USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1926-1927 > Part 25
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I hope the town will not reduce your appropriation next year on the basis of the success of this year, until. you are able to get the road brushing done.
Sincerely yours, (Signed) HARRIS A. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.
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SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- In compliance with the General Laws, Mass., Chapter 98, Sec. 34, I herewith submit a report for the year 1927 as Sealer of Weights and Measures. Period from January Jst to December 31st, 1927.
OFFICE STANDARDS
Balance-1. Yard Measure-1. Meter-1. Kilogram-1.
Avoirdupois Weights.
50 lbs .- 1, 25-1, 20-1, 10-1, 5-1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1, 8 oz .- 1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1.
Capacity Measures. 1/2 bu .- 1, 1/4 -- 1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1, 1/32-1, 1 gal .- 1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1, 1/32-1, 1/64-1.
Standards Other Than Those Furnished by the Commonwealth
Apothecary Weights.
4 drms .- 1, 2-1, 1-1, 1/2-1, 2 Scruples-1, 10 grains-1, 5-1, 2-1, 1-1, 0.5-1, 0.2-1, 0.1-1.
Metric.
500 grms-1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-2, 1-1, 500 mlgms .- 1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-1, 1-1.
Troy. 1 lb .- 1, 6 oz .- 1, 2-2, 1-1.
Cylindrical Glass Graduates.
32 oz., 16-1, 8-1, 4-1, 2-1, 1-1, 35 cu. in .- 1, 10-1, 3.1.
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SEALER'S WORKING EQUIPMENT Test Balance-1. Test Balance for Apothecary Weights-1. Avoirdupois Weights. 50 lbs .- 21, 25-2, 20-1, 10-2, 5-2, 2-4, 1-3, 8 oz .- 2, 4-2, 2-2, 1-2, 1/2-2, 1/4-1, 1/8-2, 1/16-2, 1/32-1.
Metric.
500 grms-1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-2, 1-1, 500 mlgms-1, 200-1, 100-2, 50-1, 20-1, 10-2, 5-1, 2-1, 1-1.
Apothecary.
12 oz .- 1, 6-1, 2-2, 1-1, 4 drms-1, 2-1, 1-1, 2 scruples-1, 1-1, 10 grns-1, 5-1, 2-1, 1-2, 0.5-1, 0.2-2, 0.1-1.
Capacity Measures.
1 gal .- 1, 1/2-1, 1/4-1, 1 pt .- 1, 1/2-1, 1 gill-1, 1/4 bu .- 1, 1/8-1, 1/16-1.
Testing Measures for Gasoline Pumps. 5 gal .- 1, 4-2, 3-1, 2-2, 1-2.
Standard Measuring Flasks. Metric Units. 500 mils .- 1, 250-1, 100-1, 50-1, 25-1. Pippettes.
6 liq. drms. graduated in minims-1.
10 milliliters graduated in 1/10ths-1.
30 minims graduated in 1 min .- 1.
1 inside caliper.
Tools, Record Books, etc.
Yard measure-1, steel tape-1, steel dies-6, lead press-1, lead seals-40, aluminum seals 450, liquid clamp-1, paper seals, green-50, non-seal labels-20, rubber seals-2, con- demning tags-35, drills-6, punches-4, adjusting lead-15,
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level-1, slicker plates-1, receipt books-6, sealing record book-1, Commodity reweighing book-2, coal reweighing book-1, reweighing pads-8, inspection pads-0, ice weigh- ing kit-1, chain-1, hooks-6, point remover-1, dry measure guage-1, 14 inch stillson-1, 6 inch stillson-1, hammers-3. One Ford, ton truck, M-1926, with covered body.
Office Equipment
All steel desk-1, fire proof files, (3 compartment) -2, Remington Standard No. 10. typewriter-1, safe-1, chairs-2.
