USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1945-1949 > Part 16
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Our rooms are not all filled, as we are still short of domestic help.
Number of inmates January 1, 1946 7
Number admitted during year
6
Number discharged during year 6
Number of deaths 0
Number between one and sixty years of age 5
Number between sixty and seventy years of age 1
Number between seventy and eighty years of age 1
Number between eighty and ninety years of age 3
Number of inmates January 1, 1947
7
Respectfully submitted,
EVA V. IVARSON, Matron
112
Fire Department
To the Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts GENTLEMEN :
I have the honor to submit my sixth annual report as Chief of the Andover Fire Department.
During the year 1946 the department answered the following alarms: 88 bell (4 false); 271 still; total 359.
The total valuation of buildings where fires occurred : $115,125. Losses incurred totaled : $6785.
Hose was laid as follows: 7400 feet of 212" hose, 8400 feet of 11/2" hose, 13,900 feet of 1" or forestry hose, 51,000 feet of 34" or booster hose; total hose laid 70,700 feet; total feet of ladders raised 344.
Ambulance calls for the year totaled 454, of which number 27 were answered by the Chief's car; 11 by Deputy Cole's car.
Oil burners and tanks inspected 253.
Following the mandate of the 1946 Town Meeting the 70-hour week for firemen was established. This necessitated the addition of three men to the force.
The ambulance voted by the Town Meeting arrived and was put into service in December.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD BUCHAN, Chief
113
Police Department
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Miscellaneous complaints received and investigated 468
Ambulance calls covered by Police
4
Summons served for out of town Police 16
3
Automobiles recovered in Andover
7
Automobiles recovered out of town
3
Bicycles stolen in Andover
3
Bicycles recovered in Andover
3
Breaks in camps and dwellings
5
Doors found open and secured
32
Lost children returned to parents
3
Dogs killed by automobiles
17
Live wires down guarded by police
2
Street lights reported out to the Lawrence Gas Co.
38
Fires covered by police
12
Dogs lost and returned to owners
26
Persons notified for out of town police
15
Suicides reported and investigated by police
2
Cattle lost and returned to owners
6
Dead bodies cared for by police
3
Lights put at dangerous places
5
False alarms of fire
4
Tramps put up for the night
3
Dogs killed by police
12
Runaway children returned to parents
2
Dwelling houses inspected while owners away
41
Persons bitten by dogs 13
Animal Inspector and Board of Health notified regarding dog bites 13
Lost articles found and returned to owners
9
114
Automobiles stolen in Andover
Arrests and charges
Lewd Lascivious
1
Rape
1
Bastardy
1
Incest
1
Assault dangerous weapon
1
Uninsured automobile
2
Idle disorderly
1
Larceny
5
Operating motor vehicle to endanger
5
Operating motor vehicle under influence
16
Violation narcotic laws
1
Operation after suspension
1
No license
2
Traffic rules violation
3
Arrested on default warrant
1
Fornication
2
Leaving scene of accident
1
Burning buildings, 2 counts
1
Neglect of family
5
Delinquent children
3
Drunkenness
53
Assault
9
Total
126
Convicted in District Court
126
Superior Court
1
Fines paid in District. Court
$2,055.00
Sentenced to State Prison
1
Held for Grand Jury
1
Sentenced to House of Correction
13
Sentenced to Essex County School
1
Women's Reformatory
1
Placed on probation
7
Turned over to out of town police
5
Turned over to U.S. Army
1
Drunks released
40
Six new safety signs have been installed this year and several others repaired and painted.
115
The Police Department is getting back to normal again, having three of its members back from the service, although we have had two retire from the Department, this leaving the Department still short of regular officers for the time being.
I recommend at this time that one new officer be appointed to fill out a full week where one officer is supposed to work three days a week. This man is needed and would help to make for more efficiency in the Department. I also recommend the purchase of a new automobile for the Police Department, to replace the 1942 Plymouth Sedan which has been quite expensive to operate this past year owing to its age and the number of miles it has been operated, which is almost one hundred thousand miles.
I also want to recommend that the underground pipe and cables from the control box to all signals and detectors at the Chestnut Street Traffic Lights be replaced, as the cables running from the control box to the automatic pedals have rotted out and are not in operation at this time, and the other cables operating the lights on time are in very poor condition, and are apt to go out of order at any time and they, are in too poor a condition to repair.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. DANE, Chief of Police
116
Board of Health Nurse and Agent
To the Board of Health and Townspeople of Andover:
I herewith submit a brief report as Board of Health Nurse and Agent for the Town of Andover for the year 1946.
