USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1948-1950 > Part 55
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11 classes from the Balch School came for library instruction.
Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths were represented in gifts of five Bibles or other sacred books in various languages. They came from South Norwood churches, or those having South Norwood communicants.
The outstandingly good work of Mary Knowles, Branch Librarian, has had a great deal to do with a flourishing branch.
Special Events and Reference Services, Junior
An attendance of 965, at 33 story hours, including "Picture Book" hours for younger children, led to further interest in books. Dramatizations by Shattuck School pupils, film strips, occasional aid from Mrs. Allen, all assisted Miss Shumaker's presentations.
300 more books were sent to the schools this year than last.
"The United Nations Pals"-a summer reading club offered here and at the South Norwood Branch-has quickened interest in other countries. In the fall members came to a "General Assembly", where moving pictures, certificates to those having done required reading, and refreshments provided by the library staff, brought the club to a happy conclusion.
"Firsts" in 1950:
With the exception of one grade, in one school, and three in another, all grades from the first through the sixth, in all public schools came to the library with their teachers, a total of 900 children. (Some of these were repeats, upon entering the next grade.) Information was given on what books are owned, where they are kept, and how to use them. This series, carefully prepared to fit the comprehension of the various grades, is a substantial con- tribution to Norwood youth. N. Dorothy Shumaker, Junior Department Librarian, deserves much credit for having planned it and seen it to a successful conclusion. The same invitation has been extended to St. Catherine's Parochial School.
"Certificates of Honor", prepared by Mrs. Knowles and Miss Shumaker were offered every class room, grades 2 - 9, public and parochial schools, having 100% pupil registration at the library. This, together with the extended service to classes noted above, has had an appreciable effect in stimulating reading interest.
First grade pupils who appear ready for library privileges may now have cards of their own after January Ist of any year.
Morning opening during the entire summer vacation period was a welcome extension of service.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Public Relations
Few projects have helped more in keeping the town informed about books and special events at the library than the "Norwood Messenger" and the "Norwood Tribune" having sent reporters to the library for news-whenever possible, at weekly intervals.
A commendation of our "Portrait of Norwood's Library -- 1949" appearing in the LIBRARY JOURNAL, brought requests for it from all over the country.
Miss Shumaker and Miss Phillips serve on boards and committees of several organizations, which always helps integrate local Town needs and library services.
Building Upkeep and Improvement
Norwood owns costly property in the library building, and the fine work of Carl B. Pearson, Senior Building Custodian, is highly valued.
Floors were refinished and had new koroseal stripping. The same work was done on four stairways adjoining the Children's Room.
A work center has been equipped for processing books and other materials, near the Circulation desk. House telephones are all being renewed, and a station added for the Staff Room. An outside telephone extension was installed in the Children's Room to the great convenience of our patrons.
Thanks to our Friends!
To the Women's Community Committee for their implementing the start of a Record-Lending Service, elsewhere reported; and for their subscribing to three magazines for our hospital service.
To the Lions Club for their gift of a beach umbrella in gay colors, and table with four chairs, to use on the library parapet, for outdoor reading.
To the Rotary Club for a gift of 17 children's books, for use at the hospital.
To the Norwood Garden Club for repeated and beautiful arrangements of flowers and greens.
To the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries for' continuous loans of books, in English and other languages.
To the Norwood Women's Club for a copper dish, and accessories for flower arrangements.
To the Women of the Moose for their annual gift of children's books and of hand-made bookmarks.
To St. Catherine's Boy Scout Troop for volunteer work in mending books.
To Mrs. Otis D. Swain, a former library trustee, for the start of an annual book gift in memory of her husband. Other memorial book gifts were to honor Mrs. Harold Metters, from Mr. and Mrs. Grover J. Oberle; and in honor of Mrs. Ernest Fisher from Miss Edna Phillips.
To the Art Committee of the Norwood Woman's Club, for an excellent Art Week exhibit of handmade lamps.
The library collection was enriched with costly books bought with the income of the Cudworth, the Whedon, the Chickering, and the Morse funds.
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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Staff Progress and Their Part in the Wider Professional Life
The Misses Phillips, Eaton, Myer, Shumaker and Mrs. Hallet have State Certificates of Librarianship.
