USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1940 > Part 7
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The closing of the Dodgeville school necessitated the closing of that branch but made available to these children the Hebronville branch as they were trans- ferred to the Finberg school. As Tiffany school in the County Square section had long desired a branch, your board felt it advisable to open a branch to serve this section from the Portable school at Tiffany. After such small costs as may be necessary to equip for this service have been taken care of the future expense should be offset by the closing of the Dodgeville branch and we do not anticipate that we shall increase our branch expenditures.
The staff has as usual given loyal, efficient and interested service. Several have broadened their knowledge and efficiency by taking special courses at dif- ferent colleges which has very definitely helped to keep us up to date and increased in helpful service to our users.
We wish at this time to express to the staff our appreciation for their splendid cooperation and to thank all who have so generously given books, magazines and flowers and in general have helped to make the library better.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel H. Barden, Secretary, Board of Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial
86
ANNUAL REPORT
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY Attleboro, Massachusetts JOSEPH L. SWEET MEMORIAL
THE LIBRARY SERVES THE CITY
Service at
Material
Loaned
Central Library
75,094
Volumes
Dodgeville School-Discontinued Oct., 1940.
3,370
Volumes
Hebronville Community Cottage.
6,595
Volumes
South Attleboro Village. .
8,047
Volumes
Washington Street School
20,679
Volumes
Sturdy Memorial Hospital
3,694
Volumes
Deposits at Schools
7,461
Volumes
Total
124,940
Volumes
THE COLLECTION INCLUDES Volumes Added 1940
48,078 Volumes
Adult Fiction
Subscription to 176 Magazines
New titles. 241
Subscription to 12 Newspapers
Duplicates and Replacements. 222
Special collection of maps, pamphlets and pictures
New titles. 1156
Talking Book Machine
Duplicates and Replacements . 210
Juvenile Fiction.
New titles . 271
Duplicates and Replacements. . 456
Juvenile Non-fiction
New titles. . 266
Duplicates and Replacements 141
Total 2963
Gifts 250
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Edwin F. Leach, President
Mrs. Charles Holden
Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Secretary
Dr. Frederick V. Murphy
Raymond F. Horton, Treasurer Miss Edith Claflin
Hayward H. Sweet
Mrs. Arthur Conro
THE MEMBERS OF THE STAFF Lucile Palmer Cavender, Librarian Angela D. Bowen, Senior Assistant
Virginia J. Cate, Junior Assistant Grace C. Freese, Senior Assistant Dorothy 1. Hannaford, Assistant Librarian
Alice I. Kingman, Junior Assistant
Kathleen S. MacKell, Children's Librarian
Marion Moore, Junior Assistant
Ruth C. Wheaton, Children's Assistant
PART TIME ASSISTANTS
Bertha C. Bigney Phyllis Edwards
Janet Hardaway Barbara A. McGregor
PAGES
Howard Peach
Frank Westerberg
JANITOR William P. Barrett
John R. Stevenson
Collections of manuscripts, almanacs, governors proclamations, and family papers
Adult Non-fiction
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Attleboro Public Library
Elizabeth Lucile Palmer Librarian
ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY Joseph L. Sweet Memorial Attleboro, Mass.
To the Trustees of the Attleboro Public Library:
The year closes with a circulation of 124,940 volumes, 75,094 of which were books loaned from the central library, and 49,846 from the branches and schools. These figures are 14,436 volumes less than the number loaned during 1939, and at first glance the drop in circulation seems incredible in view of the marked in- crease in the intra-mural use of library facilities.
On closer consideration, this increased use of reference material and the hours spent by students in the consultation of many books, and by designers in looking over scores of pictures and volumes of plates, accounts to a considerable degree for a fewer number of books and pictures borrowed for home use. Since no statistics are kept of requests for information by telephone, the number of con- sultations on the choice of material, nor the amount of assistance given readers who prefer to consult the books and magazines in the building rather than take material home, only increased wear and tear of the book collection and picture files can furnish evidence that the material is not standing idle on the shelves. Nevertheless, increased industrial activity, and war relief work such as sewing and knitting have inevitably lessened the number of books read.
In terms of physical condition, the book collection is at present in better shape than for many years. Particular care has been taken to keep books in repair, and in addition to those mended daily by Miss Edwards, 2,795 volumes have been rebound or completely recased: a number more than twice that of any previous year. Of these, 1166 books were the work of the WPA Bindery Project. The task of keeping the shelves in orderly condition, and thereby eliminating much of the confusion caused by misplaced books, has been greatly facilitated by the assignment of girl pages from the National Youth Administration.
