USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1947 > Part 8
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For many years the funds available for "Books and Supplies" have been extremely limited, with the result that textbooks are out-moded, in poor condition, or non- existent, to meet the most meagre requirements. This condition coupled with price increases of 25% in text- books, 60% in supplies, and 66 2-3% in typewriters causes a substantial increase in the budget requirements.
Under this item, also, requests for funds to improve the physical education program, to assist in equipping and insuring athletic teams, and to provide musical in- struments for use of beginnng pupils in grades 4 - 5 are included for the first time. The improvement of these pro- grams is dependent on provision of these funds.
Repairs and Maintenance
We now have 23 elementary rooms equipped with fluorescent lights; 60 more to be done.
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Bienvenido
The grading of the Watson grounds represents a major improvement appreciated by everyone concerned.
Two school buildings, the Hollis and Lincoln have been completely redecorated; also the Watson auditorium, and Highlands and Watson exteriors were painted. In four buildings oil has been removed from floors and a modern penetrating-seal applied. No oil is now used on any school floor in Braintree.
A complete sound-distribution system has been in- stalled throughout both Noah Torrey Schools.
Grounds at Watson and Perkins schools have been fenced in.
Health Service
For the purpose of offering service based on more accurate information, the Health Service Department is being completely reorganized. The vision testing pro- gram was changed by discarding the Snellen Eyechart
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method and substituting the Massachusetts vision Testing Machine in its place. The latter method is the most modern way of testing eyes and is approved by the Amer- ican Medical Association.
For hearing tests we substituted the puretone audio- meter method for the whisper test. It will be possible now to record hearing losses from year to year.
Each teacher is furnished a comprehensive sheet on which all pertinent information relative to physical handi- cap of children in her room is noted.
Dental Situation
It has been my feeling that more time and money should be spent on dental inspection and follow-up. Check- ing over the records of the dental clinic certainly con- firmed this opinion. The State Department is cooperat- ing to the extend of conducting a survey in our schools to determine the extent of our needs.
One of our projects for next year should be, I believe, a drive for better dental care and education.
Diphtheria Clinic
Since an increasing number of diphtheria cases were reported throughout the state in the spring, it was felt advisable to include the booster shots in the health pro- gram for the Braintree school children. One thousand three hundred and forty-four children successfully took the booster shots while one hundred and seventy were given the standard diphtheria shot.
Health Inspection
By the addition of a second nurse to the Health De- partment, we have made it possible to check all High School students returning to school from absences caused by illness. Medical excuses are necessary to be excused from gym attendance and we have set up nurse-student conference methods on health and guidance problems.
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Library Staff
The bulletin sent out this fall has served to clarify the duties of the classroom teacher and has made for much better cooperation between the teacher and the Health Department. The teachers have done a fine job this year and have aided us immensely. In most cases we are now telling the parent, rather than having the parent com- plain to us.
Safety Report
Safety is being constantly stressed in the eight gram- mar schools in Braintree, under the leadership of the eight Safety Directors-namely-Olive Fisher, Watson School, Beatrice Diekmeyer, Jonas Perkins, Florence Jef- fers, Highlands, Ellen Fahey, Noah Torrey, Doris Pratt, Monatiquot School, Celia Osborne, Hollis, Mary Inkley, Penniman and Martha Scully, Abraham Lincoln School. Frequent meetings are held whereby a uniform safety program is being carried on in each school, and safety problems are discussed and improved upon. At present, we are using a monthly outline for Guidance of Teachers in presenting Safety Instruction. This is proving suc- cessful.
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School Patrols in Braintree have been much publi- cized for their good work as Braintree has been quoted as one of the outstanding patrol systems in Massachusetts, This is due to the fine supervision of the Directors, the leadership of Sgt. Illingworth assigned by the Police De- partment, and the eager constructive work of the patrol members, whose duties are to protect their schoolmates- in, and out of schools. In the classroom sound safety rules are taught and on the street these rules are applied. Fixed safety habits are instilled and a sense of responsi- bility to the community, so that each child will become a safe citizen for tomorrow.
