USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1930 > Part 23
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77
Property found, no value given
77
Robbery and attempts to rob
23
Runaway children found
8
Runaway horses captured
1
Sidewalks and streets dangerous from snow and ice
61
Sudden deaths
21
Suspicious persons
84
Stray bullets
10
Stray dogs and other animals
186
Lost children found
330
Fires, needless alarm for
345
CHIEF OF POLICE
Stray dogs and other animals found 11
Street lights reported
1,280
Sidewalks, streets and cellars flooded
3
Summons served for witnesses and defendants to ap- pear in court in other places
1,710
Threats
0
Tree dangerous
31
Trespass
38
Violations of city ordinances
163
Water pipes leaking
107
Windows broken
46
346
ANNUAL REPORTS
OFFICIAL ROSTER OF DEPARTMENT
Chief of Police Thomas Damery
Captains
1-Michael T. Kennedy
2-John A. Ray
3-Ernest Howard 4-Charles J. Sharry
Lieutenants
1-James M. Harmon
2-William G. Kenney
3-Thomas P. Walsh 4-Robert T. Blair
5-Augustine J. Fitzpatrick
Sergeants
1-Frank H. Graves 5-John J. Killourhy
2-James M. Lynch
6-Thomas M. Sharry
3-Charles J. Fulton
7-Augustine F. Sharry
4-Daniel M. O'Connell 8-Joseph A. Dwyer
9-Hugh R. Cunningham
Patrolmen
1-Samuel Burns 31-Michael J. O'Loughlin
2-John A, Dadmun
32-Charles W. Shepherd
3-George L. Rice 33-John J. Shay
4-Myron S. Gott 34-Edward G. Butman
5-Henry A. Sudbey
35-John P. L. O'Keefe
36-Alfred E. Robitaille
37-Allan S. Burns
38-William H. Donovan 39-George R. Allan
40-Jeremiah Keniry
41-Edward F. Culliton
42-Alfred J. McFadden
43-James A. Fitzpatrick 44-Elmer E. G. Raymond 14-Walter Reed 15-Dennis G. Mulqueeney
16-Patrick J. Doolin
17-Edward J. Hopkins
18-Patrick McGrath
19-Bernard McCabe
20-Harry C. Young
21-Robert D. Dewar
22-Peter Moore 23-Albert Hawes
24-Walter C. Oesting
25-John L. Cameron 26-Francis P. Higgins 27-John J. McCahey
28-Alexander Morrison
29-Jeremiah O'Connor 30-Timothy Buckley
46-Chester F. Warner 47-George D. MacDonald 48-Charles F. Lacey
49-William E. Dwyer
50-Charles H. McAvoy 51-James F. Holmes 52-Earl W. Elliott 53-Michael J. Dowd, Jr. 54-Patrick J. Lyons
55-Thomas A. Donovan 56-Thomas J. Flanagan 57-Timothy J. Corkery 58-Henry W. Roche 59-John H. Baker 60-John J. Courtney
ยท
6-Thomas F. McNamara
7-Charles S. Johnson
8-Claude L. Crossman 9-John J. Cummings
10-Edmund J. Keane
11-Dennis Downey
12-George A. C. Peters
13-Louis J. Belzarini
45-Frank J. Roche
347
CHIEF OF POLICE
61-Pierce P. Ronayne
97-Thomas F. Galvin
62-Joseph P. Blake
98-Walter L. McDonough
63-Frank A. Silver, Jr.
99-John H. Mckenzie
64-Dennis F. Kearney 100-William R. Burnett
65-LeRoy V. Pierce
101-Alfred J. Carey
66-John J. Smith
102-William J. Baird
67-Francis R. Begley
68-Francis X. Cavanaugh
69-Joseph F. Small
105-James G. Hourihan
70-Edward F. Forristall
106-William H. Griffin
71-August Cidado
107-William E. Johnson
72-James Souza
108-Ludwig Nelson
73-Garnet L. Reid
109-John J. Hagerty
74-Jeremiah F. Donovan
110-George H. Strangman
75-Daniel J. Riley
111-George Gullage, Jr.
76-George R. Estee, Jr.
