USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1951 > Part 19
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The importance of the Public Library cannot be overem- phasized for it recognizes no barriers. People, regardless of their station in life, seek the Library for knowledge, adventure, entertainment and relaxation. It is an institution in which the community should be greatly interested and one to which it should look with pride and admiration. The rapid progress of the Library to the present time has been due in no small measure to the improvement of cultural institutions and the expansion of popular education through the tax-supported public school.
Our Central Library Building stands as a monument to the philanthropic spirit of Mr. Andrew Carnegie. It was he who contributed the sum of $80,000 toward its construction. Som- erville may well be proud of this Library and the invaluable service which it has rendered since 1917. The West Somerville Branch located on College Avenue, the East Branch on lower Broadway and the Teele Square Branch which is rapidly ex- panding, are fulfilling the requirements of their areas. There is, however, a definite need for improvement in the Ten Hills and Union Square Stations. These units at the present time are most inadequate.
There is considerable merit in the proposal by my distin- guished predecessors, Mr. John Griffin and Mr. William Donovan, in which they suggest a memorial to the memory of the departed heroes of Somerville. At the present time, a
302
ANNUAL REPORTS
Branch Library is needed in the Union Square section. Such a building, erected and dedicated to our heroic dead, would be a most fitting memorial to their memory. Branch Libraries in the Spring Hill and Magoun Square sections would also serve a definite purpose.
Mayor John M. Lynch, the Honorable Board of Aldermen, and the Building Commissioner have been most co-operative with the Board of Trustees in effecting definite improvements. For example, new main doors are being installed in the Central Library and the interior of this building is being redecorated. Plans have been formulated for increasing the area of the Teele Square Station. In recognition of faithful and untiring service, increases have been granted to the Library staff. Recognition of this splendid corps of workers has increased considerably as evidenced by the progressive and stimulating system now in operation. These are merely a few of the many accomplishments which reflect credit upon the Librarian, the Board of Trustees and others associated with the Library.
Mr. John D. Kelley, our Librarian, deserves a singular tribute, as a gentleman and exemplar of lofty ideals. His devo- tion to duty and his unselfish sacrifice to attain for Somerville a Public Library organization of exceptionally high merit, motivates his every thought and action. I consider it a privilege to state that Mr. John D. Kelley is one for whom we hold boundless admiration.
Although my term as President of the Board of Trustees has now expired, I shall continue to retain pleasant memories of the splendid assistance and co-operation rendered by my colleagues. To each, I express sincere gratitude. With pleas- ure, I extend to my able and honored successor, Mr. Walter J. Avery, best wishes for continued success.
In conclusion, it has been my happy privilege to serve as President of the Board of Trustees. I shall ever treasure the pleasure of my association with this excellent Board, the Librarian, and the capable, co-operative Library Staff.
Sincerely,
GEORGE K. COYNE, President
303
PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Board of Trustees:
As one reviews the statistics of the Library for the year 1951 the decrease in circulation might be visualized with some degree of trepidation as to the effectiveness of the Library in our community. Upon analysis a very definite trend is obvious, with a complete reversal taking place starting with the month of October and continuing throughout the closing months of the year. The tremendous impact of television upon the read- ing habits of our patrons has apparently reached its saturation point with the public becoming more selective in their pro- graming thereby affording an opportunity to enjoy the pleasure of a book. One fact which appears to be universally evident is the marked decline in the reading of books of fiction. Though in general the seriousness of the world conditions has its ef- fects upon the recreational activities of the public, it is my firm conviction that the type of books of fiction published today is the major cause for the lack of interest. To further substantiate my opinion, an editorial by Amy Loveman, Asso- ciate Editor of the Saturday Review of Literature, in the De- cember 8th issue, entitled "Fiction Rides the Toboggan" presents the situation most emphatically. She wrote in part, "That American fiction is at present in the doldrums is borne out anew by the announcement that Harper's $10,000 Prize Novel Contest, the largest in American publishing, is for the first time since it was initiated, not to be awarded this year. Of the more than 600 entries none was regarded by the judges as worthy of selection and of them all only two were deemed by the publishers to merit acceptance for publication.
The decline in the prestige of the novel has been manifest for some time to the observers of the literary scene, who have been both troubled and perplexed by the obvious lack of dis- tinction of most of the fiction which has recently been pro- duced. At a time when the world is electric with excitement, and when human conduct and human relationship are of overweening importance, the novel, mirror of life and society, has increasingly lost power and influence.