Every school day of the year safety is in evidence in our schools. Braintree should well be proud of its safety work for it is a practical working program for the pro- tection of youth.
Guidance
The work of the elementary guidance department has revolved almost entirely around individual adjustments of children who, for one of many reasons, are not work- ing at their intellectual capacity.
The adjustments have involved enrichment of the curriculum at grade level, advancement in grade place- ment, attitude adjustments, changes in social environment, special class placement, and removal from special class to normal class placement. All of these adjustments are being well taken care of by the classroom teachers within the classroom situation.
In addition to the classroom adjustments we have a large group of pupils who require more help than can be provided under regular classroom conditions, and added impetus will be given to the guidance work as soon as pro- visions can be made for giving many pupils individual aid in particular subject areas. This aid may be carried out in the reading area by remedial teachers and, in many cases where more than the reading area is involved, by the for-
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mation of a class where a child may be aided individually for as long a period of time as his difficulty or difficulties require.
There are many cases where a child with average ability is handicapped in his scholastic endeavors as he advances through the middle grades and upper grades because of a poor foundation in the fundamentals of read- ing. This type of retardation may be overcome when in- dividual help is given by a teacher who is trained to diag- nose the child's difficulties and then follow through with a well-planned remedial program.
P. T. A.
The Parent-Teacher Associations in all schools have been unusually cooperative in assisting their respective schools in both a financial and social manner. Luncheons have been successful, Halloween parties undertaken, ath-
Science
letic and visual education material furnished, and support of school enterprises evident. Plans for their regular meet- ings seem to be well formulated and activities under way. The department wishes to express its appreciation for the interest and assistance of the P.T.A's.
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New Teachers
During the year it has been necessary to obtain :
5 replacement teachers for B. H. S.
11 replacement teachers for grades
3 additional teachers for grades
2 Assistant Principals
1 Janitor
22 changes
I am glad to be able to report that all these new em- ployees have made good adjustment to our system, and are doing superior work.
Long-Range Program
In the 1946 report 10 items needed to improve Brain- tree Schools were listed.
Of these No. 1-addition to B. H. S. (approved) 2-better classroom lighting (funds pro- vided)
3-improvements to playgrounds ( Wat- son School done)
4-classroom and supply situation (in- creased funds requested)
5-introduction of Industrial Arts in B. H. S. (in process)
6-improvements in lunchrooms (ac- complished)
7-stronger 7 & 8 grade organization (in South District)
8-expansion of testing and guidance services (under way)
9-modernization of Courses of Study and teaching procedures (partly com- pleted)
10-improvement in teachers Salary Schedule (substantial improvement)
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Therefore a revised and reduced list of needs ou which to concentrate is as follows :
No. 1-expansion of Elementary School housing fa- cilities. 2-improvements in playgrounds at Perkins and Lincoln Schools.
3-extension of consolidated 7 & 8 grade organ- ization to North and East Districts.
4-continued improvement and revision of Course of Study and teaching procedures.
Elementary School Housing Situation
In 1936 there were 234 births in Braintree.
In 1946 there were 463 births in Braintree.
In 1947 established number of births is 640.
In September 1946, 277 children entered Kindergarten In September 1947, 383 children entered Kindergarten In September 1948, 450 children expected in Kinder- garten.
Because of the increase in numbers, and lack of avail- able additional classrooms, it became necessary to place all Kindergartens except Colbert and Highlands on double session. As these children progress into the higher grades additional room and additional teachers will be necessary.
A table of enrollment by grades as of November 21, 1947 is given :
Grade 8 - 257
7 - 249
6 - 286
5 249
4
282
3
280
2 347
1 - 327
Kindergarten - 383
2660
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The beginning of the "wave" of increased enroll- ments will be seen at present in the 2nd grade. Following these enrollments for 10 years progress gives an estimated enrollment in 1957 of 4110 in the elementary grades. On this basis the elementary schools will need 55 additional rooms during this ten year period. After considerable study of the future housing problem it is recommended that the following steps be considered as the most eco- nimocal, and educationally satisfactory, be taken to provide the necessary housing.
a.) Relieve strain temporarily by adding to one school in East, and one in North District sufficiently to care for combined 7 and 8 grades in each district.
b.) Enlarge all other schools (except Perkins and Monatiquot) to 14 classrooms.
c.) Replace Perkins and Monatiquot with new 14 room buildings.
