USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1945-1949 > Part 24
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1. Farms engaged in producing and pasteurizing milk have been inspected.
2. Additional licenses have been granted to some new dealers.
3. Various samples of milk have been checked for butter- fat content and total solids. All were up to standard.
4. Arrangements have been made with the Essex County Agricultural School to carry out bacterial counts on some of the milk samples that we inspect. This will not be too expensive and will not add a great deal to our budget.
5. It is of interest to note that during the month of No- vember a considerable quantity of milk, about 12,000 cans were shipped into this area to take care of a possible short- age. Most of this milk came from Wisconsin.
Respectfully,
ROBERT A. WALSH,
Inspector of Milk
125
Sealer of Weights and Measures
December 31, 1947
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Andover: GENTLEMEN :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1947 :
SCALES Adjusted
Sealed
Condem.
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
0
4
0
Platform under 5,000 lbs.
11
55
0
Counter 100 lbs. or over
0
5
0
Counter under 100 lbs.
4
43
0
Beam over 100 lbs.
1
4
0
Spring 100 lbs. or over
0
4
0
Spring under 100 lbs.
9
33
0
Computing under 100 lbs.
5
28
0
Personal Weighing (Slot)
7
17
0
Prescription
0
6
0
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Avoirdupois
0
227
0
Apothecary
0
70
0
Metrics
0
4
0
Liquid Measures
0
37
0
Meters over 1 inch
0
7
0
Gasoline Pumps
11
58 N.S. 1
0
Oil Jars
0
0
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
0
6
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
0
22
0
Quantity Measures on Pumps
0
15
0
Yard Sticks
0
8
0
Clough Measuring Machines
0
1
0
I have collected from December 1, 1946 to November 30, 1947, $115.80 (one hundred and fifteen dollars and eighty cents) .
Respectfully submitted, LEWIS N. MEARS, Sealer of Weights and Measures
126
Report of Tree Warden
To the Citizens of Andover:
During 1947 many sample twigs taken from elm trees were sent to the Dutch Elm Disease Laboratory at Amherst for testing. All proved negative except one taken last Sep- tember from an elm on Burnham Road near the Railroad bridge. When the tree was cut down every section showed the brown streaking of the sap wood a condition caused by the disease. Feeding punctures on the twigs also showed the presence of the carrier of the disease, the elm bark beetle. No doubt other trees with the disease will be found during the 1948 season.
The Dutch Elm Disease is a great menace, and all avail- able means should be used to combat its ravages.
The town must now decide whether the cost to prevent the Dutch Elm Disease from becoming established is rea- sonable compared with the excessive cost of removal and loss of assets which the elms are to our town and to our homes.
Some authorities believe control can be obtained and our best trees saved by pruning of dead and weak wood and by spraying with the new insecticides applied with the new type mist blower spray machines. These authorities point out that one town in the heart of the Dutch Elm Disease area of Connecticut has lost few elms because of control measures taken, while other towns and cities in the same area that have taken no control measures face expenses in removing diseased elms up to $400,000.00.
The Moth Superintendent's report on another page shows what measures can be taken to control the Dutch Elm Dis- ease and at the same time destroy many other insects.
The town should appreciate the assistance given by the Andover Village Improvement Society in the control of poison ivy by the purchase of $423.00 worth of the weed killer ammonium sulfamate for use by the Tree Warden.
A solution of one pound of the chemical to a gallon of water was applied to the foliage of the poison ivy in July
127
with a power sprayer, along the road sides in residential sections of the town. The leaves and stems of the plant turned brown within a week and soon dried up. This work should be extended to other parts of the town and sections already sprayed should be gone over each year to destroy any new growth that may appear.
Our roadside tractor mower has added greatly to the use- fulness and appearance of our roadways by keeping poison ivy and other new growth back from the edge of the traveled way.
As authorized by the last annual town meeting a power chain saw was purchased and is a valuable addition to this department. The expense of this equipment will soon pay for itself in time and labor saved in tree removals.
Pruning and cabling of trees as well as some cavity work was carried on during the past year. Large brush was cut and removed on more roadsides to make it possible to cut future growth with our roadside tractor mower. Severe wind and rain storms during November shattered many branches and destroyed several trees.
