USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1942-1944 > Part 15
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and Larceny
6 Neglect of Family Rape
18
Concealing Death of Illegitimate Child
1 Receiving Stolen Property
1
Disturbing the Peace
2 Robbery
1
Driving to Endanger
3. Runaway Boys
4
Driving Intoxicated
6 Threats
1
Drunkenness
109 Using Auto without authority
5
Escape
8. Violation of Blackout
1
Exposure of Person
1 Violation of Pure Food Law
2
Fornication
1 Violation of Probation
6
Illegitimate Child Act
1 Violation of Parole
1
Larceny
6
Disposition of Cases as Follows
Committed to House of Correction
Fined 33
4 Filed 30
Committed to State Farm 17 Probated
33
Committed to State Prison
1 Released
37
Deliverd to Parents
3 Suspended Sentence
13
Delivered to Other Depts. 27 Not Guilty
9
Dismissed
9 Waiting
1
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. SULLIVAN,
Chief of Police.
1
47
REPORT OF CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
February 8, 1943
Mr. Francis W. Smith General Manager Town of Norwood
Dear Sir:
The Cemetery Department makes the following report for 1942:
During the year, 167 burials were made in Highland Cemetery; no burials were made in the Old Parish Cemetery.
Foundations were built for 66 monuments and 15 grave markers. After an unusually long mowing season, which delayed the Im- provement work considerably, a portion of Section 50 was pre- pared for single graves. A part of Section 18 (about 1500 sq. ft.) was cleared, subgraded, loamed and seeded; also for single graves.
The remainder of the year was spent in digging over new land, removing large boulders, in preparing the same for burial pur- poses.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS J. D'ESPINOSA, Superintendent
48
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Mr. Francis W. Smith General Manager Norwood, Massachusetts
February 11, 1943
Dear Sir:
Following is my report for the year 1942:
Sealed
Platform Scales, 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
2
Platform Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
3
Counter Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
1
Counter Scales, under 100 lbs.
3
Beam Scales, under 100 lbs.
14
Spring Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
3
Spring Scales, under 100 lbs.
29
Computing Scales, 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
Computing Scales, under 100 lbs.
39
Person Weigher (slot)
15
Prescription Scales
5
Apothecary Weights
35
Metric Weights
21
Gasoline Meters
16
Yardsticks
1
Total
189
The following inspections were made:
Commodity
No.
Correct
Under
Bread
14
14
Butter
75
75
Charcoal in Paper Bags
25
25
Coal in Paper Bags
28
28
Coal in Transit
10
10
Coke in Paper Bags
15
15
Confectionery
30
30
Ice
15
15
Potatoes
30
30
Wood (cord)
2
1
1
Total
244
243
1
Very truly yours,
JOSEPH M. LOVELL,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
49
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
February 13, 1943
Mr. Francis W. Smith
General Manager
Norwood, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the Department of Building Inspec- tion for the year ending December 31, 1942:
Type of Building
No.
Single residences
100
Factories
9
Estimated Cost $393,300 410,250
Garages, private
10
2,450
Office buildings
1
345
Minor outbuildings
7
975
Storage, coal pockets
5
6,400
Total
132
$813,720
Additions, Alterations, and Repairs:
Housekeeping dwellings
62
23,781
Non-housekeeping dwellings
1
85,000
Non-residential buildings
38
61,530
Total
101
$170,311
Razing of Beacon School
1
725
Grand Total
234
$984,756
Two dilapidated structures have been demolished without re- course to law.
Three new elevators were installed and one old elevator was removed. One of the new elevators was destroyed by fire.
Inspection of all projects was made in the usual manner, and monthly reports were submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Industries.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY J. CRONAN,
Building Inspector
50
ANNUAL REPORT THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY, NORWOOD, MASS. IN 1942
January 11, 1943
To the Citizens of Norwood:
We transmit herewith the annual statistical and narrative reports of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year ending December 31, 1942.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. EVERETT, Chairman MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, A. MARION SWAIN, FRANCIS J. DORAN,
Board of Trustees.
January 11, 1943
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1942, arranged according to the form recommended by the American Library Association.
