USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1910-1914 > Part 36
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Article 7 .- To see if the town will vote to extend the water line to the residence of Charles C. Stickney on Woburn Street, on petition of Daniel H. Poor and others.
Article 8 .- To see if the town will appropriate two hundred ($200) dollars for the improvement and care of " The Boulders " to be expended under the care of the Andover Village Improve- ment Society.
Article 9 .- To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to ascertain whether the town owns any of the land now fenced in, adjoining Elm Square, on petition of the Andover Village Improvement Society.
96
Article 10 .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of four hundred ($400) dollars for the purpose of giving a series of band concerts in the summer of 1914, on petition of Thomas E. Rhodes and others.
Article II .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty ($250) dollars for the purpose of installing a Universal Box in the Central Fire Station, on petition of Louis A. Dane and others.
Article 12 .- To see if the town will appropriate money for a fire alarm box at the upper end of Morton Street, on petition of Daniel J. Haggerty and others.
Article 13 .- To see if the town will appropriate money for two fire alarm boxes, one at the junction of Andover and High Streets and another at the corner of Centre and Tewksbury Streets, Ballard Vale, on petition of Willis B. Hodgkins and others.
Article 14 .- To see if the town will instruct the Board of Public Works to extend the sewer system from its present ter- minus on Summer Street as far as the residence of H. F. Chase, authorize its construction and assess betterments upon the estates benefited, on petition of John Franklin and others.
Article 15 .- To see if the town will vote to lay aside the sum of thirty thousand ($30,000) dollars for the purpose of laying out and macadamizing Lowell Street from Broadway, Frye Village, to the Tewksbury line, on petition of Joseph S. Chambers and others.
Article 16 .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three hundred ($300) dollars for the construction of a drain to carry off the surface water in front of 88 Central Street, on petition of L. F. Hitchcock and others.
Article 17 .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the issue of ten thousand ($10,000) dollars of water Loan Bonds, the proceeds to be used for the extension and improvement of the water system, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
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Article 18 .- To see if the town will vote to discontinue that part of Prospect Hill Road beginning at a point near the house owned by W. H. Higgins to the North Andover line, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Article 19 .- To see if the town will vote to discontinue that part of Poor Street between North Main and Union Streets, on petition of George L. Stott and others.
Article 20 .- To see what action the town will take in improv- ing Elm Square according to plans made by the Superintendent of Streets, G. W. Wood, on petition of the Board of Public Works.
Article 21 .- To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one thousand ($1000) dollars for the erection of a sidewalk on the south side of Haverhill Street, beginning at the boundary line of the late Frank Barton to the boundary line of Geo. C. H. Dufton, on petition of Hugo E. Dick and others.
Article 22 .- To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for an extension of the sidewalk on the northerly side of Haverhill Street about 275 feet east of the Filter Bed Road, on petition of Thomas T. Clark and others.
Article 23 .- To see what action the town will take in regard to the removal of the Brick Pumping Station on Bancroft Road, and the installation of a pumping station to take its place in a vault made for the purpose near the so-called Holt farm reservoir, said pumping station to be run by electricity instead of oil, and the appropriation of a sufficient sum of money for this purpose, on petition of Fred M. Temple and others.
Article 24 .- To see if the town will petition the Director of the Bureau of Statistics for an audit of its accounts in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 598, Acts of 1910, and amend- ments thereof.
Article 25 .- To see if the town will grant permision to the " Syrian Public Cemetery Corporation " to use for cemetery pur- poses the following described land. to wit: Westerly by Corbett
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Street 125 feet ; Southerly by land owned by the United Syrian Society Cemetery Corporation 250 feet; Easterly by land now or formerly of Hanna Skerik 125 feet; Northerly by land now or formerly of Hanna Skeirik 250 feet, the whole being a part of the land formerly granted to the United Syrian Society Ceme- tery Corporation, on petition of The Syrian Public Cemetery Corporation.
Article 26 .- To fix the pay of the firemen for the ensuing year.
Article 27 .- To determine the method of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year.
Article 28 .- To authorize the Town Treasurer to hire money for the use of the town in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, with the approval of the Selectmen.
Article 29 .- To determine what disposition shall be made of unexpended appropriations.
Article 30 .- To act upon the Report of the Town Officers.
Article 31 .- To determine the amount of money to be raised by taxation the ensuing year.
Article 32 .- To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
The polls may be closed at 2 o'clock P.M.
