USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1960 > Part 6
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Year
Tax Levy
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
1951
$6,912,697
$344,000
0.50
$384,210
0.55
1952
7,290,824
323,787
0.44
385,547
0.53
1953
7,291,874
295,190
0.40
348,949
0.48
1954
8,345,268
345,124
0.41
388,839
0.47
1955
8,369,999
308,685
0.36
357,912
0.42
1956
9,380,617
363,397
0.39
413,593
0.44
1957
9,566,970
367,481
0.38
420,134
0.44
1958
10,660.091
925,508
0.87
984,254
0.92
1959
11,174,105
894,515
0.80
1,000,528
0.90
1960
12,248, 150
840,070
0.69
1,011,957
0.83
Exhibit 11 TAX LEVIES AND COLLECTIONS MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES
This Year's Levy Uncollected
All Years to Date Uncollected
Year
Tax Levy
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
1951
$ 516,519
$ 80,185
15.5
$101,096
19.6
1952
468,969
64,407
13.7
87,117
18.6
1953
538,045
105,526
19.6
133,387
24.8 17.8
1954
592,444
68,129
11.5
105,637
1955
697,502
99,287
14.2
140,107
20.1
1956
702,618
98,375
14.0
146,764
20.9
1957
956,161
192,210
20.1
256,954
26.9
1958
1,051,721
192,379
18.3
273,521
26.0
1959
924,537
214,491
23.2
319,536
34.6
1960
944,996
216,572
22.9
356,014
37.7
Note :- From 1956 to date Tax Levy includes prior year's late commitments received from Registry of Motor Vehicles.
103
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
January 1, 1961
To the Honorable, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Gentlemen:
We respectfully submit the following, which is a summary of the work of the department for the year 1960, as the eighty- third annual report of the Board of Health.
RECORD OF LICENSES AND PERMITS ISSUED
SLAUGHTER POULTRY - One application for a permit to slaughter poultry under the provisions of section 139a of Chapter 679 of the General Laws was received and granted.
MELT AND RENDER - Two licenses to carry on the busi- ness of melting and rendering were granted.
COLLECT GREASE - Eight applications for a permit to collect grease were received and all were granted.
MASSAGE - Eleven persons were licensed to practice massage.
BOTTLING - Four licenses to engage in the business of bottling carbonated beverages, soda water and mineral spring water were granted. A fee of twenty dollars is charged for each license, ten of which is paid to the Commonwealth.
CONVALESCENT HOMES - In accordance with Sections 71 to 73 of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, eleven applica- tions for the renewal of license to operate Convalescent or Nursing Homes for the Aged were approved and forwarded to the State Department of Public Health for licensure.
104
ANNUAL REPORTS
MORTALITY
There were 703 deaths and 22 stillbirths during the year as specified in the following tables:
Deaths at Central Hospital
92
Deaths at Somerville Hospital
185
Deaths at Home for Aged Poor (Highland Ave.)
16
Deaths at Other Institutions
79
DEATHS BY AGES
Male
Female Total
Under One Year
11
9
20
One to Five Years
2
3
5
Five to Ten Years
0
0
0
Ten to Fifteen Years
0
0
0
Fifteen to Twenty Years
0
0
0
Twenty to Thirty Years
2
3
5
Thirty to Forty Years
8
1
9
Forty to Fifty Years
16
13
29
Fifty to Sixty Years
42
19
61
Sixty to Seventy Years
94
70
164
Seventy to Eighty Years
99
102
201
Eighty to Ninety Years
60
107
167
Over Ninety Years
11
31
42
Totals
345
358
703
105
Totals
74
76
72
53
62
44
40
48
45
57
72
60
703
4
7
8
3
8
2
5
3
3
6
6
56
2. Cancer and Other Tumors
3. Rheumatism, Diseases of Nutrition, Etc.
4
4. Diseases of Blood Forming Organs ..
1
5. Chronic Poisoning and Intoxication
12
8
11
7
5
5
2
1
4
9
12
8
84
6. Diseases of the Nervous System and Sense Organs .
39
44
31
25
26
26
27
30
23
30
39
39
379
7. Diseases of the Circulatory System
9
13
10
9
9
4
5
6
7
8
10
2
92
8. Diseases of the Respiratory System
4
1
3
4
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
....
