USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1926-1927 > Part 11
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We also believe that the best of fire protection is none too good for our Town Forest, and our special aim is to have a good fire belt all around it and through it. Also, the old roads leading through the different parts are be- ing trimmed and made passable for any kind of fire ap- paratus. Your Committee recommend an appropriation of $2,000 for the ensuing year.
Respectfully Submitted,
W. N. SNOW, B. F. RAYMOND.
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REPORT OF FOREST FIRE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- I submit the following report for the year 1926.
All of the fires the past year were in April and May, the largest ones being April 15th, April 28th, May 2nd, and May 22nd. Both months were unusually dry and high winds prevailed most of the time.
There were 28 fires in all, attributed to the following causes :
Incendiary, 6 Camp Fire, 1
Burning Brush, 2 Careless Smokers, 19
One of the fires caused by burning brush, came over from the adjoining Town of Carver and burned over more than 1,000 acres.
There were 1,150 permits granted for fires in the open air, and no trouble resulted in any case.
A new Brockway truck has been purchased and equipped, adding much to the efficiency of the depart- ment.
There was only one arrest for violation of the fire laws, the smallest number for several years.
I recommend that a small appropriation be made each year for the purpose of trimming out old roads that have grown up, making the way no longer accessible for fire apparatus.
At the annual Town Meeting in March, $3,500 was appropriated for this department. At a special Town Meeting November 13th, $1,800 was appropriated, mak- ing a total appropriation of $5,300. The total expendi- tures have been $5,258.60, leaving a balance of $41.40.
I recommend an appropriation of $4,000 for 1927.
IRA C. WARD, Forest Fire Warden.
1
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REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 3, 1927.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen : I herewith submit my report for the Building Inspection Department for the year of 1926 commencing June 15 and ending December 31st. No. of
Permits
Estimated Costs
33 New dwellings,
$173,700
21 Alterations and additions,
26,000
22
Garages, 37,500
13 Other buildings, 50,700
89 $288,400
I wish to thank the applicants for their hearty co-oper- ation and support in helping to put our Building Laws into effect.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. BODELL,
Inspector.
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GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the following report is respectfully submitted :
Appropriation, $5,000 00
Payments,
Salaries and Wages-
Superintendent,
$1,208 25
Labor, 2,318 90
$3,527 15
Other Expenses-
Insecticides,
$81 96
Hardware and Tools,
22 40
Trucking,
550 75
Auto and Sprayer Expense,
775 03
Telephone,
42 48
1,472 62
4,999 77
Balance to Excess and Deficiency,
$0 23
During the past year, there were a few Brown Tail Moths, but less than in previous years.
The manner of conducting operations against the Gypsy Moth has not differed materially from that of former years. The con- ditions as a whole have not changed very much since last year. The cemeteries and parks, which cover quite an acreage, are in fine shape, and must be kept so. All roads in Plymouth were sprayed and kept green, which was appreciated by every one.
I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $5,000.00 for labor and supplies for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND, Moth Superintendent.
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TREE WARDEN ACCOUNT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the following report is respectruny submitted : Appropriation, $2,500 00
Payments,
Salaries and Wages-
Superintendent ( Tree
warden), .
$543 75
Labor,
1,223 20
$1,766 95
Other Expenses-
Insecticides,
$444 12
Hardware and Tools,
70 38
Hose,
66 15
Trucking,
60 00
All Other,
92 14
732 79
2,499 74
Balance to Excess and Deficiency, $0 26
During the past year there has been more or less trimming done on various streets of the Town; several of the old trees cut back, with the hope of growing new tops. Some spraying done for Elm Leaf Beetle and other pests. A few trees, which were knocked down by automobiles or died from other causes, were replaced by trees which came from our own nursery.
All trees that have been planted within twenty years are doing well, but some of the older ones I plan on feeding this year, hoping to "Spruce them up" a little. We have to lose a few trees every year, but for every one we lose, we are planting five.
I respectfully recommend an appropriation of $2,500.00 for labor and supplies for the ensuing year.
A. A. RAYMOND,
Tree Warden.
