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Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Harold G. Roberts, Chairman Gordon S. McCosh Dexter M. Brooks Margaret E. McLean John J. Magee
-151-
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF RETIREMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Plymouth:
The Board of Retirement presents herewith its fifteenth report covering the activities and condition of the Con- tributory Retirement System for the year 1951.
There were many amendments to Chapter 32 during this past year and we cite the following as perhaps the most important to our members:
Chapter 99-Requires the Town to pay into the annuity savings fund, for retirement purposes only, the amount which an employee, receiving workmen's compensation, would have paid into the system had his employment not been interrupted by his industrial accident.
Chapter 543-Redefines "employee" to include school lunch employees and gives these employees the privilege of make-up payments to receive credit for service prior to the time they were admitted.
Chapter 594-Refers to the effect of hypertension or heart disease of a permanent policeman or fireman on retirement for accidental disability.
Chapter 644-Increases the maximum age for eligibility for membership of an employee originally entering the service of the Town from 55 to 60 years.
Chapter 781-Increases the retirement allowance of certain pensioners, if accepted by the Town.
Chapter 783-Refers to guaranteed retirement allow- ances of certain pensioners.
Chapter 784-Is a clarifying amendment with regard to the rights to retirement allowances of certain employees resigning, failing of re-election or reappointment, etc.
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I. MEMBERSHIP
1. Active Membership Dec. 31, 1950 185
Enrolled during 1951 29
214
Withdrawals 17
Retirements 3
Transfers to Inactive Membership 6
26
Total Active Membership, Dec. 31, 1951 188
2. Inactive Membership Dec. 31, 1950
26
Retirements
3
Transfers from Active Membership
6
35
Deaths
2
Total Inactive Membership, Dec. 31, 1951 33* *This total includes all retired members
3. Beneficiaries from Accidental Deaths 3
II. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Balance, Dec. 31, 1950 $161,849.58
1. Receipts:
Appropriation March, 1951 $25,810.09
Deductions and members'
salaries and wages 21,931.70
Income from interest
5,079.16
Profit from sale of bonds 224.38
Increase by adjustment in securities
971.51
Accrued interest on bonds, Dec. 31, 1951 1,228.73
55,245.57
$217,095.15
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2. Expenditures:
Annuities
$1,400.86
Pensions 24,349.48
Accidental death benefits
3,593.29
Refunds to former members
2,081.07
Transfers of members' accounts
to other systems 1,191.57
Clerical services
672.00
Other administrative expenses
151.80
Decrease by adjustment in securities 445.71
33,885.78
Balance, Dec. 31, 1951
$183,209.37
III. BALANCE SHEET
1. Assets:
Plymouth National Bank $1,164.14
Plymouth Savings Bank 1,510.20
Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank 825.38
Beverly Savings Bank
5,215.50
Danvers Savings Bank
5,168.48
Plymouth Federal Savings & Loan Ass'n 5,147.12
Brockton National Bank stock 3,360.00
Cont. Illinois National Bank stock
2,450.00
First National Bank of Boston stock
2,450.00
Manufacturers Trust stock
1,550.00
National Shawmut Bank stock 3,000.00
Rockland-Atlas National Bank stock 2,650.00
U. S. Treasury bonds, 27/8's of 55/60 1,021.03
U. S. Treasury bonds, Series G 34,000.00
Chesapeake & Ohio Rwy. bonds of '96 1,046.49
Great Northern Rwy. bonds of '82
3,030.65
Louisville & Nashville Rwy. bonds of '03 2,192.50
Louisville & Nashville Rwy. bonds of '03 2,000.00
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N. Y. Central & Hudson River Rwy. bonds of '97 3,192.52
N. Y., Chicago & St. Louis Rwy. bonds of '86 5,107.94
Northern Pacific Rwy. bonds of '97 5,993.15
Pere Marquette Rwy. bonds of '80 2,975.66
Reading Co. Rwy. bonds of '95 5,089.81
Seaboard Air Line Rwy. bonds of '80 2,982.94 Virginian Rwy. bonds of '95 2,179.73
