USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1924 > Part 8
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I have previously recommended to your honorable body that a larger appropriation be made to compensate for the increasing work of this department and I would therefore recommend again that $100 addi- tional be appropriated to carry on the work of this department for the year of 1925.
Respectfully submitted, WINFIELD E. DUNHAM,
Dog Officer.
104
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Term Expires 1925.
Joseph L. Sweet Mrs. Caroline S. Holden Thomas E. McCaffrey
Term Expires 1926.
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King Edwin F. Leach
Term Expires 1927.
Raymond M. Horton Miss Edith Claflin Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth Officers. Joseph L. Sweet, President Edwin F. Leach, Secretary Raymond Horton, Treasurer
Administration Committee.
The President, Raymond Horton, Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth.
Building and Property Committee.
The President, Thomas E. McCaffrey, Edwin F. Leach Book Committee.
The President, Mrs. Eleanor Carpenter, Miss Edith Claflin, Mrs. Caroline Holden.
105
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Central Building
North Main Street.
Hours-Week days, 10 A. M. to 9 P. M.
The reading room is open Sundays, 3 to 9 P. M., except during the months of June, July, August and September. Children's Room-School days, 12:30 to 6 P. M. Saturdays-10:00 A. M. to 8 P. M.
School Vacations-10:00 A. M. to 6 P. M .; Saturdays-10:00 A. M. to 8 P. M.
Branches-
Hebronville School-School year, Tuesdays, 4-8:30 P. M. Dodgeville Neighborhood house, Tuesdays, 3-8:30 P. M. South Attleboro-Thursdays 3-9 P. M. Washington School-School year, Thursdays, 3-5, 7-9 P. M.
Staff.
(Mrs.) Lucinda F. Spofford, Librarian. Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant. Margaret Kanaly, Junior Assistant. Ethel S. Bickford, Junior Assistant. *Carolyn Towle, Children's Librarian. Dorothy Richardson, Work with Children.
Part Time Assistants.
Angela Bowen Benita Dorwart Catherine Meegan
Mary Money Elizabeth Peckham Jennie Pierce.
Dorothy Poland
Sunday Assistant.
Emma Lewis
Janitor.
Frank Chace
*Resigned.
106
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
To the Honorable Mayor and the City Council of Attleboro:
Gentlemen:
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1924. The past year has been another busy and successful year for our Library, as you will observe by the circulation of books which totaled 123,520, an increase over the previous year of 5420 volumes. There has also been an increase in the use of books read in the library of which no record is made. We now have a total of 26,645 volumes in the library. 2171 volumes were added last year; 306 of these were gifts and 292 purchased from invested funds.
The South Attleboro Branch which was opened during the year has circulated 5665 volumes and the Washington School Branch, 2900 vol- umes. Therefore, it is apparent that the citizens in these sections of the city are making good use of the branches, and we expect the circulation will increase.
We have presented our budget to cover expenses for the year 1925. The total amount required is $15,300, an increase of $518 over 1924. In view of the extra expense of the branches and the constant demand for new books, necessary repairs and the unavoidable changing of the electric wiring to conform to the new system adopted in the center of the city, we feel we have held the amount of our budget down to a minimum, if we continue to give the service which we are confident you desire.
The money expended for building repairs and re-finishing last year has made a decided improvement but shows up the parts which have not been refinished to great disadvantage. The money requested for building repairs for 1925 covers only the most important of the re-finishing that is yet to be done, but we desire to keep up the appearance of the building as well as possible.
The duties of our staff have been carried on satisfactorily under the efficient direction of our librarian, and we feel that the public is pleased with the service rendered by the Attleboro Library.
Our Librarian, Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, has submitted a complete report for the year 1924 which is herewith appended, and we are sure that this will give you a comprehensive idea of what has been accom- plished during the year. We also call your attention to the annual report of our Treasurer, Mr. Raymond Horton.
Again, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation to all who have helped in the success of the Attleboro Public Library.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH L. SWEET, President,
THOMAS E. McCAFFREY, ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH, ELEANOR S. CARPENTER,
WILLIAM L. KING, RAYMOND M. HORTON,
EDITH L. CLAFLIN. CAROLINE S. HOLDEN, EDWIN F. LEACH.
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library.
ANNUAL REPORT
107
TREASURER'S REPORT OF INVESTED FUNDS.
W. R. Cobb Fund.
Att. S. Bk. Book 36652
$5,000.00
Emily H. Horton Fund.
Att. S. Bk. Book 34696.
Amt. Dec. 31, 1923.
$606.94
Int. on same for 1924.
31.10
Deposit in 1924.
