USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1914 > Part 6
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Crescent St., drain Vernon St., gravel work Main St., tar patching Setting bound-stones, Lowell & Vernon Sts
52.00
SECTION 2-Continued
1914
Cleaning & Miscel.
Drains Gravel
Macadam Oil
Oil Patching
Sidewalks
Aug. Lawrence & Otis Sts., picking up stones Street sign irons 2.50 Sept. Cleaning catch-basins, pipe, etc. Oct. Street signs 36.53 Road oil Lowell & Vernon Sts., bound-stones 48.60 Cleaning up leaves 42.50
5.76
39.67
51.00
Nov. Cleaning catch-basins
23.89
Dec. Vernon St., picking up stones 2.25
Allott:, $3528 Expend, $3773.09 O'Draft, $245.09 $584.45
$408.81 $1,227.80
$10.78
$687.52 $64.93 $788.80
SECTION 3
$7.00
Jan. North Ave. Apr. Spring cleaning & drag scraping $145.00
Richardson Ave., tar patching May North Ave., drag scraping 2.50
$6.87
Cleaning catch-basins $48.68
Albion & Chestnut Sts. Road oil Chestnut St.
43.75
$307.56
23.81
June Chestnut St. 2.50
Road oil, Tarvia B, Rich Av.&Chestnut St. Richardson Ave.
211.91
$828.59
July Prop. share of oil car demurrage
6.90
Sept. North Ave., brook
7.88
Richardson Ave.
13.75
Oct. Street signs
27.77
Cleaning leaves
27.75
Nov. Cleaning catch-basins, etc. West Water St.
12.50
.
57.97
Dec. West Water St.
6.12
Allott., $1489 Expend., $1788.81 O'Draft, $299.81 $275.52 $56.56 $71.09 $828.59 $526.37
$30.68
SECTION 4
1914
Mar. Morrison Road, washout
$ .69
Apr. Spring cleaning & drag scraping $323.60
May Park Ave., filling hole .85 Cleaning 19.63 Cleaning catch-basins 61.50 Road oil $3.62
West Chestnut St., patching
$17.84
June Road oil
278.79
1914
Cleaning & Miscel. Drains 37.97
Gravel
Macadam Oil
Oil Patching
Sidewalks
Morrison Rd., Elm, Emerson & Prospect Sts. July. Road oil
42.80
Prospect & Elm Sts., repairs Cleaning catch-basins and gutters
9.35
Aug. Cleaning catch-basins and gutters
6.47
Sept. Road oil West Chestnut St., macadam work
$163.47
Oct. Street signs 32.14
Road oil
363.00
West Chestnut St., macadam work
975.64
Cleaning up leaves 20.00
Allott., $2219 Expend., $2429.11 O'Draft,$210.11 $395.37
$116.83
$1,139.11
$698.18
$17.84
$61.78
SECTION 5
Apr. Spring cleaning $188.23 Dell Ave. and Steadman St. $1.13
May Dell Ave. and Converse St. Albion St. Cleaning catch-basins 30.75
23.16
$23.81
June Road oil
$599.55
July Road oil
45.93
$61.78
9.97
Sept. Converse St., dump Road oil Cleaning catch-basins and drains
4.50
11.98
24.75
38.95
· Oct. Street signs Road oil Gould St., gravel work $41.67
159.00
Nov. Cleaning up leaves 7.50
232:59
Gould, Converse and Emerson Sts.
$5.00
Dec. Albion St., sand Emerson St. 8.00
Allott., $1677 Expend., $1446.50 Bal., $230.50 $239.18
$87.79 $274.26
$5.00
$816.46
$23.81
SECTION 6
Jan. Nahant St.
$8.44
$11.49
Mar. Valley St., sidewalk Water St., gutters
$8.75
136.90
Apr. Spring cleaning Valley St., sidewalk Valley St., patching
4.72
May Junction Depot Park
Road oil
$10.50
$17.75
$126.61
June Cleaning catch-basins
$51.25
SECTION 6-Continued
Cleaning & Miscel. Drains
Gravel 6.69
Macadam Oil
Oil Patching
Sidewalks
*.