1946
1945
1944
Diphtheria
1
0
0
Trichinosis
0
1
1
Dog Bite
39
35
45
Tuberculosis
4
1
4
Scarlet Fever
31
42
24
Chicken Pox
86
11
186
Whooping Cough
24
24
26
Measles
191
29
31
Mumps
6
195
26
Syphilis
5
0
4
German Measles
20
8
2
Lobar Pneumonia
2
4
1
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis
0
2
3
Gonorrhea
0
2
0
Typhoid
1
0
1
Malaria
0
1
0
410
355
354
DEATHS FROM CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
1946
1945
1944
Lobar Pneumonia
0
2
1
Tuberculosis
1
3
3
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis
0
()
1
1
5
5
In 1947 Andover will continue to hold free clinics. Among these will be the Toxoid Clinic for children entering school, the very successful Baby Clinic, and the Anti-Rabies Clinic for dogs.
Respectfully submitted, LOTTA M. JOHNSON, R.N.
117
Milk Inspector's Report
To the Andover Board of Health:
As Inspector of Milk I hereby submit my report for the year 1946.
After inspection of premises the following licenses were granted.
Milk and Cream (all classes) 46
Oleomargarine 16
Pasteurization plants
5
Ice Cream manufacturer
5
Seventy samples of milk and thirty-two samples of cream were taken from various sources and tested for butterfat. All samples met state standard requirements. Seventy-seven bottles and twelve cans were condemned as unfit for further use. In addition to premises granted licenses, there were 108 additional pasteuriza- tion plant inspections, 20 ice cream plant, and 120 milk plant in- spections.
To all who have cooperated my sincere thanks and without their help this year would not have been a success.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED C. STACEY, Inspector of Milk
The Board of Health voted to adopt the reports of the Agent and the Milk Inspector as its report for 1946.
PERCY J. LOOK, M.D., Chairman WILLIAM V. EMMONS, Secretary CHARLES O. MCCULLOM
118
-
Report of Building Inspector
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31,
1946:
55
Dwellings
99
Additions and Alterations
Garages
34
Tool Sheds
3
Brooder Houses
2
Pump House
1
Camps
2
Filling Station
1
Barns
2
Work Shop
1
Hen Houses
2
Hog House
1
Store House
1
Storage Sheds
3
Greenhouse
1
Bicycle Shed
1
209
Dormitories in town containing eight or more rooms above the second floor were inspected to see that they comply with the law relative to safety appliances and a report of each inspection was sent to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
The estimated cost of new construction in the town during the past year is $262,175.00 and additions and alterations $135,850.00. Fees for building permits and elevator licenses amounting to two hundred and thirty-one dollars and fifty cents ($231.50) were collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD R. LAWSON, Building Inspector
119
Report of Trèe Warden
To the Citizens of Andover:
The advance of the Dutch Elm Disease over our state brings with it problems which this town must face. Andover has many beautiful elm trees and must be prepared to co-operate with the State in every possible way.
Over three hundred elm trees have been destroyed by this disease in western Massachusetts in the past five years. Authori- ties have tried to retard the disease as much as possible in the hope that something would be found to overcome it. Last fall several infected elm trees were found a few miles south of Boston, which brings the disease within thirty miles of our town.
All infected trees must be removed and destroyed. There is no other way to stop the spread of the disease to other elm trees. Control work of the Dutch Elm Disease is under the Division of Plant Pest Control, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, but your Legislature will have to appropriate the funds if this work is to be carried on.
Six-inch sample twigs of any suspected elm tree should be sent to the Dutch Elm Disease Laboratory at the Massachusetts State College at Amherst, to be tested, as this is the only sure means of identification.
Storms during the winter and an electrical storm with winds of gale force on June 8th, caused the loss of many trees and large branches. Spraying was halted for a week in June to clear up after the storm and a great amount of pruning and cabling of weakened trees was done during the last half of the year.
Thirty young shade trees were planted on our streets last spring and grew well in spite of the long dry weather in July.
Power saws have been developed to a high rate of efficiency and make greater use of high cost labor in cutting up and remov- ing trees. Tree departments in several towns are using power saws to great advantage, among them are Lynnfield, Peabody, Marblehead, Stoneham, Reading and Lawrence. I recommend that the town purchase a power chain saw for the Tree Depart- ment.
