USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1919 > Part 6
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The report of the work at the High School Branch indicates a growing sense among both teachers and pupils of the value of the library as an adjunct of the educational establishment. The Library is blessed in its power to focalize school interests and school enthusiasm. It is the advertising bureau of the school. The circulation shows a slight increase on the home use of books. The High School Branch if it to render its highest service must have plenty of books fine books, beautiful, inspirational and informative books; a welcome atmos- phere and efficient service. The High School should own a small collection of well chosen reference books and many of the books that are used each year on the required reading list. The demand for books from the Central Library has been large. Here contact between the librarian and user is very intimate.
75.
ANNUAL REPORT
The personality of the librarian counts for much. It is her privilege to be a friend and guide. It is felt that the greatest efficiency has not been attained on account of the changes made necessary by the resignation of two assistants.
Several beautiful editions of standard books were bought for the "browsing corner" with money given by one of the graduating classes. The money re- ceived from fines furnishes the Library with three current magazines. A sum- mer reading list was prepared with the helpful suggestions of the English teach- ers.
Our High School Library has made good, it has made itself felt. We hope that in the near future the school board will help us in the matter of the assist- ant's salary and also make an appropriation for the purchase of some of the books that are needed every year.
Publicity and Special Service
One of the first meetings of the year to be held in Library Hall was a gather- ing of eighty-one men interested in forming a naturalization class. The meet- ing was due to the efforts of the General Director Charles Pennoyer and a com- mittee appointed by the Attleboro Community Fellowship. From this meet- ing a large class in citizenship was held at the High School during evening school session. Wishing to cooperate in the celebration of Americanization Week two meetings were arranged for in Library Hall. The first was given with the help of the Pierian Club. The first part of the program was illustrated lecture, "Art here and there in Massachusetts," with stereoptican slides hired for the occasion by the Pierian Club. The second part of the meeting was an address by Miss J. Maud Campbell of the Massachusetts Free Public Library Com- mission on "What the Library and Women's Club can do for Americanization." The following evening the members of the citizenship class and friends came to see an illustrated lecture on "Our United States."
April 6-12th was Health week. A health exhibit was held throughout the. week in the hall with Miss Genevieve R. J'ules of the State Health department, Miss F. A. Smith, field secreatry of the Massachusetts Child Labor Committee Mrs. Alzira W. Sandwell, food specialist of the State Department of Health, and Mrs. H. A. Allen of the local Child Welfare Committee in charge. Lec- tures were given three afternoons; Mr. Robert V. Spencer, secretary of the Massachusetts Anti-tuberculosis League, gave an illustrated lecture on the "Doctrine of fresh air and sunshine;" Dr. Merrill E. Champion, director of the department of hygiene of the State Health department, spoke on "Public Health." The lecture was followed by a playlet "It might have been you" written by Miss Irene Ingalls teacher of biology in the High School, and acted by a cast of High school pupils. Mrs. Alzira W. Sandwell spoke on "Food; what it is and what it does," and demonstrated the preparation of food for children.
Public Health Nurses Club, Attleboro Community Fellowship council, Associated Charities, Attleboro Women's club, Good Government Association and the Round Table have enjoyed the privileges of the Hall.
We wish to thank the "Attleboro Sun" for the very generous space given library news and lists. New books added with descriptive notes have been printed regularly. A classified list of the periodicals received by the Library, "A suggestive list for vacation reading," "Books for business men" and "Mys- tery stories," as well as long reviews of some of the worth while books, were printed from time to time.
After the Library gave up the publication of the bulletin, there seemed to be no way of calling people's attention to the library hours, rules and activities, so a booklet,"Information to readers" was printed. On the cover is an attract- ive picture of the library, and inside information of help to the new borrower, and a reminder to the old borrower, of his obligations.
The charge for the reserving of books other than seven day fiction was dis- continued, and a form printed which the prospective borrower fills out, giving the author and title of the book, and his name, address, and telephone number.
A new form for the sending of registered letters was also drawn up, thus eli- menating the sending of manypersonal letters.
76
ANNUAL REPORT
Building
The Library has been in the present building since 1907 and up to this time very little has been spent on repairs. This year it was necessary to put in new tubes in the boiler. The delivery desk, window sills, outside doors, and a few of the tables were refinished. The metal work on the outside of the building was repainted.
Gifts
The Library acknowledges gifts of books from Mrs. Irene T. Hill, Mrs. Har- old Sweet, Mrs. Joseph L. Sweet, Rev. Thomas Horner, and Mr. Edwin Thay- er and a filling cabinet and pictures from Mr. Joseph L. Sweet.
