USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1935-1939 > Part 47
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*Per capita income based on total income
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can do no better than to quote her own words. "The library then consisted of a single room with a bare, worn wood floor, contain- ing four long tables surrounded by rickety wooden chairs. The western half of the room was shut off by a partition of wood and ground glass, effectively concealing from sight every book in the place. A single apperture, like that of a bank wicket, broke this barrier, and through this, a would-be reader presented a slip re- questing a book, and in time received through the same opening the desired book." It is hard for those of us who did not know the library in those days to conjure up such a picture, so used are we to an attractive reading room, easy access to books and the bor- rowing of them. Indeed in the face of all those difficulties it speaks well of the desire of the public for books that there circulated in 1906, 17,068 books. A remodeled, modern library building, an attractive children's room, book service to the outlying districts of the town, the establishment of a branch at Ballardvale, library service to the Junior High School, the guiding of the library du- ring the difficult days of the last war and the trying depression years are but a few of the accomplishments that highlight Miss Brown's years of devotion and wise administration.
Figures in no way tell the whole story for they leave out of the picture entirely those important services that defy statistical measure but which in the last analysis count for so much. For instance the shared enthusiasms for books which is so important a part of a librarian's work, the effective book selection which takes into account the diversity of tastes, interests and abilities and yet maintains the collection on as high a level as possible, the ability to see a need before that need is felt-all these are beyond exact measurement. However, since figures are the most tangible evidence available, let us compare the growth of the library between the years 1909 and 1939.
Circulation
1909
1939
Adult
23,932
73,485
Juvenile
7,907
36,461
Total
31,839
109,946
Borrower's cards in use
2,760
5,869
*Circulation per capita
4.8 books
10.4 books
+Income per capita
$.89
$1.52
*Census figures used are those for 1905 and 1935
+Per capita income based on total library income
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As these figures show, the circulation of the library during the thirty years has increased more than three times with an increase in the juvenile circulation of almost five fold.
It is the earnest hope that on these foundations, so well laid, the library will continue to go forward in finding new ways and methods of serving the whole community.
While we are still in reminiscent mood, let us consider the status of children in the Memorial Hall Library in 1898. Article 4 of the rules and regulations reads as follows: "Young people under fourteen years of age may be admitted to read in the Reading- room upon the request of some person known to the Librarian (who shall engage to be responsible for their good conduct), at such times and in such numbers as may, in the judgment of the Librarian, not be inconvenient to other visitors, but no such per- son shall be permitted to loiter in the Reading-room, or in any part of the building when not engaged in reading." That was only forty-one years ago but so completely have we gotten away from that attitude toward young people with our attractive children's rooms and trained librarians to serve them, with splendid books written particularly for them that it seems as if that period must indeed have been removed from us by hundreds of years.
In 1939 the circulation of juvenile books including those loaned to the schools was 36,461 amounting to 33% of the total circula- tion, an increase of 17% over 1938. It is small wonder that our children's books with their enormous use wear out more quickly than we can replace them for the one-third of the annual appro- priation, amounting to about $800, is not sufficient to keep up with the enormous turnover of the approximately 4600 books in the juvenile collection. Many libraries which serve the schools have separate school collections and sometimes separate appro- priations for this use.
Miss Babcock who did full-time work in the Boys' and Girls' Room last winter now divides her time between it and the adult department. This necessary change has been something of a hand- icap in view of the increased use of the Boys' and Girls' Room. The use of page help for such routine tasks as shelving has been of great assistance. Again we have considered closing the room at six o'clock but have disliked to do so when careful accounting has shown a room used to capacity during the hours between six and
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eight with a circulation sometimes amounting to 50% of the day's total.
Miss Robinson has continued to serve the Junior High School Library, Monday through Friday, from one to three-fifteen and could very advantageously, if we could spare her, devote more time to the school library. The tremendous use of the library and its growth are shown in the circulation figures for 1939 which indicate that 4,272 books were issued as against 1,094 for the year before. Sometimes one hundred boys and girls are served in the short space of a half hour which means that it is almost impossible to give adequate personal service. We feel that the work at the Junior High School is of the utmost importance both because it relieves the overcrowded Boys' and Girls' room at the main library and because it brings books and personal service to boys and girls who, because they live at a distance from the main library, can not avail themselves of its privileges.
