USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1912 > Part 4
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Harry Bond, care, 1909,
3.00
7.00
W. H. Maclean, on account foundations, $60.75
60.75
$82.75
*Paid after the closing of the books.
72
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation, 1912,
$696.20
Appropriation, earnings.
Opening graves,
$266.00
Trimming graves,
39.00
Building foundations,
123.89
Care private lots,
215.25
Grading lots,
7.75
Perpetual care funds,
339.73
$991.62
Sale of lots.
Mrs. G. W. Collis,
$24.00
E. E. Ryther,
50.00
William Stacy,
8.00
Nellie Sizer,
12.00
Bertha Bowie,
8.00
R. E. Faulkner,
25.00
W. C. Hitchcock,
24.00
Charles E. Bradley,
24.00
H. A. Stimson,
50.00
Mrs. Ira F. Brown,
12.00
Joseph F. Gerald,
8.00
James H. Trickett,
8.00
George E. Rycroft,
8.00
Emily F. Rice,
24.00
Lizzie E. Fletcher,
8.00
Garfield Johnson,
8.00
F. D. Thompson,
24.00
William Vennert,
8.00
Arthur Cummings,
8.00
Louise Jackson,
8.00
Walter Burford,
11.00
Single graves,
18.00
378.00
$2,065.82
73
EXPENDITURES.
Palmer Water Co., $6.93
K. Lawler, water,
3.00
S. H. Wright, sharpening mowers,
4.25
E. Brown Co., supplies,
114.17
Whitcomb & Faulkner, supplies,
54.27
S. H. Hellyar, supplies,
2.66
Marcy Lumber Co., supplies,
5.35
J. S. Knox & Co., plants,
10.50
A. N. Coney, posts,
42.50
D. L. Bodfish, postage,
5.56
Palmer Trucking Co., labor with team,
1.41
C. J. Kenyon, labor with team, 50.50
S. H. Brown, labor with team, 31.70
83.61
T. A. Harwood, labor,
$3.50
Ralph Dasco, labor,
8.75
Harry Keith, labor,
10.29
George Roby, labor,
11.00
William King, labor,
12.45
'T. Sullivan, labor,
15.96
Cornelius J. Leary, labor,
33.46
John Pictzuski, labor,
246.77
Freeman B. Ramsden, labor,
347.85
Warren M. Trumble, labor,
442.74
1,132.77
George E. Clough, lots,
378.00
Balance in treasury,
222.25
$2,065.82
PERPETUAL CARE FUND.
AMOUNT.
PRESENT CONDITION.
Louisa Waid,
$200.00
$230.83
John A. Squier,
100.00
104.32
Waterman Fuller,
200.00
222.28
John and Lucy Smith,
200.00
210.25
$249.19
74
John H. Haynes,
200.00
222.83
W. A. Breckenridge,
200.00
206.83
Laura E. Child,
500.00
517.17
Henry Scism,
100.00
105.32
Jane A. Gibson,
100.00
107.61
Calista E. Hendricks,
100.00
106.69
Keyes Foster,
100.00
104.39
James W. Snow,
100.00
103.11
A. W. Green,
200.00
218.25
Pliney Cooley,
50.00
51.29
II. G. Loomis,
200.00
216.96
Maria Lawrence,
500.00
521.75
William Holbrook,
200.00
203.78
Torrey Fund,
100.00
105.90
E. B. Gates,
50.00
51.99
Franklin Blanchard,
100.00
104.32
Minnie K. Bennett,
200.00
208.78
Mary A. Shaw,
100.00
103.32
Amos O. Allen,
100.00
103.97
Harriet Coolidge,
200.00
220.96
Mrs. L. W. Brown,
200.00
223.02
Eliza J. Kenerson,
200.00
208.05
William Merriam,
200.00
213.63
Mary Redding,
50.00
51.00
D. S. Davis,
200.00
210.89
Ambrose M. Andrews,
200.00
211.00
Marshall Andrews,
200.00
217.00
Enos Calkins,
100.00
104.00
Samuel C. Rogers,
200.00
216.00
Willard G. Kenerson,
100.00
103.00
Maria B. Chapman,
200.00
214.00
Maria B. Chapman (Barker),
100.00