Hereof fail not and make return of this Warrant with your . doings thereon at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Andover this seventeenth day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
HARRY M. EAMES. WALTER S. DONALD, CHARLES BOWMAN, Selectmen of Andover
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PUNCHARD FREE SCHOOL
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REV. DEAN A. WALKER
HARRY M. EAMES
MYRON E. GUTTERSON
S. H. BOUTWELL
FRANK T. CARLTON HARRY H. NOYES
REV. E. VICTOR BIGELOW
Trustees
100
REPORT OF TREASURER
PRINCIPAL FUND
1913
January I :-
Cash in Bank,
$2352 06
Real Estate Mortgages,
74102 22
$76454 28
December 31 :-
Real Estate Mortgages,
74648 75
Cash in Bank,
1805 53
76454 28
January I :-
Cash on hand,
2352 06
Mortgages paid during the year,
4253 47
6605 53
December 31 :-
Invested in new Mortgages,
4800 00
Cash on hand,
1805 53
6605 53
INCOME
January I :- Cash on hand,
1160 14
Interest on Mortgages and Bonds,
3719 88
4880 02
101
EXPENDITURES
N. C. Hamblin, Principal, $800 00
Edna G. Chapin, Instructor,
850 00
Louise M. Farnsworth, Instructor,
850 00
Caroline M. Davis, Instructor,
800 00
Frederic Palmer, Chairman, 1912,
50 00
Frederic Palmer, Chairman, 1913,
25 00
Insurance,
29 17
Harry H. Noyes, Treasurer,
200 00
Andover National Bank-Security Box,
5 00
Postage and Stationary,
8 95
Expense, Travel, etc.,
13 48
Cash on hand,
1248 42
$4880 02
BARNARD FUND
Cash on hand,
20 00
Dividends,
45 50
65 50
Prizes awarded-
Ist Prize, Lucretia Lowe, '13,
20 00
2nd Prize, Elizabeth Hamblin, '13, 12 00
3rd Prize, Thomas Edward Carter, '13,
8 00
1
40 00
Cash on hand,
25 50
65 50
DRAPER FUND
Cash on hand,
1248 72
Interest,
49 22
Scholarship,
40 00
Balance on hand,
I257 94
1297 94
I297 94
102
GOLDSMITH FUND
Cash on hand,
Interest,
251 58 10 14
261 72
Prizes awarded-
Girl's Prize, Doris Evelyn Piper, '14, 5 00
Boy's Prize, Arthur Rand Lewis, '14, 5 00
Cash on hand,
251 72
1.
261 72 HARRY H. NOYES, Treasurer
Examined and found correct.
FRANK T. CARLTON, HARRY M. EAMES,
Auditors
I03
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
FORTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Trustees submit the following report for 1913.
The report of the Librarian follows, descriptive of the detailed work and needs of the Library - all of which has been passed upon and bears the endorsement and approval of the Board.
The present Library Building is becoming inadequate to the demands made upon it. The proper shelving of books requires more available room and it will soon be necessary to decide upon a policy to provide for the regular growth.
The functions of the public library have increased in number and greatly broadened in scope since the building was constructed. That which was abundantly ample years ago is inadequate today.
The Trustees wish the citizens of the town to understand that if they desire a library conducted in accordance with the best ideas and made properly efficient as an uplifting agency in our civic development, it will soon be necessary to provide additional room and conveniences.
The arrangements for further library facilities at Ballardvale have developed admirably and the steady interest in the work which the Trustees are trying to accomplish is gratifying.
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The Trustees recommend $2000 for maintenance of the Me- morial Hall Library for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
E. KENDALL JENKINS, CHARLES C. CARPENTER, GEORGE F. SMITH, ALFRED E. STEARNS, BURTON S. FLAGG, JOHN ALDEN, FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL,
Trustees
105
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY In account with the Town of ANDOVER, MASS.
RECEIPTS
Balance from last year
$3372 II
Income from investments
3225 79
Dog tax
712 47
Fines
140 18
Town appropriation
2500 00
Gifts, etc.
24 40
$9974 95
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$2828 57
Lighting and heating
394 52
Books, periodicals, etc.
1048 55
Bookbinding
295 13
Repairs
II45 63
Insurance
297 06
Accrued interest
2II 81
Pictures purchased
131 15
Sundries
434 33
Cash on hand
3188 20
$9974 95
Included in the above statement of Expenditures are the following items of expenses of Ballardvale Branch, April I, 1913 to January 31, 1914:
Repairing and equipping building
$474 99
Running expenses, salaries, etc.
