USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1942-1944 > Part 54
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Fire Station
115
156
271
Westwood Lodge
67
87
154
67,452
30,489
97,941
Finance
See Report of Town Accountant.
Registration
Number of Borrowers Registering in 1944:
Inter- Children's South
Adult
mediate Room Norwood
Total
590
132
219
84
1,025
Number of Registered Borrowers:
5,070
560
947
403
6,980
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA PHILLIPS,
Librarian.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
THE LIBRARY GOES TO THE PEOPLE I. DIRECT SERVICE TO GROUP INTERESTS
The Sick
The right book for a patient at the right time, helps speed recovery. Under the capable direction of Miss Barbara A. Jordan, Hospital Librarian and Miss Phyllis Draper, her assistant, books have been chosen to touch the happy emotions, and to arouse interest.
1944 is the first full year of library service at the Norwood Hospital. The use of books increased by 596, in spite of 200 fewer patients this year than last, and a summer quarantine in the Children's ward.
Reading interests have ranged from three mothers who utilized books to name their babies, to high school pupils who kept up with their book report work. Patients in the Maternity Ward make frequent use of a large collection on infant care and feeding. Doctors and nurses have access to books of professional interest.
The quantity record was that of a three-month patient who read 100 books.
Miss Jordan has built up a splendid corps of six volunteer aides, headed by Mrs. Paul Draper herself a trained librarian. Fourteen public-spirited friends have given books and magazines for library use at the hospital.
Book deposit service was started this year at Westwood Lodge, a sanatorium for nervous patients. The use here has also been excellent. Readers at the hospital and the sanatorium have borrowed 2,661 books.
Pupils at the Schools
Deposit collections of books, expertly selected by Miss N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian, for the special needs, interests, and age, of class- room groups served, have been sent to all schools. The deposits are changed every few months, or at the request of the teachers. This has included all Ele- mentary Schools, the Parochial School, and the Junior High School. The Peabody School, and the Senior High School are served by the library's Adult Department. These books have been borrowed 9,795 times.
Firemen on Duty
Collections chosen for their interest to men, both for study, and pleasure, have been sent to the Fire Station since February of this year. They are exchanged for a new lot every few months. They were borrowed 271 times.
II. DIRECT SERVICE TO A DISTANT PART OF TOWN South Norwood Branch
As South Norwood is a densely populated part of town, a shopping center, and a mile from the Main Library, there is a geographic need for direct service.
Four hundred and three South Norwood people have cards and borrowed 10,677 books, an increase of 410 over last year.
This branch, started in 1941, has already outgrown its quarters. Hence the 1945 budget request includes provision for renting a larger place, and for added
163
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
equipment. The people of this district have called the branch their "Community Center." Recently, three patrons in one afternoon asked Miss Baird, the Branch Librarian, if after the war it would be open more than the present two days a week.
The branch is increasingly used by students for reference work and book reports. Among the signs of integration with community life is a weekly news . article about the branch now appearing in a Balch School paper.
Miss Baird was asked to speak on "Reading in South Norwood," before the Women of the Moose.
· A Close-up of a Few Representative Readers
A night-shift worker at one of the war industries does substantial reading at the library before going on duty. One of his recent enthusiasms was an article on "History and the Liberal Arts" in the Yale Review.
A teacher desired exact information on the franchise of Negroes, today. A statement about it was obtained for her from the Research Department of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
A Norwood writer with an eye for human interest, made intensive use of the library's resources and of consultation with staff members in connection with his forthcoming book, "Famous Leaders of Industry," L. C. Page, publisher.
Youth Reads
Access to the Adult Department was granted ninth grade pupils for the first 1 time. After group lectures on the use of grown-up reading facilities, both public and parochial ninth graders are now successfully increasing their reading range.
The use of the Children's Room increased, even though it was slight.
Books for boys and girls of elementary school age, and books for junior high school age are still kept separate. The circulation and registration work for the two groups, however, has now been combined. This effects a great saving in time. Miss Shumaker has been working toward this end for several years.
Library instruction to fifth grade pupils has been enlivened by charts and supervised practice work in finding answers to questions in the catalog and books on the shelves. Book questions on slips of paper seem like a game to the boys and girls.
The Board of Selectmen asked Miss Shumaker to serve as a member of the Norwood Youth Program Committee.