The School Committee has retained Dr. William Wil- son, Director of School Buildings and Grounds for State of New York to make more intensive study of future growth and housing needs. Dr. Wilson's preliminary report should be available by February 15, 1948.
Testing Program
Braintree Public Schools were one of two communi- ties cooperating last spring with World Book Company in a research program in connection with the revision of the Metropolitan Achievement Tests. In this program all tests and services were provided without cost to the Town. Each child grades 1-8 was given a general ability test and also an achievement test covering all subjects at his grade level.
The statistical analysis of the data and report based upon this analysis would cost a large sum if undertaken locally. A conservative estimate of the value of these tests plus the report would be at least a dollar per pupil.
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Through the Division of Research and Test Service of the World Book Company, the services of Dr. Kvara- ceus of Boston University have been made available for consultation and interpretation of test results. Dr. Kvar- aceus has previously met wth Chairmen of the Course of Study committees. On Wednesday afternoon November 12, he discussed the results with the entire teaching staff of the elementary schools.
The program provides an excellent basis for examin- ing the local curriculum. The information thus obtained may be used in the revision of curricula, change of text- books, etc. The most important use, however, is in the analysis of the strengths and weakness of each pupil in every subject field. Teachers now have this material available and are using it to adjust classroom teaching emphasis to the needs of individual children.
Achievement by Test Results
The results for all grades in the various elementary subjects are summarized as follows :
In terms of months above or below grade level :
Summary It will be seen that Braintree pupils rank consistently above normal expectations in Reading, Vo- cabulary, Language, Literature, History, Geography, and Science.
Weaknesses are evident in Spelling grades 6 and 7; and in Arithmetic grades 6-8. Then tests were given in May, 1947. In September, 1947 a complete new program in Arithmetic was introduced with emphasis designed to overcome the arithmetic weakness which was evident also from previous tests. This step should improve the achieve- ment in arithmetic during the present school year. The spelling program in grades 6 and 7 is also receiving care- ful analysis and attention.
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(2) Achievement by School Marks
The distribution of marks in percentages for Brain- tree High School :
1945-6
22
C 39
D 26 15.5
4.3 -5.7 F 10
INC.
1946-7
10
34.5
35.5
4.2
Change
+7 +12.5
-3.5-10.5
Failures were reduced 57% ; D's reduced 40% ; B's increased 57%, A's increased 23.3%. The reduction in failures in B. H. S. and the grades was almost identical =57%. Only 46 pupils (1.4%) in the grades failed of promotion. The marked improvement is attributable to better teaching techniques; better interpretation of the marking system, more effective guidance, revised courses of study, attention to individual differences.
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A 3
B
TABLE II-PER PUPIL COST
SCHOOL YEAR 1946-47
Cities and Towns Arranged In Order of Population
1945
Net Av.
