USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1945 > Part 8
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Again this year we are pleased with our success and accomplishments, but are ever mindful of the support given us by your Board and the aid rendered by the Rehabilitation and Advisory Committee. Our thanks and appreciation to the Weymouth Red Cross, Weymouth Family Service Society, Weymouth Selective Service Board, and all town departments who served us so efficiently and in such a courteous and creditable manner.
Following is a brief resume of our records as of December 31, 1945:
Total case load, relief and kind
3519
World War II Armed Forces, Male 3110, Female 132.
Total 3242
World War II Weymouth Casualties
75
Detail of Relief :-
Classification
Number
Amount
Refunds
World War II
76
$8060.70
War Allow.
$3989.12
World War I
32
7354.84
Military Aid
1440.00
Spanish War
2
320.00
State Aid
795.00
Civil War
2
632.64
Outside Cities
and Towns
537.97
Total
112
$16,368.18
$6798.09
Respectfully submitted, Raymond E. Stein, Administrator
REPORT OF THE PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Board of Health Town of Weymouth
I herewith submit my report for the year ended December 31, 1945: During the year there have been issued 220 prmits for Plumbing. Received for Plumbing permits $583.
During the year there have been issued 38 permits for Cesspools and Septic Tanks.
Received for Cesspools and Septic Tanks $38.
There was a total of 583 fixtures installed in new and old buildings. New 15 Old 205
Estimated Value $40,164.
Respectfully submitted, George Marshall, Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 31, 1945
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1945. The sealing fees amounted to $290.17.
My general work for the year is as follows:
Tested and sealed 1498 weighing and measuring devices.
Not sealed 79 weighing and measuring devices. Condemned 21 weighing and measuring devices.
Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale and summary of inspections after sealing 1297 articles and devices.
Respectfully submitted, Charles W. Burgess, Sealer of Weights and Measures
73
1
REPORT OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
Weymouth, Mass. December 31, 1945
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
The year 1945 is the fourth consecutive year that this committee has been obliged but sorry to report that practically no new lights were installed, either because of Federal regulations or lack of material.
The situation has now cleared except for porcelain which is still unob- tainable. However, this committee has hopes that work may be resumed early in 1946.
Our budget calls for $38,784 to maintain our existing service and in addi- tion $1,710 to install about 140 new lights, mostly on streets accepted by the town during 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, and 1946.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter R. Field, Chairman Alfred S. Tirrell, Olindo Garofalo, J. Herbert Libbey, Clerk Electric Lighting Committee
MR. JOSEPH KELLEY
It was with a sense of profound loss that the Townspeople and this committee learned of the death of Mr. Joseph Kelley.
He was first appointed to the Electric Lighting Committee in 1922 and has served as Chairman of this committee since 1929.
We shall sadly miss his able and genial leadership and feel that the Town has lost a valued citizen and a faithful public servant.
We wish to go on record expressing our deep regret at his passing and extending our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.
Walter R. Field, Chairman Alfred S. Tirrell, Olindo Garofalo, J. Herbert Libbey, Clerk
7
74
FINAL REPORT WEYMOUTH COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY
December 31, 1945
To the Citizens of Weymouth: 1
At the conclusion of the year 1944, which was the occasion of our last previous report, the personnel of the Committee was largely on a "stand-by" basis, with regular drills and mobilizations curtailed, but with all facilities kept in a state of constant readiness.
The continued progress toward victory, first in Europe and then in the Pacific, progressively lessened our responsibilities and, with the achievement of complete victory over both enemy powers, the emergency that necessitated our existence terminated.
The Town generously provided such equipment, apparatus, utensils and facilities as we requested. In the procurement of many of the necessary pieces of equipment, the Office of Civilian Defense quickly recognized the strategic position Weymouth occupied, situated as it was, between two major shipbuilding plants, the Naval Ammunition Depot, the "Lighter-than-Air" Naval Base, and but a short air distance from the Naval Air Station at Squantum and the Munitions Plant at Hanover. Our fire forces and Protec- tion Division were materially strengthened by the loan of federal apparatus. This has now, in the main, served its purpose and is in the hands of the Board of Selectmen to return to the Office of Civilian Defense. The Town is given the privilege of keeping much that may be of use, at an attractive price.
Likewise the Commonwealth of Massachusetts generously loaned its prop- erties to our two companies of the Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps and to our hospital facilities. The Massachusetts Women's Defense Corps was absorbed into State service in its entirety and its operations transferred into the office of the Adjutant General of the Commonwealth as a part of the State Guard, and Weymouth was highly commended for the excellence in organization and performance displayed by these units.