In April an inventory of the entire book collection was begun, with the pur- pose not only of determining the number of missing volumes, but as a check on the condition and deficiencies of the present collection. It is of interest to note that of the 47,379 volumes listed in the library collection as of April 1, 1940, orly 53 of the books in the Children's room were missing, while 436 from the adult col- lection were unaccounted for, 238 of these being non-fiction, chiefly of a technical nature. As by-products of the inventory, 1372 books too worn or soiled for future use were removed from the collection, and lists were made of those titles of permanent worth for replacement by new copies or editions.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
The selection of material for purchase has been quite definitely influenced by the increasing demand for technical books both in theoretical and applied science. The flood of war books, political interpretations, and propaganda of all kinds has made the choosing of this type of material a grave problem, while the awakening realization of the need for a better evaluation and understanding of our own country has made imperative a closer scrutiny of the existing collection for its adequacies and deficiencies in order that purchases supplement and correlate with the present stock. Considerable use has been made of bibliographie aids issued by the American Library Association, particularly on the National De- fense Program and the very comprehensive DEMOCRACY: A READING LIST. The latter has been the basis of several displays, and of High School Debate work, and integrates discussions on political, legislative, economic, and social problems of democratic culture.
The year has been a fortunate one for the physical plant, as only minor re- pairs have been necessary, with the exception of the lecture hall, which was com- pletely redecorated, and the chief expenses for equipment consisted of steel shelv- ing to increase the capacity and convenient use of the genealogy reference room. The repair and painting of the Washington School Branch was carried out with the generous cooperation of the School Department and the Washington School Mother's Club. Fresh paint both inside and out, the installation of a new ceiling and new lighting fixtures and Venetian blinds not only greatly improved the appearance of the branch but does away with previous difficulties of heating and ventilation.
Due to the closing of Dodgeville School in October, it seemed best to dis- continue service at Dodgeville since the borrowers were chiefly children who be- cause of their transfer to Finberg School could be accommodated at Hebronville Branch. The experiment begun two years ago of opening the South Attleboro Village Library two afternoons and evening a week has been continued, for al- though the circulation is only slightly larger than Hebronville, the branch pro- vides more reference service and meets at least partially the needs of High School pupils in their home work.
For a number of years deposist collections of children's books have been sent to Tiffany School, where intensive use was made of them from room to room. In order to partially off-set the closing of the Dodgeville Branch and to extend the Tiffany School service to adults, it is planned to open a branch on Thacher Street in the portable school building now used as a polling place. When some repairs are made and equipment installed, it is hoped that the building will serve as a community library, which although open but one day a week will provide a well rounded service for the County Square section.
On the theory that intensive use of resources may give more satisfactory results than lasty expansion, the library has not attempted new projects this year. Instead more time and thought have been applied to the selection of books, and to assisting readers to learn how to make the most of the special collection of the reference material, pamphlets and government documents, and even that mystery of mysteries to the unitiated-the public catalog. More consultation work has been done with individuals working on special subjects, but much re- mains to be done in the matter of making better known the types of service the library is equipped to give both individuals and industrial concerns.
In order to improve their technical skills, but more especially to learn the benefits of working in a field with differing viewpoints and practices, Junior and Part time workers again attended summer sessions at the Library School of State College, Pennsylvania and the New Hampshire Library Institute at the Uni- versity of New Hampshire. Other staff members have continued private study in foreign languages and current history, knowing that libraries function not by their books alone, but by means of the personal attitudes and intellectual stamina of their staffs.
89
ANNUAL REPORT
In the rush and welter of defense programs, intellectual and moral pre- paredness are of vital importance, and what else is the value of public libraries if they do not foster an appreciation and love for the best in all phases of human and cultural development?
The Attleboro Public Library has the enviable reputation of having from its inception been a place where varying ideas, honestly expressed, might be com- pared, both in terms of the historic past and the equally historic present. It has been an institution which, perhaps unconsciously, had carried out the thought expressed by George Washington in his letter of 1790 to the Hebrew Congrega- gation at Newport, "which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no as- sistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support." That such an ideal can typify the Attleboro Public Library has been due to the wisdom of city administrations in appointing to the board of trustees men and women of personal integrity and social vision.
Public Libraries have a vital responsibility in any program of defense for democracy, for it is their responsibility to keep alive in the present and to preserve for the future not only the spirit of the Bill of Rights of our own Constitution, but the thoughts and dreams of free men of every race and every age.
The staff of the Attleboro Public Library gladly strives to fulfill this respon- sibility.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucile Palmer Cavender, Librarian.
90
ANNUAL REPORT
OPERATING COSTS
City of Attleboro
Trust Funds
Receipts
Receipts
Salaries.
