USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1959 > Part 12
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The paragraphs above indicate that we are attempt- ing to provide a quality education. Without the financial
156
backing expressed in our school budget the conditions: necessary to produce that quality education will not exist and our children will not get the education they deserve and need.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR CONFERS WITH STUDENT AND PARENT
My appreciation is extended to the faithful members of the Citizens Committee who met regularly for nine sessions of intensive study of the school program and needs. Their recommendations concerning Salaries, Maintenance, Health and Physical Education have re- ceived careful consideration, and have been of great help.
The faculty, secretaries, custodians, maintenance and lunchroom employees, have all contributed coopera- tively in whatever gains have been made this year. The spirit of service of all our employees is our most important asset.
May I express my sincere appreciation also to the members of the School Committee for the inspiration, sug- gestions and support, which has been afforded me. The long hours of meetings they have attended and the pro- jects which they have investigated indicate their dedica- tion to the responsibilities of their office. Braintree is for -- tunate in having such devoted public servants.
RALPH W. PROCTOR
157
COMPARATIVE COSTS COMPARABLE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN MASSACHUSETTS
All seven school systems with ave. membership 6200-7900 pupils
School Year 1958 - 1959
City
Ave. Staff Total School Per Pupil
or Town
Ave. Memb. 7281
Salary
Expense
Cost
Framingham
6030
2,422,368
343
Everett
7225
6036
2,489,660
353
Braintree
7171
5330
2,276,422
322
Arlington
7004
5427
2,330,898
341
Revere
6962
5125
2,155,916
316
Brookline
6779
6238
3,166,940
474
Natick
6724
5298
2,024,073
309
Ave. (of 7)
351
Ave. (of 6)
330 (Excl.
Brookline)
158
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY
Financial Report of the Trustees
of the
Thayer Public Library
The Trustees of the Thayer Public Library present for your consideration the financial report of the Trustees and the Report of the Librarian for the year 1959.
Gordon W. Bryant
Doris A. Canavan
Constance S. Leggett
Ralph B. Woodsum, Treasurer
Gilbert L. Bean, Chairman
Principal - Foundation Fund
$11,020.91
Principal - Caleb Stetson Fund
2,500.00
Principal - Rachel R. Thayer Fund
172.50
Principal - Kenna Fund
545.45
RECEIPTS
Cash on deposit Jan. 1, 1959
3,179.93
Income - Foundation Fund
354.43
Income - Stetson Fund
78.13
Income - Thayer Fund
6.02
Income - Hunt Fund
750.66
Income - N.E. Hollis Fund
374.18
Income - Kenna Fund
18.78
$4,762.13
EXPENDITURES
Foundation Fund
145.00
Hunt Fund
654.39
N.E. Hollis Fund
374.18
$1,173.57
Cash on Deposit Dec. 31, 1959
3,588.56
$4,762.13
RALPH B. WOODSUM, Treasurer
159
STATISTICS - 1959
CIRCULATION: BOOKS, PERIODICALS, PAMPHLETS
Main Library Adult
100,795
-2,404
* Juvenile
160,011
+3,947
Total
260,806
+1,543
Branches
Adult
29,876
++ 664
Juvenile
23,711
+1,498
Total
53,587
+2,162
Total books etc.
314,393
+3,705
Circulation : Records
3,226
-1,018
Total No. Loans
317,619
+2,687
*The juvenile circulation at the Main Library in- cludes books which circulated over the desk at the Library, and books which circulated from classroom de- posits at the schools.
Over the desk
94,510
+9,503
School deposits
65,501
-5,556
REGISTRATION OF
BORROWERS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers Jan. 1, 1959
6,982
4,194
11,176
Registered in 1959
2,092
984
3,076
Borrowers moved or
cards expired
1,405
437
1,842
Total registrations
Dec. 31, 1959
7,669
4,741
12,410
BOOK STOCK
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes Jan. 1, 1959
40,267
15,902
56,169
Volumes added 1959
2,359
1,279
*3,638
Volumes withdrawn 1959
1,396
486
1,882
Total Volumes
Dec. 31, 1959
41,230
16,695
57,925
*Includes 256 gifts
Records Jan. 1, 1959
542
Records added 1959
104
Records withdrawn 1959
10
Total Records Dec. 31, 1959
636
Organization Meetings held in Library Rooms 121
160
Report of the Librarian 1959
In writing the report for the Thayer Public Library for the year 1959, it gives an opportunity to take account of stock for the decade as well as for the year just ended ; to analyze what has happened in the Library Depart- ment, and to observe definite needs which should take place in the 60's.