129 25
Lighting and heating
IO 37
Books purchased,
155 61
$770 22
106
Statement of Income and Expenses of the Trustees of Memorial Hall Library for the Year ending January 31, 1914 INCOME
Maint.
Books $694 17
Cornell $349 08
Total $3225 79
Income from Investments
$2182 54
Town appropriation
2500 00
2500 00
Dog Tax
712 47
712 47
Gifts
3 65
5 00
8 65
Sundries
142 53
10 90
2 50
155 93
$5541 19
$710 07
$351 58
$6602 84
EXPENDITURES
Salaries
$2718 25
$IIO 32
$2828 57 1048 55
Books, periodicals, etc.,
176 00
$872 55
Lighting and heating
305 IO
89 42
394 52
Bookbinding
295 13
295 13
Repairs
II45 63
II45 63
Insurance
297 06
297 06
Sundries and accrued interest
443 25
34 02
I68 86
646 13
Pictures purchased
131 15
131 15
Total
$5380 42
$906 57
$499 75
$6786 74
Surplus
160 77
Deficit
196 50
148 17
183 90
Condition of Funds and Unexpended Income on hand January 31, 1914
Funds
Maintenance Fund
$46600 00
Unex. Inc. $120I 95
Book Funds, General
13600 00
266 23
Book Funds, Special
3200 00
308 75
Cornell Fund, Permanent.
5000 00
218 03
Cornell Fund, Purchase
2700 00
987 15
Special
64 94
Total
$71100 00
$3047 05
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INVESTMENTS
Bangor & Aroostook R. R. Co., 4s
$11000 00
Boston Elevated Co., 4s
10000 00
Chicago Railways Co., 5s
9962 50
Montreal Tramways Co., 5s Michigan State Tel. Co., 5s
4981 25
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co., 5s
1000 00
Boston Elevated Co., 412s
1000 00
Boston & Maine R. R., 4s
2000 00
Boston & Albany Equip. Trust, 412s
2981 10
Savings Banks
13500 00
Mortgage on Real Estate, 5%
4000 00
Am. Tel. & Tel. Co., 4shs.
571 50
Principal-Cash
141 15
$71100 00
Income cash on hand
3047 05
Principal cash on hand
141 15
Total cash on hand
$3188 20
FREDERIC S. BOUTWELL, Treas.
February 16, 1914.
We certify that we have examined and found correct the above statements as of January 31, 1914, whereby all securities held against the several funds have been examined and the income accruing from same accounted for.
All disbursements are supported by receipts in proper form and the cash on deposit as shown has been verified and found correct.
BURTON S. FLAGG, GEORGE F. SMITH,
. Auditors
108
9962 50
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Memorial Hall Library.
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the report of the library for the twelve months ending December 31, 1913.
The circulation for the year just ended is 35737 books. Of this number 31721 volumes were issued at the main library and 4016 were borrowed at the Ballardvale branch. No library can successfully compete, even should it wish to lower its dignity by attempting to do so, with the moving picture shows, and it is largely due to the influence of these that libraries all over the country report a falling off in circulation. This does not reflect upon the serious use of the libraries ; it merely means that children and those who would read only the latest fiction, have turned to still lighter amusement. The real value of the library to its community remains quite unchanged. In our own case, the total circulation this year is perceptibly increased by the use of the branch at Ballardvale, open for eight months.
The opening of this branch is undoubtedly our greatest advance of the year. The most desirable room in the town building at Ballardvale, known as the " old schoolhouse " was turned over to us. This is a large room, fully thirty feet square, with eight windows, east, south and west, making an ideal place so far as light and sunshine are concerned. Fresh paint and whitewash transformed a dingy room into an attractive one. Shelving was provided for fifteen hundred books and the most necessary furniture purchased. The available duplicates in the main library were turned over to the branch, many entirely new books pur- chased, others were given, and two hundred volumes were loaned from the Memorial Hall collection. The number at opening was 693 volumes. Ten or twelve new books have been bought every month for Ballardvale, so that the end of the year finds the number actually belonging to the branch increased to 601 books, aside from the loans from the main library.
.
109
There is no doubt that this branch is appreciated. Measles invaded the village shortly after the day of opening, an epidemic that greatly interfered with the library use. Since then, the con- stantly increasing circulation speaks for itself. The open hours were increased on October Ist; in addition to the two after- noons, an hour on each of two evenings was added, thus con- veniencing borrowers employed during the day. Very careful plans were made for the opening of this branch and its develop- ment along certain lines, and thus far everything has gone to prove the wisdom of the arrangement. The appreciative use made of this branch justifies the purchase of more books and further equipment so soon as finances permit. It must not be forgotten, however, that Ballardvale is but one portion of our scattered town, and that other outlying districts may justly expect something of us. Moreover, books are also among the articles that have gone up in price with the high cost of living, and our book funds have not the purchasing power of ten years ago.