105.00
Julia H. Henry,
100.00
103.00
Isaac Kenerson,
150.00
155.00
Abel H. Calkins,
100.00
103.00
Edward C. Sexton,
100.00
103.00
Henry A. Moore,
100.00
103.00
75
J. S. Koster,
100.00
103.00
Melissa Hall,
150.00
153.00
Jeremiah Long,
1,000.00
1,020.00
Mary J. Plympton,
100.00
103.00
Clymena P. Fuller,
150.00
154.00
Abigail T. Nichols,
50.00
51.00
Mary Hastings,
100.00
103.00
Orren B. Smith,
200.00
205.00
Orren B. Smith (T. B. Smith lot),
100.00
103.00
Laura P. Green,
100.00
103.00
J. H. Kenerson,
100.00
102.00
William Harvey,
150.00
154.00
Alden L. Fletcher,
60.00
63.20
Carrie A. Kurtz,
100.00
104.00
Ralph Green,
200.00
210.00
Minerva R. Olds,
100.00
102.00
Meriva L. Capen,
100.00
102.00
Otis C. Lyon,
100.00
102.00
Hitchcock-Graves,
100.00
102.00
Minerva M. Gates,
200.00
205.00
Rogers-Paine,
100.00
102.00
Elizabeth D. Moore,
100.00
102.00
Mary E. Bailey,
100.00
102.00
M. M. Rogers,
100.00
102.00
Nellie S. Hooker,
75.00
75.75
Ethan Warriner,
100.00
100.00
Lizzie E. Fletcher,
100.00
100.00
Andrew Pinney,
100.00
137.08
$10,635.00
$11,153.52
Gain in perpetual care fund,
575.00
Cemetery interest fund, Jan- ary 1, 1912, $159.50
Gain,
28.72
Present condition,
$188.22
76
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY IN CEMETERIES.
Toolhouse, Palmer, Oak Knoll,
$75.00
Toolhouse, Four Corners,
50.00
Tools,
50.00
Unsold lots at market price :
Four Corners.
174 at
$8.00
$1,392.00
Oak Knoll.
2 at
60.00
$120.00
9 at
50.00
450.00
2 at
40.00
80.00
14 at
30.00
420.00
73 at
24.00
1,752.00
24 at
25.00
600.00
17 at
20.00
340.00
4 at
10.00
40.00
1 tract not laid out estimated
to contain 75 lots at
24.00
1,800.00
5,602.00
$7,169.00 DAVID L. BODFISH, SAMUEL M. PHILLIPS, Cemetery Commissioners.
Report of Overseers of the Poor
The Overseers submit the following report for the fiscal year ending February 15, 1913 :
During the year the Board lost the services of two of its members by death. Mr. Crowley died July 28, 1912, and Mr. Bishop on October 28, 1912. The town mourns the loss of both men, who gave long and faithful service to the town in the discharge of their duties in this department. The vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Crowley was filled by the appoint- ment of Patrick J. Fitzgerald. The vacancy resulting from the death of Mr. Bishop was left unfilled.
The year was marked by an increase in the demands for aid, and the consequent increase in the duties of the members of the Board. After the payment of all bills payable at the end of the year there remained to the credit of the department the unexpended balance of $1,058.40.
We would recommend for the coming year :
Salaries of the Overseers of Poor, $430.00
Support of poor,
10,000.00
Contingent fund,
500.00
RECEIPTS AT TOWN FARM.
Balance on hand, February 15, 1912,
$72.96
Sale of
Butter,
,
261.32
Eggs,
18.61
Calves,
78.50
Hog,
25.00
Potatoes,
354.00
78
Vegetables,
64.36
Hides,
8.90
Cow and calf,
75.00
Use of telephone,
.25
Board of Wilton Taft,
180.00
$1,138.90
PAID OUT BY WARDEN.