Thirty Westwood Brownie Scouts were brought here by their leader to en- courage their interest in good reading.
Intercultural Relations
China Week, Russia Week, and Jewish Book Week had special recognition with book purchase and display in the Adult and Junior Departments and at the Branch Book exhibits were accompanied by pictures and objects of art. The Children's Room also had an excellent tribute to Mexican culture with books and a loan exhibit of costumes, pictures, and arts and crafts, belonging to the Draper family of Canton.
Hospitality was extended by the Main Library and Branch to St. George's Syrian Church for an exhibit of their war work.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Each resident of foreign origin received a letter upon graduation from the Adult Civic Education Class, inviting him to make use of library books especially adapted to his needs.
Two hundred and two books in French, German, Russian, Finnish, Polish, Lithuanian, Arabic, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish have been circulated through the Main Library, the Branch, and the Hospital. Most of them were borrowed from the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries.
All cultures contribute to the continuous picture exhibits in the Library Lobby, changed monthly, and to the "Coming Events" bulletin board. The library has been on the circuit for traveling exhibits from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, for several years.
The librarian was asked to speak to a local group on "Books as an Aid to Brotherhood among Races."
Intercultural relations is a growing world need. This library is among those stressing the aid that books can bring to so great a cause.
Readers Do Things for Other Readers
The family of Mrs. Margaret Sansone has started a highly appreciated annual gift of art books, in her memory. Her son, Sgt. Leonard Sansone, designed the bookplate which is part of the gift.
The Girl Scouts of Norwood, directed by their Commissioner, and troop leaders, volunteered their service in the wartime labor emergency, for cleaning the 30,665 books the library had at that time.
The Cudworth and Chickering Funds are each spent on special volumes in the fields of English, and of art.
Much volunteer service is given all the time by boys and girls and some adults in making bookmarks, in coloring booklists, and in helping with story hours.
Of the 60 books given by 20 people, we note especially, the annual gift of the carefully chosen children's books from the Women of the Moose.
Among the many flower gifts coming from readers and staff, is that of the Norwood Garden Club, through Mrs. Robert Whittlesey, who has repeatedly brought flowers and arranged them with great artistic skill - in particular on the occasion of a library meeting held here. The Norwood Women's Club presented beautiful book ends. Mr. Harold Probert made a book shelf and book display case for the branch.
The Norwood Daily Messenger and the Free Press are among the library's best friends.
The Bendix Aviation Corporation, many of whose personnel use the library, devoted the cover of their "Log" to a photograph of the library, followed by a brief article about its services.
The Norwood Chamber of Commerce has given valuable material on post-war planning and has circularized all industries about business service at the library.
·
165
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Patriotic Services
Reading aids in wartime living now stress nutrition, post-war vistas in business, personal adjustments of veterans, and the ethical foundations which alone can assure lasting peace.
The Victory Book Campaign has finished its work, but the library continues to receive books for men and women in the services, distributed to them through the Massachusetts Victory Book Committee.
"Help your Country Build Permanent Peace" was the subject of a special exhibit on the varying ways it can be done. The display included blanks to pro- mote the sale of war bonds.
As chairman of the Division of Health and Social Service of the Norwood Public Safety Committee, the librarian received a certificate in the name of Senator Saltonstall for "Patriotic services rendered."
A borrower who has devoted much time to Red Cross service in the transcrip- tion of books into Braille for the blind, asked counsel on the selection of material for this noble work.
Those Who Serve Our Readers
No five years on record show so great an increase of expanded library services, staff study, and increase in salaries.
Mrs. Eleanor Probert Johnson, Circulation Librarian, whose six years of service (including a short time at the branch) have brought her the high regard of all who know her, resigned, as did Miss Phyllis Draper and Mrs. Helen Barrett Field.
Mrs. Henry Sayward, Circulation Librarian, and Miss Margery Baird, Branch Librarian, both graduates of Simmons Library School, and both with good library experience, joined the staff.
Miss Marjorie Davis, a graduate of Wheaton College, started part-time work, looking toward a full-time appointment next year as a Business Assistant, when she completes a course at Bryant and Stratton.
The pages and the librarian had a supper-meeting at which they discussed "Library Service from the Viewpoint of Youth."
Miss Martha C. Eaton's work as Assistant Librarian and Cataloger has been effectively carried on in a difficult year of staff changes and shortages.