Summary of Expenditures
Appropriations for 1927,
$2,700 00
Salary,
$1,162 50
Labor,
644 00
Equipment,
109 47
Printing and advertising,
53 50
Postage and stationery,
66 67
Telephone,
42 13
Auto expense,
528 55
Painting office,
75 00
$2,681 82
Balance,
$18 18
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Work Performed by Department of Weights and Measures for Which Fees are Collected January 1 to December 31, 1927
Device
Scales
Platform over 5,000 1bs.
$1.00
25
14
21
1 Not Sealed
NCondemned
$21.00
Platform 100 to 5,000 lbs.
.50
238
141
193
30
15
95.50
Counter under 100 lbs.,
.10
142
20
91
49
2
9.10
Beam 100 lbs. or over,
.50
20
7
15
5
7.50
Beam under 100 lbs.,
.10
30
5
26
3
1
2.60
Spring 100 lbs. or over,
.50
40
1
34
6
17.00
Spring under 100 lbs.,
.10
173
63
128
9
36
12.80
Computing 100 lbs. or over,
.50
7
4
6
1
3.00
Computing under 100 lbs.,
.10
119
54
112
4
3
11.20
Personal Weighing,
.50
12
2
10
2
5.00
Prescription,
.10
7
1
7
.70
Jewelers',
.10
1
1
.10
Weights
Avoirdupois,
.03
1500
12 1477
23
44.31
Apothecary,
.03
117
105
12
3.15
Metric,
.03
16
16
.48
Troy,
.03
14
14
.42
Capacity Measures
Liquid,
.03
881
862
19
25.86
Ice Cream Cans,
.03
27
27
.81
Glass Graduates,
.03
4
4
.12
Dry,
.03
12
12
.36
Fuel Baskets,
.03
74
72
2
2.16
Auto Meas. Devices
164
7 140
3
21
Kerosene Pumps,
44
41
3
Oil Measuring Pumps,
129
11
93
35
1
..
Quan. Meas. on Pumps (ea.)
.10 1098
374 1098
109.80
Molasses Meas. Devices, Linear Measures
.10
8
2
6
.20
Yard Sticks,
.03
102
101
1 3.03
Tapes,
.03
2
1
1 .03
Cloth Measuring Devices,
.03
2
2
.06
Adjusting Charges,
61.25
Miscellaneous Veh. Tanks,
23
23
39.00
Total,
Unpaid Fees, $1.26.
Legal Fees
Tested
Adjusted
Sealed
Sealing Fees
5031 716 4734 146 151 $477.54
.
Gasoline Pumps,
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Summary of Inspections Made
Clinical Thermometers, 47 Paper or fibre cartons, 114
Coal certificates, 13 Milk jars,
67
Ice scales, 35 Pedlers licenses, 81
Junk scales, 2 Pedlers scales, 36
Marking of bread, 116
Transient vendors, 20
Marking of food pkgs., 338
Wholesale milk cans, 56
Metal ice cream con-
Cranbery boxes, 63,569
tainers, 277
Cranbery bbls., 272
Summary of Tests Made
Berry baskets,
30 Mass. standard boxes, 13
Climax baskets,
3 U. S. Standard barrels, 15
Gas devices, other than
Reweighings and meas-
sealing, 247
urements (made for municipalities), 11
Cartons, (approved as measured), 41
Cranberry boxes, 406
Ice cream cartons, 140
Oil jars, 558
Manufacturers' sealed
Glass graduates, 40
milk jars, 283
Trial Weighings and Measurements of Commodities Sold or Put Up for Sale
Item
Total Number No. Tested Correct
Incorrect
Bread,
302
25
Under 116
161
Butter,
54
10
1
43
Coal,
45
5
24
16
Coke,
36
36
Flour,
6
2
4
Fruits and Vegetables,
99
6
26
67
Liquid Commodity,
507
449
4
54
Meats and Provisions,
155
22
1
132
Wood,
14
8
2
4
Miscellaneous,
960
781
68
111
Total,
2,178
1,308
242
628
- -
-
Over
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Record of Court Cases
Result
Fine
Defendants 2
Plymouth Short Weight Plymouth
8/26/27 10/14/27
Nolo
10.00
Address Offence
Date
Guilty
$100.00
Short Weight
1
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN, Sealer.
