USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1956 > Part 11
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68,308
115 deposits
is not satisfied with a superficial answer but wishes com- plete information on his problem.
For example: Advertising agencies, history, organ- ization, functions, how to go about setting up one.
Organization of money raising campaigns on a high level from first notices to successful conclusion including all publicity.
George Bernard Shaw's views on censorship as ex- pressed in one of his plays (which play not known by questioner).
New technical fields bring more requests for unusual material; perhaps material which the library does not have. Yet whenever possible the library borrows on in- terlibrary loan from neighboring libraries. Two recent requests for Photogrammetry (photographic surveying) were answered in this manner .. If, after some search, it is found that we have no material available on subjects requested, it is the library's policy to fill this gap with the best material possible within a price range that fits our budget.
It is always heartwarming to have a borrower come back and report to the library staff that library books have been responsible for his passing an examination or procuring a better job. Recently a man told us that he had received his radio operator's license entirely because of self study from library books. He was an older man who had been an operator in World War I but had for- gotten techniques and had not kept up with changes in this field. He was not able to attend classes, and was competing with younger men and students. He was most grateful to the library for his success.
One user who rarely comes into the library is a wom- an who types final manuscripts for an author. Many times she calls to have the library check on the exactness of quotations, punctuation, capitalization, full forms of author's name, dates, correct use of words, etc. She too has been profuse in her appreciation of the library's help.
CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT
Figures from the Children's Department show a con- tinued growth in circulation. This is not surprising when considered with the increase in school population and the additional school rooms. Of the 155,997 juvenile books
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circulated, 68,308 were circulated in school deposits; 101 deposits sent out from the Main Library and 14 sent out from the Highlands Branch to the Highlands School; ap- proximately 30 books go out in a collection making 3450 books which have been sent to different classrooms throughout the town. At the Main Library there was an increase of 10,771 in circulation of books through these deposits; and an increase of 3,075 in over-the-desk cir- culation. According to Mrs. Dorothy Blair, the children's librarian, the big increases were in the circulation of sci- ence and technical books; 1,500 increase in science books and 1,200 increase in technical books. This is partly due to an all-out effort by publishers to supply easy-to-read and attractive material in natural and applied sciences, in order to keep pace with the new trend of beginning to teach science in the very early grades. Boys are constantly asking for material on such subjects as Exploring Mars, Ants, Ice Age, Polliwogs, Harbor unloading-machinery. The increase in Reference Work noticed in the Adult De- partment is reaching into the Children's Department also. Now that the seventh and eighth grades are definitely established in the Junior High Schools, there is more home work for these children and it is often difficult for the children's librarians to keep up with the subjects which are assigned by the teachers. The chief difficulty is in not being notified by the teacher that she is assigning a subject with little suitable material to thirty or more pupils. It is a question of first come, first served. By the time two or three children have come for the material, there is little left for the rest. It would be more satis- factory for the teacher, the pupil and the librarian if the teachers could be trained to notify the librarian in ad- vance so that material could be spread out among as many children as possible
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY
During 1956 music has become more and more an important phase of the circulation at the Main Library. Under the guidance of Miss Mary Valentine who joined the staff in July, the library now owns 306 recordings. These circulated 2,309 times compared with a circulation of 604 in 1955. More of our borrowers are becoming aware of our growing record collection, and a few people told us they have purchased record players with the library's resources in mind. Some local music lovers try to listen to each number in the collection, then select those which
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they like best for addition to their own collections. Col- lege and university students have used the recordings in connection with their courses, either borrowing the rec- ords for home use or using the record player in the Music Room of the library. Students and their parents, as well as those planning trips abroad, have found the language records excellent for preparation, either as an introduc- tion to a new language or a review of earlier studies. Re- quests have been filled for such diverse items as marches to use in baton-twirling practice, and English speech enun- ciation. For the latter purpose, the drama records, feat- uring well-known names in the theater world, can also be used. The story recordings, with selections in both the 78 rpm and long-playing speeds, are very popular with the children; in fact, some parents find story-telling through records more satisfactory than reading the stor- ies aloud themselves! There are two blind children who come to the library and borrow records. This gives the children an opportunity to lead a more normal life in feeling that they can use the library like other children. During the year, 96 new records have been added to the adult collection, and 23 to the children's group. Subject headings have been added to the card catalog, so that it is now possible to find a selection listed not only under the composer's and performer's names, but also under the type or form of music.