Western Maryland Rwy. bonds of '60 992.58 Western Maryland Rwy. bonds of '61 1,000.00 Wheeling & Lake Erie Rwy. bonds of '74 1,983.32
Amer. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '86 2,015.94
Amer. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '82 2,012.31
Amer. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '80
2,023.81
Amer. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '73 2,029.52
Associated Tel. bonds of '81 2,045.91
Illinois Bell Tel. Co. bonds of '78 2,051.59
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '82 2,056.99
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '74 2,012.90 Mountain States Tel. Co. bonds of '78 2,045.14 Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '87 2,023.76
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '78 2,068.04
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '85 1,914.60
Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. bonds of '83 2,013.20 Southern Bell Tel. Co. bonds of '85 1,898.71
Arkansas Power & Light Co. bonds of '74 2,042.22
Central Vt. Pub. Serv. Co. bonds of '75 1,914.17
Central Vt. Pub. Serv. Co. bonds of '81 1,022.33
Cons. Edison Co. of New York bonds of '79 2,048.66
Cons. Gas, Elec. Lt. & Power Co. of Baltimore bonds of '86 4,026.59
Georgia Power Co. bonds of '81 2,010.99
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Maine Public Service Co. bonds of '75 1,866.79
Milwaukee Gas Light Co. bonds of '75 3,037.81
Montana Power Co. bonds of '75
3,033.20 New England Power Co. bonds of '79 2,007.74
New Hampshire Elec. Co. bonds of '75 3,051.04
No. Indiana Public Service Co. bonds of '73 4,189.59
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. bonds of '70 2,023.12
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. bonds of '71 2,087.13
Public Service Co. of N. H. bonds
of '73 2,142.18
Rockland Light & Power Co. bonds of '78 2,042.72
Seattle Gas Co. bonds of '76
1,933.32
So. California Edison Co. bonds of '65 2,026.92
American Tobacco Co. bonds of '69 985.06
National Dairy Products Co. bonds of '76 997.50
Accrued Interest on bonds as of
Dec. 31, 1951 1,228.73
$183,209.37
2. Liabilities:
Annuity Savings Fund
$133,376.32
Annuity Reserve Fund
15,967.10
Military Service Fund
1,744.29
Pension Fund
31,421.51
Expense Fund
700.15
$183,209.37
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL P. DEARBORN, Chairman CORA B. GRADY, Secretary ANDREW J. CARR Contributory Retirement System Board of Retirement, Plymouth
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Board held sixteen formal meetings during the year and made several field trips for inspection purposes. Seven preliminary subdivision plans were considered, eight public hearings concerning subdivisions were held and a total of eleven new subdivision record plans were formally approved.
The Board has held meetings with the Manomet School Building Committee, the Plymouth Housing Authority, the Manomet Fire Station Committee, the Plymouth Beach Park Committee, the Town Brook Committee of the Plymouth Woman's Club and with the Off-Street Parking Committee. Much time has been given to the question of possible use of the old high school building; and the Board has concurred in disposing of the old Cold Spring school. The Board acts with the Selectmen in approving proposed new street lay-outs, etc.
The Board, as directed by the statute, conducts hearings on proposed changes in the Zoning By-Law of the Town, and will submit its recommendations for action by the voters.
The Town Engineer and the Building Inspector attend meetings of the Board and participate in its discussions. The Board again expresses its appreciation to Town Accountant Cora Grady for her capable and extremely valuable assistance.
JAMES A. WHITE, Chairman ELLIS W. BREWSTER A. LINWOOD ELLIS, JR. WALTER H. NEAVES AMEDEO V. SGARZI Plymouth Planning Board.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
For the year ending December 31, 1951, it can be said that the Town government operated efficiently and within the limits of funds appropriated at the annual and special Town meetings.
