USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1928 > Part 7
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The Studebaker Touring Car and Harley-Davison motorcycle will go for another year, as both are in perfect running order.
The equipment carried by the officers is of the most modern type, and in good condition. We have also three riot guns ready for use at any moment, should the occasion arise.
THE POLICE FORCE
The Police Department at the present time is in the best condition it has even been, the officers perform their duties faithfully and well, and work together in perfect harmony. Lack of harmony is a thing unknown wihtin the ranks, though curbstone politicians would like to upset the morale of the Department, by insisting that such a thing exists.
Each Superior Officer during his hours of duty, carried out the in- structions given him to the letter, and the rank and file are to be congratulated for their demeanour towards their Superiors.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the first place I again recommend the erection of a suitable build- ing to be used as Police Headquarters. It is an open secret that the place used as such for a number of years, is but a poor imitation of what is needed. Until this can be done I would recommend that an ap- propriation be made to paint the walls and wood work of the offices upstairs and the cell rooms in the basement.
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ANNUAL REPORT
I recommend the installation of a modern recall Gamewell system with the colored lights attached on the outside. This system would enable the Superior officers to get in touch with the Patrolmen on the street in a very short space of time in case of necessity.
I recommend the appointment of two additional Patrolmen, one for the Hebronville-Dodgeville, and the other for the North Main-Pleasant street Ford patrols. Sending a lone police officer in a motor patrol in the outlying districts at night, is to my mind a dangerous proposition, and I find that my opinion is concurred with by leading police officials everywhere.
I recommend the purchase of two motorcycles for the day officers in South Attleboro and Hebronville. The territory covered by these of- ficers is so large that it is impossible to cover it properly wihtout some means of locomotion.
I recommend the appointment of a clerk at Headquarters to take care of the correspondence and make out reports. This work has here- tofore been done almost exclusively by the Chief of Police, and as its volume increases it takes up a lot of the time which might well be de- voted to other business.
I recommend that your Honorable Board consult with the Trustees of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital, to devise some means whereby the Department may be relieved of the operation of the Legion Ambulance. We have many out of town calls to bring patients to the Hospital, and it is found necessary on most occasions to take a Patrolman from his route to assist at same.
CONCLUSION
I desire at this time to thank His Honor, Mayor Fred E. Briggs for his efforts to increase the efficiency of the Department, the members of the Municipal Council, the Justices of the Fourth District Court and Court Officials, Chief Fred E. Clark and members of the Fire Department, City Hall employees, newspaper men and all others who in any way assisted the Department during the year.
TERENCE E. FLANAGAN, Chief of Police
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 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 L. Leach
Term Expires 1930
Miss Edith Claflin Raymond M. Horton Mrs. Winthrop F. Barden
OFFICERS
Joseph L. Sweet.
President
Edwin F. Leach. . Secretary
Raymond M. Horton Treasurer
COMMITTEES
The President, Mr. Horton, Mrs. Barden, Mr. King ........ Administration The President, Mr. Leach, Dr. Murphy . Building and Property The President, Miss Claflin, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Holden. .Books
STAFF
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer Librarian
*Laura Monnier Senior Assistant
*Josephine Converse. . Junior Assistant
Dorothy I. Hannaford
Senior Assistant
Segrid Lindbeck. Junior Assistant
Elizabeth Peckham. Junior Assistant
Mary Money. Assistant in Charge of Children's Room
PART TIME ASSISTANTS
Angela Bowen
Florence Gould (Summer Substitute)
Jane Hodges Frances Keena
*Celia Lindsay
(Mrs.) Aravesta H. Paul
Hope Reeves Marjorie Rhodes (Mrs.) Dorothy Robinson
JANITOR
*Resigned
William P. Barrett
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
January 29, 1929.
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Attleboro:
Gentlemen:
The Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library respectfully submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1928.
The total circulation for the year was 141,800 with 30,515 books in the library at the end of the year; this is an average circulation of 4.6 times for each book.
Trustee meetings have been held regularly each month excepting July and August. We regret exceedingly our President, Joseph L. Sweet has been unable to attend during most of the year on account of ill health. Mr. William L. King has presided at the meetings.
Miss Elizabeth Lucile Palmer has completed her first year as our Librarian in a very satisfactory manner to the Trustees; she has dem- onstrated her ability as the past year has been hard on account of several unavoidable changes in the staff and also a shortage of full time workers.