Mrs. Hallet and Miss Day completed, with high marks, a course in reference work offered by the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries.
Six staff members made fourteen visits of observation at eight libraries, in part on their own time. About an equal number of visits were made here by staff members from other libraries.
Miss Phillips led panels on intercultural action at the Cleveland Conference of the American Library Association, and at the Swampscott Conference of the Massachusetts Library Association. She completed six years as chairman of the A.L.A. Committee on Intercultural Action, during which it was reorganized, its named changed, and added work done in broader fields. She served on the Planning Committee of the Third Human Relations Institute in Boston; and spoke at Simmons College, School of Library Science, on "The Small Library as a Social Institution".
The good judgment, and knowledge of this library's needs shown by Martha C. Eaton, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger, is a continuing aid to the librarian.
Statistical Measures of Service
The deepest value in library work is what the right books can do in the lives of readers, and that can't be measured statistically. Concrete figures do have their place, however.
Statistical work, accounting, and secretarial work are centered here in the position of Records Librarian, most capably handled by Shirley Day.
2,855 books for all departments were added by purchase and gifts. Miss Eaton is in charge of acquisitions, and directs the cataloging and filing.
Circulation, 1950, 117,868. Per capita, 7.06. In spite of the library being closed for ten Saturdays for the first time this summer, the Adult Department being closed for five days in addition to this, on account of floor repair, we had a slight gain over last year, of 496, and the 1950 circulation was the largest in 12 years.
Reference questions 2,554; book selection 1,595; total, 4,149 from April 1 to December 30.
We have no report on reference figures from other Massachusetts libraries in our size group. An excellent Rhode Island library in a somewhat larger place, with a book collection about double ours, reports 1,712 reference questions met in 12 months, in 1949.
There are 24 Massachusetts towns with 15,000 - 25,000 population. Norwood was in the top ten of these for per capita circulation in 1948, the latest published comparison on a state scale. Of these towns, the highest per capita circulation was 11.3-attributed by the librarian in that community to the local advent of two colleges. The lowest was 1.6.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
The present study of Norwood suggests this measuring rod: Against given factors in the town, how does a library do in 1) extent of reference services; 2) in an imaginative, dynamic reaching out to the non-reader; 3) the staff's part in organized library life beyond its own town; and IN RELATION TO THE ABOVE POINTS, 4) for circulation?
A Ten Year Plan
In 1946 a Ten Year Plan was made with three points in mind: gradual expansion of service, especially to non-users; the use of modern approaches to readers' interest: and needed building improvements. This was to be carried on together with such basic matters as staff progress and betterment of remuner- ation, and steady improvement in the book collection.
Measurable steps were planned ahead for each year and then each annual report accounted for that year's progress.
One of the coming needs pointed out in this Ten Year Plan was for a small motorized branch.
New developments in Norwood since 1946 have lent added urgency for it. Such a mobile branch could serve various areas with the same equipment and the same book collection, and it would be much less expensive than new branches in fixed locations. A motorized branch is already in successful operation in two towns of our size group: Natick and Greenfield.
A Summing Up
Direct Service Centers, Manned by Library Staff
Adult Department, Circulation Desk
Adult Department, Reference and Reading Room
Children's Room
Intermediate Room (Junior High School age)
South Norwood Branch, three days weekly
Hospital, one day weekly
Weekly Hours, total of Adult Department, Junior Department, South Norwood Branch and Hospital: 1321/2
The Quality of the Team
We began, and we close, with a thought of gratitude for the live, forward- looking town, the liberal support and friendly comprehension of the Board of Trustees, and for association with a staff never bettered in the librarian's experience. Work with them helps make work a joy.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA PHILLIPS
Librarian
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REPORT OF MORRILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
LIBRARY HOURS
ADULT DEPARTMENT
Monday - Friday 9 a. m. - 9 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 6 p. m.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT
Monday - Friday 12:30 - 6 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 6 p. m.
SOUTH NORWOOD BRANCH
Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 - 5:30 p. m. 6:30 p. m. - 9 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. - 12 Noon 1 - 6 p. m.
NORWOOD HOSPITAL Monday 1 - 5 p. m.
