USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1915 > Part 9
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The Trustees believe that the expense of administration is reduced to the lowest point, and that few, if any, libraries can show so large a proportion of results in comparison with its operating expense.
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The Trustees serve without pay. The Librarian who spends practically her whole time in the work, receives a salary of but $550. The three assistants are paid 20 cents each per hour for a part of each day, The average monthly earnings of the assistants are but $22.50 each.
The passing years are working out their proper result upon the Middleboro Public Library. It caters to the needs of youthful readers, and especially in connection with their school work, and its use and usefulness are steadily increas- ing. Instead of giving it a fluctuating income the time seems to have arrived when the Town should consider the question of appropriating a definite sum inclusive of the license money and other income sufficient for its working needs and to make some allowance for the continued extension of its work.
Insurance to the amount of $32,000 is carried upon the Library building, and $8,000 upon the books and equipment.
In view of the fact that the building is of "Mill" or "Slow burning" construction designed to reduce the fire hazard to. its lowest terms, the above sums are considered amply suf- ficient to cover any possible loss by fire.
For the Trustees, EDWARD S. HATHAWAY,
Secretary and Treasurer.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
To the President and Board of Trustees of the Middleborough Public Library;
I herewith submit the annual report of the Public Library for the year ending December 31, 1915.
At the beginning of the year there were, according to the accession book, 23,032 volumes. In August all books were called in, and for three weeks the Library was closed to the public, while an inventory was taken. At the end of that time the number of books was found to be 20,190, and at the end of the year 1915, the number is 20,476.
The loss in numbers was not to any extent in the loss of books, but in old reports discarded as worthless, worn out books not valuable enough to be replaced, and also in the
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fact that, when others had been replaced, another accession number had been given, thereby adding to the number accessioned, but not to the actual number contained in the Library.
Eight hundred and six new volumes were added to the Library during the year, 57 being bound periodicals, 102 gifts, and the remaining 647 purchases.
There have been 182 books replaced, and 687 rebound. The classification of the new books added is as follows:
General Works
36
Philosophy and Religion
45
Sociology
69
Philology
4
Science
21
Useful Arts
33
Fine Arts
33
Literature
79
Travel and Description
48
History
61
Biography
55
Fiction
176
Young People's Books
146
Of the books presented to the Library during the year, over thirty were French books given by Miss Robinson, "Life Insurance," by Heubner, the gift of Mr. Reginald W. Drake, "One American's Opinion of the War," the gift of the author, Mr. Whitridge, "The Attack and Defense of Little Round Top," by Mr. Norton, and presented by him, "Souvenir of Massachusetts Legislators for 1915," presented by Mr. Blanchard, and Vital Records of Amesbury, Cam- bridge, Chelmsford, Heath, Rochester, and Tyngsborough, gifts of the Secretary of State, also Journals of the House and Senate, and other documents and reports.
REGISTRATION AND CIRCULATION.
The number of new cards issued during the year was 314, of which 152 were taken by children under fifteen years of age. The total number issued since the beginning of the new registration, July, 1914, is 2,299.
The Library has been open for the circulation of books 286 days, and the number issued was 54,116. Of that number 8,595 were non-fiction, 27,092 fiction, and 18,429 were taken from the young people's room.
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The largest circulation for one day was 371, the smallest 39, and the average daily circulation 189.
Some years ago the experiment was tried of sending boxes of books to several suburban schools for the use of such children as were not able to reach the Library, but later this was given up. This past year the request came and has been complied with, that books might again be sent to the East part of the town, and several boxes have already been sent, Miss Mary Deane having the care and distribu- tion of them. Some of the teachers in the suburban schools also carry books to children who otherwise would not be able to get them. This coming year the experiment is to be tried of allowing the teachers to keep the books charged on their school cards, four weeks instead of two, without renewal, the books being only those used for assistance in school work.
LIBRARY ART CLUB EXHIBITS.
There have been sixteen different exhibits of pictures in the gallery on the second floor, all of them being of interest ' and many very beautiful. These will continue as usual, the pictures being changed every few weeks.
Respectfully submitted, MARY M. EDDY, Librarian.
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REPORT OF TOWN AUDITOR. For the Year Ending December 31, 1915.
I hereby certify that I have carefully examined the accounts of the Town, including the accounts of the Town Treasurer, Town Clerk, Collector of Taxes, Manager of the Municipal Light Plant, Trustees of the Estate of Thomas S. Pierce and Treasurer of the Middleborough, Public Library, and I find such accounts to be well kept and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct in every particular.
W. W. BRACKETT, Town Auditor.
OUTSTANDING NOTES AND BONDS OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH, AS OF JANUARY 1, 1916.
PLYMOUTH AND MIDDLEBOROUGH RAILROAD LOAN-4%.
Due Nov. 1, 1918, Salem Savings Bank
$5,000.00
SCHOOL HOUSE LOAN-4%.
Due Nov. 1, 1916
$1,650.00
Due Nov. 1, 1917-Nov. 1, 1926
16,500.00
1
$18,150.00
MUNICIPAL LIGHT LOAN-4%.