120
The purchase of a roadside tractor mower was authorized by the annual town meeting last March. This is the first piece of power equipment granted for use of the Tree Department. De- livery of the machine was not made until fall; however, advantage was taken of the wonderful fall weather to put this power mower in operation along our roadsides with good results. This is an excellent machine and should make a great change in the ap- pearance and usefulness of our roadways.
To make greater use of this tractor, I recommend the purchase of a snow-plow and attachments to clear out our driveways and for pushing away snow when removing trees and broken branches during the winter. It would save a great amount of time and hand labor.
Rates for tree repair men in commercial companies have in- creased greatly. Very few men are able to qualify for tree repair work. To retain as well as to obtain efficient men in this depart- ment, rates of pay should be increased.
For the regular operation of the Tree Department, during 1947, under present rates of pay, I recommend that $8,750.00 be appropriated.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Tree Warden
121
Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Andover
GENTLEMEN:
Control measures will be necessary against the following insects in 1947,-Tent Caterpillar, Gypsy Moth, Elm Leaf Beetle, Fall Web Worm and the Birch Leaf Skeletonizer.
From reports received, prices of insecticides will be higher and some insecticides may be in short supply.
As authorized by the town meeting last March a power sprayer of thirty-five gallons a minute capacity was purchased. This machine was delivered June 21st and used for the remainder of the season. This Hardie sprayer replaced an old machine and is a fine addition to our equipment.
We have an old 1934-172-ton truck which should be replaced with a new truck. Repair and operating costs are high and re- placement parts hard to obtain for the old truck.
The new insecticide D.D.T. was tried out against the Gypsy Moth Caterpillars with good results, but at present is more expensive than arsenate of lead to use in our roadside sprayer.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture at Greenfield has devel- oped a new type machine in the control of the Gypsy Moth and other insects. This machine blows a fine spray in atomized form into and over the trees along the roadsides or anywhere a truck can be driven. Exceptional results were obtained with this machine using D.D.T. in concentrated form (12%) but using only about one pound of actual D.D.T. per acre. Speed of opera- tion and the small amount of the insecticide used reduced the cost about 75% per operation over other spray methods.
The State Moth Department and a few towns purchased and used a blower type machine in 1946 with good results. Some operators reported they could use this machine in traffic and did not have to move parked automobiles.
The new insecticide D.D.T. is apparently safer and less objec- tionable than arsenate of lead when properly handled.
This blower type machine will undoubtedly make a great change in roadside spraying methods. With coming improvements
122
in these machines the town should consider changing its present noisy solid-stream sprayer for a blower type machine in the near future.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making great progress in control of the Gypsy Moth in forest areas by means of air- planes, using the blower type atomized spray at one-tenth the cost of old ground methods.
Over three hundred elm trees have been destroyed in western Massachusetts by the Dutch Elm Disease and several elm trees south of Boston. We are urged to apply more sprays using D.D.T. to destroy the insects that may spread this disease to our elms. An improved blower type machine will do this work more effi- ciently.
Under the present rate of pay I recommend that $5,900.00 ap- propriated in 1947 for Moth control work.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Moth Superintendent
123
Report of Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery
The Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery submit their annual report for the year ending 1946.
There were 63 interments during the year, and 21 new lots were sold.
The income from perpetual care funds amounted to $2,637.08.
Monies received from perpetual care funds, foundations, sale of lots, annual care, etc. amounted to $9,064.34 out of an expended appropriation of $12,686.31. $58.29 was returned to the Town as an unexpended balance. Trees and shrubbery have been pruned and trimmed. The front wall of the cemetery entrance has been refaced and some new cement walks laid.
On May 25th, the Trustees and the Town lost our good mem- ber Fred G. Cheney and it was voted to spread the following on our records.
"With deep regret the Trustees of Spring Grove Cemetery place upon their records a notice of the death of Mr. Fred G. Cheney, who was born in Marlboro, Massachusetts, August 17, 1874 and died in Boston, Massachusetts, May 25th, 1946. Mr. Cheney served the Board of Trustees with great ability and interest."
The Trustees are asking under a special article the appropria- tion of $600.00 dollars for a new power lawnmower. The one we wish to replace is eleven years old.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK R. PETTY, Chairman FREDERICK E. CHEEVER, Secretary CLIFFORD E. MARSHALL MALCOLM E. LUNDGREN
124
Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1946:
SCALES
Adjusted
Sealed
Condem.