$13,823.00
Other Expenses.
8,000.00
Checking Account First National Bank. 47.61
Income from Investments. . 4,454.39
Donations from Washington School Mother's Club . 25.00
Borrowed from First Nat'l
Bank
200.00
Total
$ 4,727.00
Disbursements
Disbursements
Payroll
725.76
Building Repairs
675.85
Books .
1,993.89
Books.
3,006.31
Fuel
606.86
Light
1,070.44
Phone
55.60
Building
328.13
South Attleboro
30.00
Bindery
1,059.25
Washington
33.00
Dodgeville
10.10
Trucking
11.15
South Attleboro
279.29
Interest Paid (Loan)
67.34
Hebronville
98.01
Safe Deposit Box Rental. ..
22.00
Washington
346.52
Audit 1939
100.88
Printing
23.50
Bond Service
50.00
Postage.
71.82
Bond for Treasurer
25.00
Express
21.67
Christmas expense
20.00
Carfares
12.63
Bank Service charge.
1.35
Incidentals
145.57
First Nat'l Bank (paid loan)
500.00
Office Supplies
560.50
Equipment
303.80
Total
$ 4,589.60
$ 8,000.00
Unexpended Balance
137.40
$4,727.00
Salaries-
Library & Building Staff $13,823.00 Other Expenses --
Book Repairs
91.81
Office Supplies
15.88
Lighting
122.75
Fuel
102.94
Total
$21,823.00
Balance Jan. 1, 1940
91
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Inspector of Buildings
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Municipal Council, Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Buildings for the year 1940. During the year 292 permits were issued amounting to $614,434.50, divided as follows:
January
One Family Dwellings
( 1)
$ 4,600.00
Garages.
( 1)
160.00
Over Night Cabins
. ( 4)
1,200.00
Service Station
( 1)
7,000.00
Shingle.
( 1)
150.00
Alterations.
( 6)
3,075.00
$ 16,185.00
February
One Family Dwellings
( 1)
2,000.00
Garages.
( 1)
150.00
Storehouse and Office
( 1)
25,000.00
Minor Buildings
( 1)
50.00
Alterations
( 5)
1,373.00
28,573.00
Raze.
( 2)
March
One Family Dwellings
( 2)
4,800.50
Shingle.
( 2)
500.00
Alterations
( 2)
425.00
Raze
.( 1)
5,725.50
April
One Family Dwellings
.( 5)
14,700.00
Garages
( 4)
450.00
Barn.
( 1)
3,500.00
Minor Buildings
( 3)
725.00
Shingle.
( 6)
750.00
Alterations
(10)
12,995.00
Raze
( 3)
33,120.00
May
One Family Dwellings.
( 9)
22,900.00
Garages
( 3)
1,225.00
Service Station .
( 1)
680.00
Manufacturing Plant
( 2)
30,500.00
Camp.
( 1)
500.00
Minor Buildings
( 1)
125.00
Shingle.
( 7)
915.00
Alterations
(13)
6,275.00
63,120.00
June
One Family Dwellings
( 3)
10,700.00
Garages.
( 2)
450.00
Minor Buildings.
( 2)
325.00
Shingle
( 7)
1,225.00
Alterations.
( 3)
2,700.00
July
One Family Dwellings.
8,670.00
Garages
( 2)
400.00
School.
( 1)
200,000.00
Service Station.
( 1)
150.00
Minor Buildings
( 1)
75.00
Shingle.
( 4)
750.00
Alterations
( 7)
5,500.00
215,545.00
15,400.00
( 4)
92
ANNUAL REPORT
August
One Family Dwellings
( 4)
12,400.00
Garages.
( 3)
400.00
Nurses Home .
.( 1)
40,000.00
Service Station.
.( 1)
645.00
Minor Buildings
4)
215.00
Shingle.
( 5)
725.00
Alterations.
( 9)
2,425.00
Raze
( 3)
56,810.00
September
One Family Dwellings
(10)
28,800.00
Garages.
(19)
3,931.00
Minor Buildings
( 3)
365.00
Shingle.
( 6)
800.00
Alterations
(15)
37,395.00
71,291.00
October
One Family Dwellings
( 8)
30,100.00
Garages .
( 6)
1,550.00
Minor Buildings
( 2)
200.00
Shingle
( 2)
250.00
Alterations
( 8)
1,795.00
Raze
( 2)
33,895.00
November
One Family Dwellings
( 5)
20,400.00
Two Family Dwellings
( 2)
4,000.00
Garages .
( 4)
1,050.00
Service Station.