There is to be sure, plenty of realism in its portrayal, an outspokeness on subjects of sex and behavior which a half century ago would have shocked even the most broadminded; but its criticism of life and reflection of the pageant of living
304
ANNUAL REPORTS
is lacking in both eloquence and strength. With few exceptions the Second World War and the postwar period have produced little work of striking character, nothing commensurate in energy and emotional impact with that fiction of the Twenties which impregnated the era succeeding the First World War with new insight and points of view. Fiction today is dismal when then it was incandescent; it is disillusioned without the compensating crusading ardor which the earlier period knew, and, as a result it all too often wears the aspect of defeatism.
Sex and sex perversions, the brutalities of the battlefield and the barracks, the crude and reckless craving for the titilla- tion of the senses obsess many of the more serious novelists of the day. It is a narrow world they mirror, and intensely ingrown and chaotic one, often an exhibitionist and sensational world. Pleasantness has passed out of their work. Small wonder that the reading public finds little solace for its own problems and dubieties in the novel."
From the dearth of good fiction with the subsequent drop in circulation in this classification it might appear that the amount of work in our various departments should naturally decrease. To the contrary, as it is our experience that the pub- lic, better acquainted with the services offered by the library have availed themselves of the opportunity. The Reference Department has had its busiest year, not only answering the ordinary run of the day questions but also devoting many hours of research to provide information for more profound requests. Because of the increased demands upon this department it was necessary to re-arrange the book stacks in Wellington Hall to enlarge the Reference Section and even with this additional space we find, at times, our facilities taxed to the limit.
As predicted last year, the Musical Record Department has proven the value of this important service. The circulation of records during the past year exceeded the previous year by over 2000 with the prospect of even greater circulation with additions to our collection.
The care and interest of the public in the handling and use. of records far exceeds our expectations with damage at a mini- mum and the use of the listening rooms at a premium. The records have tremendously increased the circulation of musi- cal scores and books on musical subjects. To increase our storage capacity a new cabinet for records is being constructed by the Building Department which will give us opportunity to. increase our collections.
305
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Much has been accomplished during the year through the cooperation of Mr. Edward Moynihan, Building Commissioner to refurbish the Central Library interior. The Children's Li- brary, School Room, Catalogue Room, Bindery and Librarian's Office have been repainted and adequate lighting facilities in- stalled. Mr. Moynihan has under consideration, a lighting project for Wellington Hall and the Children's Library which if completed will alleviate a very unhappy situation. In the closing months of the year a transfer from the surplus in our salary account was made to the Building Department for new doors for the Central Library. It is expected that in the early spring the heavy bronze doors will be replaced.
Though the lease on the quarters housing the Union Square Station has expired, no definite decision has been made as to its relocation because of the dearth of satisfactory loca- tions in this area. We trust this most unwholesome condition will be corrected during the current year.
With the Opening of the Veterans Housing Project on Mystic Avenue we find that in a very short time our facilities at the Ten Hills Station will be inadequate to meet the large increase in population in this section. Larger quarters are needed at Teele Square to meet the demands of the students at St. Clement's High School, the new Matignon High School and the Western Junior High School plus the large population increase created by the growing families of the Clarendon Hill Veterans Housing Project. In short our great problem appears to be the result of a shift in population from one section of the city to another.
We still face the difficulty of recruiting new members of the staff. Though our salary scale has been increased in recent years, the financial inducements cannot compete with our neighboring library systems, business, and the school depart- ment. At the present writing, with two positions provided in the budget and two more vacancies due to a resignation and a retirement we close the year with no applicants. The serious- ness of the situation can better be appreciated when we realize that each year we continue to lose those more experi- enced in years and service and many of the recruits we gain lack in maturity and education. Unfortunately the recommen- dations of the Board of Trustees for increments to encourage study by our staff has not received administration's approval with the result, that those who through their own efforts and financial expense continue their education leave our system because of the larger salaries paid by other libraries.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
A situation prevalent in our community which is worthy of serious contemplation by the Board of Trustees is the future of Somerville Historical Society. Age and the changing population of our city are fast limiting the membership of this organiza- tion. Higher maintenance costs and the decrease in member- ship is slowly placing this Society in a precarious position. The wealth of historical material pertaining to Somerville owned by this group must be preserved and made available for the edu- cational as well as the historical benefit of our citizenry. A joint committee of the Board of Trustees of the Somerville Public Library and the Historical Society would be the logical custodians of this material with the City of Somerville assum- ing the maintenance responsibility of the building. In our humble opinion the day is not far distant when some decision must be determined as to the future occupancy of the building and the disposition of the collection.
