) cases. This is the largest increase experienced for many years. The liberalizations of the Aid to Dependent Children law and the elimination of the settlement requirements tended to increase the number of cases.
The total number of active Temporary Aid cases from Janu- ary 1, to May 1, 1940 increased slightly each month due to sea- sonal increase. From then to the end of the year the trend has been downward with a decided drop on October 31. This can be ac- counted for by industrial activity and the Works Progress Admin- istration taking on some additional men through an increase in the local quota.
In December the number of active cases has commenced to increase due to lay off of seasonal workers, accidents and sickness.
The lay off of one month or more given by the Works Progress Administration to men that have been employed steadily for (18) months has not been as noticeable this year, chiefly because the
Aid To Dependent Children
Temporary Aid
Temporary Aid Unemployment
Boarding In Families
Institutional
Hospital
Total
Month
Cases
People Cases People Cases
People
Cases People Cases People Cases People Cases People
January
26
139
27
51
89
354
34
34
4
4
3
3
183
585
February
27
142
29
53
86
323
38
38
4
4
3
3
187
563
March
27
142
31
59
91
357
38
38
4
4
3
3
194
603
April
26
140
34
70
92
355
41
43
4
4
3
3
200
615
May
26
140
35
71
90
345
41
43
4
4
2
2
198
605
June
27
143
34
72
89
349
42
44
4
4
2
2
198
614
July
27
143
33
69
88
344
42
44
4
4
2
2
196
606
August
27
143
33
71
83
346
40
42
2
2
4
4
189
608
September
29
156
32
70
79
294
39
41
3
3
1
1
183
565
October
34
160
33
72
70
246
29
30
3
3
1
1
170
512
November
37
171
33
65
70
256
25
25
3
3
1
1
169
521
December
37
171
32
64
68
239
30
30
3
3
2
2
172
509
Monthly
Average
29.2
149.1
32.1
65.6
82.9
31.73
36.5
37.6
3.5
3.5
2.25
2.25 186.5
575.5
358
359
great majority of the lay-offs came in 1939. No large group having been laid off at any one time in 1940 there was no exceptionally large increase in Welfare cases due to Works Progress Administra- tion quota reduction. The average weekly number of people on Works Progress Administration in 1940 including all projects was 142.
There was no need for any additional appropriations during the year as the budget approved at the March 28, 1940 Town Meeting was sufficient. A transfer of funds from the Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children accounts to the Public Welfare General Account was necessary and this was accomplished at the Special Town Meeting held on December 30, 1940.
The Sewing Project at the Civic Building is still in operation with an average of thirteen (13) persons employed. There has been no change in the distribution of clothing, the central ware- house plan still being adhered to.
Listed below are the types of clothing received from Quincy and distributed.
Blankets
Bloomers
Pajamas (Men's, Women's, and Children's)
Combinations
Dresses (Women's & Children's) Pants
Dungarees
Overalls (Boy's and Men's)
Layettes
Sheets
Shorts
Shirts
Slips
Playsuits
Night-gowns
Sun-suits
It is estimated by the Surplus Commodity Division that the value of clothing received by Norwood was $6,267.65.
The Federal Surplus Commodity Corporation through the State Department of Public Welfare and the local Board continued to operate the distributing center supplying surplus commodities valued at $18,102.14 to Works Progress Administration, Welfare and properly accredited individuals and families.
Listed below are the foodstuffs received during the year from this source.
Apples
Beans
Bacon
Butter
Carrots
Canned Milk
Corn-meal
Cheese
Celery
Cereal
Cabbage
Eggs
Grape-fruit
Flour (White and Graham)
Ham
Lard
Oranges
Oatmeal
360
Potatoes
Pears Rice Prunes
Peaches Raisins Salt Pork Tomatoes
The effect of the Social Security Plan is becoming more evi- dent.
There has been one Public Welfare case that has been dropped due to the family receiving benefits from the Old Age Benefits and Survivors Insurance. In two new Aid to Dependent Children cases less aid by the Town is needed due to widows receiving bene- fits from the same source.
The Women's Community Committee continued to sponsor the services of Miss Grace Bixby, nutritionist, whose services are available to all cases receiving aid from the Welfare Department.
The Town Clerk and Accountants report shows in detail the appropriations, expenditures and receipts from all sources having to do with the Welfare Department.
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