This period has been the most significant in the Lib- rary's history. In the first place, the new Library build- ing was erected and opened to the public. In the six years since it has been in use, there has been steady growth. A comparison of figures between 1950 and 1959 will show the rate of increase in the ten years.
1950
1959 12,410
Percent of increase
Registered Borrowers
9,534
Book Stock
44,245
57,867
30% 30%
Circulation
194,381 317,619
63%
Circulation per capita
8.4
10.58
25.9%
The figures for 1959 show that there is a gradual levelling off in the increase in circulation. However, this does not mean that things are less busy at the library. In fact, during the past year, the busiest days have not always produced the most circulation. We wish it were possible to count in concrete figures the time spent and the books used in the library for Reference purposes as easily as the circulation of books. It is this reference phase of the work which has steadily increased and con- stantly takes more staff time. This is due primarily to more effort along educational lines and the severe com- petition among high school students in order to guarantee entering college.
The following are the actual questions asked during one week this fall (this does not include simple informa- tion questions which were quickly answered) but questions which took time and thought and search in many books before satisfactory information was found.
Rumor (enough information for a paper on the subject).
Clothing for man going into space (thesis).
Paleontology-how it contributes to knowledge of man.
161
Diagrams of locks in Panama Canal and locks in general.
Diagram of a machine-how it works.
Machinery used on a wheat farm.
Riveting-(How it is done ; paper for a shop course). Eclipses
Cartooning.
Samuel Slater and his cotton mills.
American women spies in the various wars.
Picture framing.
Russian depression of 1870.
Biographical information on Papashvily.
the Bends ; Skin-diving (many requests). Also cause, prevention and cure. Also Bathysphere.
Practical nursing.
Construction and rigging of clipper ships.
Family life in the time of St. Paul.
Geological strata.
Value of education.
Biology project on reproduction of cells, sexual and asexual.
Paper on why people laugh and animals do not.
What states voted for whom in presidential election of 1828.
Shakespearean theater and productions.
Life of a wheat farmer.
How trees grow.
Picture of first washing machine about 100 years old. Why homing pigeons go home (4 reasons).
Mythology-Jupitor-Trojan War, etc.
History of Jazz.
War of the Roses.
Archimedes-how he discovered the distance of the moon from the earth.
Granite.
Animal psychology-conditioned responses, etc.
Penal laws of Massachusetts.
Tidelands oil.
History of copper and brass industry.
Debate: Were factory workers of the North as
badly off as the slaves of the South?
Battle of the Monitor and the Merrimac.
Reproductive processes in leeches (7th grade) .
It is always rewarding to know that our efforts have not been in vain, and that a borrower has appreciated the material which has been found for him. Recently a boy asked for a mask such as the Romans wore for the cele-
162
bration of a Saturnalia festival. A few days later he came back and said he had won First Prize because of the material which we had given him.
The Music Room and Record Collection have proved most popular and worthwhile since the opening of the new building. We feel that while the circulation of records has shown a decrease this year, it may be due partly to the fact that borrowers have built up a larger record library of their own, and also to the fact that more people have diamond needles and are more particular about using records which have scratches .. Where many people use the same records, some of whom are not as careful as others with the kind of needles and the care of the records, it is impossible to keep from getting scratches. However, we do feel that on the whole people who borrow records are quite responsible. There are still many people who do not realize that they may bor- row records from the library, and it is our hope in 1960 to have projects which will emphasize and bring this phase of the library's services before the public. Special emphasis on building up the opera section of the record collection was a feature of the more than 100 new albums purchased in 1959. Two special acquisitions were “ A Field Guide to Bird Songs" arranged to accompany Peterson's book A Field Guide to the Birds; also " The War Speeches" of Winston Churchill, which accom- panied his History of the Second World War. New shelf labels and relabeling of the music albums on the spine make it easier for borrowers to locate the records of their choice.
The Children's Department of the library has grown so that now there are over 4,700 children registered as borrowers. It is sometimes difficult with many children coming in every afternoon for the Children's Librarian to maintain a personal interest in each child's reading needs. However, she welcomes the opportunity to work as close- ly as possible with each child and help him grow in his reading.
For the second grade children the easy-to-read books, currently being offered by the publishers, are a good bridge between school readers and library books. We have a choice collection of these easy-to-read books, which the children are accepting with enthusiasm. These young children have become bona fide readers.