200.00
$838.04
Letitia S. Allen Fund.
Amt. Dec. 31, 1923.
$702.19
Int. for 1924
28.36
$730.55
Organ Fund.
Amt. Dec. 31, 1923.
$385.10
Int. for 1924.
16.37
Deposit.
50.00
$451.47
J. L. Sweet Book Fund.
Att. S. Bk. Book, Dec. 1923.
$1000.00
Int. for 1924.
37.80
$1,037.80
Edwin F. Leach Book Fund
Att. S. Bk. Book, Dec. 31, 1923
$1,000.00
Int. for 1924. 37.80
$1,037.80
E. H. Horton Fund.
Province of Saskatchewan.
1,000.00
D. H. Smith Fund.
414% 3rd Liberty Bond.
5,000.00
E. F. Bliss Fund.
Winter Bros. 7% Bond
1,000.00
$16,095.66
Library Aid Association.
278.17
$16,373.83
S. Bank Book.
162.27
$16,536.10
Gain in invested funds of $679.60.
Difference in Cash Balance between 1923 and 1924-$137.15, making net gain of $542. 45 for the year.
108
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Disbursements.
Jan. 14. Gregory's Book Store
$87.48
Houghton, Mifflin Co. P. F. Collier Co. 48.60
23.90
Mar. 22. Gregory's Book Store. 24.20
5.12
July
2. Attleboro Savings Bank.
100.00
Oct. 8. Gregory's Book Store.
90.23
Nov.
5. Attleboro Savings Bank. Gregory's Book Store.
77.89
Dec.
12 Burnett's Inc .. .
2.64
Gregory's Book Store.
129.40
Bookshop for Boys and Girls.
40.19
$729.65
Bal. Jan. 1st, 1924 $162.27
Income Accounts.
Bal. Jan. 1st, 1924.
$299.42
Apr. 9. Daniel H. Smith Fund.
$106.25
E. H. Horton Fund.
30.00
15. W. R. Cobb Fund. 125.00
35.00
Oct.
15. W. R. Cobb Fund.
125.00
D. H. Smith Fund.
106.25
.
E. H. Horton Fund.
30.00
Dec.
1. E. B. Bliss Fund.
35.00
$592.50
$891.92
RAYMOND M. HORTON,
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Receipts.
City of Attleboro
$14,787.14
Expenditures.
Salaries and Janitor service. $ 8,222.26
Bindery .
900.00
Books.
2,249.39
Building
1,124.82
Fuel and Light.
1,055.00
Incidentals.
1,025.11
South Attleboro.
180.05
Total
$14,756.63
Treasurer.
July 1. E. B. Bliss Fund.
100.00
Brentano's Inc ..
109
ANNUAL REPORT
LIBRARIANS' REPORT
To the Board of Trustees:
Gentlemen :.
I have the honor to present herewith the annual report, covering the operations of the year ending Dec. 31, 1924.
In spite of the number of years that the Public Library has stood for something in the life of the City of Attleboro, there are still those who consider it merely a monument of learning, a mere collection of accumu- lated wisdom, a supply of information, and reading matter to those who happen to call for help. Therefore, it is for a clearer understanding of its ideals of informed intelligence, of sober and quiet consideration of serious things by the great masses of our people that we have striven Today all lives have so much that is ephemeral and hectic and hurried that deliber- ate intelligence seems at times threatened with extinction, and it is for such institutions as ours to make clear statement of our ideals.
One of the satisfactory developments is the increasing intimacy in the relation of the library with the societies and organizations having similar interests. The Attleboro chapter of the American Federation of Arts has held two exhibits in the library rooms with an attendance of nearly 6,000. The first, held in March, an exhibition of paintings, water- colors and pottery and the second, in November, with paintings by C. Arnold Slade and sculpture by Christian Petersen, both local men. Three lectures were given on art subjects, in the lecture hall.
The library feels that in encouraging these activities it is fostering and developing one more agency of cultural value in the community.
The lecture hall has been used this year for four University extension courses. The Etario Club, North Purchase Club, Attleboro Mother's Club, have held lectures and readings. The Trustees' room has been used many times for committee meetings as well as meetings of Book clubs.
The library lined up with practically all of the welfare organizations at the Health show which was held at the Y. M. C. A. A booth was taken by the library, and by charts, pictures, and books on health, advertised the library idea. One visitor asked the librarian, "What do you sell?" "We're selling the idea of the public library to the people of Attleboro along with the showing of our books on health" replied the librarian.
