USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1945-1947 > Part 55
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Education background of summer personnel: College Graduates - 3 Attending College - 16 Attending Seminary - 2
Attending Normal Schools or specialized schools - 4 Ex. G. I. - 11
Leadership Training Course
This summer before the playground season started, a leadership training course was held at the Civic, June 24 and June 25 from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for the selected playground personnel.
The course was conducted by Miss McGown and Mr. Flaherty from the Boston Community Recreation Service. The leaders were instructed, taught, and guided in group work and methods in conducting playground activities.
This training was very important and definitely assisted the leaders in establish- ing a good playground program. The training course was put on by the Boston Community Recreation Service at no cost to the Town of Norwood. It is to be hoped that we can get similar cooperation in the future from this public spirited
140
TOWN OF NORWOOD
agency, as the contribution this agency made to our Recreation Program was of in- estimable value.
Playground Attendance
Attendance at our playgrounds this year was by far the highest and most enthu- siastic in the history of our Recreation Program. A study of the figures presented herein will in my opinion lead to the conclusion that the Recreation Department kept the youngsters of Norwood very busy this past summer at our various play- grounds of the Town. The playground attendance record follows:
Baseball
Although many communities report a lessening of interest in baseball among youngsters, this is certainly not true in Norwood where love for our great "American Pastime" continues strong with young and old alike. It is only reasonable to assume that the activities of the Recreation Department have played a large, if not a major part, in such substantial interest in baseball in our community.
A baseball school of instructions was held every Thursday morning at the Civic. The instructions consisted of fundamentals of rules, instructions for pitchers, catchers, infielders, outfielders, coaches, and umpires. This schooling was a new addition to the baseball program and it shall continue.
The supervised baseball games played are as follows:
16 Elementary school games before school ended
112 Playground scheduled games
112 Intermediate twilight league games
10 Intermediate twilight league play-offs
112 Senior league twilight games
15 Senior league twilight play-offs
21 Junior playground games
6 Games with neighboring towns
3 Games at Melrose
Arts and Crafts
Miss Pauline Bresette, the Arts and Crafts Supervisor, visited a different play- ground each day. At the close of the season, an arts and crafts exhibit was dis- played in Baker's Dress shop. Some of the projects made by the youngsters were as follows: knitting baskets out of corn meal boxes; belts; pins; different kinds of ob- jects from pipe cleaners; stitching and coloring paper plates; lapel pins; paper napkin holders; stocking dolls; finger paintings; bracelets; drawings; cloth kittens; dressed dolls; painted wooden pins; embroidery; painting novelties; gimp belts, and neck- laces.
Girls Softball
There were Junior and Pee-Wee Leagues operating this summer. Forty games were played during the season. The Winslow School girls captured the Junior Crown and the Shattuck School captured the Pee-Wee Crown.
On August 5, the Pleasant Park Girls, who at that time were leading the Junior League, represented Norwood in Arlington against the Champion Arlington Girls Team; our girls won 18-6.
Swimming
I am exceedingly happy to report that we did not suffer a single swimming fatal- ity this year. A few regrettable incidents of a relatively minor nature occurred, but on the whole our accident record was good. Our lifeguards are deserving of our sincere gratitude for their excellent supervision at our two swimming places.
PLAYGROUND ATTENDANCE SHEET
Balch
Shattuck
Endean
Fr. Mac's
Winslow
Wilson
Civic
Callahan
High School
Week
A.M. 265
A.M. 415
A.M.
143
A.M. 258 P.M.
A.M. 312
A M.
91
Ending
P.M. 210
P.M. 312
P.M.
154
202
P.M. 286
P.M.
89
AM 253 P.M. 235
A.M. 281 P.M. 261
P.M. 175
July 11
Total 475
Total 727
Total 297
Total 460
Total 598
Total 180
Total 488
Total 542
Total 426
Week
A.M.
230
A.M. 378
A.M. 137
A.M. 228
A.M.
286
A.M.
91
237
A.M. 216
A.M.
222
Ending
P.M.
204
P.M. 299
P.M. 147
P.M.
196
P.M.
240
P.M.
79
190
P.M. 213
P.M.
166
July 18
Total
434
Total 677
Total 284
Total 424
Total 526
Total
170
Total 427
Total 429
Total 388
Week
A.M.
175
A.M. 303
A.M. 100
162
164
85
A.M. 175 P.M. 176
A.M. 199
A.M. P.M.
78
July 25
Total 298
Total 533
Total 187
Total
284
Total 312
Total 164
Total 351
Total 418
Total 326
Week
A.M.
