USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1930-1931 > Part 26
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The stately lindens in front of the library building have had nothing done for their preservation for several years now and they are badly in need of attention if they are to to continue to lend the impressive beauty and dig- nity of their presence to our library. With such expert attention as is now avilable it seems likely that they might be preserved at least for the next quarter of a century.
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Financially even with a somewhat curtailed appro- priation the library has been able to meet all its obliga- tions and will in all probability be able to close its fiscal year without encroaching upon its invested funds. This happy result has been obtained only by careful manage- ment and economy of administration. No increase in the appropriation from the town will be necessary for the coming year.
For the Directors,
J. HOLBROOK SHAW,
Jan. 6, 1932
President.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Directors of the Plymouth Public Library :
The annual report of the Library is herewith pre- sented.
Circulation
From a library achievement point of view, circulation gains and reading room attendance the past year indi- cate a larger use of library service by the adult reader. Industrial depression has influenced the increased activ- ities somewhat, but not as largely as in many communi- ties where a larger percentage of population is unem- ployed. It would therefore seem more accurate to say that the increase has met the demand of a general, rather than a specific group of people.
1930
1931
Gain
Loss
Main Library Cir-
-culation (adult and
juvenile)
113,602
120,771
7,169
School Deposit Gireu- lation
9,676
10,905
1,229
Long Pond Deposit
724
1,068
344
Ellisville Deposit (dis-
continued Nov. 1930)
250
250
Jordan Hospital Deposit 360
491
131
Total Circulation 124,612
133,235
8,873
250
Gain 1931
8,873
Loss 1931
250
Total Gain, 1931
8,623
1
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Main. Library Circulation by Classes Adult Circulation :
Fiction
70,741
General works
133
Philosophy
588
Religion
316
Sociology
1,142
Languages
140
Science
763
Useful arts
1,119
Fine arts
1,435
Literature
2,708
History
1,300
Travel
2,438
Biography
2,757
Periodicals
2,937
Foreign books
408
Prints
2,684
Duplicate pay fiction
2,785
94,394
Juvenile Circulation :
Fiction
17,136
Non Fiction
9,241
26,377
Total
120,771
Books in the Library
Number of volumes at the beginning of the year 1931
24,368
Number of volumes added 1931
1,578
By purchase
1469
By gift
96
By binding
13
1578
Total
25,946
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Number volumes missing (cov-
ering period of five years) 628
Number of volumes lost and
withdrawn 1931 ยท1,014
1,642
Total number of volumes at end of year 1931, 24,304
Of the total number of withdrawn books, 791 non- fiction were discarded under the supervision of Miss E. Louise Jones, of the Massachusetts Library Commis- sion. These books were little or never used and this discarding has provided much needed room on our shelves for new books, and has cleared our book stock of ineffectual material.
Registration
New registrations for the year total 511. Of this num- ber 336 were adult, and 175 juvenile. The number of active card holders is now 3,200. only adult. -
School Deposits and Reference Work
The interest shown by the teachers in circulating school deposits of library books, and the accuracy of cir- culation records submitted becomes increasingly gratify- ing from the library standpoint, and we feel that their enthusiasm is evidence of mutual appreciation. The gain in last year's school circulation was spectacular, and we could not hope to continuously make such gains. This year, books included in the 44 school deposits circulated 10,905 times, an increase of 1,229 over the preceding year. The Children's Librarian presented 77 Honor Certificates to the children reading twenty books re- quired by the State. The pupils contributed delightful entertainment at these assemblies, and results of the
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State Reading were most attractively developed as pro- jects in their School Exhibits.
New books added to the Juvenile Department were ex- hibited during Book Week, and as suggested by the American Library Association, the exhibit took the form of a "Round the World Book Fair." The idea was at- tractively developed with travel posters, maps and flags of many countries, displayed with books about those countries. Ten classes from the grade schools with their teachers visited the Library during Book Week. Book Week Story Hour was attended by 130 children. A Christmas Story Hour for older children on the Sunday before Christmas was an innovation which proved to be an interesting experience with an appreciative audience of sixty children. We are most grateful to Miss Mar- garet Kyle, who told stories at these sessions. Story Hour attendance for the year was 471.
Reference work with the pupils of the Junior and Senior High schools increases each year. With the ad- dition of four sets of reference works to this department we find our staff better equipped to help with the many and varied problems brought to us. The purchase of reference books has influenced somewhat the number of books purchased for general reading. We do not feel, however, that the general reader has lacked any of real- ly worthwhile books because of this diverted expendi- ture.