EXHIBITS
One of the great attractions in the new Library is the opportunity for timely exhibits in the two display cases just outside the main entrance door, and also the larger display case situated near the charging desk. Mrs. Jeannette Tovet, with assistance from other members of the staff, has shown great ingenuity in arranging attrac- tive backgrounds which tie in with appropriate collec- tions of books. These are changed approximately every two weeks. Among the special exhibits using articles loaned by local citizens were the following: Western Travel with poster from American Airlines and Indian figures loaned by Miss Grace Shapiro ; Model fire engines, wagons, etc. loaned by Mr. William Low; European travel featuring a collection of European dolls collected by Mrs. Walter Tate while in Germany; Fishing books featuring fishing equipment loaned by Mr. Maynard Clark of the Braintree Sport Shop; The Sea and Shell Books with a collection of Shells loaned by Miss Diane Tovet; Educa-
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tion books in September with a Model Schoolroom of Colonial Days made by Mr. Gilbert Bean for the Histor- ical Society Exhibits. This year the library has been very glad to make space available in the outside cases to the Camp Fire Girls during the Red Feather Drive. The Prize- Winning Exhibits from the Girl Scout Troops' Interna- tional Exhibit in March were on display in the inside case for two weeks in April. The Library will welcome inter- esting exhibits of collections and hobbies which towns- people may wish to lend for others to enjoy.
BRANCH LIBRARIES
In last year's report we called attention to the situ- ation at the Braintree Branch. This year's figures still show a decrease in use at this branch. In the fall, the librarian gathered statistical data for the Trustees, show- ing the cost to operate the branch per book circulated, the number of regular borrowers using the branch, the number of new registrants during the year, and the place of residence of these borrowers. The librarian also re- ceived helpful information from a survey made in 1955 for the Quincy Library and the recommendations given for its branches. After some discussion, the Trustees felt it wise to ask Mrs. George Galick and Miss Alice Cahill from the Massachusetts State Division of Library Exten- sion to survey the whole branch situation in Braintree in order to get an over-all picture from outside sources of the needs for library service in the rapidly changing and expanding sections of the town. This survey will be made sometime in January. It is interesting to note that we have had several calls from people in the Liberty Street Section of the town, asking if there was library service nearer to them than the Highlands Branch. The de- posits of library books at the Highlands School give the children in this newly developed area some opportunity to have library service since the branches and Main Li- brary are at too great a distance for them to use. How- ever, this does not take care of the adults in this vicinity. Areas such as this often can be served satisfactorily with a bookmobile, making weekly stops.
GIFTS
This year the library has had the privilege of receiv- ing two substantial gifts of books. Late in 1955 the librar- ian was asked to fill in a questionnaire giving certain in-
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formation about the library and its use, if we wished to be eligible to receive a set of GREAT BOOKS OF THE WESTERN WORLD. Sixteen hundred sets of these books were to be distributed through the generosity of the Old Dominion Foundation to certain libraries in the country. The American Library Association served as the agency of selection and distribution, with more than 10,000 applications received. In February of 1956 we re- ceived word that our application had been approved and that we would receive this set of 54 volumes comprising 443 works by authors covering Western thought from Homer and the Bible to the 20th century, with a complete idea index. Accompanying this set was a complete set of Library of Congress catalog cards, this in itself no small gift. For the library to have bought this set of books would have cost $250, and already we have found great use for many of the volumes.
