Norwood annual report 1945-1947, Part 13

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1945
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1008


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 13


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Respectfully submitted,


MARY C. CULLINANE.


REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT


Mr. Francis W. Smith,


General Manager.


Dear Sir:


On June first I was appointed temporary Supervisor of Recreation following the resignation of Mr. John Williams. Since summer playgrounds were to start within a few weeks, it was decided to continue activities that were in progress. These in- cluded, Friday night dances, roller skating, and the following activities were added:


Twilight Baseball


Twilight baseball was held at the Civic, High School and Endean fields. Two leagues were formed and games were played five nights a week. Mr. John Dixon had charge of the Senior League, and Mr. James Gormley the Junior League. There were eight teams in the Junior league and six in the Senior league. A large number of boys participated and great interest was shown. Often, over one hundred people would be found watching the games at the Civic. Play-offs were held in early September and the winning Senior team, the "All Stars", were awarded silver base- balls at a banquet held later. The Junior league winners are to be taken to see a professional basketball game.


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REPORT OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT


Softball


Twilight Softball was played two evenings a week with Miss Helen Dolaher in charge. The teams played intramural games and enjoyed the sport very much.


Tennis


Twilight tennis games were very popular. Many organized teams and played. sets in either "singles" or "doubles." The courts were well filled and often had waiting lists. Miss Rodgers and Miss Dolaher supervised this sport. Interest was so good that this sport was continued through September.


Block Dances


A novel activity was planned and a Block Dance was held. Little did we think when we made our date for the first dance that it would fall on the day after V-J Day, but it did. The dance was held on Central Street in front of the Post Office. The Paul's Orchestra, seated on the flag bedecked steps of the Post Office, made a fine picture. Several hundred Town's people, old and young, danced until the late hours on the waxed street. Songs were sung, and jitterbug contest held. Town Officials, as well as the Recreation Advisory Board, were guests.


This was so successful that requests for other dances were made. A very success- ful, and a very much appreciated dance was held at South Norwood on the Balch School grounds. Over six hundred people were present to dance or listen to the music.


In October the last block dance was held at the Callahan School grounds. A large group of people from this section of the town attended, and again block dances were loudly acclaimed.


Dances


With the opening of school many requests for the Friday night dances were re- ceived. They were first held in Social Hall, but the attendance was so large that we had to move to the Junior High School. A charge of twenty-five cents was made so that the children could have an orchestra. The Paul's or the Falconer's orchestra furnish music for these dances. The dances are very well supervised and conducted on a very high scale.


Roller Skating


Roller Skating at Roll-Land has continued all through the summer on Thursday nights. Mr. John Santora gives a reduced rate to Norwood Youths under the Recreation Program. This is very much appreciated. This activity is also super- vised.


Square Dancing


We were pleased to be able to secure the services of Mr. and Mrs. Ashman to teach Square and International Dances. This class was held once a week for post high school people and was very well attended.


Dramatics


Dramatics is an activity that teaches poise, voice training, speech, scenery con- struction, costuming and stage make-up, as well as history of some of the finest plays. This activity was organized early in October under the able direction of Miss Kath- ryn Byrne whose reputation in dramatics is very well known in Norwood. A large group are enrolled. The first project was the presenting of the famous play, "A Night At The Inn," at the Hallowe'en party at the Amory. A Christmas play was given, and rehearsals are being held for a three-act play to be given soon.


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


Hallowe'en


My last responsibility as Recreational Director was the conducting of the series of Hallowe'en parties held throughout the town.


Each public school, with the aid of their teachers, planned and executed parties at each school. In some instances, where facilities for parties were limited, parties were held in the afternoon and evening.


The Junior High School party was divided into two sections. Grade VII, under the direction of Miss Mildred O'Donnell, was held at the Civic, and Grade VIII, under the guidance of Miss Marion Smart, held their party at the Junior High School. Mr. John Corcoran, principal of the Junior High School, was general chairman. These parties were sponsored by the Woman's Community Committee, and the grade school parties were sponsored by the various Parent-Teacher organizations.