94.37
8.91
6.47
28.68
66.09
7.00
65.64
30.41
2.25
49.22
Sept. Charles St. Brook, Water St.
6.75
2.25
Oct. Street signs
Road oil
Franklin Street
13.16
47.64
$629.19
Nov. Melvin Street
40.00
$12.50
Dec. Water St. cor. Wakefield Ave. Franklin Street
$116.46
Road oil
$169.60
Allott., $1600 Expend., $1780.25 O'Draft, $180.25 $212.28 $56.31
$91.47
$745.65
$512.77
$17.75
$144.02
1914 June Main St., cor. Green St., grading Road oil July Road oil Richardson St. Junction Depot Park Richardson St. 'Aug. Bennett St. Road oil Richardson and Traverse Sts Birch Hill Ave. Junction Depot Park Water St.
.56
SECTION 7
Jan. Sharpening tools
Dust layer, Main St. (1913)
$4.80
$240.00
Apr. Spring cleaning Cleaning brook
$321.15
$1.41
May Road oil
93.16
June Road oil
183.93
Cleaning catch-basins
84.53
Street census
8.44
July Repairing, etc
$57.73
Main St.
3.09
Main St., patching Road oil
$5.75
Aug. Cleaning catch-basins
1.75
Sept. Forest, Green and High Sts. Cleaning catch-basins
17.38
9.00
Oct. Street signs
20.47
249.27
Renwick Road and Ashland Sts.
257.40
Ledge work, off Oak St. Cleaning up leaves 10.00
176.65
Nov. Oak St.
26.40
3.75
Road oil Oak St.
299.75
SECTION 7-Continued
Cleaning & Miscel. Drains
Gravel
Macadam
Oil
Oil Patching 39.75
Sidewalks
45.00
2.20
25.00
140.25
3.57
36.00
Allott., $2883 Expend., $2367.58 Bal., $515.42 $377.44 $427.18 $471.20
$182.42
$806.11
$45.50
$57.73
SECTION 8
$3.00
Jan. Blacksmith coal (1913) Apr. Spring cleaning July Repairing Road oil
$111.86
$ .50
$6.57
Nov. Forest St.
$32.50
Spring St. Dec. Road oil
35.00
54.00
Allott., $810 Expend., $243.43 Bal., $566.57 $146.86 $ .50 $3.00
$60.57
$32.50
1914 Main St. Cleaning catch-basins New ledge
Dec. Greenwood Ave. Everett Ave. Stripping ledge Road oil
SECTION 9
1914 Jan. Nahant St. Apr. Spring cleaning June Water St.
$16.58
$117.20
$379.04 508.08 $9.99 Nov. Farm St.
July Water, Farm and Nahant St. Water and Farm Sts.
7.50
Allott., $928 Expend., $1,038.39 O'Draft,$110.39 $117.20 $17.49 $16.58
$887.12
116
Amt. allot.
&reimburse.
Expend.
Balance
O'Draft
Sidewalks
$2,673.56
2,565.11
$108.45
Patrol
1,000.00
1,052.75
$52.75
Snow
1,000.00
1,748.53
748.53
Gen. Maint.
3,756.48
3,359.57
396.91
Section No. 1
1,275.00
1,245.39
29.61
Section No. 2
3,528.00
3,773.09
245.09
Section No. 3
1,489.00
1,788.81
299.81
Section No. 4
2,219.00
2,429.11
210.11
Section No. 5
1,677.00
1,446.50
230.50
Section No. 6
1,600.00
1,780.25
180.25
Section No. 7
2,883.00
2,367.58
515.42
Section No. 8
810.00
243.43
566.57
Section No. 9
928.00
1,038.39
110.39
Total
$24,839.04 $24,838.51 $1,847.46 $1.846.93
Balance
.53
.53
Main Street Square Expenditures
1914
Expend.
Balance Avail. $5,734.73
Barrett Mfg. Co., Tarvia "B" & "X"
$1,432.88
Bennett, L. E., coal and wood
224.91
Bond, Harold L., supplies
53.43
Eaton, G. W., supplies
.85
Feindel, H. A., supplies
17.27
Greany, Dennis, gravel
16.40
Heywood Bros. & Wakefield Co., repairs
2.20
Hughes, J. J., repairs
23.05
Sampson, Geo. H., dynamite
10.96
Simpson Bros. Corp., rent of roller
70.00
Standard Oil Co. of New York, gas and oil
42.10
Taylor, G. H., supplies. .