Deposits
Mrs. Randall at Long Pond is to be congratulated on her successful work this year. The last deposit assigned to her included a considerable number of new publica- tions to be loaned as seven-day books, as are the new books of fiction in the Library. Mrs. Randall reports that members of her community are very enthusiastic about this new arrangement.
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The American Homes Committee of the Woman's Club has a deposit of books which are interchanged, each member reading one book a week, with book discus- sion at special meetings.
Deposits of books were loaned to Girl Scout Camps for vacation reading. Camp Counsellors borrowed de- posits for supplementary reading in their courses. The number of patients at the Jordan Hospital interested in reading has not justified a weekly visit by the Librarian. By arrangement with Miss Gregson, Superintendent of the Hospital, a deposit of library books will be kept in the office, available to nurses and patients. The Librar- ian will make a monthly visit to patients, and if and when there is a need will resume her weekly visits.
Staff
We regretfully recall our loss in the passing away of Mrs. Lillian Dorr. We miss her gracious and sympa- thetic friendship. Miss Margaret McLean has been add- ed as a substitute member of our staff which has other- wise remained the same. In this respect we are most for- tunate, since a personnel with increasing experience is necessarily functioning more efficiently.
Asknowledgements
We have been especially fortunate in the number of new and desirable books received as gifts this year. Such additions to our book collection are greatly appre- ciated.
To Mr. Bittinger, Editor of the "Old Colony Memor- ial" we are grateful for space given to Library Notes.
In loaning books which we have not been able to pur- chase, other libraries have given invaluable aid for which we are most grateful. We are indebted to the following libraries for this service: Massachusetts State Library,
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Boston Medical Library, Massachusetts Library Com- mission, and the Public Libraries of Boston, Brockton, Brookline and Middleborough.
To the members of the staff who have so efficiently and cheerfully carried on, and to the Board of Directors whose continued helpful support has made the past year both successful and pleasant, the Librarian extends her appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLOTTE HASKINS, Librarian.
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Plymouth Public Library Appropriation, Including 1930 Dog Tax $9,500.00
Income from Gates Fund
108.93
$9,608.93
Payments
Salaries-
Librarian
$1,860.00
Assistants
3,622.50
Janitor
600.00
$6,082.50
Books and Periodicals-
Books
$2,153.54
Periodicals
100.60
Book Repairs
194.81
$2,448.95
Other Expenses-
Fuel and Light
$ 800.21
Janitor's Supplies 11.99
Library Supplies
210.56
Repairs
33.78
All Other
20.94
$1,077.48
Total Payments $9,608.93
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
We respectfully submit the following report for the year 1931.
BEACH PARK
During the early spring the land between Warren Ave., and the bath-house was filled in, making addi- tional parking space. The labor for this work was furnished by men who were previously unemployed. This space will accommodate sixty-five cars.
Catch basins, connecting into Eel River, drain this space during storms. A new breakwater was erected along the shore side for protection.
Received from rooms, $1,085.05; suits, $75.50; towels, $122.25, making a total of $1,282.80.
STEPHENS FIELD
The Edward Bangs Park on the south section of Stephens Field was improved by shrubbery and trees. Paths have been cut through this section and the ground seeded.
The infield of the baseball diamond was re-located and the playing field covered with loam and rolled.
The large public sanitary in the rear of the Memorial Building on Water Street was turned over to the Park Department by the Selectmen. This building was moved to Stephens Field and set up as a convenience station. The old comfort station was renovated and is now being used as a dressing room for athletes. New gravel roads were built through the field.
Received from bath-house rooms, $51.25; suits, $13.10; towels, $5.25. Circus rental $50.00, Carnivals, $275.00; total, $394.60.
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BREWSTER GARDEN
Town Brook running through Brewster Garden had many inroads and cave-ins along the banks, thereby spoiling the grace and beauty of the stream. The brook was relined with field stones and restored to its original location.
Trout have become so plentiful in the brook that it was found necessary to forbid fishing from the banks of the stream, in order to protect the shrubs and bulbs along the river banks from being destroyed by fishermen. Received from drinking cup Vending Machine, $32.16.
SOUTH STREET PLAYGROUNDS
The playground continues to be popular with the chil- dren in this section of the town. New slides and play- ground equipment was added.
BURTON PARK
The usual care has been given this park. New shrubs were planted.
BATES PARK
Gravel walks were resurfaced through the park and the banks resodded.
NELSON STREET PLAYGROUNDS
Labor was furnished from unemployment funds to fill in the swamps at the northerly end of the playground. The appropriation became exhausted before this work was completed.