Changes in the staff during the year were as follows:
APPOINTMENTS
George F. Hickey, Jr. First Assistant
A. Marion Johnian Junior Assistant-1st. Year
Ethel Mullaney Junior Assistant-1st. Year
M. Louise Ross Junior Assistant-1st. Year
John W. Patten
Junior Assistant-Ist. Year
Clara L. Osgood
Junior Assistant-1st. Year
Katharine V. Nolan
Junior Assistant-1st. Year
Barbara A. Murphy
Junior Assistant- -1st. Year
Alice P. Burkhart
Junior Assistant-1st. Year
Marion Reppucci Non-Professional
Anna I. Marchesani
Non-Professional
PROMOTIONS
Rita F. Brunet
Senior Assistant-1st. Year
1. Marguerite Sawin
Senior Assistant-1st. Year
Joan E. Brunet
Junior Assistant-3rd. Year
Constance R. McGrath
Junior Assistant-3rd. Year
Marion E. Griffin
Junior Assistant-3rd. Year
Marilyn F. Legere
Junior Assistant-3rd. Year
Catherine M. O'Malley
Junior Assistant-2nd. Year
Anne J. Durkin
Junior Assistant-2nd. Year
RESIGNATIONS
Mary F. Warren due to her marriage Katherine J. White upon reaching the compulsory retirement age.
To the members of our staff I am grateful for their con- 'scientious efforts in behalf of the library system.
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PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Board of Trustees your understanding appreciation and cooperation in solving our many administrative problems are a source of gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. KELLEY, Librarian
308
ANNUAL REPORTS
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
City: Somerville County: Middlesex State: Massachusetts
Name of Library: The Public Library of the City of Somerville
Date of Founding: 1872
Name of Librarian: John D. Kelley
Report for the Fiscal year ending: December 31, 1951
Governmental unit of support and service: City
Population served (1945 U. S. Census) 105,883
Terms of use: Free for lending-Free for reference
Agencies: Central Library 1
Branches, in library buildings
2
Stations, in rented rooms
3
Others, in school rooms
238
in institutions 10
Total
254
CIRCULATION AND USE
Number of volumes of adult non-fiction lent for home use
46,923
Number of volumes of adult fiction lent for home use
93,049
Number of volumes of juveniles lent for home use 185,616
Total number of volumes lent for home use
325,588
Period of loan for the majority of adult book stock
14 days
Number of inter-library loans: Volumes lent
41
Volumes borrowed
33
Number of reference questions answered
12,027
REGISTRATION
Adults
Juvenile
Total
Total number of registered borrowers
8,713
6,787
15,500
Borrowers registered during year
4,088
3,703
7,691
Registration period: 2 years
BOOK STOCK
Adults
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes December 1950
92,652
40,591
133,243
Number of volumes added during year
4,000
4,499
8,499
Number of volumes withdrawn during year ..
6,071
5,797
11,868.
Number of volumes December 1951
90,581
39,293
129,874
Number of newspapers currently received excluding duplicates ....
9
Number of periodicals currently received excluding duplicates .....
179
FINANCE
Assessed valuation of city - $121,272,200.00
309
RECEIPTS
Local taxation: Library Department Fines included in above
$3,358.09
Invested Funds: Balance from 1950
Income during 1951
$1,961.42 484.64
2,446.07
TOTAL
$135,113.72
EXPENDITURES
Salaries: Library Department
$104,145.54
Books: Appropriation
Books
$14,033.86
Music
564.83
Funds:
Books
321.05
Music
32.27
14,952.01
Periodicals
985.45
Binding
760.67
Insurance
1,162.42
Other operating expenses
5,620.52
TOTAL
$127,626.61
TRANSFERS TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS
From Library Department Appropriation to
School Teacher's Salaries Account ..
