USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1926 > Part 7
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I recommend the purchase of a new touring car for the department, the one now in use has seen four years' service. While it has given entire satisfaction it must be apparent to your honorable board that the time has arrived when it must be replaced by a new one.
The patrol wagon, now eight years in use is in very good shape, except that it needs a new coat of paint. I recommend that enough money be appropriated in the automibile account to take care of this.
I recommend the removal of the large tree at the junction of Oak Hill Avenue and Park Street, and the installation of a traffic beacon at this place. This tree is so situated that motorists coming north or Oak Hill Avenue and turning left into Park Street invariably take to the left of it, if two automibiles meet on this blind curve it is almost impossible to avoid a collision.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
ARRESTS FOR 1926
Male Female Total
Assault and battery
8
1
9
Assault with intent to kill.
1
0
1
Abortion
0
1
1
Abandonment of wife.
2
0
2
Attempt to break and enter in the night time
1
0
1
Allowing unlicensed person to operate steam boiler ..
4
0
4
Breaking and entering in the night time.
8
0
8
Carrying revolver without a permit.
5
0
5
Concealing leased property
2
0
2
Cruelty to animals.
4
0
4
Drunkenness
137
5
142
Delinquent children
11
4
15
Drawing fraudulent check
2
1
3
Disturbance of the peace
4
0
4
Disorderly persons
17
2
1.9
Fornication
1
1
2
Indecent exposure
4
0
4
Illegal keeping of liquor
4
2
6
Illegal sale of liquor
0
2
2
Illegal transportation of liquor
10
2
12
Illegal keeping of fireworks.
1
0
1
. Illegal sale of fireworks
1
0
1
Illegal storing of fireworks
1
0
1
Keeping unlicensed dog
17
0
17
Larceny
20
1
21
Lewdness
0
1
1
Motor vehicle laws, violation of
126
1
127
Maintaining a house of ill fame.
0
1
1
Maintaining a gambling nuisance.
2
0
2
Manslaughter
2
0
2
Neglect to provide
20
1
21
Neglected children
6
13
19
Operating a steam boiler without a license.
1
0
1
Present at gaming.
9
0
9
Rape
3
0)
3
Ringing false fire alarm.
1
0
1
Receiving stolen property
2
0
2
Stubborness
0
1
1
Tramp
10
1
11
Violation of pure food law
6
0
6
Violation of the health law.
2
0
2
Vagrancy
1
1
2
Violation of probation.
3
0
3
Violation of city ordinance
2
0
2
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461
43
504
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1 0
1
Bastardy
91
ANNUAL REPORT
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Automobile accidents reported and investigated.
215
Automobiles reported stolen in Attleboro and recovered. 15
Automobiles reported stolen in other places. 116
Automobiles reported stolen in other cities and recovered here. 27
Articles reported lost
55
Articles found on streets by patrolmen.
49
Assaults reported
18
Breaks reported and investigated.
52
Defects in streets reported
79
Defective headlights reported
14
Doors found unlocked and secured.
118
Fatal automobile accidents during the year.
4
Fires investigated
Indecent exposure reports.
12
Insane persons committed to State institutions. .
18
Larcenies reported
85
Lights found burning in public buildings.
10
Lost children found and returned to their homes
45
Malicious mischief, reports of. 95
416
Nuisances reported
9
Patients carried to hospital in police ambulance
37
Persons bitten by dogs
11
Persons reported missing and located.
19
Persons reported missing from other places and located here.
4
Suicides from gas poisoning.
2.
Suicides by hanging.
1
Suicide by drowning
1
Street lights reported out by patrolmen.
184
Wires reported down by patrolmen.
12
CONCLUSION
I believe the work of the department has been made easier because of the fact that Attleboro is one of the most law-abiding cities to be found. I desire at this time to express my appreciation to the members of the department for the service they have rendered during the year, the officers worked hard and faithful and I take this opportunity to thank. them for the work they have performed.
I wish also to thank His Honor, Mayor George A. Sweeney, and members of the Municipal Council, Ralph C. Estes, Esq., Special Justice of the Fourth District Court and Court Officials, the members of the Fire Department and all others that assisted in any way during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
TERENCE E. FLANAGAN, Chief of Police
.
7
Miscellaneous reports
.
92
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Dog Officer
Attleboro, Mass., December 23, 1926
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council:
I herewith submit to you my report as Dog Officer from January 1, 1926 to December 15, 1926.
According to the records of the City Clerk we have 1,469 licensed dogs in the City of Attleboro, the license fees from which total $3,882.00 I believe this the largest number of dogs licensed in the city, a sub- stantial gain over previous years.