Our Communications Division radio equipment, which was of high qual- ity and efficiency, our complete three unit hospital equipment, our fire- fighting apparatus, the canteen equipment, and such other property as was acquired in the pursuit of our program, in accordance with the by-laws of the Town, has been turned over to the Selectmen as surplus property. We rec- commend that in its disposition, consideration be given to the equipment of the new Laban Pratt Hospital, when built, since the hospital equipment was purchased with the view that it could be so utilized, and to the needs of the other town relief and emergency organization, Weymouth Chapter of the American Red Cross, with which we have worked in close harmony and co- operation.
In the work of our various divisions, the citizens of Weymouth responded in large numbers so that at all times we were assured of sufficient personnel to cope with any conceivable emergency. This was most gratifying and proved conclusively that the people of our town could be brought together with a united front and a singularity of purpose not surpassed in any com- munity in the Commonwealth.
The Committee again repeats and renews its message of thanks and appreciation to the many officials, committee members and citizens of Wey- mouth whose contributions and sacrifices, both in time and material, so effectively assisted us in giving the people of our town the great measure of protection and security we were able to provide.
Its purpose for existence having been brought to an end, the entire per- sonnel of the committee feels grateful for the privilege of serving you.
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred C. Sheehy, Chairman Herbert W. Causer, Vice Chairman Helen J. Hunt, Secretary
75
1
Sixty-seventh Annual Report of the Trustees of Tufts Library 1945
WES
SSET 1622
LABORARE ES VINCERE
MASSACHUSETTS
3.1635.
M
SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF TUFTS LIBRARY, WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS
TRUSTEES
Wallace H. Drake, M. D.
Francis N. Drown
Francis C. Havilandţ
Philip T. Jones
tJoseph Kelley *Gordon D. Paris Franklin N. Pratt Leighton Voorhees
Clarance P. Whittle SELECTMEN EX-OFFICIO
Ralph P. Burrell Harry Christensen
Joseph A. Fern Sandy Roulston
Basil S. Warren
OFFICERS
Clarance P. Whittle, President Franklin N. Pratt, Secretary
LIBRARIAN Christine E. Evarts ASSISTANTS
Mary L. Gloster Ruth N. Nickerson Mildred W. Olson
Ruth C. Richardson *Ruth M. Schill *Harriette L. Sewell
. Dorothy E. Trussell Edith L. Payson, Cataloger Rachael M. Bodine, Children's Librarian Florence G. Truax, Reference Librarian
BRANCH LIBRARIANS
Catherine C. Condrick, North Weymouth Branch Irene E. Langevin, East Weymouth Branch Gertrude C. Andrews, Nash's Corner Station Lena B. Pratt, Pond Plain Station
JANITORS John G. Galvin, Main Library John A. Williams, North Weymouth Branch Benjamin N. Ells, East Weymouth Branch
INFORMATION
Hours: Main Library 9 a. m. to 8 p. m. daily. Children's Room 2:30 to 6 p. m. daily ; Saturdays 9 a. m. to 6 p. m.
Summer hours: July and August 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. Saturday 9 a. m. to 8 p. m.
Branches:
East Weymouth-2 to 8 p. m. daily except Saturday.
North Weymouth-2 to 6 and 7 to 8 p. m. daily except Saturday.
Weymouth Heights Station-2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 p. m. Monday and Thursday.
Lovell's Corner Station-2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 p. m. Tuesday.
Nash's Corner Station-2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 p. m. Tuesday.
Pond Plain Station-2:30 to 6 and 7 to 8 p. m. Friday.
The Library and the Branches are not open Sundays, legal holidays, nor the 17th of June.
The Library is for the use of all residents of Weymouth. Temporary residents are entitled to the same privileges as permanent residents.
* Resigned.
t Deceased.
# On leave of absence in the armed service.
79
Each card issued to an adult entitles the holder to one book of recent fiction (a book published within the last year), one current periodical, and any reasonable number of other books.
Children under Senior High School age are entitled to a card if the appli- cation is signed by a parent or guardian. Cards issued to children entitle the holders to three books, only one of which may be fiction.
1
All books from the circulating department, except the new fiction may be kept for 14 days. At the request of the borrower, any book not in demand will be charged for one month, subject to recall after two weeks if requested by other borrowers. Fiction published within the last twelve months, and recent numbers of magazines are limited to seven days with no renewal privilege.
