USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1960 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
Circulation
1960 shows another large increase in circulation. 9, 526 more books cir- culated this year than last, which is better than a 6 percent increase. Expressed another way 5. 9 volumes circulated per Attleboro citizen. Renewed cooperation between schools and libraries throughout the country has greatly accelerated the demands on public libraries by schools. This is true in Attleboro as the statistics confirm. Juvenile circulation gained by 6, 871 in 1960, a percentage improvement of 7 percent increase for the year. The circulation of the picture collection in- creased to 6, 267 items during the year, from 5, 487 last year. 1, 929 phonograph records were charged out, showing a fair increase. Use of the microfilm by stu- dents and the adult public is on the rise. However, the use of Canadian travel films dropped slightly this year and needs more publicity for 1961. The novelty of these films has perhaps worn off.
30.
.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
Work with Children and Young People
Work with children and young people at the main library has reached an all time high in 1960. There was considerably more use made of books, with an increase of 8, 098 circulation over last year. The number of registered bor- rowers, the number of teacher's collections, and the use of the picture collection all increased. Teachers were reminded several times during the year of the facili- ties, scope and potential of the juvenile collection. Practically every classroom in Attleboro has some sort of a book collection borrowed from the public library. A fact in itself that should speak well for an increase in the appropriation for books in 1961.
Many programs and special events provided the highlights of the past year. There were story hours, movies and class visits to the Library. During the sum- mer the most successful reading club in many years was conducted. The theme of "Our Presidents" tied in with the presidential election year. Approximately 120 boys and girls including those from branches, participated in the project and in October a program was held at the library to award diplomas to 72 who com- pleted their posters of presidents. A silver bowl donated by the Robbins Company of Attleboro was awarded to David McCarthy who read 83 books during the sum- mer.
A series of story hours was presented during July and August, with an aver- age of 45 children attending. Two important events were a visit by a guest story teller, Mrs. Lachlan Blair, and a showing of the Weston Woods' movies,"Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel", "Circus Baby" and "Make Way For Ducklings".
On November 19 about 250 children attended three showings of the Walt Disney Movie, "Alice in Wonderland", which climaxed Children's Book Week. Class visits and displays in local downtown windows rounded out the week. The Children's Librarian, Miss Edna Guillette, also appeared on radio station WARA in conjunction with this special week.
The inclusion of television viewing for the elementary schools of Attleboro has given an additional impetus to the reading of youngsters. The Library has cooperated with the school department by reserving the hundreds of books mentioned on the pro- grams. All have been read. Many extra copies were also ordered from the pro - gram lists for use in the branches. Others will be purchased in 1961.
In the main reading room of the Adult Department a section of shelves was reserved for the exclusive use of young people. The titles represent good reading in fiction and non-fiction, so that students can use the selections for book reports as well as for light reading. The Collection is based on the list of 200 books pub - lished by Clifton Fadiman during National Library Week and the Books for the Teen Age, 1960 compiled by the New York Public Library. Many students have noticed and are using the new alcove.
31.
Annual Report
Report of the Library continued-
The number of teen-agers using the library continues to rise. At times there are discipline problems, but it would be unusual if there were not. More teachers have been coming in to place collections on reserve. This is a tremen- dous help as eager pupils often come in immediately after the assignment is given and take all the best books, leaving few for those who come in late.
College students continue to come in, particularly during the holidays or vaca- tions, and their opinions and requests reveal our collection's strength and some- times our weaknesses.
Branches - A Brief View
Our main branch at South Attleboro continues to grow. It now contains almost 6000 volumes. This year 44 new books in the sciences were purchased for the juve- nile collection. Additional shelves and a new circulation desk were added. Book requests are speedily filled as they come in. Most any week Mrs. Mildred Leeburn, the branch librarian, may be seen carrying an armload of books to and from the library. The circulation has shown a drop of 2, 929 for the year but work with stu- dents in the last few years appears to be greater as many are studying there and be- ginning to use some of the reference books recently added to the branch.
There was major work done on the foundations of the Hebronville Branch cottage in back of Joseph Finberg school. Lolly columns have been placed stra- tegically in the basement to give added support to the floors and walls. This kind of work is necessary in a building which is about 100 years old. The circulation is down slightly by 792, but remains approximately what it was in 1958.