1947
1947
Cost Per
Population Membership Valuation Tax Rate
Pupil
Belmont
38,866
3,748
54,174,550. = 31.00
182.19
Melrose
27,971
3,663
39,984.,000 = 36.00
139.55
Weymouth
27,957
4,393
53,331,728. = 32.00
139.69
Beverly
26,814
3,320
39,908,000. = 42.40
160.87
Framingham
25,502
3,574
36,615,037. = 40.00
143.24
Northampton
24,977
2,434
20,073,000. = 39.80
164.37
Gloucester
24,862
3,484
39,825,000. = 45.00
135.52
Leominster
23,549
2,381
24,330,000. = 45.00
155.86
Methuen
23,160
2,636
19,300,415. = 54.00
155.08
Attleboro
22,375
3,075
31,011,000. = 36.00
132.09
Peabody
22,303
2,772
22,998,000. = 43.80
147.52
No. Adams
22,230
2,817
21,782,000. = 47.00
128.34
Milton
21,718
3,412
39,461,920. = 37.00
160.39
Braintree
20,279
3,412
29,951,025. = 37.00
140.93
Gardner
20,245
1,933
22,331,000. = 32.80
140.60
Westfield
19,956
2,359
21,744,000. = 39.00
167.67
Woburn
19,886
2,763
21,879,000. = 35.00
139.87
W. Springfield
19,453
2,450
29,379,954. = 29.20
154.56
Winthrop
18,696
2,762
24,192,900. = 37.00
141.06
Wakefield
18,677
2,483
23,342,885. = 37.20
139.12
Wellesley
17,581
2,676
48,153,480. = 32.80
166.11
Southbridge
17,561
1,489
14,558,885. = 51.40
147.39
Greenfield
17,020
2,189
25,007,025. = 36.00
143.14
Saugus
16,662
2,793
18,315,691. = 41.20
114.45
Dedham
16,659
2,425
27,441,500. = 35.00
155.04
Norwood
16,508
1,851
29,914,700. = 37.00
208.02
Milford
15,801
1,572
15,149,450. = 40.60
160.64
Natick
15,789
2,480
20,387,825. = 39.60
129.48
Marlboro
15,680
1,481
15,412,000. = 44.00
148.73
Winchester
15,300
2,381
35,677,200. = 32.80
187.51
Average Tax Rate = 38.88
State Average Per Pupil Cost
152.88
Braintree - Population - 14th
Membership - 6th
Valuation - 10th
Tax Rate - 16th - 18th
Per Pupil Cost - 20th
Membership and Attendance
Pupils enrolled October 1, 1946 3491
Average daily attendance
3224
3424
Average membership Percent attendance
94.05
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Employees 1947-1948
Elem.
High School 46
Special Subjects 10
Total
152
1947-1948 Rate Total Salaries $385,757.69
Teachers 96 18 Janitors
Misc.
10 Health
8 Secretaries
1 Superintendent
1 Sup. of Attendance
38
69,990.14
190
$455,747.83
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Teachers' Salaries (including
Principals, Directors, Super- visors and 6 Secretaries)
$399,968.10
Administration
.. 13,183.93
Tels., Printing, Postage, etc.
2,334.35
Research & Professional Study
709.07
Textbooks & Supplies
28,171.93
Principals' Travel
683.57
Janitors' Salaries
30,664.54
Fuel
12,354.19
Light, Water & Misc. Operating
10,298.21
Repairs and Improvements
38,438.98
Nurses, Physicians & Health Sup.
4,944.83
Transportation
15,477.42
Tuition
4,399.53
Mise, Auxiliary
560.41
Outlay
9,386.61
Emergency Fund (inc. Auxiliary Lighting)
2,547.81
Hollis School Boiler
1,212.80
Watson School Grounds
6,497.22
Lunchroom Equipment
2,991.25
$584,824.75
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RECEIPTS OF THE TOWN ON ACCOUNT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Massachusetts School Fund $29,910.00
State Reimbursement (on tuition paid) 1,750.10
Tuiton (State Wards and others) 1,566.31
Miscellaneous
1,118.59
$34,345.00
Net Cost to Town for Support of Schools $550,479.75
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Report of Trustees of Thayer Library
STACY B. SOUTHWORTH, Chairman
MABEL S. ROGERS, Secy. RALPH B. WOODSUM CLARA G. WETHERBEE
MORRILL R. ALLEN
MIRIAM HALL, Librarian
The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library earnestly hope that every citizen who has a copy of the Annual Report of the Town of Braintree for the year 1947 will carefully read our librarian's report of the Thayer Pub- lic library and its branches. It is astonishing that our librarian and her staff have been able to carry on their work in such hopelessly cramped quarters with such effi- ciency, cheerfulness, and ever widening servce. Think of it, the circulation of our books during the year 1947 has increased 28,157. It is the busiest year, as our librar- ian points out, in the library's history.
Of special significance in the report is the final para- graph "Where Do We Stand?" The Thayer Public Library was constructed almost seventy-five years ago for a town that then had a population of scarcely 4,000 people. No wonder one of our Finance Committee Chairmen, re- porting for his committee, made a recommendation a few years ago to the citizens of the Town of Braintree as follows: "We regret to state that the citizens of the Town of Braintree lack in civic pride. Much work re- mains to be done in this respect. One project worthy of attention is our public library system. Studies should be made for a new library building with adequate reading room. We recommend that our Library Board work to- ward this as a postwar project."