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REPORT OF MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
In compliance with the Gen. Laws, Mass., Chapter 94, Sec. 296, I herewith submit a report for the year 1927 as Measurer of Wood and Bark.
CORD WOOD
Date
Kind
Length
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
June 20
Oak
Stove
1
. .
1
· ·
Oct. 5
Oak
Stove
1
. .
. .
1
Nov. 11
Oak
Stove
3
2
1
. .
Dec. 1
Oak
Stove
7
5
. .
2
Total,
13
7
2
4
KINDLING
Nov. 11
Pine
Stove
7
. .
. .
7
Dec. 1
Pine
Stove
3
. .
. .
3
Dec. 27
Pine
Stove
19
2
. .
17
Total,
29
2
· ·
27
CONVEYANCES MEASURED
Apr. 21
1 truck
July 7
1 truck
Dec. 1
1 truck
1 team
4 baskets
Dec. 27
4 trucks
1 team
46 baskets
-
Total,
7
2
50
1
Oct. 10
Oak
Stove
1
. .
. .
-
-
-
-
-
DANIEL J. SULLIVAN.
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REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
Feb. 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
I herewith submit to you my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1927.
No. Kind Estimated Cost
65 New dwellings
$363,600
58 Alterations
122,775
87
Garages
53,070
19
Other buildings
129,840
229
$669,285
I take this opportunity to state, that since I have been in office, I have had little difficulty in enforcing our Building Regulations, and wish to thank the people of Plymouth, for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. BODELL,
Building Inspector.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Plymouth, Mass .:
Gentlemen: We, the Park Commission of the Town of Plymouth, hereby submit our report for the past year.
BEACH PARK
Despite the rainy week-ends during the summer of 1927, Beach Park proved as popular as ever. This is shown by the fact that 4,200 rooms, 807 suits, and 2,147 towels were rented during the summer. The private bath houses rented for $125.00 for the season.
To correct the impression that the money which is taken in at the bathing-houses goes to the caretaker, we wish to state that all money for rooms, suits, and towels, and private houses, is kept strict account of and that the entire amount is turned in to the Town Treasurer, weekly. The average amount for the past three years has been over one thousand ($1,000.00) each year.
Lack of parking space is the one great trouble with this excellent bathing site but we expect to correct this, in a small way, by filling in behind the lobster shacks.
The pavilion is always crowded and proves more popu- lar each season.
STEPHENS FIELD
The driveways at Sandwich Street have been com- pleted.
The bath-house, completed early in the summer, was enjoyed enormously and was of great benefit to the people in the southern part of the town. The bath-house did not make money its first season but we are confident that within a season or two it will take in money enough to pay for itself.
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The filling in of this field is nearing completion and the Park Commission feels that it should publicly thank Mr. Edward K. Morse, of the Health Department, for the courtesy and cooperation which he has shown to the Park Department.
It is one of our great wishes to be able to build a side- walk into the field from the Fremont Street entrance. The department also has plans for a small pond, sur- rounded by trees and shrubbery. As the field is extreme- ly bare looking and has no shade at all, it is terribly in need of just such a cool and shady spot as this pond will be.
BREWSTER GARDEN
The south side of Town Brook is now completed. The setting out of some shrubbery and the erection of a fence has added greatly to the beauty of the Garden. It has been estimated that approximately ten thousand people visited Brewster Garden in the past year.
SOUTH STREET PLAYGROUNDS
This playground is still a very popular spot for the youngsters in its locality.
BURTON PARK
This park received the usual care which is given to it.
BATES PARK
This park badly needs attention on the Allerton Street side and we have made plans to improve it this spring.