Due to increasing automobile travel in and through our Town, a study of safety conditions was made in an effort to prevent accidents. Wherever possible, street corners were broadened and in dark areas, street lighting was improved by increasing candlepower and installing addi- tional lights.
The most heavily travelled streets of the Town were given more attention than others because of safety rea- sons. However, it has long been a policy of the Selectmen to recondition as many side streets each year as the budget appropriations will allow.
A portion of Rocky Hill Road was started late in the year under the statute that provides contributory funds from the State and County. Standish Avenue was expected to be repaired under the same program but funds from the State were not made available. It is expected to complete Rocky Hill Road in the year 1952 and a portion of Standish Avenue.
The economic situation of the larger industries of Plym- outh has been a matter of great concern to the Selectmen and everything that is possible is being done by the Board to help remedy conditions.
Constant contact with the State authorities is being maintained in an effort to regain the shellfish industry which has disappeared but to date no encouragement is offered by that department.
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The results of the previous insect and pest control pro- gram were noted this year and proved to be of great benefit to the Town. A continuation of the program is recommended.
The commercial fishing and also the yachting interests are increasing progressively and considerable study has been made to accommodate all.
The contemplated construction of a new Town wharf will be of sufficient size to accommodate the commercial fishermen and, with the expected dredging, will provide the necessary shelter for both the fishermen and yachts during heavy weather.
Home building continues to increase which provides additional tax revenue and also requires additional public utilities.
The Selectmen have cooperated with the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, taking advantage of all oppor- tunities to increase our tourist trade which reflects fa- vorably in our Town economics.
Considerable interest has been evidenced at the Plym- outh Airport by both local and visiting enthusiasts and some financial attention is recommended in the year 1952 to further stimulate business in Plymouth.
In substance, although costs are unusually high, the general outlook of our Town is encouraging.
JAMES T. FRAZIER HERBERT H. LANMAN SUMNER A. CHAPMAN, JR. GEORGE A. WHITE DAVID BURGESS AVERY
Board of Selectmen
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LIST OF JURORS
Prepared by the Selectmen of Plymouth, Mass., for 1952
-- A-
Abbott, Howard, Cedarville, Real Estate Agt.
Anzuoni, Albert, 1 Newfield Street, Bus Company Mgr. Avanzini, Peter L., 13 Allerton Street, Cost Accountant
-B-
Bagnell, William J., 4 Prince Street, Store Mgr. Baietti, Vincent J., Cortelli Court, Office Worker Barke, Charles O., 11 Stoddard Street, Purchasing Agt. Barnes, Howard P., 6 Carver Street, Civil Engineer Barnes, Parker L., 189 Sandwich Street, Ass't Treas. Bartlett, Elston K., Jr., 58 Allerton Street, Student Bartlett, Ephraim L., 35 Russell Street, Carpenter Bent, Richard H., 14 Hall Street, Surveyor Bernardo, Joseph, 50 Samoset Street, Weaver Beytes, Marion W., 430 Court Street, Housewife Blackburn, Andreas, 44 Samoset Street, Salesman Bliss, Dorris P., 23 Pleasant Street, Secretary-Bookkeeper Boccaci, Raymond, 4 Suosso Lane, Salesman