The vacation privilege allows a borrower to take books which are not recent publications for an extended time.
A book cannot be transferred from one card to another, but any 14-day book may be renewed at the library, by mail or by telephone (*), unless another borrower has asked to have the book reserved. The date due, the author and title of the book, and the borrower's number should be stated when the request for renewal is made.
Any book will be reserved at the request of a borrower, who will be notified as soon as the book is available. A charge of one cent is made for this service.
A fine of two cents a day will be incurred for each day's detention of a book after it is due. When a book is sent for by the librarian, it will be at the expense of the borrower.
For the convenience of residents living in different parts of the town, books are exchanged through the stations as follows:
Nash's Corner, 924 Front Street Monday
Pond Plain, 308 Pond Street Monday
Lovell's Corner, Pratt School Tuesday
East Weymouth, East Weymouth Branch Thursday
North Weymouth, North Weymouth Branch - Thursday
Weymouth Heights; Adams School Thursday
* Telephone :
Main Library, Weymouth 1402
East Weymouth Branch, Weymouth 1677-W
North Weymouth Branch, Weymouth 1571-J
IN MEMORIAM
Joseph Kelley
Trustee of the Tufts Library
1922 - 1945
80
Study
AldoVES
" The 1879 Library
UND
YOULIS
OF
NA
Z
Chair Storage
MAIN
ROOM
Platform
Clos
Toilet
Weymouth Collection
Room
Stuff
=
Gordon Robb . Architect.
81
Art ROOM
Alcolles
PROPOSED PLAN TO MAKE THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY AVAILABLE FOR USE
GO
S
Mape
SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY
1945, the most momentous year in our history, has passed. World shaking events have influenced the lives and revolutionized the thinking of all people and since a public library immediately reflects the interests and activities of its users, these changes are bringing new demands and a changing emphasis in the use of the Tufts Library.
Reading interests have shifted from technical books on aviation, on weld- ing, on blue-print reading, etc., to books descriptive of the far places of the earth, where our men have gone, and accounts of their living and fighting there, to problems of the peace and world organization; and now to recon- version and postwar opportunities; to the problems of higher wages and higher prices, and, most urgently, to the problems of jobs for all.
Today our young men and women are returning so rapidly that their absorption into peace time pursuits has become one of their own major . problems. Public Libraries have anticipated their return. The Tufts Library has been working in cooperation with the Weymouth Veterans' Service Cen- ter. The library is mailing to the discharged Weymouth service men cards of welcome and invitation. We are trying to do more than merely greet them gladly; we are offering them all the resources of the library in their efforts to readjust to civilian life. A new and up-to-date file of occupational material, containing over 250 pamphlets and giving authentic information concerning the requirements and the opportunities in many occupations, is available for their use. This material should also be valuable to shipyard workers who now must seek other employment, and to young people graduating from our schools and seeking some avenue where their aptitudes and abilities can earn them a living. For the serviceman, the library also has copies of the State and Federal laws relating to veterans, including the G. I. Bill of Rights. A display of some of this material has attracted the interest of men who have come to the library.
1945 has brought increased use of the books for boys and girls, and work with schools has been extended during the year. Certificate reading through- out all the elementary schools has been continued and 520 certificates have been awarded, each for the reading of five books. Fifty-eight of the boys and girls have won honor certificates. Group instruction in the use of a library and its reference collection has been given to the pupils of the Sacred Heart School. The classes, accompanied by their teachers, meet in the library. This project is proving so valuable to the boys and girls that plans are made to extend it to the Sacred Heart High School and, if transportation can be arranged, to the seventh and eighth grades of our public schools. Similar instruction was given last spring to a group of Girl Scouts from South Wey- mouth.
As with many other libraries, the Tufts Library has been handicapped by staff shortages in 1945. Two assistants resigned, and two had serious illness necessitating prolonged absence. One assistant had a month's leave of absence for study at Simmons College Library School. We have had one re- placement, Mrs. Ruth C. Richardson, a former senior assistant, who has returned to us for as long as her husband shall remain in the army and we have been able to secure a little part-time help from two other former assist- ants. In spite of this shortage, the necessary work of the library has been carried forward through the loyal teamwork of the staff.
Six members of the Library Staff have completed courses of college grade in 1945. The librarian and two assistants have spoken to Weymouth groups about books, or reading interests, or the function of the library in the com- munity. The Children's Librarian has made classroom visits in several of the elementary schools and the librarian lectured on Book Selection at a Librarian's Institute held at Simmons College in the summer.