We were fortunate in securing for the assistant at Ballardvale, Miss Byington, who has proved very acceptable to the village and efficient in management of the branch.
One of the things to be hoped for during the coming year, is a more adequate service of the four outlying district schools, something more than is at present furnished by the district delivery. In the past, it was felt that any special plan for these must be deferred because of the obvious necessity of treating all the distant schools alike. With the establishment of this branch at Ballardvale, and the transportation of pupils from some of the districts to the centre schools, the problem has changed. It is hoped during 1914 to work out a plan to give the children of the remaining district schools closer contact with the library.
The library has as usual, been remembered by gifts. The public responded generously to the request for books for Ballard- vale. Rev. Frederic Palmer, on leaving Andover, presented a large number of volumes which have proved useful, either in our own collection or in the branch. And, as always, we thank our friends for many offerings of flowers.
IIO
The problem of choosing books, especially juveniles and fiction, is no easy one in this age of change. Points of view have so shifted that it is increasingly difficult to keep pace with the development of the times, without lowering both ideals and standards. So much that is insidious, even subtly immoral, is issued even by reputable publishers that the question of choice is difficult. In past years, the imprint of certain publishing firms was in itself an assurance that the book possessed literary merit and was unobjectionable in subject. Today, one almost has to search for a publisher of whom this may safely be said. That our own reading public prefers the wholesome type of book is clearly proved by the expressions of approval often spoken over our loan desk. One borrower voiced the opinion of many when she said: " I don't see where you find so many nice, clean, interesting stories to give us."
To know that we have succeeded in this, is itself sufficient reward for the time, thought and research put into the selection of books. But, as a matter of fact, we, with other libraries, have been forced in the search for the wholesome, to lower slightly our standard of literary excellence. Professor William Lyon Phelps, in his interesting lecture of a few weeks ago, on the " Modern Novel," stated that the really good novels of the past ten years could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Our selection could, of course, never be so exclusive as this,- many of our additions fall short of Professor Phelps's standard of " a good story, well told," but though lacking in full literary quality, the stories of our choice do stand the test of being clean and interesting, and that just now, is of more importance than style. And sometimes, even in these days, we find both.
The pendulum has swung so far in the direction of objection- able literature that a reaction is sure to come. Public taste and public opinion still sway the balance on the side of the decent, and in the long run, the public may be trusted. Of course, in every community, there are a few inveterate novel readers whose sapped brains can be stirred only by sensationalism and scandal, but the solid reading public still prefers clean books.
The selection of periodicals is also a problem. Not only
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objectionable stories but objectionable illustrations crowd the pages even of some that have had an honored past. Many of the New York publications seem to gauge the taste of the whole country by that of their own city.
It is better to err on the side of conservatism, for mistakes of omission are more easily remedied than those of commission. Between exotic pictures and stories, and reformers who would right the times by presenting any and every subject to the im- mature mind, the children of today seem in a fair way to be robbed of the most precious heritage of childhood,- innocence, imagination, and ignorance, for a time, of evil. To keep our children's shelves provided with pure, wholesome, interesting and inspirational books is perhaps our most important duty. The tremendous influence of books upon a child's mind is a force none deny. And to the morbid, lurid literature of the age may be attributed, in part, the tendency of present-day young people toward being blasé, irresponsible and lazy.
To refer again to our crowded shelves and our desperate need of an addition to the building seems like the useless dropping of water. Influential people in the community frequently say to us : " But why don't you ask the town for the money to enlarge the library?" As it happens, the librarian isn't the person to do the asking, since women, as yet, have no voice in the Andover town meeting. But we certainly shall never get the money unless we do ask for it. The town appreciates its library but perhaps does not fully realize that increased facilities will mean increased advantages. Why not at least make the attempt? We are given to understand by the best of authority that he who desires does not receive without asking.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA A. BROWN, Librarian
II2
STATISTICS OF THE LIBRARY
Number of books issued for home use at Memorial Hall, 31,72I 4,016
Number issued at Ballardvale,
Total,
35,737
Books sent to the districts,
1,644
Percentage of fiction circulated,
70
Percentage of non-fiction circulated,
30
New borrowers registered, 1913,
394
Actual number of cards in use,
22II
Books added by purchase,
898
Books added by gift,
210
Total accession, II08
Books withdrawn, worn out, lost and paid for,
273
Total number of books in library,
20,900
Volumes rebound,
460
Volumes bound, (periodicals, etc.)