Received from bath-house rooms, $24.75; suits, $7.80; towels, $3.25; total, $35.80.
MUNICIPAL CAMP
The camp was opened from June 1st until Sept. 25th. The grounds were filled with campers continuously. One of the camping parties brought 350 persons. The num- ber of cars paying fees was 3,147. Amount received for parking, $786.75.
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DEPOT PARK
The usual care was given this park.
VETERANS' FIELD
Veterans' Field has the largest attendance of any of the playgrounds. An athletic instructor supervised at the games of the children during the summer vacation period. Carnival rental $200.00.
TRAINING GREEN These grounds received our care and attention.
MORTON PARK
Unemployment funds were used for cutting wood in one of the swamps where the trees were dying. This wood was sold for $170.00. Four hundred young pines were planted throughout the park. The under brush was cleared and burned. Paths and roads were cut out. The work of fighting the gypsy moth was continued. A new pump was installed.
Life guards were furnished at the bath-house. Re- ceipts from rooms, $75.75; suits, $11.90, and towels $4.60; total, $92.25.
INDIAN LANDS
The section of the Indian Lands bordering on Fresh Pond, has become very popular with campers. It is hoped that the town will see fit to appropriate a small sum of money to equip this site with toilets, a pump and wharf. The park commission would then be able to reg- ulate camping in the same manner as at Nelson street, thereby giving the town another source of income and increasing the summer population of Plymouth.
ERNEST C. DUNHAM, JAMES T. FRAZIER, MYRON L. SMITH, Park Commissioners.
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BOARD OF HEALTH
Term Expires
Herbert S. Maxwell, Chairman,
1932
Andrew J. Carr, Secretary,
1934
Walter D. Shurtleff, M. D., Health Officer,
1933
Almeda Chandler, Clerk
William E. Curtin, Board of Health Physician
Edward K. Morse, Sanitary Inspector and Fumigating Officer
Daniel J. Sullivan, Milk Inspector
Arthur A. Sampson, Michael D. Welsh, John E. Sullivan and Henry Mengoli, Inspectors of Plumbing
Harry A. Taft, Charles Cranford, E. F. Farnham, Augus- tus B. Rogers, Joseph Contente and Peter Barnard, Special Inspectors
Frederick H. Bradley, V. M. D., Inspector of Slaugh- tering.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 1931
RECEIPTS
Appropriation, March 28, 1931, $18,000.00
Appropriation for 1928 bills, 179.80
Transfer from Reserve Dec. 8, 1,200.00
Transfer from Reserve Dec. 31, 325.00
$19,704.80
General and Administrative Ex- penses, $1,900.91
Quarantine and Contagious Dis- eases, 4,473.11
Tuberculosis,
3,529.40
Vital Statistics, 93.75
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Inspection (animal, meat, milk), 2,252.32 Public Dump, 2,450.82
Tuberculosis Dispensary Ex-
penses, 1,006.39
Dental Clinic Expense, 1,024.45
Plumbing Inspection, Fumigat- ing and various expenses, 2,961.94
Total Payments, 19,693.09
Balance to Excess and Deficiency, $11.71
(Under Article 5, Jan. 5, 1931)
Appropriation,
$1,000.00
Payments,
999.08
Balance to Excess and Deficiency, S .92
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth :
The Health Department herewith present the reports of its various appointees for the year ending December, 1931.
To the Board of Health, Plymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
In this report to your Honorable body I wish to call your attention to the report on Anterior Poliomyelitis or Infantile Paralysis. During the year 1930 we had a total of eight cases, with two reported in 1931, and these were questioned.
While we do not wish to throw bouquets at ourselves, we have had some very flattering comments both from the State Department of Health and communities in Massachusetts who have not been so fortunate. I believe firmly that the reason why we have been so fortunate is due to the hearty cooperation we have had from our citi- zens, who have followed every suggestion we have made
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regarding cleanliness of back yards, and disposal of rub- bish and garbage. With such good will, and support, we can but continue to expect even better results for this coming season.
I wish to thank also the fruit dealers and merchants, who have so carefully kept their merchandise screened and covered from contamination, by flies and street dust. I really believe that they have helped us wonderfully in keeping contagious disease down. When it is taken into consideration that in a town of our size not one person has been summoned to court for Health Violation it shows a fine community spirit, and aids our department greatly in carrying out our health program.
Once again I wish to stress the matter of periodic health examinations by your family physician. Cancer and tuberculosis are both most successfully coped with in relation to their early discovery. If any troubles de- velop in your car you immediately repair to your favorite garage and have them thoroughly looked after. This is commendable on your part as your car, or motorcycle, has cost you hard earned money.