The following figures are indicative of the use that is made of the books sent to the elementary schools. Thirty-seven books were sent to one classroom at the Center School and they were read a total of 411 times. No wonder our bindery bill is large! During the past school year, the total number of books sent the schools, elementary and junior high, was 2,740 with a total circu- lation of 11,296.
Growing naturally out of specialized service to boys and girls is the increased attention in public libraries that is being given to young people of high school age, in school and out. It has been estimated that approximately one-third of the total adult regis- tration in an average public library consists of young people between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. A survey conducted in the New York Public Library showed that 75% of the regis- tered borrowers were between the ages of fifteen and thirty. An outstanding young people's librarian has made the challenging statement that the future of democracy may well depend upon the success of the public library in serving this group. What may be the specific answer to the problem in our library will require further study. However, books must be added to the library that will meet the reading interests of these young people whose read- ing abilities vary widely. This does not mean a lowering of the standards, but an inclusion, in the adult collection, of books that were written for young people. These books would undoubtedly
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serve as stepping stones and as an introduction to the larger re- sources of the library. This fall, with the cooperation of the high school, we have sent a deposit of one hundred books to the High School Library. We hope that we can help out in other ways such as through making booklists and giving book talks.
Reference work plays a large part in a library's work and often taxes the resources of the library and the ingenuity of the libra- rians. The questions asked show a diversity of interests and the importance of a well-rounded and well-stocked library of books and reference tools. How many people if confronted with the question "What noise does a skunk make?" would know the answer? The library staff didn't, either, but the answer was found. Among other questions asked were: "How much have the Eng- lish paid back on the war debt?" "What types of costumes were worn at the time of the Canterbury Tales?" "How can I find out the best brand of baking powder?" and "Have you information that will tell how to get rid of termites?"
Librarians have often found it difficult to steer an even course in book selection between the loudly publicized best sellers and books of equal and often greater merit which are not so noisily acclaimed. This fall a book has headed the non-fiction list of best sellers which seems an indication of the direction in which people are turning in these strenuous days. It is the Treasury of Art Masterpieces edited by Thomas Craven. This book and some of the others which are on the list and in great demand in the lib- rary-The Nazarene by Shalom Asch, Thoreau by Henry Seidel Canby, Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Revolution of Nihilism by Hermann Rauschning-seem to be evidence that we do not need to despair too much of public taste.
The replacement of standard and well-tried books with good editions as regards print and illustration is of equal importance to the purchase of new books. It is amazing to see how often these attractive books circulate when other copies drab in appearance remain on the shelves.
One of the unsolved problems of a library is that of rendering service to the outlying districts that is comparable to that given people within easy access of the main library. Providing equitable service to rural areas as contrasted with urban communities is a problem that faces the whole library profession. Since 1914 this library has served the outlying districts with book deposits and is still doing so. One of the most rewarding afternoons that the
163
present librarian has spent since she came to Andover was the afternoon she visited the houses where the deposits are sent. The visit was made to check up on the use made of the deposits and to see whether the present modes of transportation had made them unnecessary. The two districts which we visited gave ample evi- dence that the books were filling a great need. One has only to remember an elderly couple; the wife alone three-fourths of the day; the husband a night watchman, to know how much books meant in that household. The next step is to see if the present method of providing books can not be improved upon.
The librarian with Miss Robinson, the children's librarian, has visited most of the elementary schools and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting with the children and teachers.
Since September the librarian has been going to the Ballardvale Branch on Tuesday afternoons and evenings in order to become acquainted with the needs of the community and to see if there is any way in which the library can be of greater service.
In November she spoke to a group of young women of the West Parish Church about the library and its many services.
Two minor changes which have met with general approval are the permitting of the circulation of all magazines except the cur- rent issues and the reserving of all fourteen day fiction.
Rescuing good books from the oblivion of the stacks is a thril- ling business. Our experiment of constantly changing book dis- plays seems to have been quite successful for many people have expressed pleasure in having readily available older books which they may have missed.
The Historical Records Survey of the Works Progress Admin- istration during the summer listed our early American imprints and broadsides in preparation for a publication by the Library of Congress of all books found in libraries and historical societies published prior to 1876. The manuscripts in the library were also checked by the survey in preparation for the publication of a volume containing the manuscript holdings of the towns in Essex County.
A reception on May 29th was given by the Board of Trustees in honor of Miss Brown, Miss Twichell and Miss Putnam. Al- though the afternoon was hot and humid with many thunder storms, there was a good attendance. The library was quite trans- formed with lilacs and evergreens arranged by the Garden Club.