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
1
6
0
. Platforms under 5,000 lbs.
24
55
0
Counter 100 lbs. or over
1
7
0
Counter under 100 lbs.
6
41
0
Beam over 100 lbs.
1
2
0
Spring 100 lbs. or over
0
3
0
Spring under 100 lbs.
18
35
0
Computing under 100 lbs.
2
26
0
Personal Weighing (slot)
9
15
0
Prescription
0
4
0
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Avoirdupois
0
245
0
Apothecary
0
53
1
Metrics
0
9
0
Liquid Measures
0
14
0
Meters over 1 inch
0
6
.
0
Gasoline Pumps
9
54 N.S. 1
0
Oil Jars
0
8
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
0
7
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
0
25
0
Quantity Measures on Pumps
0
19
0
Yard Sticks
0
10
0
I have collected from December 1, 1945 to November 30, 1946, $116.68 (one hundred and sixteen dollars and sixty eight cents).
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS N. MEARS, Sealer of Weights and Measures
125
Report of Wire Inspector
Board of Selectmen, Andover, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN:
I hereby submit the following report on Wire Inspections for the year 1946.
Number of Inspections 318
Amount collected and turned over to the Treasurer, Town
of Andover $159.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. BAKER, Temporary Wiring Inspector
126
Town of Andover - Jury List
JUNE, 1946
Alexander, John P. Andrew, T. Edwin, Jr.
Real Est. and Ins.
Salesman
14 Riverina Rd. Porter Rd.
Clerk 33 Morton St.
Barcroft, Harold E. Barnard, Foster C.
Barron, William F.
Baxter, Charles O.
Beedie, Alexander
Janitor
15 Cedar Rd. 8 Elm St.
Beirne, Francis X.
Bookkeeper
14 Bartlet St.
Belul, Febi
Rubber Worker
109 Pine St.
Billings, Walter
Jeweler
9 Wolcott Ave.
Bird, William F.
Salesman
Food Broker
Blake, Winston A.
Food Broker
12 Canterbury St. 7 Stratford Rd. 5 Stratford Rd. High Plain Rd.
Boutwell, Everett S.
Farmer
Brierly, James
Operator
9 Tewksbury St. 15 High St. Lincoln St.
Buchan, Raymond L.
Machinist
Textile Worker
13 Maple Ave.
Butler, Byron T.
News Editor
22 Central St.
Buxton, Walter E.
Painter
19 Summer St.
Cairnie, Henry
Shipper
120 North Main St. Main St.
Campbell, George W.
Insurance Agent
Chadwick, Harry
Janitor
34 Avon St. 4 Main St., Terr. Salem St.
Cheney, Paul M.
Ins. Adjuster
17 Canterbury St. 72 Whittier St. 100 Elm St.
Clark, Granville T.
Electrical Dealer
Clark, Wilbur T.
Guard
92 Haverhill St.
Clough, Harry E.
Insurance Agent
117 Chestnut St.
Collins, William F.
Cookson, Francis R.
Rigger 18 Washington Ave. Photographer 123 Main St. Artist 407 Andover St.
Coon, Howard A.
Clerk
Chadwick, Nathaniel
Cheever, WV. Abbott
Artist
Clark, Dana W.
Civil Engineer
Insurance 74 Summer St.
. Bailey, Ralph A. Bailey, Samuel H., Jr. Baker, Richard W.
Retired 8 Maple Ave. Y.M.C.A. Secretary 3412 Summer St. Trustee 14 Cabot Rd. Gas Station Op. Haggetts Pond Rd. Loan Manager
Blake, Preston H.
Brodhead, John A.
Retired
Burton, Everett D.
127
Crockett, Douglas Curtis, Albert E.
Industrial Eng. Banker
Plant Foreman
Chauffeur
Operative Insurance
Doherty, James D.
Doherty, William A.
Insurance
Draper, Ralph
Mechanical Engineer
Driscoll, John J.
Storekeeper
Drolet, Henry E.
Real Estate
Eastman, Floyd W.
Clerk
83 Chestnut St.
Easton, Craig V.
Labor Organizer
Retired
Elliott, Leonard Fairweather, James D.
Caretaker
Flaherty, John L.
Personnel Man
Flanagan, Charles J.