A very large party was held at the Armory for the Senior High School and Grade IX of Saint Catherine's Parochial School, as well as Grade IX of the Junior High School. A grand march, with thirty-two abreast and over five hundred in line, was a very spectacular sight. A one-act play, namely, "A Night At The Inn," was presented by the Dramatic Club, under the direction of Miss Kathryn Byrne.


Over 800 happy young people danced to the strains of Ernie Gotham's ten piece orchestra, and refreshments were served.


The Town of Norwood furnished refreshments for all parties including the after- noon parties at Saint Catherine's Parochial School.


We were very happy to learn that the amount of damage done in Norwood was very small. We hope that next year the report will be even better and Norwood's youths will appreciate the tremendous amount of attention and interest that they are receiving from the progressive and alert town of Norwood.


Respectfully submitted,


MARY C. CULLINAINE.


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


REPORT OF TRUSTEES


To the Citizens of Norwood:


We transmit herewith the annual narrative and statistical reports of the Morrill Memorial Library, for the year ending December 31, 1945.


Respectfully submitted,


MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman, A. MARION SWAIN, WILLIAM L. HYLAND, EUGENE A. NELSON, MARY L. DUNN, FRANCIS J. DORAN.


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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN


To the Board of Trustees:


The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1945, arranged according to the form recommended by the American Library Asso- ciation :


Name of Library


Morrill Memorial Library


Town


Norwood, Massachusetts


Name of Librarian


Edna Phillips


Date of Founding


1873


Terms of Use.


Free for Lending; Free for Reference


Number of Agencies.


3


Number of Days Open in 1945


300


Number of Hours Open Each Week


66


Number of Staff


7


Books


Volumes Added to the Library:


Fiction by Purchase


1,118


Non-Fiction by Purchase


890


Fiction Gifts


46


Non-Fiction Gifts


32


Number of Volumes at End of Year


32,086


Circulation


Fiction


Non- Fiction


Total


Adult


36,066


16,500


52,566


Junior Department


11,148


4,295


15,443


South Norwood Adult


3,947


1,957


5,904


South Norwood Junior


4,159


1,597


5,756


Hospital Adult


1,255


1,045


2,300


Hospital Junior


172


77


249


Balch School


803


808


1,611


Callahan School


2,002


867


2,869


Junior High School


12


:0


12


Peabody School


0


0


St. Catherine's School


255


170


425


Senior High School.


15


195


210


Shattuck School


470


130


600


Winslow School.


1,157


240


1,397


Fire Station


260


229


489


Westwood Lodge


150


132


282


Church Deposits


15


30


45


61,886


28,272


90,158


2086


Finance


See Report of Town Accountant.


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


Registration


Number of Borrowers Registering in 1945:


Adult


Inter- mediate


Children's Room 162


South Norwood


Total


464


114


82


822


Number of Registered Borrowers: 5,202


489


977


478


7,146


Respectfully submitted,


EDNA PHILLIPS,


Librarian.


YOUR TOWN READS 1945 AT THE MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY NORWOOD READERS


Veterans


Adult education received a remarkable impetus in the armed services training. The library accepts the challenge. We aid veterans to continue voluntary self- education by expanding our services in:


Modern approaches to readers' interests.


Individual reading counsel.


Vocational information.


Providing catalogs for colleges and technical schools.


A mimeographed directory of community agencies for veterans, and "Welcome! G. I. Johnny and Jane," a list of vocational books and veteran information, are dis- tributed at the library. Among the library's contributions to the readjustment period are: referral service to local veteran organizations; an Information File of veterans' rights; a display welcoming our returning borrowers and suggesting books on jobs; reading lists for individual veterans; and book aid to Norwood's Vocational . Guidance counsellor.


Readers Are Generous


Volunteers aid the Hospital Librarian every week. Of these, Mrs. Paul Draper and Miss Phyllis Draper have served regularly and expertly.


Of the 78 books given by 35 people, we note especially the interest shown by donors, in the hospital library service.