Name of Library
Morrill Memorial Library
Town
Name of Librarian
Norwood, Massachusetts Edna Phillips 1873
Date of Founding
Terms of Use
Free for Lending; Free for Reference
2
Number of Days Open in 1942
302
Number of Hours Open Each Week
66
Number of Staff
8
Books
Volumes Added to the Library:
Fiction by Purchase
1098
Non-Fiction by Purchase
1030
Fiction Gifts
34
Non-Fiction Gifts
165
Number of Volumes at End of Year
32,510
Circulation
Adult Intermediate
Fiction Non-Fiction
Total
47,184 20,079
67,263
6,215 2,415
8,630
Number of Agencies
51
Children's Room
7,790
3,004
10,794
South Norwood Adult
3,447
1,902
5,349
South Norwood Juvenile
4,578
1,777
6,355
Balch School
4,369
1,575
5,944
Callahan School
2,130
713
2,843
Junior High
7
457
464
Saint Catherine's School
892
312
1,204
Shattuck School
406
97
503
Winslow School
676
183
859
Playgrounds
38
0
38
Other Deposits
107
254
361
Grand Total
111,100
Finance SEE REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
Registration
Number of Borrowers Registering in 1942
Adult
Intermed. Children's South
Total
Room Norwood
362
61
224
119
766
Number of Registered Borrowers
4,369
842
886
260
6,357
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA PHILLIPS,
Librarian.
BOOKS ARE VITALIZED -
- When related to events that stir the mind and heart.
- By helping servicemen and all workers do a better job for their country.
- Because they offer freedom of inquiry into the causes of the war, its progress, and its goals.
Highlights of the Year
Norwood has had its first full year of branch library service. Preliminaries are under way for establishing bedside book service at the hospital.
The leading industry of Norwood was featured for a week in Junior Department exhibits on "Steps in Book-Making, and Color Processes."
265
228
493
Senior High
52
For the second time in three years Norwood has had a national citation for its library's work in public relations.
Regular use of library rooms has been started by five local organizations.
The staff has done more professional study than in any other year on record.
Bequests of $500.00 each have come from William T. Whedon and Florence E. Morse.
'Books As Direct Wartime Service
This library is one of a selected group designated as a demon- stration center for war information, by the United States Informa- tion Service and also by the United States Office of Civilian Defense. Pamphlets and display material coming in this con- nection have been zealously used throughout the year, supplemented with book material on the same topics. Examples are a table display of everything available on blackouts; and a bulletin board book display and pamphlet tie-up on victory gardening. A special sloping shelf has been built at the entrance of the library primarily for the display of such pamphlets.
The library has aided nutrition classes in the purchase of books, in assigning special shelves for students and in the prepara- tion of "A Guide to the Use of a Public Library by Nutrition Students." This was mimeographed for class use.
The heavy purchase of technical books last year in connection with war needs has been supplemented as required this year. Typical book requests directly connected with the war are those for "Something on heat treatment of steel," and on "Industrial traffic managment."
An airport official commended the library's work in helping make Norwood boys air-minded.
First-aid refresher classes were held at the library two nights a week, defense radio classes are being held here two nights weekly, and others are in prospect.
Borrowers' difficulty in getting to the library has been met by offers of parcel-post service, home delivery by taxi, and four- week loans on special books.
Five members of the staff completed a first aid course; and one of them a war-time nutrition course as well.
The librarian accepted the chairmanship of the Division of Health and Social Service, Norwood Public Safety Committee; the local chairmanship of the Victory Book Campaign; continued
53
membership on the State Advisory Council of the National Citi- zenship Education Program for expediting the civic education of aliens; she served as a judge in a patriotic essay contest for school children conducted by the Norwood Daily Messenger; she was chosen as the recipient of the book "Women in Defense" which the author, Margaret Culkin Banning and her publisher desired to award a citizen deemed outstanding for service in the interest of the country.
Books were received at the library for service men, through the Victory Book Campaign, thanks to the contributions of Norwood people and the fine work of committee members, the library staff, and the service clubs for boys and girls.
Book Selection at a Transition Point in History
Emphasis is placed on books that: Clarify issues.
Give facts, and help the reader make as sound predictions as may be possible for his business, living and housing problems.
Discern the future use of past efforts.
We buy sparingly of books about:
Isolated events that will be re-evaluated in the perspective of later history.
Atrocities.
Propaganda pure and simple.
Cataloging too, reflects the trends of the times. New subject headings and class numbers must follow world changes. More than a casual familiarity with current history is needed. For in- stance, six months before the Japanese landed there, an "Analytic" was made for a chapter on the Aleutian Islands, because the cata- loging reviser knew their strategic importance might bring later requests for material.