25
9. Diseases of the Digestive System ..
1
1
1
2
4
1
2
2
1
2
1
....
18
10.
Diseases of the Genito-Urinary System
11. Diseases of Pregnancy, Childbirth, Etc.
12.
Diseases of Skin and Cellular Tissue
....
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13. Diseases of the Bones and Organs of Movement
14. Congenital Malformations
12
15. Diseases Peculiar to First Year of Life
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
...
....
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....
....
....
.. ....
16. Senility
4
4
1
5
1
1
....
1
2
2
3
25
17. Violent or Accidental
1
2
18. III Defined and Unknown Causes
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
A Totals
1. Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
~ December
1
....
2
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
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....
....
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....
..
..
....
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2
....
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... .
2
3
1
....
1
3
....
1
....
...
1
-
-
BOARD OF HEALTH
1
....
1
..
2
....
1
....
....
....
106
ANNUAL REPORTS
DEATHS DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS
1951
868
8.48
1952
806
7.88
1953
799
7.63
1954
760
7.43
1955
789
8.19
1956
774
8.03
1957
702
7.28
1958
755
7.84
1959
675
6.96
1960
703
7.25
Average Death Rate per 1,000 for Ten Years ....
7.70
SPECIMENS AND SUPPLIES
Outfits for specimens to be examined for tuberculosis, diphtheria and typhoid fever, as well as biologicals may be ob- tained at the office of the Board of Health, City Hall and at the following places:
Reed Drug Co., Inc.
Davis Square
Union Square Pharmacy
23 Union Square
LePore Pharmacy
725 Broadway
Apothecary Hall
152 Highland Avenue
INSPECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Children in the first and fourth grades of the elementary schools and those in the first year of junior high and first year of senior high school are examined annually and any defects discovered are called to the attention of the parents or guardians.
Total Number
Children examined by School Physician 4493
Children examined by Family Physician 233
Parents present during examination by School Physician 151
Children referred for further diagnosis or treatment 1158
Children who completed referral with private Phy-
sician, clinic or other facility 529
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
In accordance with Section 49 of Chapter 114 of the General Laws, thirty-three persons were licensed as Funeral Directors.
NURSES
Eight nurses are employed by the Board of Health, three as Public Health Nurses and five School Nurses. The work of
107
BOARD OF HEALTH
the Public Health Nurses consists of follow-up work on tuber- culosis cases, post natal hygiene, quarantining for contagious diseases and other related duties. The reports of the School Nurses are included in the report of the School Committee while those of the Public Health Nurses are submitted in detail in subsequent pages of this report.
INFANT HYGIENE
Under the supervision of the Board, clinics have been held every Thursday, except when the days were holidays, at the Western Junior High School. The average attendance at this clinic was 3.3 and the total attendance 129.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER T. ARTHURS, M.D., Chairman MICHAEL J. DONOHUE MARIO LAMEIRAS
Board of Health
108
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Health Officer for the year 1960:
TUBERCULOSIS
There was one death in the city from tuberculosis, five died in sanatoria and three patients reported as having tuber- culosis died from other causes.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNIZATION
Clinics for the immunization of children against diph- theria, pertussis and tetanus are held on the last Wednesday of the month, throughout the year, at the Old Police Station, 50 Bow Street. Notices are sent to the parents when children reach the age of four months, advising them of the opportunity to have them immunized.
Following are the statistics on these clinics:
Total doses of vaccine administered 1009
Number who completed three doses 318
Number who received two doses 305
Number who received one dose 277
Boosters
109
POLIO INOCULATIONS
A clinic for inoculation against polio is held at the Old Police Station, 50 Bow Street, on the first Wednesday of each month. Children between the ages of four months and six years may receive inoculations at these clinics. Also clinics are held in the schools to give children who have not had any in- oculations, an opportunity to be done.