Expense for maintenance was kept at a minimum during 1945. New screens were purchased for six of the large windows in the Reading Room and the tables, desks and chairs at the Main Library were refinished.
At Pond Plain it was necessary to move the station to another location. It is now situated at 308 Pond Street and continues to be operated by Mrs. Lena Pratt. It is a growing station, meeting a real need in the community.
82
Due to the fuel shortage, it was necessary to curtail the library hours during the winter, and the library was closed all day Monday and at eight instead of nine P. M. on other days. The earlier evening closing is still in effect. This inevitably resulted in some loss of book circulation, but our total figures for the year show a drop of only 1,494, or the equivalent of two and one half days average book circulation.
Full statistics of all the library activities are appended to this report.
The trustees wish to take this opportunity to express their appreciation for gifts of books and flowers and for exhibits loaned to the library during 1945.
As the year drew to its close the Board of Trustees was saddened by the death of Mr. Joseph Kelley, Trustee of the Tufts Library since 1922. Mr. Kelley was a true friend of the library as he was of the community, giving of himself generously to all public interests. His kindly counsel and coopera- tion will be greatly missed.
As we look forward to 1946 we realize that the impact of the war has not ended with the surrender of Germany and Japan. The peace on which we are embarked is freighted with problems created by the war, problems that must be faced by thinking people everywhere, if civilization is not to destroy itself. The Trustees of the Tufts Library know that in a changing world libraries must be ready to meet new demands with new and larger service, and they are asking the town to make possible an enlargement of our library facilities by finishing the top floor of the library building. This would not only provide urgently needed space for books, it would make possible a more effective work with young people, stronger reference service to answer the questions of thinking men and women, a place of meeting for the exchange of ideas through lectures or films or music, and so again through books-for all thinking leads back to the printed page. It would provide special alcoves and rooms for music, art, genealogy and other collections, a room for the more than 1,200 volumes that constitute the original Tufts Library, "The 1879 Library"; and a room for books about Weymouth and books by Wey- mouth authors where all our local history can be preserved. There would be quiet places for serious study and more space on the lower floors for the popular and young people's collections.
The function of a public library today reaches far beyond the mere sup- plying of new books to those of the community who are sufficiently interested to seek them out. It includes reference work, with facilities for aiding all serious students. It provides a Children's Library with intelligent guidance of the reading of boys and girls, work with schools and with the youth of the community, and a "readers' adviser" service. It seeks every opportunity to stimulate constructive reading and thinking in the life of the community. It is a community center, offering free recreation, and it is a "People's University." Today we live in a world of revolutionary changes: a world concerned with demobilization and reconversion, with youth guidance and adult education, with strikes at home and hunger in Europe, and civil war in China, with home- less people and jobless people. We live in a world that dimly realizes its potentialities for progress but is appalled by its own power for self-destructon. We live in a world that needs most urgently every possible help toward wise constructive thinking. Our very lives depend today upon our ability to co- operate and maintain peace with other nations of this world. Only with common understanding, common ideas and ideals can a world community exist. Education in understanding has become the fundamental need of mankind today. It cannot be left to our schools which reach the youth of our country only. Every community organization, every library, must become a center of education in that common tradition and in the common ideas and ideals upon which a peaceful, progressive world civilization must rest. A great challenge, a grave responsibility is imposed upon our libraries: the custodians of the wisdom of the past, the distributors of the facts and the thinking of today. The Tufts Library seeks the facilities for better fulfilling this responsibility to the citizens of Weymouth.
Respectfully submitted,
Clarance P. Whittle, President
By order and on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Tufts Library.
83
EXHIBITS LOANED TO THE TUFTS LIBRARY IN 1945
Mexican exhibit loaned by Mr. Carroll Bill. This exhibit included three water colors painted by Mr. Bill, also two gourd bowls, two pig banks and one straw bag.
Display of the original painting "Lovinia" by Katherine Milhous.
This was awarded to the Library for its part in selling government bonds. Mineral exhibit loaned by Mrs. Theron Cain. John Tirrell added some of his mineral collection to it.
Exhibit of scenes from books, handwork of pupils in the seventh and eighth grades of the Hunt School. This was displayed following Book Week. English notebooks were displayed by this group, also.
Handcraft exhibits from Weston and Webb Park playgrounds.
Community Fund exhibits loaned by Mr. Hoadley.