When Dr. Southworth retired from the Board of Trustees of the Library, it was thought that no more fitting gift could be given as a testimonial to his work than to set up a Lincoln Collection in the library. Several individual gifts of Lincoln books were given and a gift of several hundred dollars was given to the library in his name to be spent for books for this collection. Dur- ing the year these books will be catalogued and organ- ized and will be put on display for the public to see.
The Library is always glad to accept books given as memorials to individuals who have passed away. This year there have been the following memorial gifts:
Donor
In Memoriam Title
Braintree Grange
Charles Roberts,
A Few Acres and Security
Past Master
Mr. John Trefry
Jack G. Kraay Lincolon Reconsidered
Mr. John Trefry
Charles Arthur Powers Mr. Lincoln's Admirals
Mr. and Mrs.
Walter R. Bean Inside Lincoln's Cabinet
Gordon W. Bryant
We have also received gifts of worth-while titles from the libraries of several individuals.
MEETINGS IN THE AUDITORIUM
Twenty-six different groups and organizations have enjoyed the use of the Library Auditorium during the year, with a total of eighty-five meetings. Among these
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was scheduled a University Extension Course in Photog- raphy with eight classes; and a Norfolk County Exten- sion Course for Leader Training in Clothing Construction holding seven classes. A most successful Girl Scout Inter- national Day Observance was held in the auditorium with each Troop in the town holding an exhibit representing some particular country. These exhibits were very well planned and executed by the girls, and the interest on the part of the public far exceeded the expectations of the Committee. The Philergian Art Committee also held a most attractive and interesting exhibit of paintings and settings and arrangements of Antiques.
PERSONNEL
While the personnel problem at the library is by no means solved, we have been most fortunate this year in adding a new professional assistant to the staff. As men- tioned before when speaking of Music in the library, Miss Mary Valentine joined the staff in July. Miss Valentine has a Bachelor's Degree from Carnegie Institute of Tech- nology, a Master's Degree from Indiana University, and a Master of Science in Library Science from Columbia University in February 1956. She has studied organ and other types of music and has held the position of organ- ist in the First Christian Church in Bloomington, Indiana. With this background she is particularly well qualified to develop the music collection in the Library. Miss Val- entine is also responsible for the greater part of the ref- erence work in the adult department. Her relations both with the public and with the library staff have become extremely pleasant.
On the other side of the picture, we have not fared so well. We still find it difficult to attract even general assistants without library training when other jobs can be found with much higher pay. This year we have also found it difficult to keep high school pages for shelving and processing books; when boys can find jobs in super markets for $1.00 per hour and over, they are not anxious to take a job in the library for $.60 per hour.
For the past three years the staff has been holding a series of regular monthly staff meetings, when all mem- bers of the regular staff meet with the Librarian to dis- cuss any problems which they may wish to present. These meetings have proved valuable to the staff and to the librarian; they are informal and each member feels free
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to offer suggestions and new ideas which may benefit the library system as a whole. The Librarian herself learns a great deal, and finds that she must keep on her toes in order to keep up with the staff. It also gives her an opportunity to make announcements and present mat- ters of policy when all personnel are together.
Staff members continue to take an interest in at- tending meetings of professional organizations which not only stimulate their thinking, but suggest practical idaes which they may find adaptable to their own library. They have attended meetings of the Massachusetts Library Association, the Old Colony Library Club, the New Eng- land Library Asociation, the Pioneer Group of Head Librarians, and a local group of nearby Children's Librar- ians. Your Librarian served as a member of the Educa- tion Committee of the Massachusetts Library Association. In June she was privileged to attend the meetings of the American Library Association at Miami Beach. While meetings of smaller organizations usually have more prac- tical value, National Meetings provide a source of great inspiration in meeting with librarians from all parts of the country. The librarian receives an over-all picture of what the library profession stands for and its long-range aims, and an opportunity to evaluate how the library in her own community fits into this total picture. The follow- ing quotations from a recent statement presents in a general way one of the broad objectives of library service today : "Today we must be confident that man wants to think freely and act freely-to create and criticize as an individual. On this premise we base the security of our future .... May the librarians and class rooms of our land continue to motivate youth to think clearly, act surely and thereby perpetuate our confidence in the value of free- dom."
