USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1921 > Part 6
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We have the appropriate house, a professionally trained librarian. proper care of books, instruction in the use of books, but we have no appropriation for the purchase of books, supplies, or for the general upkeep.
If we are to keep the present high standards of the library, there must be funds for maintenance, funds sufficient for additional books and periodicals, binding, repair and replacement of worn-out books.
For books alone a minimum of fifty cents each term per student is needed. Not less than $40 a year for magazines is needed, even in a small high school.
Publicity and Special Service.
The annual exhibition of children's books which began the second week in November, and continued for threee weeks was attended by an increasing number of adults. At that time we distributed the "Book- shelf for Boys and Girls" and a short list of "Children's Books for Christmas presents." As a result of our efforts the librarian was con- sulted many times both by telephone and in person as to the books suit- able for Christmas purchase.
The visit of a seventh grade from one of the schools not easily ac- cessible to the library proved an event in the lives of the children. Their visit was made the subject of an English lesson. As a result the librarian received many notes gracefully written, that showed that they were fully conscious of all that was done for them.
One of the most appreciative groups of visitors was a class of foreign-born men from the evening school with their teacher, Mr. Irvin Studley. The regular lesson was taught at the usual hour in the Trus- tees' room. After the closing of the library they were shown the library building.
Again the library is very much indebted to the Attleboro Sun for the many book lists, notices, and telling editorials which have been printed and have been written in its behalf.
82
ANNUAL REPORT
Lists of books on "Vocations" were distributed to pupils before the closing of school. Flyers containing a picture of the library and an inquiry as to where one was to spend his vacation. announced the cou- tinuation of our summer vacation privilege.
A selective list on "Modern American Poets" was compiled and dis- tributed at a lecture given by the poet, Edwin Markham.
Special effort has been made to collect any and all material bearing on the history of Attleboro. As a result, several old papers, catalogs. and programs have been given to the Library.
Library IFall has been used by the following groups: Hospital Aid, Attleboro Community Fellowship Cabinet. Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution for their prize essay contest, and the North Purchase ('lub.
The Library Hall is an attractive and well equipped room, and should be used more by the various representative groups of Attleboro. While the Library cannot stand for individual or corporate expres- sions of opinion, it would be glad to have those associations which are engaged in educational welfare or civic work, use it.
Gifts Not Otherwise Mentioned.
The Library is to receive $5.000 by the will of William B. Cobb.
In February the Chaminade Club gave a concert for the benefit of the music collection of the Public Library. As a result the club turned over to the Library $158.56. A fund had been started by Mrs. Sidney Smith several years previous, and was known as the Organ Recital Fund. With the consent of Mrs. Smith the gift from the Chaminade Club was applied to this fund and the name changed to the Attleboro Public Library Music Fund. It now amounts to $231.03.
A substantial sum was received from Mrs. Raymond Horton for the purchase of books which will be of help to our industrial workers.
Mrs. Gertrude Sweet again contributed generously to the Chil- dren's Room.
Books have been given by the following people: Mrs. Tilda Ein- stein. Mrs. Everett Perry, the estate of Mrs. William B. Cobb. Mr. George (. Baker, and book-exhibit stands from Mr. Raymond Horton.
Through the generosity of Mr. Joseph L. Sweet the rearrangement of the Children's Room was made possible.
Staff.
The year has been unusually free from change and sickness among the staff members. This was most fortunate as our increased circula- tion made it imperative that every person be at her post every day and all day.
The need of an additional well-trained, full-time assistant is very much felt. The service would be much improved as fewer hours would be required from part-time workers, who. at best. have only a sec- ondary interest in library work.
When the present library building was opened in November, 1907. the staff then consisted of a librarian, three assistants, and one part- time worker. At that time there were no Branches and the Children's Room was a part of what is now the main reading room. The circula- tion has increased more than four times, we maintain fourteen agen- cies, consisting of the Central Library. three Branches and deposits to the school buildings too remote for the children to use the library, and
83
ANNUAL REPORT
a Children's Room that requires all the time of one assistant and on busy afternoons the time of two assistants. The staff consists of the Librarian. three assistants, three part-time workers, who are employed only at rush hours, and a High School Librarian, who is at the Public Library only about sixteen hours a week during the school year and during the school vacation has four weeks vacation. Thus with the many activities and increased volume of work we have added only half the time of one trained librarian and some extra time from part-time workers.
Miss Ruth Fales, who has been in the Library for a year, in Sep- tember resigned her position to be married.
Miss Agnes C. Norton, a graduate of the Springfield City Library Training Class, joined the staff in November.