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1926
OAK GROVE AND VINE HILLS CEMETERIES
Appropriation, March 27th, 1926, $10,000 00
Appropriation, Nov. 13th, 1926, 800 00
Income from Funds (for care and general use), 1,637 91
$12,437 91
Expenditures
Superintendent's Salary,
$1,530 00
Labor,
7,183 91
Teams,
410 74
Loam and Fertilizer,
999 35
Trees, Shrubs, Grass Seed, etc.,
264 50
Fencing,
266 50
Tools and Repairs,
208 06
Clerical Assistance,
378 79
Telephone,
20 93
All other,
708 00
11,970 78
Unexpended,
$467 13
Receipts
Sale of Lots,
$1,635 75
Care of Lots,
1,569 43
Miscellaneous (including Graves and Foun-
dations),
3,469 26
$6,674 44
We recommend an appropriation of Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($11,500.00) for general care.
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Oak Grove and Vine Hills Fencing
Special appropriation,
$3,500 00
Expended, 3,500 00
There is a tract of vacant land adjoining the easterly side of Vine Hills Cemetery, containing about 190,000 square feet, and which can now be purchased.
Your Commissioners think it desirable for the Town to purchase this land for the future needs of the Ceme- tery, and recommend an appropriation of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) for this purpose.
BURIAL HILL CEMETERY
Appropriation,
$2,000 00
Income from Funds,
120 91
$2,120 91
Expenditures
Superintendent,
$238 00
Labor,
1,008 00
Teams,
32 75
Tools,
72 55
Loam and Fertilizer,
16 00
Fencing,
662 00
All other,
61 30
$2,090 60
Unexpended,
$30 31
Receipts
Care of Lots,
$45 00
Miscellaneous,
43 54
$88 54
We recommend an appropriation of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for the year 1927. Burial Hill Fencing
Special Appropriation, $1,000 00
Unexpended, $1,000 00
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CHILTONVILLE, MANOMET, CEDARVILLE AND SOUTH POND CEMETERIES
Appropriation,
Income from Funds,
59 00
$359 00
Expenditures
Labor and Teams,
238 67
Unexpended,
$120 33
Receipts
Manomet, Sale of Lots,
$20 80
Chiltonville, Sale of Lots,
31 20
Cedarville, Sale of Lots,
00 00
$52 00
We recommend an appropriation of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for the year 1927.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION FOR ADDITION TO MANOMET CEMETERY
Unexpended, January 1, 1926,
$43 10
Labor,
40 00
Unexpended, $3 10
Sixteen new Funds have been established the past year, amounting to $2,400.00, all of which can be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE M. SAUNDERS, ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, RICHARD T. ELDRIDGE, Board of Cemetery Commissioners.
$300 00
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following reports of the Librarian and the Presi- dent for the year ending Dec. 31, 1926 are respectfully submitted to the tax payers of the Town :
It seems hardly necessary for the President to make an additional report after the very detailed report of the Librarian, but I feel that I should endorse many of her recommendations and express our appreciation of the faithful and efficient service rendered by the working force at the Library.
There have been many things to contend with during the past year, among them, changes in the Library force, and painting and redecorating the walls, which natur- ally interfered with the routine work, but it seemed ad- visable that these matters should be attended to and we feel that the appearance and comfort of the Library has been much improved. The old system of lighting was ob- solete and we thought it advisable to install a new sys- tem, which possibly will cost a little more for mainten- ance, but is certainly very satisfactory and very pleasing to those who make frequent use of the Library.
During the past year we met with a sad loss through the death of a devoted friend, the late Miss Appleton, who for many years had served the Library most faithfully as one of its officers. Her interest was such that at the time of her death she left $10,000 for the benefit of the Library with the suggestion that it be used towards a children's department. She realized as well as the other officers the necessity of this department, and it is hoped that the time is not far distant when the Directors can see their way clear to make such changes as in their opinion is necessary, to better serve both the children and the adults. This can only be done through an addition to
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the Library, whereby the children's department will be separate from the reading room.
You will see by the Librarian's report that the circula- tion has an increase for the present year of more than 21,000 over that of 1924 and a part of this increase was in Italian, Yiddish, Polish, German, Greek, and French books. This branch is also growing and should be given attention.
The use of the Library by the Public Schools is also on the increase and calls for additional room and fa- cilities.