With very high marks, Miss Jordan has completed her third year of summer study at Simmons College, School of Library Science. Her work on library records is vital to the library's service, and its part in town life.
The Library World Helps Norwood, and Norwood Contributes a Bit
The Old Colony Library Club held their meeting of the year in Norwood, with an attendance of 51 librarians.
There has been staff attendance at all regional and state library meetings. In May, 100% staff membership in the Massachusetts Library Association was reported.
Three library trustees and six librarians have called to observe our work.
166
TOWN OF NORWOOD
In addition to non-residents eligible to use this library without charge, thirty- four non-residents pay for the privilege. They not only represent nearby com- munities, but one on Cape Ann and one in New York State.
Miss Phillips serves as a member of the Massachusetts Library Association's Planning Committee, as president of the Old Colony Library Club; and as chair- man of the American Library Association's Committee on Work with the Foreign- Born. At the request of the Massachusetts Department of Education, she spoke over the radio, and at a state meeting on post-war planning; at the request of the Old Dartmouth Library Club, she led a discussion group on "Freedom of the Press."
Immediate and Post-War Plans
Expanded quarters for South Norwood Branch are needed at once and have been included in 1945 budget requests.
When staff conditions again become stabilized, the library will proceed in organizing book discussion groups for adults and young people - a need that is real, and unmet.
Plans for meeting needs both for capital improvements and for service pro- grams were filed with government agencies in 1942, and with revision and blue- prints, again in 1943. In 1944 these plans were presented at two Hearings before the Board of Selectmen. At a Town Meeting in December, 1944, provision was made for retaining sufficient land adjoining library grounds for the carrying out of these plans.
Among the post-war plans filed with the Public Works Agency, are those for an expanded program of service to business, industry, labor, and to outlying parts of town. A bookmobile and book deposit stations are the contemplated means.
Library service to returned veterans, and to readjusted war workers will be a major need, to which a senior staff member should be assigned.
A Salute
The librarian is indebted to the trustees for their wise counsel; and she records her belief that by their fine work at a public library in war time, her associates on the staff have not only served their community but their country.
Everyone connected with this library aspires to unity of aim in making the best books appealing; to liberty of thought; and good-will to all.
EDNA PHILLIPS,
Librarian.
167
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
LIBRARY HOURS
Adult Department Weekdays 10 a.m .- 9 p.m. Junior Department Monday-Friday 12:30-6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m .- 6 p.m.
South Norwood Branch Tuesday and Friday 12:45-6 7-8:45 p.m.
Norwood Hospital Monday 1-4 p.m.
Trustees
Maude A. Shattuck, Chairman
Frances Blanchot, Secretary
Francis Doran William L. Hyland
Eugene Nelson A. Marion Swain
Staff
Edna Phillips, Librarian
Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger
N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian Barbara A. Jordan, Records Librarian Mildred F. Sayward, Circulation Librarian
Eleanor P. Johnson, Circulation Librarian (Resigned)
Margery D. Baird, Branch Librarian
Phyllis Draper, Junior Assistant (Resigned)
Substitutes
Sarah B. Regan Helen R. Fraser Katherine G. Donahue
Marjorie Davis Shirley Day
Pages
Jane Adelmann Mary Alice Murphy
Claire Rogers Jane Webber
Carolyn Stimson Anne M. Coughlin
Dinne Flansbury, Temporary Janitor
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
· OF
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. 23
TOWN OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1944
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee 1944
Frances L. Blanchot (Military Substitute)
226 Vernon Street, Nor. 0299-W
Edward H. Thompson
1945
9 Gardner Road, Nor. 1359-M
James J. Curran
1946
347 Washington St., Nor. 1012-W
Ellen A. Dixon (Mrs. John P.) 316 Lenox Street, Nor. 0643
1946
John F. Reynolds 1947
31 Oak Road, Nor. 0851-M
Harold T. Young 73 Beech Street, Nor. 1525
1947
Organization Edward H. Thompson, Chairman Elizabeth Zurba, Clerk
Standing Committees
Appointment of Teachers: Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Curran, Mr. Young.
Educational Program, Purchase of Books and Supplies: Miss Blanchot, Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Young.
Finance: Mr. Curran, Miss Blanchot, Mrs. Dixon.
Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. Reynolds, Miss Blanchot, Mr. Curran.