TRUSTEES
MAUDE A. SHATTUCK, Chairman
FRANCIS J. DORAN MARY L. DUNN RACHEL P. MARTIN EUGENE A. NELSON GEORGE H. WELLES
STAFF
EDNA PHILLIPS, Librarian, and Secretary of the Board
MARTHA C. EATON, Assistant Librarian and Cataloger
ELIZABETH G. MYER, Reference Librarian and Readers' Consultant N. DOROTHY SHUMAKER, Junior Department Librarian ESTHER C. HALLET, Circulation Librarian
MARY KNOWLES, Branch Librarian
SHIRLEY DAY, Records Librarian
DORIS C. ALLEN, Assistant
BUILDING
CARL B. PEARSON, Senior Building Custodian
SUBSTITUTES
RUTH R. KING
BETTINA COTTRELL HELEN R. FRASER
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Norwood, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
At the first meeting of the Planning Board in January, 1950, Patrick Long was leceted Chairman and Matthew B. Connolly was elected Secretary. The other members of the Board are Rosewell A. Norton, Hazis Kelley and Charles S. Ennis.
The Board acted upon many zoning changes and after much consideration, the following action was taken.
a. The Planning Board recommended that the zoning of property off Lenox Street and Williams Street be changed from General Residence to Business. This recommendation was upheld at Town Meeting.
b. The Planning Board recommended that the zoning of property on the easterly side of the Boston-Providence Highway near Sumner Street be changed from THA to THB and that the land adjacent to the rear of the above mentioned property be changed from General Residence to Business. These recommendations were upheld at Town Meeting.
c. The Planning Board recommends that the zoning of property on the westerly side of Everett Street be changed from General Residence to Manu- racturing. This recommendation was upheld at Town Meeting.
d. The Planning Board is recommending a change in the zoning law book by increased lot sizes and setbacks as follows:
1. The area bounded by the Norwood-Walpole Town Line, the center line of Wilson Street and the center line of Walpole Street which shall provide a lot area of not less than 12,5000 square feet with a lot frontage of not less than 100 feet and a setback of 30 feet.
2. The area bounded by the Norwood-Westwood Town Line, the center line of Upland Road, the center line of Prospect Street and the center line of Nahatan Street, which shall provide a lot area of not less than 15,000 square feet with a lot frontage of not less than 125 feet and a setback of 40 feet.
3. The area bounded by the Norwood-Walpole Town Line, the Norwood- Westwood Town Line, the center line of Winter Street, the center line of Walpole Street, the center line of Rosemary Street, the continuation of the center line of Rosemary Street to Nichols Street, the center line of Nichols Street, the center line of Elliot Street, the center line of Highland Street, the center line of Saunders Road, the center line of Walpole Street and the center line of Wilson Street which shall provide a lot area of not less than 15,000 square feet with a lot frontage of not ness than 125 feet and a setback of 40 feet.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
These recommendations are being held over to 1951 when they will be peresented at a special town meeting for approval.
e. The Planning Board is recommending a change in the zoning of property on the southerly side of the Boston-Providence Highway from Everett Street to Pleasant Street from THA to THB. This recommendation is to be presented at the next special town meeting.
The Planning Board acted on and discussed the following projects.
a. We recommended that new street lights be installed between the two high bridges on Washington Street when the street is resurfaced.
b. We recommended that steps be taken to install a caution light or blinker on the Boston-Providence Highway at approximately 500 feet before approaching the intersection of East Cross Street and the Highway going in a southerly direction.
c. Plans submitted by the Engineering Department for the widening of Central Street were accepted.
d. We recommended that safety devices such as a caution blinker or traffic light be installed at the corner of Washington and Dean Streets and Pleasant and Dean Streets.
e. After numerous meetings with the School Committee, it was the recom- mendation of both Boards that land on Neponset Street be purchased for school purposes. At a future date, if necessary, an elementary school would be erected to take care of the increased school population in that district. This recom- mendation was approved by town meeting action.
f. A petition was received by the voters of District I requesting that a parcel of land now owned by W. Cameron Forbes be acquired for playground purposes.
g. We recommended that the County Commissioners be requested to develop a new layout of Everett Street.
h. We recommended that the Selectmen consider the possibility of the Town acquiring Willett Pond as a beach area.
i. We recommended the extension of Garfield Avenue and the erection of a bridge over the railroad tracks.
