USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1927 > Part 16
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During this period 53 pupils were admitted to the class. Six are still engaged in the studies of the current year, and 43 have been graduated. Of the latter 39 received appoint- ment in this library. Some of the most valued members of our staff have come to us through the training class. Most of them have eventually left us for better paid positions in other libraries. We have no reason to be ashamed of their records, and one of our keenest pleasures is the continuing loyalty which they uniformly exhibit toward their Alma Mater library. We have consistently regarded the class as strictly a recruiting agency for those positions in our own library for which library schools offer no candidates, and in no sense as a professional training school.
270
ANNUAL REPORTS
The total number of individuals serving upon the library staff under regular full time appointment within the decade is 130. The very large number of part time employees, though serving a vital purpose, can not be considered here. Of these 130 employees 48 went from us to better positions elsewhere. Among them are five head librarians, one 1st Assistant in a city library, one teacher in a graduate library school, five special or technical librarians, five High or Normal school li- brarians, three Reference librarians, one Chief Cataloger, five Children's librarians. Of the five who became head librarians four received their entire training in this library. Matrimony has claimed 25. 26 were college graduates, and of this num- ber 14 also had professional library school training. Exper- ience with the latter leads us to the conclusion that the li- brary schools of professional rank turn out a product of the highest excellence when the raw material is endowed with the requisite mentality joined to an engaging personality. But no training can ever change the quality of mentality. We urge the mentally well-endowed to get all the training they can from every possible source, and others to seek a different oc- cupation.
During these ten years the library has sent into the homes of Somerville no less than 4,643,286 books. It has registered as library borrowers 80,334 people. It has added to its col- lection of books 77,610 volumes, an average of 7,761 per year. It has at the same time retired from use for wear and tear and other normal causes 66,909 volumes. This loss is 1.4% of the ten-year total of loans. It is not an alarming figure. It must be accepted as an item in the cost of doing business under the modern conceptions of liberality in the access of the public to the means of education.
These same years have seen gradual accretions to the financial resources of the library, and still greater promise for the future. The following is a list of the permanent funds given to the library, amounting to a total of $29,400.
1920. Bequest of Arthur A. Smith of $5,000. Not yet available.
1925. Gift of Sarah L. Graves of $400. in memory of Mr. Henry H. Babcock.
1925. Bequest of Dr. Edward C. Booth of $3,000. Not yet available.
271
PUBLIC LIBRARY
1927. Bequest of Dr. Herbert E. Buffum of $20,000. Not yet available.
1927. Gift of Mr. Thomas J. Buffum of $1,000 as a me- morial of his family.
It is interesting to note the increasing tendency of bene- factors of the library to specify their intention not to relieve the city of its support of the library in any degree, but on the other hand to declare their purpose of enabling the library by their gifts to secure advantages beyond those that could or- dinarily be hoped for within the limits of a municipal appro- priation. We commend this idea to the attenton of the bene- volent minded.
The methods and equipment of the Central office of ad- ministration have been completely transformed. Our tran- sactions, no matter of what nature, are now represented each by its own appropriate and permanent record. Nothing is left to chance or to recollection. These records are mainly o! the vertical or loose-leaf types, combining ease of entry, econo- my of work and convenience of reference. All statistical records and reports are constructed upon systems of cross checks and cumulations, so that at any given date a complete statement of the current condition is immediately available. The system of cross checks for accuracy and the cumulative features have eliminated the old-time pressure of computa- tions at the end of the year.
The office files may be classified somewhat loosely as follows.
1. Personnel
Employment Attendance Examinations Promotion Experience records Training Class records
2. General correspondence
3. General cumulative statistics of annual operation
.4. Finance
Budget Appropriations Classified expenditures Trust fund accounts
272
ANNUAL REPORTS
5. Book Orders Orders placed Receipts Other disposals Gifts
6. Dealers Books
Equipment
7. Library exchanges
8. Somerville Public Library publications and forms
9. Clippings. News and publicity
10. Professional and technical library material
The library has certain collections of considerable extent and value. The catalog department in addition to its regular and current activities has developed the usefulness of these collections to a marked degree. The Local History group, one that is very much used, has been entirely re-classified and re-cataloged according to a special system of proved utili- ty. Genealogy has also been re-classified and re-cataloged. These two classes are segregated in a room of their own. When the work of revision was done a duplicate catalog was made and has been installed in the room conveniently at hand for consultation. The same work has been done for the col· lection of books about Somerville and by Somerville writers. Music, of which we have a rich collection, has been brought out in considerable detail in the catalog. These changes are all in the direction of greater availability to the users of the library. Particular attention has been paid to the collection of books relating to the technique of librarianship and allied subjects. This is made especially available to the library staff with the intention of promoting the maximum intelligence of our service.