During the past year I have had occasion to answer 395 complaints concerning the keeping of dogs and had a list of 257 names of delinquent owners of unlicensed dogs given me by the City Clerk, 16 of which were prosecuted and convicted according to chapter 140 of the General Laws.
As I have previously recommended to your honorable body the in- creasing work in this department should warrant a larger appropriation.
Respectfully submitted,
WINFIELD E. DUNHAM, Dog Officer
93
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
Raymond M. Horton
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Term Expires 1927 Miss Edith Claflin Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth
Term Expires 1928
Joseph L. Sweet Mrs. Caroline S. Holden Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Term Expires 1929
Mrs. Eleanor S. Carpenter William L. King Edwin F. Leach
Officers
Joseph L. Sweet, President
Edwin F. Leach, Secretary
Raymond M. Horton, Terasurer
Administration Committee
The President Raymond M. Horton Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth William L. King
The President
Building and Property Committee Dr. Frederick V. Murphy Edwin F. Leach
Book Committee
The President
Mrs. Eleanor Carpenter Mrs. Caroline Holden
Miss Edith Claflin
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 A. M. to 8 P. M.
School Vacations-10 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, 3-7:30 P. M. South Attleboro-Thursdays, 3-9 P. M. Washington School -- School year, Thursdays 1-6 P. M.
Staff (Mrs.) Lucinda F. Spofford, Librarian Laura Monnier, Senior Assistant Josephine Converse, Junior Assistant E. Dorothea Savithes, Junior Assistant Dorothy Robinson, Work With Children Mary Money, Assistant *Ethel S. Bickford, Junior Assistant *Resigned Sept. 1926
94
ANNUAL REPORT
Part Time Assistants Angela Bowen Grace Hodges Dorothy Lamond Elizabeth Peckham (Mrs.) Dorothy Poland
Sunday Assistant Mrs. Aravesta Paul
Janitor Frank Chace
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Attleboro:
Gentlemen:
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report of the year ending December 31, 1926.
The Library has completed another successful year with a large circulation of 138,549 books, of this number 36,961 were non-fiction and 101,588 fiction. 86,653 were loaned to adults and 51,896 to juveniles. Total number of volumes in the library December 31, 1926 was 28,612.
The Trustees have held regular monthly meetings with good at- tendance throughout the year, and the Librarian has at each meeting made an interesting report of the Library activities of the preceding month, and we are sure every effort has been made to carry on the Li- brary work in an efficient and economical manner.
Our Librarian, Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford has made a complete report which is herewith appended, together with the report of our Treasurer, Raymond M. Horton.
The interior of the building is much improved since the repairs of last year, but we have considerable to do this year to keep the building in good condition.
We have presented our budget for the year 1927 asking for a total appropriation of $15,965 which is $190 more than 1926. Each item of expense has been carefully considered, and we expect it will require much care to keep within the amount requested.
We wish to express thanks and appreciation to all who have favored the Library with gifts and in other ways assisted during the past year. Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH L. SWEET, President
ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH
ELEANOR S. CARPENTER
WILLIAM L. KING
RAYMOND M. HORTON
EDITH L. CLAFLIN
CAROLINE S. HOLDEN
DR. FREDERICK V. MURPHY
EDWIN F. LEACH
Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library
95
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY For Year Ending December 31, 1926 REPORT OF INVESTED FUNDS
Jan. 1st, Cash on hand.
$186.37
April 15th, W. R. Cobb Fund.
$125.00
May 3rd, D. H. Smith Fund, Bond Investment Fund
127.50
May 4th, Emily H. Horton Fund, Prov. of Saskatch- ewan
30.00
June 1st, Everett Bliss Fund, Winter Bros. Co.
35.00
October 19th, W. R. Cobb Fund.
125.00
Dec. 6th, D. H. Smith Fund, Bond Investment Fund
130.00
Dec. 6th, Everett Bliss Fund, Winter Bros. Co ..
35.00
Dec. 6th, Emily H. Horton Fund, Prov. of Saskatche- wan
30.00
Total
$637.50
$823.87
Feb. 15th, Library Book House
$98.63
May 3rd, Transfer to Savings Bank
100.00
*June 14th, Harris, Forbes Co ..
27.88
Nov. 13th, Herman Goldberger
246.13
Dec. 15th, Rand McNally & Co.
27.74
Dec. 15th, R. L. James Book Shop.
20.59
Dec. 15th, Library Book House.
17.52
Dec. 15th, Book Shop for Boys and Girls.
