USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1928 > Part 8
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APPARATUS
There are at the present time 8 pieces of apparatus in this depart- ment.
One Triple Combination purchased from the Seagrave Co., and put in service July 1924. This machine is equipped with a 750 gallon centri- fugal type pump, 80 gallon water tank, 250 ft. of 34 inch hose, 1,200 ft. of 21/2 inch hose, cellar pipe, stretcher and various other equipment.
One Double-bank 75 ft. Aerial Truck purchased from the Seagrave Co., Inc. Put in service December 1928. This machine is of the latest type having several new features which serve to increase the efficiency of same. Is equipped with Water-gun having 3 inch hose attached to 75 ft. aerial ladder, carries 379 ft. of ladders, 80 gallon water tank, 200 ft. 34 inch hose, life net, stretcher, oxygen tank for resuscitation work, 75 gallon per minute water pump, and much other equipment.
One Pierce Arrow Combination put in service May 1927. This piece of apparatus built for a spare machine to replace such other pieces of ap- paratus of its type which may be out of commission from various causes has proved its value a number of times. Is equipped with 1,000 ft. of 212 inch hose, 200 ft. of 34 inch hose, water pump and booster tank of 52 gal- lon capacity and various other equipment.
One Pierce Arrow Squad Wagon put in service 1926, and carries one 1,100 gallon water gun mounted, together with much other equipment which makes this piece of apparatus efficient for the many uses it may be called for.
One White Combination put in service 1920. Carries 1,000 ft. of 21/2 inch hose, 250 ft. of 1/8 inch hose, chemical tank, and various other equip- ment.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
One Buick Chief's car which has proved to be a valuable asset to the equipment of the department.
One Triple Combination at the Greenwood Station. Put in service at Greenwood in October 1924. Carries 1,000 ft. of 21/2 inch hose, 200 ft. of 34 inch hose, chemical tank and much other equipment.
There is in reserve 1 steam fire engine-the Amoskeag put in service in 1907.
RECORD OF FIRES
During the year the department has responded to 273 alarms divided as follows: 208 Still alarms, and 65 Box alarms. The Box alarms and the Still alarms which involved loss are as follows:
Wednesday, Jan. 4, 1.14 p. m. Box 48. Dwelling house owned and occupied by Estelle M. Glynn. 12 Lakeview Ave. Cause: Child playing with matches in cellar. Loss $45.
Thursday, Jan. 5, 10.45 a. m. Box 23. 171 Albion St. Apartment Block owned by Ellen McManamin. Cause: defective chimney in cel- lar. Loss: $708.
Saturday, Jan. 7, 9.13 p. m. Box 61. North Ave. Grass fire, north of Wakefield Coal Supply Co. office. Cause: probably set by boys. No damage.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 12.31 p. m. Box 35. 443 Main St. Owned by Charles J. Klapes and occupied as candy mfg. on first floor and tenement house on second floor. Cause: Gas in closet of dwelling blazing. Loss : small.
Monday, Feb. 6, 7.07 a. m. Box 8. Called to aid the Town of North Reading to combat fire in McLain Wagon Shop. Seagrave Engine No. 1 responded with 12 men and gave valuable assistance.
Monday, Feb. 6, 10.41 a. m. Box 313. 58 Melvin St. Small stor- age shed owned by Antonio Martino. Cause: unknown. Loss: small.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 11.52 a. m. Box 325. False alarm. Pulled by small boy.
Monday, Feb. 20, 8.04 p. m. Still alarm. Corner Pleasant and Otis streets. Ford Coupe owned by J. Zanni, Beach St., Reading, Mass. Cause: alcohol fumes from burst radiator ignited under hood. Loss: small.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Saturday, Feb. 25, 9.05 p. m. Box 352. 38 Yale Ave. Dwelling house owned .and occupied by George Sanborn. Cause: blazing soot in chimney. No loss.
Wednesday, Feb. 29, 11.52 a. m. Box 12. Greenwood Union Church. Cause : sparks from chimney igniting wooden shingles on roof. Loss: $43.75.
Friday, March 2, 2.50 p. m. Box 27. 72 W. Chestnut St. Dwell- ing house owned and occupied by George W. Killorin. Cause: sparks from chimney igniting wooden shingles on roof. Loss: $295.