The retiring members of the Planning Board are Patrick Long and Hazis Kelley.
PATRICK LONG, Chairman MATTHEW B. CONNOLLY, Secretary ROSEWELL A. NORTON HAZIS KELLEY CHARLES S. ENNIS
Members of Planning Board.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
..
INC .
8.72
123 . 23
TOWN OF NORWOOD MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1950
179
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE NORWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1950
School Committee
Thomas R. Bowler
Term Expires 1951
112 Winslow Avenue, NOrwood 7-1180-R
John J. Cook
195]
30 Adams Street, NOrwood 7-0981-R
Edward H. Thompson 9 Gardner Road, NOrwood 7-1735-R
1952
John J. Cavanaugh 1952
235 Railroad Avenue, NOrwood 7-0679-M
John F. Kiley 1953
14 George Street, NOrwood 7-0198
John F. Reynolds
31 Oak Road, NOrwood 7-0851
Organization John F. Reynolds, Chairman Elizabeth Syverson, Clerk
Standing Committees
Appointment of Teachers: Mr. Bowler, Mr. Kiley, Mr. Cook.
Educational Program, Purchase of School Books and Supplies:
Mr. Kiley, Mr. Bowler, Mr. Cook.
Finance: Mr. Thompson, Mr. Cavanaugh, Mr. Reynolds
Custodians, Schoolhouses, and Grounds: Mr. Cavanaugh, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Reynolds.
Committee Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held in the Committee room, Room 100, Junior High School Building, at seven-thirty o'clock on the third Wednesday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools
LINCOLN D. LYNCH, 21 Florence Avenue, Telephone NOrwood 7-1266.
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School and is open from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m. every day, from Monday through Friday inclusive. Telephone NOrwood 7-0133.
Secretary and Clerks
Elizabeth Syverson, 68 Elm Street, Telephone NOrwood 7-1461-W. Principal Clerk and Secretary to Department Head.
Elvie A. Schaier, 44 Highview Street, Telephone NOrwood 7-2227-R, Junior Clerk and Stenographer.
1953
180
TOWN OF NORWOOD
School Calendar
Tuesday, September 5, 1950-Teachers report.
Wednesday, September 6, 1950-Grades 1-12 in session.
Monday, September 11, 1950-Kindergarten in session.
Holidays
Thursday and Friday, October 12th and 13th, 1950-Columbus Day recess.
Friday, October 27, 1950-Teachers' Convention, Norwood.
Thankgiving Recess: Schools close at noon, Wednesday, November 22nd, and re-open on Monday, November 27th.
Christmas Recess: Schools close at noon on Friday, December 22nd, and re-open on Tuesday, January 2, 1951.
Winter Recess: Schools close Friday, February 16th, and re-open on Monday, February 26th.
Friday, March 23, 1951-Good Friday.
Spring Recess: Schools close Friday, April 13th, and re-open Monday, April 23rd. Wednesday, May 30, 1951-Memorial Day.
No School Signals 2-2
Repeated at 7:15 a. m. No forenoon session, Kindergarten thru 12th grade. Repeated at 7:30 a. m. No forenoon session, Kindergarten thru 9th grade. Repeated at 7:45 a. m. No forenoon session, Kindergarten thru 6th grade. Repeated at 12:15 p. m. No afternoon session, Kindergarten thru 9th grade. Repeated at 12:30 p. m. No afternoon session, Kindergarten thru 6th grade. Repeated at 6:15 p. m. No session for evening schools.
Note: When the No-School Signal is sounded, all street lights are illuminated, if possible, for three minutes.
Radio Stations (WBZ, WEEI, WHDH, WNAC) will broadcast notices between 7:00 a. m. and 8:00 a. m. and when possible, at noon and at night.
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.
Callahan School - Heating
During the summer months, the School Committee arranged for the installation of a pair of heavy duty Todd oil burners in the Callahan School. For two reasons the oil storage tank has been installed in the coal pocket. It was impractical to bury the tank outside the building because of ledge formation and, further, oil storage, within the building makes unnecessary complicated and expensive pre- heating apparatus.
The installation satisfies the rigid safety requirements of the Department of Public safety.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Land Purchases - Neponset Street
The School Committee invited the Planning Board to consider jointly the problem of future demands for School building sites.