The Tiffany Branch shows a gain of 1, 206 in circulation. The circulation in the school branches has remained about the same the past few years. Many chil- dren living in the branch neighborhoods may be using the larger resources of the main children's room, however, as the assignments become more difficult. Cer- tainly the increased use of the central building during this year would tend to bear this out.
Another factor influencing the circulation totals at South Attleboro and Hebron- ville was the fact that there was little or no activity in these branches during the weeks of the hurricane and the blizzard.
Service to Sturdy Memorial Hospital continues and even shows a slight in- crease under the care of Mrs. Thelma Lantz.
Library Activities
During the week of April 3-9, National Library Week was celebrated here by a variety of observances. The theme "Open Wonderful New Worlds, Wake Up and Read", was featured in several windows in the downtown section. The First Fede- ral Savings and Loan Association had three windows devoted to subjects of science, audio-visual . materials and teen-age reading; the First National Bank had a great books display and the Attleboro Trust had on view Notable Books of 1959; other
32.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued -
signs and displays were placed around the city; both juvenile and adult departments had special displays for the event. On April 7, Dr. Isaac Asimov, noted scientist and science fiction writer spoke at the library on "Escape to Reality", About 150 people attended the lecture, and together with the added attraction of a display of the new Spring books purchased, was judged a splendid success. The National Library Week Committee of ten library patrons was graciously led by Judge Ed- ward A. Lee.
The events of Children's Book Week have been noted elsewhere but were also successful.
A third event of importance took place on the morning of December 1, when head designers of Attleboro's many jewelry manufacturers, together with local artists and sculptors were invited to a coffee hour and exhibit in the Music and Fine Arts Room. We were pleased to meet the more than twenty people who came. The object was to show designers and artists what resources the library had to offer them. Many who came were already familiar with parts of our collection. Others were not, and discovered many tools of use to them in their work. The Public Library loaned over 2, 900 pictures to adults last year and great number of these were borrowed by the jewelry factories as a basis for their designs. It is a good feeling to see an advertisement of a product of Swank, Inc. or the L. G. Balfour Company, and know that the original picture for this design came from the Attleboro Public Library. The total picture collection consists of over 180, 000 items and is constantly growing. New books on jewelry and designs are automatically purchased for the art collections. This special service con- tributes very tangibly to the economy and growth of Attleboro.
The Library has been used by outside groups for meetings during the year. In the field of music for example, a record concert was given for girl scout groups. The Junior Chaminade Club held a musical evening in the auditorium using library records.
A Books for Tired Eyes Shelf (books in large print) was set up permanently in the lobby and drew a surprising amount of notice.
Other interest in the library was reflected in the displays during the year. The A. A. U. W. requested that the Library exhibit some of its old volumes at their sale of used books. We borrowed the Rust Craft Display of Christmas cards during December and it was very well received. There were many other displays including those on National Newspaper Week and National Education Week.
Buildings and Grounds
Of prime importance to the preservation of the Central building and protection of its patrons was the installation of the Localarm fire protection system throughout the building done in the summer by the Gamewell Company of Newton Upper Falls. The cost was financed principally from trust funds. The almost invisible netwook of detectors in the rooms will react immediately if the heat rises more than 15 de- grees per minute setting off an alarm in the Fire Department.
33.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
A new copper drain was installed on the front of the building and the staff room was redecorated. New equipment included Reference Room chairs, a Children's Room catalog and a typewriter.
The cost of the redecoration of the Music and Fine Arts Room in 1959 cer- tainly has been proved worthwhile in the past year when more and more people have used the facilities of the second floor, borrowing phonograph records; using the microfilm of the Attleboro Sun; and consulting back issues of newspapers. Other special collections such as the foreign language books, the genealogy col- lection, and the fine arts collections are added "drawing cards" to this area. Next year there are plans for relighting and redecorating other parts of the second floor. This is the only area that the library has left in which to expand. It has considerable potential as a full service area and rising circulation and population require that this space be put to better use.