Sunday, March 4, 9.45 a. m. Box 48. Corner Bay State Road and Main St. About 3 acres of grass land burned over. Cause: burning and lost control. No damage.
Sunday, March 4, 11.33 a. m. Box 117. 16 Spring St. About 7 acres of grass land burned over. Cause: sparks from locomotive. No damage.
Tuesday, March 6, 11.52 a. m. Box 46. Off Vernon St. About 15 acres of brush land burned over. Cause: Unknown.
Sunday, March 11, 10.55 a. m. Box 39. 185 Vernon St. Dwell- ing house owned by John J. Warchol. Occupied by several families. Cause: pan of fat ignited. No damage.
Monday, March 12, 5.28 p. m. Box 15. False alarm pulled by two small boys.
Tuesday, March 13, 6.25 p. m. Box 35. 447 Main St. Business block owned by William T. Curley. Cause: blazing soot in chimney. No damage.
Tuesday, March 20, 5.10 p. m. Box 351. 42 Richardson Ave. Apart- ment House owned by Miss E. E. Boit. Occupied by Eugene P. McDonald. Cause: overheated furnace pipe in cellar. Loss: $58.65.
Thursday, March 22, 12.02 a. m. Box 17. 4 Oak Ave. Dwelling house owned and occupied by Sidney S. Watts. Cause: unknown. Loss: $1,565.
Sunday, March 25, 11.14 a. m. Box 14. Corner Main and Hanson Streets. Auto truck owned by Benjamin N. Spracklin, 2 Howard St., Greenwood, Mass. Cause: gasoline fumes ignited from careless smok- ing. No damage.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Wednesday, March 28, 3.25 p. m. Box 25. Off Morrison Ave. About 11/2 acres of grass land burned over. Cause: burning old paper. No damage.
Friday, March 30, 7.24 a. m. Box 35. 9 Avon St. Apartment house owned by M. P. Mclaughlin. Cause: sparks from chimney ignited roof. Loss: $2,152.20.
Sunday, April 1, 10.17 p. m. Box 19. False alarm.
Monday, April 2, 11.46 a. m. Box 17. Off Shady Ave. About 1/2 acre of brush land burned over. Cause: careless burning.
Wednesday, April 4, 11.53 p. m. Box 7. Engine Co. No. 1 responded to aid City of Melrose for fire at B. & M. R. R. Station.
Saturday, April 7, 12.57 a. m. Box 16. Off Oak St. About 1/2 acre of brush land burned over. Cause: incendiary. No damage.
Saturday, April 7, 9.55 a. m. Still alarm followed by Box 263 at 10.04 a. m. Off Hopkins St. About 5 acres of grass and brush land burned over. Cause: burning paper blown by wind ignited grass. No damage.
Saturday, April 7, 2 p. m. Still alarm followed by box 316 at 2.09 p. m. Off Nahant St., near Castle Rock. About 3 acres of brush land burned over. Cause: camp fire left unextinguished.
Sunday, April 8, 6.33 p. m. Box 117. 74 Myrtle Ave. Dwelling house owned by Cora E. Mildram. Occupied by G. P. Robertson. Cause: defective chimney. Loss: $925.
Monday, April 9, 10.11 a. m. Box 6. Mutual Aid sent to Reading, Mass., answering box 15.
Thursday, April 12, 10.33 p. m. Box 6. Mutual aid to Reading, Mass., answering box 48, at Wakefield-Reading line.
Monday, April 16, 4.03 p. m. Box 35. 20 Avon St. Dwelling house owned by Louise E. Hawes heirs. Occupied by George H. Stone. Cause: electric flatiron igniting dresser and contents. Loss: $150.
Wednesday, April 17, 3.55 p. m. Box 321. Rear of 98 Water St. Small storage shed owned by Camillo Benedetto. Cause: overheated oil stove. Loss: about $25.00.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Wednesday, April 18, 11.34 p. m. Box 56. Off Grand Passway. About an acre of brush land burned over. Cause: incendiary. No damage.
Friday, April 20, 1.45 p. m. Box 118. Off Charles St. About 1/2 acre of grass land burned over. Cause: set by boys. No damage.