Electric wires stretched along our streets among public trees is a problem that increases each year as higher volt- age wires are used to care for public demand for electricity. In spite of loss of service and loss from breakdown of its lines from ice storms, electrical storms, hurricanes, etc., power companies have utterly failed to provide new meth- ods of electrical distribution, and co-operation in the re- moval of dangerous trees along its lines has lapsed in the past few years.
I recommend the purchase of a new 11/2 ton truck to replace an old worn-out 1934 truck.
Very few men are able to qualify for tree repair work and rates of pay should be increased to compare with rates in commercial companies and to attract men of ability and knowledge of tree problems.
For the regular operation of the Tree Department during 1948, under present rates of pay, I recommend that $9,- 930.00 be appropriated.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Tree Warden
128
Report of Moth Superintendent
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Andover:
GENTLEMEN :
A disaster without headlines might well be applied to the loss of elm trees by the Dutch Elm Disease which silently destroys without publicity, and if uncontrolled may wipe out every elm tree within short span of years.
The town must choose now between an all out effort to retard and control the Dutch Elm Disease or be subject to great expense in removing dead elm trees along our streets.
The loss of beautiful elm trees will greatly reduce prop- erty values by leaving many barren locations in our town. Private elm trees as well as public elm trees must be pro- tected to bring success to our efforts as a few diseased elms would be a source of infection to healthy trees.
The Dutch Elm Disease is known to be spread by elm bark beetles which emerge from under the bark of an in- fected tree and fly to feed for a short time on the twigs of healthy trees, thereby infecting them. These beetles later seek entrance under the bark of elm trees or recently cut elm wood to complete their life cycles.
The first hope of controlling this elm disease has been found recently in new insecticides including D.D.T. and a new type machine which blows a fine mist of concentrated spray onto the trees, and remains effective about six weeks at a time. Fifty gallons of spray in this machine will last for three hours of continuous spraying thus saving time and material and destroying insects as they crawl over the in- secticide.
The elm bark beetles are active for at least twenty weeks so that three to four sprays are necessary for control.
In areas not accessible to the blower machine airplanes spreading a fine mist spray 120 feet in width on each run are used to destroy the elm bark beetle. These sprays would destroy other insects including mosquitoes and flies.
To have the town decide if it desires to have maximum control efforts taken to save our elms if possible, I recom-
129
mend that the Board of Selectmen request a special appro- priation of several thousand dollars for a Dutch Elm Disease Control Fund.
Such a fund could be used for the following maximum controls :
1. For area spraying by airplane under contract with full insurance coverage. (On areas where greatest numbers of elms are located.)
2. For purchase of blower type sprayers to protect trees in all parts of the town.
3. For spray materials and labor costs not covered by the regular Moth appropriation or for new methods of control that may come into practical use.
4. For prompt removal of any great number of diseased trees both public and private that may be beyond the capac- ity of the Tree Department to remove.
During 1947 most insects were well controlled although fall web worms were numerous and mistaken by many citi- zens as a second generation of tent caterpillars.
Insecticides have doubled in price in the past year and an increase in our budget will be necessary.
I recommend the purchase of a new blower mist type sprayer so urgently needed in the economical use of new sprays to control the elm bark beetle and other insects. Also the sale of our old noisy solid stream sprayer.
To reduce operating costs and delays the town should purchase a new 11/2-ton truck to replace an old worn-out 1934 truck.
For the regular moth appropriation under present rates of pay I recommend that $7270.00 be appropriated in 1948.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. ABBOTT, Moth Superintendent
130
Report of the Trustees of Punchard Free School YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1947
January 1, 1947
Cash in Banks
$11,669.66
Real Estate Mortgages
23,310.42
Bonds at book value
42,019.92
$77,000.00
December 31, 1947
Cash in Banks
$ 8,828.99
Real Estate Mortgages
26,151.09
Bonds at book value
42,019.92
$77,000.00
INCOME ACCOUNT
January 1, 1947
Cash on Hand
$3,681.72
Interest and Dividends Rec'd
2,553.01
$6,234.73
Expenditures
M. E. Stevens, Instructor
420.80
U. S. Collector of Internal
Revenue a/c Withholding Tax
112.80
E. E. Hammond-Salary
200.00
Treasurer's Bond
25.00
Safe Deposit Box
12.00
Stationery and Supplies
56.75
Flowers
10.00
Research
100.00
Miscellaneous Expense
2.50
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash on Hand
5,294.88
$6,234.73
131
GOLDSMITH FUND
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $329.12 Interest Received 6.61
$335.73
Prizes awarded
10.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$325.73
DRAPER FUND
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $1,506.51
Interest Received 30.27
.