112-Thomas F. Mahoney
113-Cornelius T. Begley
114-Edward A. May
115-Edward L. Berg
80-Stephen D. McDonald
81-Patrick F. O'Brien
82-Jeremiah G. Sheehan
118-Joseph G. Crowley
84-Daniel F. McAuliffe
120-Ernest J. Lenhart
85-George B. Phillips
121-John K. Barrett
86-Ricco J. Rossi
122-Frederick W. McGovern
87-John J. Cronin
123 -- George W. Crosby
88-John M. Dunleavey
124-John E. Hughes
89-Harold L. Coffey
125-Edward J. Kiley
91-James M. Powers
127-Lester A. Caswell
92-Cornelius P. Canavan
128-Jeremiah G. Brennan 129-Francis L. Rogers
93-George W. McCauley
94-Garret F. J. Mehigan
130-John H. O'Brien
95-Daniel J. O'Connell
131-John T. Powers
96-Arthur W. Kelley
132-John E. Dillaway
133-Thomas J. Flemming
Matron Mina T. Weeks
Assistant Matron Ida M. Justice
Pensioners Retired on Half Pay
Ira S. Carlton, patrolman
May 9, 1907
James J. Pollard, patroiman
Feb. 27, 1908
Herbert Hilton, patrolman Dec. 21, 1911
George H. Carlton, sergeant Mar. 27, 1914
Jacob W. Skinner, patrolman Dec. 31, 1917
Elmer E. Drew, patrolman Ernest S. Goff, patrolman July 11, 1919
July 25, 1918
Charles W. Allen, patrolman
Mar. 26, 1920
June 24, 1921
Charles E. Woodman, lieutenant Frederick G. Jones, patrolman Feb. 9,1923
Hudson M. Howe, patrolman
Sept. 24, 1925,
116-Cornelius Aucoin
117-Leo C. Reardon
83-John J. Gallagher
119-William J. Fitzgerald
90-Joseph F. Curran
126-John T. Mahood
77-John J. Brosnahan 78-George Spiers 79-Charles W. Ellis
103-Joseph F. Fedele 104-William F. Blake
348
ANNUAL REPORTS
Charles W. Reick, patrolman
June 25, 1927
Frank C. Hopkins, patrolman Edward M. Davies, patrolman
June 25, 1927
Sept. 23, 1927
Sept. 28, 1927
Dec. 17, 1928
Dec. 12, 1929
Walter L. Groves, patrolman
Oct. 6, 1930
Louis F. Arnold, patrolman
Oct. 18, 1930
Theodore E. Heron, patrolman Edward M. Carter, patrolman Charles A. Kendall, chief
349
CHIEF OF POLICE
CHANGES IN THE FORCE
Retirement
Walter L. Groves retired and placed on pension October 6, 1930. Louis F. Arnold retired and placed on pension October 18, 1930.
Deaths
Retired pensioner, Frank C. Hopkins, died November 8, 1930. Retired pensioner, Daniel G. Simons, died May 13, 1930. -
Promotions
Augustine J. Fitzpatrick, promoted to lieutenant, January 23, 1930. Hugh R. Cunningham, promoted to sergeant, March 13, 1930.
Appointments
Thomas F. Mahoney, appointed patrolman Jan. 9,1930
Cornelius T. Begley, appointed patrolman Jan. 9,1930
Edward A. May, appointed patrolman Jan. 9,1930
Edward L. Berg, appointed patrolman Jan. 9,1930
Cornelius Acoin, appointed patrolman Jan. 9,1930
Jan. 9,1930
Leo C. Reardon, appointed patrolman Joseph J. Crowley, appointed patrolman April 24, 1930
April 24, 1930
William J. Fitzgerald, appointed patrolman Ernest J. Lenhart, appointed patrolman April 24, 1930 John K. Barrett, appointed patrolman April 24, 1930 Frederick W. McGovern, appointed patrolman April 24, 1930 George W. Crosby, appointed patrolman Sept. 2,1930 John E. Hughes, appointed patrolman Sept. 2, 1930 Edward J. Kiley, appointed patrolman Sept. 2,1930 John T. Mahood, appointed patrolman Sept. 2,1930 Lester A. Caswell, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930 Jeremiah G. Brennan, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930 Francis L. Rogers, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930 John H. O'Brien, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930 John F. Powers, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930 John E. Dillaway, appointed patrolman Dec. 23, 1930
Thomas J. Fleming, appointed patrolman
Dec. 23, 1930
POLICE SIGNAL SERVICE
Number of duty calls made by the officers and patrolmen 290,222 Telephone calls made by the officers and patrolmen 69,102
White Combination Ambulance and Patrol Service
Number of runs made conveying prisoners to the station 1,053
Number of prisoners conveyed 1,193
Number of sick and injured conveyed 50
Number of miles run, conveying prisoners, sick, injured, etc. 5,040.5
350
ANNUAL REPORTS
Reo Combination Ambulance and Patrol Service
Number of runs made in conveying prisoners to the station .. ...