6.22
Toomey, John, coal and wood
24.57
Verges, A. C., supplies .
2.56
Appropriation
117
Wanamaker & Feindel, blacksmith work .
$26.02 Manhole covers, taken from Gen. Maint. account
20.00
Labor charges as per payroll
6,668.29
Credits for crushed stone, for sections, by sale, etc. 418.00
Transferred from M. St. So. to this
account.
2,488.98
Total
$8,641.71 $8,641.71
Main Street, South
1914
Expend.
Balance Avail. $18,000.00
Appropriation
Alden Speare's Sons Co., supplies
$71.61
American Oil & Gasoline Co.
109.40
Barrett Mfg. Co., Tarvis "B" & "X". 3,200. 56
Bay State Street Ry. Co., poles
6.00
Bennett, L. E., coal and wood
32.54
Bond, Harold L., dynamite and supplies
200.21
B. & M. R. R., freight
14.50
Buffalo Steam Roller Co., grates.
11.05
Chesterton, A. W., supplies
10.36
Comins, A. B., expressage
.75
Curley Bros., coal and wood
23.07
Esner, Morse A., tar boots
5.00
Feindel, H. A., supplies
49.31
Forbes, J. J., wire .
. 20
Grace, J. W., supplies
9.95
Greany, Dennis, gravel
25.40
Heywood Bros. & Wakefield Co., repairs
2.70
Hickey, Thos., coal and wood
17.68
Killorin Cont. Co., gravel and sand
165.25
Laybolt, J., supplies
1.74
Linnell, L. B., services .
.50
Logan, Wm., repairs.
12.00
McDonald, P. F., supplies
5.00
.
118
Mortimer, E., five lunches $1.10
J. B. Munier Heirs, repairs 2.00
Neiss, Fred, tar boots
4.50
New England Road Mach. Co., supplies
331.88
Revere Rubber Co., supplies
17.30
Standard Oil Co., gas and oil for Comp ..
208.24
Stoneham Tool and Mach. Co., repairs .
24.70
Sweetser, Dana I., supplies .
17.65
Taylor, Geo. H., supplies
14.45
Toomey, John, coal and wood
237.19
Verge, A. C., supplies
2.55
Wanamaker & Feindel, blacksmith work .
38.89
Team charges
20.00
Transferred labor charges
362.39
Labor as per payrolls
11,129.65
Transferred from this acct. to Main St. Sq.
2,488.98
Credits for crushed stone used in sections
876.25
Total
$18,876.25
WHARTON PARK ROAD
Balance
1914
Expenses
Avail. $1,700.00
Available
May 14 Payroll
$380.06
May 21 Payroll
648.56
May 28 Payroll
622.19
June 4 Payroll
49.19
Total .
$1,700.00 $1,700.00
Over draft paid from Section No. 1
PAYROLL
Name
Amt.
Anderson, O.
$57.38
Barom, J.
11.39
Bennett, S.
767.74
119
Bennidict, C ..
$208.42
Bennidict, N.
115.04
Bishop, M.
93.10
Bissbee, Geo ..
298.13
Bowers, H.
3.09
Bowers, N.
3.09
Buckley, C.
143.72
Bullterri, T.
11.39
Callan, A.
3.09
Carley, W.
4.22
Carlo, J.
236.55
Chase, L. L.
13.22
Cierri, M.
388.16
Clements, L.
133.88
Clines, M. .
83.82
Collins, J.
41.63
Conners, D.
82.97
Conners, M.
89.45
Connolly, M ..
339.34
Coyne, B.
157.52
Curran, P.
93.10
Dalrymple, C.
.56
Daly, John
129.95
Dearko, Carlo
344.56
DeLucca, L.
529.41
DeRoche, E.
409.51
Deveau, J.
336.52
Devlin, E. .
406.13
Dibuona, C.
68.62
Dillon, J.
480.74
Dingle, J.
99.85
Ditchi, S.
383.77
Dolan, J.
96.90
Donahue, D.
