USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Town annual report of Andover 1963-1969 > Part 49
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1. Admissions :
a. 8th grade students contacted 1230
b. 8th grade students tested 325
c. Enrolled for 9th grade 164
2. Testing :
D.A.T. 325
Otis
325
3. Teacher Conferences 203
4. Counselling :
Educational counselling 140
Vocational counselling 151
Parental conferences 35
Schools and Programs :-
a. Part-time Cooperative School:
Part-time cooperative programs 10
Cooperating agencies 22
Cooperating students
42 Average salry $1.75 per hour ; salary range $1.60 - $2.25 per hour.
b. Day School : Enrollment October 1, 1967 587
c. Industrial Entry Program:
Enrollment 1967-68 school year 132
d. Evening School : Enrollment 1967-68 school year 874
e. Summer School Activity, 1967 : Mathematics Class 30 Day camp for City of Lawrence 300
(Separate billing)
Enrollment
records as of
October
1,
1967
indicate :
Municipality Day School
Evening School
Andover
38
85
Lawrence
353
492
Methuen
155
165
North Andover
41
46
587
788
*Non-residents
000
86
587
874
*Tuition students not included.
The school will provide 1,023,911 combined day and evening school hours of student partici- pation in the 1967-68 school year. The assess- ments for the four communities are based on the percentages determined by the October 1, 1967 enrollment.
Personnel Statistics :-
Administration :
Superintendent of District 1
Director of School Same
Director of Guidance 1
Vocational Coordinator
1
REGIONAL VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
51
Clerical :
Principal clerk 0
Senior clerk
2
Junior clerk 3
Part-time clerk
1
Instructional :
Academic Instructors
13
Related Technology Instructors
15
Shop & Laboratory Instructors
23
Librarian
1
Non-Instructional :
Nurse
1
Cafeteria :
Manager
1
Full-time workers 1
Part-time workers 7
Custodial and Bus Driving :
Senior Custodian
1
Junior Custodian 9
Evening Schools :
Supervision
2
Instructors 44
Students
874
Industrial Entry (High School students)
Supervision
1
Instructors
8
Students
132
Transportation :
7 part-time drivers
7 buses
School lunch participation :
September 1966 65%
October 1967 75%
December 1967 91%
Athletics :
Sport
Coaches
Basketball
3
Baseball
2
Football
4
Track
2
Cross Country
1
Wrestling
1
Report on Graduates :-
12th 14th
Post Grade Grade Graduates
Number graduated
32
14
22
Number placed
31
10
22
Average Salary
1.91 hr. 2.49 hr. 1.87 hr.
Armed Services
1
Students Separated :-
9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th PG1 PG2
Transfer
7
8
2
2
1
1
Employment
1
2
2
School Rule Violations 2
1
1
Manpower Development &
Program
Training Programs :- Students Students Started Finished
Clerk-Stenographer Key-punch Operator Small Engine Repair
20
14
60
52
14
11
Cook-Apprentice
18
17
These programs, for unemployed adults, re- store people to the skilled labor market in our region and meet the needs of individuals as well as our commercial and industrial complex, locally. The costs of these programs are borne completely by the Federal government.
The net total budget for 1968 is $995,410.00 after funds for reduction. It includes all costs of debt retirement and service, for construction and equipment, as well as the operation and mainten- ance of the school and its facilities.
Treasurer's Report on 1967 Budget
General Control
$ 22,350.00
559,260.00
411,547.25
Balance 2,401.55 147,712.75 23,653.23
Auxiliary Agencies
61,992.00
38,338.77
Cost of Transportation
25,700.00
20,287.57 101,371.05
- 3,191.05}
Maintenance of Plant
14,300.00
26,303.78
-12,003.78+
Special Charges
26,241.00
25,020.79
1,220.21
Miscellaneous
*
5,833.25
1,306.75
Outlay
59,850.00
56,028.15
3,821.85
867,873.00
** Debt Retirement
Service
264,720.00
264,720.00
0.00
$1,132,593.00
From General Fund
to 6200
*
7,140.00
$1,139,733.00
$969,399.06
170,333.94 164,352.95
Transferred out
Balance to General Fund
5,980.99
** principal 170,000.00 interest 94,720.00
toverexpenditures applied against expense of instruction
General Fund
90 day special notice account 87,067.40
1 regular account 29,119.73
Armed Services
-
116,187.13
.52
1
Allowed
Expended $ 19,948.45
Expense of Instruction
5,412.43
Operation of Plant
98,180.00
The apportionments for usage are reflected for day and evening operation in terms of per- centages to arrive at equitable assessments. The governing criteria is determined through October 1, 1967 enrollments.