"Books around the World" was the slogan for Book Week
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which was celebrated this year from November 12th to 18th. The theme was carried out in book exhibits, especially in the Boys' and Girls' Room which was quite transformed for the week into a veritable book fair. An open house for the elementary and junior high school teachers was held on Thursday of that week and gave the teachers an opportunity to look over some of the important children's books of the fall.
Young America's Music, a set of eight volumes containing all types of music from nursery songs for very young children to duets and music for violin and piano for those somewhat older has received such an enthusiastic reception that we are sure that there are many people in Andover who would welcome a collec- tion of music scores in the library.
The library has borrowed recently from the Division of Public Libraries at the State House a collection of Greek books and will be very glad to borrow similarly books in other languages.
Again the library is very grateful to the flower lovers who have kept us supplied with flowers of all kinds which have contributed in no small measure to the attractiveness of the library. There have also been many gifts of books and magazines which have added considerably to the library's resources. A very generous gift of $200 to be spent for books of an educational value to adults has been made to the library by the Andover Evening Study Groups of Phillips Academy. We have tried to buy books which would prove of lasting worth and books which may be used in connection with the courses to be given this winter by this adult study group. We hope to assemble these books in an exhibit so that interested people may see just how the $200 was trans- formed into books.
New window shades and draperies tinted a soft green have brought warmth and color to the main reading room.
Early in the fall in response to criticisms, the lighting in the library was metered and found to be quite inadequate in many of the reading and working areas. It was impossible to carry out all the recommendations which were made but as a first step table lights were bought for the three alcoves and have helped im- measurably in improving the lighting and have added to the in- formal atmosphere of the library. We anticipate that it will not be long before the other tables in the reading room will be equipped with table lamps. Many enthusiastic comments have been re- ceived about the table lights and the angle light which has been
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installed over the new-books case. Improvements in the stack lighting and adequate lighting for the charging desk will probably be accomplished in the near future. A proposal to light the al- coves with angle lights can be postponed until later as the table lights have partially remedied the problem there.
Mr. E. C. Kyte of Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, has characterized the public library as the one force for sanity in a slightly demented world and we must see to it that it is kept so. We must provide people with books, not just of escape, but those books that will give them understanding and direction. The pub- lic library must not exercise a narrow censorship but include in its collection books on all sides of current issues. The public lib- rary must ally itself with all community activities and become so vital a force that every citizen will think of it as a natural part of his equipment. A young man applying for a card a few weeks ago was asked if he were a resident of Andover. He replied, "Yes, I have lived here for the past two hours." Surely this is a decided tribute to the library from which he came. When people like this young man consider the public library to be as essential as food and lodging, then the library has really begun to serve.
I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the members of the Board of Trustees for their cooperation and to the members of the library staff who have helped perhaps more than they know in making these first months of adjustment easier than they might otherwise have been.
Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM PUTNAM, Librarian
STATISTICS OF LIBRARY
Number of books issued at Memorial Hall Library
100,997
Number of books issued at Ballardvale
8,949
Total number of books issued for home use
109,946
Books added by purchase
1,832
Books added by gift
114
Total additions
1,946
Books withdrawn
1,549
Total number of books in library
35,106
Number of borrowers' cards in use
5,869
Volumes bound
38
Volumes rebound
646
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TOWN OF ANDOVER
Thirty-eighth Annual Report of the
Board of Public Works
EMBRACING THE FIFTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT of WATER COMMISSIONERS and FORTY- THIRD ANNUAL REPORT of SEWER COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 1939
1940
*John H. Flint
*Wm. S. Jenkins
*Wm. S. Jenkins
1899-1902
*John H. Flint *Wm. S. Jenkins
*John L. Smith *James P. Butterfield *Felix G. Haynes
1903-1906
*John L. Smith *Felix G. Haynes
*John W. Bell *Lewis T. Hardy
James C. Sawyer
1906-1907
*Felix G. Haynes
*John W. Bell, Treas.
James C. Sawyer, Sec'y.
*Lewis T. Hardy
*Harry M. Eames
1907-1908
*Felix G. Haynes
*John W. Bell, Treas.
James C. Sawyer, Sec'y.
*Lewis T. Hardy
*Andrew McTernen
1908-1912
*Lewis T. Hardy
*John W. Bell, Treas.