A bronze tablet, the work of Christian Peterson, "A tribute from the women of Attleboro" to the memory of Ruth Holden and Alice Illingsworth Haskell, was placed in the reading room as a suitable place until the erection of the municipal building.
Staff
Two assistants have resigned this past year. In March, Miss Dorothea Wetherell, who for two years did efficient work at the High School Branch, Dodgeville, and the Children's room, resigned to take a more remunerative position in the Medford Public Library.
Miss Harriet Ames, a Simmons College graduate was engaged as a tempo- rary assistant. In September, Miss Jean Lay of Amherst, Nova Scotia, a graduate of the Springfield training class came to do the work in the High School branch. In October, she was called home by death and in December resigned from the staff in order to remain with her family.
Two high School seniors, Miss Ruth Middleton and Miss Ellen Bowen have taken training for part time workers and are able helpers in the regular rou- tine work of the delivery desk.
The Library has been represented by one person at the meetings of the state and district library association.
The Librarian attended the American Library Association at Asbury Park. As often as possible with the small staff, staff meetings are held, partly for the discussion of routine matters of administration, but mainly for the dis- cussions of new books or other books of interest.
The successful and effective operation of the Library and its Branches de- pends upon the efficiency and loyalty of the members of the staff. To those members who have given faithful service and often overtime service, and have cooperated with their Librarian, I record my thanks.
Very respectfully,
LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian.
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ANNUAL REPORT
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics
Name of Library, Attleboro Public Library.
City or town, Attleboro, Mass.
Population served, 18,480.
Terms for use-Free for lending. Free for reference.
Total number of agencies, 13. Consisting of-Central Library, three branches in two school buildings, one Community House, nine school rooms.
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 301 for lending, 363 for reading.
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) 71
Number on staff (library service, adding part time employees to make whole units) December 31, 1919. 9
Number of volumes at beginning of the year.
21,231
Number of volumes added during year by purchase.
1,300
Number of volumes added by gift or exchange. 280
Number of volumes added during year by binding material not otherwise counted. 105
Number of volumes withdrawn during year.
892
Total number at end of year . 22,026
Adult Juvenile Total
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use . . 40,686
16,534 57,220
Total number of volumes lent for home use . . 54,131 28,066 82,197
Number of borrowers registered during year. . 810
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received, 150
titles, 154 copies.
78
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board of Trustees.
Joseph L. Sweet, Chairman
Leonard I. Lamb
Thomas E. McCaffrey
Mrs. Irene T. Hill
Raymond Horton
Dr. Charles S. Holden. Mark E. Rowe Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth
Committees
House-Messrs. Sweet, McCaffrey, Mrs. Hill. Books and Cataloguing-Messrs. Rowe, Lamb, Horton, Mrs. Carpenter, Miss Wilmarth
Secretary of the Board Leonard I. Lamb.
Treasurer Dr. Charles S. Holden.
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Central Building North Main Street.
Hours-Week days, 10 A.M. to 9 P. M. The reading room is open Sundays and holidays, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and July 4, from 3 to 9 P. M. Children's room-School days, 12 to 1:30 P.M. and 3 to 6 P.M. Wednesdays and Saturdays, 6 to 8 P.M.
Branches. High School-School year, 8 A.M. to 2 P.M. Hebronville School-School year, Tuesday, 4 to 9 P.M. Dodgeville Neighborhood House-Monday, 3 to 9 P.M.
Staff
Mrs.) Lucinda Field Spofford, Librarian. Laura Monnier, Senior assistant. Alice Wetherell, Junior assistant. Jean Lay, resigned December 1919. Harriet C. Ames, temporary work.
Attendants on Part Time Work
Gertrude Fears Marie Rowe Ruth Middleton
Ellen Bowen Bertha Hunnewell Jennie Pierce (Hebronville)
79
ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council.
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit, herewith, the fifth annual report of the Public Works Department of the City of Attleboro, for the year ending December 31, 1919.
This department has the general care of all public highways, construction of new street sand sidewalks, street lighting, street sprinkling and oiling, street signs and house numbering, street cleaning, and all work connected with sur- face drainage; sewers and sewage disposal; water system, including mainten- ance, meter department, pumping station, filter beds, storage reservoir, and standpipe; the maintenance and operation of the A. B. C. Street Railway; and the oversight of the general and detail designs and work of the engineering de- partment. All water bills and other charges of the various departments are presented to the City Collector for collection, and detail costs are kept of all work performed by the various departments.