24
Number of prisoners conveyed 24
Number of sick and injured conveyed 548
Number of miles run conveying prisoners, sick, injured, etc ..... 2,906.3
Touring Car Reports
Number of prisoners conveyed to the station
8
Number of sick and injured conveyed 11
Cadillac Ambulance Service
Number of runs made conveying sick, injured, etc.
435
Number of miles run conveying sick, injured, etc 1872
351
CHIEF OF POLICE
REPORT OF POLICE MATRON
THOMAS DAMERY, Chief of Police, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
The following is the report of those committed to my care during the year ending December 31, 1930.
Arson
1
Abandonment of minor child
1
Assault and battery
10
Breaking glass
1
Common brawler
1
Concealing leased property
1
Disturbing peace
2
Drunkenness
32
Fornication
1
Fraud conveying real estate
1
Idle and Disorderly
1
Infanticide
1
Injury personal property
1
Keeping disorderly house
1
Larceny
19
Lewdness
1
Lewd and lascivious cohabitation
7
Lost children
35 2
Neglect of parent
1
Operating auto under influence of liquor
2
Runaway
2
Safe-keeping
8
Stubborness
6
Unlawful apporpriation of auto
1
Unlawful use of electricity
1
Uttering indictments
3
Violation liquor law
14
Violation motor law
2
Violation Parole Law
1
Warrants
Respectfully submitted,
MINA T. WEEKS,
Matron Police Department.
Neglected children
352
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE LIQUOR SQUAD
THOMAS DAMERY, Esquire Chief of Police, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit a report of the activities engaged in by the Liquor Squad from January 1, 1930 to December 31, 1930 inclusive.
Arrests
Drunkenness
28
Violation of Liquor Laws
99
Violation of Automobile Laws
1
Violation of Gaming Laws
4
Warrants served
6
Assault and Battery on a police officer
2
Larceny
2
Fornication
1
143
Dispositions in District Court
Liquor Fines paid
$7,450 00
All other fines
310 00
Jail sentences, No Appeal (total 7 months)
2
Jail sentences, Appealed (total 102 months)
16
Not Guilty
1
Suspended sentences (total 39 months)
7
On file
3
Default
1
Held for Grand Jury
3
Dispositions in Superior Court
Liquor Fines paid
$4,175 00
Jail sentences (total 58 months)
7
Not Guilty
7
Cases pending
3
On file
6
Dismissed
1
Samples analyzed by Department of Health
120
Complaints investigated
475
Search Warrants served
105
Gallons of liquor seized
1,977
Houses padlocked
2
Sale of junk from raids
$45 90
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. SHARRY, Captain of Police.
353
CHIEF OF POLICE
AUTOMOBILE AND TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT REPORT, 1930
THOMAS DAMERY, Esquire Chief of Police
Dear Sir :-
I herewith submit a report of the Traffic Division and the Automobile Department for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Roster
Captain in charge
1
Sergeants
1
Motorcycle officers
5
School officers
1
Officers on fixed posts
14
Relief officers
1
Officers in automobie department (one inspector of licenses)
2
Traffic Violations
Number of persons stopped for violations of automo- bile laws
1,562
Number of persons warned for violations of automo- bile laws 1,435
Number of persons arrested, and summonsed, and
convicted for violations of automobile laws ......
127
School Officers Report
Number of schools in the city visited 29
Number of talks to children in the schools
589
Number of children talked to in the schools 14,865
Automobile Accidents
Injuries to persons
806
Fatal injuries (adults 9, children 3) 12
There were 210 less injuries to persons and 4 less fatalities in which automobiles were involved than in year 1929.
Somerville with its 110,000 population is one of the most thickly congested cities of its size in the United States and the statistics of accidents in this city have been most favor- ably commented upon by the National Safety Council as well as our local safety Councils.