When a Reader Needs a Friend
Upon request, readers are given individual service in the choice of books. These stories illustrate typical use of professional aid:
A young man building a glider plane wanted books that would help him know how many feet of wing surface are needed per pound of weight carried.
A nurse in training asked suggestions for consecutive study in nutrition, as part of her ambitious effort to perfect herself in fields related to her work.
The mother of a son and two daughters, living on a farm, and carrying a heavy load of civic work a's well, has wisely made her
54
reading time go the farthest by confining herself to what she calls "Pivotal books." Describing what she had already read on India, she asked for titles of the best books available for progress from that point.
Reading aid isn't always confined to books. Distress was turned to joy when a translation, attested by a notary public, was se- cured for the recipient of a Red Cross report in Russian about a relative in the U. S. S. R.
Introducing Books and Readers
"Quantity Cooking for Profit" is the title of a booklet prepared for restaurant owners, owners of soda fountains with lunch coun- ters, and committees in charge of church suppers. It was taken in person to every food establishment on main street, and mailed to church committees.
Large framed posters giving floor plans of the stack room were made to enliven and enlarge visual directions for readers on the location of books.
Miss Jordan reviewed "All the Trumpets Sounded" for the Hebrew Congregation. Miss Shumaker spoke on "Reading Serv- ice for Young People" before the Women of the Moose.
Miss Phillips reviewed the biography of Henrietta Szold for the Hebrew Congregation. She spoke on "Books About Home In- terests" for the Roman Catholic Women's Alliance of St. George's Lithuanian Church; and "Books for Business Men" for the Rotary Club of Norwood.
In these ways the staff tries to interpret library resources in terms of readers' needs and interests.
Building Improvements
The main lobby, the reading room, the staff room and the office have been painted.
Hot water was installed for the first time.
Book shelves were made for the cataloger, for the front en- trance of the library, and for the South Norwood Branch.
Operation
Economies were effected in working time, by: The use of one entrance and one charging desk for both the Intermediate Room and the Children's Room, during school vacations. The transfer of school collection books from the basement to a room adjoining the area where the librarians working on them, are on duty. Self- charging of books by the older boys and girls. This is being tried experimentally.
55
Professional Equipment and Recognition in the Service of Norwood Readers
Miss Jordan completed the second year of her summer school work at Simmons College, School of Library Science; Miss Eaton and Miss Greig received certificates for their successful comple- tion of the summer course at the University of New Hampshire. Miss Jordan and Mrs. Johnson took the course in hospital library service, jointly sponsored by the Division of Public Libraries and the Institution Libraries Group, given at the Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital.
Miss Jane Barry, a graduate of Wheaton College, and of the Nursery Training School, and with volunteer experience in social service work in Boston, was appointed by the Board of Trustees August 1st, as a junior assistant, taking the place of Miss Dorothy Henry who resigned to do defense work in California.
Mrs. John Regan and Mrs. Harry Fraser, graduates respectively of Smith College and of Boston University, have taken training for substitute work at the library and are now on active service in that connection. Mrs. Daniel Callahan, Jr.'s, services were no longer available as substitute.
The librarian was asked to serve as Chairman of the Nominat- ing Committee of the New England Library Association; as Chairman of the Small Library Group for the Massachusetts Library Association's winter meeting; as Vice-President of the Old Colony Library Club; she served as a member of the Ameri- can Library Association committee to determine organized repre- sentation for small libraries; and as a member of a consultation group of librarians in connection with A. L. A. cataloging revi- sion; as a member of a committee to plan the season's program of the Adult Education Center of Greater Boston. As Chairman of the Norwood Woman's Club's Education Committee, she presided at a club meeting on "Consumer Cooperatives."
For the second time this library was cited for outstanding work in public relations by the American Library Association's Public Relations Committee and the H. W. Wilson Company in a national publicity contest. In 1940 the award was for a leaflet, "What Is a Good Library," in 1942 it was for an annual report.
The "American City Magazine" reprinted the first page of the annual report.
The "Wilson Bulletin" published our "Staff Progress Measure- ment."
Friends
The Cooperating Churches of Norwood gave the library thirty books on religion chosen by the Rev. William F. English, Dr.
56
Gerald Ensley and the librarian. Five hundred copies of a list of these books were distributed to local congregations.