Staff meetings have been held at more or less frequent intervals at which routine problems and book reviews have been discussed very informally.
The American Library Association at Swampscott was attended by every member of the staff.
At least one representative attended the meetings of the New Eng- land Association of School Libraries, Institute for Librarians at Sim- mons College, Massachusetts Library Club, the series of lectures on the general subject of children's books which were given by the authors of juvenile books and specialists in that phase of library work at the Bookshop for Boys and Girls. The Children's Worker attended all the meetings of the Round Table for children's libraries.
The Librarian has spoken before the following clubs : Etaerio ('lub, Dodgeville Women's Club, and the Round Table.
. The Librarian appreciates the splendid attitude which the staff takes toward its work, and without which, the success of this year would have been impossible, and wishes to acknowledge the helpful and efficient assistance which at all times they have given.
Respectfully submitted.
( MRS.) LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD. Librarian.
S4
ANNUAL REPORT
Statistics Arranged According to the Form Adopted by the
American Library Association Form for Uniform Statistics.
Name of Library-Attleboro Public Library.
City or town-Attleboro, Mass.
Population served-
Terms for use-Free for lending. Free for reference.
Total number of agencies-14. Consisting of-Central Library, three Branches in two school buildings and one Community house. ten school rooms.
Number of days open during year-(Central Library ) 301 for lending 346 for reading
Ilours 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. 1921 ) 9
Number of volumes at beginning of year. 22,967
Number of volumes added during year by purchase. 1.557
Number of volumes added by gift or exchange. 111
Number of volumes added during year by binding material not otherwise counted 93
Number of volumes withdrawn during year. 1,109
Total number at end of year 23.645
Adult. Juvenile. Total.
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home
use. 60.529 22.699 $3,228
Number of volumes lent for home use. 79.250 40.416 119.666
Number of borrowers registered (Registration period. 2 years) . 6.146
Number of borrowers registered during the year. 1.096
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received-
150 titles
154 copies
Miscellaneous Statistics.
Largest issue in one month-Mar .. 1921 13,439
Smallest issue in one month -- Sept., 1921. 7.103
Largest issue in one day-Jan. 15. 1921 823
Smallest issue in one day-Aug. 25. 1921 153
Average issue in one day. 396
Number of Sundays library was open 35
Number of Sunday visitors 2.285
Number of new cards issued.
1,096
Number of registered borrowers 6.146
Number of out-of-town borrowers 349
Per capita circulation. 6
ANNUAL REPORT
In preparing the Budget for 1922, your Trustees have spent much time and have given a great deal of thought to the matter of the Li- brary requirements for the coming year. They feel keenly that the efficiency of the Library must be maintained. and they also know that the Public demands and will in the future continue to demand a greater service from your Library.
In view of the above. and in answer to the facts that will be pre- sented in detail in another paragraph of this letter, your Trustees are asking your Honor and Council for an appropriation of $14,500 to cover this Budget for 1922. This is an increase of $1,900 over the amount asked for and received for the year 1921. However, we firmly believe that in asking for this increase that we are asking for as small an amount as is possible under present conditions, and we are quite sure that your Honor and Council will agree with your Trustees. after you have carefully read the following figures and facts relating to your Library.
In the matter of salaries an amount of $8.050 is asked. this is an increase of $1,050 over the original amount asked for in 1921. but is really an increase of only $892.17 as we asked for and obtained a transfer of $157.83 in December of 1921. Your Trustees feel that this increase is necessary in order to keep your present very efficient staff : and they also feel that they could not replace the present staff at the salary asked for in this Budget.
The second item is Binding. An amount of $1,000 is asked for as against $793.89 in 1921. The Library has a total of 23.634 volumes, and the circulation at the present time is 109.849 volumes to December 1. 1921. and consequently the wear and tear on the books is very heavy : also we were obliged to hold back from the bindery a large number of books the last of this year owing to lack of funds for that purpose. A great deal of the work in keeping the books in good condition is done at the Library by members of the staff and thus the expense is kept at the lowest possible point.
In the item of Books, an amount of $2.500 is asked for. This being an increase of $200 over the 1921 amount. As we stated in a previous letter in 1920 we spent $2.800 from which we make the following quo- tation : for books alone in 1920 we spent $2.800 included in this $2.800 was the estimate of $1,500, a gift of $600 and a sim we were able to transfer the latter part of the year from other items of our Budget thus making the total $2.800. In 1921 we asked for an additional $800. making a total for 1921 of $2.300.
Owing to -the very large increase in our circulation (a matter of 30% for the year) and also the large demands made npon ns by the outside branches and the public schools. the purchase of new books and the replacement of volumes that are continually wearing ont is a se- rions item.