Trustees and Staff
The resignation of Mrs. Lewis Chilson, a Trustee for many years, was regretfully received by the Trustees at the beginning of the year. During the years Mrs. Chilson had made a considerable contribution to the work of the library. We view her departure with regret. In February Mr. John A. Mac - Donald, of Metals & Controls Inc. , was appointed to fill her vacancy.
The staff has had few changes in 1960. Mrs. Patricia Valade, Junior Assis- tant D resigned in July, and Mrs. Patricia St. George, a graduate of Mount Ida Junior College, came to the staff in August to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Valade.
Two staff members, Mrs. Thelma Lantz and Mrs. Eleanor Stewart, com- pleted their correspondence courses in Reference Work from the University of Utah, and the Cataloger, Miss Marion Moore, attended a summer session in ad- vanced cataloging at Simmons College. This increased staff professional education will be reflected in broader and more capable service to the public.
The Librarian and Children's Librarian spoke before parent, school and professional groups. The Librarian also has been active in the Chamber of Com- merce of the Attleboros, the Old Dartmouth Library Club and participated in a panel discussion on book censorship at the winter meeting of the Massachusetts Library Association. Representatives of the staff attended the New England Li- brary Association, The Massachusetts Library Association and the Old Dartmouth Library Club, as well as surveying local libraries and visiting the Taunton Public Library.
Staff projects during the year were completion of the inventory, weeding the shelflist and beginning a public catalog for the Music and Fine Arts Depart- ment.
34.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
Gifts
Of the gifts received by the Library this year, 199 were cataloged. Many others in excellent condition were placed on the duplicate shelves to be used later as the need for replacement arises. A selected collection of these dupli- cates was presented to the Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital for their library. Large collections of books were received from Mrs. Theodore Leavens, Mrs. Herbert Craetz and Mrs. Edwin Hayslip.
An unusual gift this year was an American Optical Projector magnifier donated by the optometrists, Dr. Alfred Hanson and Dr. Everett Pierce. This machine enlarges print on books, magazines, etc. well enough for those with impaired eyesight to see more clearly. For these gifts and the many other smaller donations of books, records and magazines by groups and individuals the Library is ever grateful.
Thanks are in order, too, for the generous support given to the Library by radio station WARA, The Attleboro Sun and The Pawtucket Times, and to the staff, custodian and Board of Trustees. All have contributed generously to the operation of the Library.
And so ends another very good year for the Attleboro Public Library. Pro- gress either countable in statistics or evidence from observation, was made to a greater or lesser degree on all fronts. More Attleboreans used the Library than in any time in its history. The circulation was the highest ever recorded. There are still new frontiers to explore adult education programs, 16 mm films, new books to replace the old. The Library needs to make new friends in 1961 as it has in the past. With increased support from the City of Attleboro, the Library can become an even more effective force for enlightenment and education in the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Rowell L. Waller Librarian
35.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
STATISTICS IN FORM RECOMMENDED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION Annual Report for year ending December 31, 1960
Name of Library - Attleboro Public Library, Joseph L. Sweet Memorial City - Attleboro
Name of Librarian - Rowell L. Waller
Date of Founding - 1885
Population served - 27, 118 (U. S. Census 1960)
What government unit served - City
Terms of use - Free lending Free for reference
Total number of agencies - 12
Central Library, 3 Branches, 1 Hospital Service, 7 school deposits
286
Number of days open during the year
Hours open each week for lending. .60
Hours of service per week required of staff 37 1/2
BOOK STOCK
Number of volumes at beginning of year .75,470
Number of volumes added during year by purchase 2,696
Number of volumes added during year by gift and cataloged.
199
Number of lost volumes returned during the year.
6
Number of volumes withdrawn during year. 0 . 1, 886
Total number of volumes at end of year .7.6,485
Number of newspapers currently received. 0 . . . 0 0
. 11 a
Number of periodicals currently received. 0
0 0
0
. . . 279
Number of music records added.
. . . . . . 60
Total number of music records (cataloged). . .. . . . . . . . 720 O
CIRCULATION AND USE
Number of volumes of adult non-fiction lent for home use. .34,020
Number of volumes of adult fiction lent for home use. . .23,468
Number of books for children lent for home use. . 102,678
Total number of volumes lent for home use. 160,166
Total number of music records lent for home use. 1,929
Total number of pictures for home use. 6,267
Total number of films lent for home use.