George E. Clough, Treasurer,
$914.38
Labor in house,
98.73
Clipping,
4.00
Gasolene flatiron,
3.60
Household utensils,
3.30
Calves,
26.00
Sow and pigs,
25.00
Cider making,
1.39
Sawing,
1.75
Carfares,
2.10
Disinfectants and soap,
20.50
Barber,
2.10
Food, fruit and fish,
19.05
Clothing,
8.50
Sawdust,
3.00
Stock services,
6.00
$1,138.90 There is due for the board of Bridget MeGowen, $39.00
COST OF MAINTAINING TOWN FARM.
Orders drawn on Town Farm account, $3,860.69
Paid from Town Farm receipts, 224.52
Gross expenses at Town Farm,
$4,085.21
Income at Town Farm,
1,138.90
Net cost at Town Farm, $2,946.31
Number registered during year,
20
7,9
Average, 13+
Males, 18; females, 2.
Number of weeks, inmates,
Cost per week for inmates,
Deaths, 4 males, 1 female.
677+ $4.35+
INVENTORY TOWN FARM.
Stock,
$1,221.25
Hay and grain,
435.00
Wood, coal and lumber,
324.25
Vegetables,
278.00
Wagons and tools,
596.20
Furniture and fixtures,
985.80
Clothing and supplies,
30.75
Food supplies,
156.99
Drugs and medicine,
17.80
Table ware and crockery,
136.14
$4,182.18
Inventory, 1912,
$4,276.74
Inventory, 1913,
4,182.18
Decrease,
$94.56
OUTSIDE POOR EXPENSE.
Town of Palmer,
$4,521.21
Norton,
223.49
Warren, .
173.60
Ware,
106.00
City of Worcester,
153.85
Springfield,
83.30
Norton,
1.00
State,
318.46
$5,580.91
RECAPITULATION. Appropriation for support of poor, $1,000.00
80
Contingencies, 500.00
Expended, $10,500.00 Orders drawn on Town Farm account, $3,860.69
Orders drawn for outside poor, 5,580.91
Balance,
$9,441.60
$1,058.40
BILLS DUE THE TOWN.
Norton old bills, $850.79 and $223.49,
$1,074.28
Winchendon,
10.00
Ware,
106.00
Worcester,
153.85
Springfield,
83.30
Taunton,
1.00
FRANCIS J. HAMILTON, PATRICK J. FITZGERALD, Overseers of the Poor.
£
Expenses per Month at Town Farm.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Total
Salaries
87|51
60|42|
60|42
60|42
60|41
60||41
60|41
60 41
60|41
60|42
90|41
721|65
Labor and Material
9|05
16 51
44 67
13 20
2
83|70
11 25
8 69
189 07
Groceries
151 68
94 65
97 75
66 68
85 18
95 14
11 95
127 47
43 44
55 41
83 75
913 10
Meat
40 98
27 56
26 33
20 43
18 49
13 22
39 17
30 38
33 68
10 79
261 03
Clothing, Furniture
32 70
8 25
30 90
3 60
2 25
1 50
37 49
116,69
Medicine, Doctor
15 15
1 35
2|35
2 75
3
70
5 45
5 85
29 40
66
Tobacco, Sundries
5 50
6 65
8|80
6 65
10 05
6 65
4 80
49 10
Grain
86 75
203|97
41 60
29 22
39 40
89 65
53 35
35 36
46 59
126 86
752.75
Hardware .
89|58
36 16
20|65
2|30
00
70
5 10
8,47
25 38
14 78
211 12
Fuel
102 94
2 52
18 61
2 91
8 26
3
17 75
12 55
13
88 55
Telephone
1 80
4 78
2|89
2 44
2 44
2 59
6 04
2 24
1|99
2 30
29.51
Burials
25
3
46
74
Insurance .
60
51
111
660|89
487 27|
349|07
184 49||
284,03
274 98
176 30
405 64
269 16
346 59
422 27 3860 69
.
83|01
91 17
277|12
Lights .