On the other hand if trouble develops in your body which is far more valuable than a dozen cars would be, you spend a waste of time and money on patent medi- cines instead of taking the human machine to a man trained better than any mechanic, and giving him a chance to remedy the defects in the most valuable ma- chine there is. See your family doctor early, and often, is the slogan we try to urge upon you.
All the boy and girl Scout camps in Plymouth have been carefully inspected by your health officer and sani- tary inspector, and all but a few have been found 100%. Those not up to the mark are being remedied so that when the season opens they will be in first class condition.
The following list are the camps above spoken of : Camp Mary Whiting, Great Herring Pond; Camp St. Augus- tine, Manomet; Camp Wind in the Pines, Gallows Pond;
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Camp Squanto, Bloody Pond; Mrs. Storrow's Camp, Long Pond; Camp Massasoit, Elbow Pond; Camp Emmamel, Hedge Pond; Clark at Jim's Pond, Child at Morey's Hole Pond, Merrily at Barnes Mill Pond, and camps at the lower end of Great Herring Pond.
Water and sanitary surroundings are carefully checked up and we have had very good co-operation from the camp executives. I wish here to publicly commend the efficient and effective services of Mr. Edward K. Morse, our Sanitary Inspector.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER D. SHURTLEFF, M. D., Health Officer.
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To the Board of Health, Plymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Nothing is so essential to the public health work in Plymouth as the support and cooperation of our local physicians, public health nurse, superintendent of the Jordan Hospital and her corps of nurses, also the school nurse, and industrial nurses at the Plymouth Cordage Company.
During the past year they have all worked with the Board of Health officials to such an extent that the spreading of contagious diseases in our community was practically nil,
The board of health officials have helped the local phy- sicians in many ways to combat contagious diseases and their spread.
(1) By making available at all times biological prod- ucts such as antitoxin, serums and vaccine.
(2) By assisting through its physician and health officer in the diagnosis of questionable or presumable cases of communicable diseases.
(3) By keeping and furnishing laboratory facili- ties for prompt diagnosis, as culture smears and con- tainers.
The physicians have helped the Board of Health:
(1) By making prompt reports that have been worthy to be taken as the basis of statistics.
(2) By calling the physician of the Board of Health or its health officer in consultation on doubtful cases where there is question of the diagnosis of communica- ble disease, thus giving the Board of Health the op- portunity for early isolation of the case and follow up contacts.
(3) By educating the public along public health lines.
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It has been a year wherein all physicians, the public health nurse, nurses at the Jordan Hospital, school nurse and the industrial nurses have all contributed public health work in Plymouth.
The only nuisance which the physician of the Board of Health is interested in, is the one which affects pub- lic health. Experience makes it possible for the physi- cian to tell when a complaint is received, whether or not it is really worthy of serious consideration. Usual- ly the manner of making the complaint indicates the motive behind it. When the complainant says "Do not mention my name" there is at once a suspicion aroused that the complainant is a person without sufficient courage to father his own actions.
Regular forms to be filled out and signed by the com- plainant will reduce the number of spite and ill-willed complaints, only to often met with.
We no longer look to places for the source of infec- tion, but to persons. Water may be the vehicle of in- fection, but who infected the water and how is what we want to know. Milk may be the route by which infection travels from one to another, but who put the infection into the milk; scarlet fever does not come from back yards filled with ashes and old newspapers any more than diphtheria is the result of a smelly cis- tern in a neighbor's home. Communicable disease is propagated by humans, not things. Of course we be- lieve in keeping the streets clean, the rubbish and litter out of the back yards, etc. We are heart and soul for policing the back yard and removing ashes, etc., we want things to look well. We have a very competent man to supervise this work in our inspector Edward K. Morse. The reason that we want all these things done is that they make for better, happier and more whole- some existence, and not because it makes any appreci- able difference so far as the transmission of disease is concerned.
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The things we know, and know so well, are some- times forgotten in the quest of something more up-to- date, more modern. It seems to be a habit for the pres- ent generation to look upon the ideas of the preceding generation as out-of-date and foolish - sometimes stupid or even grotesque; the quest of something different is strong upon us.
Vaccination for small-pox is as good medicine today as it was in Jenner's time; no one with any capacity for thinking looks upon inoculation for typhoid fever as a fad. The use of diphtheria antitoxin in the treat- ment of diphtheria is a positive cure in ninety-nine cases in one hundred, provided the case is seen early enough. The toxin antitoxin to produce immunity to diphtheria, and the serum used in protection against scarlet fever are here to stay.