113
REGISTRATION
Total number of registered card-holders.
9,024
Length of registration period is 3 years.
O
O
O
0
D
O
.
.
.
.
36.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
CITY APPROPRIATION
Salaries and Wages - Appropriated
$44,375. 00
New Equipment
700. 00
General Expenses
18,440. 00
$63,515. 00
Expended
Salaries
$36,903. 94
Wages (Part-time)
7,061. 87
$43,965. 81
General Expenses
Books
7,841.98
Fuel
1,110. 40
Light
1,106.25
Phone
351. 05
Building
2,764.53
Bindery
1,132.59
Hebronville
549. 03
South Attleboro
1,352. 73
Tiffany
104. 46
Printing
139. 60
Postage
226.36
Trucking
69. 49
Carfares
49. 06
Library of Congress Catalog Cards
295. 27
Office Supplies
1,061.89
Workmen's Compensation
61. 59
Microfilm
223. 72
$18, 440. 00
New Equipment
$ 699. 50
Returned to City Treasurer
Salaries and Wages
$ 409.19
Expended from invested Library Funds
$ 8,509. 75
37.
Annual Report
Report of the Attleboro Public Library continued-
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1960
Edwin F. Leach, President Mrs. Winthrop Barden, Secretary Raymond M. Horton, Treasurer Mrs. Arthur Conro
Mrs. William Gregory John A. MacDonald Frederick V. Murphy, Jr. George E. Nerney
Leland B. Smith LIBRARY STAFF (as of December 31, 1960)
Rowell L. Waller Librarian
Marion B. Moore, Cataloger and Administrative Aide
Frances Horton, Loan and Stack Supervisor
Dorothy I. Hannaford, Senior Assistant A
Eleanor B. Stewart, Junior Assistant A
Edna Guillette, Children's Librarian
Thelma Lantz, Junior Assistant B
Mary Lou Newton, Senior Assistant B
Mildred Leeburn, Junior Assistant C
Patricia E. St. George, Junior Assistant D
PART TIME ASSISTANTS
Sheryl Bender Virginia Bonner Valorie Crossman Lynn Desrocher Christine Gagner Joan Lemire
John Matthews Betty Reiss Dorothy Robinson Janet Whitfield Winifred Williams Jean Withers
SENIOR BUILDING CUSTODIAN
Herman P. Isele
38.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 1960
To the Board of Trustees and Members of the Corporation:
While much of the progress that has been achieved during the past year is of an intangible nature, we can look with much satisfaction to the fact that a good start has been made on the completion of our current building program, and it will soon become a reality.
The Rice-Webb Nurses Home is under construction by Loranger and Sons of New Bedford. This construction includes also the new auditorium. In addition, work by Westcott Construction Company is under way to revamp the area between maternity and the main hospital. Here, old wooden construction is being replaced by a modern fireproof building.
It is all of twenty years ago that we made overtures to the Tappan family to acquire their property. At the time they agreed the hospital should have first refusal to purchase when and if they moved. Upon the death of Mr. Frank Tappan, Mrs. Tappan decided to move and the property was acquired by the hospital. This acquisition means we can now extend our long-range planning to include the use of this area and the buildings thereon. The main house will be used for temporary quarters for student nurses, thus giving back to us patient rooms on the second and third floors now occupied by them.
The year ahead promises to be a very busy one for our entire "family", Much planning and work must be done to integrate the new facilities into the whole plant. From past experience, we know all concerned will rise to the occasion and perform their work well.
Operating statistics will be furnished by our administrator, Mr. A. O. David- sen, through his annual report, but for the record, it is customary that this report covers our request to the City of Attleboro for the coming year. This year we have applied for the following:
Fuel Oil.
. $18, 600. 00
Insurance. .
O
.
16,616.17 20,000. 00
Light and Power ..
