USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1932 > Part 9
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4,378
Meters in use end of year
4,338
I again wish to express my appreciation for the co-operation given me by the Board of Commissioners under whom I have served. To the employees I express my sincere thanks for their loyalty and for the faithful work they have performed during the past year.
Yours respectfully,
SAMUEL H. BROOKS,
Manager.
128
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Fire Alarm and Police Signal Systems
January 3, 1933.
Municipal Light Commissioners, . Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
At the beginning of the year the Light Commissioners proposed that the operation and maintenance of the Fire and Police Signal systems would be under- taken by their department, without cost to the Town. This has been done and I'report as follows.
One new box previously purchased has been installed on the Fire Alarm system, Box No. 156 at corner of Druid Hill Avenue and Spring Street. The whistle valve at the Heywood-Wakefield Bros. Plant has been overhauled and repaired, and all circuits carefully examined.
The system is in first class order on the outside and, inside the battery room has been cleaned and painted and the batteries overhauled and replenished. It is probable that a new repeater will be required in the future and with that a new switchboard.
The Police Signal System is in good working order, a new trickle charging machine has been installed, which is silent and is efficient in keeping the batteries up to standard, leaving the motor-generator as a standby. No extensions have been made this year, but provision for another box with audible and visual alarm has been made, to be located on Melvin Street near Bennett Street.
The battery room in the Town Hall has been cleaned and renovated, bat- teries renewed and room made as near dust tight as possible.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL H. BROOKS,
Manager Light Department.
129
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
Report of Town Treasurer
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
I herewith present my report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1932. TRUST FUNDS
The Trust Funds and available income balances now in my hands are as follows:
Cornelius Sweetser Lecture Fund
$10,000.00
Cornelius Sweetser Lecture Guarantee Fund
2,220.83
John Gould Aborn Library Fund
1,689.26
Cyrus G. Beebe Library Fund
2,000.00
Frederick Beebe Library Fund
1,000.00
Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Library Fund
500.00
Flint Memorial Library Fund
1,000.00
Merrill W. Gove Library Fund
500.00
Melvin J. Hill Library Fund
500.00
Dr. Francis P. Hurd Library Fund
2,500.00
Franklin Poole Library Fund
500.00
Mary H. Pratt Library Fund
200.00
Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund
500.00
Mary E. Aborn Park Fund
2,000.00
Nancy White Park Fund
1,000.00
Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson High School Fund
1,000.00
Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson High School Fund, interest balance available
281.48
Nancy White Hurd School Fund
500.00
Nancy White Hurd School Fund, interest balance available
96.08
Jonathan Nichols Temperance Fund
1,000.00
Jonathan Nichols Temperance Fund, interest balance available
169.53
Sarah Burbank Burial Lot Fund
100.00
Sarah Burbank Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
89.79
Ezra Eaton Burial Lot Fund
100.00
Ezra Eaton Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
18.53
Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Old Cemetery Fund
1,000.00
Rev. Thomas Albert Emerson Old Cemetery Fund, interest balance available 242.52
Flint Old Burial Ground Fund
2,000.00
Flint Old Burial Ground Fund, interest balance available
244.61
Stimpson Family Burial Lot Fund
200.00
Stimpson Family Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
41.29
Clarissa E. Swain Burial Lot Fund
500.00
Clarissa E. Swain Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
85.75
Carried Forward
$33,779.67
130
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Brought Forward
$33,779.67
Cornelius Sweetser Burial Lot Fund
1,000.00
Cornelius Sweetser Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available 98.64
Jane K. Vinton Burial Lot Fund 50.00
Jane K. Vinton Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