9 95
-
--
Expenses per Month for Out-Side Poor-Town, State-Other Towns and Cities.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Total
Provisions
503 17 72
286 10
268 74
301 03 58
322 67
193 90
225 62
584 60
245 65
203|35
773 58
3908 41
Rent
34 50
30
45|25
35 75
26 75
43
37 10
480 60
Cash
71 76
28 76
33
45 24
33
21
21
21
21
337 76
Burials .
8
54 25
77|25
Telephones
6 63
2 84
5 28
5 56
4 74
3 50
6 36
2 37
1 37
1 77
40 42
Fuel
39|85
48 63
15 05
2 75
8 40
21 50
33 85
170 03
Clothing and Shoes
7 65
11 25
9 50
2
16 55
46 95
Doc't, Sal'y, Med'e
S
32
21 43
8
49 75
22
39|20
180 38
Hospitals .
48
50
58
21
15
192
Transportation
.
15
1
1|75
62 04
2 75
10 62
20 35
113 51
Miscellaneous
I
701 41
511 48
419 70
424 88
514 91
260 75
358 62
770 15
342|02
279 34
997|65
5580 91
15
13 60
5
33 60
15
30 50 21
67 75 21
.
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 15, 1913.
This department has tested, sealed, corrected or con- demned the following :
Platform scales weighing over 5,000 pounds,
10
Platform scales weighing under 5,000 pounds, adjusted 2, 109
Computing scales, condemned 1,
37
All other scales, condemned 3, adjusted 6,
184
Weights, adjusted 6,
700
Self measuring pumps for oil, etc.,
40
Dry measures,
30
Liquid measures.
189
Linear measures,
35
Milk bottles, condenmed 1,
33
Total scales, weights, measures, etc., condemned 5, adjusted 14,
1,363
Reweighing of coal,
15
Special inspection of scales.
20
Receipts of office,
$85.46
Expense of office,
16.07
Balance paid town treasurer,
$69.39
EDWARD P. BROWN. Sealer of Weights and Measures.
February 15, 1913.
Report of Milk Inspector
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 15, 1913.
I have inspected sixty-four (64) places where milk is pro- duced, kept or sold.
Special inspection of milk wagons and places where milk is sold thirteen (13).
Number of milk licenses issued fifty (50).
Fees received for the same, .$25.00
Fees received for registering oleomar- garine license, 2.50
Paid town treasurer, $27.50
Expense and salary, 37.53
EDWARD P. BROWN,
Milk Inspector.
February 15, 1913.
Report of the Board of License Commissioners
To the Voters of the Town of Palmer:
To the board of license commissioners organized March 28, 1912, electing John W. Fay as chairman, Horace R. Paine as clerk, at a meeting held April 16. It was voted that all license fees should remain the same as last year. The num- ber of applications received were: first class, ten; fourth class, thirteen; sixth class, five. The board met later and granted seven first class, five fourth class and five sixth class during the year. The board has granted fifteen common victualer's, eleven Sunday and four innholder's licenses. The bills incurred by the board for the year past amount to four dollars. The board has held seven meetings.
- JOHN W. FAY, HORACE R. PAINE, HARRY HALEY.
100911
Report of the Board of Health
FEBRUARY 25, 1913.
Board of Health, Palmer, Mass.
Dear Sirs: I hand you herewith the report of the bac- teriological tests submitted to me during the year ending Feb- ruary 25, 1913.
A total of forty-one cases were submitted for the exam- ination for diphtheria bacilli, which is considerably less than during the year 1911. All but four of the cases were sub- mitted for diagnosis, and of these twenty-eight were positive and nineteen negative. The total number of cultures exam- ined is exactly the same as last year, namely one hundred and fifty-three, and this is due to the fact that many of the positive cases remained positive for a long time after the dis- appearance of symptoms and a large number of cultures were taken from certain of the cases before two successive negatives could be obtained. In one case fourteen cultures were exam- ined before the case was finally released.
During the year the laboratory has discarded the wooden boxes to be sent by express and has supplied mailing cases, which we consider the best method of submitting swabs.
The following table shows the work done month by month :
87
TABLE No. 1.
Showing number of contagious and infectious diseases reported to the Board from January 1, 1912, to January 1, 1913.