With the signing of the Armistice the material market tended toward its normal condition: this together with the increased appropriations has impro- ved conditions in all the departments especially in the Highway Department. There is still a shortage of efficient labor but with the small number of men we had in the Highway Department we were enabled to accomplish a very satis- factory amount of work.
The contract for the construction of one mile of asphalt gravel mixed road on North Main Street and Commonwealth Avenue was not as satisfactorily carried out as we wished, but it was through no fault of the contractor. The job was so small that it did not warrant his boarding his own men and board- ing houses where the men could be accommodated were not satisfactory to them. Four different gangs were employed but each one in turn stayed a short time and then left. We hope for better results in finishing the job this spring.
The general conditions in all the departments are satisfactory, although in the Highway Department, through lack of money and time to do the work, it is never possible to do all that should be done.
The department was very fortunate this year in securing the services of Daniel F. Vaughn as foreman in the Highway Department, and John R. Dela- hanty as City Engineer. Both men have filled their positions very satisfac- torily.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.
Contracts have been made for tar and cement sidewalks, cement curb and curb and gutter, and the construction of North Main Street and Common- wealth Avenue. Minimum rates and excess water bills, service connections, repairs, and other charges of the Water Department as well as charges from other departments have been billed and delivered to the City Collector, and detailed accounts of expenditures of all the departments have been recorded.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
On May 7, we were fortunate in obtaining the services of John R. Delahanty as head of this department. His work and the men's work under him has been very satisfactory.
Survey and contract plans have been made for North Main Street and Com- monwealth Avenue. Lines and grades given and careful inspection of the work has been made. Lines and grades have also been given for Turner Street, Park Street and Union Street construction. Surveys and plans have been made for the acceptance of the following streets: Lexington Avenue; West Street from North Avenue easterly about eight hundred (800) feet; East Street from George to Solomon: Fisher Avenue; Bank Street, Park Street to the Rail- road Crossing; widening of a corner in Richardson Avenue near the house of Abraham Kaufman; street widening at the junction of Thacher Street and County Street; surveys for the extension of Cliff Street over the Ten Mile River to Hodges Street; surveys for the widening of Mechanics Street and the construction of new bridges; survey and estimate for road construction on Pleasant Street; inspection and locations of sewer connections and such other work as has been required by the various departments.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Construction.
On April 1st, we were fortunate in securing the services of Daniel F. Vaughn as head of this department. Mr. Vaughn has had long experience in road con- struction and maintenance and work has been very satisfactory.
On June 19, 1919, bids were opened for the construction of about one mile of road fifteen feet in width on North Main Street and Commonwealth Ave- nue. Comparative bids were asked for Asphalt Penetration and Crushed Gravel Asphalt Mixed. Nine bids were received for the Penetration and five for the Gravel Mixed.
The lowest bid for Penetration was $18,300 and for Gravel Mixed $15,583. As the bid for the gravel mixed type was the lowest, and as we believe this type of construction to be the better, the contract was awarded to John A. Gaffey of Medford, Mass.
The contract was signed July 28, 1919, and on that date work began and con- tinued until November 28, 1919 when, because of the cold weather, work had to cease. This contract should have been completed but owing to the unsettl- ed labor conditions it was not possible for the contractor to employ a sufficient number of satisfied laborers to do the work.
The job was so small that the contractor was not warranted in boarding his men and the boarding houses which were they able to obtain were not satisfac- tory. Four different gangs were employed and each in turn stayed a short time and then left.
The total length of the job was subgraded and the foundation in the south end completed for a distance of about fourteen hundred (1400) feet and the construction of drains completed. On Commonwealth Avenue two sections of stone fill were placed and the corner of North Main Street and Common- wealth Avenue widened; about thirty-five (35%) percent of the cost of the job has been completed.
On South Main Street at the Dodgeville Switch a bad piece of road about three hundred (300) feet long was improved with asphalt penetration.
The subgrade was excavated to a depth of fifteen (15) inches and filled with large stone from the Dodgeville bank and bound together with gravel: after being thoroughly rolled and compacted a three inch course of native crushed stone was laid and penetrated with asphalt, thus improving a piece of road which at certain times of the year has been very muddy for a number of years.
The continued improvements made by the Crown Mill and Home Bleach and Dye Works on Turner Street necessitated the construction of an additional piece of asphalt penetration about two hundred (200) feet long adjoining the work done here last year. A considerable amount of work was also done on River Street to accommodate these two manufacturing plants.