Due Nov. 1, 1917-Nov. 1, 1923 Bearer $25,500.00
Due Nov. 1, 1917-1918 5,000.00
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Due Nov. 1, 1924, 1926, 1927
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
15,000.00
Due Nov. 1, 1925-Jose, Parker Co.
5,000.00
$50,500.00
MACADAM HIGHWAY LOAN-412%. Due Dec. 1, 1916
Middleborough Savings Bank
$1,600.00
Total Permanent Loan $75,250.00
TEMPORARY LOAN-4%.
Due April 12, 1916
Middleborough Savings Bank $30,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. BRACKETT, Town Auditor.
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ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS., Monday March 6, 1916.
Articles 1. To choose all necessary town officers, the fol- lowing officers to be voted for on one ballot, viz: One mod- erator for one year, one town treasurer, one collector of taxes, eight constables, three fish wardens, one auditor, three fence viewers, one tree warden, all for one year each, one select- man, one assessor, one overseer of the poor, three trustees of the Public Library, two members of the school board, one member of the board of health, and one member of the muni- cipal light board, all for three years.
The polls for the election of these officers will be open at half past eleven o'clock A. M. and will not close before half past three o'clock P. M.
Article 2. To vote by ballot "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question "Shall license be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town?"
Article 3. To raise such sums of money, by tax or other- wise, as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town, for the current year, appropriate the same, and to act any- thing in relation to the assessment of and collection of taxes for the year.
Article 4. To authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, or a majority thereof, to borrow during the municipal year, beginning January 1st, 1916 in anticipation of the revenue of said year such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof. All debts incurred under authority of this vote shall be paid from the revenue of the present muni- cipal year.
Article 5. To hear the report of any committees or offi- cers of the town, to appoint any committee, and act thereon.
186
Article 6. To allow accounts against the town and act thereon.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote that the yards of persons chosen Field Drivers shall be town pounds as long as they remain in office, provided they shall be elected pound keepers.
Article 8. To dispose of money received for dog licenses, and other licenses, the present year and act thereon.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to pay the expenses of one or more police officers in the village and act thereon.
Article 10. To see if the town will appropriate any money to be expended by Post 8 G. A. R., on Memorial Day and act thereon.
Article 11. To see what action the town will take in re- . lation to oiling the streets and act thereon.
Article 12. To see what action the town will take in re- lation to concrete or other sidewalks, appropriate any sum of money for same and act thereon.
Article 13. To appoint a committee on appropriations and act thereon.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to institute, defend, or compromise suits for or against the town during the ensuing year, and act thereon.
Article 15. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to be expended for the employment of a district nurse.
Article 16. To see if the town will appropriate money for band concerts the coming season, and act anything there- on.
Article 17. To see what action the town will take in re- lation to disposing of its rights to take alewives for one year or a term of years, and act thereon.
Article 18. To see if the town will take any action to- ward revising its By-laws, making additions thereto, and making suitable building regulations, and act anything thereon.
Article 19. To see what action the town will take to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the George Washington Memorial Building at Washington, D. C.
187
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to purchase three four-horse power sprayers for the moth department; the State of Massachusetts to assume one half the expense, ap- propriate money therefor and act anything thereon.
Article 21. To see what action the town will take in regard to constructing a new High School building, appro- priate money for the same and act anything thereon.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Municipal Light Board to contract for a term of years for the purchase of all or a part of the electricity supplied by the Municipal Light Plant, with such company or corpora- tion as, in the opinion of the Board, is for the best interests of the Town, and act thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Municipal Light Board in behalf of the Town, to petition the State Board of Gas & Electric Commissioners for a public hearing as provided for in Chapter 191, General Acts of 1915, to authorize the town of Middleborough to furnish electrici- ty to the Town of Lakeville and the inhabitants of the Town of Lakeville, and act thereon.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to Instruct the Selectmen to grant to the Middleboro Firemen's Relief As- sociation the use of the Town Hall, one evening in each year, free of charge and act anything thereon.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to accept Chap- ter 49, Sections 42 & 43 of the Revised Laws of Massachu- setts.
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INDEX
Assessors, Report of . 65
Auditor's Report.
184
Board of Health, Report of.
95
Chief of Police, Report of.
100
Cemetery Trust Funds. 142
Collector of Taxes, Report of .
147
Department for Suppression of Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths.
113
Election Officers.
80
Fish Wardens, Report of.
84
Forest Warden, Report of .
110
Inspector of Milk
96
Inspector of Slaughtering
96
Inspector of Animals 96
Jurors, List of.
81
Middleboro Public Library
Report of Librarian.
181
Report of Treasurer
179
Municipal Light Plant, Report of.
161
Municipal Lighting and Power Plant Report of Superintendent.
105
School Reports. 5
71
Soldiers' Relief
78
State Aid.
79
Military Aid
79
Superintendent of Streets
85
Town Clerk, Report of
115
Births
129
Deaths.
138
Marriages
134
Summary
141
Town Officers.
3
Town Treasurer, Report of.
149
Trustees under will of Thomas S. Pierce, Report of.
1.76
Tree Warden 108
Town Warrant. 185
163
Overseers of the Poor, Report of.
Selectmen, Report of
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