It would be an unfortunate omission to bring to a close a ten year survey without mention of the compilation of our own text-book of library procedure known to our staff as "Ap- proved Library Methods of the Somerville Public Library." This is a step by step description of all the numerous policies, rules and processes involved in the control and management of our library system. It provides not only a complete method, but an approved authority to be followed by employees in the discharge of whatever duty or process is incumbent upon them. Every employee, either in an executive or a
273
PUBLIC LIBRARY
special position, has been provided with such a portion of the entire text-book as applies to her particular work, and copies. of the complete compilation are available for reference to all. members of the staff.
A major addition to our equipment was the new East Somerville branch building into which we moved in 1918, and which has become a busy and much appreciated community center.
In 1922 the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the. library was observed by the publication of an illustrated me- morial report which contains important historical facts. In 1924 the Central library was completed by the decoration of the walls and ceiling of the central hall in a notably artistic and appropriate manner.
It is hoped that this brief resume of the decade just past may serve to place upon record and to bring to the attention of interested citizens some of the worth while activities of their library, that, belonging to no particular year but ex- tending over a series of years, have not had special mention in the regular annual reports.
The appended statistics of operation for the year 1927 are submitted as a part of this report.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. EVANS,
Librarian.
i
The Public Library of the City of Somerville APPENDIX A .. Statistics for Use and Growth Circulation
Volumes circulated adult
Central 123,262
West 81,984
East 54,530
Union 52,385
Schools 1,013 67,967
Total 313,174
Volumes circulated juvenile
48,328
31,247
31,996
50,847
230,385
Total circulation (A. L. A. rules)
171,590
113,231
86,526
103,232
68,980
543,559
Accessions
Central
West
East
Union
Total
Volumes in library, Dec. 31, 1926
91,474
15,698
7,553
9,263
123,988
Volumes added
4,639
1,480
1,342
1,145
8,606
Volumes transferred to
1
11
3
7
22
Volumes restored
42
5
5
2
54
Total additions
4,682
1,496
1,350
1,154
8,682
Volumes withdrawn
3,029
836
535
725
5,125
Volumes transferred from
20
2
0
0
22
Volumes lost
1,300
110
67
129
1,606
Total reductions
4,349
948
602
854
6,753
Net gain
333
548
748
300
1,929
Volumes in library, Dec. 31, 1927
91,807
16,246
8,301
9,563
125,917
Registration
Central
West
East
Union
Total
Borrowers registered Dec. 31, 1926
7,089
4,954
2,586
2,535
17,164
Expirations in 1927
3,585
2,446
1,255
1,164
8,450
Registrations in 1927
3,697
2,442
1,454
1,432
9,025
Borrowers registered, Dec. 31, 1927
7,201
4,950
2,785
2,803
17,739
Expenditures in Library Department
Expenditure per book lent
$0.122
Per capita expenditure for library service $0.646
274
..............
ANNUAL REPORTS
..
...
..
275
PUBLIC LIBRARY
APPENDIX B
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics
Annual report for year ended December 31, 1927
Name of library: The Public Library of the City of Somerville, Mass.
City : Somerville State: Massachusetts
Name of Librarian: George Hill Evans
Date of founding
1872
Population served (latest estimate)
103,000
Assessed valuation of city
$116,406,900 00
Rate of tax levy for library purposes : .69 of a mill
Terms of use: Free for lending
Free for reference
Total number of agencies 248
Consisting of Central Library 1
Branches
3
High School Department 1
School Rooms 239
Institutions 4
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 303
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 72
Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) 72
INCREASE
Number of volumes at beginning of year
123,988
Number of volumes added during year by purchase
8,294
Number of volumes added during year by gift or ex- change
225
Number of volumes added during year by binding ma- terial not otherwise counted
87
Number of volumes added during year by lost books restored
54
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year
Total number at end of year
6,731 125,917
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes of fic- tion lent for home use Total number of volumes lent for home use
240,976
134,123
375,099
Number of pictures, photo- graphs and prints lent for home use
313,174
230,385
543,559
2,141
276
ANNUAL REPORTS
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of borrowers reg.
istered during year ....