Bongiovanni, Enzo L., Long Pond Road, Salesman Botelho, Joseph J., 4 Ocean View Avenue, Edes Employee Brenner, Louis F., 75 Cherry Street, Shipping Clerk Brewer, Jesse, Cliff Street, Caretaker
Briggs, LeBaron R., Halfway Pond, Cranberry Grower Briggs, Lyman W., Manomet Road, Ass't Purchasing Agt. Brown, Laura E., 791/2 Court St., Retired School Teacher Burgess, Edward W., 42 Union Street, Bank Trader Burgess, Kenneth W., Boutemain Avenue, Bookkeeper
-160-
-C-
Callahan, Jessie, 40 Court Street, Clerk Cannuci, Romaine D., 14 Atlantic Street, Bookkeeper Caranci, Arthur, off Royal Street, Retired Cherrier, Carl W., 68 Oak Street, Driver Contente, Joseph S., 280 Court Street, Merchant Cook, Stanley D., 38 Allerton Street, Telephone Supervisor Cooper, W. Ashley, Little Pond, Pharmacist Crowell, Kenneth F., 3 Murray Street, Salesman
-D-
Damon, Winnifred F., 7 Howes Lane, Housewife Davis, Robert S., 26 Mt. Pleasant Street, Carpenter DiStefano, Pompio, 25 Leyden Street, Tailor Doten, Edith W., 2461/2 Court Street, Housewife Douglas, Harold E., South Pond Village, Clerk Drew, Ralph L., 4 Holmes Terrace, Clerk Dugas, Henry M., 189 Court Street, Painter Dunham, Elizabeth P., 7 Fremont Street, Clerk Dunham, Robert F., 32 South Street, Bus Driver
-E-
Edes, Fletcher R., 70 Summer Street, Edes Employee Ellis, A. Linwood, Jr., 3 Howes Lane, Curtain Mfr. Engstrom, Walder J., 113 Warren Ave., Ass't Bank Treas. Estes, Kendall S., 223 Sandwich Street, Ass't Treas.
-F-
Fortini, Columbo, 35 Cherry Street, Station Tender Fortini, Robert F., 10 Forest Avenue Ct., Mill Empl. Fox, George T., 15 Alvin Road, Cordage Employee
-161-
-G-
Gambini, Alfonso, 7 Nelson Street, Restaurant Prop. Garside, Edward B., 150 Sandwich Street, Writer Gaspar, Francis, Main Street Extension, Laborer Geary, Henry T., 80 Sandwich Street, Retired Goldberg, Abraham, 22 Mt. Pleasant Street, Mill Employee Golden, Martin H., 15 Lincoln Street, Manager Goodwin, James C., 19 Centennial Street, Clerk
Goodwin, Ralph F., 16 Mckinley Road, Fish Market Prop. Gould, Harold F., Jr., 111/2 Howland Street, Office Worker Gray, Herman F., 25 Main Street, Salesman Greaves, Robert, 2 Nelson Court, Dresser Green, William E., 7 Washington Street, Insurance Agent
-H-
Hachey, Paul, Newfield Street, Theatre Manager Hand, Edward J. E., 8 Church Street, Clerk Harlow, Oliver E., 1 Allen Court, Printer Harlow, Russell W., 13 Pleasant Street, Carpenter Harper, Earl R., 58 High Street, Mabbett Empl. Hogan, D. Eric, 7 Allerton Street, Store Prop. Holmes, Howard R., 51 Allerton Street, Salesman Holmes, Marion F., 7 Mayflower Street, Housewife Holmes, Sidney B., 47 Pleasant Street, Shade Maker Hostetter, Persis, 19 Warren Avenue, Housewife Houde, Lawrence, 18 Nelson Street, Bookkeeper Hunicke, August B., 1 Holmes Terrace, Mech. Engineer
-I-
Illig, Dorothy W., Jordan Road, Housewife
-J-
Jewett, Elton S., Jr., 16 Clyfton Street, Currier's Empl. Jones, Cyrus W., 11 Howes Lane, Retired Jorgensen, Peter A., Obery Street, Fisherman
-162-
-K-