During Religious Book Week a selection of Judaica, chosen by Rabbi Wohlgemuth, was displayed at the library. He also aided the librarian in preparing a book-list for use at the Synagogue.
Mrs. Robert Whittlesey, representing the Norwood Garden Club, has made an artistic contribution of moment in her frequent and very beautiful arrangements of flowers. Mr. Mahlon Perry re- peatedly sent a wealth of bloom from his garden to delight the library readers.
William T. Whedon, for many years chairman of the Board of Trustees of this library, made it a bequest of $500, the income of which is to be used on books about the fine arts. Miss E. Flor- ence Morse, another friend of the library, also made a bequest of $500.
Seven important books were bought this year with the income from the Chickering and Cudworth Funds.
The Norwood Daily Messenger and the Norwood Free Press have had common cause with the library in constant publication of reading news.
The library is indebted to these friends for gifts of books or magazine subscriptions: Mrs. S. B. Allen; Miss Etta J. Barden (a bequest of three sets); Mrs. Charles S. Bird; The Catholic Women's Club; Miss Betty Eicke; Mrs. John Gillooly (a collection of books); Mrs. Irene Mazzocca (a bequest of a French collec- tion); The Norwood Council of Girl Scouts (a group of nature books); Miss Edna Phillips; Miss Ruth Vance; Women of the Loyal Order of the Moose; and Mr. Joseph Zimmer.
An annotated list of recommended music books available at the library, was compiled by Miss Elsa Rehmann of Rockport. It was printed by the Norwood Daily Messenger and mailed to eleven local musicians.
At the request of a trustee of the Franklin Public Library, Miss Phillips spoke to the Alden Club in that community on "Making the Most of Your Reading Time."
Our library constantly benefits from inter-library loan privi- leges and consultation with other librarians, and welcomes in turn opportunities to be of use to other libraries.
Who Uses the Library?
During a typical six-week period an analysis was made of the occupations of men and women joining the Adult Department. Business and professional people including nurses led; housewives were the next in numerical strength.
57
Mimeographed post cards of invitation to resume use of the library were sent to 600 who had used it in the past. A small proportion of those circularized did come back.
There was a slight but encouraging gain in registration this year.
Public Relations
Stressing the importance of individual service to readers and the recognition due members of the staff, a series of biographical sketches of staff members by Miss Jordan (with the one about Miss Jordan done by Miss Eaton) is appearing in the local news- papers.
The better to know library resources, a group of the Norwood Woman's Club members were given a conducted tour of the library. The same was done for a Camp Fire Girls Group.
Four people new to public life in Norwood were invited to meet with members of the library trustees and staff, informally to discuss the new officials' previous service, coming plans for' their work in Norwood, and ways in which they felt the library . could be of use to them.
This is the fourth in a series of similar meetings for local leaders.
Neighborhood Service
The first full year of service at the South Norwood Branch results in 260 people registered and 11,703 books lent for home use.
These figures cannot measure the satisfaction of the community in Miss Greig's fine work as Branch Librarian.
Constant use is made, under her leadership, of reference tools, and other collateral reading, to enrich the class room work at schools.
Adult reading service follows closely the life interests of men and women-many of whom are of foreign origin. All local members of the Civic Education classes, accompanied by Miss McDonough, came to the branch for an introduction to books and services.
A few community leaders of Syrian origin were asked to re- ceive with the librarian and the branch librarian at a "Syrian Evening" when all resources of special interest to them were on display. This is the first of a series. Other racial groups will also be honored in a similar way.
Boys and girls of the branch were enthusiastic in their use of the "Victory Reading Club" which was started at the Main Library.
58
Window exhibits are aimed to tie up local interests and books, every week in the year. An example of these was one devoted to Lithuanian handicraft lent by Mrs. Eva Twaska and books of Lithuanian interest. It was arranged by Mrs. Gotovich, who as- sists at the branch.
In a manner comparable to the travelling collections of books in active use at all schools, other institutions are gradually being approached about having collections appropriate to their use. The Victoria Rest Haven and the Baptist Church have each used such travelling collections more than once.
Further to reach out to potential reading needs in the com- munity, letters have been written to 205 mothers of new-born babies, about the library books on infant care.
Mr. Robert Brown, Administrator, Norwood Hospital, has re- quested the Board of Trustees to establish library service at the hospital. The Trustees replied favorably and plans are now under way to establish such service.