Day
Eve.
Eve.
Municipality
Day % Share
% Share Totals
Andover
6.47 59,455
14.84 8,505 67,960.00
Lawrence 60.13
552,396
39.53 42,154 594,550.00
Methuen 26.40 242,550
37.78 19,990 262,540.00
North Andover 6.98 64,150
10.84 6,210 70,360.00
The District Committee and administration extend their thanks and appreciation to the citizenry, industrial and municipal leaders and local school administrators for their encourage- ment and assistance in the many programs so necessary to development and progress of your region.
Library
Judging by the favorable comments from the townsfolk and by the quantitative results, it would seem that Memorial Hall Library is accom- plishing its objectives as a public library. A glance at the year past would reveal that the great tradition of attempting to give "Andoverians" the type of library service they have grown to expect and want has been carried on. Never in the history of the library have so many library materials circulated and never have so many individuals and groups made such heavy use of the library's facilities. To linger for a moment on the tangible results as reflected in the statistics being maintained by the library and to pinpoint some of the gains over 1966, the great- est improvement is noticed in the circulation of materials. In 1966, the loans made totaled 220,043; in 1967, they totaled 240,835. In 1966, there were 10,785 registered borrowers; in 1967, there were 12,525. Well over half of the people in
Librarys help you read.
Andover are registered borrowers, ranging in age from tots who can just write their names to nonagenarians. In 1966, there were 320 showings of films to 55 groups with a viewing audience of 20,870; in 1967, there were 448 showings to 79 groups with an audience of 22,116.
While a large issue of books is unquestion- ably desirable, it cannot be a library's sole cri- terion of success. It would be a simple task to stock the library with books that would circulate well, yet which contain little intrinsic value; but the library has an obligation to select worthwhile material and to set itself up as a reference and resource center for the community-for how else could it lay claim to being an educational institu- tion ? Memorial Hall Library makes every effort to balance its collection of casual or entertaining, even escape, literature with more solid stuff. No attempt is made to denigrate the individual tastes of a diversified public.
No formal count is made of the number of ques- tions that patrons pose the reference librarians during the course of a day, but scarcely five minutes go by without some person needing help with a question. So sophisticated and frequent are these questions at times, that two and even three librarians are needed to handle them. Prac- tically all of the questions asked can be answered with the tools available at Memorial Hall Library.
Few libraries in New England offer the services that can be found at Memorial Hall Library. The stock-in-trade is not only books, but records, films, prints, filmstrips, microfilm, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, story hours, booklists, displays, library sponsored meetings, and equipment-tape-recorders, slide viewers, projectors, and microfilm readers.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
To review some of the more significant events of the year, we would have to start with the most significant of them all-the retirement of Miss Miriam Putnam as Director. For almost three decades Miss Putnam gave unstintingly of herself in her desire to make Memorial Hall Library a focal point for educational and cultural activities in the community. When segments of the community did not come to the library, she attempted to take the library to them. She was instrumental in setting up libraries in the elementary schools, an effort to reach more boys and girls directly. To show how the library grew during the time Miss Putnam was here, it might
53
E FAR EAST
HENRY VIII
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ABPOM
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O
not be amiss to make a comparison of a few figures. In 1939, there were 35,106 books in the library; in 1967, there were 77,231. In 1939, there were 109,946 books issued for home use; in 1967, as stated, there were 240,835. Of course these re- sults do not tell the whole story by any means; but when people come from other communities miles away, with libraries of their own, because they know that Memorial Hall Library will have the books and materials they require, we are speaking of having a quality collection as well.
A few other highlights of the year can be sum- marized as follows :
-Eighth grade students were permitted to apply for cards entitling them to use the adult collection and facilities.
-Memorial Hall Library was awarded $20,000 by the federal government for purchase of addi- tional materials to further strengthen its hold- ings.
Librariesare for book worms
-Arthur Reynolds resigned as Chairman of the Board of Trustees after 16 years and was re- placed by Dr. Daniel Frishman. Frederick Allis, Jr., was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Reynold's departure.