We hope you will give your attention to the charts, A B and C, pre- pared by the Librarian, and included in her report, particularly Chart C, which shows the rate of increase in circulation and appropriations for the years 1918 to 1928 inclusive. You will see at once the very small increase in appropriation during these years compared with the increase in circulation.
Our treasurer has submitted the budget for expenses of 1929 amount- ing to $19,832, this is an increase over last year of $3,672. This increase is mostly due to the fact it is now necessary to add to our shelves in the stack-room as our shelves are now completely filled.
The library building is now twenty-one years old and consequently unexpected repairs are continually appearing, and the building committee finds it more difficult each year to plan in the budget for these repairs.
The librarian has mentioned in her report the gifts to the library last year. We wish to express our thanks to those who have made these gifts and also to all who have in other ways assisted the library.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH L. SWEET, President. CAROLINE S. HOLDEN, EDITH CLAFLIN, ELEANOR S. CARPENTER, DR. FREDERICK V. MURPHY, MRS. WINTHROP F. BARDEN, RAYMOND M. HORTON, EDWIN F. LEACH.
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORTS Receipts
City of Attleboro
$16,160.00
Expenditures
Salaries and Wnges 8,759.00
Other Expenses
Books
$2,445.16
Fuel.
704.75
Light.
515.30
Phone.
40.12
Building
1,630.04
Bindery
800.73
Dodgeville
14.48
Hebronville
43.07
South Attleboro
210.06
Washington.
55.19
Printing.
120.40
Postage
48.47
Insurande
292.60
Trucking
28.47
Carefare.
83.85
Incidentals
319.97
$7,352.66
Unexpended Balance
48.34
TREASURER'S REPORT OF INVESTED FUNDS
Report for Year Ending December 31, 1928
E. F. Leach Book Fund:
Book No. 38667, Attleboro Savings Bank, De- cember 31, 1927.
$1,203.47
Interest April 15, 1928
30.08
Interest October 15, 1928.
30.83
$1,264.38
J. L. Sweet Book Fund:
Book No. 38666, Attleboro Savings Bank, De- cember 31, 1927.
$1,203.47
Interest April 15, 1928.
30.08
Interest October 15, 1928.
30.83
$1,264.38
Sarah J. Briggs Fund:
Book No. 41127, Attleboro Savings Bank, De-
cember 31, 1927.
$561,09
Interest April 15, 1928.
14.03
Interest October 15, 1928
14.38
$589.50
$16,111.66
99
ANNUAL REPORT
Women's Library Aid:
Book No. 40047, Attleboro Savings Bank, De- cember 31, 1927.
$321.24
Interest April 15, 1928.
8.03
Interest October 15, 1928
8.23
$337.50
E. H. Horton Reserve Fund :
Book No. 34696, Attleboro Savings Bank, De- cember 31, 1927
$1,343.47
Interest April 15, 1928.
33.27
Interest October 15, 1928.
35.65
Deposit June 20, 1928.
100.00
$1,512.39
W. R. Cobb Fund:
Book No. 36652, Attleboro Savings Bank.
$5,000.00
E. H. Horton Fund:
Two Shares Attleboro Savings & Loan Association
1,000.00
E. H. Bliss Fund :
7% Bond, Winter Brothers Co.
1,000.00
D. H. Smith Fund:
5,200.00
Fifty-two Shares, Bond Investment Trust
Organ Recital Fund:
Book No. 118, Attleboro Trust Co., December 31, 1927.
$667.61
Interest December 5, 1928.
26.94
Deposit November 23, 1928.
50.00
$744.55
Letitia F. Allen Fund:
Book No. 3682, Attleboro Trust Co., Decem-
ber 31, 1927 ..
$822.67
Interest December 5, 1928
33.22
$855.89
Balance December 31, 1928
$18,768.59
Balance December 31, 1927
$18,323.02
Gain 1928
$445.57
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Year Ending December 31, 1928
January 1,1928, Bank Balance
$115.04
Deposits :
January 17 Attleboro Savings & Loan. 27.50
April 15 W. R. Cobb Fund. 125.00
June 1 D. H. Smith Fund. 130.00
June 20 Winter Brothers, E. H. Bliss. 35.00
July
17 A. S. & Loan, E. H. Horton. 27.50
October 15 W. R. Cobb Fund.