NELSON STREET PLAYGROUND
This bath-house brings in very little money compared to the other bath-houses. This is due to the fact that it is used mostly by local people who generally bring their own suits and towels with them. Nevertheless, it is extremely popular and is used constantly by the people. in its locality.
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MUNICIPAL CAMP SITE
This camp site is free of charge to campers who do not stay over three days. The Park Commission has been criticized quite frequently for making no charge. The Commission wishes to state that through pamphlets sent to every state in the Union and Canada, by the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, this site has been advertised as a free camp and the Commission does not feel that it should erect a ticket office at the gate, under the circum- stances.
We also have every reason to believe that the campers spend considerable money. From the letters which the Commission receives commenting favorably upon the camp and the treatment received while in Plymouth, the department feels that its policy is good advertising for the town.
Plans have been made to fill in the southerly end of the site this spring in order to properly take care of all the campers who wish to come to Plymouth.
DEPOT PARK
The shrubbery which has been set out at the end of the park nearest the station has made a decided improve- ment in its appearance.
VETERAN'S FIELD
A bronze tablet was erected at this field in honor of those men who lost their lives in the World War. A large gathering witnessed the unveiling and dedication, the ceremony being given under the auspices of the American Legion and Auxiliary.
The department hopes in time to be able to make this playground a place that the veterans may be proud of, as well as a safe place for the hundreds of children, who enjoy its advantages daily, to play.
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MORTON PARK
During the season of 1927 this bath-house proved more popular than ever. Our figures show that 1,054 rooms, 249 suits, and 346 towels were rented. The diving board, which was secured through the coopera- tion of Mr. Paul Bittinger, drew many people to the pond and was in use constantly.
Near the end of the season a most attractive water pageant was held, which was attended by about two thousand people.
The fact that the pond seems to be extremely. popu- lar in the evening causes us to ask that electric lights be installed.
LOOMIS R. GRANT, MYRON L. SMITH, HENRY T. GEARY,
Park Commissioners.
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following reports of the librarian and the presi- dent for the year ending Dec. 31, 1927, are respectfully submitted to the tax payers of the town:
It is hardly necessary for the president to make an additional report after the detailed one of the librarian, but I feel that I should endorse some of the recommenda- tions and express our appreciation of the efficient ser- vice rendered by the working force of the library during the past year.
You will see by the librarian's report that we have made quite an increase in the circulation and, as stated in the report last year, the library was sadly in need of additional space. We have arranged to make use of. a part of the basement for the children's department. As the bequest of $10,000 of the late Miss Appleton was left with the suggestion that it be used for the children's department, we have taken $5,000 of said amount for that purpose.
The directors secured the services of Mr. S. W. Mead, architect, of Boston, to make a plan of the basement which was being used for storage purposes only and show how it could be arranged. After securing plans and spe- cifications, bids were received from various contractors both in Plymouth and out of town, and the contract was finally awarded to Walter E. MacEachern of Arlington, Mass., for the sum of $5,000. His work has been com- pleted as per the specifications and accepted by the archi- tect.
The furnishings for this department have already been ordered and part of the same have been received. The balance is expected in a very short time and we are in hopes to have this department in operation about March 1st.
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The directors feel that this change is very satisfactory and will relieve the congestion and lessen the confusion very much as the children below fourteen years of age will use the basement room from an entrance on the out- side, consequently will not have to pass through the main library at all. This change will necessitate some addi- tional expense and will require additional time on the part of the present library force.
The library, as you will see by the librarian's report, is doing excellent work and your directors feel it is main- tained with efficiency as to the service rendered and that the expense of the same is less than in some other towns of practically the same size.
On account of the additional expense caused by the children's department, it will be necessary to ask the town for a larger appropriation than heretofore. We also feel that we should make a slight increase in the sal- aries. As the library grows the expense will also in- crease and for some time it will probably be necessary to ask for additional appropriations, and I hope the town will prove its appreciation of the library and the work that it is doing by such an increase in the appropriation as the directors feel is necessary.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
Edward L. Burgess, President.