109
BOARD OF HEALTH
Following are the statistics on these clinics:
Number who received first dose
428
Number who received second dose 450
Number who received third dose
690
Fourth or booster dose
650
Totals
2218
Respectfully submitted,
WILFRID C. MACDONALD, M.D. Health Officer
110
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE HEALTH NURSES
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health
Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen:
We submit the following report of the work performed by us in infant hygiene, post natal, contagious and tuberculosis cases for the year ending December 31, 1960.
INFANT HYGIENE
There were 20 deaths of infants under one year of age during the year as shown in the following table:
Prematurity
6
Congenital Diseases
3
Pneumonia and Other Diseases 11
Total Attendance at Well Baby Clinics 129
New Registrations 50
Average Attendance
3.3
TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis (all forms) reported
26
Middlesex County Sanatorium admissions 45
North Reading State Sanatorium admissions 2
Boston Sanatorium admissions
1
Clinics are held on the first Monday of the month at the Old Police Station on Bow Street, for x-ray and examination of patients and contacts.
Total attendance at these clinics 496
Average attendance 31
AGE AND SEX OF CASES OF TUBERCULOSIS REPORTED
Male
Female
Total.
Under Fifteen Years of Age
1
1
2
Fifteen to Twenty Years of Age
0
0
0
Twenty to Thirty Years of Age
1
2
3
Thirty to Forty Years of Age
3
2
5
Over Forty Years of Age
10
6
16
Totals
15
11
26
111
BOARD OF HEALTH
RECAPITULATION OF VISITS
Infant Hygiene
3301
Tuberculosis
1666
Contagious Diseases
176
Miscellaneous
270
Totals
5413
Respectfully submitted,
MARY V. RYAN, R.N. EILEEN A. DAILY, R.N. GLADYS B. BENNETT, R.N.
112
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health
Somerville, Mass. Gentlemen:
Following is my report for the year ending December 31, 1960.
A total of 628 calls were made in connection with 314 dog bites reported during the year.
Respectfully submitted, E. WILLIAM JOHANSEN, D.V.M., Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS & PROVISIONS
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health
Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Following is a report of the work of the Division of Inspec- tion of Animals and Provisions for the year ending December 31, 1960:
Number of Establishments Visited
3841
Complaints Investigated 614
Notices Sent
80
CONDEMNATIONS
Bakery Products 184 lbs.
Fruit
145 lbs.
Canned Goods
120 misc.
Poultry
312 lbs.
Fish
42 lbs.
Meat
1472 lbs.
Cheese
17 lbs.
Butter
85 lbs.
Cookies
22 lbs.
Eggs
33 doz.
Candy
218 lbs.
Misc. Vegetables
6600 lbs.
Frozen Foods Misc. 21 pkgs.
Unusually large amount of condemnations is accounted for by lack of refrigeration in two cars of vegetables, in transit, which caused spoilage and a fire in a market which neces- sitated destroying a large quantity of meat.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS J. HAGERTY, Supervising Sanitary Inspector
113
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF DENTAL HYGIENE
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health Somerville, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I submit the following statistics as the report of the Divi- sion of Dental Hygiene for the year ending December 31, 1960.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY F. BIANCHI, D.M.D., Supervising School Dentist
1960
SCHOOL CLINIC PATIENTS
1960
OPERATIVE -CASES
Number
Examined
Old
Cases
ZU
Emergency
Special
Total
Fillings
Extractions
Cleanings
Treatments
Certificates
Granted
Patients
Extractions
Gas
January
481
121
41
4
647
592
143
81
879
75
7
13
February
377
87
34
4
502
357
106
62
639
25
7
20
March
546
127
64
3
740
666
148
96
979
95
5
19
5
April
317
78
24
0
419
402
103
42
626
46
5
14
5
May
488
140
45
4
677
579
180
76
1,001
44
4
15
4
June
283
42
14
2
341
304
65
89
453
93
4
9
4
July
SCHOOL CLINICS CLOSED SCHOOL CLINICS CLOSED
August
EXAMINING
October
10,236
EXAMINING
4
14
4
November
293
257
28
1
579
520
223
61
753
66
3
9
3
December
451
114
35
0
600
531
159
82
791
48
9
19
9
10,236 3,236
966
285
18 4,505 3,951 1,127
589 6,121
492
49
134
49
114
ANNUAL REPORTS
1
2
1
September
7 7 V ~ Anesthesia
Cases
115
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND VINEGAR CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGIST LABORATORY CITY HALL, SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
January 4, 1961
To the Board of Health Somerville, Mass. Gentlemen:
Three hundred and eighteen stores and restaurants are li- censed to sell milk, forty-one dealers are licensed to distribute milk and one hundred and twenty-five stores are registered to sell oleomargarine. Two pasteurizing plants located in Somer- ville are licensed to operate and thirty-nine plants in cities and towns adjacent to Somerville are also under the jurisdiction of the department. Three hundred and twelve stores, restaurants and distributors are licensed to sell and twenty-one dealers are licensed to manufacture frozen desserts or ice cream mix.