125.00
December 1 E. H. Bliss Fund. 35.00
December 3 D. H. Smith Fund.
130.00
$750.04
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ANNUAL REPORT
Checks Paid:
June 1 Attleboro Savings Bank Trans- fer to E. H. Horton Reserve Fund.
$100.00
August
7 E. A. Taylor, Express.
38.00
Library Book House, Books ..
126.03
September
7 Gaylod Brothers, Books.
52.88
September
7 Charles W. Clark Co., Books ...
45.63
December
6 L. H. Cooper Co., Magazines ..
220.65
$583.19
January Bank Balance, January 1, 1929
$166.85
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
Herewith is submitted the report of the Public Library for the year ending December 31, 1928.
In the conduct of every business and institution there are two view points-the business as manifest by its public relations and the view point that is gained only by those most intimately connected with the mechanics of the organization. A report should embrace each phase.
Doubtless a public appraisment of the Public Library in 1928 would stress the scarcity of new books, the slowness with which requests were filled and a seemingly constantly changing personnel. During the year the Library lost the services of two full time assistants, Miss Laura Monnier, Cataloger and Senior Assistant, and Miss Josephine Converse, a Junior Assistant. It was with sincere regret that the resignations were accepted. The vacancies were filled by the appointment of Miss Dorothy Hannaford and Miss Segrid Lindbeck as Cataloger and Junior Assistant, respectively. Other staff changes are as follows: Miss Elizabeth Peck- ham who had served as part time worker, was made a regular member of the staff. In November, Mrs. Leon Robinson gave up her work at the South Attleboro Branch and at the Dodgeville School, and Miss Peck- ham was put in charge of these stations. The work at Hebronville School was interrupted early in 1928 by the illness of the teacher in charge of the book collection. In the spring Mrs. Poland, who had acted as substitute was obliged to give up the work. This left Hebronville without library service until the opening in July, of the new room on Knight Avenue when Miss Mary Money took over the work.
So many changes have naturally made for a disrupted service. The work with children in particular, has suffered from the want of an as- sistant who could devote her full time to the Juvenile Room. A highi quality of work cannot be maintained when too many tasks must be rele- gated to part-time workers, who have had scant opportunity to "learn books." Without a staff composed of people who know books intimately, and know also how to communicate the energy and knowledge and joy absorbed from contact with books, a public library becomes merely a place where wood pulp done up in packages is handed over a counter.
Although the chief task of librarianship is connecting the book and the reader, it cannot be overlooked that a library is also a business in- stitution. As such it requires a staff that is adequate to handle the many business and technical problems which are as much a part of the
101
ANNUAL REPORT
organization as the circulation of books. The Attleboro Library has been understaffed for some years, and the salary schedules have been too low to attract recruits of requisite education and training. In order that the Attleboro Library may grow in usefulness to the community, it is im- perative that provision be made for additional staff members at adequate salaries.
The outstanding building problems for the year have been the in- stallation of a much needed staff room, considerable annoyance and ex- pense due to leaks in the roof, and the congested condition of the stack space which prevents the proper care and shelving of the book collec- tion. Rather extensive repairs were necessary to fix the roof, and the lack of shelf room continues to be a serious handicap. The building of a small rest room in one corner of the basement is an improvement heartily welcomed. The members of the staff have greatly appreciated this room where they can rest during hours off duty and where stormy- day lunches are no longer associated with the paste, ammonia and shellac of the tiny work room.
One other building project with which the Library has been asso- ciated is the Hebronville Branch Library. Miss Martha Roberts, prin- cipal of the Hebronville School, originated a plan whereby a room was remodeled for library purpose, in a house which is to be fitted up as a community center. Under the direction of Miss Roberts, boys and girls of the Hebronville School refinished a room and built book cases. Tables and chairs were borrowed and the Public Library furnished a collection of about 500 new books in attractive editions. A stove was purchased with money earned by the pupils. Fuel is supplied by the Public Library and the school department. The color scheme of black floor, buff walls with jade green trimmings, and black and vermillion book shelves gives a very gay appearance to the room. This branch is open six hours each Tuesday, with Miss Mary Money in charge. That library service fills a real place in this locality is shown by the fact that a total of 6,293 books were circulated from this branch. It is of in- terest to note that of this number, 4,389 were loaned since the opening of the new room in July.