Committee Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held in the Com- mittee Room, Room 100, Junior High School Building, at eight o'clock, on the third Wednesday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools
Lincoln D. Lynch, 21 Florence Avenue, Telephone Norwood 1266
The Office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School and is open from 8:30 to 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. every day except Saturday. Telephone Norwood 0133.
Secretary
Elizabeth Zurba, 49 Saunders Road, Telephone Norwood 1155-W
Term Expires 1945
1
172
TOWN OF NORWOOD '
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1944-1945
First term begins Sept. 6, 1944, ends Dec. 21, 1944 16 weeks
Second term begins Jan. 2, 1945, ends Feb. 16, 1945. 7 weeks
Third term begins Feb. 26, 1945, ends Apr. 13, 1945. 7 weeks
Fourth term begins Apr. 23, 1945, ends June 22, 1945 9 weeks
First term begins Sept. 5, 1945, ends Dec. 21, 1945 16 weeks
Holidays
October 12 and 13, 1944 - Columbus Day recess.
October 27, 1944 - Teachers Convention.
November 22 p.m., 23 and 24, 1944 - Thanksgiving recess.
December 21, 1944 - Schools close for Christmas recess; reopen January 2, 1945. February 16, 1945 - Schools close for mid-winter recess; reopen February 26, 1945.
March 30, 1945 - Good Friday.
April 13, 1945 - Schools close for spring recess; reopen April 23, 1945.
May 30, 1945 - Memorial Day.
No-School Signal 2-2
Repeated at 7:15 a.m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 12.
Repeated at 7:30 a.m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 9. Repeated at 7:45 a.m. No forenoon session for grades 1 through 6. Repeated at 12:15 p.m. No afternoon session for grades 1 through 9. Repeated at 12:30 p.m. No afternoon session for grades 1 through 6. Repeated at 6:15 p.m. No session for Evening School.
Note: When the No-School signal is sounded, all street lights are illuminated for three minutes.
173
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Norwood:
The reports of the Superintendent, Principals and Supervisors present vital facts related to Norwood schools. Items which the School Committee regards reportable and not included in the aforementioned reports are submitted herewith.
This statement, and the reports of school officers, taken together, are adopted as the Report of the School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Committee to the opinions or recommendations made therein.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL - 1944 Resignations
Margaret E. Anderson, Peabody School, to enter private industry.
Helen M. Blair, Shattuck School, retired.
Thomas R. Bowler, Junior High School, to teach in Brookline.
John T. Connor, Junior High School, to accept another position.
G. Leo Cote, Janitor, to enter private industry.
Edith M. Deplitch, Shattuck School, to teach elsewhere.
Lucile Fenton, Junior High School, to accept another position.
Hazel S. Fraser, Junior High School, to be married.
Florence M. Hayes, Junior High School, retired. Grace S. MacNeil, Peabody School, to be married.
John F. Reynolds, Janitor, to accept another position.
Henry Santoro, Janitor, retired.
Philip C. Small, Janitor, to enter Merchant Marine Service.
Transfers and Promotions
Vera L. Allen, unassigned teacher, from Shattuck to Balch School.
Patrick J. Cloherty, Janitor, from Junior High to Balch School.
Mildred L. Hasenfus, unassigned teacher, from Balch to Shattuck School.
1
Clifford H. Wheeler, appointed part-time Director of Boys Vocational School.
Positions Eliminated
Guidance position, Junior High School (Miss Burnham).
Grade 5 position, Balch School (Mrs. Sprague).
Grade 5 position, Callahan School (Mrs. Barrett).
Military Leave
Dorothy R. Benson, Elementary School Physical Education.
James H. Butler, Senior High School.
Mary A. Canning, Health Supervisor.
Henry F. Fairbanks, Senior High School.
Stanley C. Fisher, Senior High School. Charles A. Hayden, Submaster, Senior High School.
John B. Kelley, Senior High School. Walter E. Lunsman, Junior High School.
John A. Sullivan, Senior High School.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Appointments
Bertha A. Bechunas, Clerk, Peabody School.
Ruth H. Boardman (Part-time), Dressmaking, Peabody School.
Mary E. Casey, Remedial Teacher, Winslow-West Schools.
Josephine A. Chandler, (Temporary), Social Studies, Junior High School. Lucile R. Coite, (Temporary), Foods, Peabody School.