Brush Maker
Fleming, Edward H., Jr.
Painter
Flint, Edwin M.
Farmer
Forbes, David A.
Janitor
Gilliard, Frederick W.
Printer
Electrician
Glines, Roland B.
Electrician
Golden, William H.
Farmer
Gordon, Walter N.
Maintenance Man
47 Union St.
Greenhow, John M.
Retired
Greenwood, Ralph L. Operative
Haigh, William H.
Clerk
Carpenter
74 Chestnut St.
Veteran
2 Whittier Ct. 22 York St. 98 Main St.
Jones, Arthur W.
Clerk
Carpenter Haggetts Pond Rd.
Porter Rd.
Killorin, Karl Krinsky, Morris
Junk Dealer
41 Elm St.
Kyle, Thomas J.
Dentist
75 Elm St.
Kyle, William F.
Insurance Broker 75 Elm St.
Lakin, Irvin H.
Retired 22 Clark Rd., Ballardvale
Lewis, George O.
Machinist 41 Carmel Rd.
128
30 Chestnut St. Dascomb Rd. 125 Main St. 93 Abbot St. Chandler Rd. 21 Harding St. 21 Harding St. · 27 Bartlet St. 36 Summer St. Lowell St.
36 Walnut Ave. 34 Summer St. 15 Abbot St. 42 Enmore St. 49 Poor St. 37 Maple Ave. Pleasant St. 1 Sweeney Ct. 28 Chestnut St. 63 Bartlet St. 63 Bartlet St. 22 Carmel Rd.
124 Main St. Tewksbury St. 34 Washington Ave. Argilla Rd.
Henderson, Alexander Hodge, Robert Holt, Carl J.
Retired
Johnson, Leonard P.
Engineer
Kearn, Frederick J.
Killam, Horace N.
Musician
Real Estate
Geneva Rd.
Glines, Arthur B.
Darby, James J. Denoncourt, Roland Disbrow, Walter A.
Livingston, Harold S. MacDonald, David MacLeish, Norman K. Mahoney, Timothy J. May, David M. McDonald, William J. McGhie, Gavin H. Mill, Victor J., Jr.
Florist Operative
Ass't Supt.
Guard
Retired
Auditor
R.R. Fireman
Manufacturer
Milne, David
Laborer
Moore, William P.
Retired
Morehouse, W. Ray
Service Mgr.
Mosher, James R.
Muelig, Emil J.
Murphy, Michael M. Murray, John M.
Nason, Harry C.
Nelson, Edward J.
Nowell, Frederick N.
Noyes, John L.
O'Connell, John F.
O'Connor, Michael J. Otis, Herbert H.
Peterson, Elmer O.
Poultryman
Janitor
Guard
Coremaker
Clerk
Insurance
Electrician
Gas Station Mgr.
Agent
Electrician
Robbins, Ralph I.
Robertson, Foster G.
Ryley, James Sanders, William J. Shaw, Irving R.
Wool Sorter
401 Andover St., B.V.
Sherman, Leonard D).
Sherry, Frank R. Sime, David G.
Employment Mgr. 4 Maple Ave. Pattern Maker 247 Andover St., B.V. Tree Dept. 48 Stevens St.
107 Abbot St. 1 Upland Rd. 28 Shawsheen Rd. 34 Florence St. 40 Washington Ave. Railroad St. 72 Clark Rd. 14 Cedar Rd. 20 Cuba St. 10 Johnson Rd. 124 Chestnut St.
63 Chestnut St. Lovejoy Rd. 1 Punchard Avc. 46 Whittier St. 70 Summer St. Greenwood Rd. 6 Chickering Ct. Lowell St. 28 Avon St. 37 High St. 391/2 Summer St. Foster's Pond 36 Summer St. 354 No. Main St. Woodland Rd.
Pike, Walter E.
Pike, Walter N.
Poland, William
Polgreen, John A.
Pomeroy, Llewellyn D. Regan, Charles D.
Adv. Counsellor
Chauffeur
Insurance
94 Haverhill St.
Gas Station Prop.
61 Pine St.
Carpenter 3 River St., Ballardvale
Retired 99 High St.
Property Mgr. Farmer
Clerk 78 Haverhill St. Retired 25 Avon St.
Machinist
Petrie, George B.
Remington, J. Augustus Remmes, Joseph T.
Mach. Designer 55 Red Spring Rd. Caretaker 7 Canterbury St. Clerk Retired 50 Summer St. 15 Johnson Rd.