$1,536.78
Scholarship awarded
30.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$1,506.78
BARNARD FUND
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$ 27.72
Dividends Received 40.00
Interest Received .14
$ 67.86
Prizes awarded
First
$20.00
Second
12.00
Third
8.00
40.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$ 27.86
CHAPIN FUND
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$2,215.19
Interest Received 44.52
2,259.71
Scholarship awarded
40.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$2,219.71
132
RESERVE FUND
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $3,389.14 Interest Received 68.12
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $3,457.26
HENRY WARREN BARNARD & MABEL PARADISE BARNARD FUND Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $1,020.46 Interest Received 20.50
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $1,040.96
ELIZABETH T. GUTTERSON SCHOLARSHIP Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $1,024.63
Interest Received 20.58
$1,045.21
Scholarship awarded
20.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank
$1,025.21
M. E. GUTTERSON BOTANY PRIZES
Jan. 1, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $ 305.67
Interest Received 6.08
311.75
Prize awarded
5.00
Dec. 31, 1947 Cash in Savings Bank $ 306.75
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD E. HAMMOND, Treasurer
This is to certify that the securities belonging to the Trustees of Punchard Free School and the income accruing therefrom have been checked and found to be correct.
The remaining items in the above account are examined by the Town Accountant.
ROY E. HARDY C. CARLETON KIMBALL
133
-
Town of Andover - Jury List JUNE, 1947
Adams, Arlon C. Alexander, John P.
Retired
10 Summer St.
Insurance
74 Summer St.
Clerk
Ballardvale Rd.
Real Est. & Ins. 14 Riverina Rd.
Sales Manager 135 Haverhill St.
Ashburn, James R. Auchterlonie, John C. Auty, Herbert W.
Blacksmith
65 Red Spring Rd. 6 Chestnut St.
Bailey, Ralph A.
Salesman
Porter Rd.
Bailey, Samuel H., Jr.
Clerk
33 Morton St.
Baker, Richard W.
Retired
8 Maple Ave.
Barcroft, Harold E.
YMCA Secretary 341/2 Summer St. Trustee
14 Cabot Rd.
Barron, William F.
Batcheller, Kirk R.
Billings, Walter
Jeweler
9 Wolcott Ave.
Bird, William F.
Salesman
12 Canterbury St. 5 Stratford Rd.
Bottomley, Jesse B.
Retired 41 School St.
Boutwell, Everett S.
Farmer High Plain Rd.
Brierly, James
Operator 9 Tewksbury St. Vice Pres. Ins. Co. 9 Punchard Ave.
Brigham, Frank L. Brodhead, John A.
Retired
15 High St.
Brouillard, Arthur R.
Painter
Bailey Rd.
Machinist Lincoln St.
Funeral Director 383 No. Main St.
Textile Worker
13 Maple Ave.
News Editor
71 Elm St.
Carleton, F. Tyler
Cheever, W. Abbot
Cheney, Paul M. Christison, Leslie
Ins. Adjuster
83 Maple Ave.
Chemist 100 Burnham Rd.
Clark, Granville T.
Electrical Dealer 100 Elm St.
Clark, Wilbur T.
Fireman 19 Bartlett St.
Clinton, Joseph A.
Guard
6 Liberty St.
Colbath, Howard L.
Laborer
River St., B.V.
Barnard, Foster C.
Gas Sta. Oper. Haggetts Pond Rd. Salesman
161 Lowell St.
Blake, Winston A.
Food Broker
Buchan, Raymond L.
Burke, Michael A.
Burton, Everett D. Butler, Byron T. Campbell, George W.