Myra L. Davis, (Part-time), Weaving, Peabody School.
John P. Dixon, Physical Education, Junior High School.
Blanche B. Holman, Social Studies, Junior High School.
Thomas A. Kerr, Janitor, West School and truck.
Karl A. Kuld, (Provisional), Janitor, Senior High School.
Pritchett A. Klugh, (Military Substitute), Science, Senior High School.
William E. Lydon, Janitor, Senior High School.
Helen B. McMullen, Remedial Teacher, Shattuck School.
Albert C. Petitto, (Military Substitute), Art and Manual Arts, Junior High School.
Veronica A. Riley, Related Subjects, Peabody School.
Katherine E. Ryan, (Military Substitute), Science and Home Economics, Senior High School.
Veronica P. Simpson, Dressmaking, Peabody School.
Eleanor T. Sline, Home Economics, Junior High School.
Margaret D. Sullivan, Grade 2, Shattuck School.
Ruth U. Weld, Foods, Peabody School.
RESOLUTIONS Mrs. Josephine A. Chandler
Josephine A. Chandler, for twelve years served our community and its schools in exemplary manner.
She was conscientious and capable in the matter of performing her duties as a member of the School Committee of the Town of Norwood and her membership was deeply appreciated by those whose pleasure it was to serve with her.
Many years of work with the problems of our schools and a sympathetic understanding of those with whom she worked and of the young people whose interests to her were always paramount, make it possible for her to leave the service of the School Committee with a most enviable record.
We, members of the School Committee, therefore, wish to have these, our sentiments, made a part of our permanent record and to send to her this written expression of our feelings.
Miss Florence M. Hayes
In the year 1919, you came to our community to serve us, in our schools.
For your decision to teach in Norwood and to remain here through these many years, we, members of the Norwood School Committee, are most grateful.
In your quiet and unassuming way, you have performed your tasks in an exemplary manner.
About you, never has there been uttered by fellow worker or pupil an unkind word.
We, all of us, - and we speak for the hundreds of young people whose privilege it was to be numbered among your pupils, are deeply moved to learn that you find it necessary to leave the service of our schools.
175
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Aside from the fact that we want you to know that you are always welcome among us, we would have you know that we cherish the memories of your kind and considerate guidance of young people and our earnest hope that you may soon return to good health.
Appreciation
We, members of the Norwood School Committee, at this time, commend the employees of the Department for their willingness to perform, each according to his capacity to contribute, the many and difficult tasks which they have so generously undertaken.
EDWARD H. THOMPSON, Chairman, FRANCES L. BLANCHOT, JAMES J. CURRAN, ELLEN A. DIXON, JOHN F. REYNOLDS, HAROLD T. YOUNG.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Herewith I submit my ninth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
There are to be found elsewhere in the Report of the School Committee, statements, which indicate the extent to which our school program is affected by a War economy. Refinements of earlier undertakings, reported in other years, are indicated.
In earlier reports to the School Committee, I have indicated a personal point of view and philosophy which, in the light of the findings of experts in the field, are defensible.
There appears to be a pressing need for planning in the matter of the future course of the Town's vocational school offerings. Soon, there must be made the decision as to whether we shall embark upon a program which will assure for Norwood a place in the "area school" scheme about which so much is being said at this time.
With respect to this, there is no doubt that much reorganization work will have to be done, planning will be involved and the initial costs of building and equipment will, no doubt, appear to be great. However, ultimate gains, both in terms of educational advantage and financial returns, should be the fruit of the effort.
From time to time, we have, in our schools, tested pupils for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of teaching the tool skills involved in the educa- tional program. During this past year, in addition to other tests, a battery of nine achievement tests was administered to the members of the sophomore class in the High School. While it is true that upon the basis of norms established there appears to be better performance in some than in other tests, in all of the tests our pupils are doing better work than average for the grade. Steps have already been taken to improve the performance of pupils in our schools in the three areas wherein our work is not markedly superior to that of other school systems for all that our ratings are above average.
A testing and retesting program will provide a method of self-appraisal which will most certainly indicate shortcomings and so, point to corrective methods for improvement.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Conclusion
May I express to you, members of the Norwood School Committee, and to all my fellow-workers in the Norwood School Department, whom I have called upon for help so many times this past and other years, and to the other Town officials upon whom I depend so much, my feeling of gratitude for your kind help and support.
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