90.69
Balance Dec. 31, 1926.
$629.18
$194.69
*Added the accrued interest, together with $27.88, and purchased an extra certificate in Bond Investment Fund.
INCREASE IN INVESTMENTS
Increase During Year
D. H. Smith Fund, E. H. Horton Reserve Fund
$100.00
Balance Jan. 1, 1926
$1,005.67
Interest added
52.13
Transfer from Increase Acct ..
100.00
152.13
J. L. Sweet Book Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1926
$1,090.31
Interest added
55.18
55.18
$1,145.49
Edwin Leach Book Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1926.
$1,090.31
Interest added
55.18
55.18
$1,145.49
. .
$1,157.80
96
ANNUAL REPORT
Woman's Library Association
Balance Jan. 1, 1926.
$291.05
Interest added
14.73
14.73
Sarah J. Briggs Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1926.
$508.33
Interest added
25.73
25.73
$534.06
Organ Recital Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1926
$520.52
Chaminade Club
50.00
Interest added
22.00
72.00
Letitia L. Allen Fund
Balance Jan. 1, 1926.
$760.05
Interest added
30.70
30.70
$790.75
$505.65
Total increase
LIST OF INVESTMENTS December 31, 1926
W. R. Cobb Fund Book 36,652, Att. Savings Bank.
$5,000.00
Emily H. Horton Fund
Book 34,696, Att. Savings Bank.
1,157.80
J. L. Sweet Book Fund
Book 38,666, Att. Savings Bank.
1,145.49
Edwin Leach Book Fund
Book 38,667, Att. Savings Bank.
1,145.49
Woman's Library Association Book 40,047, Att. Savings Bank.
305.78
Sarah J. Briggs Fund
Book 41,127, Att. Savings Bank. 543.06
Letitia L. Allen Fund
Book 3,682, Att. Trust Co.
790.75
Organ Recital Fund
Book 118, Att. Trust Co.
592.52
Daniel H. Smith Fund Bond Investment Trust of America.
5,200.00
E. H. Horton Fund
Prov. of Saskatchewan 6% Bond. 1,000.00
Everett Bliss Fund
Winter Bros. Co. Bond 1,000.00
$17,871.89
$305.78
.....
$592.52
97
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY Receipts
City of Attleboro
Expenditures
Salaries and janitor service.
$8,364.08
Bindery
1,100.00
Books
2,249.39
Building
1,212.18
Fuel and light
1,192.88
Incidentals
1,085.88
South Attleboro
230.17
Washington Branch
62.00
Dodgeville
9.37
Hebronville
14.50
Total
$15,520.45
Balance
$254.55
RAYMOND M. HORTON, Treasurer
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
I have the honor the present my report for the year ending December 31, 1926.
A Few Statistics
Present volumes in library, Dec. 31, 1926.
28,612
Circulation, for the year 1926.
138,549
Largest issue in one month-March.
14,835
Smallest issue in one month-August.
8,352
New cards were issued to 838 borrowers
34
Number of Sunday visitors.
1,861
Survey
In the report of last year the volumes then reported comprised 27,517. During the past year the total additions have been 2,055. Of this number 1,700 were added by purchases, 233 by gift, 14 lost or missing volumes were restored and 122 were acquired by binding material not otherwise counted. 974 books were withdrawn and lost. Deducting the number withdrawn and we have the present number owned by the library, 28,612. The following table shows the total amounts spent for books during the last five years and also brings to our attention the ever mounting prices of books.
1922
1923
1924
1:25
1926
City appropriation for
Books
$1,999.86
$2,499.98
$2,249.39
$2,249.17
$2,249.17
Spent from Funds for
Books
304.02
156.10
529.65
489.65
529.18
Total amount
$2,303.88
$2,656.08
$2,779.04
$2,738.82
$2,778.35
$15,775.00
Number of Sundays library was open.
98
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of books ad-
ded by purchase 1.236 1,704 1,778 2,031 1,700
1925-Average price per volume of all books ..
. $1.34
1926-Average price per volume of all books.
. 1.63
In 1926 twelve most popular non-fiction titles cost from $2.50 to $12.50 each, averaging $7.29. With these mounting costs 331 less books were bought in 1926.
Branches and Schools Circulation by Stations
Central
1924 99,537
1925 110,337
1926 111,504
Dodgeville School Branch
2,780
2,654
2,617
Hebronville School Branch
5,246
5,006
4,700
South Attleboro Branch
5,665
7,141
5,221
Washington School Branch.