Of special concern, were the facts that the widening of Route I is certain to create hazardous crossing conditions at several locations, especially for children living east of the highway in going to and from school and play areas and also the rapid rate of housing development in the area.
Following several meetings of both groups, a location was settled upon by unanimous agreement among the members of both the Planning Board and the School Committee.
The whole proposal was presented to the Town Meeting on October 20th. The Town Meeting representatives voted 81 to 5 in favor of acquiring the land by purchase from the owners of each of two adjoining parcels which together consti- tuted the desired area.
John G. Rizzo - Gift of Land
As a result of the generosity of one of our citizens, Mr. John G. Rizzo, an egress from the land area, to be acquired by purchase, (mentioned above) to Richland Road is possible.
Mr. Rizzo, when planning the Richland development, appreciative of the need of a way to the area which is to be purchased set aside a right-of-way which he has offered to the Town.
Thus, it is possible to have approaches from the proposed school site and play- ground area to Neponset Street, to Dean Street, and to Richland Road.
We are happy to acknowledge Mr. Rizzo's foresight and thoughtfulness.
Redecoration - Shattuck School
Anyone who has visited the Shattuck School will agree that the cost this year (upwards of $6000) of replastering, reflooring, and repainting the interior of the Shattuck School has been well spent.
This is but the first step in planning for the redecoration of all of our school buildings, several of which are very much in need of the same reconditioning.
The Staff Council
Members of the School Committee are very much pleased with the efforts of representatives of the teaching staff who have volunteered to work with the School Committee in a joint effort to improve the professional qualifications of our teachers.
Separate and joint meetings of the Staff Council and the School Committee have been held during the year.
The Staff Council, appreciative of the purpose for which it was established, has been most conscientious and unselfish in their devotion to purpose.
As a result of the cooperation between the Staff Council and the teaching staff, teachers are taking courses or otherwise improving their competance. The School Committee thru the application of the provisions of the new salary schedule arranges for super-maximum salary increments to reimburse, in considerable meas- ure, the teacher for the time, effort, and expense involved in worthwhile and approved advanced professional study.
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TOWN OF NORWOOD
Norfolk County Teachers Convention
The Norfolk County Teachers Association voted to hold their annual convention in Norwood this year on Friday, October 27, 1950. Mr. John F. Reynolds, Chairman of the School Committee, addressed the secondary school teachers section which held its meetings in the Senior High School. Supt. Lynch welcomed the elementary teachers section at the Junior High School where the elementary meetings were held.
Parent-Teacher Association Council
For many years, School Committees have been interested in all activities designed to bring the school and the home closer together.
The PTA's of the elementary school districts have, for many years, worked cooperatively with our schools. A further step was taken a few years ago when the Junior High School P.T.A. was organized. During the past year, two additional developments, related to this general problem, have been realized. The Senior High School P.T.A. has been established and, in addition, a Parent-Teacher Association Council is now organized.
Representatives of each of the PTA's will be able, thru the Council, to sponsor programs which must certainly assist in establishing rapport between home and school. They will be able to do more collectively than has been possible hitherto, working separately. To cite an example: the whole problem of handwriting was carefully studied by teachers and the results of their review of the problem were communicated to all interested parents at a general meeting sponsored by the PTA Council.
The School Committee, invited to the meeting, was given an opportunity to learn in this manner, more about the wishes, attitudes, and reaction of parents. This is helpful.
Third Nurse - Additional Service
The School Committee, by majority vote, has established provision for the services of an additional school nurse so that the health needs of school children may be better served. Under this arrangement, coverage of schools will be more complete.
Elks Park - Baseball
Limitations which have been placed upon Junior High School use of the Civic playground pointed up the need for an additional area for the afternoon use of our Junior High Schools (boys, in particular).
The Norwood Lodge, B.P.O.E. generously offered the use of Elks' Park to school authorities.
As a result of an expenditure of approximately 200 dollars, the field was leveled, loamed, and lined for the use of boys in our Junior High School intra-mural base- ball program.
A complete schedule of intra-mural games was played under the able super- vision of two of our Junior High School men teachers, Mr. Francis McAuliffe and Mr. James Fulton.
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