Young Moderns
The aim of the Junior Department is to help develop a love of the best books, within the reading capacity of individual boys and girls. Here are some of the ways Miss Shumaker's initiative helped bring this about. She was ably helped by Mrs. Gotovich who this year was made Assistant in charge of the Children's Room.
The entire fifth and seventh grades of the public and parochial schools came to the Junior Department in small groups for in- struction in its resources and their use. The tenth grade came to the Adult Department for the same purpose. In advance of this service to pupils an outline of "Privileges and Responsibilities of Intermediate Age Readers" was prepared and distributed at the schools to seventh grade classes.
The Saturday morning story hours bring many younger boys and girls to the library during the fall and winter months and help introduce them to good books. The staff members were as- sisted in the story programs by Rev. John M. Balcom, Miss Lucy Brooks, Rev. Jean M. Greer, Rev. Marinus James, and eleven girls from the Junior High and St. Catherine's schools who volun- teered to read to the library's youngest patrons. This made it possible for the library to hold 28 story hours, with an average attendance of 49. (Total attendance 1157.)
The Victory Reading Club, with the slogan "Good Books Help Make Good Citizens: Good Citizens Work Together for Victory,"
59
kept 168 boys and girls interested in books during the summer vacation period.
As Norwood is one of the leading printing centres of New Eng- land, Book Week featured exhibits of "Steps in Printing, and Color Processes," lent by the Norwood Press, the Plimpton Press, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Many of the library's new books were also displayed, in their attractive jackets.
Two thousand two hundred and seventy-seven books sent to all schools, public and parochial, resulted in a circulation of 11,836. The Balch School, with the new branch right across the street, had a circulation increase of 1400, compared with the year before.
As the library is carrying on new projects, without added mem- bers on the staff, volunteer aid from the Camp Fire Girls and the Girl Scouts on non-professional tasks, has been of the greatest help. The Scouts have also helped in making occasional flower arrangements.
Post-War Plans
A report has been filed with the Public Works Reserve, Federal Works Agency, giving an outline of post-war developments needed at the library. This includes structural additions and changes, projected growth in services, and personnel requirements.
Despite a unique amount of unavoidable staff absences, the with- drawal of all federal aid workers, the training of four new people for staff, or substitute work, and increased need for volunteer war services, we question if readers felt any of these behind-the-scenes problems. This is in no small measure thanks to the staff mem- bers who have worked as a team with a fine balance between the use of delegated authority, and a united aim. The staff is guided by a Board of Trustees whose weight is always on the side of progress. This progress could not be translated into action were it not for the comprehending aid of the townspeople and their representatives among the town officers.
EDNA PHILLIPS,
Librarian
Library Hours
Week days 10 a. m. to 9 p. m. Intermediate Room 12 to 6 p. m. Children's Room 1 to 6 p. m. Saturdays 10 a. m. to 6 p. m.
60
South Norwood Branch Tuesdays and Fridays 12:45 to 6 p. m. and 7 to 8:45 p. m.
Trustees
Willard W. Everett, Chairman Frances L. Blanchot, Secretary
Maude A. Shattuck William L. Hyland
Mrs. Otis D. Swain Francis Doran
Professional Staff
Edna Phillips, Librarian Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian
Minnie J. Greig, Branch Librarian, South Norwood Branch Barbara A. Jordan, Librarian, Statistical Work
N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian
Eleanor E. Johnson, Junior Assistant
Annie S. Gotovich, Junior Assistant
Jane Barry, Junior Assistant
Building
C. Bernard Pearson, Custodian, Main Library and Branch
61
THE NORWOOD BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Norwood Board of Public Welfare submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1942.
The present board was appointed by the Board of Selectmen on May 12, 1942. The Board organized on May 13, 1942, with Eileen J. Folan as Chairman, Marion B. Brennan, Secretary and John A. Abdallah (since inducted in the service of the United States rmy on July 23, 1942.) The Board has since operated with only two members.
The Welfare Board has continued again this year to act as referred agency for the Works Progress Administration, author- ity still being delegated to Mr. Thomas A. Rorke as Sponsor's Agent.
The Junior Civilian Conservation Corps was carried on dur- ing the year up to September 12, 1942, when the office in Boston, under supervision of Mrs. Lauretta C. Bresnahan was officially closed.
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