Flower gifts by readers, trustees, and staff add greatly to our home atmosphere. Among these were a bouquet from the Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the opening of new and larger quarters to serve South Norwood people. This same event brought aid from the Boy Scouts, who moved the books and equipment from a former branch location. A Camp Fire Girls group folded 2,500 annual reports.


The Norwood Woman's Club presented two beautiful vases for Lobby use.


Introducing Books To Readers


N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian, who is also Chairman of the Norwood Woman's Club Literature Committee, arranged a meeting on Robert Frost. A collection of the library's books by and about the poet were issued from


175


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


the club room. Miss Shumaker spoke on books before the Women of the Moose; and Barbara A. Jordan, Adult Department Librarian, before the Women's Guild of the Episcopal Church.


The library seeks ways to aid booklovers who are handicapped. A diligent search for those eligible for a Reading Hour for the Blind, has not thus far revealed even a small group needing it.


Color, lighting, and immediate interests of readers are utilized in planning the continuous Lobby book displays and bulletin boards.


High returns in book requests and appreciation come from postal notices antici- pating the interest readers will have in books on their own pursuits; and we know of at least three people who joined the library as a result of such postals.


NEW RESOURCES Re-organized Adult Department


Two staff members have been assigned to the positions of Adult Department Librarian, and Adult Department Assistant. This will intensify and better inte- grate services. Reference and Hospital services are among those now directly under Adult Department guidance.


A four-week loan for all but new books, (which are now two weeks, including new fiction), has been in successful use since April.


The Key To The Library: The Catalog


Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger, has cataloged or super- vised the cataloging of 2,008 new books (including added copies and replacements). New world interests are immediately reflected in a cataloger's work in such headings as "Atomic power," and "Veterans-Rights and interests." The catalog has 376 subject cards for "World War, 1939 -" The cataloger, like the world, is delighted to complete the subject heading with a "1945."


Your Information Center


An average of 25 Tello-Test fans receive answers daily by consulting our bulletin board service prepared for them, or by telephoning an inquiry. One of these patrons chuckles at his rejoinder to the Tello-Test question "Who killed Desdemona?" When a librarian answered, "Othello," he queried, "What fellow?"


The use and value of reference material shot upward during the war, while cir- culation statistics skidded downward. Books including new terms and answering questions raised by the war now supplement our collection.


Who's News


Barbara A. Jordon, Adult Department Librarian, has received her degree of B. S. in Library Science from Simmons College, with very high marks.


Eleanor Probert Johnson has been welcomed back to the staff as Adult Department Assistant.


Mildred F. Sayward, Circulation Librarian, and Margery Baird, Branch Libra- rian, accepted other positions after having made valued contributions here.


Barbara M. Heslam, formerly Librarian, Dean Academy, Franklin, Massa- chusetts, is now Branch Librarian. She is a graduate of Tufts College, and is com- pleting her work for a degree in library science at Columbia University.


176


TOWN OF NORWOOD


Marjorie Davis has come to us as Records Assistant. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, and of Bryant and Stratton Business School. Shirley Day has joined our staff as Business Assistant, following graduation from secretarial training at the Henry O. Peabody School for Girls, Norwood.


Carl B. Pearson, Senior Custodian, has returned to the library after a wartime leave.


NORWOOD BENEFITS BY PROGRESS IN THE LIBRARY WORLD AND AIDS A BIT


Forty-four books in English, many foreign language collections, and 18 mounted pictures, were borrowed through the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries. Subjects ranged from the history of pharmacy to educational material for teachers.


The library not only borrows, but lends to readers in smaller communities. Forty-six non-resident borrowers who pay for the privilege represent Canton; Isling- ton; Medfield; Walpole; West Ghent, New York; West Roxbury; Westwood; and Wrentham. Among individuals at a distance requesting book aid were a teaching Sister in a New Hampshire Convent School, and a Signal Corps Lieutenant in South Carolina.


Edna Phillips, Librarian, serves as President of the Old Colony Library Club, which this year affiliated with the Massachusetts Library Association. She is Chairman of the American Library Association's Committee on Work with the Foreign-Born; a member of the M.L.A.'s Planning Board; and of the Norwood Woman's Club Legislative Committee. She was asked to speak on "Library Publi- cations" at the Springfield meeting of the M.L.A .; and on "Increasing a Library's Appropriation" at an Institute at Simmons College, sponsored by the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries.