Wednesday, May 16, 12.24 p. m. Box 351. 28 A. Richardson Ave. Dwelling house owned and occupied by George M. Tuttle. Cause: pile of shingles ignited on lawn and spread to house. Loss: $120.
Wednesday, May 16, 1 p. m. Box 312. Richardson St. Dwelling house owned by Louise Apenese. Unoccupied. Cause : bonfire set by children ignited house. Loss: $600.00.
Thursday, May 17, 1.53 p. m. Box 351. Albion St. Fruit store and dwelling house. Owned by Chas. Woodward's est. Cause: probably carelessly thrown cigarette butt on awning. Loss: about $100.
Sunday, May 20, 7.40 a. m. 12 Madison Ave. Box 114. Dwell- ing house owned and occupied by Louis Hartley. Cause: spontaneous combustion. Loss: $783.
Friday, June 1, 3.47 p. m. Box 321. Opp. 152 Water St. Small area of brush land burned over. Cause: set by children. No damage.
Tuesday, July 3, 11.02 p. m. Box 352. Rear of 100 North Ave. Roof of barn. Cause: firecrackers. Damage: small.
Wednesday, July 4, 2.33 p. m. Box 12. 770 Main St. Dwelling house owned by Willard Eaton. Occupied by Edmund Doucette. Cause: firecrackers ignited wooden shingles on roof. Loss: $80.
Sunday, July 8, 8.18 p. m. Box 361. Main St. near Richardson St. Ford Coupe owned and operated by Joseph A. Coffey, 22 Otis St., Revere. Mass. Cause: careless smoking. Loss: $15.
Wednesday, July 11, 11.24 a. m. Box 32. Corner Water St. and Columbia Road. Chandler Touring car owned by Joseph Longo. Cause: children dropped lighted match in gasoline tank. Loss: small.
Thursday, Aug. 2, 12.39 a. m. Box 6. Roadside stand at Wakefield- Reading Line. Occupied by LeNaud's Spaghetti Restaurant.
Saturday, Aug. 5, 2.59 P. M. Box 7. Engine No. 1 responding to box 71 at Melrose Highlands, under Mutual Aid System.
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REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Saturday, Aug. 11, 10.58 a. m. Box 263. High St., Stoneham, Mass. Wooden hay barn owned by Warren F. Scott. Barn was in Stoneham.
Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2.16 p. m. Box 51. New Salem St. dump. No damage.
Wednesday, Aug. 15, 8.58 a. m. Box 12. 771 Main St. Business Block and Apartments. Owned by David Sherman. Occupied by several stores and families. Cause: Sparks from steam shovel ignited wooden shingles on roof. Loss: small.
Friday, Aug. 17, 1.42 p. m. Box 35. Corner Main and Mechanic Streets. Business block owned by A. G. Walton. Cause: careless use of plumbers candle. Loss: smail.
Friday, Aug. 24, 5.03 p. m. Box 15. Chrysler Sedan owned by Ruth Gates, 11 Sherman Road. Cause: clogged filter pipe on carburator. Damage: slight.
Sunday, Sept. 2, 10.55 a. m. Box 241. Frank St. Storage shed for oil, gasoline pump house, and truck, owned by Morris Burwin. C'ause: unknown. Loss: $2,500.
Saturday, Sept. 15, 3.56 p. m. Box 12. 760 Main St. Dwelling house owned by C. B. Wenner. Occupied by John Svenson. Cause : Children playing with matches. Loss: small.
Sunday, Oct. 7, 10.54 a. m. Box 32. 34 Columbia Road. Tene- ment house owned by Charles Marino. Occupied by several families. Cause: careless smoking.
Friday, Oct. 12, 7.52 a. m. Box 18. 564 Main St. Ford Truck. Owned by Crystal Ice Cream Co. Cause: overflowing of gasoline on hot exhaust pipe. Loss: small.
Thursday, Nov. 8, 8.33 a. m. Box 114. 7 Francis Ave. Dwelling house owned and occupied by John J. Round. Cause: children playing with matches. Loss: small.
Thursday, Nov. 8, 2.59 p. m. Box 351. 28 A. Richardson Ave. Dwelling house owned and occupied by George M. Tuttle. Cause: hot ashes. Loss: $280.50.