Every one knows the value of the Plymouth Public Li- brary to the Town, and we must necessarily meet its needs in order to maintain the present high standing. With the amount of work increasing, which is necessary on account of the increase in attendance and circulation, it naturally calls for larger expenditures, the Town has always been very generous in its appropriations, when- ever the Library has asked for an increase it has always been granted.
As the financial year does not end until March 31st, I am unable to state the exact expenditures during the past year, but I feel sure that it will be necessary to ask the Town to appropriate a larger sum than for the year 1926.
We know that our Library is maintained with effici- ency as to service, at a less expense than many other towns comparable with ours, but its means are inadequate to meet the increasing demand for books of reference and general reading. In view of this fact I feel sure the Town will prove its appreciation of the Library by such an increase as the Directors feel is necessary.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
EDWARD L. BURGESS, President.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR YEAR 1926
To the Directors of the Plymouth Public Library :
In submitting this, the second annual report since the present librarian came to the Plymouth Public Library, for one year as acting-librarian, and for the past year and three months as librarian, it is with much satisfac- tion that she is able to report a steadily increasing use of the Library, and further widening of its activities. In this, the fiftieth anniversary year of the founding of the American Library Association, it is encouraging to know that our Library, together with all other public libraries in the United States, is extending its usefulness each year to a larger group of people, who are appreciating and realizing to a far greater degree, the benefits to be ob- tained from a constant use of their public library
Our public library, like all others, is limited in devel- oping its usefulness because of insufficient funds and lack of space. With the growing use of the Library, both by the children and adults, our small quarters have become completely inadequate to cope with the demands made upon them. The proximity of the children and adults is deplorable and unbearable, and unfair to both. It is earnestly to be hoped that this uncomfortable situation may be remedied in some way in the near future. Through the generosity of the Library's devoted friend, the late Miss Anne P. Appleton, the Library has received $10,000, which she hoped would be used towards a chil- dren's department. This good beginning inspires the hope that other public spirited men and women who wish to do some permanent good with their money, may feel inclined to assist an institution which is of lasting benefit to all, rich and poor, young and old alike.
Another difficult situation of the past year was an en- tire change in the staff, which meant the training and ac- climating of three new assistants, a task so formidable that the unitiated cannot begin to realize the difficulty of
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it. Miss Bamford, the assistant librarian, resigned in March, to be married; Miss Haigh, the Children's Libra- rian, resigned in September in order to take a course in children's work in Western Reserve University ; and Miss Bruce resigned in September in order to accept a better position in the Natick Public Library. It is a great handicap to go through the process of training assistants and then to have them leave because they can get more money elsewhere. Our Library should be just as well able to pay for competent help as are the other Libraries in the state.
Just after all these changes in the staff occurred, the Library suffered a great loss in the sudden death of Miss Anne P. Appleton, who for twenty-one years had been a most sincere and steadfast friend to the Library. Hard- ly a day went by without the Library benefiting in some way from her valuable advice and generosity. All who were ever associated with her in any way, know that it is impossible to express the appreciation that is felt for her years of untiring effort toward helping the Library to become a more efficient and more serviceable institu- tion. And as though her personal service during all those years were not enough, she bequeathed to the Li- brary the sum of $10,000, which, as has been mentioned above, she hoped would be used toward a separate chil- dren's department. Only immense gratitude can be felt for such an expression of friendship toward the town at large.
Still another disturbing occurrence was the closing of the Library for one week in November, while the walls were being re-decorated and the white paint being done over. After this work was finished the electric lighting system, about which there had been a great deal of com- plaint, was enlarged and improved, much to the comfort and satisfaction of the staff and Library patrons.
However, in spite of all these setbacks and interrup- tions, the daily routine of the Library was carried on,
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and December 31, 1926, finished the most successful and serviceable year in the history of the Library.
It would most assuredly seem, after having considered the detailed record of the year's work, which follows, that the townspeople appreciate and need their Library, and it is to be hoped that the Town will agree to render such aid as is necessary for the Library's future growth and usefulness.
The circulation of the past year was 76,309 - once more the largest in the history of the Library, a gain of 9,228 over that of 1925, and of 21,366 over that of 1924.