$3,000.00
To Public Buildings Department Maintenance Municipal Building,
Special Item Account
2,500.00
5,500.00
BALANCES December 31, 1951
Library Department:
Appropriation Services
$107.61
Ordinary Maintenance
12.00
Trust Funds
1,867.50
1,987.11
$135,113.72
..
PUBLIC LIBRARY
$132,667.65
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ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
-
Hon. John M. Lynch Mayor of Somerville
January 1, 1952.
My dear Mr. Mayor:
During the year 1951 new oil burners were installed in the Cutler School, Glines School and the Northeastern Junior High School. New toilets were installed in the Brown and Knapp Schools.
The following pages contain a list of the general repairs done in school and municipal buildings for the year 1951.
Baxter School
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Installed new window cords
Washed and painted ceilings and walls in boys' toilets
Repaired furniture
Repaired locks and hardware
Drilled holes for inkwells
Replaced two toilets General plumbing repairs
Electrical repairs
Installed new wiring for clocks
Steamfitters repairs '
Bennett School
Set glass Installed window cords
Washed and painted ceilings and walls
Steamfitting repairs
Installed linoleum
Repaired link fence General plumbing repairs Hung fire doors Sanded floors Repaired oil burner
311
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Bingham School
Set glass
Installed window cords
Repaired leaks in roof
General plumbing repairs Repaired oil burner Steamfitter repairs
Electrical repairs
Brown School
Set glass Installed window cords
Repaired roof
Installed new toilets for boys
Washed and painted ceilings and walls
Repaired doors and locks on same
Repaired furniture
Steamfitting repairs
General electrical repairs
Burns School
Set glass
Installed window cords
General electrical repairs
Steamfitting repairs Repaired and adjusted oil burner
Carr School
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Repaired and adjusted oil burner
Repaired roof
General electrical repairs
Steamfitting repairs
Plumbing repairs
Sanded desks and chairs
Drilled holes for inkwells
Cummings School
Set glass Installed new window cords
General plumbing repairs
Cut in new window Installed hand rails
Repaired locks and door checks
General electrical repairs
Steamfitters repairs
Cutler School
Set glass Installed window cords Washed and painted ceilings and walls Sanded floors Two new oil burners added General plumbing repairs General steamfitters repairs
312
ANNUAL REPORTS
Durell School
Set glass
Installed new window cords
Repaired and adjusted oil burner
Steamfitters repairs
General electrical repairs
Repaired doors, panic locks, keys, etc.
General plumbing repairs
Forster Annex
Set glass
Installed new window cords
Installed clock
General electrical repairs
Plaster repairs General plumbing repairs
Steamfitters repairs
Forster School
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Installed new window cords
Repaired roof and skylight
Installed new wash basins in girls' basement
General plumbing repairs
Steamfitters repairs
Mason repairs Installed new hot water system for kindergarten
Plaster repairs in boys' toilet
General electrical repairs
Glines School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords
Installed new oil burner
Steamfitters repairs General electrical repairs
General plumbing repairs
Repairs to furniture and doors
Grimmons School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords Cut in new window Renewed grates in boiler General steamfitting repairs General plumbing repairs
Hanscom School
Set glass Repaired doors, windows and locks General plumbing repairs Steamfitters repairs Electrical repairs
313
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
High School
Set glass
Installed new window cords
Repaired furniture
Repaired bleachers and wooden floor to gymnasium
Installed large window in Auditorium
Set tile Repaired linoleum Hung doors and repaired locks
Painted cafeteria, girls' toilets and boys' toilets
Repaired ventilators on roof
Washed walls and ceilings in School Committee Office and gymnasium Plaster repairs on ceilings and walls
General electrical repairs
Genral plumbing repairs Mason repairs
Highland School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords
Repaired and adjusted oil burner
Carpenter repairs
Electrical repairs
Steamfitting repairs
Mason repairs
Hodgkins School
Set glass Installed new window cords
Repaired roof and conductor pipes
General electrical repairs
Painted walls and ceilings in Clinic
General plumbing repairs
Knapp School
Set glass Sanded floors and painted lines on same
Repair to roof
Installed new toilets
General plumbing repairs
General electrical repairs
Mason repairs on steps Repaired doors
Steamfitting repairs