An average of 45,000 quarts of milk and 1,000 quarts of cream are distributed daily in Somerville.
Revenue for the department for the year was $919.00.
Samples Collected
232
Bacteriological Examinations
72
Chemical Examinations
44
Phosphatse Tests
112
Microscopic Examinations
120
Total Examinations
580
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL X. MURPHY, B.S., Milk Inspector
116
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY AND STAFF PERSONNEL December 31, 1960
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. George K. Coyne, President
January 1, 1962 1963
Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Hawver, Vice-President
Mrs. Mary A. Carr
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Garrity
Mr. Arthur G. Helmund
Mr. William H. McKenna
11
11
11
Mrs. Mary O'Hear
1962
Mrs. George J. Wyse
COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Arthur G. Helmund, Chairman
Mr. William H. McKenna
Mrs. Mary J. Noone
The President, Dr. George K. Coyne, ex-officio
The Vice-President, Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Hawver, ex-officio
COMMITTEE ON BOOKS AND CATALOGING
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas F. Garrity, Chairman
Mrs. Mary A. Carr
Mrs. Mary O'Hear
Mrs. George J. Wyse
The President, Dr. George K. Coyne, ex-officio
COMMITTEE ON BUILDING AND PROPERTY
The President and the Vice-President
SECRETARY OF THE BOARD
Mr. John D. Kelley, Librarian
ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY STAFF PERSONNEL
December 31, 1960
John D. Kelley Librarian
11
1961
Mrs. Mary J. Noone
117
PUBLIC LIBRARY
PROFESSIONAL GRADED SERVICE
John T. Mackey
Assistant Librarian
Gloria F. Stahl
Executive Assistant
Ruth Holmes
Reference Librarian
Anna E. Cullen
Chief Cataloger Supervisor of Schools
Barbara C. Niles
Desk Chief
Emma Merlini Supervisor of Periodicals and Binding
John A. McInerny
Music Librarian
Kathryn Kenny
Branch Librarian, East Branch
Mary M. Noonan
Teele Square Branch
Ruth D. Warner
11 West Branch
Barbara T. O'Neill
Union Square Branch
Lillian G. Casey
Station Executive, Ten Hills Station
Joan E. Brunet
Children's Librarian, Central Library
West Branch
East Branch
Elizabeth W. Hennigan
First Assistant, Catalog Room
Katherine V. Nolan
East Branch
Alice P. Morrill
Teele Square Branch
Thelma G. Donovan
11
Office
Margaret E. Ronayne
Union Square Branch
Margaret E. Durkin
Reference Department
Ann M. Coleman
11
Central Desk
Anne M. Russell
West Branch
Lois E. MacDonald
Senior Assistant, Periodical Department
I. Marguerite Sawin
11
Ten Hills Station
Mary F. Baker
11
Central Junior Library
Irene T. Herlihy
Hospital Department
Mary T. Sullivan Senior Assistant, 1st year, Teele Square Branch
Kathryn D. Fralick
East Branch
Margaret T. Kelly
11
West Branch
Mildred C. Murphy
11
11
11 Central Desk
Althea L. Donahue
11
11
11
Reference Department Junior Assistant
Ann Barrett
Agnes B. Killeen
Margaret A. Quigley
11
Alice E. MacLaughlin
11
Mary T. DiCecca
Mary B. Gravelle
11
Marie P. Lawless
Angelina Errico
Patricia A. Estee
Beverly A. Razzaboni
UNGRADED SERVICE - Non Professional
Patricia A. Stackpole Jean M. Wall
11
East Branch
Lillian F. Hixenbaugh
Teele Square Branch
Shirley A. McCauley
"
Rita D. Adams
118
ANNUAL REPORTS
PART TIME ATTENDANTS
Margaret J. Jones
Jean F. Madden
Clare Buckley
Therese E. Maher
Laura G. Festa
Jean L. Milewski
Paul M. Grew
Beverly A. O'Hare
Marianne C. Hall
Eleanor M. Regan
Dennis J. Kelley
Kathryn E. Rogers
Thomas B. Kelley
Ann C. Ryan
Leona P. Kierstead