129
Sjostrom, Ivar, Jr. Smith, Frederick C. Smith, Frederick M. Smith, Arthur J.
Organist
Insurance
Real Estate
Bricklayer
Retired
Southworth, Irving Spinney, Charles H.
Machinist
Stedman, Herbert D.
Florist
Steinert, Arthur E.
Contractor
Stevens, Carl H.
Retired
Stopford, William W.
Operative
Stott, Joseph E.
Clerk High St., Ballardvale
Sullivan, Augustine P.
Accountant Artist
Porter Rd.
Sutton, Osborne
Rubber Worker
Thomson, James G.
Operative
119 Chestnut St. 42 Summer St. 36 Central St. 51 River St.
Trow, Henry J.
Chauffeur
Trumbull, Samuel B.
Real Estate
130 Main St. 2 Arundel St.
Ward, Roswell E.
Salesman
2 Brechin Terr.
Warhurst, Norman A.
Salesman
18 Riverina Rd. 30 Chestnut St. 74 Lowell St.
West, Archibald L.
Electrician
Wetterberg, Carl A.
Mill Worker
White, Peter
Farmer
Whiteway, Hayward G.
Carpenter
Whittemore, Peter B.
Bank Teller
Zecchini, John A.
Bartender
84 Main St. 6 Stratford Rd. 95 Maple Ave. Rattlesnake Hill Rd. 34 School St. 97 Chestnut St. 78 Lowell St.
1 Union St. High Plain Rd. 79 Chestnut St.
34 Essex St.
Sutton, Harry
Thomson, Philip W.
Trustee
Walker, James
Retired
Weeks, Eugene M.
Clerk
53 Summer St. So Main St. 3 Ferndale Ave. 122 Chestnut St. County Rd.
130
Trustees and Staff of Memorial Hall Library
CAROLINE P. LEAVITT
LEO F. DALEY
WINSOR GALE
ARTHUR W. REYNOLDS
HENRY G. TYER
WILLIAM N. PERRY
ALAN R. BLACKMER
Chairman WINSOR GALE
Secretary WILLIAM N. PERRY
Treasurer ARTHUR W. REYNOLDS
Librarian MIRIAM PUTNAM
MARGARET D. MANNING, Assistant Librarian, in charge, Circulation and Reference
MARGARET LANE, Children's and Young People's Librarian MARY F. ZECCHINI, Catalog Librarian ELEANORE G. BLISS, Circulation Assistant*
MARIAN A. DIMLICH, Clerical Assistant
M. ETHEL ZINK, Branch Librarian, Ballardvale
Janitor ARCHIBALD MACLAREN
*Part-time
131
THE LIBRARY IN THE FIRST YEAR OF PEACE
Increased library use in 1946-reference, reader's advisory, reading room-marked by a slight upturn in book circulation would seem to indicate that the holding of the line stage of the war years was over and that the library was entering a period of expanded activity and usefulness.
World conditions which seemed so often to dwarf the individual by comparison made reading for information and understanding an urgent necessity for many library users and was responsible for the large number of important books on all phases of con- temporary life which were drawn for home use. Very significant at this particular moment is the ability of the public library to provide through books, old and new, of information and inspira- tion, through forum discussions and similar group meetings, that common basis of knowledge and appreciation which may enable men and women to build a common life and a common world society.
Especially noteworthy of the library year just past has been the increased confidence that has been built up between library friends and library staff as more and more there has come about a mutual sharing of book interests and enthusiasms. This bond of friendly interchange has a direct bearing on intelligent book selection, book guidance and the more diversified use of the book collection, for thus the library becomes what it should be, an instrument for adult education, interpreter and adviser rather than the purveyor only of the new and currently popular.
A few generalizations about 1946 reading trends would suggest that reading patterns followed pretty much those of 1945. Would- be home owners, only a little deterred by building difficulties, sought out books on home ownership and building, books of house plans and on prefabrication. Many people found a pleasant escape from the rigors of contemporary life in the many fascinat- ing depictions of rural living. Books like Rabbi Liebman's Peace of Mind were, as always, popular. Interest in war books was almost wholly limited to younger readers although there was a noticeable demand for books which, like Heggen's Mister Roberts, presented the war in its more humorous aspects. College students temporarily frustrated by the lack of available texts, were able to secure required books at the library. Collectors of everything
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