Saturday, Nov. 10, 11.38 p. m. Box 7. Engine Co. No. 1 responding to aid City of Melrose for fire in Berwick Block.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Monday, Nov. 12, 8.11 a. m. Box 343. 21 Lincoln St. Tenement house owned by Crozier Latimer. Occupied by 3 families. Cause: hot ashes. Loss: $1,102.
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 12.12 p. m. Still alarm. 38 Park Ave. Dwell- ing house occupied by E. E. Ulrici. Cause: curtains ignited by match. Loss: $14.70.
Saturday, Nov. 24, 12.24 p. m. Box 6. Engine Co. No. 1, responding to box 122 at Reading, Mass., under the mutual aid system for a fire off Haven St.
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 11.10 p. m. Box 43. 32 Wave Ave. Dwelling house owned and occupied by Flora M. Kelso. Cause: unknown. Loss: $671.
Sunday, Dec. 9, 12.11 a. m. Box 314. 75 Valley St. Dwelling house owned and occupied by Dominie Cardillo. Cause: rag on top of heater smouldering. No. damage.
Saturday, Dec. 22, 10.42 p. m. Box 35, followed by third alarm at 10.50 p. m. 467 Main St. Business block owned by S. A. Singer. Oc- cupied by several stores on first floor, with offices on second floor. Fire originated in cellar of the Leader Store, operated by Abraham Bernstein. Cause: undetermined. Loss not including Leader Store contents, $16,882.60.
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 4.28 p. m. Box 361. 500 Main St. Bowling Alleys. Owned by Crystal Investment Co. Occupied by George McCon- ville. Cause: careless disposal of cigarette butt. Loss: $15.
Sunday, Dec. 30, 1.56 p. m. Box 62. North Ave. Pile of sawdust on site of former Boston Ice houses. No damage.
Estimate of property endangered
$405,675.00
Loss on same
29,371.40
Insurance on same
438,000.00
Insurance paid on same
29,371.00
Transit value
9,300.00
Transit loss
25.00
CONCLUSION
In closing this report I wish to return my sincere thanks to the Honor- able Board of Selectmen for the interest manifested by them in all matters pertaining to this department during the past year.
141
REPORT OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the various other departments who have rendered valuable assist- ance to the Fire Department during the past year.
My thanks are also due to the Officers and Members of the Department for the prompt and faithful discharge of their duty during the past year.
To the Department Physician, Dr. Curtis L. Sopher for his valuable aid to injured members of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED D. GRAHAM,
Chief of Department.
142
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Inspector of Wires
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen. Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my Annual Report as Inspector of Wires in com- pliance with the vote of the Town, 1922.
There was a total of 712 inspections made. All defects found were made to conform with the National Code.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF F. D. GRAHAM,
Wire Inspector.
Report of Forest Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen. Gentlemen:
During the year 1928 there was a total of 117 woods and grass fires.
Respectfully submitted,
CHIEF F. D. GRAHAM,
Forest Warden.
143
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Report of Library Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Mrs. Florence L. Bean J. Oliver Beebe * Arthur H. Boardman Richard Dutton, M. S. Arthur L. Evans
Winfield S. Ripley Mrs. Bertha Round Hervey J. Skinner
Edson W. Whi te Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
J. Oliver Beebe Mrs. Florence L. Bean Arthur H. Boardman
BOOK COMMITTEE
Edson W. White, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean J. Oliver Beebe Richard Dutton, M. D.
Arthur L. Evans
Winfield S. Ripley Mrs. Bertha Round Hervey J. Skinner Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
BRANCH COMMITTEE
Richard Dutton, M. D., Chairman
Mrs. Bertha Round Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
CHILDREN'S ROOM
Mrs. Florence L. Bean, Chairman
Mrs. Bertha Round
Edson W. White
CIRCULATION AND PUBLICITY
Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
Richard Dutton, M. D.