Kellen, John R., 9 Winslow Street, Clerk Keller, Richard G., 1561/2 Sandwich St., Restaurant Prop. Kendrick, Carleton W., 141 Court Street, Puritan Empl. Kilkelly, Mary M., 10 Franklin Street, Salesgirl Kirkey, Bernard J., 213 Court Street, Puritan Empl. Kritzmacher, Jacob A., 69 Samoset Street, Manager Kuhn, Francis W., 8 Alden Court, Puritan Employee
-L-
Lamb, George F., Jr., 2 Atlantic Street, Bus Driver Lanman, Everett F., Wilson Place, Painter Laurent, Lucien A., Jr., 427B Court Street, Clerk Leonard, Helen M., 18 Chilton Street, Housewife Linehan, Francis M., 6 Samoset Street, Hand Weaver Loomis, James P., 5 Water Street, Manufacturer Loring, Elmer E., Manomet Road, Garage Prop. Lotz, Ruth C., 6 School Street, Housewife Lowry, William C., 41 Cherry Street, Overseer
-M-
Magee, John J., 219 Court Street, Manufacturer Malaguti, Chester, 37 Castle Street, Truck Driver Martin, Frank M., 251/2 Warren Avenue, Mechanic Martin, Robert J., 32 Whiting Street, Cordage Empl. McCarthy, John J., Birch Avenue, Supt. School Bldgs. McCarthy, Mildred W., Birch Avenue, Mender McManus, Terrence T., 17 Alden Street, Route Driver McNeil, H. Gordon, River Street, Cordage Employee Medding, Harrison R., Jr., Manomet Bluffs, Service Engr. Meyer, Alfred R., Clifford Road, Contractor Mitchell, Frank A., 5 Washington Street, Merchant Mondeau, Leo O., 30 Chilton Street, Clerk Morey, Warren F., 23 Fremont Street, Mechanic Morgardo, Antone, 37 Davis Street, Mill Employee Morton, Marie Frances, 250 Sandwich Street, Housewife Murray, John H., Bartlett Road, Carpenter
-163-
-N-
Nogueira, Joseph H., 3 Samoset Street, Restaurant Prop.
-0-
Oehme, Heinz A., 12 Warren Avenue, Machinist Ottino, John W., 20 Alden Street, Cleaning Shop Prop.
-P-
Paige, Clarence H., Point Road, Retired Paul, James E., Oak Ridge, Laborer
Pearson, Marjorie B., 7 Winter Street, Housewife
Pearson, William I., 19 Mt. Pleasant Street, Mailman Pederzani, Adam L., 30 South Street, Theatre Employee Penn, Abraham, 37 Pleasant Street, Manager Penn, Milton L., 73 Oak Street, Clerk
Peterson, Helen S., 23 Nelson Street, Housewife Peterson, Lillian J., 54 Allerton Street, Housewife Pimental, Francis A., 192 Standish Avenue, Unemployed Pratt, Irving L., 53 Cliff Street, Unemployed Prindle, Bryce, 57 Warren Avenue, Biologist
-R-
Richmond, Alpheus A., 85 Newfield Street, Truck Driver Ritsky, Anthony F., Jr., Taylor Avenue, Pharmacist Roberts, Karl D., 3 Holmes Terrace, Plant Engineer Romano, Clement E., Off Oak Street, Truck Driver Roulston, A. Lee, 22 South Street, Bank Teller Rounds, Ruth I., Clifford Road, Housewife
Ruprecht, Martha R., 102 Allerton Street, Housewife Ruprecht, Peter N., 102 Allerton Street, Puritan Employee Ryan, Joseph H., 8 Vernon Street, Railroad Employee
-S-
Savery, Wadsworth G., 4 Winter Street, Electrician Sayre, Joseph C., 5 Maple Place, Clerk Scagliarini, Mario, 59 South Street, Driver
-164-
Schortman, Walter A., 83 Samoset Street, Ass't Overseer Shaw, Joseph C., 67 Oak Street, Garage Manager Sherman, Louis, 7 Cushman Street, Real Estate Operator Siever, John A., 26 Prince Street, Lunchroom Prop. Simmons, Gordon B., 6 Franklin Street, Clerk Stevens, Alton L., 2 Stoddard Street, Florist Stiles, Lawrence, 34 Summer Street, Truck Driver Stratton, Andrew H., 1 Samoset Street, Heating Engineer
-- T-
Talbot, Richmond W., 35 Mayflower St., Insurance Agt.