Under date of December 13, 1930 the United States De- partment of Commerce reports that in comparison with other
354
ANNUAL REPORTS
cities of 100,000 population, Somerville has the second lowest death rate where automobiles have been involved.
Very favorable comment has also been aknowledged by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
Automobile Department
Number of licenses granted by the Board of Aldermen for the purchase and sale of automobiles :-
First class
16
Second class 16
Third class 8
Number of purchases, sales and transfers by second hand dealers 6,721
Number of purchases, sales and transfers by in- dividuals
1,841
Number of automobiles stolen in Somerville
400
Number of automobiles stolen in Somerville and re- covered
392
Number of automobiles stolen in Somerville and not recovered
8
Number of automobiles stolen in other cities and towns and recovered in Somerville
249
Number of tags filed for violations of automobile laws 3,010
Number of investigations made for the Registrar of Motor Vehicles
660
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST HOWARD,
Captain of Police.
355
CHIEF OF POLICE
IMPROVEMENTS
There have been many changes during the year for the betterment of the department; the most important of which was the establishing of a permanent traffic division which now consists of a Captain, one Sergeant and three Patrolmen. The appointment from this division of a steady officer whose duty it is to visit the schools daily and teach safety to the school children, and in this connection we have enjoyed the hearty co-operation of the entire school authorities. The necessity for the establishing this department and the value derived therefrom may be aptly demonstrated in the fact that there has been a substantial reduction in the number of deaths from automobile accidents, and also a large reduction in the number of persons injured and the amount of property damage result- ing from automobile accidents, and the number of accidents recorded were considerable less than the previous year, and this during a year of greatly increased automobile traffic, ow- ing to Tercentenary and various other celebrations in the city.
The introduction of a New Inhalator and the training of officers to properly operate the same, the value of which was very substantionally demonstrated on our first call for the use of same, where our ambulance on June 28, responded to a call where a man on Alpine Street, had barricaded himself in his home and attempted suicide by gas poisoning, on the arrival of the officers the man had actually been unconscious for some time, and after twenty-five minutes persistent work on the part of the officers with said Inhalator, consciousness was again restored to the patient who was then rushed to a hospital and a life was saved.
The putting in service in the department of a new Cadil- lac Ambulance which is the most-up-to-date and thoroughly equipped ambulance obtainable as well as being the finest looking motor vehicle in the city, and is used exclusively for the conveyance of sick and injured persons, as a result of its use the department has received many complimentary letters and telephone calls from citizens and physicians praising the quality of service rendered by the amublance and its staff.
The introduction in the garage of new equipment for the proper care of our motor vehicles the need of such equipment having been long felt up to this year.
The furnishing of an additional automobile for the use of the Sergeants and the adjustment of their duties so that provision has been made for two Sergeants in motor cars con- stantly patrolling the city during the night shifts, thereby
356
ANNUAL REPORTS
furnishing additional protection to our citizens and their property.
And last a course of instruction and training for new men entering the department, so that they may be fitted to as- sume the duties of a police officer when they are started on police service. This very necessary instruction and training being something not afforded new men in the department up to this year.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That a modern police building be constructed to replace the present structure that is now inadequate, unsanitary and dangerous ; also a suitable garage, the present quarters being unfit for the proper housing and care of our motor equipment, same being so crowded that department cars are being ga- raged out of doors.
The installation of a system of flash lights in the various squares of the city and other points for the purpose of notify- ing officers to get in immediate touch with the police station, in cases of emergency.
I also recommend that the monument in Union Sqare be removed to some other location and a traffic tower be located on that site for the better handling of traffic in Union Spuare.
IN CONCLUSION
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the members of the City Government and the various heads of departments for their splendid co-operation and assistance rendered my de- partment during the past year, such co-operation and assist- ance being of invaluable aid to me in handling the many prob- lems of my department.
Also I wish to thank every member of my department for his loyalty and co-operation all through the year, which was one of the most trying years the department has experienced owing to the Tercentenary celebrations which involved a tre- mendous amount of extra and arduous work on the part of the entire department, to which extra demands the men as a whole responded nobly, and as a result of such attitude and assistance the department has experienced a very success- ful year from a police standpoint, and for that attitude and as- sistance, I am duly appreciative.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS DAMERY, Chief of Police.