68.64
Donahue, M. P.
279.58
Donavan, D.
469.87
Doneto; P.
3.66
Doucette, Jos.
187.04
120
Drake, N. L.
$106.88
Duggan, P.
7.03
Dykeman, J.
334.00
Edmands, J.
8.15
Farrington, E.
86.63
Farrington, J.
24.47
Fay, Henry
. 56
Fenton, D ..
362.25
Frank, Thos.
76:23
Frank, Tony
19.69
Freeman, J.
340.61
Frost, R.
.84
Gaspar, L.
8.44
Gibbons, Thos.
105.20
Gincirz, W.
61.04
Gleason, T.
40.50
Goodhue, P.
117.99
Greany, D.
561.38
Greany, T ..
281.16
Guthro, P.
102.38
Hale, H.
319.80
Hanley, J. .
8.86
Hatch, L. O.
4.79
Hawkes, A.
97.32
Heath, F. A.
13.08
Hennessy, J. .
48.39
Hennessy, B.
299.82
Hennessy, W.
294.21
Hill, E.
5.34
Hourihan, Thos.
96.19
Kane, J. J ..
23.90
Kane, Thos.
140.21
Kanoassky, F.
56.26
Keady, P.
359.46
Lally, W.
36.57
Le Fave, P.
227.26
Le Fave, S.
75.95
Landers, Thos.
203.62
121
Landers, Wm.
$198.60
Long, J. 59.63
MacConnell, M. 128.25
MacDonald, A. 81.28
MacDonald, J. .
183.39
MacLaughlin, Wm. 301.13
Maguire, S.
19.41
Malonson, A.
.84
Mansfield, A. L.
8.72
Martola, M.
214.05.
McGlory, F.
422.59
McKenna, J.
72.85
Merrill, M.
730.41
Millar, H. M.
643.70
Mooney, J.
1.13
Muldowney, P.
117.01
Murphy, D.
11.25
Murphy, J.
43.87
Murphy, T.
248.49
Muse, E.
224.16
Muse, F.
22.50
Muse, R.
253.98
Muse, S ..
337.39
Muse, T.
109.13
Neiss, F.
365.63
Neiss, J.
648.09
Nicola, C.
213.33
Oakes, W. E ..
6.76
O'Donnell, J ..
50.64
O'Leary, A.
28.00
O'Leary, C.
52.88
Oliver,
.84
Patzuta, B.
314.33
Palmer, T.
3.09.
Percanti, L.
1.13
Powers, T.
351.73
Puleo, Chas.
207.16
Reid, J. R.
. 56
122
Riley, F.
$625.98
Riley, J.
57.00
Rock, J. 209.39
Rooney, T.
43.03
Rossi, J.
80.73
Ruggles, G.
4.50
Russell, H .
2,81
Savage, F.
110.26
Shannon, J.
420.31
Smith, M. .
4.51
Sullivan, D.
90.85
Surrette, B.
138.37
Surrette, Wm.
200.56
Terravecchi, P.
217.69
Terravecchi. S.
365.93
Thomas, Geo.
315.43
Thwaits, H.
9.84
Tupper, L.
4.50
Tyzzer, Wm.
1.25
Walsh, L.
127.13
Walsh, T.
411.89
Waters, Geo.
5.34
Weeks, G. H. C.
326.25
Welch, J.
361.03
Welch, P., No. 1
407.83
Welch, P., No. 2
282.13
Welch, Wm.
315.43
White, F.
82.69
White, H.
2.11
White, J.
800.36
White, Wm.
236.01
Yannell, Jos.
11.39
$25,536.67
Snow Plows
Caponi, P. $75.00
Cardillo, D.
34.00
123
Cutler, F. E.
$ 93.12
Doyle, Chas. 129.00
Fire Dept. 70.17
Knox, Wm.
33.13
Mansfield, A. L.
88 .. 50
Reid, J. R ..
66.00
$588.92
Teams
Cardillo, A.
$638.77
Comins, A. B.
531.89
Curley Bros.
612.50
Cutler, F. E.
1,124.03
Doyle, Chas.
1,074.84
Feindel, H. A.
689.08
Hickey, Thos.
250.00
Hoyte, F. P.