4,728
4,297
9,025
Total number or regis-
tered borrowers
9,612
8,127
17,739
Registration period, years
2
Number of periodicals and newspapers currently received: Titles Copies
250
623
Number of publications issued during year: Bulletins
7
Number of staff, library service
39
Number of staff, janitor service
6
FINANCE
Receipts from :
Local taxation:
Library Department
$60,410 15
Public Buildings Department 14,991 10
Invested funds
1,842 29
Fines
2,360 80
Other sources (dog licenses)
2,699 05
Total
82,303 39
Unexpended balance from previous
year (invested funds)
713 41
Grand Total
$83,016 80
Payments for:
Library Operating Expenses:
Librarians' Salaries
$45,840 47
Books
12,275 76
Periodicals
1,329 50
Binding
3,084 14
Supplies, stationery, printing, etc.
2,143 22
Furniture, equipment, etc.
0 00
Telephone, postage, freight, ex-
press
1,654 67
Other items
210 67
Total
$66,538 43.
Building Maintenance Expenses:
Janitors, mechanics, wages, etc. $8,546 58
Cleaning supplies and equipment 179 10
Building repairs and minor alterations 570 94
277
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Rent
0 00
Heat and light
4,848 13
Other items
648 00
Total
$14,792 75
Total Maintenance Expenses
$81,331 18
Balance from Appropriation, Library Dept. $ 2 05
Balance from Invested Funds
1,485 22
Interest
$485 22
Buffum Fund
1,000 00
Balance from Appropriation, Public Build- ings Department 198 35
Maintenance expenditure per volume of circulation .... Maintenance expenditure per capita $.789
$.149
278
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF LAW DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the city of Somerville :
The annual report of the law department for the year ending December 31, 1927, is as follows :
An action brought in the supreme court by owners of land at the corner of School Street and Evergreen Avenue against the building commissioner to compel the issue of a permit for the erection of an apartment house was tried be- fore an auditor and finally disposed of in favor of the com- missioner.
An action brought in the supreme court by ten taxpayers to set aside an order passed by the board of aldermen in re- gard to the sale of bonds for the erection of additions to the high school was tried before a justice of that court and a final decision was made sustaining the order.
I helped prepare a form of proposal and a form of con- tract which was executed by the successful bidder for the erection of additions to the high school.
The revision of the building ordinance was completed and the ordinance was adopted. Many questions in regard to the application of the zoning ordinance were decided. As usual I helped prepare various orders and ordinances for the board of aldermen and gave opinions to departments of the city government and approved as to form or helped prepare a large number of agreements and bonds.
A report by Ralph M. Smith, assistant in this depart- ment, is presented herewith as a part of this report. I at- tended to all civil cases in which the city was interested brought in the Somerville District Court of which he is one of the justices.
Yours very respectfully,
FRANK W. KAAN,
City Solicitor.
279
LAW DEPARTMENT
Frank W: Kaan,
City Solicitor :
I beg to submit the following report for the year 1927 on that portion of the City Solicitor's work which was en- trusted to my charge.
Street Accident Notices
Pending December 31st, 1926 61
New notices received 45
Disposed of and settled 26
Pending December 31st, 1927
80
All of the pending notices have been investigated and all available facts are on file.
Street Accident Cases in Superior Court
Pending December 31st, 1926 24
New cases entered 13
Disposed of and settled 14
Cases pending December 31st, 1927 23
Of the cases still pending in Court one has been re- ported to the Supreme Court but not yet argued. It will probably be argued at the January sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Title Examination
Two titles have been examined during the year, one the so-called Glen Street Playground and the other a taking on Clyde Street.
Collection Matters
Pending December 31st, 1926 $1
New cases received 16
Disposed of and settled
22
Cases pending December 31st, 1927 25
Fifteen suits have been brought during the year on col- lection matters and there are eleven suits still pending in Court.
In addition to the above I have attended hearings before the Finance Committee on thirty-four claims, have brought
280
ANNUAL REPORTS
a proceeding to foreclose tax liens on Alpine and Roberts Street and have approved bonds, contracts, etc., in the ab- sence of the City Solicitor. I have also had several con- ferences and given oral opinions to various department heads.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH M. SMITH.