It was amazing to find out the number of people who live in the City who never use the Library, and those who do use it who fail to realize the extent of its entire service to the community. It was valuable exper- ience, one met the public on new ground and learned something of the business principles which enter into making a thing of that kind a suc- cess.
The "Sun" has helped in every way to extend the library message. We are always under obligations to the press of the city for space given us for annotated lists of new books, as well as for many items of lib- rary interest.
110
ANNUAL REPORT
ACCESSIONS AND CIRCULATION.
The total circulation for the year 1924 amounted to 123,520 an in- crease of 5420 volumes. Only the year 1922 has seen a larger circulation. The classes that show the largest increase comprise books on science, useful . arts and biography.
The following table gives the circulation for the past five years.
1920
Central.
77,944
1921 107,160
1922 112,531
1923 100,259
1924 101,845
High School.
2,816
4,717
5,151
8,374
5,084
Dodgeville
1,771
2,501
2,792
2,487
2,780
Hebronville.
5,841
5,288
5,274
4,363
5,246
So. Attleboro.
5,665
Washington Sch.
2,900
Total
88,272
119,666
125,748
118,100
123,520
Few people realize what an economical expedient a public library is for supplying the book needs of a community, and what large returns the public get from money expended. The total maintenance of the public library costs the city about $.64 per capita.
The person who buys one new book in the course of a year, probably pays three times that amount. It costs the patrons of circulating lib- raries $.64 in a very few weeks for a single book. Through the Public Library and its branches, every citizen for his $.64 not only inay draw novels, but any reasonable number of other books. Besides books, the library circulates music, stereoscopic views, pictures, magazines, and clippings.
For this amount comfortable quarters, lighted and heated, in which to study and read. Then, there is a corps of librarians, who are ready to help in the finding of books and information. Not only is the service given to the adult, but the children are helped in every way to cultivate a wholesome taste for reading.
Not a small part of the cost of maintenance is directed toward bring- ing books to the attention of those who do not realize to the full the great opportunity that awaits them in the use of the Public Library.
Besides the books taken home there is an increasing use of books in the building of which no record is kept. A wider understanding of how much the community benefits from a library, and at what small cost will lead to larger support-public or private-and greater support is nec- essary if we keep pace with the demands that come from the various parts of the city.
During the year 2171 volumes, of which 306 were gifts, and 292 were purchased from funds, were added; 1533 volumes were worn out, leaving a net gain of 642 volumes. The total stock now comprises 26,645 vol- umes.
Children's Room and School Use.
The children's room is the natural point of approach for those young readers who are below the age of entering High School, therefore it is a busy and animated place.
111
ANNUAL REPORT
"Good Book Week" was observed. The library emphasized the fact that it stood ready to aid younger readers and parents in the choice of books, by posters and the distribution of copies of a selected list of books. For one week one of our local book stores had a window display of some of the books recommended by the Public Library.
During the summer months a successful "Vacation reading club" with a membership of 130 was formed. 556 books were read and reviews written.
At the opening of the school year the reading from the "State reading list" was suggested to one teacher. From that suggestion grew an almost overwhelming demand for books on the lists. 96 certificates have been issued and 11 honor certificates. The state offers to any child who reads five books chosen from approved graded lists, a certificate which bears the name of the state superintendent of education, the director of the division of public libraries and the local librarian, and an honor certificate for twenty books read.
To meet this very urgent demand for books is one of our real problems for not only are the children interested but teachers and principals are urging the reading upon the children.
We have been able to discontinue the school deposits in the Wash- ington and South Attleboro Schools as the branches are accessible to the children. The Tiffany and Briggs Corner schools are now the only build- ings where the children are unable to have access to a real library. The teachers from all of the schools make use of their teacher's cards to supply themselves and their classes with supplementary material.
The circulation of the children's room totaled 31,574. The entire juvenile circulation including schools and branches was 42,190. The circulation to teachers for.class room use was 1476. 1860 pictures were circulated.
Branches.
It has been felt for some time that the Attleboro Public Library needed to extend and develop its constituency even more than its circula- tion of books. There were whole groups of possible or prospective readers who had not been brought into a position where they were ready to use the library resources either on account of too great distance or from not having it brought to their attention.
As a result of this thinking, feeling, doing and a very keen interest on the part of the Mother's Club of the Washington School and the people of South Attleboro village this year has seen the opening of two branches. The South Attleboro Branch located in a rented building at 486 Newport Ave. and the Washington Branch, conducted in the Washington School. From the South Attleboro Branch there has been a circulation of 5665 with 258 registered. The Branch was formally opened in April with the Mayor, Trustees and people of South Attleboro present. The building had under gone extensive repairs and the necessary furniture was installed. Money for these changes was provided by people interested in that section of the city. The Mother's Club gave a Webster's International dictionary. Magazines have to a great extent been provided by local women. Curtains were made by the same loyal members of the Mother's Club.