-Memorial Hall Library signed the official con- tract making it one of seven sub-regional centers for interlibrary loan in Eastern Massachusetts. As a sub-regional center Andover serves 25 com- munities in Northern Essex County as a back-up library and reference bureau. For performing this service Andover is granted $25,000 a year from the Commonwealth.
-A few re-arrangements in the layout of the main floor were made with a view to helping the library's users.
-A. J. Anderson was appointed Director, re- placing Miss Putnam.
-Many well-tried and good books, drab in ap- pearance from overuse, were replaced with new and attractive editions.
-The library was represented at the American Library Association's annual convention in San Francisco, the New England Library Associa- tion's convention in Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire, and the Massachusetts Library Associa- tion's conference in Chicopee, Massachusetts. -A complete inventory of adult books was un- dertaken.
A Study In Concentration
SOME PERTINENT ISSUES
Considering the far-flung nature of the Town, one consideration is that of giving to the outlying communities a grade of service compar- able to that which is given to people within easy access of the main building. Additional branches or bookmobiles might be two ways of deal- ing with this problem. It is acknowledged that parking is a problem around Memorial Hall Library and it is painful to hear that some people are not coming to the library because it is diffi- cult to find a place to park. Trudging a great distance with an armful of books can be onerous. It is hoped that the acquisition of the theater behind the library on Essex Street and the sub- sequent conversion of the space into a parking lot will solve this problem.
Many people expressed unhappiness when the library permitted the local chapter of the End- the-War-in Vietnam Group to meet in its rooms. The Public Library must maintain a non-parti- san position. It cannot set itself up as a censor. It must serve as the embodiment of the principle
When Library, a book quietly.
you go to the you choose
55
MEMORIAL HALL LIBRARY
LIBRARY STATISTICS, 1967
BOOKS
Adult
Children's
Total
Volumes at beginning of year
53,515
18,584
72,099
Volumes purchased
5,639
1,192
6,831
Volumes added by gift
216
6
222
Lost or withdrawn € Via kell
1,109
812
1,921
58,261
QuiC 77, 231 18,970
PERIODICALS
Newspaper and magazine subscriptions
265 35
Magazines received by gift
LOANS
Books and other materials*
Main Library and Branch
114,235
67,680
Elementary School Libraries
58,920
Total Loans Made
240,835
BORROWERS
Registered in 1967
1,992
821
2,813
All Registered Borrowers
8,215
4,310
12,525
BOOKS PER CAPITA 3.75
CIRCULATION PER CAPITA **
11.2
ACTIVITY GROUPS
AUDIO VISUAL
26 Story hours
85 16mm sound film available
32 Programs for pre-school
28 Visits by school classes ***
15 Great Books discussion meetings
448 showings of films to 79 groups with a viewing audience of 22, 116 387 framed print loans
INTER-LIBRARY LOAN
Books borrowed by the Memorial Hall Library from other libraries
217
Books loaned by the Memorial Hall Library to other libraries 992
Includes magazines, pamphlets, etc.
* Based on 1965 census, 20,551 population * Includes public and private schools from pre-school through 9th grade
56
Please
of democracy-a clearing house of diametrically opposed points of view, a storehouse of the great ideas of the past, and a marketplace for contem- porary ideas not yet perfectly formulated. Side by side on the shelves stand the antipodes of ideas. This is as it should be. Free access to ideas and the full freedom of expression are the tradi- tion and heritage of Americans. Librarians must trust in the public's ability to accept the good and reject the bad. The library's meeting places must be and shall be available to all on equal terms.
Attracting qualified personnel remains one of the bugbears facing the profession. A recent study conducted by a past president of the American Library Association sets the national shortage of professionally trained librarians at 100,000. If we at Memorial Hall Library are to continue to attract librarians of high calibre, we must continue our policy of just and equitable salaries. The dearth of trained people becomes even more frightening when we reflect upon the tremendous growth of every type of library
across the country and the new quantitative standards as promulgated by the various library associations.
The remaining sour note concerns maintain- ing a proper balance between adult and student use. The rights of the serious user must be pro- tected. While we regret as much as any the lack of recreational facilities in the Town for the young, we must not permit the public library to be converted into a recreational center. We would rejoice if our few very simple rules could be ob- served by some of our unruly patrons, for we would not willingly turn any one away from our doors, but we must safeguard the library as a place for leisurely browsing, quiet reading and thoughtful study. Any disciplinary action is taken with a view to maintaining this atmos- phere.
