USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 10
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The library subscribes to 103 magazines. Back issues of magazines may be taken home like books, and dur- ing the past year 7,615 magazines were taken home by borrowers. The circulation of magazines increased noticeably during the depression and still continues, the reason apparently being that people cannot afford to subscribe to so many and avail themselves of the oppor- tunity to borrow them free of charge from the library.
Groups of foreign books in six different languages have been sent us by the Massachusetts Library Com- mission for the use of our foreign-speaking borrowers, 99 of these having been taken out during the year.
A collection of books is still maintained at the Mont- gomery Home for the use of residents there. Sixteen hundred fourteen books have been borrowed by school children from deposits kept in schools, mostly in the outlying districts of the town.
RENTAL COLLECTION
The rental, or duplicate pay, collection is a self-sus- taining group of books, being continually supplied with additions of the latest books by means of the two-cent- a-day fine. During 1936, 1,611 books were circulated from this collection, $116.87 collected in fines and with this money 58 new volumes added to the collection.
WORK WITH SCHOOLS
Classes from the Bates Junior High School came to the library as usual in the Fall for their series of les- sons in the use of the library.
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Many Junior High School pupils are doing State Cer- tificate reading, using the book list compiled by the Massachusetts Library Commission, and many state cer- tificates have been awarded. Mrs. Benson, teacher of English at Bates School, is doing a great deal toward promoting good reading by using these lists in the Lit- erary Club which she conducts at the school.
The librarian gave her annual address before mem- bers of the Bates School, stressing co-operation between schools and the library, and also spoke before the Bates P. T. A.
Especially did we appreciate the kindness of Mr. Henry Burkland, Principal, and Miss Faye Dean, teacher at the Bates School and the pupils who participated in a Book Week Pageant which they presented as part of the program for the meeting of the Old Colony Li- brary Club held at the library.
THE BUILDING
Extensive repairs were required on the furnace this year, and some repairing was made on radiators throughout the building. Otherwise the building seems in very good condition.
The WPA sewing unit, which had occupied rooms upstairs in the library, was removed in November to other quarters. One room is now used by a section of the WPA Recreational Project, but a smaller unit which meets only twice a week and does not interfere with the operation of the library.
ACTIVITIES
During Book Week, on November 20, the Old Colony Library Club was entertained at the Middleboro Public
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Library. There was a record attendance of over eighty persons, and the following program was presented :
Welcome
Mr. Theodore N. Wood, President of Board of Library Trustees
New Tendencies in Our Public Libraries
Mr. T. J. Sullivan, Librarian, Cambridge Public Library
Talk on Recent Books
Mr. Vernor M. Schenck, H. R. Huntting Co., Spring- field
Business Meeting
Luncheon, Served by White Church Guild of the Central Congregational Church
Stage Settings and Actors for a Miniature Theatre Miss Mildred Battles, Brockton Public Library
A Book Week Pageant
Pupils of Bates Junior High School, Directed by Mr. Henry Burkland, Principal, and Miss Faye Dean, Teacher
Relationship of Schools to Libraries Mrs. Minnie B. Figmic, Librarian, Kingston Public Library
In observation of Book Week, the library arranged an exhibit of posters made by staff members of the branch libraries of the Boston Public Library, life-size cut-outs of Mother Goose characters, miniature house and garden of well-known book characters, and displays of scores of new books, both for adults and juveniles, throughout the library. A special bulletin of children's books was prepared and distributed, as well as hun- dreds of attractive bookmarks, made by a member of the staff.
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At Christmas time we had the unusual good fortune to present a Story Lady who conducted a series of story hours featuring Christmas stories. Mrs. Douglas John- ston was the Story Lady who so generously gave her time to entertain the children with stories of Christmas, which she told charmingly and which were enthusias- tically received by the children. We have been besieged with requests to have the Story Lady come again and we sincerely hope this may be possible.
Several fine exhibitions have been held in the exhibi- tion hall on the second floor. In March there was dis- played an exhibit of art work done by pupils in the Boston Public Schools; in June Miss Charlotte Alberts, a local young lady of exceptional talent, held an ex- hibition of her own work, under the direction of her teacher, Mr. John Callan; and in October the Art De- partment of the Cabot Club arranged an exhibit of hooked rugs, with a talk on the subject by Mrs. Saunders of Clinton.