Tramonet 2580
Plymouth 90, 145 Cordage 31578
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1927
To the Directors of the Plymouth Public Library :
The following annual report of the Library's varied activities during 1927 is hereby respectfully submitted, and once again it gives the librarian much satisfaction to be able to record the past twelve months as the busi- est and most successful year that the Library has yet ex- perienced.
In spite of the handicaps of insufficient funds and lack of space, under which nearly all public libraries function, our public library, together with all others throughout North America and Europe is growing and developing as rapidly as circumstances will allow. If it were un- necessary to practice such strict economy, to weigh each step so carefully, and to deliberate so seriously about every purchase made, there is probably no estimating how much more might be done, and how much larger a public could be reached. It is interesting to note here that the greatly increased use of the Library is not the result of a large, new population, but is the result of the Library's being more appreciated by the majority of the same population, with probably a slight increase, who were here three years ago.
In order to have a successful public library, and one that justifies its existence in the community, it is necessary, first of all, to have an efficient and progressive Board of Trustees, an adequate building and an up-to-date and varied book collection, one that should equal 5 books per capita (the Plymouth Public Library's collection equals only 1 1-3 books per capita). A book collection that can fill the demands of children and adults, of students in
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school and of those who wish to prolong their education through life, of those who wish to read for the pure joy of it. Of equal importance is the library personnel, a li- brarian and assistants who are intelligent, well-educated and well-trained, who are capable of selecting, of pre- paring the books for, and of interpreting them to the public, and of making the public feel that they will meet with real cooperation and assistance when they come to the Library. Still another important phase in the suc- cess of the Library is the elimination of all unnecessary red-tape, and the granting of as many privileges as pos- sible so that the townspeople will feel that the Library belongs to them, for their real use. Another factor in the Library's continued growth is the bringing of the Li- brary, by means of book deposits, to the school rooms, outlying districts (Long Pond, Cedarville, and Ellis- ville), and the Jordan Hospital.
During 1927 the Library has put forth every effort to meet the requirements outlined above, and has fulfilled its purpose as an integral part of the educational and rec- reational centre of the town's life, as well as its available funds will permit. After having considered the detailed record of the year's work which follows, it is to be hoped that the residents of Plymouth will feel that the Library has proved itself to be worthy of continued and increased support, as the demands made upon it multiply and as it grows in usefulness and scope.
The outstanding feature of our 1927 history, is the near completion of the new Children's Room, made pos- sible by Miss Appleton's generous bequest of $10,000.
The need for it is definite proof of our Library's devel- opment and growth, and the prospect of its readiness in the near future is the solution of our most serious prob- lem. A large part of the basement which was used as a store room has been carefully remodelled, two sides of the building have been excavated, large windows have been installed to admit plenty of air and sun and the most
1
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up-to-date and attractive equipment has been ordered. An outside entrance will enable the children (under 14) to reach their own room without going into the main library upstairs.
In all, the room which will be in charge of Miss Agnes D. Babcock, Children's Librarian, should be a most de- sirable addition to the Library in every way. At last the children will have a place all to themselves, where they can select and peruse their books at will, with much less restraint than is necessary under the present conditions.
Beginning with April 1, 1927, the State Accountant decreed that all library bills paid by the Town must be paid from the Town House, and as a result, the large amount of work required to keep the Library's finances in order, now has to be done by the Librarian instead of by Mr. Adams who has so generously done all of it in the past.
It has been of great benefit to the Library that there were no changes of staff during 1927, and the appoint- ment of Mrs. George Stephens, Jr., as a regular part- time worker has given the Library some of the much needed extra help. When it is considered how long it takes an untrained assistant to become an efficient li- brary worker, it is a real tragedy for the Library to lose a promising girl because she can get a little more salary somewhere else. The Library should be in a position to prevent such occurrences.