James C. Sawyer, Sec'y. . *Andrew McTernen Willis B. Hodgkins
1913-1914
*Lewis T. Hardy ('16)
*Barnett Rogers ('16)
*Andrew McTernen ('15)
*Thos. E. Rhodes, Sec'y. ('14) Willis B. Hodgkins, Treas. ('15)
1914-1916
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('19) *Barnett Rogers ('16) *Lewis T. Hardy ('16)
*Andrew McTernen, Sec'y. ('18) Willis B. Hodgkins, Treas. ('18)
1916-1917
*Barnett Rogers ('19)
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('17)
*Andrew McTernen ('18) Chas. B. Baldwin, Sec'y. ('19) Willis B. Hodgkins, Treas. ('18)
WATER COMMISSIONERS
1889-1899 *James P. Butterfield *Felix G. Haynes
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
1893-1894 *John L. Smith *Charles E. Abbott
1894-1899 *John L. Smith
*John E. Smith
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
1917-1918
*Barnett Rogers ('19)
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('20)
*Andrew McTernen ('18) Chas. B. Baldwin, Sec'y. ('19)
Willis B. Hodgkins, Treas. ('18)
1918-1919
*Barnett Rogers ('22)
*Andrew McTernen ('21)
Philip L. Hardy ('21)
Chas. B. Baldwin, Sec'y. ('22)
*Thos. E. Rhodes, Treas. ('20)
1919-1920-1921
*Barnett Rogers ('22)
William D. McIntyre ('21)
Arthur T. Boutwell ('22)
Philip L. Hardy, Sec'y. ('21)
*Thos. E. Rhodes, Treas. ('23)
1922-1923
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('23)
Philip L. Hardy ('24)
Wm. D. McIntyre, Treas. ('24)
Arthur T. Boutwell ('25)
Edward Shattuck ('25)
1923-1924
Philip L. Hardy ('27)
William D. McIntyre, Sec'y. ('27) Arthur T. Boutwell, Treas. ('25)
Edward Shattuck ('25)
Walter I. Morse ('26)
1924-1925-1926
Philip L. Hardy ('27)
Wm. D. McIntyre, Sec'y. ('27)
Arthur T. Boutwell, Treas. ('28)
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('28)
Walter I. Morse ('29)
1927
Arthur T. Boutwell ('28)
*Thos. E. Rhodes ('28)
Walter I. Morse, Treas. ('29)
Wm. D. McIntyre, Sec'y. ('30) George H. Winslow ('30)
1928-1929
Arthur T. Boutwell ('31) W. I. Morse Treas. ('32) Wm. D. McIntyre, Sec'y. ('30)
George H. Winslow ('30) Thos. P. Dea (31)
1929-1930
Wm. D. McIntyre ('33) W. I. Morse, Treas. ('32) George H. Winslow, Sec'y. ('33) Arthur T. Boutwell ('31) Thos. P. Dea ('31)
SUPERINTENDENT
CHARLES T. GILLIARD
168
1930-1931
Wm. D. McIntyre ('33)
W. I. Morse, Treas. ('32)
George H. Winslow, Sec'y. ('33)
Thos. P. Dea ('34)
Frank A. Buttrick ('34)
1931-1932
Wm. D. McIntyre ('33)
W. I. Morse ('35)
Thos. P. Dea ('34)
Frank A. Buttrick ('34)
John H. Playdon ('33)
1932-1933
Wm. D. McIntyre ('36)
W. I. Morse ('35)
John H. Playdon ('36)
Frank A. Buttrick ('34)
Henry A. Bodwell ('34)
1933-1934-1935
Wm. D. McIntyre ('36) W. I. Morse ('38) John H. Playdon ('36) Frank A. Buttrick ('37)
Henry A. Bodwell ('37)
1934-1935-1936
Wm. D. McIntyre ('39) W. I. Morse ('38) John H. Playdon ('39) Frank A. Buttrick ('37)
Henry A. Bodwell ('37)
1935-1936-1937
Wm. D. McIntyre ('39) W. I. Morse ('38) John H. Playdon ('39) Frank A. Buttrick ('40)
Henry A. Bodwell ('40)
1938-1939
Wm. D. McIntyre ('39) John H. Playdon ('39)
Frank A. Buttrick ('40)
Henry A. Bodwell ('40) Sidney P. White ('41)
1939-1940
Sidney P. White ('41) Henry A. Bodwell ('40) Frank A. Buttrick ('40) John H. Playdon (42) Edward P. Hall ('42)
*Deceased
Board of Public Works
Andover, Mass. January 26, 1940
The Board of Public Works voted to adopt the following report of the Superintendent as its report for 1939 with recommenda- tions for 1940.