357
PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville :
Gentlemen: The fifty-eighth annual report of the Trustees of the Public Library is herewith respectfully sub- mitted ; being the report of the librarian and tables of statis- tics of operation.
Very respectfully,
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES,
By THOS. M. DURELL, President.
358
ANNUAL REPORTS
PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
THOMAS M. DURELL, M.D., President, 1931 WILLIAM L. BARBER, Vice-President, 1931
J. FRANK WELLINGTON, 1932 ANNA J. COLL, 1933 (Deceased Oct. 25) (Appointed Dec. 16)
FRANK R. NICKERSON, 1932 ALBERT L. HASKELL, 1931
WILLIAM H. DOLBEN, 1933 REV. DAVID V. FitzGERALD, 1933 FRANK M. BARNARD, 1932
COMMITTEES
On Administration
The President, Messrs. Wellington, Haskell, and Dolben
On Books and Cataloging
The President, Messrs, Barber, Barnard, Nickerson, and Rev. D. V. FitzGerald
On Buildings and Property The President and the Vice-President
Secretary of the Board GEORGE H. EVANS
359
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY AND STAFF PERSONNEL December 31, 1930 GEORGE H. EVANS, Librarian NELLIE M. WHIPPLE, Assistant Librarian VIVIAN J. MORSE, Executive Assistant Central Library and Librarian's Office Highland Avenue and Walnut Street
GRADED SERVICE Department Heads and Special Positions
CORA B. EAMES, Reference Librarian and Second Assistant MABEL E. BUNKER, Chief Cataloger
MARY S. WOODMAN, Reviewer and Classifier
DOROTHY EMERSON KENNEDY,. Supervisor of Periodicals and Binding.
MADELEINE R. BURRILL, School Librarian MYRTLE NICHOLSON, Desk Chief
RUTH M. WOODMAN, Assistant Cataloger Supervisor of Children's Work
MILDRED A. BOWLEY, Reference Assistant ALICE HAMILTON BOYD, Children's Librarian
Senior Assistants
ESTELLE M. JONES, Circulation WINIFRED J. PEMBER, Circulation ELEANORE FLYNN, Circulation
...... .... Circulation MARION H. HANFORD, Catalog Department HELEN T. BLISH, Junior Library
Junior Assistants
Special Assistants MARGARET M. COLLINS, Administration UNETTA R. QUINN, Administration EDYTHE T. REYNOLDS, Catalog
Ungraded Service Attendants on Part Time
JAMES J. CARNEY JOHN J. COLLINS
DEXTER B. MARTIN ELEANOR SHANAHAN
360
ANNUAL REPORTS
WEST SOMERVILLE BRANCH
Established 1909
40 College Avenue
Graded Service
ESTHER M. MAYHEW, Branch Librarian DOROTHY H. TERRY, First Assistant BEATRICE M. KENNY, Children's Librarian
Senior Assistants GERTRUDE REYNOLDS, Circulation RUTH NOURBOURN, Circulation
..... ...... Circulation
Junior Assistants
..... ...
... ...
Ungraded Service Attendants on Part Time
DOLPHIE E. BERG NORMAN KNOX HELEN MERRY DONALD PERRY
DOROTHY VALENTINE
EAST SOMERVILLE BRANCH
Established 1912
Broadway and Illinois Ave.
Graded Service ELSIE K. WELLS, Branch Librarian ALICE J. UNDERWOOD, First Assistant
MARY B. BARTLETT, Children's Librarian
Senior Assistants KATHRYN KENNY, Circulation
Junior Assistants
Ungraded Service Attendants on Part Time
NELLIE M. EGAN KATHLEEN MARTIN
GERTRUDE L. WALLACE
M. KATHLEEN SCANLON ELEANOR LLOY AUDREY LANGILL
361
PUBLIC LIBRARY
UNION SQUARE BRANCH
Established 1912 Washington St. and Bonner Ave.
Graded Service
ALICE G. WORTHEN, Branch Librarian ALICE L. DELANEY, First Assistant KATHLEEN O'BRIEN, Children's Librarian
Senior Assistants
...... .. ..
...
Junior Assistants
... ... ...... .... ...... ......