Edson W. White
*Ex-officio, as Town Treasurer.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
EXECUTIVE Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Mr s. Florence L. Bean
J. Oliver Beebe
FINANCE Winfield S. Ripley, Chairman
Arthur L. Evans
Hervey J. Skinner
HOUSE J. Oliver Beebe, Chairman Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Winfield S. Ripley
145
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARY PERSONNEL
Librarian Helen Frances Carleton
Children's Librarian H. Gladys Mackenzie
Head Cataloguer Louise E. Sheldon
Branch Librarian Clara G. Wilson
General Assistants
Mrs. Katherine Madden
Bertha Taylor
Part-Time Assistants
Olive L. Eaton
Etta F. Smith
Junior Part-Time Assistants
Ruth Ames Alice Crabiel Katherine Doucette
Dorothy Flanagan Edward Liljestrom Julia Scammon
Janitors H. T. Mitchell, Main Library D. E. Pease, Greenwood Branch
-
146
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith pre- sent the seventy third annual report for the calendar year 1928.
It is with genuine pleasure that the Trustees again report a continued increase in the use of the Library by the citizens of Wakefield. This very evident appreciation of the public is a constant inspiration to the Trustees and it is their desire to extend the services of the Library in every possible way.
With this aim in mind, the policy of close co-operation with the schools has been continued, displays of works on various subjects have been ar- ranged, lists of books on timely topics have been distributed, the column "Your Public Library" has been continued in the Daily Item and various other steps have been taken to acquaint the public with the opportunities for educational as well as entertaining reading which the Library affords .
New shelves have been added in the Children's Room and in the bal- cony, the latter to be used for the picture collection. Other minor changes in shelf arrangements have been made for the greater convenience of the public. Since all of these changes have been made necessary by the in- creased use of the Library, the Trustees have been very glad to comply with the demands.
It has again been the good fortune of the Library to receive substantial gifts. In June the Trustees accepted for the Town a Trust Fund of $2,000 from Mrs. Sylenda Beebe Stearns and one of $5,000 from Mrs. Eleanor H. Beebe. Both of these funds are to be administered by the Wakefield Trust Company. The income is to be spent for books. In July, $5,000 was received from the estate of Mrs. Katherine E. Beebe of Melrose, this sum to be added to the capital of the Decius Beebe Fund. Again this year, the Mothers' Club has given $10 to be spent for books of benefit to mothers.
In addition to these gifts of money, there have been generous gifts of books, magazines and flowers as well as the loan of a Grandfather clock owned by the Wakefield Historical Society. Mention should also be made of the continued friendly interest of Mr. Harris M. Dolbeare, publisher of the Daily Item.
In February a letter was received from the Greenwood Parent-Teachers' Association asking that the Branch Library be open on Saturday after- noons in order that the children might have an opportunity to exchange
3
147
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
their books in the daylight. Arrangements were made at once for this increase in service; and in September the Monday evening opening started, thereby making the hours uniform on each day the Branch is open. A low table and small chairs for the children have been added to the Branch equipment and it is a delight to see the enjoyment of the little folks in these added comforts.
The steady gain in circulation in the Greenwood Branch has been noted with much interest. An analysis shows a decided increase in the call for non-fiction books, a most desirable trend. Periodicals, too, have advanced in circulation. Perhaps it would not be amiss to tabulate here the cir- culation in Greenwood for the month of December 1927 and 1928.
Adult
1927
1928
Non fiction
86
250
Periodicals
52
141
Fiction
1,128
1,551
1,266
1,942 gain 676
Juvenile
Non fiction
243
527
Periodicals
24
50
Fiction
834
902
203 (Easy reading for very young children)
1,101
1,772 gain 671
These figures indicate to the Trustees that the time is coming when increased facilities will have to be provided for the Greenwood Branch.
There have been some changes in the staff during the year. In April, Miss Adelaide Whittier resigned to enter the employ of the Old Colony Trust Company. Miss Whittier had been working chiefly at the Green- wood Branch so that her resignation together with the ill health of Miss Olive Eaton, left the Greenwood Branch practically vacant. In May, Miss Clara G. Wilson was engaged as Branch Librarian. Miss Wilson has had much library experience and in addition is naturally an enthusiast in whatever she undertakes. The increased activities at the Branch are largely due to her resourceful service.