Tassinari, Kathryn M., 352 Court Street, Clerk Tassinari, Robert A., 12 Castle Street, Weaver Ticknor, Donald E., Sandwich Road, Field Representative Tinti, Peter P., 29 Summer Street, Railway Express Empl. Torgeson, Halvor, 71 Court Street, Clerk
-V-
Vecchi, Arrigo P., Little Pond, Inspector
Volta, Harold S., 33 Cherry Street, Fuel Dealer
Volta, Lucy M., 33 Cherry Street, Housewife
-W --
Waite, Ferris C., 16 Cushman St., Cranberry Canners Exec. Warner, Nelson M., Manomet Bluffs, Retired Whiting, Adrian P., 163 Sandwich Street, Carpenter Whitmore, Louis B., 14 Franklin Street, Laborer Wild, George S., Warren Avenue, Optician Worcester, Walter, 32 Vernon Street, Shoe Salesman
-Y-
Yanni, Vincent, 198 Water Street, Edes Employee
-Z-
Zandi, Walter F., 47 Pleasant Street, Insurance Agt. Zanello, James, 4 Clark Street, Furniture Dealer
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PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LORING BRANCH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. John D. Brewer President
Mr. Burr F. Jones
Vice-President
Miss Sara C. Bodell
Clerk
Mr. Frank D. Bartlett
Treasurer
Mrs. Edward R. Belcher
Mr. John W. Packard
Mrs. Edward W. Burgess
Dr. Marion E. Park
Mrs. Harry B. Davis
Dr. Bryce Prindle
Mrs. Cora B. Grady
Mr. Allen D. Russell
MAIN LIBRARY
Staff: Hazel M. White, Librarian
Ann E. Lucas, Children's Librarian
Katharine Freeland, Cataloger
Lucy C. Rae, General Assistant in charge of circu- lation
Carolyn F. Pratt, General Assistant in charge of records
Virginia W. Eldredge, Part-time Assistant
Margaret N. Osmond, Part-time Assistant
Number of staff in equivalent of full time (40-hour week) 51/2, Janitor service, 1/2.
Library open for reading and lending 303 days, 66 hours weekly.
In Junior Department there were 7,332 readers and visitors.
No attendance record is kept in Adult Department.
The Library subscribes to 77 periodicals and 5 newspapers, 14 periodicals and 1 newspaper are received as gifts. Number of books rebound - 460.
-166-
BOOK STOCK
Number of volumes Dec. 31, 1950
28,193
Number of volumes added in 1951 By purchase By gift
1,504
136
1,640
29,833
Number of volumes withdrawn in 1951
945
Total volumes Dec. 31, 1951 28,888
The year 1951 marked the 50th anniversary of the pres- ent Library building. At a special meeting of the Plymouth Public Library Corporation held on January 19, 1901, the following letter was read:
To the Executive Committee of the Plymouth Public Library
Dear Sirs:
We, the children of William Goodwin Russell and Mary Ellen Russell, are desirous of erecting in the Town of Plymouth a memo- rial to our parents, and would like to have such a memorial take the form of a public library building.
If it would please you to accept it, we are prepared to give a building, costing about twenty thousand dollars, to be called the Russell Library, to be erected on a lot suitable for the purpose provided by your Corporation.
Very truly yours,
LYDIA G. R. ALLEN MARION RUSSELL TOWNSEND THOMAS RUSSELL
The record of that special meeting continues:
"Voted, that the members of the Plymouth Public Library Cor- poration gratefully acknowledge and accept the generous offer of the children of William Goodwin and Mary Ellen Russell to erect in Plymouth, as a memorial to their parents, a public library build- ing, and extend to them their sincere thanks for this liberal gift."