Lowe School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords Plaster repairs Steamfitters repairs Repaired iron gate and fence Put new collar on gravel roof General electrical repairs Repaired and adjusted oil burner
Repaired doors and locks
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Morse School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords Laid new linoleum Put up basket ball backboards Washed walls and ceilings
Plaster repairs Made new teachers room from stockroom
General electrical repairs
General plumbing repairs
Steamfitters repairs Repaired roof Repairs to doors and windows Furniture repairs
New Vocational School
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Installed new window cords
Repaired and adjusted stoker
General plumbing repairs Connected four new gas stoves
General electrical repairs
Painted walls and ceilings Erected new cement steps in school yard Plaster repairs
Northeastern Junior High
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Installed new window cords One additional oil burner installed
Renovated Johnson System General steamfitters repairs General electrical repairs Furniture repairs New sink installed in Art Room
Five new gas stoves installed Plaster repairs
Perry School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords Adjusted and repaired oil burner
Repaired and pointed brick basement walls Repaired doors and locks Plumbing repairs
Steamfitters repairs
Prescott School
Set glass and reputtyed Installed new window cords Repaired roof Painted ceilings, walls and blackboards
315
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Repaired potato peeler and dishwashing machine General electrical repairs Repaired wire fence and hand rail Adjusted and repaired oil burner General plumbing repairs Repaired window grilles
Proctor School
Set glass General plumbing repairs Repaired wire fence and hand rail
General electrical repairs
Steamfitters repairs
Southern Junior High School
Set glass and reputtyed sash
Installed new window cords
Repaired furniture
Repaired locks and doors General plumbing repairs
Laid cement floor and cut out brick wall
Mason repairs to steps and walk
Repaired roof Washed and painted first floor
General steamfitting repairs
General electrical repairs
Southworth Building
Set glass Installed new window cords
Built new incinerators
Put up blackboards and painted same
Painted outside doors Repaired doors and locks
New flue pipes installed
General steamfitting repair
General electrical repairs General plumbing repairs
Western Junior High School
Set glass and reputtyed sash Installed new window cords Repaired and painted roof Erected cement steps in boiler room Bricked up basement windows Repaired doors and locks Cut holes for inkwells General steamfitting repairs Installed flourescent lights in Carpenter shop General electrical repairs General plumbing repairs
316
ANNUAL REPORTS
New kindergarten tables and chairs were installed in the following schools: Prescott, Bennett, Baxter, Perry, Cummings, Carr, Edgerley, Glines, Grimmons, Forster, Bingham, Morse, Brown, Highland, Hodgkins and Cutler.
Chaise lounges were installed in the Morse, Cummings and High Schools.
Bow St. Municipal Building
Set glass Installed new window cords
General steamfitting repairs
Roof repairs
Installed exhaust fan
Plumbing repairs
Electrical repairs
Central Library
Set glass Repaired linoleum
Washed and painted ceilings and walls and varnished woodwork
General steamfitting repairs
Installed new flourescent lighting Plumbing repairs
Repaired and rebound books
City Hall
Carpenter repairs on locks, cabinets, etc.
General electrical repairs
Painted A.D.C. office
Set glass
Repaired linoleum
Replaced window cords
Installed exhaust fan in basement
General plumbing repairs
Relocated lights in Treasurer's office
Repaired clock in tower
City Home
Set glass Replaced window cords
Repairs to furniture
Installed new chapel
Repaired mangle
Erected clothes pole and lines
General plumbing repairs
Put on new roof Installed underground garbage containers
General steamfitting repairs
Repairs to fence Cleaned and repaired oil burner
Dilboy Field House
Repaired bleachers Repairs to cement floor Steamfitting repairs Plumbing repairs
317
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Engine No. 1
Washed and painted ceilings and walls Repaired roof Stoker repairs Set glass Plumbing repairs
Electrical repairs Steamfitting repairs Repaired linoleum
Engine No. 2
Set glass Plumbing repairs Repairs to overhead doors Stoker repairs Repairs to clock
Engine No. 3
Set glass Installed new window cords
Repaired linoleum
Stoker repairs
Plumbing repairs
Electrical repairs
Engine No. 4
Set glass Stoker repairs Electrical repairs
Steamfitting repairs
Plumbing repairs
Engine No. 5
Stoker repairs Electrical repairs Steamfitting repairs
Engine No. 6
Stoker repairs Plumbing repairs Electrical repairs Set glass New window cords installed
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