81
ANNUAL REPORT
After many years discussion Lexington Avenue was accepted this year and a large amount of work done to improve it. The whole length of the street including the sidewalk was subgraded, the walks graveled, and the first coat of gravel put on the street, but owing to the lateness of starting this work we were not able to finish it, but it is in very good condition for the winter.
We were unable to do any work on the other streets that were accepted, al- though a start was made on East Street but the cold weather put a stop to that.
Union and Park Streets.
In 1917, Union Street, from Park Street to Mill Street, was widened about six (6) feet and an appropriation made for improving this street and also Park Street, from Union Street to Pine Street. During that year the curbs were re- set in their new position, cement walks and gutters laid, surface drains built, and all connections for water and waste water from the factories examined and relaid where necessary in order that this street might be finished the fol- lowing year.
In 1918 a request was made to the U. S. Fuel Administrator for permission to purchase the necessary material to construct this street, but was refused for the reason that it was not deemed essential to winning the war.
This year we were allowed to purchase the material and proceeded to finish the work. The tracks were all relaid to conform to the new grade, the paving between the rails relaid, and the joints grouted with cement. Two courses of granite blocks were also laid and grouted on the outside of the rails. The streets were then paved with asphalt by the penetration method. Trap rock was used on Park Street and local stone on Union Street.
The Street Railway Company paid the expense of regrading the tracks and resetting the paving but the grouting had to be done by the City.
Widening of Park Street.
Upon the completion of the Sanford Block the widening of Park Street at that point and South Main Street, adjoining that property, could be completed. New granite curb was placed on South Main Street and Park Street and cement sidewalks constructed, thus widening Park Street at its junction with South Main Street about twelve (12) feet. The roadway on South Main Street was not widened but the width of the sidewalk was increased about two (2) feet.
Upon the completion of the new building which is to be erected at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Park Street the remaining portion of Park Street be- tween South Main Street and Railroad Avenue will be completed.
RESURFACING AND MAINTENANCE.
The usual amount of resurfacing and repairing has been done on the roads this year.
In the spring all the outside roads were scraped and cleaned, water ways opened and put in general good condition for the year. The inside streets were cleaned in the spring and fall.
Eighteen streets have had a considerable amount of work done on them and several other streets improved to some extent.
BRIDGES
Including the work done this year nearly all of the wooden bridges in the city have been replanked within the past five years. The remaining work to be done under this item is the construction of such bridges as are beyond re- pair.
DRAINS
What few drains there are in the city have caused us but little trouble, but in order to satisfactorily take care of the surface water during heavy storms a
82
ANNUAL REPORT
complete surface drainage system should be constructed and some of the old ones rebuilt as there are many places in the city, during heavy storms, where street crossings are impassable and cellars flooded.
All the catch basins are kept clean and in good condition.
COMMON.
The usual care has been given to the common this year and the flag pole has been thoroughly painted.
MACHINERY AND TOOLS.
Two new tar kettles have been added to the equipment this year and the usual number of new tools purchased.
STREET CLEANING.
Three street sweeping patrol have been maintained this year in the center of the city.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING.
Labor was so scarce this year that it was not possible to get any contractor to do the amount of work which we had planned for this year. Some side- walk and curbing was laid on Turner Street and a sidewalk was laid on County Street between First and Second Street.
OILING
The usual amount of street oiling has been done this year. Thirty-five (35)miles of streets and nine (9) miles of car track have been oiled.
ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES
ROADS.
Construction.
Dodgeville Macadam.
$2,176.38
Lexington Avenue.
2,540.95
River and Crown Streets.
1,132.81
Turner Street.
420.63
Washington Street.
80.40
East Street
47.28
North Main Street and Commonwealth Avenue
Payments allowed.
$4,128.94
City labor. 125.73
Material.
2,075.82
$6,330.49
$12,728.94
Resurfacing.
Angell and Foley Streets
$516.42
Bishop Street. .
866.39
Highland Avenue
222.13
Holden Street
1,455.01
Linden St.
359.90
Lindsey Street.
410.40
Mendon Avenue.
131.64
Mulberry Sreeet
311.52
83
ANNUAL REPORT
North Avenue
722.56
North Main Street.
146.57
Oak Hill Avenue.
531.05
Pleasant Street. .
194.94
Robinson and Newport Avenues.
263.10
Read Street.
816.98
South Avenue Thacher and West Streets.
161.16
South Main Street.