2,900
6,378
7,872
Schools
7,392
7,308
6,635
Total
123,520
138,824 138,549
Mrs. Dorothy Robinson took over the work at South Attleboro after the resignation of Miss Ethel Bickford. A duplicate pay collection was started at the request of the Mothers' Club. After several months' trial it was deemed unsatisfactory. The moving of the higher grades to the Lincoln School takes some children away from the South Attleboro Branch.
It has been necessary to increase the hours of opening at the Wash- ington Branch from 1 o'clock to 6 o'clock. The Branch has been open 32 days or 160 hours with a circulation of 7,872 books, a gain of 1,494 over 1925. Surely here is a demand for library service. One hundred and ten new borrowers were registered.
Dodgeville and Hebronville School Branches have done satisfactory work but have presented no new problems.
The Tiffany and Briggs Corner Schools continued to be served by class room libraries and the usual number of books have been sent to the High School.
Much work is involved in the sending of books to the branches and schools. Endeavoring to have the collection fresh and suited to its community a certain percent of the books on deposit at the branches are changed each month. Here one feels the need of a larger and more varied selection of books as well as duplicate copies of fiction to select from.
Central Library
The Children's room at the Central Library has been at all times a center of real activity: 295 new borrowers were registered during the year 1926; and the circulation was 35,488. Of this total 21,556 were stories and 13,932 were non-fiction.
Mrs. Margaret Powers conducted a series of ten story-hours on Saturday mornings with an average attendance of 40 children.
During the winter school vacation the Attleboro Chapter of the American Federation of Arts held an exhibit of water colors, suited to children, by Mrs. Florence Bradshaw Browne and original illustrations by Warwick Goble. These illustrations were from "Treasure Island,"
99
ANNUAL REPORT
Chaucer, "Book of Fairy Poetry" and "Water Babies." As the children were able to compare the illustrations in the books with the originals there was much to discuss. They appreciated in some degree both the mechanical processes necessary to reproduce the colors and drawings and also the artistic sense and originality necessary to make the originals.
The usual number of classes have visited the library for book talks and instruction.
Interest in the State Certificate reading lists have been encouraged. A number of principals make the presentation of the certificates a cere- mony of importance. 14 honor certificates and 130 small certificates were issued Dec. 1925-Dec. 1926.
During the summer vacation a club, with the purpose of directing vacation reading was formed. The club was organized in regular form with officers and was known os the Adventure Club. The membership was 108. A program was planned for each meeting by a program com- mittee. Books were discussed, short plays were adapted from chapters of books and were acted, and games were played.
Three weeks before Good Book Week the children met in the Child- ren's room on Saturday mornings for an hour and made posters to ad- vertise Good Book Week, and the books which they liked. The results were most interesting. At the end of the week the children came together for a Book Party. Eighty children came dressed in costumes representing a character in some book they had read. Five of the library assistants acted scenes from "Alice in Wonderland". To attend the well conducted and well planned meetings of this group of children from the various schools makes one realize what a vivid, vital force we have at our command.
"There is power in books,-fortitude-imagination. Children's read- ing is a subject of limitless possibilities and life long implications." Let us give the children of Attleboro an opportunity to read freely the books of their choice. Let them know the joy of reading for reading sake. More and more the library is becoming a playground for the mind as well as a testing place for the interests which have been created in schools.
Let us cherish this institution which is the hand maid of our public schools and not curtail its usefulness for lack of materials (books) and assistants who have a knowledge of books and understanding of child nature.
Teachers have borrowed from the Children's Room for Classroom use 1,168 books and 1,335 pictures.
The Americanization classes and Evening School classes have all made their usual visit to the library.
An increasing number of clubs used the hall for lectures and courses. Two art exhibits were held under the auspices of the Attleboro Chapter of the American Federation of Art. The March exhibition was a selected loan exhibit from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Three thousand people attended. The November exhibit was a group of forty-nine oils from' the Guild of Boston Artists. Children from the grades visited the gallery with their teachers and over twelve hundred adults were glad of the opportunity to see the pictures.
At the Attleboro Health Show the library had a booth where we were able by spoken work, by posters, magazines and books to emphasize our part in all Attleboro's problems.
100
ANNUAL REPORT
Judging from the varied questions that come to us in person, by messenger and telephone a growing group of manufacturers, designers and students are seeking the library for answer to their problems.
Reference work, which is one of the most interesting and most trust- worthy evidences of usefulness to all parts of the community which it serves demands from the library a type of book which is most expensive and library assistants with a knowledge of library resources and a per- sonality that will inspire confidence. I do wish to lay stress upon our need particularly for more money for books and adequate salaries.