The Town of Braintree now has the most deplorable library conditions in any town of the Commonwealth, in- cluded in the range of towns between 15,000 and 25,000 population. The Town stands condemned because of its apathy and negligence in reference to library affairs.
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This year the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library and the Citizens' Committee are inserting in the town warrant an article to see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to acquire by purchase or eminent domain a lot of land for the purpose of constructing thereon a pub- lic library. The Joint Committee has worked long and hard to select a site for this community project. If the lot of land is not purchased in the near future, there is every possibility that the lot of land will be lost for use by the Town. The purchase of this land should serve as a pledge on the part of our fellow citizens that positive action leading to the construction of a new library will be undertaken in the near future. The Board of Trustees of the Thayer Public Library earnestly asks you to be a friend of the library. In many of our towns in Massa- chusetts an organization known as "Friends of the Library" has been effective, and much valuable work has been done to arouse the interest of citizens.
Such an organization should be formed in the Town of Braintree. Recently Robert Staughton Lynd said : "If the library is to get past being a symbol, like the flag, it must have a body of friends who will work for it in season and out. It must get over being an outpost that is taken for granted."
Never have we needed more a group of citizens, men, women, and appreciative youth, too, who have become acquainted with the services of our library, highly value its services, and are willing to help interpret the library's program to the community. Such a group in our present urgent need should serve as a loyal bodyguard, informed, interested, and eagerly willing to serve. We hope the friends of the Thayer Public Library will grow in num- ber, in effort, and in influence so that we may advance as speedily as possible the project of a new library for the Town of Braintree that shall be adequate for postwar needs.
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Report of The Librarian, Thayer Public Library
Twenty-two miles of books stretched end to end.
'A continuously moving belt of books running from Boston to Brockton.
This pictures a stream of books going out of the library in the arms of 8200 Braintree citizens.
This means a circulation of 180,643 books during the year 1947, an increase of 28,167; the busiest year in the library's history.
BOYS. AND GIRLS' DEPARTMENT
The interest of boys and girls in reading accounted for the greater part of this increase. The work which Mrs. Blair started with the schools last year has grown and grown, so that the circulation from the school deposits amounted to 24,000 or about half of the juvenile circula- tion at the Main Library. In many cases the teachers
have transported their own school deposits, but many times teachers have no means of transportation. To cover these cases, several women from the Parent-Teachers As- sociations of the various districts have volunteered to be on call to distribute the boxes. We are grateful to the following for their help:
Mrs. George Killam-Penniman School Mrs. Conlan Warren-Monatiquot School Mrs. Howard Williams-Hollis School Mrs. Jackson Merriam-Hollis School Mrs. John Payson-Highlands School
They have been ready and willing when called. How- ever, with the increase in these deposits, some permanent arrangements should be made for their delivery.
140
In November during Book Week, Mrs. Blair arranged an exhibit of books at the Noah Torrey Primary and Grammar Schools; an exhibit was also arranged by Mrs. Emerson at the Highlands School. Not only have books been sent to the schools, but teachers have brought their classes to visit the library. Over 20 classes visited us during the year, and look Week brought all of the first six grades from the Monatiquot School. Mrs. Blair showed many of the new books, sometimes telling a short story from one of them. The children were made to feel at home and were told it was their Children's Room. These visits had a great effect on the number of children who became regular borrowers.
Girl Scouts have been very helpful in the children's room this year. Several girls in working for their Com- munity Service Badge came on different days and worked helping Mrs. Blair with clerical duties so that she would have more time for helping boys and girls select books.