Jan. '12
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Diphtheria and Croup, Scarlet Fever,
1
1
1
1
1
11
1
4
21
Measles,
16
1
17
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
Erysipelas,
Totals,
1
1
17
1 |
3
1 | 1 |2 |11
1
4
43
TABLE No. 2.
Number of deaths reported to the Board from January 1, 1912, to January 1, 1913:
March Apr. May June July Aug. Sept Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan Feb. 13 8 19
14 11 14 10 14 11 9 Total, 150.
Burial permits, issued by the Board, 150
Undertakers' licenses, issued by the Board, 4
Slaughter house licenses, issued by the Board, 2
-
-
Anterior Poliomyelitis, Typhoid Fever, Tuberculosis, Whooping Cough,
9 18
88
TABLE No. 3.
Ages at death of persons dying in Palmer from January 1, 1912, to January 1, 1913:
Ages.
Totals.
Males. Females.
Less than 1 year,
48
31
17
1 to
2 years,
8
2
6
2 to
3 years,
4
3
1
3 to
4 years,
4 to
5 years,
5 to
10 years,
4
3
1
10 to
15 years,
1
1
15 to
20 years,
1
1
0
20 to
30 years,
5
2
3
30 to 40 years,
5
3
2
40 to 50 years,
12
7
5
50 to
60 years,
11
5
6
60 to
70 years,
13
8
5
70 to
80 years,
18
11
7
80 to 90 years,
10
4
6
90 to 100 years,
Still births,
10
10
Totals
150
79
61
DR. JACOB P. SCHNEIDER, DR. SAMUEL O. MILLER, DR. HARRY C. CHENEY, Board of Health.
The Board of Health of the Town of Palmer respectfully submits the following report :
The number of cases of contagious diseases reported since our last report has been less than in any year since 1906. The following tables show them as reported :
There were but three cases of tuberculosis reported dur- ing the year, but fifteen deaths were reported during the same period. The law requires cases of tuberculosis to be reported the same as other contagions diseases, and the Board wishes
89
to call the attention of physicians and householders to this fact.
We would suggest that householders make an effort to keep their premises free from garbage and rubbish, as these sources of filth have much to do with the drawing of flies and mich infection is transmitted in this way.
Spitting upon the sidewalks or in other public places is also a source of danger which should be avoided.
There were a number of nuisances reported during the vear which received the attention of the Board.
We have been obliged to pay considerable money to other towns during the year for the support and maintenance of people suffering with contagions diseases who have gained a settlement in this town but have moved to other towns.
The Board recommends to the voters careful considera- tion of the "Tenement House Act," so-called, which was enacted by the Legislature of 1912, and recommends an ap- propriation of $1,000 for the use of the Board in addition to the salaries.
J. P. SCHNEIDER,
H. C. CHENEY,
S. O. MILLER.
90
Diagnosis Release
Months
Positive Negative
Positive Negative
Total Cases
Total Cultures
March, 1912,
0
2
0
2
4
4
April,
1
1
6
May
1
1
2
4
July
August,
1
1
3
September,
1
5
6
8
October,
13
2
15
21
November,
4
5
2
11
55
December,
5
2
7
37
January, 1913,
2
2
11
February,
·2
2
4
Totals,
28
19
4
51
153
Total cases examined,
51.
Total cultures examined, .
·
153.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT EMERSON,
Springfield, Mass., February 25, 1913.
MEAT INSPECTION.
Beef
Con.
Veal
Cond.
Hogs
Cond.
Feb., 1912
29
2
13
0
27
0
Mar.
33
0
10
0
26
0
April
23
0
19
0
29
0
May
13
0
19
1
33
11
June
29
0
24
4
14
5
July
52
0
58
1
6
0
Aug.
42
0
52
1
14
0
Sept.
39
1
30
1
12
0
Oct.
52
1
29
1
14
0
Nov.
68
2
21
0
39
0
Dec.'
90
1
18
0
58
2
Jan. 1913
62
0
27
1
22
0
532
7
320
10
294
18
CHARLES H. KEITH,
Inspector.