The total attendance of 42,737 again exceeded that of any previous year, and was 3,280 in excess of that of 1925. The juvenile attendance was 19,180, about 1500 more than that of last year, while the adult for reading and reference alone, amounted to 23,577, a gain of 1,826. Of course, these figures are approximate, and without doubt below the actual attendance, because often times the Library is crowded, and the staff so busy, that it is impossible to secure an absolutely accurate record.
The total circulation of 76,309 consists of 51,653 adult books, 24,656 juvenile, 2294 of which were circulated by the School deposits, and of 696 prints. Of this adult cir- culation, 1509 were current periodicals ; 245 were Italian, Yiddish, Polish, German, Greek and French books. 17,250 of the total circulation was non-fiction.
Through the Inter-Library Loan, many volumes of non-fiction were borrowed from the Boston Public and Boston Medical Libraries, the Brockton Public Library and the Division of Public Libraries at the State House. Whenever an important work of non-fiction is desired and is not to be had in our Library, the Librarian is only too glad to make every effort to secure it from some one of the Inter-Library Loan exchanges. Deposits in Yiddish, German, Polish and Italian are borrowed regu- larly from the Division of Public Libraries, and ex- changed when they have been read through.
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Beginning with the first Wednesday in January, 1926, and continuing for 10 weeks, every English class in the Junior High School, visited the Library for one period and were given instruction in the use of the Library, by the Librarian and her staff. After a short talk by the Librarian, on the general purposes and arrangement of a public library, they were taught how to use the catalogue, how to find the books on the shelves, and how to use the reference books. There have already been results which indicate that these pupils have a clearer understanding of library system and have learned how to do many things for themselves. During the week of January 11th, the Librarian visited the evening sessions at the Knapp and Cornish Schools and spoke to the Americanization classes about the use of the Library, and tried to explain how much help they could get from the Library by mak- ing good use of it.
Once more a most profitable year of work with the schools can be reported. Instead of 2,702 reference ques- tions, 3,452 were recorded at the Desk, and the large ma- jority of these questions came from the school children who were in search of material needed in the completion of their daily lessons. With the modern project method of teaching in vogue, much more initiative is expected of the pupil, and most of his lesson assignments call for infor- mation which he has to find at the Library. This means that the Library staff is constantly working with the school children, and that the Library is the extension of the classroom. The chief function of the Library is its educational activity and it should be recognized and sup- ported as an absolutely necessary educational institution.
The State Certificate reading for 1926 was the largest that has ever been done since the Library has been in- terested in this work. In June, 1926, Miss E. Louise Jones from Division of Public Libraries, in the State House, Boston, Mass., presented 112 Honor Certificates to the pupils in the Burton, Knapp and Hedge Schools.
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Before the certificates were presented, the pupils of the Burton School read original essays about some of the books which they had liked best, and in the Knapp School a book pageant called "Friends of Bookland" was pre- sented, while in the Hedge School, a "Pantomime" based on six favorite books was given. No one could come away from such exercises without the feeling that all children are happier and better for having read good books, and that the characters which the boys and girls had learned to love could not fail to build for each one's memory a richer heritage.
In order to obtain an Honor Certificate a pupil must read 20 books (5 of which must be non-fiction) selected from the State Certificate Reading List, and 112 Honor Certificates testify that 2,240 books were read for this purpose alone. 534 pupils read five books each toward an Honor Certificate (2,670 books) thus making a total of 4,910 books read as a result of the interest aroused by the State Certificate Reading-List and the Honor Certificate. Again there has been a greater demand than ever for library book deposits in the schools, over 700 books hav- ing been issued to the various primary rooms, many teachers asking for them in addition to the school books as well as for the Certificate Reading. Naturally this necessitates the buying of many juvenile books, but they are used as part of the educational programme and should be supplied.
The children's story hour is a source of much pleasure, and the attendance grows each year, 340 children hav- ing been in attendance during 1926. Miss Haigh, Mrs. Thomas M. Perkins, Jr., Miss Belonga and Miss Bab- cock, the new Children's Librarian, told stories during 1926. A much larger attendance would doubtless have been recorded, were it not for the many changes in the staff and other unexpected obstacles which prevented the holding of the story hours as regularly as has been the custom.