12.97
George M. Kelley Burial Lot Fund
25.00
George M. Kelley Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
1.21
Levi Flanders Burial Lot Fund
100.00
Levi Flanders Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
7.66
Gad and Clarissa Chandler Carter Burial Lot Fund
200.00
Gad and Clarissa Chandler Carter Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available 62.43
P. M. Wilkinson Burial Lot Fund
50.00
P. M. Wilkinson Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
2.67
Francis C. Robie Burial Lot Fund
25.00
Francis C. Robie Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
2.66
James and Elizabeth Walton Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery
100.00
James and Elizabeth Walton Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, in- terest balance available 5.68
Adams Coburn Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery
100.00
Adams Coburn Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, interest balance available 3.99
Martha D. Wilson Burial Lot Fund
200.00
Martha D. Wilson Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
10.44
J. Walter Curley Burial Lot Fund
50.00
J. Walter Curley Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
2.88
Rev. John M. Currie Burial Lot Fund
50.00
Rev. John M. Currie Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
7.97
Sylvester Burditt Burial Lot Fund
50.00
Sylvester Burditt Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
3.37
Dr. John Hart Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery
200.00
Dr. John Hart Burial Lot Fund in Old Cemetery, interest balance available 32.12
Harry E. Haskell Burial Lot Fund
100.00
Harry E. Haskell Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
1.37
Oliver Burial Lot Fund
50.00
Oliver Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
1.35
Elizabeth Stout Burial Lot Fund
300.00
Elizabeth Stout Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
22.62
John Sweetser Burial Lot Fund
200.00
John Sweetser Burial Lot Fund, interest balance available
10.25
Mary Lizzie Smith Fund for care of old cannon on Common
100.00
Mary Lizzie Smith Fund, interest balance available
12.27
Annie L. Cox Prize for advancement in Design Fund
100.00
Annie L. Cox Prize for advancement in Design Fund, interest bal- ance available 3.77
Carried Forward
$37,135.99
131
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
Brought Forward
$37,135.99
Annie L. Cox Scholarship Fund for Italian Students
5,000.00
Annie L. Cox Scholarship Fund for Italian Students, interest balance available
189.19
$42,325.18
The above trust funds are invested as follows:
United States Liberty Loan 414% Bonds
$10,000.00
Wakefield Savings Bank
14,482.78
Blackstone Savings Bank
618.53
Cambridge Savings Bank
5,736.74
Malden Savings Bank
5,500.00
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank
5,987.13
$42,325.18
Full detail as to the nature of these funds, their income and detailed ex- penditures will be found in the Town Accountant's Report.
132
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
LOAN ACCOUNT
The following sums have been borrowed on Temporary Notes in anticipation of revenue during the year:
$100,000.00 at 5.75 per cent discount 275,000.00 at 5.50 per cent discount 10,000.00 at 5.00 per cent discouut 210,000.00 at 4.85 per cent discount
50,000.00 at 3.95 per cent discount 50,000.00 at 3.90 per cent discount
$695,000.00
Of this amount $375,000.00 has been paid leaving a balance due in 1933 of $320,000.00 in anticipation of revenue.
PERMANENT DEBT
Permanent debt, January 1, 1932
$1,211,000.00
Paid during 1932 136,000.00
$1,075,000.00
The permanent debt has decreased $136,000.00 during the year 1932.
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
133
MATURITIES OF TOWN DEBT
Maturing in 1933
$128,000.00
1934
117,500.00
1935
113,500.00
1936
109,500.00
1937
107,500.00
1938
104,500.00
1939
103,500.00
1940
82,000.00
1941
67,000 00
1942
51,500.00
1943
34,500.00
1944
19,000.00
1945
12,000.00
1946
10,000.00
1947
10,000.00
1948
2,000.00
1949
2,000.00
1950
1,000.00
$1,075,000.00
The debt is chargeable to the following:
Water Department
$195,000.00
Light Department
111,500.00
Metropolitan Sewer
83,000.00
Local Sewers
180,000.00
School Buildings
505,500.00
$1,075,000.00
CASH ACCOUNT On the following pages will be found the Treasurer's Cash Account.
134
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Dr.