Water. 0 O
0
O 0 0
3,200.00
Total. . . $58, 416. 17
In the operation of the hospital we cater to people of many temperaments and from all walks of life. As a result, problems arise that call for patience, tolerance and diplomacy, and not always do we emerge as we would hope. However, it is gratifying to note that commendation for our service to patients is far more pre- valent than the opposite. For this we extend a word of appreciation to all our
39.
Annual Report
Report of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital continued-
hospital "family" and pray God's blessing upon them in the years ahead, urging them always to remember that the best interests of the patient are of primary importance.
Respectfully submitted, C. W. Cederberg, Chairman Board of Managers
40.
Annual Report
REPORT OF THE STURDY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 1960
To the Board of Trustees and Managers of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital
Gentlemen:
The great philosopher Soren Kierkegaard once said: "Life can only be under- stood backwards, but it must be lived forwards".
In looking back on the past fifteen years, during which period I was privileged to be a member of the "Sturdy family" it is evident many changes were made in the world, in this country, and in Attleboro.
After six years of bloody battle, peace had again come to the universe. In the streets of New York, Washington, Denver and Attleboro the bands played and millions of Americans uttered exhausted prayers of relief that it was all over. No village and no town had been spared the strains of war. No man who lived could truly say he had been untouched by the tragedy that enveloped the land.
But now the bombers rested quietly on their fields. The guns were muffled . War-dirty Victory ships steamed toward Asia and Europe to "bring the boys home".
Home to what? Home to rationing; home to shortages of materials; home to further sacrifices to make our country, our commonwealth, our city great.
It was under these conditions Evelyn, Joel and I came to a new home among you. Because of a shortage of materials,personnel,and doctors, we all had to "pull in our belts" and work the problems out together. In the ensuing fifteen years much has been accomplished by team play.
The entire hospital was repainted and refurbished in two years despite the difficulties of shortage of paints and inferior materials. Major renovations were made in the Maternity division at an approximate cost of fifty-three thousand ($53, 000. 00) dollars -- a savings of two hundred thousand ($200, 000. 00) dollars over the plan suggested by the old architect.
Private three (P-3, as we call it) was opened shortly thereafter for the first time to patients with a full-time nursing staff assigned.
Critics deemed it inadvisable for us to expand our Radiological services, pointing to the record of a total volume of only $15, 882. 34 for the year nine- teen forty-five (1945). With forthright courage the Board of Managers approved the engagement of a recognized specialist in radiology, acknowledging that Attle- boro is too small to support a full-time Radiologist but that the entire hospital community was not. Today's total volume of over one hundred sixty thousand ($160, 000. 00) dollars requiring the services of two full time Radiologists is evi- dence of their forward progressive thinking.
41.
Annual Report
Report of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital continued-
Not long after, consideration was given to doubling our capacity for medical and surgical patients and also to increasing our educational and dormitory facilities for student nurses. An estimate of one million seven hundred fifty thousand ($1, 750, 000. 00) dollars was given as the total cost of this project. Many people said this figure was too costly an undertaking for the hospital community and there- fore it should not be attempted because it was sure to fail. Launching out with faith and fortitude, supported first of course with a survey by experts, a drive for funds was instituted by the Board of Managers aided and abetted by certain members of the medical staff.
The modern wing, second to none in New England, named after our illustrious citizen Harold E. Sweet, is the direct result of community support. Upon com- pletion this summer of the Nurses Home and Educational Building, the entire pro- gram envisioned ten years ago becomes a reality.
The modern edifice with the refurbished old wing more than doubled our cen- sus which in turn attracted many well qualified specialists to our community. The new physicians and surgeons took their places alongside our "veterans" to furnish medical, surgical, pediatric and maternity care to our patients in a manner to give the hospital an outstanding reputation.
There are many other highlights of "Sturdy's" history but time and space will not permit further elaboration. Suffice to say, the hospital grew more than twice as fast in the last fifteen (15) years than it did in the previous thirty-five (35) years of its existence, and it had many firsts along the way. Sturdy Hospital was the first hospital in New England to have centralized food service; the first and only hospital. in the nation to have an electric trolley to which food trucks, polishing machines and X-ray apparatus are attached; the first and only hospital in the nation to have portable dietary kitchens on patient floors.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.