We believe your Librarian and Book Committee use very good judg- ment in selecting the books that are placed in the Library and they try as far as possible to meet the public demand. Books have in- creased greatly in price, and as yet no reduction has been forthcoming. Your Trustees feel that $2,500 is as small an amount as they can pos- sibly ask for the coming year.
Building. Your Trustees find that some necessary repairs must be made during the coming year to the Library Building. Very few. if any large repairs have been made on the building since its erection fourteen years ago. The roof needs fixing and figures have been ob- tained calling for $400. This amount will put the roof in first class con- dition. The floor in the Children's Room also is in need of repair and
.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
will call for an outlay of $100. This, with the usual appropriation for miscellaneous repairs, accounts for the increase asked for.
Fuel and Light for 1922. the amount asked for is $1.100. The amount granted in 1921 was $1.400. In August. 1921, your Trustees asked for and obtained a transfer from Fuel and Light of $250 to Inei- dentals. The reason we were able to make this transfer was explained in our letter in August. We hope and expect to buy the balance of our 1921-1922 coal for less money and there will also be a slight reduction in the price of electric lights, and we feel confident that the amount asked for will be sufficient.
Incidentals call for $950 for 1922, an increase of only $25. A few of the items that enter into the incidental account, outside of the reg- ular office supplies are as follows: Insurance premiums for 1922 will amount to $40: conveying books to and from the schools, $45; carfares for the Library workers to and from the branches. $25; water bill. $25: telephone. $35: carting ashes, $21. The balance of the amount asked for is for general office supplies and general supplies for the main Library desk and Children's Room.
In making up this Budget, your Trustees have gone over every item very carefully, and can truthfully state that they have not asked, and do not wish for one dollar more than is actually needed for the proper administration of the Library.
If your Honor and Council desire any further information your Librarian and Board of Trustees will gladly furnish same, and if agree- able would like exceedingly to have you as a body, or as individuals make a thorough inspection of your Library and see for yourselves the excellent work that is being accomplished ..
87
ANNUAL REPORT
ITEMIZED BUDGET
SALARIES.
FUEL AND LIGHT.
Mrs. Spofford
$2.000.00
Miss B.
1.500.00
Miss M.
1,200.00
Miss N.
100.00
1.000.00
Miss W.
900.00
P. T. .
900.00
Mr. C.
1,200.00
$8.800.00
('r.
750.00
$8.050.00
OFFICE SUPPLIES. EXPRESS AND
C'ARTING.
Insurance for 1922. $40.00
Conveying books to school 45.00
Carfares for workers ... 25.00
Telephone. 35.00
700.00
Water bill 25.00
1.118.00
Supplies for office $00.00
$7.790.00
$970.00
Cr. . .
700.00
Ask for $950.00.
Salaries
$8,050.00
Books 2.500.00
Binding. .
1,000.00
Fuel and light.
1.100.00
Building
900.00
Incidentals
950.00
$2,500.00
1921
12,600.00
BINDING.
$1.000.00
Increase
$1.900.00
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY. Changes in Appropriation.
The last of July. 1921. the City Council voted the following changes : Added appropriation of $1.000; $800 for books and $200 for bindery; and $250 transfer from fuel and light to incidentals.
Salaries.
Appropriation Asked. 1921. $7.000.00
Appropriation Changed by Council. 1921. $7.000.00
Bindery.
700.00
900.00
Books.
1,500.00
2.300.00
Building.
300.00
800.00
Fuel and light.
1.400.00
1.150.00
Incidentals.
700.00
950.00
Total.
$11.600.00
$12.600.00
Fuel $600.00
Light. 500.00
Total. $1.100.00
BUILDING.
Repairs needed on roof. $400.00
Guards for windows .. 200.00
Same appropriated 300.00
Total
$900.00
INCIDENTALS.
$1.700.00
1.400.00
1.092.00
1.000.00
780.00
$7.090.00
Ineroase.
$1,050.00
BOOKS.
14.500.00
88
ANNUAL REPORT
Town.
Circulation Circulation. Per Capita.
Popu- lation.
Valuation Per Capita.
Attleboro
88,272
4
19.731
Beverly
104.943
+
22.561
42.706.625.00
$1.117.00 1.892.00
Gardner
103.720
16.971
16.934.704.00
997.00
Greenfield
88.209
15.462
18.295,052.00
1.183.00
Leominster
100.682
4
19.745
17.882.630.00
905.00
Melrose
104.969
18,204
22.477,350.00
1.234.00
Milton
85,632
9
9.382
21.782.640.00
2.321.00
Westfield
102.895
18,604
16.871.931.00
906.00
Woburn
86.647
16,574
16.053,997.00
968.00
Town.