191
A.M. 303
97
A.M. 182 P.M. Total 171 353
Total
409
151
Total 356
Total 593
Total 331
Week
A.M. 176
A.M. 332
A.M. 93
P.M.
90
105
P.M. 200
53
176
A.M. P.M.
285
P.M. 196
August 8
Total 347
Total 529
Total
183
Total 251
Total 460
Total 143
Total 351
Total 579
Total 414
Week
A.M.
157
A.M.
201
A.M. P.M.
96
A.M. 147 P.M. 115
A.M. 204 P.M. 219
A.M. P.M.
52
A.M. P.M. 172
A.M. P.M.
228
P.M.
187
August 15
Total 270
Total 325
Total 179
Total 262
Total 423
Total 131
Total 356
Total 452
Total
383
Week
A.M.
82
A.M. 265
A.M. 107
A.M. 163
A.M. 210
A.M. 55
A.M.
195
A.M. 264
A.M.
191
Ending
P.M. 188
P M.
267
P.M.
50
P.M.
121
P.M.
119
P.M.
73
P.M. 150
P.M. 251
P.M. 181
August 22
Total 270
Total 532
Total 157
Total 284
Total 329
Total 128
Total 345
Total 515
Total 372
P.M.
230
P.M.
87
122
148
A.M. 225 184 P.M.
A.M. P.M. Total
87
A.M.
184
A.M. 286
A.M. 176
Ending
P.M.
137
P.M.
230
111
P.M. 307
P.M. 155
August 1
Total 328
Total 533
Total 208
A.M. 146 P.M.
A.M. 260
A.M. P.M.
90
79
184
224
A.M.
196
Ending
P.M.
113
P.M. 124
83
A.M. P.M.
A.M. P.M.
A.M. P.M.
79
64
P.M. 172
A.M. P.M.
175
294
A.M. 218
Ending
P.M. 171
P.M. 197
A.M. P.M.
P.M. 219
248
Ending
P.M.
123
A.M. P.M.
A.M. 251
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
141
142
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Interest in swimming appears to be greater then our present swimming facilities can handle. It is to be hoped that sometime in the not too distant future, the Town will sponsor a modern up-to-date outdoor swimming pool, which would provide adequate and satisfactory swimming facilities for our youngsters. It would also be advisable to recommend wading pools in the different neighborhoods for the small youngsters, where the mothers could watch them. Although the initial con- struction costs may be high, if such a modern pool were placed on a self-liquidating basis, I feel that it would eventually pay for itself. It is my sincere hope that real consideration will be given by all of our community leaders and public officials to the desirability of making available to Norwood youngsters, swimming facilities which will be adequate for their needs.
Fourth of July
Hundreds of Norwood youngsters were feted at all the playgrounds with free ice-cream and prizes.
The fourth of July celebration was financed by the good citizens of Norwood and the Retail Board.
The celebration started with a Block Dance the "night before" in front of the Post Office where hundreds of youngsters danced, and planty of elders enjoyed the music from the side lines.
On the Fourth, every playground had games in which 32 prizes were offered to winners of different events. After the games, free ice-cream was dispensed. There was plenty of ice-cream to go around, so everyone got a good count.
In the evening, Mr. Smelstor set-off fire works behind the Balch School that were donated to the Recreation Department by Chief of Police Lydon. Hundreds of youngsters enjoyed the day's climax which was very successful.
In summarizing the Fourth of July, "Every youngster had a good time and not a false alarm was turned in." The success of the day belongs to the financial con- tributors and the volunteer adults who helped their neighborhoods.
Halloween
Halloween parties for youngsters put on by the Recreation Department appeared to be highly successful. Every school had refreshments; movies; games; entertain- ment by a magician; received prizes for different costumes. A dance, movies, refreshments, entertainment and a magician was the program for the High School youngsters.
The totals at the different schools were as follows:
St Catherine's
758
Senior High School
533
Peabody
105
Junior High School
467
Balch
286
Winslow
235
Shattuck
230
Callahan
215
Total 2,829
143
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND DEPARTMENT
All of us realize that the primary purpose of Halloween parties is to provide satisfactory outlets for the exuberance of our youngsters. The total cost of our Halloween activities this year was a little less than $500.00. I think it is fair to say that the aforesaid primary objective was attained this year as our Halloween parties were the most successful on record considering all circumstances.
Other Summer Activities
Big League baseball game, Braves Field - 394 youngsters
Nantasket Beach - 140 youngsters
Individual playground swimming parties
Trip to Longwood Tennis Tournament
Roller-skating during rainy weather at Roll-Land
Parents night on each playground
Weekly Block Dances
Friday Socials
Assisted in three band concerts provided at no cost to the Town of Norwood.