Ins. Agent Main St. Consultant Eng. 18 Cheever Circle Artist Salem St.
134
Anderson, John A. Andrew, T. Edwin, Jr.
Foreman
Collins, Andrew Collins, William F.
Manager
Rigger
Photographer
Printer
Curtis, Albert E.
Banker
Cutler, Granville K.
Dyer
Druggist
Darby, James J.
Plant Foreman
Denoncourt, Roland
Chauffeur
93 Abbot St. Chandler Rd.
Disbrow, Walter A.
Operative
Doherty, James D.
Insurance
21 Harding St.
Doherty, William A.
Insurance
21 Harding St.
Douglas, Richard S.
Bank Clerk
18 Morton St.
Draper, Ralph
Mechanical Eng.
27 Bartlet St.
Driscoll, John J.
Storekeeper
Drolet, Henry E.
Real Estate
Eastman, Floyd W.
Clerk
83 Chestnut St.
Easton, Craig B.
Labor Organizer
36 Walnut Ave. 66 Park St.
Erhardt, Frederick A.
Salesman
Flaherty, John L.
Personnel Man
Fleming, Edward H., Jr. Painter
Flint, Edwin M.
Farmer
Forbes, David A.
Janitor
1 Sweeney Ct.
Friel, John A.
Ins. Agent
89 Chestnut St. 28 Chestnut St. Lowell St.
Gordon, Walter N.
Maintenance Man 47 Union St. Retired 124 Main St.
Clerk 34 Washington Ave.
Instrument Eng.
10 Walnut Ave. 63 High St. Argilla Rd.
Veteran 2 Whittier Ct.
Clerk 6 Morton St.
Service Mgr. 76 Clark Rd., B.V.
Janitor 221 So. Main St.
Engineer 22 York St.
Jones, Arthur W.
Clerk
98 Main St.
Judge, Homer G.
Carpenter
85 Summer St.
135
42 Enmore St. 37 Maple Ave. Pleasant St.
Gilliard, Frederick W. Gilman, William M. Glines, Arthur B.
Printer
Student
Electrician
63 Bartlet St.
Greenhow, John M. Haigh, William H. Hall, Arthur W.
Foreman
Carpenter
Hannan, Laurence J. Henderson, Alexander Holt, Carl J.
Holt, Percy R. Howe, Guy B., Jr. Jackson, Arthur R.
Johnson, Leonard P.
18 Wolcott Ave. 18 Washington Ave.
Cookson, Francis R. Coutts, David L.
123 Main St. 2 Florence St. Dascomb Rd. 99 Shawsheen Rd.
Dalton, Charles F.
70 Chestnut St. 125 Main St.
36 Summer St. Lowell St.
Killam, Horace N. Killorin, Karl Knipe, Wilson, Jr. Krinsky, Morris
Musician
Real Estate Clerk
Junk Dealer
Kyle, William F. Lakin, Irvin H.
Clerk Retired
Lamb, Ernest R. Lewis, George O.
Livingston, Harold S. Lord, Wilfred
Florist Superintendent
MacDonald, David
Operative
MacLeish, Norman K. Marcelle, Arthur J.
Ass't Supt.
Plant Clerk
McDonald, William L. McGhie, Gavin H.
Mears, Lewis N.
Mill, Victor J., Jr.
Manufacturer Laborer
Morehouse, W. Ray
Service Mgr.
Morse, H. Allison
Salesman
Mosher, James R.
Murray, John M.
Nason, Harry C.
Carpenter
Nelligan, Francis A.
Compositor
Nowell, Frederick N. Noyes, John L.
Otis, Herbert H.
Petrie, George B.
Janitor
Perkins, Henry F.
Petty, Frank R.
Engineer 46 Walnut Ave. Bank Clerk Center St., B.V. Guard Lowell St. Coremaker 28 Avon St. 37 High St.
Pike, Walter E.
Pike, Walter N.
Poland, William
Clerk Insurance
3912 Summer St. Foster Pond
Pomeroy, Llewellyn D. Electrician
Regan, Charles D.
Remington, J. Augustus Agent
Remmes, Joseph T.