The branch service is growing, and is worthy of as much support as is given to any of the library activities. The accompanying chart (Chart A) shows the comparative records of branch circulation for the four-year period, 1924-1928. In 1924 the total branch circulation i. e. Washington, Dodgeville, Hebronville, South Attleboro, was 16,591, while in 1928 it was 25,549.
Since modern ideas of study and teaching are tending toward the labratory method, there is a real need for closer relationship with the public schools. The record for 1928 shows a greater number of contacts made with individual class rooms. Personal visits have been made by the librarian, in an attempt to get the viewpoint of the schools and to offer co-operation by means of class room deposits, if desired. These visits have been most pleasant.
In November, classes from the Continuation School came to the Library for "sight seeing" and talks on how to use the library. It is hoped that other groups will avail themselves of the privilege of library visiting.
Another point of co-operation of the schools and the Library was the celebration of Children's Book Week. Special collections of books and pictures were sent as exhibits to the various buildings, primarily for the use of the teachers. On one evening boys and girls from each school dressed in costumes representing their favorite book characters,
102
ANNUAL REPORT
presented an informal pageant to an enthusiastic audience in the Library Hall. Story telling was a feature of this program, and many thanks are due to Miss Beatrice Smith of the High School, and Mr. Frank Havey of the Y. M. C. A. for the manner in which they delighted the children who surged over the stage and filled every available space in the hall.
An experiment in extra mural exhibits was tried during Children's Book Week and found highly successful. Through the courtesy of Mr. E. I. Perry and of Mr. William Brennan of Atherton's Furniture Com- pany, the library was given the use of show windows, during the week of November 11-19. The display at Perry's consisted of books of interest to the older boys and girls; the Atherton window emphasized books to be read by, and to, younger children.
The public has availed itself of the Library Hall as a meeting place for civic and educational organizations. Two exhibits were held by the Attleboro Chapter, American Federation of Arts; several women's clubs have held their public meetings in the lecture hall, and the Massachu- setts Department of Education has conducted courses in Automobile 1€- pairing and Mental Hygiene.
The Library has been unusually fortunate during the past year ill being the recipient of many gifts. Mrs. H. E. Sweet has continued her gift of $300 for the purchase of books for the children's room. Mrs. Raymond Horton has kindly given us many copies of current fiction to supplement our meager collection, and Miss Ruth Whipple has presented us with several much needed items for the Music Collection. Through Miss Harriet Wilmarth, the library has received an excellent collection of operas and oratorios, in addition to other music and a group of books in French, German, Italian and Latin. Much of the personal library of Miss Elizabeth Wilmarth, comprising books of a geneological, historical and religious nature, have also been received. The D. A. R. Library Committee has brought together an interesting and valuable group of out-of-print items, family records and deeds, wills, etc. The Chaminade Club contributed $50 to the Music Fund. The Attleboro Sun has been generous in giving space to items of Library news and lists of books. Space does not permit the listing of the many other gifts which the Library has received. Sincere thanks are given to all those who have contributed toward the work of the library. It is this personal interest which not only provides items which would not otherwise be available. but which aids in making the Public Library more truly a community in- stitution.
Circulation statistics show only books actually taken from the Li- brary, and therefore do not represent the full use of the book collection. Nevertheless figures are the nearest gauge to the "turnover of stock" so to speak. The number of volumes in the Library on December 31, 1928, was 30,515. This includes books of a strictly reference nature, such as encyclopedias and dictionaries and also those books which be- cause of size or rarity may be used only in the building. About one-tenth of the entire collection falls in this category. The total circulation of books of 1928 was 141,800, or an average circulation of 4.6 times for each book. Of this number, slightly less than half were non-fiction, a rather unusual proportion. The classified divisions are given on Chart B. When one considers that only 1.822 new books were added by purchase, it may be readily conceded that the desire for reading is not created wholly by enticing press notices and the display of brightly colored book jackets.
Chart C shows for a ten-year period the amount of money appro- priated for library purposes and the increasing volume of work that the
103
ANNUAL REPORT
library is doing. That the ever-growing demands have been met at all has been due to the loyalty and unstinting efforts of the entire staff.