281
SANITARY DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF SANITARY DEPARTMENT
January 30, 1928.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the
City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
The report of the Sanitary Department for the year 1927 is respectfully submitted herewith.
Collections of Ashes and Paper
Ashes (Cubic Yards)
Paper (Cubic Yards)
January
20,789
3,800
February
19,216
3,500
March
17,228
4,720
April
15,724
3,900
May
12,100
4,210
June
11,123
3,800
July
10,097
4,000
August
9,043
3,900
September
9,787
4,700
October
12,750
3,960
November
13,148
4,000
December
17,569
4,132
168,574
48,622
The paper and combustible materials are being disposed of at the incinerator plant, the city receiving a revenue of $400. per year for the paper. The garbage is collected by contract, twice a week from April 1st to January 1st and once a week for the period from January 1st to the following April 1st.
The old Coleman ledge property off Edgar avenue is being used to dump non-combustible refuse. The depart-
282
ANNUAL REPORTS
ment is making good progress towards cleaning up the Claren- don Hill dump.
The non-combustible materials are being collected princi- pally with automobile trucks on account of the distance to the Medford dumps which are being used by this department subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Health of the City of Medford.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR T. MAYHEW, Supt. of Sanitary Dept.
283
LICENSING COMMISSION
REPORT OF LICENSING COMMISSION
January 30, 1928.
To the Honorable the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :
The Licensing Commission respectfully submits the fol- lowing report for the year ending December 31, 1927.
The Commission continues to follow its established policy in matters within its jurisdiction and is pleased to report satisfactory results thereby.
The efforts of the Commission have been supplemented by the assistance of the Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- ment and other heads of departments in a most gratifying manner, which is deeply appreciated. The Commission further desires to express to Mayor Leon M. Conwell its sin- cere appreciation of the many courtesies extended by him.
Applications for garage licenses will show a decrease over that of 1926; the reason for such decrease being the natural tendency of such construction toward normalcy.
Applications for Lord's Day Licenses will show an in- crease for 1927 which is not inconsistent with the natural growth of the city.
Applications were received and acted upon by the Com- mission as follows :-
Garage Licenses
190 Applications received.
164 Licenses granted and issued.
15 Applicants given leave to withdraw.
9 Applications held over to 1928.
284
ANNUAL REPORTS
Lord's Day Licenses
301 Applications received.
266 Licenses granted and issued.
23 Applicants given leave to withdraw.
8 Transfer of locations granted.
4 Applications held over to 1928.
The fees for the above licenses granted and issued amounting to $1662.00 were paid over to the City Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, EUGENE M. CARMAN, Chairman, WM. H. SMITH, WM. J. SHANAHAN,
Licensing Commission.
Attest :
R. A. KEYES, Secretary.
1
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
285 .
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Office of Sealer of Weights and Measures.
City Hall, Somerville, January 1, 1928. To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen :-
The following report of the Sealer of Weights and Meas- ures for the year 1927 is respectfully submitted :-
Work of Weights and Measures Department for 1926
Adjusted
Sealed 53
Non- Con- Sealed demned
Platform over 5000 capacity.
....
....
....
Platform under 5000 capacity
4
413
12
8
Counter
9
518
....
10
Spring
1
812
4
27
Computing
1
593
8
3
Slot Personal Weighing
....
60
....
4
Prescription
....
57
....
....
Beam
....
16
4
....
Weights
Avoirdupois
28
3789
....
11
Apothecary
807
....
13
Metric
....
....
3
Troy
....
....
....
Capacity Measures
Dry
Liquid
....
1858
24
66
Gasoline Pumps
274
23
Oil Pumps
....
64
443
....
Molasses Pumps
21
1
....
Quantity measures on Pumps
....
1230
....
....
Yard Sticks
....
158
....
Wood Baskets
13
....
....
Cloth Measuring Devices.
2
....
....
Taxi Meters
....
....
....
-
Total
43
11153
519
141
-
....
26
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
29
4
....
236
24
286
ANNUAL REPORTS
Inspections other than sealing:
Number of scales and measures in stores 443
Number of Pedlers' scales 102
Number of Junk scales 11
Number of Ice scales
16
Number of Gasoline devices
73
Number of Pedlers' Licenses
151
Taxi Meters
24
Coal Certificates
13
Condemmed for repairs or replacement on road:
Number of scales and measures inspected and C D 171
Number repaired or replaced and sealed 108
Number not reported ready for sealing. 63
Condemned for repairs or replacement at office :
Number of scales and measures inspected and C D 50
Number repaired or replaced and sealed
32
Number not reported ready for sealing
18
Gasoline Station Tests:
Total number of calls
150
Number of different stations
109
Number of call backs to stations previously inspected.