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During the week of November 11th, "Children's Book Week," a most attractive exhibit of the new juvenile books was held, which aroused much interest in both children and adults. Nearly every book in the exhibit had a request placed on it, while many of the parents found suggestions for their Christmas books. On Saturday of that week, Mrs. Thomas M. Perkins, Jr., told stories to the children, 105 of whom were in attendance.
In 1926, 967 borrowers registered at the Library. Of these 514 were new names, 181 juvenile and 333 were adults; 128 were temporary residents, 84 of whom were new. Every season sees an increased use of the Library by the summer residents, many of whom were gracious enough to say that the Library was one of their chief enjoyments in Plymouth. Re-registration now takes place automatically when each card reaches its expiration date at the end of three years. This method keeps our files clear of obsolete data as we go along and saves much time and space. Children may have a card at the Library as soon as they are able to write their names in ink. Strangers spending a short time in Plymouth, may obtain a card by depositing $3.00, all of which is returned to them when the card is cancelled ; 22 visitors availed them- selves of this privilege during the year.
1006 new books have been added to the Library, of these 171 were gifts, and 339 were replacements and duplicate copies of standard works. 339 books were discarded, and there are now approrimately 18,667 books in the Library.
No public library is performing its whole duty which confines all its work within the four walls of its building ; to reach all of the people whom it should serve, it is necessary to bring the library to the people, when they live too far away to come themselves. Besides the depos- its in the school rooms a branch library has been estab- lished at Long Pond, and since August, when the first lot
Plymouth Sixteen
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of 60 books was sent down there, 175 books have been circulated among the villagers, many of whom had never had a chance to read library books before. There are now about 200 books, both juvenile and adult on deposit there, and from all accounts this experiment is proving to be a most successful one. When one lot of books has been read it is returned to the Library, and another lot selected and sent out. Mrs. W. E. Randall is generous enough to act as librarian, and the books are deposited in her home. Duplicate copies of desirable books are given to the Manomet Public Library, and periodicals which are brought into the Library for distribution are sent to the Jordan Hospital, County Farm, Boys' Club, and to the open-air hospital at South Hanson. Several deposits of books were sent to the various Boy and Girl Scout Camps during last July and August.
It is interesting to note here that the Library's total circulation of 76,309 is for the Plymouth Public Library alone. The Manomet Public Library circulated 2,388 books and 26,959 were circulated by the Loring Reading Room, thus giving a total circulation of 105,656 for the whole of the town of Plymouth. That our people desire and use books needs no further proof, and if a commun- ity is judged by the amount of reading done in it, Plym- outh should stand well up in the top of the list. If the libraries can only supply the material, the public will put it to good use.
Miss Elizabeth Sampson, P. H. S. 1926, joined the staff as a full time worker in July ; Miss Agnes Babcock, Mount Holyoke 1924, was appointed Children's Librarian in October; and Miss Dorothy Libby, Bradford Academy 1926, was appointed junior assistant.
The Library is most grateful for a bequest of $500 from the late Miss Ellen Watson, to Mr. Fritz Bittinger for space in the Old Colony Memorial for many library articles, and to the following donors for many library gifts of books, periodicals, pictures, etc. ;
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Plymouth Book Club, Reverend Alfred R. Hussey, Mrs. Alfred R. Hussey, Miss Anne P. Appleton, Mrs. Malcolm Forbes, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Smithsonian In- stitution, University of Pennsylvania, Japan Society, Mrs. William Townsend, Mr. Fritz Bittinger, Mrs. Emma Caldwell, American Tree Association, Methodist Book Concern, Miss Elizabeth Mackenzie, Mrs. James Collins, Plymouth High School Class of 1926, Miss E. P. Crehore, Mrs. Alice Goddard, Macmillan Publishing Company, Mr. W. S. Kyle, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Miss Mar- garet Kyle, U. S. Bureau of Education, Mrs. E. R. Belcher, Mrs. Herbert C. Wright, Penn Mutual Life In- surance Company, Mr. Alonzo Wyburn, Miss Elizabeth Perkins, Mrs. Thomas Lumb, Mrs. Robert Garside, Mr. Alexander Besse, Mrs. William Hedge, Mrs. Elizabeth Torbert, Mrs. Jennie Chase, Miss Lucretia Watson, and Mrs. Viola H. Campbell.
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