The American Library Association which has for its motto: "The best reading for the greatest number at the least cost," has completed a study of public library conditions and needs.
Objectives
Ultimate goal: Adequate public library service within easy reach of everyone in the United States and Canada.
1. A public opinion convinced of the value of public libraries and of high standards of library service.
2. Effective city libraries reaching their whole service areas;
3. The county or other large unit as the basis for adequate rural public library service.
4. A strong state library extension agency in every state and prov- ince.
To reach the standard for "effective city libraries reaching their whole area," this organization has found that, to quote, "One standard set for library service is one and a half volume per person in the average community; in a very small place a much larger proportion is needed to allow any range of choice." With a population of 24,072 (estimated January, 1927) according to this measure we should have at least 36,108 books in our library.
On Dec. 31, 1926, our stock was 28,612.
To continue, "If the expenditures for public libraries were evenly distributed over the whole country it would be only 32 cents per person. Actually, per capita figures for the several states show a wide range from 2 cents in two states to $1.08 in California."
"As a standard of library support of the Amercian Library Asso- ciation adopted the careful study of library resources and service in different parts of the country; $1 per capita of the population of the community served is a reasonable minimum annual revenue for the library in a community desiring to maintain a good modern public library system with trained librarians ...... Communities desiring their libraries to supply these needs extensively and with the highest grade of trained service, will find it necessary to provide a support much larger than the minimum of $1 per capita. Individual public libraries giving a high grade service are actually spending more than this. Massachusetts reports 86 libraries which meet or pass this standard, Ohio, 26."
Attleboro's population December, 1926, 24,072 (estimated January, 1927.)
Public library appropriation for 1925-$15,450.
101
ANNUAL REPORT
With a working force of ten library assistants a staff room is very much needed. At comparatively small cost a very attractive room could be fitted up in the basement.
Acknowledgments
The usual courtesies have been extended by our newspaper not only in the printing of our regular weekly notes, but in connection with other announcements. During the past year the library has benefited by the thoughtful generosity of Mrs. Gertrude H. Sweet, who gave $300 for books for the juvenile collection. Books were received from Mr. W. L. King, Mrs. Raymond M. Horton, Mrs. Joseph L. Sweet. The popular books which have served their use in homes are a very welcome addition to a public library which has inadequate book funds and which has Branches to supply. Mrs. Adelaide Bailey gave three interesting old books "A view of the U. S. in a series of papers," date 1794; "Antiquary", date 1820 and "Poetical Works" by Pope, dated 1842.
The Chaminade Club contributed $50 to the Attleboro Public Library Music Fund.
Mr. Joseph L. Sweet made possible a series of ten story-hours.
Staff
Changes have come to our staff during the year.
Miss Ethel S. Bickford, Junior Assistant resigned in August to study at Boston University and Miss Dorothy Richardson became Mrs. Leon Robinson. At that time she decided she did not care for the full re- sponsibility of the Children's Room but continues with the work at the Dodgeville Branch, work which she has had charge of for three years and took over the work at the South Attleboro Branch, thus working only on a half week basis.
Miss Josephine Converse, a graduate of the Springfield Training Class with work at Syracuse University and two years of library ex- perience joined the st aff as Junior Assistant in July. Miss E. Dorothea Savithes, a graduate of New Hampshire State University, came to the library as a Junior Assistant in November.
State library meetings have been attended by various members of the staff from time to time. The Librarian attended the American Library Association Convention at Atlantic City in October.
Miss Mary Money took the three weeks' summer course at Simmons College and after the completion of the course was made a member of the library staff.
The Children's Worker was given time to meet with the Round Table of Children's Librarians and to avail herself of their advice and help.
The Librarian has given many talks on books to varied organizations and clubs, and instruction in the use of the library to elementary school classes.
Whatever of success the library may have accomplished in the year 1926, a great part is due to the faithful service rendered by the assistants of the library and to the Trustees, who are ever mindful of the needs of the library and have given their support to all forward movements.
Respectfully submitted,
(MRS.) LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian
102
CIRCULATION BY MONTH AND CLASSES
1926
051
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
910
920 T.N.F. Fict.
Total
January
263
77
64
1249
9
192
276
245
504
206
288
288
3661
9205
12866
February
255
61
55
1079
6
136
205
214
476
164
194
315
3160
8305
11465
March
332
85
103
1217
19
225
256
345
586
236
308
403
4115 10720
14835
April
265
61
80
907
5
192
241
265
513
158
227
342
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