( 1)
1,500.00
Manufacturing Plant.
( 1)
6,000.00
Minor Buildings
( 5)
450.00
Alterations.
( 6)
24,350.00
Move
( 1)
Raze.
( 1)
57,750.00
December
One Family Dwellings.
( 3)
12,800.00
Garages.
( 2)
400.00
Minor Buildings
( 2)
250.00
Shingle.
( 4)
920.00
Alterations.
( 4)
2,650.00
Raze.
( 2)
17,020.00
For the Year 1940
One Family Dwellings.
(55)
$172,870.50
Two Family Dwellings
( 2)
4,000.00
Garages (47)
10,166.00
School. ( 1)
200,000.00
Store house and service Office
( 1)
25,000.00
Manufacturing Plants.
( 3)
36,500.00
Service Stations-
( 5)
9,975.00
Nurses Home
( 1)
40,000.00
Over Night Cabins.
( 4)
1,200.00
Barn. .
( 1)
3,500.00
Minor Buildings
(24)
2,780.00
Camp
( 1)
500.00
Shingle
(44)
6,985.00
Alterations
(88)
100,958.00
Raze.
(14)
Move
( 1)
$614,434.50
The total number of permits issued in 1939 was 313. amounting to $233,- 267.00, showing a loss of 21 permits for 1940 but a gain of $381,167.50 in buildings and alterations.
Very truly yours, Fred A. Clark,
Inspector of Buildings.
93
ANNUAL REPORT
Thomas G. Sadler, Sr.
Samuel M. Stone Chairman
Harry C. Wolfenden
Reports to the Park Commissioners
John E. Anderson Park Superintendent
To the Boards of Park Commissioners, Attleboro, Mass .:
I herewith submit my sixteenth annual report as Superintendent of Parks for the year ending December 31st, 1940.
In 1940 some real accomplishments in the way of permanent improvements were achieved. The land and terraces around the Wolfenden fountain were thoroughly renovated. All roots and stones removed, 40 yards of Peat, 200 yards of loam and 220 yards of gravel fill and subsoil were used to complete the work. Also 1000 pounds of lime, 6 truck loads of cow dressing and 900 pounds of fertilizer and 180 pounds of lawn seed.
We planted 200 Truehedge Columnberry plants and 64 hardy Fuchias around the fountain and along the walks.
The Emma Wolfenden Estate donated $150.00 toward new drywells, fixing of the curbing around the fountain, new pipe and sprinkler sprays in the fountain. Also finished the loaming and seeding of that piece of ground south of the Zoo building which for lack of funds has remained unfinished since the Zoo build- ing was erected. Used 280 yards of loam, 600 pounds of lime, 500 pounds of Fertilizer and 160 pounds of lawn seed, and the result is a wonderful stand of grass.
The Winter of 39-40 was very trying on Trees, Shrubs and Evergreens. This on account of the ground freezing solid in December of 39, before the ground had an adequate water supply, and as we did not have a thaw all winter the roots of all trees and shrubs remained dry all winter and some perished from the
94
ANNUAL REPORT
drought. We lost about 200 trees and shrubs that we replaced and there are a few more that has to be replaced this coming spring.
All of our trees got an awful beating in that hurricane of 1938 and although we had a W. P. A. Hurricane project and all our trees were trimmed by the WV. P. A. men, every year new scars and splits are showing up and probably will for the next ten years. The only thing we can do if we want to save the trees is to prune, bolt and guy wire them as the damage shows itself. This we have tried to do.
The W. P. A. Road and Drainage Project came through in 1940 and a satis- factory drainage system installed. 10 catch basins and 6 large stone drywells were erected, roads scarified, graveled and rolled, and one coat of oil applied. The second application of road oil will be put on in the spring when the Public Works Department and the W. P. A. workers finish the work.
The tennis courts at Capron Park need new wire and posts all around. Your Superintendent has recommended several times that a permanent Diamond mesh fence be erected. Not all at once, but over a period of 3 years as follows: Courts Nos. 1 and 2 one year; Court No. 3 the second year and Court No. 4 the third year.
The estimated cost is as follows: Courts Nos. 1 and 2. $1,000.00
Courts Nos. 3 and 4, $600.00 each 1,200.00
$2,200.00
The Fourth of July celebration and fireworks sponsored by the American Legion and made possible by the good people of Attleboro, drew a larger crowd than ever.
A series of nine band concerts were held at the Park this summer. The W. P. A. Federal Music Project and the 2 concerts by our local band were well rendered by capable musicians and drew large crowds of music lovers to the concerts. The expense of the 2 local bands and the transportation of the W. P. A. Band was all paid for by private subscriptions.