163
One incident occurred in the children's room this year which furnished a bright spot in a hectic day when the librarians were wondering if all this rush was worth- while. It shows the appreciation of children for their library. One small boy, whose books were slightly over-
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
due, dribbled six cents into the librarian's hand, looked at her sadly and said, " You don't get much for all you do here, do you! " Because of that remark, the Children's Librarian felt that she got a great deal.
164
During the past year, it was felt that some changes in the organization of the Library Staff would make the work of the various departments run more efficiently. The Personnel Board established a new position, that of Assistant Head Librarian; and to that position the Trus- tees appointed Miss Mary Valentine who had been serv- ing as Circulation Librarian. £ She now is in charge of Reference Work and the Record Collection as well as assisting the Head Librarian in various duties. Mrs. Thea Tarbox, formerly of the Holbrook Public Library, was appointed to do Circulation Work and assist in cataloging. Mrs. Yvette Barrette works as a part time clerical worker, typing catalog cards and general clerical work. It has been a great help to have some one who was able to do the greater part of the typing, although there is more than enough for a person who could work full time.
It is hoped in the coming year to make some official change in the position of Highlands Branch Librarian. Mrs. Edith Emerson who has carried the title of Branch Librarian for the Highlands actually has been working most of her time at the Main Library. She is in a position in the Adult Department comparable to that of the Chil- dren's Librarian; in charge of Adult Services supervising the cataloging and circulation work. Mrs. Arlene Bur- gess who has spent most of her time at the Highlands Branch would become officially Highlands Branch Lib- rarian.
The position of Young Adult Librarian is still vacant. This is as important as that of Children's Librarian and should be filled with a librarian trained to work with young people and who would have full time to assist them with their reading problems. Mrs. Carol Giles, East Braintree Branch Librarian has been purchasing books for this department, and spending what time she can, aside from her branch duties, in helping the young people, until such time as we are able to fill the position on a full time basis.
The acquisition and cataloging of over 2,300 adult books, as well as all the other necessary processes of the behind the scenes work of running a library has taxed the capacity of the work room, so that now it has become necessary to move the cataloging and processing of the new books to a separate room downstairs. This will be more efficient in many ways as it will be a more quiet room where the cataloger can work undisturbed.
165
The processing of new books will be completed down- stairs; therefore, they will not be brought upstairs until they are ready for the shelves. There will not be the temptation for a borrower to be attracted to look at the new books before they are ready for circulation; and the unsightly piles of half-processed books will not be in view from the charging desk.
The Librarian and Trustees can be justly proud of the Library Staff. Aside from their regular duties, the staff has been working on a special project during the last several years, that of a STAFF MANUAL, and HANDBOOK FOR PAGES. This has been completed during 1959 and I believe we have a Manual which can favorably compare with that of any other library in the state. It was a cooperative project, the work of every member of the staff, and will be of great help in training new staff members, and also will be a quick handbook to refer to when there is any question of correct pro- cedure. It includes instructions and sample forms for all phases of the library work. The Handbook for Pages gives an introduction to the library work for high school student pages; their responsibilities and the rules which they should observe during their working hours.
Special Events during 1959 were the presentation to the Library by Dr. Stacy B. Southworth, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, of his personal collection of books about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. It was his wish that this be a simple meeting with only the Trus- tees and the Library Staff and a few friends present. This took place appropriately on February 12, 1959, the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. It was a rewarding evening with music from recordings of the Civil War period, the Reading of the Gettysburg Address by Ray- mond Massey, and Dr. Southworth's reminiscing and giv- ing personal anecdotes learned from his father about Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Southworth's gift added approxi- mately 113 books and pamphlets to the already substan- tial Lincoln Collection.
The Second Annual National Library Week was ob- served by the library during the week of April 12-18. An Open House and Exhibition of Paintings was held on Tuesday, April 14 with Mr. Daniel McElwain of the Can- ton Art Association as the speaker. As a result of this Exhibition the Braintree Art Association was formed. This has grown to a very active group with over 150
166
members. Workshops and regular classes with qualified instructors are held four times a week in one of the base- ment rooms of the library. Exhibits of books were ar- ranged in the following stores under the direction of Mrs. Paul Spinney assisted by Girl Scouts from the Senior Girl Scout Troops :
McNealy Real Estate, Winer's Hardware, Warren's Coiffures, Braintree Pet Shop, Marvel Cleaners, Smiley's Pharmacy, Payne's Color Mart, Muir Brothers. The Lib- rary is grateful to these stores, and also to the following organizations :
Braintree Garden Club for again furnishing flower arrangements during the week; the Braintree Jay-Cees for sponsoring the National Library Week Billboard Pos- ter at the junction of Route 128 and 37 at Plain Street, and the Braintree Cooperative Bank for providing, for distribution, a Home Reference Library Leaflet.