On September 2 the Middleboro Garden Club held a flower show in the Peirce Building at which the library had an exhibit of garden books. An attractive corner was arranged, with a screen, evergreen trees and a large table of books on gardens, herbs and flowers. It served its purpose well, for many attending the show little realized that the library had any books of interest to gardeners and were frankly astonished to learn that the library could supply hundreds of books on gardens and kindred subjects.
GIFTS
The library owes thanks to many individuals and societies for generous gifts of books, including Miss Agnes Bedard for a large collection of novels, Mr. Sam- uel Verbedian for books of philosophy, Mr. William
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McDougall for many text books, Mrs. Fletcher Clark for a gift of many volumes, the Garden Club for the Garden Encyclopedia, Nemasket Chapter, D. A. R., for a History of the Massachusetts D. A. R., and the Literary Depart- ment of the Cabot Club for the volume, "World Litera- ture."
Through the generosity of Mr. Herbert Bryant of Brockton, the library is in possession of several paint- ings done by his mother, Mrs. Edward Bryant, long a resident of Middleboro.
Due to the efforts of an enterprising young business man, we have been able throughout the year to dis- tribute to our borrowers attractive bookmarks. These ยท are sent to us by business firms who have their imprint at the bottom of the bookmark.
In concluding this report, I wish to extend niy sincere thanks to the staff for their willing and unceasing efforts and to each member of the Board of Trustees for their co-operation, confidence and practical assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
MERTIE E. WITBECK, Librarian.
STATISTICS
Circulation of Books
Central Library
Adults
Fiction
49,625
Philosophy
499
Religion
329
Sociology
1136
Languages
68
203
Science
568
Useful Arts
1685
Fine Arts
1537
Literature
1843
History
1236
Travel
1722
Biography
1993
Magazines
7615
Foreign Books
99
Rental
1611
71,566
Juvenile Circulation
Fiction
11,323
Non-fiction
7,357
18,680
Branch and Deposits
Bates School 71
South Middleboro School 328
Thompsonville School 330
Waterville School
536
West Side School
349
East Middleboro Branch
148
1,762
Total circulation for 1936
92,008
Circulation for 1935
95,912
Decrease in circulation, 1936
3,904
Number of volumes owned by library, January 1, 1936 34,874
Number of volumes added by purchase .... 954
Number of volumes added by gift 214
Number of volumes added by binding magazines 20
204
Number of volumes transferred from rental collection 61
Total number of volumes added during 1936
1,249
36,123
Number of volumes lost and discarded, 1936
392
Number of volumes owned by library Decem- ber 31, 1936 35,731
Number of magazines subscribed
103
Number of newspapers
12
Number of borrowers, January 1, 1936
4,976
New cards issued, 1936
Adults
297
Juvenile
154
451
Number of borrowers December 31, 1936
5,427
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REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT OF THE TREASURER FOR THE YEAR 1936
Peirce Fund Receipts
Peirce Trustees
$2,064.38
Check refund
1.79
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1936
734.39
$2,800.56
Peirce Fund Payments
Books
$2,060.11
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1936. 740.45
$2,800.56
Special Fund Receipts
Sale of books and rentals $221.68
Interest, Great Northern Railway
70.00
Interest, Wisconsin Public Service 50.82
Interest, Baltimore & Ohio Rail-
road 25.00
Interest, Savings Account, Mid-
dleborough Trust Company 7.00
Interest, H. C. Beals Fund.
30.00
Interest, H. O. Peirce Fund.
15.00
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1936
316.54
$736.04
Special Fund Payments
Books, Periodicals, Newspaper.
$439.27
Middleborough Trust Company .. 5.40
H. L. Thatcher & Co.
5.00
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1936
286.37
$736.04
JANE BENNETT, Treasurer.
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REPORT OF MARIA L. H. PIERCE LUXURY FUND
Mr. Harry Goodale, Town Manager.
My dear Mr. Goodale :
As Custodian of the Maria L. H. Peirce Luxury Fund, I herewith submit my report for 1936.
As heretofore, we have provided two daily and two Sunday papers as well as the Middleboro Gazette. These have gone the rounds so that all who wish to do so may read them.