Barbara A. Slattery
John Leavis
Priscilla J. Sotiros
Judith E. Luchans
Diane M. Stone
James F. McLean
RESIGNED DURING YEAR
Patricia M. Bates
Part Time Attendant 11
Helen E. Conley
Mary R. Conley
June T. Cronin
Charles V. Grew, Jr.
11
A. Marion Johnian
First Assistant, Deceased
John H. Kelley
Part Time Assistant
Judith A. Lynch
Edna F. MacDonald
Junior Assistant
Anne E. Maguire
Part Time Attendant
Ellen M. Murray
11
Mary E. Sweeney
Junior Assistant
11
David N. Sexton
11
11
11
119
PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Somerville
Dear Sirs:
The Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Somer- ville Public Library is herewith respectfully submitted and appended thereto, and forming a part of it, the Annual Report of the Librarian, which details the growth and operation of the library for the past year.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE K. COYNE,
President, Board of Trustees
120
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Board of Trustees:
1960 can be recorded as probably a year of the greatest accomplishment, and yet, as well as one of the most disap- pointing years of my experience. The highlight of the year was the enactment of a bill providing state aid for Free Public Libraries. Under the provisions of this bill Chapter 760, Section 19a - "The State Treasurer shall annually, on or before July first, pay from the proceeds of the taxation on income under Chapter 62 to each city or town certified by the Board of Library Commissioners to have met certain minimum standards of free public library service established by said board a sum of money for its free public library or libraries which shall be determined as follows :-
1) To each town having a population of less than two thousand, a sum equivalent to the amount appropriated by it for free public library service during the preceding year, but in no event more than five hundred dollars.
2) To each city and to each town having a popula- tion of two thousand or more, a sum not ex- ceeding twenty-five cents for each resident therein; provided that such city or town appro- priated during the preceding year for its free public library service at least five hundred dollars.
No city or town which appropriates for its free public library service in any one year an amount less than three dol- lars per capita of population shall receive any money under this section, if such appropriation is below the average of its appropriation for free public library services for the four years immediately preceding.
If a city or town is eligible for state aid under this section, but gives approved free public library service only for a frac- tion of the year, the amount it shall receive shall be the amount computed hereunder multiplied by such fraction.
Section 19B - The Board of Library Commissioners, in setting up minimum standards for free public library service and in certifying such libraries for aid under Section 19A shall
121
PUBLIC LIBRARY
require the filing of an annual report and shall require that such public libraries -
1) be open to all residents of the Commonwealth,
2) make no charge for normal library services,
3) be kept open a minimum number of hours per week,
4) employ a trained library worker,
5) expend a reasonable portion of the library's total budget for books and periodicals.
6) lend books to other libraries in the Common- wealth and extend privileges to the holders of cards issued by other public libraries in the Commonwealth on a reciprocal basis.