Without the loyalty of the staff and the interest and support of the Trustees, it would not have been possible for the Library to try to bring about this challenge even in a small way.
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Financial Report of the Trustees of the Thayer Public Library
December 31, 1956
Principal-Foundation Fund
$ 11,020.91
Principal-Caleb Stetson Fund
2,500.00
Principal-Rachel R. Thayer Fund
172.50
Receipts
Cash on deposit January 1, 1956
3,351.64
Income-Foundation Fund
339.40
Income-Caleb Stetson Fund . 75.00
Income-Rachel R. Thayer Fund 5.16
Income-Nathaniel H. Hunt Fund
. 804.50
$4,575.70
Expenditures
Hunt Fund
$ 1,236.86
Foundation Fund
410.39
Cash on deposit December 31, 1956
2,928.45
$ 4,575.70
RALPH B. WOODSUM, Treasurer
Water Department REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Braintree :
The Towns of Braintree, Randolph and Holbrook take their principal water supply from Great Pond. In addi- tion, during 1940 the Town of Braintree took the land and created a new reservoir just above Great Pond. This reservoir has a flow line 10 feet over the water level of Great Pond. The water surface covers 164 acres and adds 420,000,000 gallons to our storage as compared with 355,000,000 gallons in Great Pond. Under conditions of average rainfall and runoff there is available a total of 4,235,000 gallons per day. The safe yield of the Pond
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is based on the dry conditions that applied during the years 1911 and 1912 which is somewhat less than the above figure.
Our engineers prognosticated in 1934 that the con- sumption of the three towns in 1950 would be 2,885,000 gallons daily and in 1960 3,130,000 gallons daily. These estimates have been quite accurate. It is evident, there- fore, that under conditions of average runoff there is sufficient water in the Pond for some years to come. However, our Filtration Plant, which was built in 1934, has a capacity of 3,300,000 gallons daily. This compares with our average daily pumping of approximately 2,000,-
000 gallons daily. During extremely dry periods, how- ever, we have pumped for brief periods 3,700,000 gallons daily. This overloading of the Filtration Plant caused the water in 1955 to have an unpleasant taste, referred to as "swamp tea taste."
We have foreseen the eventual need of enlarging our Filtration Plant or developing ground waters from wells. We have made over 30 separate tests for wells in various sections of the Town without success until the fall of 1956 when we located a favorable spot. We developed this into a well that will produce approximately 400,000 to 500,- 000 gallons daily. We hope to have the well in operation by the summer of 1957. This will relieve the strain on our Filtration Plant during the dry season. We must, how- ever, continue to explore for another well of equal size. The cost of an addition to the Filtration Plant is approxi- mately $150,000.00 while each well will probably cost us between $25,000.00 and $30,000.00. With two wells the Town should have sufficient water to carry it for the next 10 or 15 years. By that time the Metropolitan System will probably be in a position to supply the Town of Braintree.
For many years we have realized that eventually when the Town had materially increased in population we would be obliged to seek water from the Metropolitan System. It has, however, been economical over the years to pump and filter our local water. The Metropolitan System is not in a position to supply water to the Town of Braintree at present. They have had such heavy de- mands on their aqueduct during the dry season that they have been unable to comfortably supply even the towns who are presently members of the Metropolitan System, and to this end the State Legislature appropriated, under
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Chapter 685 in 1956, the sum of $20,000,000.00 for the construction of a pressure aqueduct or water tunnel from a point on the Metropolitan Commission's Wachusett Res- ervoir in the Town of Clinton to a point at the start of the Metropolitan pressure aqueduct, so-called, in the City of Marlboro, together with such shafts and appurtenant connections and other works as may be deemed neces- sary or advisable. This work will require approximately four years.