789.43
Latimer, C.
831.60
Lee, Wm.
554.71
Reid, Henry
434.42
Toomey, John
157.92
Town Farm
36.84
Wakefield Ice Co ..
32.50
$7,758.53
Labor .
$25,536.67
Plows
588.92
Teams
. 7,758.53
Total
$33,884.12
124
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health herewith submits its Annual Report. The number of contagious diseases reported to the Board are as follows:
Scarlet Fever . 19
Diphtheria 19
Measles . 5
Typhoid Fever 2
Infantile Paralysis
1
Tuberculosis .
16
Chickenpox 12
The Health Office caused the abatement of the following nuisances :
Hog pens cleaned 8
Hogs removed 10
Overflowing vaults 13
Overflowing cesspools .
18
Buildings closed on account of unsanitary conditions 2
Collection of Swill
At the March Town Meeting, 1913, $1,500.00 was appropriated for the collection of swill. The Board advertised for bids for doing the work, and finally awarded the contract to Thomas I. Paon for the sum of $1,200.00 per year.
The work of collecting swill in the Town has been carried out very satisfactorily. There have been a few complaints, but these were promptly attended to by the Board.
The Board is looking forward to the time when the Town will realize the necessity, and vote an appropriation for the collection and proper disposal of ashes and other refuse.
Respectfully submitted,
THE BOARD OF HEALTH, JOSEPH W. HEATH, M.D., DAVID TAGGART2 AUGUSTUS D. JENKINS, Secretary.
-
125
PLUMBING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen: - The work of the Plumbing Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1914 is as follows:
Applications filled
132
Bath tubs
74
Lavatories 70
Sinks
109
Wash trays 91
Urinals
9
Respectfully submitted DAVID TAGGART, Inspector of Plumbing.
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen: - I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1914.
Ninety-one samples of milk have been collected, showing the average percentage of solids not fat of 8.954 of butter fat 3.961 total 12.915.
Forty-nine milk and five oleomargarine licenses have been issued.
At the present time the question of milk inspection is in a very unsettled condition, our present policy is for analysis for milk solids and adulterations only.
In some of our neighboring towns arrangements have been made with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a more · thorough examination, especially along the lines of bacteria, and I would suggest that your Board give this subject your careful consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
H. A. SIMONDS, Milk Inspector.
473
Water closets
Fixtures set 120
126
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Jan., 1914 Appropriation $25.00
Mar., 1914 Appropriation 555.00
Mar., 1914 Appropriation, salary 70.00
$650.00
Expenditures
Hiram Woodis, labor
$196.32
Frank Heath, labor
9.75
John Wheeler, labor .
43.88
C. A. Shepherd, labor
2.25
J. J. McMaster, labor
144.43
Water Dept.
5.00
H. M. Dolbeare, supplies
4.75
Geo. H. Taylor, supplies
85.79
Waldo Bros., supplies
18.60
Charles C. Ball, supplies
16.80
S. Berry & Son, teaming
13.18
Harold L. Bond Co., supplies
1.83
C. E. Knowles, supplies
3.75
W. L. Linney, supplies
1.25
Harvey S. Parker, salary
20.00
Willie R. Blake, salary 20.00
John Minniken, salary
30.00
$617.58
Balance unexpended
$32.42
$650.00
127
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Town of Wakefield
Gentlemen: -
The Building Inspectors Report from July 16 to December 1, 1914 is as follows:
I have inspected thirty-five buildings for the Selectmen and made a record of the same.
I have issued two building permits.
I have closed three buildings, one on Turnbull Ave., one on Lawrence Street and one on Gould Street.
The Lawrence Street building is to be taken down. The Greenwood Block at the corner of Main and Oak Streets is now under consideration.
The estimated value of the thirty-five buildings inspected is $61,734.00. I have inspected thirty elevators and made returns to the State as specified by law.
Respectfully submitted,
HOYT B. PARKER. Building Inspector.
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD
At the last annual Town Meeting, the town voted to accept Chapter 494 of Acts of 1913, calling for the appointment of a Town Planning Board. In accordance with this vote, the following were chosen to serve the Town of Wakefield as its first Planning Board: F. A. Long, H. B. Mansfield, Forrest A. Seavey, Dr. C. L. Sopher and Dr. J. William O'Connell. At the organization of the Board, Mr. Long was elected chairman and Dr. O'Connell, secretary.