The Library has also cooperated with organizations by providing exhibits of books to tie in with two Philer- gian meetings; one on " Women in World Affairs "; the other, Books of Current Interest.
In November The Braintree Camp Fire Girls pres- ented the library with two copies of the following pam- phlets :
Soil and Water Conservation Activities; a guide for leaders of Camp Fire Girls.
Conservation-Natural Resources Help Conserve Them.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SIXTIES
In looking ahead to the next ten years, there are cer- tain areas of service which demand attention.
I. EAST BRAINTREE BRANCH
First and foremost is the housing of the East Brain- tree Branch Library. Immediate study should be made of available new quarters, and plans made for the moving of this branch as soon as possible.
In the 1957 report of Mrs. Genevieve Galick of the State Division of Library Extension concerning the branch libraries in Braintree, the following statements were made about the East Braintree Branch.
167
" In point of service the East Braintree Branch is the oldest; it is also the busiest of the branches. Just as the Highlands Branch showed a tremendous increase in use following the renovation and expansion of its quarters, so could the same situation be anticipated for East Braintree where there is an even greater concen- tration of library users and several schools nearby. In the present crowded quarters of a rented store, it is understandable why the adult use of the library in 1956 was less than it was in 1946. The average adult lib- rary user does not enjoy the congested conditions with- in as well as outside the East Braintree Branch. Located as it is on a heavily travelled highway to the Cape and with no off-street parking facilities, adults find it less and less convenient to use this branch. On the other hand, Braintree has a definite obligation to make avail- able adequate library facilities to this section of town.
Without private transportation, there is no direct route to South Braintree where the Main Library is located."
Included in their recommendations was the following statement:
" It is recommended that a building be leased pre- ferably from a real estate owner who would be willing to build to suit tenant. Such a building should be large enough to provide separate reading rooms for adults and children as well as a reference alcove for those seeking a place for quiet study. Included on its grounds should be ample parking facilities for branch library users."
In November 1959, a comparison of figures was made with the East Braintree Branch and the two branches in Weymouth, North Weymouth and East Weymouth.
E. Braintree
E. Weymouth
N. Weymouth
Registered
borrowers
1,500
3,500
4,000
Circulation
(1958)
32,480
47,010
79,366
No. of volumes
at branch
4,500
8,000
12,000
Book capacity
3,000
8,000
18,000
Floor area
449 sq. ft.
1,800 sq. ft.
5,500 sq. ft.
Seating capacity
12
30
58
East Braintree has a potential population of library users slightly smaller than East Weymouth. There are
168
three schools in the area. New quarters should have at least three times the floor area and three times the shelv- ing space and at least twice the number of seats. In the four years since the North Weymouth branch moved into its new quarters, there has been an increase in use of 60%. With more attractive quarters, more space and more books, East Braintree could have a circulation nearly equal to that of East Weymouth. East Braintree in its disreputable, crowded store has waited long enough for better library facilities.
II. BOOKMOBILE
The next area demanding attention is providing some type of service to sections of the town which are not near to any library facility, preferably through the use of a Bookmobile. Since the Braintree Branch was closed in 1957, there are many families who are not able to use the Main Library and they are deprived of service which they formerly had. Lakeside, Granite Park, Pond St., and Liberty St. areas are developing fast and should be provided with some form of library service. It is not feas- ible to establish branch libraries in each of these areas, and the Bookmobile type of service has been found to be the most flexible and economical.
III. FILM SERVICE
The establishment of some form of film lending ser- vice should have definite consideration. Films are ex- pensive and most libraries do not have the funds to purchase a film library of their own. However, there does exist in the Massachusetts Department of Audio- Visual Services a Film Cooperative whereby member libraries deposit in the cooperative what amount they can spend toward the purchase of films each year, with a minimum of approximately $100.00. Any member may borrow film in the cooperative and also films owned by the Office of Audio-Visual Services, up to a certain amount determined by the cooperative. At least a mini- mum of $300 should be provided to start such a service. The type of films would be educational and documentary and would be available to borrowers for use at organiza- tion and group meetings. Within the last three weeks of the year, we had requests from three borrowers asking if we had films to lend. People have been accustomed to libraries having films, and they are expecting Braintree to provide this service.
169
This is the picture of the Thayer Public Library as it stands at the end of the Mid-Century decade, with some of its needs for the future.