Miss Jordan represents the Old Colony Library Club on the M.L.A. Program Committee, and took part in panel discussions of the Old Colony Library Club and the Old Dartmouth Library Club.


Staff members, especially department heads, are expected to keep in continuous touch with the best work in their fields, and to contribute, when possible, to progress in the library world.


ACTION Extension Services


The South Norwood Branch continues to grow in upward progress as well as in size of quarters and circulation. Books borrowed gained 983; and the new location has twice the capacity of the former quarters. Open House was held June 18th, following moving day May 1st. Attendance included heads of a number of Nor- wood organizations, trustees and librarians from nearby libraries.


When the Branch Librarian asked a little fellow who had requested a book of poetry just what kind he wanted, he replied, "Wistful poetry."


The use of book service at the Norwood Hospital, the Westwood Lodge, and the Fire Station have also gained. The Bible, books in foreign languages, plays and readings for Christmas programs, books on navigation, photography, careers, and "best sellers" were among the special requests from patients and nurses. Our Hospital Librarian was asked for counsel on the organization of a Medical Library for the doctors.


Book collections, principally from the Junior Department, are lent to public and parochial schools. The size of the deposits, and the frequency of exchange, are at the teachers' option. Similar deposits are lent the Church organizations of the Congregational and Baptist Churches.


177


REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY


Intercultural Reading


A major emphasis in themes for book displays and bulletin board exhibits has been the diversity of cultures in our community and our country; the facts in regard to race; and ways that lead to world citizenship.


The librarian, through her connection with the A.L.A. Committee on Work with " the Foreign-Born, has made a survey of reading service in the United States for migrant Mexican laborers. Her counsel and aid were sought in connection with the New England Traveling Institute on International Relations recently held in Norwood.


Books in Finnish, Polish, Italian, Arabic, French, Spanish, one in Chinese, and one in Hebrew, are currently used. Most of them are borrowed from the Massa- chusetts Division of Public Libraries.


The Edinborough Branch of "Books Across the Sea" lent 25 books on Great Britain. They were well used.


A Division of University Extension course on "This Changing World" is being held at the library.


An important children's project in intercultural reading is continued in the following:


The Boys and Girls Read


The treasures found in reading good books; and in sharing them with others, was the leading theme of the Junior Department. This took the double form of a very successful vacation reading club entitled "The Treasure Seeker's Club," and the solicitation of funds for 30 new books for children of Norway, shipped in a Treasure Chest, made by local volunteers.


One hundred and twenty-seven children at the Main Library, and 53 at the Branch belonged to the reading club. Of these, 53 were awarded certificates for reading 15-45 books during vacation. At the final meeting, Major Duncan L. Cushing, U.S.A.A.F., delighted the boys and girls with a talk and moving pictures.


Twenty-nine story hours with an attendance of 963 - a gain of 215 - was a fine and sustained way of introducing books. Now and then the children themselves took part, as on one occasion when a group of boys gave a shadow play "Hansel and Gretel."


Real friendship for the library was shown in the volunteer services, from Brownie Scouts, adults, and individual boys and girls. Services included such varied things as arranging chairs for story hours, making bookmarks, coloring designs on book lists, showing moving pictures, lending victrola records, and storytelling.


The younger children are making greater use of Intermediate Room books since charging and registration work of that room and the Children's Room have been merged.


Young Moderns


A section of books for required high school reading is an established service in the Adult Department. This year a new section, "Books for Young Moderns," features books for independent reading of the 9th grade age, through college. It is popular with them, and is needed in a department primarily for the more mature. -


Eight lectures on making the most of library resources have been given to groups of young people accompanied by faculty members, from public and parochial schools. Two similar lectures designed for younger readers were offered in the Junior De- partment.


178


TOWN OF NORWOOD


A group from the Junior High School studying town government in the realistic way, asked for an interview on how the library is organized and run.