128
The object of City or Town Planning Boards is to study the resources, possibilities, and needs of the city or town, par- ticularly with respect to conditions which may be injurious to the public health or otherwise injurious in and about rented dwellings, and to make plans for the development of the muni- cipalities with special reference to the housing of its people.
To the end that this study might be as thorough as possible, the following sub-committees were appointed :
Comprehensive Planning: Mr. Long.
Housing: Mr. Mansfield.
Streets and Transportation: Mr. Seavey.
Public Health and Economics: Dr. Sopher.
Education and Publicity: Dr. O'Connell.
The Committee meets monthly in regular session besides having frequent informal meetings.
Several of the members have also attended various meetings and conferences held by the Massachusetts Homestead Com- mission at the State House.
The Board reports that it is studying the various problems pertaining to the future growth and welfare of the town and its inhabitants, and feels sure that pronounced good can result from the efforts of such a Board, especially if backed up by the citizens in general, and in particular by the various Improve- ment Societies which have already done a great deal of good toward the betterment of conditions in this town.
FRANK A. LONG, Chairman, HUBBARD B. MANSFIELD, FORREST A. SEAVEY, DR. CURTIS L. SOPHER, DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL, Secretary.
ANNUAL REPORT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BEEBE TOWN LIBRARY
WAKEFIELD, MASS.
1914
130
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES
Chairman . Hervey J. Skinner Secretary . Winfield S. Ripley, Jr. Treasurer . George E. Walker
STANDING COMMITTEES
Library Richard Dutton, Chairman
Hervey J. Skinner
Mrs. Emily F. Howes
Reading Room Mrs. Emily F. Howes, Chairman
Miss Elizabeth F. Ingram Winfield S. Ripley, Jr.
Catalogue
Miss Elizabeth F. Ingram, Chairman
Richard Dutton Harry Foster
Finance Walter O. Cartwright, Chairman
Frank T. Woodbury Harry Foster
Greenwood Winfield S. Ripley, Jr., Chairman
Frank T. Woodbury Walter O. Cartwright
Book
Edson W. White, Chairman
Richard Dutton Winfield S. Ripley, Jr. Frank T. Woodbury Harry Foster Emily F. Howes
Elizabeth F. Ingram
Hervey J. Skinner
Walter O. Cartwright
Librarian . Miss H. Gertrude Lee
Assistant Librarian . Miss Emma L. Campbell
Assistant Librarian (Greenwood) . Mrs. Idabelle F. Studley Attendant Mrs. Katherine Madden Attendant . . Mrs. Cora MacQuarrie
Sunday Attendant, Reading Room . William Macleod Extra Attendant . Hildur L. Carlson
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The annual report of the Trustees of the Beebe Town Library is herewith submitted to the citizens of the town.
The Trustees granted permission to a Committee from the Kosmos Club, of which Mrs. Annie L. Cox was chairman, to hold a series of story telling mornings for children in the Reading Room. These began on January 10 and continued for six suc- cessive Saturdays. Seating arrangements were provided for sixty-five, but on the first morning some three hundred children appeared and the meeting was necessarily adjourned to the auditorium. Later, the Selectmen kindly gave the Committee permission to use this room during the remainder of the course. The attendance averaged one hundred and seventy-five per morning, although on one extremely stormy day only thirty-two came. The numbers of children and the close attention they paid to the story tellers show the advisability of continuing the plan, in fact, the Trustees have already granted the Committee the use of the Reading Room for a course in the early part of 1915. The new course will be given with graded groups and the numbers can thus be limited to the capacity of the room. This story telling to children is regular library work and would be done by this library if the appropriation permitted.
In May the Library joined the American Library Association and the Trustees voted that the Librarian be allowed additional vacation for the purpose of attending the Convention of the Association to be held in Washington. The Librarian made a full report on her return and brought back many new ideas for library improvement.
At the Trustees' meeting held August 3, it was decided to purchase some books bearing on such European countries as were engaged in the war and twenty-two books and two maps were obtained immediately. At the same time such other works in the library and which bore on the same general subject were displayed on the open shelves of the waiting room.