73
Total number of gallons of gas drawn for tests
6427
Average gallons of gas drawn per pump.
297
Number of pumps sealed.
274
Number of pumps N. S.
23
Number of Pumps C D.
0
Total number of oil pumps.
507
Number of oil pumps sealed
64
Number of oil pumps non-sealed.
443
Summary of tests and inspections:
Total Number
Correct
Under
Over
Loaves of Bread
195
102
25
68
Packages of Butter
142
137
5
0
Coal in paper bags
80
47
19
14
Coal in Transit.
14
3
2
9
Confectionery
88
78
10
0
Dry Commodity
1515
1195
313
7
Bags of Flour
112
75
35
2
Fruits and Vegetables
385
239
120
26
Ice
4
3
1
0
Meats and Provisions
249
159
70
20
Total.
2784
2038
600
146
211/2
Total number of pumps inspected.
287
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Other Inspections :
Marking of Food Packages. 471
Marking of Bread 194
Paper or Fibre Cartons 150
Milk Jars
600
Wholesale Milk Cans
1130
Metal Ice Cream Containers
170
Taximeters
54
Miscellaneous :
Complaints Investigated
7
Total Number Licenses Issued
283
Court Cases 1
Amount paid City Treasurer for Pedlers' Licenses $915.00
Amount paid City Treasurer as Sealing Fees.
960.28
The reduction in revenue derived from Pedlers' Licenses was due to the fact that a number of Pedlers' took out State Licenses. This was caused by several nearby cities and towns increasing their license fees from $5 to $27.
B. S. ABBOTT,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
288
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
Somerville, Mass.,
January 1, 1928.
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville.
Gentlemen :-
I most respectfully submit my nineteenth annual report as Commissioner of Electric Lines and Lights for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Inspection of Wiring in Buildings
The work of the inspection department has been ma- terially increased owning to the large number of electrical in- stallations for light. heat and power.
The use of electrical appliances in the home and in busi- ness has necessitated a large number of inspections owing to the connecting of many of these appliances not up to standard requirements.
All kinds of devices both approved and unapproved are on the market and are sold to the public to be attached to lighting circuits without regard for safety or practical use.
Radio equipment of all kinds are found connected with no attention being paid to insurance or City rules governing same.
Numerous complaints have been received of unlicensed electricians doing work which has given a great amount of trouble the result being that such work has to be done over to avoid chances of fire.
The home electrician is another source of trouble and danger and several fires may be traced to wiring done with all kinds of wire fastened in place by tacks and nails con- nected to cheap and unapproved devices.
289
ELECTRIC LINES AND LIGHTS
Overloading of circuits by the use of washing machines, cooking untensils, table and reading lamps cause the pro- tective fuses to be burned out which are generally replaced by larger and improper ones.
Separate circuits are required for such appliances.
Permits must be secured before any electrical work can be done by any person and it is urged that no work be ac- cepted or paid for until inspected and approved.
Number of notifications of new work. 2900
Number of inspections of new work. 4445
Number of re-inspections of new work 867
Number of inspections of old work
75
Number of defective installations of old work
50
Number of defective installations remedied
40
Number of re-inspections of old work.
20
Total number of inspections.
5407
Number of permits issued to the Edison Electric Illum-
inating Co. for installing maters, lamps, etc. 3428
Fire Alarm System
The Fire Alarm System is in excellent condition but some of the older apparatus should be replaced.
292 bell alarms have been received and transmitted dur- ing the year.
614 telephone calls for fire were received and fire de- partment sent.
3 A. D. T. alarms were received and transmitted.
The central office equipment consists of the following :-
2- 6 circuit operating boards.
1- 5 circuit tapper board.
1- 5 circuit gong board.
2-16 circuit storage battery charging boards.
1-32 circuit protecter board.
1-12 circuit automatic repeater.
1- 1 dial 4 number manual transmitter.
2- 5 circuit punching registers.
13 punching registers and take up reels.
2 automatic time and date stamps.
1 master clock.
.950 cells storage battery.
5 10 foot 4 shelf battery racks.
4 metropolitan tappers and 2 gongs.
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