Another step towards bringing the Library to those who cannot come themselves, was taken on August 1st when the public library service was initiated at the Jor- dan Hospital. This sort of service is now rendered by every progressive public library and is considered a very necessary part of the extension program. A deposit of 50 suitable books, both juvenile and adult was taken to the Hospital and arranged on the efficient little book- wagon which had been made for the purpose. The Li- brarian spends one afternoon a week at the Hospital,
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visiting the rooms and wards with the book-wagon, help- ing the patients to select a book which will be the best one for them at that time. The librarian also makes note of all special requests, and sees to it that they are filled immediately. The pleasure and approval with which this service has been met, by both the management and the patients has been a source of much satisfaction to the Librarian, and a most stimulating encouragement to fur- ther efforts. From August 1st until December 31st, 322 books were circulated among the patients.
The branch library which was started at Long Pond, in August 1926, is now an established fact and the books are a source of great enjoyment to the villagers. The deposits are exchanged about three times a year, and Mrs. Randall is still the generous and interested libra- rian. During 1927, 430 books were circulated in Long Pond Village. Plans have already been made for a small branch library to be kept in the house of Mrs. Ernest C. Ellis, at Ellisville, so that the inhabitants of that village may have access to books during the winter months. Books for the Cedarville children are available at the Cedarville School House. The Manomet Public Library furnishes books for the adults in Cedarville.
The circulation of the past year was 90,149, still again the largest in the history of the Library, a gain of 13,840 over that of 1926, and of 35,206 over that of 1924.
The total attendance of 53,075 again exceeded that of any previous year, giving us a gain of 10,338 for 1927. The juvenile attendance of 25,658, almost half of the total, and 6,478 in excess of that of 1926, is convincing proof of the demands made on the Library by the chil- dren, and of how difficult it has been to carry on our work in so limited an area. Neither is there any doubt but that these figures are below the actual attendance, because in the rush hours it is impossible for an assist- ant to keep an absolutely accurate record, the congestion is so great.
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The total circulation consists of 60,251 adult books, 29,146 juvenile, 6,598 of which were circulated by the School deposits, and of 1,355 prints. Of this adult cir- culation 1,420 were current periodicals ; 274 were Italian, French, German, Russian, Portuguese, Yiddish, Span- ish, and Polish books. The total non-fiction circulation was 18,105.
104 books were borrowed through the Inter-Library Loan system, books which are either too expensive or of too limited appeal for the Library to buy. The resources of the departmental libraries in Washington, the State House Library, the Division of Public Libraries at the State House, the Boston Public Library and that of Brockton, as well as the Medical, Congregational and New England Historical Society libraries are all avail- able; if they own the desired book, it may be procured for the asking. Deposits in Italian, German, and Yid- dish are borrowed regularly from the Division of Public Libraries, and exchanged when they have been read through.
Another most profitable year of work with the schools has been one of the outstanding phases of our library growth. Arrangements were made during the summer for the instruction of the Junior High School pupils in the use of the Library, but because of many extra duties in the Junior High curriculum, these lessons had to be postponed until the first week of January, 1928. In 1927, 7,661 reference questions were recorded at the Desk, more than twice the 3,452 which were listed in 1926. When it is realized that the majority of these questions are the result of class assignments in home-work, the value of the Library to every school pupil can hardly be overestimated. The library of today is an integral part of the educational system, and should be recognized and supported as such. It is impossible to supply the just demands made upon it by the teachers and pupils, with-
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out the necessary funds with which to employ adequate assistance and to buy the necessary books.
Each year brings increasing demands from the teach- ers for deposits of library books, until in 1927, every room below the Junior High School had its deposit of books. These books are exchanged for a new lot as soon as the first one has been read through. The school cir- culation increased from 2,294 in 1926 to 6,598 in 1927, 674 books were issued to the schools last year.
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