Ripley, Philip F.
Robb, James G.
Gas Station Mgr. 36 Summer St. 354 No. Main St. Electrician Retired Rubber Worker Woodland Rd. 7 Abbot St. 94 No. Main St.
136
Porter Rd. Geneva Rd. 1 Stratford Rd. 41 Elm St. 75 Elm St. 22 Clark Rd., B.V. 105 Elm St.
41 Carmel Rd. 107 Abbot St. 23 Wolcott Ave. 1 Upland Rd. 28 Shawsheen Rd. 32 Park St. Railroad St. 72 Clark Rd. Andover St., B.V. 14 Cedar Rd. 20 Cuba St. 124 Chestnut St. 27 Summer St. 78 Haverhill St. 61 Pine St.
Gas Station Prop.
Property Mgr.
Farmer Insurance
3 River St., B.V. 9 Carmel Rd. 63 Chestnut St. Lovejoy Rd. 70 Summer St. 6 Chickering Ct.
Polgreen, John A.
Clerk
Milne, David
Auditor R.R. Fireman Clerk
Chauffeur
Machinist
Robbins, Ralph I.
Rockwell, Henry D., Jr. Carder
Shaw, Irving R.
Sherry, Frank R.
Sime, David C. Sjostrom, Ivar, Jr.
Organist 84 Main St.
Smith, Frederick H.
Real Estate
86 Main St.
Southworth, Irving
Retired 34 School St.
Spinney, Charles H.
Machinist
97 Chestnut St. 78 Lowell St.
Stedman, Herbert D.
Florist
Steinert, Arthur E.
Contractor
1 Union St. High Plain Rd.
Stevens, Clinton H.
Accountant 72 Morton St.
Stopford, William W.
Operative
Sullivan, Augustino P. Accountant
Sutton, Harry
Artist
Sutton, Robert H.
Candy Maker
119 Chestnut St. Chandler Rd.
Thomson, Philip W.
Trustee
36 Central St. 60 Poor St.
Trumbull, Samuel B.
Real Estate Retired
2 Arundel St.
Ward, Roswell E.
Salesman
2 Brechin Terr.
Warhurst, Norman
Salesman
18 Riverina Rd. 30 Chestnut St. 74 Lowell St.
West, Archibald L.
Electrician
Wetterberg, Carl A. White, Peter
Mill Worker Farmer
53 Summer St. So. Main St. 3 Ferndale Ave. 122 Chestnut St. County Rd.
Whiteway, Hayward G. Carpenter Whittemore, Peter B. Zecchini, John A.
Bank Teller
Bar Tender
79 Chestnut St. 34 Essex St. Porter Rd.
Thompson, Lester M.
Salesman
Todd, Henry
Retired
130 Main St.
Walker, James
Weeks, Eugene M.
Clerk
Stevens, Carl H.
Retired
Machine Desig. 55 Red Spring Rd. 47 Cuba St. Wool Sorter 401 Andover St., B.V. Pattern Mkr. 247 Andover St., B.V. Tree Dept. 48 Stevens St.
137
Trustees and Staff of Memorial Hall Library
CAROLINE P. LEAVITT
LEO F. DALEY
WINSOR GALE
ARTHUR W. REYNOLDS
E. DEAN WALEN
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 Li- brarian
MARY F. ZECCHINI, Catalog Librarian
ELEANORE G. BLISS, Circulation Assistant*
MARIAN A. DIMLICH, Clerical Assistant
M. ETHEL ZINK, Branch Librarian, Ballard Vale Janitor ARCHIBALD D. MACLAREN
*Part-time
138
THE MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY LOOKS AT LIBRARY USE AND LIBRARY USERS
As another library annual report looms on the horizon, it is perhaps salutary to consider to what extent annual reports in general are read beyond the circle of those who might be expected to be most interested in them. Perhaps, too, it would be well to consider for whom they should be written. It seems almost like bringing coals to Newcastle to direct an annual report at people who already use the library and who can or should be expected to know what it has to offer. Experience shows, though, that even invet- erate users do not always know the extent of library services available to them. It would seem wisdom then to direct the library at those people in the community who are not now library users and so to arouse their curiosity and interest that another year will find some of them at least within the library fold.