In order to bring new ideas and inspiration to the library's problems, members of the staff have availed themselves of opportunities for pro- fessional growth. Meetings of the Round Table for Children's Libra- rians, held at Boston, have been attended by the assistant in charge of the Children's room. Another assistant attended the Library Institute held at Hyannis by the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries, and also gave up a portion of her vacation to take a summer course in Ref- erence Work at Simmons College. Others are taking extension courses- in technical and cultural subjects. The librarian attended the all-New England Library Conference held at Portland, in June, and the session of the Massachusetts Library Club at Amherst in October. Regional meetings held by the Old Dartmouth Library Club, the Old Colony Library Club and Rhode Island Library Club have been attended by the librarian and members of the staff.
In closing, I wish to express my sincere personal appreciation of the faithfulness and the cheerful performance of a multiplicity of duties of the entire library staff. To the Board of Trustees I am deeply grateful for the advice, assistance and spirit of co-operation which has been always manifest.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer,
Librarian
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Attleboro Public Library
Free for Lending and Reference
Agencies :
Central Library
Branches.
4
Deposits (Schools)
5
Hours of Opening-Central Library
10 A. M .- 9 P. M.
Sundays and Holidays Excepted
Open Sundays-September-June
3-6 P. M.
Number of Volumes at Beginning of Year
29,518
Number of Volumes Added by Purchase.
1,822
Number of Volumes Added by Gifts.
566
Number of Volumes Lost and Withdrawn.
1,396
Replacements and Duplicates.
1,085
Adult
Juvenile
Total
85,715
56,085
141,800
Number of Volumes Lent for Home Use:
Total
Number of periodicals and newspapers currently received 143 titles.
104
ANNUAL REPORT
Department of Public Works
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Honorable Municipal Council:
Gentlemen:
Respectfully submitted herewith is the Fourteenth Annual Report of the Public Works Department of the City of Attleboro for the year ending December 31, 1928. The second year of the administration of the Honorable Fred E. Briggs, fourth Mayor of Attleboro, has seen his re-election unopposed. The field of operations of the Department during the year has been extensive and when results are considered, the unit prices by comparison can be designated as very low for all of the dif- ferent kinds of work which the Department has been interested in. This includes per mile cost for snow removal, per linear foot cost for sewer construction and for water main extensions, and per square yard cost for stone highway surface improvement as well as the general costs on the A. B. C. operations and the remarkably low charges placed against sewer maintenance.
Practically all of our highways within the City limits, with few ex- ceptions, have had surface bituminous treatment of some kind.
A grave situation was met at the water filter beds in a manner most satisfactory considering the excellent results obtained from a temporary and economical job. A number of major changes have taken place in the public utility situation in our City, as for instance; the beginning of the large water pipe line on North Main Street and the placing in service of the line through West Street from Thacher Street to North Main Street, the thousands of feet of gas extensions in several localities, the abandonment of the N. T. A. as a railway in operation, and the succeeding of this service by bus lines. These changes, con- nected with those of a few years past, are indicative of positive progress within our City.
A number of drainage problems were passed upon and it is to be hoped that this work not only in small proposals but in larger co-ordi- nated ones will continue to be a policy of our government.
Public complaint having to do with the range of effort covered by this department has been indeed very slight during the past year. This condition is reported with keen satisfaction not only to the Superinten- dent, but to all of the interested personnel. It is to be hoped the de- partment will be allowed to maintain the consistently widening effort that our public is demanding at the present day.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE
The force engaged in handling the administration detail in the Public Works Office carried out their assignment in a very excellent manner despite the handicap of serious illnesses contracted by some of those em- ployed. The force is to be complimented for their co-operative effort in maintaining the high standard which has been set for this office per- sonnel.
ENGINEERING DIVISION
There have been no changes in the personnel of the Engineering Division. The business of this office consisting of preliminary study,
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ANNUAL REPORT
definite location and construction details has been maintained under such pressure that regular time off has been sacrificed for this period so the progress of the work might not suffer. It is the intention of the Superintendent to see that every minute of this time is made up to this personnel. The range of effort here seenis to be constantly in- creasing in diversity at least. Notice of this tendency is reported here- with so that interested parties will have knowledge of studies covering this division being made by the Superintendent. Sudden expansion in the division to meet exceptional or unusual conditions is handicapped by the lack of trained personnel in the locality.
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