Under the provisions of this bill, Somerville, with a popu- lation of 94,697, according to the 1960 Federal census, will be eligible for a grant of $23,674.25. I am particularly concerned, for as a member of the Board of Library Commis- sioners, I do not want Somerville to default because of failure to meet the financial standards set forth by the Library Com- mission. As far as the operations of the Library are concerned, we can qualify; but if the financial obligations of the City to the Library are not met, we can not. The 1960 budget for ordinary maintenance was cut below the expenditures of 1959; and one of the essential requirements is that the current budget must not be less than the average of the four preceding years. Therefore, if our budget is again cut this year, there is a question as to our eligibility, and I trust I will not be in the unfavorable position to be forced to vote that Somerville does not qualify for State Aid.
It was disappointing to attempt to operate and maintain the prestige of the Library particularly at a time when we have the largest registrations of Borrowers and one of the highest records of circulation in our history on a budget less than the appropriation of a year ago. It is inconceivable how anyone with the faintest knowledge of the demands from college and High School students plus the general public could expect us to cope with the requests for serious and costly reading ma- terials with less money than necessary to meet our normal.
122
ANNUAL REPORTS
needs. This situation is serious and the Board of Library Com- missioners are cognizant of the conditions; and, therefore, have made one of the standards for qualification for State Aid based upon the average appropriations of the four previous years to prevent the unfortunate cutting of library budgets.
December was a month of confusion. Contractors moved in with movable staging to wash and paint the walls and ceiling of Wellington Hall. Fortunately, this happened during our quietest month for it was necessary to remove practically every book in the circulating collection and shift stacks to permit the use of staging. The cooperation of the painters was beyond reproach, but a tremendous burden was placed upon the staff to keep ahead of the work and to attempt to carry on our reg- ular processes. The members of the Staff at Central are to be congratulated for their enthusiasm for they were overjoyed to see the unsightly conditions of Wellington Hall corrected; however, there is one unfortunate detail which we hope will be corrected during the current year - there are no funds appro- priated for new flooring which at this writing is not only in a deplorable but a dangerous condition. New fluorescent tubes have been installed in all fixtures which help to eliminate the dismal atmosphere of the Reading Room.
Circulation is still on the increase with a gain of 21,632 over the record of 1959. Registered borrowers total 19,228 with a gain in 1960 of 360. The cooperation of the School Department was evidenced by the marked increase in circula- tion of books distributed to the various class rooms. 10,893 more books were circulated this year compared to 1959. This year, we supplied books to the Trade High School, the three Junior High Schools, twenty-three Public Grammar Schools and five Parochial Schools. Through the cooperation of Mr. John Mclnerny, color slides demonstrating various library processes and instructions on the use of the card catalogue for the use for instruction of Junior High School students on "The use of the Library" were completed. Mr. John Mackey provided the voice recording to accompany the slides which have provided an invaluable as well as interesting medium of instruction for the pupils. These slides have been shown to various P. T. A. Groups and have been received with a most favorable re- ception.
An interesting side light concerning the work of the Reference Department was the written request of a resident of Lanchansire, England, a former resident of Somerville, for a recommended reading list. She stated she will never forget the
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efficient and friendly service she received at the Somerville Public Library; and, therefore, could not resist making this unusual request.
In addition to our regular busy routine in the Music De- partment, we were requested by the Trustees of the Woburn Public Library to make a survey and recommendations for the establishment of a Record Department in their system. Also, we were called upon by the Somerville High School to assist in cataloguing the records in their Music Department in prepa- ration for the recent High School evaluation.
The excellent work of the Hospital Librarian in providing service to the Somerville and Central Hospitals, the many Rest Homes and to "Shut-Ins" is still a source of great satisfaction and of benefit to these unfortunates. With a medium of transportation such as a Station Wagon, we could greatly ex- pand this service for the mutual benefit of all concerned.
We are greatly concerned but seriously handicapped as to the future of the East Branch. As the plans for the new high- way which will transect this area of the city are still in abey- ance, we will have to wait for the development of the project.
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