The 1956 Legislature rejected Bill No. 3106, the purpose of which was to lay a Metropolitan District main from a point in the City of Quincy to a point on or near the boundary line between Cohasset and Scituate. The cost of this main was to be approximately $5,000,000.00. The bill was rejected, presumably, because the Metropoli- tan System would not be ready to supply such a main until the construction of its new $20,000,000.00 aqueduct.
Before any new town can be taken into the Metro- politan system those members now taking water from the System must agree to the terms on which the new Town will be accepted. It is too early to determine just what the cost will be for such entrance for the Town of Braintree. The Town of Braintree cannot enter the Sys- tem, presumably, until other towns between Braintree and Cohasset have agreed or indicated their intention to take Metropolitan water.
During the next four years we should have ample time to determine just what the expense will be for Brain- tree, not only to pay to the Metropolitan but also for the cost of any supplemental works, such as, pumping sta- tions, main arteries and the like. It is, therefore, evident that we should have enough water in sight to carry us be- yond the time that entrance to the Metropolitan System will be possible. It may well develop that it will be more to Braintree's interests to take a portion, say, one half of its water supply from its present sources and one half from the Metropolitan System.
Our Town is growing, but apparently not beyond the estimates of Weston & Sampson made in 1934, and such growth involves an expansion of our distribution mains in even greater extent than our present income per- mits. Our department lives within its income and when- ever we borrow money not only the interest but the prin- cipal must be paid from our income. We are loathe to in-
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crease our rates, but if the Town continues to expand, as it has in the past, we will be under necessity of spending more money on our distribution system.
On August 4, 1956 Mr. Joseph Landers, a member of the Water Commissioners, resigned because of poor health. During the past 26 years he has given generously of his time and energy to the Water Board. We shall miss his efficient and friendly advice and we hope he will live many years to enjoy as good health as possible.
Mr. H. Irving Charnock of Brewster Avenue, Brain- tree Highlands, was appointed to serve in Mr. Landers' place.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS E. SEARS, Chairman H. IRVING CHARNOCK, WILLARD P. SHEPPARD,
Board of Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
I have the pleasure of presenting to you the Sixty- Sixth Annual Report of the Water Supply System, show- ing the present conditions of the Department and the ex- tension and improvements made, together with a state- ment in detail of the cost of operating the system during the year.
This year 12,653 linear feet of new main pipe and 26 fire hydrants have been added to our distribution system. We also added 217 new services, renewed 48 old services and made repairs on 34 services.
We had planned to lay a 10-inch water main in Plain Street between Washington Street and Grove Street but this project was postponed because we were uncertain as to the cost of a new well which we expected to con- struct this year.
In connection with the widening and relocating a section of Middle Street, we had to reset one hydrant and eight service connections.
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We laid a new 10-inch water main in Peach Street this year enabling us to furnish a sufficient amount of water to the new South Junior High School as well as the Campanelli Project and that portion of Liberty Street between Peach Street and Grove Street. An 8-inch main was installed in Forest street in order to provide suf- ficient water for fire protection to that area.
The demands for water are constantly increasing, this year 150,000 gallons per day more water was pumped than in the previous year. Our average daily pumpage for this year was 2,182,000 gallons. This year 74,731,000 gallons passed through the Booster Station while last year we pumped 65,517,000 gallons.
Our Reservoirs have remained fairly full throughout the year in spite of the heavy drag during May and June. This taxed our Filtration Plant to the utmost so on July 3 we were forced to restrict the use of water for garden hoses, as follows :
"The houses having an even house number may use their hose only on the even days of the month and the houses having an odd house number may use their hose only on the odd days of the month."
By restricting the use of water in this manner a hard- ship was not felt by anybody and it worked out very well. We only had a handful of complaints.
The rapid growth of the Braintree Highlands area require that we replace one of the pumps with a larger one and we have included a sum of money in our budget to do this during the spring.
A gravel wall well has been built west of the Lake- side School on land formerly owned by the Old Quincy Sand and Gravel Company. This well will produce about 500,000 G.P.D.
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