FALL ACTIVITIES Touch-Football
Touch-Football for elementary grade boys was held every afternoon and Satur- day morning from September 20 to October 30 at the Civic. This play I super- vised carefully because touch-football is the best substitute for football. It is not advisable to have football for this particular age group because equipment is essen- tial and the cost of properly outfitting a team is too much.
Modern Dancing
Under the supervision of Miss June Beasely, Modern Dance Classes are held in Social Hall every afternoon. This year her enrollment is 192 girls.
The modern dance class played a major part in a program that was held during the Town's Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Celebration. The girls will give two recitals to the public free of charge, one in February and another in May.
Senior Basketball
Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, a ten team league of Seniors play basketball at either the Junior High School or the Senior High School.
Junior Basketball
Every afternoon but Wednesday, the elementary grade and St. Catherine's boys play basketball at the Civic. The hall is small but, nevertheless, the youngsters are taught the fundamentals of the game and play between themselves. Competi- tion with out-of-town teams in their own age group has been arranged.
Rifle Club
This year we have two groups in the Rifle Club, the Junior High group that meets Wednesday nights, and the Senior High group that meets Monday night. We are very fortunate to have the use of the top floor in the Municipal Building and the volunteer services of the Norwood Rifle Club for instructions.
144
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Symphony Orchestra
For two years, Professor Detheir has been struggling to develop a representative group for a Symphony Orchestra. This year the group numbers 34 and he is doing a marvelous job with what he has. There is needed many more string instruments to make it successful.
Friday Night Socials
Every Friday night at Social Hall there is a dance under supervision, held for Norwood's teen agers. Last year approximately 3,200 youngsters attended the dances held throughout the year.
Skating
Francis Harrington was appointed as supervisor of hockey and skating. The hockey rink is a serious problem in Norwood because of the lack of ponds and lakes. That means that flat areas have to be flooded and without a maintenance crew, it is very difficult. When we do get some decent ice, the problem of snow storms is very serious. We do not possess the proper or necessary equipment for cleaning and maintenance of ice. Once the snow falls, it should be removed immediately, other- wise it freezes on and spoils the skating. With a little luck from our New England climate, I am sure there will be an improvement in skating for our youngsters.
Christmas Carols
For the third consecutive year, the Recreation Department sponsored Community Carol singing on the Common. A large group attended but the weather was a little too cold. Next year the plans are to have them indoors.
Conclusion
I feel that the cooperation and aid that the Recreation Department has received from the Recreation Advisory Board, Town Officials, Schools, St. Catherine's, the Norwood Messenger, and all service organizations has been a tremendous assistance in sponsoring a bigger and better program. We are terribly handicapped without a Recreation Center where our scheduled activities would not be interrupted. With a Recreation Center, I am positive that more youngsters and adults would be served under proper supervision.
The Civic baseball field has been the scene of many interesting baseball games in which the spectators have been forced to stand. Bleachers for the field would add beauty to the field and be most convenient for the spectators.
Respectfully submitted,
LEON P. SMELSTOR, Superintendent of Recreation.
In Memoriam
JANE ATHERTON HEWETT
Miss Jane A. Hewett died on February 28, 1947. Miss Hewett was born in Canton, from whence she came to be the Librarian of the Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood, on the day the present building was opened in 1898. She filled this position until her retirement in 1939; and following that, she was Librarian Emerita until her death.
Miss Hewett was highly esteemed as a librarian, and she had the affection and a'Imiration not only of those who worked with her but of all who knew her. The town and the library grew during her librarianship - as typified by its being a one- assistant library when she came, and having seven assistants at the time of her retirement. While she was librarian, the second floor was remodelled as an attractive Children's Room; the Plimpton Wing - which more than doubled the book capacity - was built, as a gift from Mrs. Alice Morrill Plimpton, daughter of the donor of the library. In this Wing is an Intermediate Room for junior high school age, which is considered outstanding.
In addition to local memberships, Miss Hewett belonged to the American Library AAssociation; the Massachusetts Library Association (of which she was a vice-presi- (lent); the Boston Book Review Committee; and in 1935 she was president of the Old Colony Library Club.
145
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
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, 1947.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman, MARY L. DUNN,
EUGENE A. NELSON,
GEORGE H. WELLES, A. MARION SWAIN, FRANCIS J. DORAN.