At Easter, flowering plants were on the tables and a small basket of candy eggs at each place.
An innovation this year was the purchase of a large ice cream freezer which was connected to a small motor and thus advantage could be taken of any surplus milk and cream, with the result that this wholesome and delicious food has been enjoyed.
The ministers of the town have continued their friendly offices so that we have not been without our monthly service with music. All denominations have joined in this effort.
At Christmas we had our usual tree with Santa Claus to distribute the gifts. Each member of the Home re- ceived a useful gift and a box of candy.
Death has taken several of our old friends and new ones have come to take their places, so that the number remains about the same. We feel that the year just past has been, on the whole, a happy and successful one.
Very truly yours,
LAURA B. WHITTEMORE,
Administrator.
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REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
January 20, 1937.
Middleboro, Mass.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Middleboro Park Commission have held meetings during the year as occasion required. The continued WPA Recreation Project helped us materially in the carrying out of the work with little financial support from the town. The playing area of the baseball field has been releveled and a retaining wall built at the outfield extremity. We now have one of the finest ball parks in the county.
The following reports of the Supervisor of the Play- grounds and of the Supervisor of the Swimming Pool will show in detail the scope of the work accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL M. BARRETT, Chairman, ARTHUR D. BENSON, J. STEARNS CUSHING, HARRY J. GOODALE, JAMES H. KENNEDY.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PLAYGROUNDS TO MEMBERS OF THE PARK BOARD
Gentlemen :
Last year's report was a combined one for both pool and the playground, while this report includes the pool only when items are closely related to both programs.
Although the play areas were open before the pool opening, the report of activities is given for the ten-
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week period, when both pool and playground were in active operation. This ten-week period is the customary season for a Summer playground and gives us a very fair idea of the values of a recreation program for our community.
The enrollment this season at both pool and play- ground was about seven hundred, a gain of nearly two hundred over last year, due largely to increased activi- ties and meeting the needs of new members. The at- tendance during July was a bit over five hundred a week and in August over the six hundred mark, weekly, with a total for the ten weeks of 6,052. The combined attendance of pool and playgrounds of
Pool
4,056
Playgrounds
6,352
Total
10,408
gives a weekly record which indicates that Middleboro has a recreational center, of wholesome recreation ac- tivities which may well be the envy of other towns in . this section.
Playground Activities
Sport activities on the playground were under the direction of Ivan Stuart, WPA Instructor of Recreation.
The Twilight League were off to a late start, due largely to field conditions, which steadily improved as the season progressed. Again directed by our versatile leader, Carl Oakes, the League rolled merrily along, giv- ing the fans some smart samples of our national sport.
The Junior Baseball League for boys were off to an early start and every game was a hot one, the teams being very well matched and the boys always ready and eager to play. The tie at the close of the season made a play-off necessary. These teams are now standard
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features of our program and many youngsters look forward to the time when they will make the team. An "all star" picked team played the nearby boys' camps several games.
A new feature for men this year was the Softball League, played on the Junior Diamond each Tuesday and Thursday nights. Four teams enjoyed competition in this sport and will be off to an early start next year.
The Tennis League continued their evening matches and this sport has also become a standard fixture of the season's events. An "all star" team also played several matches with outside teams and a more definite schedule will be arranged for the coming year.
Horseshoe pitching, Deck Tennis and Tetherball proved very popular among the small space games.
Beach Parties for boys and one for girls at Sandwich, under the direction of Mr. Whitman Higgins, were espe- cially enjoyed. A chance for an ocean swim, beach games and lunch cooked over the open fire, proved very popular and will have a place on each season's program.
The big event of the year for boys was the annual Brockton Enterprise Baseball trip to Fenway Park in Boston. This feature attracts thousands of boys from this district and this year, with the fine co-operative spirit of the local business men, Middleboro sent along about 125 boys to see big time baseball.
On July 3, a conference of WPA Recreation workers was held in our local High School with 20 men and women attending from Taunton, Fall River, Brockton and Middleboro. Miss Bowers, an expert on recreation from the National Recreation Association of New York, presented playground program with suggestions on planning and organizations.
In closing, may I call your attention to some important factors. First, that the WPA project on recreation has
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been a great aid in the promotion of the Playgrounds and Pool, also saving the town many dollars in the conduct of activities and the care of pool and play areas.