Rate of Tax Per $1000.
Actual Average Tax Per Capita. $38.01
Lib. Income Income Per from Tax
Capita from
Total Income Per Capita. $0.53
Beverly
22.80
43.13
0.66
$0.12
0.78
Gardner
31.70
31.60
0.35
0.17
0.52
Greenfield
29.60
35.01
0.59
0.04
0.63
Leominster
26.80
24.25
0.43
0.43
Melrose
30.80
38.00
0.62
0.05
0.67
Milton
21.10
48.97
1.42
0.18
1.60
Westfield
26.80
24.28
0.46
0.14
0.60
Woburn
33.80
32.71
0.48
0.22
0.70
Lib. Expen-
Town.
Lib. Expen- ditures for books ditures and Periodicals Services Per Capita. Per Capita.
Lib. Expenditures Other Items Per Capita.
Total. Lib. Ex- penditures Per Capita.
Proportion of Lib. Expenditures to Total Municipal Levy.
Attleboro
$0.11
$0.27
$0.13
$0.51
1.3% Attleboro
Beverly
0.25
0.29
0.21
0.75
1.7% Beverly
Gardner
0.18
0.13
0.20
0.51
1.6% Gardner
Greenfield
0.09
0.37
0.17
0.63
1.7% Greenfield
Leominster
0.10
0.23
0.09
0.42
1.7% Leominster
Melrose
0.15
0.35
0.10
0.60
1.6% Melrose
Milton
0,29
0.85
0.37
1.51
3.0% Milton
Westfield
0.14
0,33
0.12
0.59
2.4% Westfield
Woburn
0.12
0.40
0.21
0.73
2.2% Wobi'n .
The Honorable Mayor aud Municipal Council. Attleboro, Alass. :
GENTLEMEN :
Enclosed yon will pleased find the 1922 Budget for the Public Library. Attached to this Budget yon will also find a list of items and figures which we trust will be of assistance to you when you take up the different items that we are presenting to you in on Budget.
We are also enclosing a list of figures obtained from the State which we believe will demonstrate fully that Attleboro is not extrava- gant in the maintenance of its Library.
Thanking yon in advance for your kind consideration in the matter of this Budget. we remain.
Very sincerely, RAYMOND M. HORTON. Treasurer of Board of Trustees. WM. L. KING. Trustec.
Per Capita. Other Sources.
Attleboro
$32.30
$0.53
Valuation. $23.234.575.00
.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Increase Over 1921 Ap-
Salaries
Appropriation Asked 1921. $7.000.00
Appropriation Changed Aug . 1921. $7.000.00 900.00
Appropriation Changed Nov., 1921. $7.157.83
Appropriation Asked 1922. $8.050.00
propriation. $892.17
Bindery
700.00
1.000.00
206.11
Books
1.500.00
2.300.00
793.89 2.300.00
2,500.00
200.00
Building
300.00
300.00
273.28
900.00
626.72
Fuel and light
1.400.00
1.150.00
1,150.00
1.100.00
50.00
Incidentals . .
700.00
950.00
925.00
950.00
25.00
Total. .$11.600.00
$12.600.00 $12.600.00 $14.500.00 $1.900.00
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Year.
AAppropriation.
Circulation.
1888
$600.00
1889
600.00
19,000
1890
600.00
15.878
1891
600.00
16.491
1892
600.00
17.416
1893
1.000.00
17.984
1894
1.000.00
24.112
1895
1.250.00
.
24 213
1896
1.500.00
24.901
1897
1.800.00
30.031
1898
1,800.00
27.277
1899
1.800.00
27.263
1900
2,500.00
31.420
1901
2,500.00
34,944
1902
2.500.00
43.882
1903
2.750.00
43.205
1904
2.750.00
44.726
1905
2,750.00
43.010
1906
3,500.00
42.152
1907
5.000.00
38.999
1908
6,500.00
49.332
1909
7.000.00
48 262
1910
7.000.00
50.233
1911
7.000.00
54.461
1912
7.000.00
58.188
1913
7.200.00
58,573
1914
7,500.00
65.392
1915
7.500.00
71.425
1916
7,800.00
67.197
1917
7,800.00
66.428
1918
8.000.00
68.167
1919
9,000.00
82.197
1920
10,595.00
88.272
1921
12,600.00
119,366
January
7.676
11.925
February
7.030
12.071
March
9.685
13.439
April
7.109
10.835
May
6.615
9.173
June
6.582
9,117
1921=66,560
1920=44.697
1920
1921
21.863 gain in first six months' circulation.