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN Annual Statistical Report
BOOKS ADDED
Fiction Added bv Purchase
1,421
Non-Fiction by Purchase
889
Fiction Gifts . 91
Non-Fiction Gifts
100
2,501
BOOKS WITHDRAWN
Fiction
895
Non-Fiction
. . 427
1,322
CIRCULATION COMPARISON
WITH 1946
1946
1947
Increase 2,926
Decrease
Adult Department
54,825
57,751
Junior Department
15,004
15,693
689
Main Library Total
69,829
73,444
3,615
South Norwood Adult
6,351
6,819
468
South Norwood Junior
6,315
5,542
773*
Hospital Adult
2,201
3,237
1,036
Hospital Junior
195
304
109
Schools
6,807
7,265
458
Fire Station
116
46
70
Others.
182
0
182
Westwood Lodge
47
0
47
92,043
96,657
4,614
146
TOWN OF NORWOOD
REGISTRATION
New Registrations
1946
1947
Adult
514
595
81
Junior
207
201
6
South Norwood.
138
103
35
859
899
40
Registered Borrowers
1946
1947
Adult
4,625
4,729
104
Junior
1,509
1,530
21
South Norwood
537
598
61
6,671
6,857
186
*The use of library books in South Norwood gained 1,091 in 1947. There was a gain of 447 in Adult books (at the South Norwood Branch Library); and of 644 in Juvenile books (a gain of 1,417 in the use of library books at Balch School, and a decrease of 773 in Juvenile books at the Branch).
To the Board of Trustees:
The following is a statistical report of the Morrill Memorial Library for the year 1947, 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
3
Number of Days Open in 1947
301
Number of Hours Open Each Week
72
Number of Staff
7
Books
Volumes Added to the Library:
Fiction by Purchase
1,421
Non-Fiction by Purchase
889
Fiction Gifts .
91
Non-Fiction Gifts
100
Number of Agencies.
Number of Volumes at End of Year 33,999
147
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Circulation
Non-
Fiction
Fiction
Total
Adult
39,163
18,588
57,751
Junior Department
11,309
4,384
15,693
South Norwood Adult
4,937
1,882
6,819
South Norwood Junior
4,047
1,495
5,542
Hospital Adult
1,848
1,389
3,237
Hospital Junior
248
56
304
Balch School
2,644
561
3,205
Callahan School
2,064
601
2,665
Junior High School
81
63
144
Peabody School
0
53
53
St. Catherine's School
0
0
0
Senior High School
33
64
97
Shattuck School
586
288
874
Winslow School
0
0
0
West School
211
16
227
Fire Station
24
22
46
Church Deposits
0
0
0
67,195
29,462
96,657
Finance
See Report of Town Accountant.
Registration
Number of Borrowers Registering in 1947:
Adult
Junior Depart-
South
Total
Norwood
ment
595
201
103
899
Number of Registered Borrowers:
4,729
1,530
598
6,857
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian.
A LIBRARY YEAR IN AN INDUSTRIAL TOWN
Norwood, with a population of 15,383 (U. S. Census, 1940)* has ten sizable in- dustries. 23% of its people are of foreign birth, representing 39 nationalities. It is a progressive place, generous to its library, and one of the pioneers in the town-manager form of government. It has a fine school system, a high-ranking hospital, well-kept- up residences, and the natural beauties of rolling hills, woods, and brooks.
This is our library's setting. The story following tells how we have tried to meet its challenge.
A town with a high industrial factor differs in its library needs from one whose main activities are along academic lines. Its program should be made with that in mind. It should be able to demonstrate results comparing well with communities of similar make-up.
*The American Library Association requests the use of federal census figures.
ยท
148
TOWN OF NORWOOD
With a book collection of 33,999 (smaller than that in most New England towns of our size) our 1947 circulation - 6.21 per capita - gained 4,614 over 1946 - which in turn, gained over 1945. The 1947 gain is principally in the Adult Department and the Hospital Branch. New registrations also gained. Our total registration of 6,857 is 4412% of our population.
Our program is based on the belief that a library in an industrial town needs:
1. A strong plan for public relations OUTSIDE the library to interest those who have not yet requested service.
2. Staff abilities, and book selection, that reflect an understanding of the needs of management, labor, and of people of foreign origin. Above all, it should have li- brarians with the human touch, who know that a library ought to be a hearth, and that a hearth gives out warmth.
3. Emphasis on the family and the reading interests of every one of its members.
4. Audio-visual service.
5. Like every other community, we need to aid the understanding and growth of world cooperation.
Public Relations Outside the Library
The "Norwood Messenger" is one of the library's best friends. It gives good space to reading news, and staff time to securing it, with accompanying pictures.