Secondly, the attendance this year indicates that the folks in town enjoy and appreciate the facilities for recreation, so well located in the center of our town, and are interested in its future development.
Thirdly, that our season really opens on the Fourth of July and ends on Labor Day, but all play areas should be supervised at all times in co-operation with the schools and their needs. It is hoped that all organiza- tions will feel that the playground is the place for their recreation activities and that a place will be made for them and assistance given when needed. The Park Board have again shown their interest and effort in making the Pool and Playground a success and with the backing of the voters, we shall continue to move forward.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK CROZIER, Supervisor of Playground.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF THE SWIMMING POOL
To the Members of the Park Board.
Gentlemen :
The swimming pool opened on June 29 for public use, staying open for a period of ten weeks. I feel that we made great progress in swimming and life sav- ing, and also recreational swimming. The Life Saving class brought the following results :
Seniors
7
Juniors
2
Total 9
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The Swimming School brought the most results. More than 40 boys and girls passed the Red Cross Beginners and Swimmers tests. This is much in advance of last year. Many of the beginners could not swim a stroke when they came down to the pool at the beginning of the season.
The attendance at the pool a little below the average of last year. The attendance is as follows :
Boys
957
Girls
939
Mixed
2,160
Total
4,056
During the three weeks of operation last year the total attendance was 2,033, making an average of a little over 650 a week, whereas the average of this year is a little over 400 a week. Of course the novelty of the thing has worn off, which accounts for some of the drop in attendance.
The total income from the pool amounted to $230.10, which falls just short of the $250 that we estimated we would take in.
A small swimming team was gotten together and given some coaching in preparation for a meet with another outside team. A meet was held with the Campello pool on the Friday before Labor Day. Although our team did not come out ahead, it was considered a good start for a team next year.
The big feature of the season was the Popeye's Water Circus. There were over 40 who took part in this event. It was considered a great success, and an inspiration to the people of the town. It is hoped that this will kill some of the adverse criticism about the pool, and show
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the people the usefulness of it. The audience at the Circus was estimated to be about 1,700.
During the ten weeks of operation the pool was .
drained and cleaned and refilled twice. A deck tennis court was put up on the grass inside of the fence so that the swimmers would have something to do when they were tired of swimming.
I feel that the season was a great success, and plans are going ahead for an even more successful one next year.
Respectfully submitted, ALLAN A. WITBECK, Supervisor of the Pool.
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REPORT OF ACTING CO-ORDINATOR, WPA
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
It is impossible to state definitely the amount of Fed- eral money expended here in 1936. This is partly be- cause all payrolls are handled in the Fall River office of the WPA; because many Middleboro men have been employed on out-of-town WPA jobs; because a few out-of-town men have been employed on Middleboro WPA jobs; because Federal and State funds have been spent on equipment and materials for certain projects, etc., etc. However, it is safe to say that well over $125,000 of outside money has been spent here, at a cost to the Town of less than ten cents on the dollar.
The value of the improvements is also difficult to estimate, since there is bound to be a wide difference of opinion as to the value of roadside beautification, for example. The saving to the Welfare Department is somewhat more tangible, and might be placed as high as $100,000.
In any discussion of the cost to the Town, it should be borne in mind that the costs listed are cash expense only, and do not include depreciation of trucks or other Town equipment; nor miner contributions of surplus materials, etc., from other Departments; nor donations from other sources such as use of private halls for the Recreation project, etc. On the other hand, no consideration is given to the possible salvage value of equipment purchased from Town WPA funds, at the end of the job. For example, the asphalt tank at the town yard will be useful for many years.
A Federal Forestry project operated here for several months under Jesse Carpenter, Jr., without cost to the Town.
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A State Sidewalk project similarly gave many weeks work without expense to us. The resulting sidewalks on East and West Grove Streets are certainly an asset to the Town.
The Roadside Beautification work on Route 28 need not be described here, as most of the townspeople have seen the results. This has furnished more employment than any other project operated here, and the only cost to the Town has been an indeterminate amount of overhead, such as time of the co-ordinator and the cer- tifying agent, a few first aid supplies, etc.