A most successful Story Hour was started this sum- mer, and here again the Girl Scouts were helprul. A group of Senior Scouts had been having a course in Story Tell- ing at the Day Camp, and for practice two scouts a week assisted Mrs. Blair in telling stries. Miss Muriel Preston was in charge of this group and the girls are to be com- mended for their regularity and faithfulness. Members of the library staff also assisted in the story hours, as well as Mrs. Earl Hollis, a kindergarten teacher. The aver- age attendance at these story hours was 32, the largest being 56. Boards stretched between two chairs and also the floor were needed to furnish seats. Just an evidence of the need for a larger children's room with adequate seating facilities.
In keeping with the great demand for horse stories among the children, a Summer Derby was run with books from the State Certificate reading list as a basis. On August 27, this concluded with a party, and twenty-five "winners" were awarded State Reading Certificates.
141
Mrs. Blair has spent a great deal of time with small groups of children who have come to the library regu- larly. One group has been interested in studying illus- trators of children's books, and they have learned to rec- ognize and appreciate their favorites; another group has made book jackets with pictures illustrating a story. She has tried especially to interest the boys of the middle group so that they would not feel it was "sissy" to come to the library. Late this fall we purchased a number of View Master machines with reels of colored pictures, which these boys have found most absorbing. These in- formal groups are most important in building friendships for the library. As one child expressed it "We never used to do anything at the library except take books out and bring them back, take them out and bring them back."
ADULT DEPARTMENT
The Adult Department has been equally as busy al- though not showing as large an increase in circulation. The reference work of a library takes much more time than charging books, and yet there are not the definite figures to make a big statistical showing. Such questions as, "How to pickle clams"; Should one paint a hen house black or white in order to have the greatest degree of warmth in the house? Are the tides in the Panama Canal higher at the Paific end or at the Atlantic end of the canal ? These all take time, and yet there may be no circulation of a book to show for it. The great demand for the Con- sumers' Research Bulletin this year shows the desire of citizens to be informed before buying any expensive piece of household equipment. The class of non-fiction which showed the largest increase of circulation was that of classical literature, from American through European to ancient Greek; a jump of from 1831 to 5218 at the Main Library. The large number of college students accounts partly for this change. These college students continue to use the reading room for study, so that the problem of seats for all grows. One day late this fall there were students standing up while reading, also students sitting
142
Summer Derby Winners
on the floor. I venture to say that the Thayer Public Library has the unique distinction of being the only library in the state where its patrons have to sit on the floor to study.
Borrowing books on inter-library loan is an important phase of the reference work. During the year we have borrowed 208 books on this loan system from many librar- ies, because of the specialized nature of many of the refer- ence questions. Sixty-three of these loans were courses of study from towns and cities all over the country which we borrowed for the teachers of Braintree. The Division of Public Libraries has been most helpful, never finding it too difficult to try to get fr us any type of book.
Such an increase in circulation and reference work naturally means the purchase of a larger number of books. 2623 added this year as against 1933 last year. It is in- teresting to note that we purchased a much larger num- ber of technical and business books, books of fine arts and literature and travel, and fewer of history and biography, reflecting the peace time demand as compared to the war time demand of a few years ago. Not only is it necessary to purchase a larger number of books, but it is also nec- essary to weed out and discard a larger number of old books, in order to keep the collection useable in the miser- ably crowded space.
PUBLICITY
Publicity is a necessity for any library which prop- erly serves its community. Why advertise if we are so busy ? There are always citizens who do not know of the library, and what it can do for them. Also we must keep the townspeople informed of the conditions which exist in their library; and arouse them to take steps to correct those conditions as speedily as possible. The library has friends but it needs many more; friends willing to organ- ize and wrk for their library. Miss Isabel Handy, librarian of the East Braintree branch library has been doing splen-
144
did work in handling newspaper publicity. Since last Feb- ruary the Quincy Patriot Ledger has printed 36 articles covering book notes and library news. The Observer has printed 16 library news stories. Two pictures, one in each paper, have appeared to add interest to the publicity. Two long articles on Book Week by professional reporters brought out the close relations between the schools and the library and carried pictures of children and books for which they had made posters. In all a total of over 450 inches of news print about the library. We appreciate greatly the cooperation of both newspapers.