Libraries of today have come a long way from the days of the Middle Ages when books were chained, and in the words of a recent article "they are as modern as your self-popping toaster and twice as active. A library is no longer a place where books are kept, but a place where books circulate. It is no longer a musty ware- house but a busy, humming MARKET PLACE OF IDEAS. A library to our way of thinking is a kind of INTELLEC- TUAL SERVICE STATION where you grease the gears of knowledge and leave with a full tank of satisfaction and assurance."
This might well be the motto of the Thayer Public Library, and with the help of the Trustees the staff will make every effort to see that this Intellectual Service Station is made available to all citizens, and that no one leaves it without his " full tank of satisfaction and assur- ance."
Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM HALL, Librarian.
-
1.70
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Braintree, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1959.
EDWARD D. CAHILL, Chief.
ARRESTS
Total Arrests
803
Male Resident 295
Female Resident 28
Male Non-Resident
454
Female Non-Resident 26
No. 1-Crimes Against Person
MR MNR FR FNR
Assault and Battery
10
9
0
0
Threats
2
1
0
0
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
1
0
0
0
Rape
0
1
0
0
13
11
0
0
No. 2-Crimes Against Property
B and E and Larceny Larceny Malicious Mischief
7
11
0
0
27
23
3
1
21
1
0
0
55
35
3
1
No. 3-Crimes Against Public Order
Delinquency
40
5
2
1
Drunkeness
73
71
7
8.
Motor Vehicle Laws, (Violation)
12
18
1
1
Operating Under Influence,
Motor Vehicle
6
19
1
0
Operating so as to Endanger,
Motor Vehicle
1
6
0
0
Traffic Laws, (Violation)
71 230
11
14
17
Violation Probation
3
3
1
0
Violation Town By-Laws
0
5
0
0
Arrests for out of Town Police
5
15
0
0
Non-Support
2
0
0
0
Neglect of Family
1
0
0
0
Disturbing the Peace
0
1
0
0
Circulating False Alarm
1
0
0
0
Missappropriation of Motor Vehicle
1
5
0
0
Weapon Carrying
0
1
0
0
Escapee
1
1
0
1
Arrests by out of Town Police
1
20
0
0
Illegitimacy
1
0
0
0
Having Burglar Tools in Possession
0
1
0
0
Runaway
1
0
0
0
Vagrant
0
1
0
0
Setting Up and Promoting a Lottery
0
1
0
0
Failure to Send Child to School
0
0
1
0
Violation of Parole
1
0
0
0
Brass Knuckles in Possession
1
0
0
0
Tresspassing
1
0
0
0
Stubborn Child
1
0
0
0
Possession of Obscene Pictures, Films and Literature
1
0
0
0
Unnatural Act
0
1
0
0
Lewd and Lascivious
2
4
1
0
-
-
Complaints, etc.
Ambulance Trips
431
Emergency Cruiser Ambulance
215
Buildings Found Open
519
Night Lights Out
12
Cat Complaints
140
Dog Complaints
667
Dog Bites Reported
91
Fire Alarms Answered
194
Holes In Street Reported
100
Messages Delivered
161
Permits To Labor
28
Drunk Releases
91
Street Lights Reported Out
101
Lanterns Put Out
5
Lodging
2
Vacant Houses Checked
401
Prowlers Reported
45
172
227 408
25
25
Hit and Run Complaints
42
Stolen Automobiles, Braintree
42
Recovered
61
Burglar Alarms Answered
57
Permits To Sell Fire Arms
4
Permits To Carry Fire Arms
129
Teletype Messages Received
761
Teletype Messages Sent
386
Articles Found
89
Articles Lost
113
Wagon Trips
154
Car Trips
31
Miscellaneous Complaints
6556
Missing Persons
MR
31
FR
8
MNR
0
FNR
0
Sudden Deaths
MR
18
FR
9
MNR
4
FNR
1
Insane Persons
MR
11
FR
4
MNR
4
FNR
0
Code: Arrests, Missing Persons, Sudden Deaths and Insane Persons
MR -- Male Resident
FR-Female Resident
MNR-Male Non-Resident
FNR-Female Non-Resident
Accidents
Minor
352
Serious
242
Fatal
3
Cases Prosecuted in Court
Male
Female
Operating Motor Vehicle so as
to Endanger
6
0
Operating Motor Vehicle Under Influence
25
1
Violation of Motor Vehicle
Laws
28
2
173
Violation of Traffic Rules and Regulations Violation of Parking and Meter Regulations
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