At this time the Trustees wish to express their appreciation and their thanks to Miss Helen F. Carleton and to all her staff for their willing and helpful co-operation.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
In looking over the latest annual report of the Board of Free Public Library Commissioners of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the year 1927, some interesting figures are noted. The five communities with a population similar to Wakefield (1925 census) that is, between fifteen and sixteen thousand, have in their Libraries a per capita circulation of from one to seven books, with an average of four. Wakefield in the same year, 1927, showed a circulation of ten books per capita.
In 1928 the school deposit circulation for the year is 6,822, the Green- wood Branch circulation is 34,197 and at the Main Library 134,277, mak- ing a total of 175,296 which is an increase of 15,879 over the year 1927.
It would seem from these figures that Wakefield is making very good use of the facilities offered by the Library.
For the year 1929 the Trustees recommend for the Library appropria- tion, the sum of $22,500.
FLORENCE BEAN,
Secretary.
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149
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Library Trustees:
A year of progress and growth is the Library record for 1928. During the year the material borrowed totals 175,296 books and pamphlets, an increase of about 10% over the total of 1927. This means that for every inhabitant of Wakefield there has been a loan of 11 books, if the 1925 census figures of Wakefield's population are used. Taking as the population the unofficial estimate of 17,000, the total circulation shows an average of 10 books for every man, woman and child in the Town. Such an average ranks high in the whole country.
These figures are the only statistical record available to mark the service of the Library. Since 1923 the first year of the Library in this building, there has been a gain of 65% to date. The gain the preceding five years was 39%.
Such a growth may well arouse the question of quality versus quantity. A public library has certain standards below which books are not ad- mitted. Above that, who shall say which type of books is the most use- ful? While a novel is often read for entertainment or to "while away" a boresome hour, it may frequently provide the relaxation or stimulus needed for creative work. Despite this truth, an analysis of more serious reading among adults (as shown by their borrowings) might well be consid- ered in connection with the question of quality in the Library's service and growth. The loans of books on some subjects of this nature are therefore given for the years 1926, 1927, 1928. The figures for the Main Library, the Greenwood Branch and the totals, together with the percentages of increase are all included ·for comparative purposes.
Literature:
Main
Green wood
Total % Increase
1928% Increase over 1926
1926:
2983
70
3053
1927
3388
127
3515
15%
1928
4217
231
4448
26%
45%
Biography
1926
1470
115
1585
1927
1942
109
2051
30%
1928
2338
240
2578
25%
62%
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
History and Travel
1926
2317
88
2405
1927
2883
197
3080៛
28%
1928
3498
477
3975
29%
65%
" Useful Arts,"-Engineering, agriculture, domestic science, business, trans- portation
1926
1262
34
1296
1927
1380
32
1412
9%
1928
1880
127
2007
42%
54%
The total circulation in 1928 was 2712% higher than that in 1926. As the percentage increase in loans of the more serious books is so much larger than the percentage increase of the total for the samne periods of time, it is apparent that the growth has not been made at any sacrifice of quality.
In the Juvenile Department, the work includes not only the direct contact with the boys and girls in the Children's Room but also the li- brary contact through the work with the schools. Collections have been sent three times during the school year to the class rooms in six schools. From all but three of these class-room libraries the children borrow books to take home. In 1928, over 1450 books were sent to the schools for this purpose and the total circulation was 6,822. The more extensive work with the schools necessitated a separate school collection. During the summer this collection was prepared and now contains 800 books, about one third of which were new purchases; the remaining two thirds were volumes withdrawn from the Children's Room. To help in the work with the child- ren at the Main Library, necessary new shelving was installed in the Child- ren's Room.
Again this year, the pupils have come to the Library to learn about the "keys" which will show them how to use its resources. Questions on the use of the catalogue, indices and of a few reference books were given out at the meetings of the classes and answered before the close of the periods. At Greenwood the pupils came to the Greenwood Branch Library.
This Branch Library has undergone a period of changes during 1928. Miss Eaton's health did not permit her to continue work there and in March Miss Whittier resigned. After a session of temporary help, Miss Clara G. Wilson of the Springfield Public Library came here to become the Branch Librarian.
Additional shelving had been installed earlier in the year and this fall a low table and chairs for the little folks have been added to the equip- ment of the Branch. Miss Wilson's own exhibits of Life in Colonial times and Christmas in Eskimo Land have been the most popular of the many
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