Several office projects have been operated in the State Highway office without local contribution. Pro- jects under the National Youth Administration have benefited local students, but not being financed from Town WPA funds, are not considered here. Town guide-book data and lists of records fall in the same class.
The Traffic Survey with local headquarters in the Chamber of Commerce has employed more than six local men, and brought many others here where they may have traded. This also has involved no local ex- pense.
Bridgewater projects, especially at the State Farm, have furnished much employment to local men. A few have also been assigned to work in Raynham, Ware- ham, etc.
The Fuller Street project was completed during the year, involving the graveling of 2.6 miles of road. A balance of $2,093.63 in the State Bond Issue allotment was used during the year, partly on this project and partly on the Cedar Street Farm-to-Market job. Due to the restrictions placed on this allotment by the State, some further cost to the Town was met from the regu- lar Town graveling appropriation.
The work on Lane Street was resumed when trucks
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were available from the Fuller Street job. This pro- ject is now completed except for oiling and finishing touches by the Town Highway Dept., for which a small balance of the Lane Street appropriation remains. The 1936 expense to the Town was $336.02.
The Keith Street project was started and nearly com- pleted during the year at a Town cost of $134.51. A bal- ance is likewise left for oiling, etc., by the Highway Dept.
The Wood Cutting project operated as long as the lot was frozen up; 80 cords of wood were made avail- able to the Welfare Dept. About as much more is cut and waiting for suitable weather for removal. The cost to the Town, exclusive of swamping out and haul- ing to the Town Farm, was $46.85.
The Tree Trimming project removed dead limbs, etc., from many of the Town shade trees, at a cost of $39.03.
The Vital Statistics project continued the work of making card indexes of birth, death and marriage rec- ords; this work is now nearly complete, and cost $219.48 in 1936.
The Recreation Project increased the usefulness of our playground and swimming pool, as well as conduct- ing indoor sport activities and supervised play at the schools. Part of the cost was properly met by the regu- lar playground appropriation; a further $21.77 was paid by Town WPA funds. Mention should be made of the generous attitude of the Peirce Trustees toward this work.
The Farm-to-Market projects of the State improved Rocky Gutter Street, Cedar Street, Stone Street, and Rocky Meadow Street. Much of the equipment and other costs normally borne by the Town was paid from State or Federal funds; Town cost $627.12.
The School Records project to make the records of
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the School Department more readily available for refer- ence was also started. Some very worthwhile results have been accomplished at a cost to date of $12.50 of Town WPA funds, and considerable supplies from the School Department.
The Town Sidewalk project used up practically all the Federal funds at present available, completing more than half of the project. Much favorable comment has been made as to the results achieved. This type of work naturally involves greater expense to the Town for materials, etc., than most projects; $3,968.73 out of the Town appropriation of $6,200.00.
The Courthouse Grading project has been started; direct charges to WPA Town funds to date being only $1.80. The Highway Department has co-operated to a considerable extent with gravel, trucks, roller, etc.
The original allotment of Federal money for the Base Ball Field ran out during the summer, and the delay in getting a supplement through prevented completion this year. The scope of this project has been increased to include new dugout pits, first-base bleachers, and other miscellaneous items not in the original project. The rate of progress has often been affected by shortage of Town trucks, and by shortage of stone masons and helpers whom the Fall River office would approve.
The playing field was completed for a late-season start. The balance of the work should not interfere with the coming season's play at all. Final rolling has not been done yet; when this is done we should have an exceptionally fine field.
The Sewing Project has employed from twenty to forty women throughout the year, at a Town WPA cost of $605.21. Thanks are due the Library Trustees for their long forbearance, and to the Peirce Trustees for store space. The unit is now excellently located in the Glidden Building. This project is probably more
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necessary than any other from an employment stand- point, though lacking in permanent value to the Town.
The Commissary project, formerly located in the Town Hall, is now in the old Water Works Building. This is for the distribution of Government food and clothing, etc. The Town has furnished it with quarters and paid the transportation bills on goods, amounting to $191.35.
Beyond these formal items, the Town has been obliged to supply the services of a certifying officer and clerk, first aid supplies, Workmen's Compensation insurance, office supplies, technical supervision, plans, services of co-ordinator, etc. That part of such expenses which could not be charged directly to a funded pro- ject amounted to $1,553.35.
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