Bacteriologist.
June,
Assessors' Report
The Board of Assessors respectfully present the following report. One member of this Board, Harry T. Bishop, died on October 28, having served the Town as Assessor for twenty-four years.
State tax,
$7,687.50
State highway tax,
496.00
County tax,
4,497.29
Maturing town bonds,
7,600.00
Town tax,
84,359.48
Interest,
5,000.00
Main street paving note,
2,500.00
Overlay,
2,804.83
$114,945.10
Estimated receipts,
$22,980.00
Liquor license fees,
7,803.75
30,783.75
Amount to be raised,
$84,161.35
Non-resident bank tax,
833.12
Amount of warrant,
$84,994.47
Taxes since added,
177.57
Street railway excise tax,
3,417.59
$88,589.63
Abatement to the collector, tax of 1911,
$18.86
Abatement to the collector, tax of 1912,
1,068.21
92
CAUSES FOR POLL TAX ABATEMENTS. Left town, 353
Poor, 8
Dead, 3
Paid elsewhere, 9
Errors,
3
Old soldiers,
2
TABLE OF AGGREGATES.
Personal estate,
$1,532,457.00 49,200.00
$1,581,657.00
Buildings,
$2,339,200.00
Land,
914,333.00
3,253,533.00
Total valuation,
$4,835,190.00
Tax rate $16.40 per $1,000.00.
Number of horses assessed,
Cows,
610
Sheep,
1
Neat cattle,
146
Swine,
80
Dwellings,
1,090
Acres of land,
18,563
Fowls,
1,834
ROY E. CUMMINGS, JOHN O. HAMILTON, Assessors.
PALMER FIRE DISTRICT NO. 1.
$5,698.00
Appropriations,
465.22
Less amount on hand,
$5,232.78
a
464
Resident bank stock,
93
Overlay,
164.73
$5,397.51
Taxes since added,
25.93
$5,423.44
VALUATION.
Personal, $520,888.00 1,554,999.00
Real estate,
$2,075,887.00
Tax rate $2.60 per $1,000.00.
ROY E. CUMMINGS, JOHN O. HAMILTON, Assessors.
THREE RIVERS FIRE DISTRICT.
Appropriations,
$1,600.00 199.69
Overlay,
$1,799.69
VALUATION.
Personal,
$35,038.00
292,097.00
Real estate,
$327,135.00
Tax rate $5.50 per $1,000.00.
ROY E. CUMMINGS,
JOHN O. HAMILTON,
Assessors.
Young Men's Library Association
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR END- ING MARCHI 1, 1913.
To the Members of the Young Men's Library Association :
INTRODUCTION
I herewith submit my second an- nual report as Librarian of your asso- ciation. I have served in this capacity for a period of four- teen months.
In reporting last year to you, I was seriously handicapped in that my connection with it extended over a period of about two months. I have now had one full year of experience; consequently, I feel that I am in a position to speak much more intelligently and specifically relative to the work, the outlook, and the needs of your library. In this brief report. I shall endeavor to deal with these needs concisely, yet fully. STATISTICS In the first place, I will speak of the work which the library has done during the past year, quoting, where necessary, certain sta- tistical information.
During the last year the circulation his increased re- markably. The circulation for the year ending March 1, 1912, was 20,044. This year's circulation was 26,007. This is an increase of 5,963, or a percentage of increase of 293/4 per cent. Last year, our increase over the previous year was ten per cent. When we started at the beginning of this year, we had fond hopes of increasing our circulation twenty-five per cent. We have more than realized our anticipations. I consider
95
that this increase in circulation falls but little short of being remarkable.
Last April we opened up our stack room to the public. The stacks were rearranged so that the best possible light could be secured. Ample provision was made for lighting the room well at night. Linoleum was placed upon the hard concrete floor of the stack room. Many other improvements were made, which surely must have had some influence in the way of inviting more generous use of our library by the citi- zens of the town. In addition to this, much recent fiction of good standard quality has been secured. Last year, some 549 books were purchased; this year, 638 books have been purchased, an increase of about twenty per cent.