A TEN-YEAR PLAN


Good planning depends in part on recognizing the gains in the past. This was aided by a history of the library prepared for the 50th Anniversary number of the "Norwood Messenger."


A "Ten Year Plan" for library development is underway. It has a three-point program that maps a projected year-by-year accomplishment in:


1. De-centralized service.


2. Increased use of modern approaches to readers' interests.


3. Physical improvements to the Main Library and the South Norwood Branch.


For 1946, the major emphasis is to be a request to the Town for authority to pro- ceed with a Special Rehabilitation and Improvement Program for Library Buildings; permission to use the Plimpton Fund for converting the present Reading Room into a Reference and Reading Room.


Citizens are being asked their views on needed library development. A post card inquiry, by occupational groups, has already gone to artists and those following allied callings, with helpful results.


HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE


In a year of acute staff shortages and changes, the Librarian pays her respects to the understanding guidance of the Board of Trustees; and to the Staff's part in the mutual desire she and they have for democratic fundamentals in a library. The Librarian also desires to recognize the great aid - especially in this year of staff shortages - of our professional substitutes and our high school pages.


Respectfully submitted,


EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian.


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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 p.m. 7-8:45 p.m.


Norwood Hospital Monday 1-4 p.m.


Trustees Maude A. Shattuck, Chairman


Francis Doran Mary L. Dunn William L. Hyland Eugene Nelson A. Marion Swain


Librarian and Secretary of the Board Edna Phillips


Librarian Emerita Jane A. Hewett


Assistants


Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger


Barbara A. Jordan, Adult Department Librarian


N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian Mildred F. Sayward, Circulation Librarian*


Eleanor P. Johnson, Adult Department Assistant Barbara M. Heslam, Branch Librarian Margery D. Baird, Branch Librarian* Marjorie Davis, Records Assistant Shirley Day, Business Assistant


Substitutes


Sarah B. Regan Helen R. Fraser Anne S. Gotovich Carl B. Pearson, Senior Custodian


Pages


Janet Blasenak Martha Hamilton Anna Rusiecka


Anne M. Coughlin Claire Rogers Marilyn Stimson


*Resigned


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


NC .


72


GUILD. APRI9-1775


ยท FEB . 23


TOWN OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31


1945


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee 1945


Term Expires 1946


James J. Curran


347 Washington Street, 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 1947


73 Beech Street, Nor. 1525


John J. Cavanaugh 1948


235 Railroad Avenue, Nor. 0679-M


Edward H. Thompson 9 Gardner Road, Nor. 1359-M


1948


Organization Harold T. Young, Chairman Elizabeth Zurba, Clerk


Standing Committees


Appointment of Teachers: Mr. Thompson, Mr. Curran, Mr. Cavanaugh


Educational Program, Purchase of Books and Supplies: Mr. Curran, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Reynolds


Finance: Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Reynolds


Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. Reynolds, Mrs. Dixon, Mr. Cavanaugh


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held in the Committee Room, Room 100, Junior High School Building, at eight o'clock, on the third Wed- nesday 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


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TOWN OF NORWOOD


School Calendar 1945-1946


First term begins Sept. 5, 1945, ends Dec. 21, 1945 16 weeks


Second term begins Jan. 2, 1946, ends Feb. 15, 1946 7 weeks Third term begins Feb. 25, 1946, ends Apr. 18, 1946 7 weeks Fourth term begins Apr. 29, 1946, ends June 21, 1946 9 weeks


First term begins Sept. 4, 1946, ends Dec. 23, 1946 16 weeks


Holidays


October 12, 1945 - Columbus Day


October 26, 1945 - County Teachers Convention


November 12, 1945 - Armistice Day


November 21 noon, 22, 23, 1945 - Thanksgiving recess


December 21 noon - Schools close for Christmas recess; reopen January 2, 1946 February 15, 1946 - Schools close for mid-winter recess; reopen February 25, 1946 April 18, 1946 - Schools close for spring recess; reopen April 29, 1946


May 30, 1946 - 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.


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.




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