In the Reading Room, seven magazines were discontinued as being little used, unmoral or of little value and the following ten
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were added to replace them, as follows: - Amercian Magazine, American Cookery, Boys' Life (a Boy Scout magazine), The Craftsman, The Dial, Education, Life, Modern Priscilla, Outdoor Life, Travel. There are now in use in the Reading Room fifty- three monthly magazines, eleven weeklies, and six daily papers. As noted elsewhere some of the magazines are gifts. A re- arrangement of the tables in the Reading Room, the transforma- tion of an archaic relic into an up-to-date shelf for newspaper readers, the resultant banishment of the always troublesome tall stools and a new magazine rack are the principal improvements the Trustees have made in the Reading Room during the past year. These improvements were made at the same time that the new steel ceiling was installed by the town and the Selectmen agreed with the Trustees that the walls needed repainting and were kind enough to have it done. The result is a lighter, more convenient and cheerful room. It is a pity that certain young men do not use it as a reading room, but must bring their rowdy- ism in from the streets. It will not be long before an attendant will be necessary at all hours.
The inadequacy of the library quarters become increasingly embarrassing each year. A visit to the library any afternoon at about school closing time will show anyone how small the wait- ing room really is. The remedy is one of those exasperatingly simple ones, so easy to propose and so difficult of accomplish- ment. More room is the remedy. This, however, is only a part of the problem. The town library needs a separate room for children and their books. It also needs more room for books for older persons. This matter has repeatedly been brought to the attention of the citizens. More room must be made every year for new books. This involves storing the books thought least desirable and the rearrangement of the balance. The stored books are practically withdrawn from circulation.
In an attempt to improve conditions the fiction is now in process of reclassification in a modern manner, the work being undertaken by the librarian at her own request. There is a large amount of extra work involved for business proceeds as usual and there has been remarkably little confusion. Not the least difficulty has been in finding room in the already over-
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crowded book stacks so that the newly numbered shelves may have a semblance of continuity. The task, however, is well on the way to completion and will not only assist the patrons but will save time for the attendants. The Cutter system is used with Cutter-Sanborn author marks. The apparently compli- cated numbering becomes simplicity itself when understood. All the works of any given author are to be found on one shelf, that shelf having the initial of the author's name and a number. For instance any book by Dickens is represented by D548, while the particular book is shown by a small letter after the number, this small letter being the initial of the principal word in the name of the book. Thus "Barnaby Rudge" by Dickens is D548b, but "Bleak House" becomes D548bl, while "Christ- mas Books" are represented by c, "David Copperfield" by d, and similarly with other works of the same author. Under former conditions a patron asking for something else by Dickens might compel the attendant to visit a dozen shelves to cover all the works by this author.
While it is eminently desirable that the non-fiction books of the library should also be reclassified under this system this is a much more complicated proposition, calls for special work and cannot be done without outside help and a special appro- priation.
In connection with the March bulletin a special list of books on "Gardening" was printed. This was much appreciated by the patrons and caused those books to be more called for and used.
In June, Miss Ingram, chairman of the Catalogue Committee, published in the Daily Item, a list of summer reading for students.
In October, a list of books compiled by Miss Ingram and the librarian, Miss Lee, was published under title of "Good Books to Read." The intent of the list is shown in the introduction. "The purpose of this list of books is to guide the young people of Wakefield in their choice of books for collateral reading." Owing to lack of funds this list could not be issued by the library and the author financed the edition herself.
Other lists of books on special subjects are contemplated.
The people of Greenwood continue to read a great many books. A large number should be added to the branch both
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to satisfy the readers and to relieve the draft from the main library.
The circulation has increased about eleven per cent over last year, hence greater expense of operation especially in renewals and rebindings. These two items have required $125.00 more than last year and one hundred and seventy-five books are still on hand awaiting binding. This increase has caused a propor- tional decrease in the amount available for new books resulting in complaints from patrons. The work of the binder not being entirely satisfactory, a tentative change has been made. So far the results have been all that could be wished. Although the expense per book is slightly greater, the class of work is so superior that the binding will be more economical.
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