SIDNEY P. WHITE, Chairman FRANK A. BUTTRICK, Secretary JOHN H. PLAYDON HENRY A. BODWELL EDWARD P. HALL
169
Superintendent's Report
To the Board of Public Works
GENTLEMEN :
The major activities and developments in the Water, Highway, Sewer and Park Departments during the year which ended De- cember 31, 1939 are as follows:
WATER DEPARTMENT
Under Article 18 of the 1939 Warrant, eight hundred feet of six-inch water main were installed on Whittier Street from the corner of Chestnut Street to Whittier Court; thence along Whit- tier Court to the Playstead, and thence through the Playstead grounds to an existing six-inch main near the football bleachers. This new main replaces an old two-inch iron pipe which had out- lived its usefulness.
Under Article 48 of the same Warrant, five hundred feet of six-inch water main were installed on Ballardvale Road from the corner of Sunset Rock Road to a point in front of the property of Mr. Charles Wait.
At a Special Town Meeting held November 9th, it was voted under Article 1 to install forty-one hundred feet of eight-inch water main on Chandler Road from the dead end near the pro- perty of Mr. Charles Garabedian to a point in front of the pro- perty of Mrs. Alice M. Johnson. This work was started Novem- ber 24th and up to December 31st, eighteen hundred feet had been installed.
The material and blasting for the above three installations were paid for by the Town while the labor, with the exception of supervision and caulking, was supplied by the Work Projects Administration.
One thousand and eighty-three feet of six-inch water main were installed from the corner of Coolidge Road and Cheever Circle along Cheever Circle to Cabot Street; thence along Cabot Street to another section of Cheever Circle and thence along Cheever Circle to the other end of Coolidge Road. This work was done
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under the supervision of the Town, but at the expense of Mr. Frederick E. Cheever.
Two hundred and thirty-eight feet of six-inch water main were installed on Dartmouth Road from an existing dead end to a point beyond Princeton Avenue. This also was done under the supervision of the Town, but at the expense of Mr. George Cairns.
One thousand and twenty-three feet of six-inch water main were installed on an unaccepted road called Apple Tree Lane, which runs from Salem Street to Holt Street. This work, done by Ellsworth H. Lewis, Contractor, under the supervision of the Town, was at the expense of Harold C. Dunn.
Nine hundred and forty-two feet of six-inch water main were installed on an unaccepted road called Foster Circle, which runs from Elm Street to Whittier Street. This work was done by the Central Construction Company under the supervision of the Town at the expense of Mr. H. J. Peters.
Three hundred and fifty-two feet of six-inch water main were installed from Abbot Street to the new Abbot Academy building. A six-inch water connection to the new storehouse was also in- stalled from an eight-inch water main in the Marland Mill Yard. These two installations were supervised and installed by the Town, the expense being borne by the Academy and Mill.
Fifteen hundred dollars was appropriated under Article 13 of the 1939 Warrant to remodel the second floor of the Town House for offices to be used by the Board of Public Works, which moved from 32 Park Street to the new quarters April 28th. The heavy safes, etc., were moved by Mr. Percy Dole while the lighter ma- terials were cared for by the Town help.
At a meeting of the Board of Public Works held August 7th, 1939, it was voted to withdraw permits to fish and boat on Hag- getts Pond. It was also arranged with the Police Department to police and put up "No Parking" and "No Boating" signs around the shores of the Pond. The above was done at the request of the State Board of Health.
The bleeders on all dead ends were inspected and repaired where necessary.
A new bleeder was installed at the dead end on Rattlesnake Hill Road. This bleeder line runs from the end of the six-inch main to a catch basin in front of the property of Mr. Arthur Smith.
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A new hydrant was installed on High Plain Road near property recently built by Mr. Carl H. Stevens. A hydrant on Argilla Road and another on Bancroft Road were relocated to permit the building of driveways.
Five hydrants were broken by automobiles during the year.
The pine grove near the Pumping Station at Haggetts Pond was cleared of trees blown over during the hurricane and the stumps buried. This work was done by welfare and W.P.A. labor.
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