-167-
The building was completed and opened to the public in June, 1902, and during the intervening 50 years the resi- dents of Plymouth have enjoyed the use of a fine collection of books housed in an appropriate and architecturally satisfying building.
Although there was no formal celebration of the 50th anniversary, there were two noteworthy accomplishments by the Board of Directors.
First, the adoption by the Town Finance Committee of the policy of recommending an annual appropriation suf- ficient to cover the Running Expenses of the Library. Pre- vious to this time, in order to meet rising costs, the Annual Town Appropriation had been supplemented with increas- ing amounts from the Library Corporation's Income from Invested Funds. The Town Finance Committee agreed with the Library Board of Directors, that since the Town does not contribute to Building Maintenance or Equipment Replacement, the Income from the Corporation's Invested Funds should be conserved for these purposes, and not used for Running Expenses.
And second, having reached this understanding with the Town Finance Committee, the Directors started plan- ning a program of needed repair of the building. They began with the most important and most expensive job -the repair of the roof. This is practically completed, and the roof should last another fifty years.
The circulation for 1951 was slightly under that of 1950. This was generally true of libraries the country over. There is no simple explanation. It may be partly due to television, and partly to the fact that people have more and more demands on their time for church and civic organizational work. The records for circulation in the Children's Departments, however, show an increase over 1950.
We had 91 requests for books that the Plymouth Public Library does not own, and that we tried to borrow on Inter-library loan. 75 of the requests were filled.
-168-
As in previous years, we have cooperated with the High School teachers in their efforts to teach the use of the Public Library. At different times during the year we have had groups of books on many different subjects kept on reserve for use at the Library by approximately 300 High School students.
The occupations of those borrowers in the Adult Depart- ment who either registered for the first time or who re- newed their registration are tabulated below. (Since each new or renewed registration is for a period of 4 years, this does not, of course, represent the total registration.)
"At home" 272
Students 275
Clerk and office workers 85
Professional 57
Skilled workers 45
Unskilled workers 24
Personnel Management or Self-employed 35
Miscellaneous 24
Miss Lucas of the Library Staff has given book reviews as requested by various organizations. During 1951 she gave Book Reviews at the regular meetings of the Women's Guild of Chiltonville, the Women's Society of the Plymouth Methodist Church, The Jones River Village Club, the Kingston Branch Alliance, the Kingston Parent- Teachers' Ass'n, the Hadassah of the Plymouth Synagogue, and the Guild of the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrimage.
We have had exhibits by local artists almost continu- ously. Some of the outstanding ones were: the one ar- ranged for Art Week by the Arts and Crafts Committee of the Woman's Club, the Plymouth High School Camera Club Exhibit, the art work of the children in the elemen- tary schools taught by Robert Andrews, the work of Junior High School students taught by Mrs. Margaret Brown, an exhibit by David Crawley, and a collection
-169-
of paintings and pencil sketches by the late George Errington.
In Book Selection, which is the purchasing of new and the replacing of older books, the policy is to purchase first the books of permanent value, second, those that are sig- nificant and timely, and third, those that are in popular demand, providing they meet certain standards.
The outstanding book of the year in this Library was Kon-Tiki, the true story of an ethnologist and his five companions who sailed on a raft from Peru to a small island near Tahiti. And in the last months of the year, The Sea Around Us, by Rachel Carson, has also been very popular. The author is a scientist, but she has written this for the layman.
JUNIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE MAIN LIBRARY
Ann E. Lucas, Children's Librarian
Miss Ann E. Lucas, Children's Librarian, reports that 16 more children were registered in 1951 than in 1950. She reports also a very successful Book Week in November. Twelve of the grade teachers brought their classes to inspect the new books, and to give some of the children their first visit to the Library, and an opportunity to regis- ter in order to borrow books. The two Story Hours held during Book Week were very well attended.
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