As always thanks must be extended to a dili- gent and devoted staff and to the local press for their excellent coverage of our activities.
I like the Library. It is fun to read. book that like.
I have two good
SPRING
THINGS
NIGHT
-
---
Readin', Ritin', And 'Rithmetic And Relaxin'
57
Skating rinks are very
L Safe.
If you do Not know how To Swim you should Take Swimming lessons.
In the summer when it is hot Igo down to Pomps Pond and Igo swimming. Then I get dried and Igo home nice and cool.
Recreation
Playgrounds Keep your play - be- keep
grounds clean they
cause children out of the street.
58
The two basic aims of the Recreation De- partment are to make available suitable areas and facilities for the leisure time needs of the people of Andover and to encourage and assist the people in taking full advantage of the areas and facilities provided.
In order to achieve the stated aims, the De- partment follows six objectives. These objectives provide the latitude necessary to compensate for the small size of the Department and the lack of equipment and facilities.
Our first objective is to evaluate existing conditions and situations. Progress cannot be made if personnel must be constantly occupied with routine. As a consequence, much of the eva- luation this year was directed toward develop- ment of a more efficient operation. Design of equipment and facilities, landscaping techniques, method of storage, inventory control, material handling, supervision methods and records were all evaluated.
The second objective is to plan each phase of the program. Planning is more time consuming than actual operation of activities or develop- ment of facilities. It is a necessary part of the program that is more obviously omitted than in- cluded.
In co-operation with the Conservation Com- mission many sites for future recreational areas were located and evaluated for appropriateness this year. Immediate needs of Shawsheen Village were of first consideration because this densely populated section of Town is served by a play- ground smaller than one acre. Locations on either side of Main Street were walked and carefully studied for proximity to population and program potential. Other considerations included the land adjacent to Andover Recreation Park and loca- tions within projected population concentra- tions. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Recreation Department must be equipped to offer additional facilities and service because of the rapidly increasing population.
Studies of increased use of existing facilities were conducted during the year. Dredging Pomps Pond and use of the resulting land fill was one of the first considerations. Extended use of Hussey's Pond and the adjoining Town Land, the parking situation and use of the building on Ice- land Road were also studied.
Other areas considered were several of the school sites for play areas, ice skating rinks, out- door lighting of ball fields at the Central Play- stead and Andover Recreation Park, improve-
ment of existing recreation buildings and con- struction of additional buildings. Most of this planning is reflected in the Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program as presented by the Recreation Director.
Problems concerning care of equipment made it necessary to conduct research in this area. Design, storage and durability were all con- sidered. Ease of handling was also of concern for future purchasing.
Requests for additional activities led to a study of paid leadership as opposed to volunteer leadership. In surveying many of the communities in the area, it was disclosed that paying leaders provides continuity and qualifications necessary to perpetuate worthwhile activities. The pay scale was between $2.00 and $7.50 an hour. This scale is based on a competitive employment market for those having an acquired skill, who work with the public and who have responsibility for in- structing and maintaining discipline.
The third objective is to operate a program of physical property acquisition, development and maintenance.
The main acquisition during the year was a small building on Iceland Road in Shawsheen. A relatively few changes and additions were neces- sary to make it ready for use. This included re- moval of trash, installation of outdoor lighting and sanitary facilities.
Buildings and grounds must be functional and safe in order that a variety of activities may be carried on for varying age and inter- est groups. Dressing and grading playgrounds was continued this year in an attempt to improve the playing surfaces. Special attention was given to the Shawsheen Playground and a fence install- ed for additional safety of young ball players. Additional lawn care equipment made it possible to control field grass hummocks through early and consistant cutting. Also, an experiment in the use of wood chips was started at Andover Re- creation Park and the Central Playground.
A major supervision problem was solved this year through extensive hedge trimming on the Ballardvale Playground. The same problem was alleviated through brush clearance and forestry at Andover Recreation Park and the Shawsheen Playground. This same program was pursued in improving two of the ball fields.