The ballfield and the tennis courts were in steady demand and use all Sum- mer. After the baseball season was over, the High School football players used the field for practice sessions every day until Thanksgiving Day week. Again, we reseeded the whole field using 200 pounds of athletic field grass mixture.
The Capron Park playground and swimming pool did not have the usual number of children in 1940. This being on account of the new East Side Play- ground taking care of all the children from that section of the ('ity. After seeing the children perform at the new playground, the people of Attleboro probably will realize the service that Capron Park playground, swimming and wading pool have rendered to the children of Attleboro for 22 years previous to 1940.
The Blackinton Park on North Main Street by the Sweet Memorial Bridge was cared for by the Park workers in 1940. Your Superintendent recommends that the front of the Park be spaded over, fertilized, limed and seeded. The old Shuttle Shop should be dismantled before it falls down and someone gets hurt. Also that a plan of layout be perfected, so that a little at a time can be added to this Park and at the finish have what you planned for in the beginning. Es- timated cost of wrecking the building, seeding the front and a complete set of plans as to the layout of the whole approximately $400.00
I want to thank His Honor, the Mayor, the Park Commissioners for their help and cooperation at all times, the Chief of Police and Officers for the fine way they handled parking and traffic on all occasions that their help was needed at the Park. Also the Playground Supervisors for their interest in the health and welfare of the children using the Park Playground.
Respectfully submitted, J. E. Anderson,
Park Superintendent.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
CAPRON PARK PLAYGROUND REPORT July 8-August 17, 1940
The following is a summary of the activities carried on during this period.
Baseball-Two leagues were organized, one for 14-15 year old boys and one for 12-13 year old boys. The Hoboes won the championship of the 14-15 year old league while the Attleboro Juniors beat the South Attleboro Red Sox 3 to 2 in a play off game for the championship of the 12-13 year old league.
This year two buses were provided for the Capron Park youngsters so that all who were interested among the boys could attend a big league baseball game.
Swimming-The pool was open cach morning for one hour for both boys and girls. In the afternoon the first hour was for the boys and the second hour for girls.
Twice a week, after the regular afternoon swimming periods, classes were held for beginners and those who wanted to improve their swimming. A number of the beginners won their Red Cross Beginners Buttons during these periods.
Each afternoon Soft Ball was provided for the girls and for boys under 12.
Paddle tennis and horseshoes proved very popular. Tournaments were run off in each to determine the champions.
Other activities carried on included sewing and quiet games at the shelter house, tag football for high school boys in the afternoon, and playground ball for younger children. The playground apparatus was also in constant use. Every Thursday noon a cook out was held in the pine grove with many children and their mothers attending.
Tennis-Tennis proved as popular as ever with the courts constantly in use. The Annual City singles and doubles championships were determined. Arthur Payette won the first leg on the new Mayor McIntyre trophy while Dick Thomson and Lyman Johnson won the first leg of the new doubles trophies.
The last Thursday in this period was used for a special program to wind up the playground activities. A Field Day program of races and special events was carried on in the morning. A swimming meet for boys and girls took place in the afternoon. The program was closed by the Senior City Track meet which took place in the evening. The Jewelry Trade School stamped out and en- graved the medals which were given to the champions of the different activities while the American Metal Crafts colored and boxed them.
Attendance- The total attendance for those engaged in playground ac- tivities was 3,654 or an average of 122 a day.
The total attendance for the wading pool was 3,173 for an average of 106 a day.
We would like to thank those who helped make this our first year as play- ground directors a success.
Respectfully submitted, Janet Taylor Howard W. Rounseville
96
ANNUAL REPORT
Thomas H. Moore
William A. Blackburn Chairman
George T. Oldham
Report of Recreation Commissioners
To the Mayor and Municipal Council of Attleboro,
Gentlemen:
We herewith submit our report for the year of 1940. Perhaps the high light of the year was the completion and opening of the new Briggs playground, made possible by the generous donation of Ex-Mayor Fred E. Briggs. The area properly enclosed by a substantial fence, has indeed proved a blessing to the children, as well as a beauty spot which cannot help but add to the value of that entire section. The supervision of the swimming pool was very ably taken over by two persons very carefully chosen because of their previous training. These supervisors were made possible by another generous and timely contribution by the donor of the playground. The remainder of the activities, swings, slides, wading pools, tennis and so on was carried on under the supervision of Mr. O'Neil and his assistants as part of the recreational work of his department. We believe that particularly good service was rendered by persons in charge and wish to make known that we understand and appreciate just how large an amount of work and responsibility these same persons caused to be removed from the duties of the commission.
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