No one doubts the advisability or questions the de- sirability of the control of communicable diseases by scientific isolation, investigations and proper treatment of contacts and supervision of carriers. In sanitary science everyone wants clean wholesome milk which is up to the standard, a protected water supply, proper sewage; and no one will approve the maintenance of nuisances which are detrimental to health.
In personal hygiene modern ideas of baths, diet, rest and recreation are well understood and generally ac- cepted. That a child has a right to a decent birth and the mother good maternal care no one denies. That sane instruction of growing children in social hygiene is not false, but good judgment is acknowledged. These form the solid and substantial bed rock of common sense in preventive medicine and public health.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. CURTIN, M. D.,
Physician to Board of Health.
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To the Board of Health-
Gentlemen :
Herewith I submit my report as Sanitary Inspector for the year 1931.
While I have tried to keep these records correct as possible it is only an approximate number of calls I have made, as in a number of cases I have had to repeat visits quite a few times in order to see that orders had been carried out. When you take into consideration the fact, that I am obliged to cover the town from Long Pond to Bourne, from Bourne to Kingston line, and all the territory interviewing Charge, Fearing's, College, Boot, South and Little South ponds, when there are a large number of camps, and summer cottages, you will see that I am travelling most of the time.
At East White Horse Beach it was necessary to make nearly 100 calls. With the health officer and chair- man, all of the boy and girl Scout camps numbering 12 scattered from Barnes Mill Pond to Cedarville, Long Pond and Jim's Pond, which are not included in the appended list, were visited.
Complaints received and investigated are as follows :
Garbarge
Rubbish
Stores
Miscellaneous
Total
January,
9
29
31
1
70
February,
9
43
28
29
109
March,
27
52
31
9
119
April,
2
13
20
9
44
May,
9
3
40
6
58
June,
3
16
28
6
53
July,
2
20
21
24
67
August,
6
18
19
20
63
September,
2
4
47
6
59
October,
4
41
4
49
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November, 2 3
20
6
31
December, 2
8
19
2
31
753
There was one fumigation made during 1931 by re- quest.
Fumigations were made for eleven rummage sales.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD K. MORSE,
Sanitary Inspector and
Fumigating Officer.
Record of licenses and permits issued :
Alcohol,
36
Ashes and Rubbish, 10
Bottlers 2
Caned and Preserved Food, 1
Grease, Bones and Tallow,
1
Garbage, 8
Manicure and Massage, 10
Manufacturing of Ice Cream, 5
Pasteurization Plant,
1
Sausage, 1
Slaughter, 12
Undertakers, 2
Below shows list of contagious diseases reported during 1931.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May | June | July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Anterior Poliomyelitis
1
1
2
Chicken Pox
2
6
8
22
1
16
55
Diphtheria
1
2
2
1
1
1
8
Dog Bite
1 2
3
5
11
German Measles
1
1 1
2
4
Influuenza
1
1
Lobar Pneumonia
2
2
2
3
9
Measles
1
7
5|
16
1
30
Mumps
102
117
24
30
273.
Scarlet Fever
1
8
1
1
11
Septic Sore Throat
2
2
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
1
1
1
1
1
5
Whooping Cough
1
2
5| 2
1
2 !
2
15
Gonorrhea
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
4
1
1| 1
17
109
124
37
44
39
10
24
10
15
4
7|
20 | 443
-
-
.
-
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-
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REPORT OF INSPECOR OF SLAUGHTER- ING FOR THE YEAR 1931
The following animals were slaughtered in the Town of Plymouth during the year:
Cattle
Calves
Hogs
January,
15
8
13
February,
17
2
9
March,
15
4
9
April,
12
14
9
May,
12
9
5
June,
11
12
4
July,
16
21
2
August,
12
7
September,
13
2
6
October,
12
6
9
November,
10
3
4
December,
15
6
12
160
94
82
In June one cow's head was condemned as suffering from actinomycosis.
FREDERICK H. BRADLEY, V.M.D., Inspector of Slaughtering.
An appropriation of $18,000 is asked for the year 1932.
HERBERT S. MAXWELL, Chairman, ANDREW J. CARR, Secretary, WALTER D. SHURTLEFF, Health Officer.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF MILK INSPECTION FOR 1931
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen :
In accordance with Chapter 40, Section 49, General Laws, Mass., I herewith submit a report for the year 1931 as Inspector of Milk and Milk Products.
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