Ungraded Service
Attendants on Part Time
MILDRED C. PERKINS
HELEN F. KAMMERER
WILLIAM J. O'BRIEN
ELEANOR M. MARTIN KATHLEEN SHEA THELMA L. HOWARD
WINTER HILL STATION
Established 1929
424 Broadway
RUTH H. EATON, Assistant-in-Charge
Members of the Training Class
DOROTHY E. BENJAMIN SOPHIE MARGOLIS
ELIZABETH CORBIN DOROTHY E. SEYMOUR
MARION E. SMITH
Note: For changes in staff personnel during year see Librarian's Report.
362
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees :
The fifty-eighth annual report of the Somerville Public Library, being that for the year 1930, is herewith submitted.
Detailed statements of the work of the year will be found in the appendices setting forth in statistical form the use and growth of the library. A few high points hidden in columns of figures may be mentioned. It was not to be expected that the abnormal rate of increase of 1929 would be maintained. Nevertheless there has been growth. The total number of home book loans, 573,929, is the high water mark to date, and is a per capita circulation of 5.5. 9,566 borrowers have registered during the year. Our active registration list on December 31 is 19,230, a gain in total figures of 631. The registration term of this library is two years as compared with the more usual three-year term. Such variations make comparisons of the work of different libraries difficult and misleading. The total of our registrations for the last three years is 28,165. The number of volumes added to the library is 12,834, and the withdrawals 8,258, making the total number of books on De- cember 31, 133,786. The ratio of reductions to use of books is .014. This is a reasonable figure and must be regarded as one of the items of the overhead expense, or cost of doing business.
Winter Hill Station, experimentally established in 1929, has completed its first full year. Restricted to open hours of three afternoons and one evening a week, with only one per- son in attendance in a single small room, it reports a circula- tion of 21,976, thoroughly establishing its claims for per- manency, and for a promising future. During the year the Station was moved into a more suitable room in the same house. As a step toward better service an extension of open hours and the employment of a part time attendant is now under consideration.
On April 22 regular book loan service to the staff and patients of the Somerville hospital was inaugurated. Previous attempts in this direction have been unsuccessful for lack of proper space and equipment. Suitable storage space and pro- tection for books and records is a prior condition to the suc -- cessful operation of library institutional service. The grate- ful acknowledgment of the library is due the Somerville Rotary club for the presentation of a book case and hospital book truck which have completely solved this problem. A represen- tative of the library visits the hospital on Tuesday and Fri-
363
PUBLIC LIBRARY
day afternoons. She makes the rounds of the rooms and wards bringing the books directly to the bedside on a noiseless truck. 1,143 book loans have been made to patients and hospital staff since the work began in April. It is the opinion of the Super- intendent of the hospital that the service is of marked value. We are indebted to Miss Elizabeth Reed, Librarian of the War- ren Library of the Massachusetts General Hospital, for help- ful suggestions relative to methods and the proper type of books for hospital use.
Beginning on February 2 Sunday library service was again instituted at the Central library and at the West Branch. The hours are from 2 until 9 p. m. These two build- ings are so located as to take care of the needs of the two ends of the city. It is reasonably urged that many adults, busy during the week with their usual occupations, or attending sessions of college and other advanced schools, may use the library to great advantage on Sundays. On the other hand it would seem that six days in the week are ample to supply juvenile needs. Therefore the service is planned for adult read- ers, although children coming with a serious purpose have not been turned away. There have been repeated expressions of appreciation for the opportunity for quiet study undisturbed by the natural restlessness of children. So far the experiment has been more successful than previous attempts at Sunday opening. The total attendance at the Central library has been 7,047 with a circulation of 4,770 books and a registration of 118 borrowers. At the West Somerville branch the attendance has been 4,221 with a circulation of 2,642 books and a registra- tion of 59. Undoubtedly the prevailing condition of unemploy- ment has favorably influenced Sunday attendance, as it clear- ly has that of week days. Hard times in business and industry are always busy times in the library.
Early in the year two scholarships, each entitling the holder to a year's graduate professional study in an accredit- ed library school, were offered for nation-wide competition. As a matter of local interest it seems proper to record that the successful contestant for the E. P. Dutton scholarship of $1,000 is a member of our staff, Miss Eleanore Flynn. She has elect- ed to attend the graduate School of Library Service of Colum- bia University, and this library was glad to give her a leave of absence for that purpose.
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