In a continuing battle against soil erosion, part of the Pomps Pond parking lot was regraded using silt from the bottom of the Pond. Addi- tional leaves and chips were added to the bank-
59
Ings at Andover Recreation Park. Shrubs, trees and blueberry bushes were also added to the bankings. Street sweepings and other fill was deposited along the brook crossing Abbot Street awaiting grading at some future date when equipment is available.
Design and manufacture of badminton stands, storage boxes and several maintenance tools facilitated handling and storage of equip- ment. The purchase of a tilt bed utility trailer toward the end of the year made it possible for the maintenance man to transport snow removal equipment by himself. The trailer will also make it possible for him to transport lawn care equipment during the growing season.
Improvements to the Ballardvale Com- munity Center this year included installing coat racks, making arrangements for having waste drains fixed, and storm windows replaced after a wind storm. Follow up and inspection of the new boiler installation took considerable at- tention early in the year.
There were several maintenance problems that continued throughout the year. Vandalism, littering and pilferage continued to cost the tax payer over $1,000 of the Recreation budget. The surface and grade of the Central playground still lends itself to insufficient watering of existing trees, erosion and the resulting deposit of stone dust on the adjoining court. A contracted obliga- tion of surfacing the Ballardvale Court was not
completed until Fall thus detaining court lining. Weather conditions, lack of personnel and equip- ment made it impossible to prepare ice rinks for use without a refrigeration unit. Lack of finances postponed needed improvements to the electrical and heating systems in the Ballardvale Community Center. Insufficient work and stor- age area made it impossible to keep abreast of necessary preventative maintenance. The 1953 truck used by the Department was in constant need of repair.
The fourth objective is to develop and main- tain desirable public relations. Budgetary limita- tions makes it necessary for the Department to depend heavily on the good will of individuals, or- ganizations, and other Departments for assis tance.
Nearly three quarters of all activities spon- sored or supported by the Recreation Depart- ment during 1967 were conducted through volun- teer leadership. The Welcome Wagon Newcomer's Club organized Art classes, Dancing classes, Yoga classes and Bridge classes. Private individuals organized and ran the Andover Softball League, Badminton Leage, 4-H Horse Club, Townsman
60
1
1.
1
1
1
1
Barbara C Clapsaddle
Barbershoppers, Round Dance class, Summer Basketball League, Teen Dances and a Chess Club. Additional volunteers worked toward programs planned for 1968. These included an adult Bas- ketball League and Volleyball League, Teen activities and a Cooking School.
Volunteers helped with maintenance and development. Several garden clubs under the leadership of the Andover Garden Club continued in beautification of the Andover Recreation Park. This project involved boy and girl scouts as well as private individuals. The Greater Law- rence Regional Vocational Technical High School provided assistance in native lumber. The Youth Corps provided much needed assistance during the summer in general maintenance and assistance with activities. Groups using Park facilities have provided help cleaning the build- ings and grounds.
The Department extended its services to other municipal departments and state agencies on many occasions. The North Reading Rehabili- tation Center used Andover Recreation Park as a program area for mentally retarded children. Transportation was provided to a program for retarded children offered at the Burke Memoial Hospital in Lawrence. Equipment was loaned to the Fire and School Department to assist with specific projects. Emergency measures were taken to assist in maintaining the fields at the new High School, in snow removal and in pro- viding an additional athletic field for the High
School varsity program.
In co-operation with many organizations and individuals, the Department offered facilities, and program suggestions. This included work with many youth groups, a dramatic club, Dis- abled Veterans, and various schools, church and private groups received help in organizing outings.
The fifth objective is to operate an Activity Program. This included activities for all age groups during all seasons. There are Four general areas of activity that are developed by the De- partment.
Activities organized by the Recreation De- partment and supervised by volunteer workers have already been discussed.
Unorganized activities are encouraged through preparation of specific areas. Ice rinks in Ballardvale, and on the Central courts are sprayed and maintained, weather permitting. An experiment in cleaning natural ice at the South School proved successful when the field flooded Because there is no ready water supply in this area it is used only when flooding occurs. A slid- ing area prepared at Andover Recreation Park provides toboganning, sliding and skiing. Pre- paration of picnic areas, ball fields, playground areas and basketball courts encourage unsuper- vised use.
Organized activities are held mainly in the summer. Six playgrounds were operated with sports, games, inter-playground competitions, arts and crafts and special events. Pomps Pond
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