Probably it can be assumed that the Memorial Hall Li- brary is known to a majority of Andover citizens, some of whom, for a variety of reasons, have not yet gotten around to using it. A Gallup poll has discovered some of the rea- sons why people do not use public libraries and if a similar poll were taken right here in Andover, without doubt, the same reasons would be given: lack of time; distance from the library ; dislike of books and reading; dependence upon other sources, rental libraries, bookshops ; inadequacy of the library for their needs.
Of the questions which public libraries ask again and again none crops up with more regularity than the question how to reach a larger proportion of the community. Most libraries seem to feel that the number of people allergic to books and reading is comparatively small and that actually there must be many people waiting and eager to make use of the library if the right approach could be made. How- ever, on this point, it is well to remember that many more people are touched by the Memorial Hall Library and its services and any other library than cold figures would at first indicate. Probably a large share of Andover families are served through at least one member of the family. What
139
is needed perhaps is a more wide-spread knowledge of li- brary facilities. A round table discussion with library users, staff members, non-users, board members all sitting down together to talk things out might prove a good educational instrument.
Who uses the public library in Andover? How many people are registered borrowers? Are they a representative group ? It is relatively easy to answer all these questions as a complete reregistration of all adult borrowers was undertaken last year. At the end of the year almost 2600 adults and young people found an opportunity to reregis- ter, certainly a very sizable and substantial number. This does not include the some 1300 boys and girls who are card holders in the Young People's Library. An analysis of library users made fairly early in the year showed that, outside of housewives and students, large groups in them- selves, borrowers are engaged in more than 100 different occupations. There is variety in the ages of the people who use the library for if we consider the whole number, young and old, literally it can be said that the library serves men from the cradle to the grave. When it comes to geographical representation, it is much less wide since people tend to use the library in larger numbers the nearer they are to it. Women outnumbered men in the total score although the ratio is not too disproportionate. It is well known that women with more leisure borrow books for the whole fam- ily.
What did these approximately 2600 adults and 1300 boys and girls find when they came to the library? They found at their command a book stock of more than 40,000 circu- lating books; a reference collection containing an adequate supply of books basic to good reference service; more than 100 current periodicals; eight local and national newspa- pers ; hundreds of up-to-date pamphlets on many subjects ; and a small but growing collection of musical recordings. They had access also to the 2471 books added to the library during the year: best sellers, recreational fiction and non- fiction, the best of the books for boys and girls, and the more useful and important books in various subject fields. The housewife, the student, the high school gang, the profes-
140
sional man or woman, the industrial worker, the business man all could have found books to their tastes whether about "jive" or the United Nations.
Many library users came to the library with definite ideas of what they wanted; many others sought information and reading aid from the library staff. Reading lists were com- piled for individuals and groups; of particular popularity was the book list MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY. Not all library friends were as vocal as one young man who claimed that the radio books which he had borrowed had been worth $200 to him since they enabled him to pass a radio examination. If all the ways in which the library served were not always so readily converted into dollars and cents, the fact remains that people found in books of whatever kind they borrowed, the means to make life hap- pier and more effective, and to make the everyday job more interesting.
More than 105,000 books were borrowed through the main library, the school deposits and the Ballardvale Branch Library last year. If laid end to end these books would reach the vicinity of Stoneham, a picturesque bit of infor- mation which otherwise may have little validity. The aver- age adult library user, who exists only for comparative pur- poses, borrowed for home use in 1947, to say nothing of the books and magazines he may have consulted in the library itself, about twenty-eight books, which at current prices meant about $100 worth of books. Not a bad return on his initial investment of $2.12, his share of library costs! Actu- ally many people borrow far more than twenty-eight books a year; some so many that it would be difficult to compute the return on their investment. Boys and girls borrowed on an average of twenty-six books but since books for boys and girls tend to cost less the total value of the books bor- rowed amounted to but about $52.
No day goes by without a number of telephone requests for assistance so that actually, within limits, the library and its resources are brought within people's reach with little exertion on their part. No record was kept of the total number of requests for information made in 1947. The library staff is well aware, however, that much of the time
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