STAFF
All this tremendous increase in work has been done wth difficulty because of a staff, short in personnel. In July Mrs. Ellen Peterson, Assistant Librarian, left to as- sume full household duties in her home. She has been greatly missed and we have not been able as yet to re- place her with an equally qualified assistant. Miss Betty Brousseau, a junior clerical assistant left to begin train- ing at the Massachusetts General Hospital. We have found it difficult to keep up with many of the clerical duties, so great have been the other types of library work. Mrs. Marietta Newcomb, a graduate of Boston Univer- sity, has been assisting very efficiently at the circulation desk. During the year, when schedules allowed, staff mem- bers have attended many meetings of professional library associations. Meetings of the Massachusetts Library Association at Simmons College, and at Pittsfield, the Old Colony Library Club at Cohasset and Middleboro, and the New England Regional Library Association at Swampscott. The librarian attended the American Asso- ciation Conference at San Francisco, and I am grateful to the trustees for the time allowed to me for this purpose. Space does not allow any report of these meetings; it was, however, a most stimulating and inspiring experience to come in contact with librarians from all over the country, all faced with many of the same problems, and all work- ing towards the best ways of solving them.
145
WHERE DO WE STAND?
The Thayer Public Library is up to standard with the exception of the library building. Work is carried on in a 75 year old building. With the increase in work, conditions grow worse each year. The ever present question from library patrons is "How is the new building coming?" "When are you going to have a real campaign?" We must not sit back and say it cannot be done yet, so why bother about it now. Don't you believe the citizens would over- whelmingly vote for a new library building if they were given a chance to express themselves on a ballot? Would not the 8,230 registered borrowers approve? It takes time and planning and a concerted effort on the part of everyone to put a building program across, and such a program can and must be started now, in 1948.
With vision, with faith, with hope and with constant work, we can have a Thayer Public Library to be proud of, in the not too distant future.
STATISTICS OF LIBRARY USE 1947
Registered Borrowers
Borrowers Dec. 31, 1946
6,447
1,347
7,794
Registered during 1947
1,047
492
1,539
Cards expired and moved during 1947
780
323
1,103
Registered borrowers
Dec. 31, 1947
6,714
1,516
8,230
40.5% of the population.
Books Loaned
Adult fiction
70,954
39% of total
1,818
Adult non-fiction
34,218
19% of total
3,066
Children's books
75,471
42% of total
23,283
Total books loaned
180,643
28,167
Books loaned
from branches
79,623
44% of total
922
Circulation per capita 8.9 books.
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Book Stock
Adult 33,333
Juvenile Total
Volumes at beginning of year
8,070
41,403
Volumes added by purchase
1,236
1,304
2,540
Volumes added by gift
71
12
83
Volumes lost by withdrawn
1,149
657
1,806
Total volumes Dec. 31, 1947
33,491
8,729
42,220
147
Report of Park Commissioners
EARL C. HOLLIS, Chairman
CHARLES F. ABELL, Clerk HARRY F. VINTON, JR.
1947 Appropriation $6,826.50
1947 Expenditures $6,815.59
"Play for the adult is re-creation, the renewal of life ; play for the child is growth, the gaining of life," as Joseph Lee often spoken of as "Father of the Playgrounds" said.
The increasing number of people who insist in par- ticipating in outdoor sports and games has created the problem not merely of providing the playing facilities but of securing the needed play spaces conveniently located for the use of the townspeople.
Routine care and maintenance has been given all parks.
The greens in all parts of town have been mowed and maintained, the baseball diamonds kept in excellent con- dition.
At French's Common, more than 150 league baseball games were played. This figure does not include the gram- mar school, High School or Park Department contests. On Hollis Field, twenty-five (25) teams participated in softball, while the Legion team used the baseball diamond. Ninety contests were played on both the Adams and Wat- son Playgrounds during the past season.
Inter-playground contests were played, a league being formed on each of the playgrounds and operated very successfully. The Adams Playground nine captur- ing the league title in a playoff contest with the Hollis Playground nine.
At the 1948 Town Meeting, this Board seeks funds with which additional playgrounds will be obtained by the town, one on Common Street, Braintree; Faxon Street, East Braintree and at the junction of Washington and Pond Streets, South Braintree.
148
14 Observer Press
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