436.95
Slater Street .
285.66
Thacher Street.
747.88
Turner Street .
139.81
$8,720.07
General Resurfacing and Balance of Patching
Labor
$1,875.33
Material.
447.52
$2,322.85
Dust Layer and Tar Balance.
County and Thacher Streets
Labor.
$474.42
Material
575.00
$1,049.42
General.
Labor.
$766.62
Material.
436.33
$1,202.95
$2,252.37
BRIDGES
Dexter Street.
97.75
Holden Street.
369.63
Lindsey Street.
322.98
Pike Avenue
284.40
Miscellaneous.
22.63
$1,097.39
HEBRONVILLE FENCE
Labor
$98.63
Material
718.60
$817.23
DRAINS.
Cleaning Catch Basins
$759.30
Gardner Street Drain.
180.45
Incidental repair and care of drains.
83.42
$1,023.17
CLEANING TEN MILE RIVER
Labor
230.55
Material
7.75
$238.30
STREET CLEANING
Gutters.
$2,841.76
Outside Roads
2,616.02
Cleaning and flushing Park andUnion Streets
23.07
$5,480.85
84
ANNUAL REPORT
STREET SWEEPING
Labor.
$2,309.58
$2,309.58
STREET PATCHING
Labor
3,886.53
Material.
2,113.47
6,000.00
SIDEWALKS-MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.
Dodgeville.
77.87
Dunham Street.
22.23
Emory Street
44.38
Foley Street.
32.50
Gardner Street
51.43
Hazel Street.
34.08
James and Atwood Streets.
76.63
Lexington Avenue.
67.61
Locust Street.
50.15
Mulberry Street.
153.07
Olive Street.
217.72
Pearl Street.
24.23
South Main Street.
146.59
Tnacher Street
100.33
Water Street.
111.61
South Attleboro-General.
211.18
Washington Street.
184.10
Incidental.
Labor
$336.43
Material
847.66
$1,184.09
$2,789.80
CARE OF COMMON.
Labor.
205.20
Material
20.78
225.98
Painting flag pole.
97.39
SNOW AND ICE
Last season.
$305.07
This season
55.99
Sand and hauling
99.81
$460.87
MACHINERY AND TOOLS
Keeping tools in repair .
$485.00
New equipment. .
573.55
Small equipment.
88.64
Tools. .
37.90
Miscellaneous maintenance.
79.92
$1,265.01
85
ANNUAL REPORT
CRUSHERS
Portable.
$180.17
Stationary.
116.48
Power ..
128.52
Labor-Maintenance.
83.02
$508.19
ROLLERS
Labor-Maintenance.
$151.41
Materials.
776.08
$927.49
AUTOMOBILES
New Auto-Maxwell.
$1,285.00
Repairs. .
326.78
Operating Expense.
411.82
$2,023.60
INSURANCE, FREIGHT AND INCIDENTALS.
Insurance.
$1,484.64
Rent, Maynard Street land.
69.60
Vacations.
173.31
Clean up day
30.58
Cutting Brush
10.04
Kerosene Oil for lighting
63.05
Phone.
27.09
Coal and hay bought December 31.
283.21
Miscellaneous items.
125.09
$2,266.61
$53,555.69
UNION AND PARK STREET.
Union Street.
$4,619.08
Park Street .
1,625.99
$6245.07
PARK STREET IMPROVEMENT.
Labor.
420.71
Material.
797.50
Mary Monroe.
76.56
$1,294.77
SIDEWALKS AND CURBINGS.
Labor.
$155.94
Material.
1,162.39
$1,318.33
DUST LAYER AND TAR.
Labor
$4,412.10
Material
9,087.90
$13,500.00
LIGHTING
Contract.
$19,482.96
New lights
259.32
$19,742.28
86
ANNUAL REPORT
SIGNS, CLOCK AND NUMBERING.
Clock
Lighting
$86.87
New lamps
9.74
Care
26.00
122.61
Signs.
83.83
$206.44
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
COMPARISON OF ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES.
1917
1918
1919
Construction and Resurfacing.
$13,857.08
$16,001.68
$23,049.79
Bridges, Construction and Repair.
2,923.72
5,049.01
1,914.62
Drains, Maintenance
2,762.40
1,537.32
1,261.47
Crosswalks.
14.01
160.86
None
Street Cleaning.
4,606.81
5,130.30
5,480.85
Street Sweeping.
1,790.31
2,005.11
2,309.58
Street Patching (Tar and Gravel)
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