92
BALLARDVALE
Number of books issued for home use, 4,016
Percentage of fiction circulated, 88
Percentage of non-fiction circulated,
I2
Number of borrowers registered,
254
GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY
Gifts of books and pamphlets are acknowledged from state and government departments, from other libraries, from societies, the Andover Village Improvement Society and from the follow- ing individuals :
C. K. Bancroft ; Miss E. A. Brown ; Miss M. J. Byington ; Miss J. B. Carpenter ; Miss L. J. Chandler ; Mrs. J. N. Cole ; H. H. Crapo; Miss Edith Donald ; Miss H. L. Erving ; Mrs. N. F. Flint ; Mrs. C. H. Foster ; Mrs. H. E. Kendall; Mrs. E. H. Kerr ; Miss Anna Kuhn ; Mrs. M. S. McCurdy ; Rev. Frederic Palmer ; H. M. Poynter ; G. B. Ripley ; William Shaw; Mrs. H. A. Starbuck; Mrs. J. P. Taylor ; Dr. Roger Tracy.
II3
LIST OF PERIODICALS AND NEWSPAPERS TAKEN FOR THE READING ROOM
American monthly review of reviews.
Atlantic monthly.
, Blackwood's magazine.
Bookman.
Book review digest.
Catholic world.
Century.
Christian Endeavor world, (gift).
Congressional record, (gift).
Country life in America.
Craftsman.
Cumulative book index.
Dial.
Edinburgh review.
Education.
Elementary school teacher.
Forum. Garden magazine, (gift).
Guide to nature, (gift).
Harper's magazine.
House beautiful, (gift).
Independent.
International studio, (gift).
Ladies' home journal.
Library journal. Life. Literary digest. Littell's Living age. London weekly Times. McClure's magazine. Nation. National geographic magazine. New England homestead. Nineteenth century. North American review.
II4
Outing. Outlook.
Popular mechanics.
Popular electricity. Popular science monthly. Practical engineer. Public libraries.
Punch, (gift).
Readers' guide to periodical literature.
St. Nicholas. Scientific American.
Scribner's magazine. Survey.
Technology review, (gift).
Official gazette, (gift).
Woman's Home Companion.
World's work.
Youth's companion.
Andover Townsman.
Boston Advertiser.
Boston Herald.
Boston Transcript.
Christian Science Monitor, (gift).
Lawrence Telegram.
New York Times.
115
INFORMTION FOR USERS OF THE LIBRARY
The Memorial Hall Library is open every day except Sundays and legal holidays from 9 to 12.30 in the morning, and from 3 to 9 in the afternoon and evening.
Any resident of Andover over ten years of age may have a library card upon filling out an application blank. Children in grades below the Punchard School, are required to have their applications endorsed by both parent and teacher.
All grown people are allowed to take two books, provided that one only is fiction. This privilege is also given to the Punchard pupils. Teachers are permitted to draw ten books strictly for school use. These books are subject to the ordinary rules of the library.
Books are issued for fourteen days, the date upon which the book is due being stamped plainly on the " date due " slip at the time of issue. A book kept overtime incurs a fine of two cents for every day overdue. A few of the books most in demand are issued for seven days only. All these are labeled upon the book pocket, " Seven day book." Books lost or damaged must be paid for.
Seven day books are not renewed or reserved for anyone. Other books may be renewed if no one else has asked for them, and if a work not fiction, is specially desired for any serious purpose, notice of its return to the library will be sent on request.
The shelves of the whole library are open to all grown people. The books are arranged according to subjects, and it is often much more satisfactory to go to the shelves and examine the books than to depend upon the catalogue.
The only complete index of the contents of the library is the card catalogue. The printed catalogue of the books was issued ten years ago, and is out-of-date, besides containing the names of many books which are no longer in the library. The new books are listed at intervals in the weekly paper, and cumulated in the yearly library report, but the only complete record is the card catalogue. This catalogue is arranged alphabetically like a
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dictionary. To find whether any given book is in the library, look for it under the surname of the author, or under its title. The right hand drawers of the case contain a second arrange- ment of cards where the books are entered according to the subjects of which they treat.
The new books purchased each month are placed for some weeks in a special case on the north side of the reading room, so that the most recent additions to the library may be found there. The library buys only a limited amount of new fiction, but it tries to fill the wants of the community in regard to other books desired. People are invited to suggest for purchase the titles of books they wish.
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