112
ANNUAL REPORT
Vacation reading club was carried on during the summer months with very satisfactory results. In the fall a book party was given at which each member of the club entertained a guest.
During "Good Book Week" an exhibition of suitable books for Christmas purchase was held during one afternoon and evening.
In May the Washington Branch opened in the Washington School. Through the co-operation of the School Dept. and the keen interest of Mr. Fales consent was obtained by a committee from the Mothers' Club to have shelves made in a small room and in this way the branch became an actuality. As the library had no money to carry on the work members of the club have been willing to give their time, under the supervision of the librarian, in order that the people might have library privileges.
During the fall all of the children of the school were registered. Three afternoons a week are library days for the school children. This part of the program is cared for by the Principal, Mrs. Clayton. In the four months that the Branch has been open 2900 books have circulated.
In March, the High School Librarian was taken over by the School Department. This is a very satisfactory arrangement as the Public Library needed a full time assistant and the entire time of the librarian was demanded at the High School.
The Library has continued to loan books to the High School in as large numbers as last year for required reading.
At the Dodgeville Branch the circulation has been 2780 a gain of 293 over the previous year. Since September the Dodgeville Neighborhood House has been closed and all social activities of the Association trans- ferred to the Dodgeville School.
During the winter months Mrs. William F. Eastwood conducted a very successful series of story hours. The close of the series was celebrated by a Mayday party.
From the Hebronville Branch there has been a circulation of 5246. Mrs Dorothy Poland has had the direct charge of the work under Miss . Roberts' sympathetic guidance.
The Girls' Club raised money and placed three years' subscriptions for magazines.
GIFTS.
The library expresses its thanks to all donors of books and pamph- lets. To the book collection in the Children's Room there have been additions to the amount of $300 from Mrs. Gertrude Sweet. The annual Chaminade Club concert was given for the benefit of the library and $50 was received as an addition to the Attleboro Public Library Music Fund. Mrs. Tilda Einstein gave a curtain for the lecture hall and Mr. Leonard Lamb and Prof. Arthur Lamb gave a balopticon. The sum of $278 was received from the Library Aid Association and funded.
STAFF.
Changes have taken place in the staff during the year. Miss Mar- garet Kanaly of the Belmont Library joined the staff in March, and Miss Carolyn Towle, for the past year Children's Librarian, resigned to con- tinue her studies. Miss Ethel S. Bickford, a Radcliffe College graduate
113
ANNUAL REPORT
came to us in December. But for the excellent spirit of service to meet growing demands during the winter season, the vacation periods with its reduced working force and added work necessitated by the opening of more Branches, our service would be much less effective.
One or more members of the staff have attended the professional meetings of the Round Table for Children's Librarians, Old Dartmouth Club at Fall River and the Library Institute held in Boston under the direction of the Massachusetts Library Commission. Miss Dorothy Richardson took, at her own expense, the six weeks summer course at the New York State Library School. The library was represented at the annual meeting of the American Library Association in Saratoga Springs by the Librarian.
The Librarian spoke before the Washington School Mothers Club, South Attleboro Neighborhood meetings, Taunton Mothers' Club, Pierian Club, Round Table, Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Girl Scouts. She gave instruction to the girls of the Continuation School as well as book talks and readings to visiting classes.
The Librarian wishes to express her thanks to the Trustees for their support, and to the members of the staff for their willing and constant cooperation in the work of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian.
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Circulation by Stations and Classes.
Central A. H. S. Dodge- Hebron- So. Att. Wash Schools Ad. & Juv.
051
2613
36
60
5
64
100
703
23
22
1
1
200
621
18
1
20
6
24
46
300
6849
345
330
589
432
282
288
400
131
14
500
1598
144
69
138
106
108
99
600
1929
170
107
71
45
48
66
700
2149
51
47
43
31
34
9
800
3673
701
155
171
112
120
186
900
1398
570
63
114
52
14
103
910
1395
229
53
58
105
81
43
920
2009
773
16
41
54
105
85
Non F.
25068
3074
901
1272
1008
816
919
Fict.
74469
2010
1879
3974
4657
2084
1389
Total
99547
5084
2780
5246
5665
2900
2308
Grand Total
123,520
CIRCULATION BY MONTHS AND CLASSES.