1
90
ANNUAL REPORT
1911. 54.461 volumes circulated.
1921. 104.135 volumes circulated (conservative estimate ).
In the ten years 1911-1921 the circulation has increased 69.774.
In the ten years 1911-1921 the Library appropriation has increased only $3,600.
1911. 14.990 volumes in Library.
1921. 23.60$ volumes in Library. (July 1. 1921.)
In the ten years 1911-1921 the volumes in the Library have in- creased only 8,618.
In the ten years 1911-1921 the circulation has increased 69.774.
DO WE SPEND ENOUGH MONEY ON BOOKS?
The public library building was first opened to the public for inspec- tion November 9. 1907, and for public service November 11, 1907.
Staff : Librarian, three assistants, one part-time worker. At that time there was no Children's Room, no High School Library and no Branches.
1921 Staff: Librarian, three assistants. High School Librarian, and three part-time workers, who average ten to twelve hours per week.
During the school year the High School Librarian is at the Public Library 1614 hours per week. During school vacations she has four weeks vacation and then gives forty hours per week to the Public Library. She is paid part by the school department and part by the Public Library.
Branch libraries are maintained one day and evening per week at Ilebronville and Dodgeville.
School libraries are sent to the various school rooms at the two school buildings at South Attleboro and Briggs Corner.
We have a Children's Room which takes all the time of one assist- ant and on busy afternoons the time of two assistants.
---
MECHANIC STREET BRIDGES
91
ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
To His Houor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council :
I have the honor to submit. herewith. the seventh annual report of the Public Works Department of the City of Attleboro. for the year end- ing December 31. 1921.
This department for the first quarter of the year was directed by Mr. Harry J. Goodale, who left on April 1st to become Town Manager of Middleboro. The balance of the year the department has been super- vised by the writer, who succeeded Mr. Goodale on April 1st. Before going further, I will call to your attention the emergencies caused by unemployment which have confronted our city and which to a great extent in the early part of the year controlled the policy of this depart- ment. The funds available were utilized wherever possible to allow the maximum amount of payroll expenditures for our citizens employed on the different work.
I feel that the strenuous endeavors of this department to meet the wishes of His Honor. the Mayor, and the Council were successful and the results obtained an investment to the city.
The department has the care of all public highways, construction of new streets, sidewalks, street lighting. oiling, street signs, house num- bering. street cleaning. surface drainage, sewers and sewage disposal, water system including maintenance, water department. pumping sta- tion. filter beds. storage reservoir, and standpipe, and maintenance and operation of the A. B. C. Street Railway: the direction and control of all of the engineering connected with the city departments and a mul- titude of detail in co-operating with the public service corporations. with the state and county authorities in their projects as related to the city of Attleboro. Cost and accounts are kept and all bills appertaining to the work of this department are forwarded to the proper authority for collection.
Without question the department by persistent effort has been able to cover a considerable amount of work and view with satisfaction the results obtained. I feel that the personel engaged are to be com- mended for putting forth their best efforts.
Before going into further detail I would like to rivet your atten- tion upon the growth of this community in the last twenty years. Below are the census figures for 1900, 1910, and 1920:
1900-11.335. 1910-16.215. 1920-20.000 plus or minus.
The ratio of increase is evidence that Attleboro has had a healthy growth and the history of Attleboro proves conclusively the perma- nence of the city. With these premises to begin on. I wish to focus your earnest attention on the need of modern and progressive planning on all of the publie works for our city. These facts have controlled recom- mendations from this department.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
The highway work for the past year was handled in an expeditions manner by the city men and by the contractor. Wherever new drainage was built. present and future development as well as permanence was figured. Bridge recommendations and bridge construction were also taken care of on this basis. in the sewer department the maintenance and the system was kept at as low a figure as possible, but in the near future when extensions will have to be built and tools replaced and buildings repaired, a study as to ways and means is suggested because of changed conditions since the initial assessment plan has been in effect. The water department is representative of major development in modern civilization. Here in Attleboro where the department has car- ried along for several years and met the growing needs of the com- munity. the direct need of keeping ahead on the development of the water works seems to have been neglected. This is a faet despite the many recommendations which have gone forward from the Mayor's office in the past. With the ever increasing growth of this department. the proposition of a reorganization of its detail is immediate. The A. B. C. Street Railway improvement is very slow. It continues to operate at a net loss. It is reasonable to suppose, however, that as business picks up and the cost of operation comes down this system will improve.
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