Monthly lists of light installations are the basis of a mailing list inviting new residents to join the library. We average three new borrowers in response to each group invited.
1,000 copies of "What the Norwood Taxpayer Gets at His Library" have been used outside the library. (Including 10 copies requested by a faculty member of Columbia University School of Library Service, for class use.)
The leading industries accepted an invitation to join in planning a library exhibit of reading material useful to industrial workers. It will be held early in 1948. Offers of plant deposits of books, made to three industries, struck a snag on operation - which the plants did not see their way to supply. This offer may be re-opened later, if a way can be found to have a library staff member take care of the work.
Officers of organized labor have been approached about the library's desire to meet the reading needs of workers. Two of these officers have conferred with the Librarian, and have promised to take it up with fellow workers. A good many union members are library borrowers.
Talks have been given to the Young Married Group, United Church; to the stu- dent body, Senior High School; to the Women of the Moose; and to the Westwood Parent-Teacher Association.
Either by spontaneous gift, or by solicitation, we have received, and been pleased to pass on to readers these generous offerings from fellow-townsinen:
25 fine and costly books were bought with the income from the Chickering, Cudworth, Morse, and Whedon Funds.
50 books of Catholic interest for adults and children came from the Knights of Columbus.
36 organizations or individuals presented the library with 191 books - a gain over those received last year. This included a group for the children, from the Womenl of the Moose.
149
REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Norwood Garden Club beautifies the library with flowers brought and ar- ranged by their members. The Christmas decorations they arranged this year were especially fine.
From the Norwood Woman's Club came an artistic Mexican plate in hammered metal, and two wooden bases for flower arrangements.
(See "Family Life" for note of a gift from the Women's Community Committee.)
Among Others, Industrial Needs Met By Staff and Books
Work on books of industrial interest is typified by one incident in which the Librarian inspected all the library's holdings on leather. Finding one that appeared obsolete, she consulted an official of Winslow Bros. and Smith, who in turn found it still of value. With his advice, and that of other authorities, a check was made of desirable new books on leather. Of these, only two were found not already in the library's collection.
Some books in foreign languages are bought, but many more are borrowed through the invaluable loans from the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries. Another service to residents of foreign origin is our annual invitation to the Adult Civic Edu- cation classes for a guided library tour. The Librarian is serving her third year as chairman of the American Library Association's Committee on Work with the Foreign-Born.
The Staff is encouraged to take part in community life, as good citizens, and as a way to help integrate the town and the library. Further word of results along these lines, will be found in the branch report.
Audio-Visual Service
Modern approaches to readers' interests through audio-visual means are especially appropriate to our situation.
The Junior Department and the South Norwood Branch have both made use of film service by enterprise in obtaining the loan of projectors and enlisting volunteers for operation, who sometimes lend the films as well.
Extensive efforts are being made to interest organizations or individuals in a gift of a projector with sound track.
A service of visual appeal has been introduced this year in transparent covers for all adult and branch books - thus retaining the eye-appeal in circulation of the book jackets. It has been very popular with readers.
Family Life
The library desires to offer person-to-person aid to each member of the family.
Starting with the youngest, we are now equipped to care for the infants while their mothers make a leisurely book selection. The Women's Community Committee graciously bought a play pen for this purpose. Together with a cuddly toy and a picture book, it proved so attractive to one toddler, that he protested leaving it.
Throughout the year, the library presents subject exhibits of family interest, such as child care and training, family relations, etc. Miss Frances Scott of the Family Society was invited to address the Staff on their work in Norwood, and ways they and the library could be mutually helpful.
What makes healthy people healthy is another topic of family interest. The Librarian was asked to speak on "Problems of Book Selection for Physical and Mental
150
TOWN OF NORWOOD
Balance," at the joint meeting of the Division of Public Libraries and the Division of Hospital Libraries at the San Francisco Conference of the American Library Associa- tion. The talk is being printed by the A.L.A. Division of Public Libraries in their January Bulletin.
Extended shelf space is provided for our Young Moderns, in the Adult Depart- ment. All ninth grade pupils, public and parochial, were instructed in the use of this department. Two schools have consulted with the Librarian about the establishment of school libraries.
World Peace
Intergroup relations, the life of other countries, peace action, world organization, the events and ideas back of the United Nations, are second to none in the prominence we give them in exhibits, books, and book lists. The Christmas theme throughout the library and its branch, was "Peace on Earth, Good Will Among Nations." The Librarian is chairman of the Librarians Advisory Council of the United Nations Association.
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