051
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
910
920
N. F. Fict.
Total
January
339
88
86
747
16
181
212
239
635
241
184
310
3,278
7,632
10,910
February
236
54
81
692
18
214
254
198
510
285
211
392
3,145
7,533
10,678
March
266
42
87
828
12
183
222
245
485
263
206
347
3,186
8,594
11,780
April
238
52
53
808
6
144
198
170
406
151
168
267
2,661
7,641
10,302
May
191
53
39
692
5
209
203
213
423
144
150
263
2,585
7,881
10,466
June
154
48
76
833
14
200
204
154
400
178
140
206
2,607
7,711
10,318
July
185
50
41
470
8
118
167
132
251
73
97
131
1,723
6,322
8,045
August
162
57
25
483
7
114
142
130
184
52
90
107
1,553
5,995
7,548
September
212
62
31
568
16
130
156
151
243
177
97
124
1,967
5,869
7,836
October
282
82
70
913
14
224
212
238
425
245
185
228
3,118
7,922
11,040
November
288
106
67
1,071
12
274
228
256
525
307
210
368
3,712
8,732
12,444
December
225
56
80 1,010
17
264
238
238
631
198
226
340
3,523
8,630
12,153
Total
2,778 750 736 9.115 145 2,255 2,436 2,364 5,118 2,314 1,964 3,083 33,059 90,461 123,520
114
ANNUAL REPORT
115
ANNUAL REPORT
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM OF LIBRARY STATISTICS.
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1923.
Name of Library-Attleboro Public Library.
City-Attleboro, Mass.
Librarian-Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Terms of use .- Free for lending. Free for reference.
Agencies .- Central Library, 4 Branches in 3 School Buildings and 1 rented building. 2 school buildings, (11 classrooms.)
Number of days open during year-304 for lending, 340 for reading.
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) 72
Number of staff (Library service, adding part-time employees to make whole units, December 31, 1924) .10
Adult
Juvenile
Total
26,003
Number of volumes at beginning of year
Number of volumes added during year by purchase.
1,148
630
1.778
Number of volumes added during year by gifts or exchange.
46
260
306
Number of volumes added during year by binding material not otherwise counted Lost and missing volumes restored
87
87
Number of volumes withdrawn during year.
the
725
808
1,533
Total number of volumes at end of year.
26,645
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use.
63,082
27,379
90,461
Number of volumes lent for home use.
80,610
42,910
123,520
Number of new borrowers registered during the new year .
1,473
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received
132 titles
152 copies
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.
Largest issue in one month-November, 1924. 12,444
Smallest issue in one month-August, 1924. 7,548
Number of Sundays Library was open .. 34
Number of Sunday visitors 1,237
Per capita circulation-(estimated population, Dec. 1923) 5.3
Cost per capita.
$.64
4
4
116
ANNUAL REPORT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit herewith the tenth annual report of the Public Works Department of the City of Attleboro for the year ending December 31st, 1924.
The writer completed his first term as Superintendent in April and was reappointed for a second term, which appointment was approved by the Municipal Council. The appeal to the District Court by Mr. D. F. Vaughn to be restored to his duties as foreman in the Highway Division was decided in favor of the City. It is interesting to note in this con- nection that the efforts of the department were record breaking in several instances, and it has been clearly demonstrated that the elimination of the above mentioned foreman has worked out as an economy in the control of the efforts of the personnel.
The cooperation of His Honor, the Mayor, and the Honorable Muni- cipal Council in projecting our problems after due study is worthy indeed of appreciation.
Besides covering in on emergencies outside of our usual jurisdiction, this department has taken care of work upon our public highways, side- walks, street lighting, oiling, street signs, house numbering, street cleaning, surface drainage (construction and maintenance); the water system, its care, upkeep and extension, the Pumping Station, filter beds, storage reservoir, standpipe, and maintenance of the A. B. C. St. Ry., as well as supervising the contract operation of same.
The weather during the year has been difficult to forecast and nu- merous long established weather bureau records for this locality have been broken. In the main the weather conditions operated as a hardship in the planning and performance of outdoor work. Starting the year the winter was unusually open. However, in the late winter we had record breaking gales and snow storms which caused us to expend considerable snow and ice money in the first quarter of the year. The spring started with rainy weather, and then turned dry, so that going into the summer there was considerable suffering from drought in and about this vicinity. The fall was open but cool and the last quarter was remarkably in our favor considering the fact that we were allowed to continue trench excavation right up to the end of the year. It is well to mention at this time that there were two unusually heavy gales during the summer and early fall which wrought considerable destruction in our midst blowing down trees, clogging up drains, and washing out roads in South Attleboro leading to St. Jean plat.
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