DONORS OF BOOKS TO TUFTS LIBRARY, 1945
Academy of Political Science, N. Y. Allen, Thomas
American Iron and Steel Institute
Anonymous
30 Main, 2 Children's Room, 7 East Weymouth Branch 2 Books
Bradford, Pauline
Brown, Joseph
Brownell, Wm. L.
Carlton, Mrs. Adelaide
Chrysler Corporation
Columbia Broadcasting Company
Commonwealth, Secretary of
2 Books
Condrick, Dorothy
4 Children's Room, 19 North Weymouth Branch
Conrad, David
Cox, Mrs. James
Crosby, Mrs.
Dean, Hubert
Department of Agriculture, U. S.
Donnelly, Major Edward
Evans, Mrs. Raymond
6 Children's Room 10 East Weymouth Branch
Fahey, Mrs. Alton
Fulton, Alice
1 East Weymouth Branch
General Motors Sales Corporation
Gilbert, W. H.
Gilmore, Mary
1 Children's Room
Goodrich, B. F., Company
3 Books
Government Printing Office
2 Books
Grand Army of the Republic
Graves, Dr. Thomas
Hannon, E. F. Hanover, Mass., Town of
Husted, Helen
Indiana Historical Society
Institute of Pacific Relations
Insurance Company of North America
International Harvester Company
Jewish Publication Society of America
Lewis, H. S.
Library of Congress
Long, Dorelda
1 East Weymouth Branch
MacIntire, Mrs. G. A.
12 Books
Massachusetts, Commonwealth of
3 Books
Massachusetts, State College, Amherst, Mass.
Mclellan, Bobby
1 Children's Room 6 North Weymouth Branch
McMullin, Mrs. Michael
2 Books
15 Main, 8 Children's Room 26 North Weymouth Branch 12 East Weymouth Branch
2 Books
Gannon, Kathryn
Government, United States
5 Books
84
Murphy, Evelyn New England Zionist Emergency Council
Nutting, Mrs. Nellie B. Pond School
Pratt, Franklin
Pratt, Laban, Estate of
Price, Kenneth
Rukeyser, M. S.
Ryerson, F. & Clements, C.
Selser, Maxwell
1 North Weymouth Branch 8 Books
Smithsonian Institution
South Bend Lathe Works
Southern New England Book and Bible House
Truax, Paul J.
United Spanish War Veterans
United States Infantry Journal
Vinton, Charles
Weston, Mass., Town of
Weymouth, Mass., Town of
Whiting, Russell
Winship, Mrs. Wilfred
8 Main, 1 North Weymouth Branch 1 East Weymouth Branch 1 North Weymouth Branch 6 Books
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM OF STATISTICS For the year ending December 31, 1945
Population served (census of 1940)
.
Assessed valuation of the Town
Total number of agencies, consisting of
Main Library
1
Branches
2
Deposit Stations
4
Schools
11
Number of days open during the year
283
Total valuation of library property
$104,600.00
Number of volumes at the beginning of year
60,780
Number of volumes added during year
2,383
Number of volumes withdrawn from record
1,599
Number of volumes at end of year
61,564
Number of volumes of adult non-fiction lent
26,139
Number of volumes of adult fiction lent
77,068
Number of books for children lent
58,991
Total number of volumes lent for home use
162,198
Number of borrowers registered
8,290
Number of new borrowers registered in 1945
1,195
Number of newspapers currently received
9
Number of periodicals currently received
112
Receipts from
Town appropriation
$29,558.00
Special town appropriation for temporary increase in salaries Endowment funds
745.06
$33,897.16
Payment for
Salaries: Library staff
$18,497.33
Salaries: Building staff
2,688.10
Books
3,815.00
Periodicals
632.75
Binding and repairing books
972.36
Rent
2,040.00
Heat, light, water
855.88
Insurance
.00
Other operating expenses
3,482.44
Balance returned to Town
913.30
$33,897.16 $ 1,215.58
Receipts from fines-returned to Town
85
2 East Weymouth Branch 4 Books 3 East Weymouth Branch 3 Children's Room
20 Books 24 Books 10 Children's Room
1 Nash's Corner
23,868 $52,950,702.00
-
3,594.10
APPENDIX A Circulation by classes from Tufts Library and Branches
Main
North Weymouth
East Weymouth
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Adult
· Juvenile
Total
General Works
85
14
99
6
20
26
6
0
6
Philosophy
305
6
311
71
14
85
56
18
74
Religion
173
86
259
72
37
109
61
135
196
Social Sciences
964
3034
. 3998
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