Much time and attention have been given to the selection of these books by the Librarian, Assistant Librarian, and the Board of Directors. It has been our purpose to use the money appropriated by the town to the best possible advantage of the library patrons. We believe in supplying our readers with what they wish to read, provided the moral and literary tone of these books is of sufficient strength.
In my opinion there have been two reasons for the large increase in circulation which has taken place this past year : one is the opening of the stack room, allowing the user plenty of freedom in the selection of his book; the other is the large amount of modern fiction which has been purchased within the past year and a half. In other words, this increase in circulation is due to the fact that the present Board of Di- rectors have endeavored to modernized the library in so far as their finances would allow. If we wish to maintain this increase in circulation yearly, we must continue to meet an i anticipate the needs of the library users.
The past year, 22,139 fiction books were in circulation and 3,868 non-fiction books were circulated. There is one feature of these last statistics to which I would like to call your attention. The number of non-fiction books in circula- tion, 3,868, is an increase of 439 over that of last year, and 252 more than the year preceding last year. This seems to
96
indicate that, although we are supplying more fiction, we are not discouraging the use of non-fiction books. The number of books on hand March 1, 1913. was 9,179, an increase of 658 over the number at the same time last year. This means that we have increased the number of books in the posses- sion of the library by about eight per cent.
CHANGES An almost complete change in our library has taken place along several lines. In the first place, the policy of the library has been changed to some extent in the kind of reading matter pur- chased. More attention has been given to supplying good standard present-day fiction. Then, again, a marked change has taken place in giving our patrons more freedom and lati- tude in selecting their own books. The stack room has been changed in appearance from a dingy to a bright, airy, pleas- ant room. It is a real pleasure to step into it at night, when it is well lighted, to simply look around. Such a cheerful room cannot help but have its effect upon the users.
At the present time, all of the books in the library are being catalogued by an expert cataloguer whom we have hired through the Free Public Library Commission of Massachu- setts. When this cataloguing is perfected. it will be a sim- ple matter to find any book in the library either by its title or by the name of its author. It is impossible, without such cataloguing, for any person or persons to keep "track" of some 9,000 books and be able to place their hand upon the same when wanted. New card pockets and cards have been ordered for all of our books. When the catalogning has been finished and the card pockets have been attached to each book, our library will be upon as up-to-date a plan as any of the smaller libraries in the state.
EXTENSION CENTERS During the past year, the Libra- rian has established extension centers in the Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville schools. Forty books, carefully selected and suited to the age and grade of the pupils have been placed in each of these schools. These books; have been placed in the rooms containinig grades four to nine.
97
inclusive. A simple scheme has been worked out to take care of these books, all of the work being done by the girls of the eighth and ninth grades. There has been a constant use of these books by the children within the short period that has expired since their installation; the total circulation is large. I am unable to state definitely what this circulation has been but I know that it has amounted to several hundred. This circulation, not having been obtained by me, has not been added to our total circulation for the year. If it had been, our total circulation, in my opinion, would have been increased by some six or seven hundred. We expect that we will have to increase the number of books in each school in order to meet the demands that will be made upon us. The pupils cer- tainly welcome this opportunity to secure good books, and the teachers are giving this plan their heartiest support and en- couragement.
These books have not been provided the children simply for the means of enjoyment and for the purpose of "killing" their spare time, but rather they have been furnished them in order to create the desire to read good literature. We hardly realize to what extent our reading influences our lives. You can pick out the kind of a man a certain individual is by what he reads as well as by the company he keeps. Our opinions are formed, largely, by what we read. Nearly everything that we peruse either strengthens or modifies our present opinion .. We are made better or we are made worse by our reading. We cannot stand still, morally and mentally, if we read. For this reason, we have introduced books into our schools; and then, frankly, we will confess that there is also one other purpose in our mind. That is that we wish to train up the boys and girls to become users of our library or the library in what- ever town or city they may reside in later life. These chil- dren are the future citizens of our town; they are the future patrons of our library. If your library is to prosper in fu- ture years, it is necessary that you take care to train your future citizens at the present time.
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