Arthur H. Boardman, Treasurer
To balance from last report, cash
$129,895.81 695,000.00
Board of Appeal receipts
Building inspector's receipts
Cemetery, receipts
987.50
Collector of Taxes, receipts-Moth Assessments
2,253.14
Sidewalks
5,579.26
Tax Certifications
24.00
Taxes and interest
769,032.72
Excise Taxes
23,314.63
Old Age Assistance
3,951.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Abatement on account Old Age Assistance Tax
292.00
Corporation Tax, Business
11,617.95
Public Service
1,672.77
Department of Education, English Speaking Classes
22.50
Department of Public Works, Division of Highways
50.00
Department of Public Works, Division of Highways Vernon Street
239.32
Director of Standards, licenses
44.00
Division of Public Health sub. to Cities and Towns
305.72
Income Tax
64,222.90
Military Aid
214.50
National Bank Tax
276.70
Old Age Assistance
2,895.50
Chapter 243, Acts of 1932
18,750.51
State Aid
880.00
Temporary Aid
554.00
Trust Company Tax, Sec. 1, Chap. 343, Acts 1925
1,153.09
Tuition of Children
2,352.87
Vocational Education aid to Industrial Schools
1,358.92
Court Fines
907.50
Fire Department, receipts
115.25
Harvard Trust Company, interest on Certificate of Deposit
77.05
Health Department, receipts
1,013.12
Highway Department, receipts
160.04
Library, receipts
758.80
Middlesex County, Division of Highways Vernon Street
239.32
Dog Tax, 1931
1,603.84
House of Correction fines, etc.
8.00
Moth Department, receipts
5.25
Municipal Light Plant, receipts
309,339.47
Public Welfare Department, receipts
8,136.04
Commonwealth of Massachusetts aiding mothers
482.12
Redemption Tax Title Deeds
4,538.70
Redemption Tax Title Deeds, interest and releases on same
318.95
Carried Forward
$2,064,775.76
Borrowed on Temporary Notes
10.00 121.00
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
135
In Account with Town of Wakefield
Cr.
By cash paid, Discount on Temporary Notes cash paid, Selectmen's Warrants cash credit, Account Court Expenses cash credit, Offset State Credits
$23,634.22
2,007,514.79
115.06
66,893.50
cash credit, Tax Collector for Tax Title Deeds
18,403.12
Total payments Cash in Treasury
$2,116,560.69
95,833.56
$2,212,394.25
Carried Forward
$2,212,394.25
136
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Dr. To Arthur H. Boardman, Treasurer Brought Forward $2,064,775.76
Refunds-Highway Department from Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, Gasoline Tax 161.40
Highway Department from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 51.33
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, cash advanced 50.00
Way in Brookline from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 38.81
Collector's Department 4.00
Harvard Trust Company, interest on $50,000 note paid before maturity 590.28
Public Welfare Department from Department of Public Works, Registry of Motor Vehicles
2.50
School Department, cash advanced
50.00
Soldiers' Relief
30.00
Water Department, cash advanced
25.00
Water Department, Water Maintenance
93.86
School Department, receipts
19,182.67
Sealer of Weights and Measures, receipts
184.72
Selectmen's receipts-Various licenses
861.00
Sewer receipts
17,302.70
Sewer receipts, connections deposits
2,232.09
Sewer receipts, sewer maintenance
25.35
Surplus War Bonus Funds, interest on deposit
417.89
Taxes and interest Elizabeth T. Mahoney year 1930
21.20
Taxes and interest F. C. Tobey Investment Co., years 1930, 1931
114.75
Teachers' Retirement Fund, Assessments
8,895.18
Town Clerk receipts, Dog Licenses
549.00
Town Hall, receipts
110.50
Trust Funds, receipts
1,261.49
Wakefield Trust Co .:
Interest on Collector's balance
84.53
Interest on Treasurer's balance
1,101.49
Interest on Treasurer's Certificate of Deposit
637.52
Three-fourths of the income from the Junius Beebe Trust for the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library 1,243.74
Ninety percent of the income from Marcus Beebe Trust
439.72
Ninety percent of the income from Decius Beebe Trust 503.38
Ninety percent of the income from Frederick Beebe Trust
342.96
Ninety percent of the income from Alice Beebe Carpenter Trust
182.40
Ninety percent of the income from Charles S. Beebe Trust 51.86
Ninety percent of the income from George O. Carpenter Trust 51.62
Ninety percent of the income from Eleanor H. Beebe Trust
255.84
Ninety percent of the income from Sylenda B. Stearns Trust
102.74
Ninety percent of the income from Katherine E. Beebe Trust Ninety percent of the income from John H. Beebe Trust
128.10
Water Department, receipts
89,811.77
Water Department, Water Construction Account
55.48
Water Department, Water. Maintenance Account
256.61
113.01
$2,212,394.25
REPORT OF TOWN TRESAURER
137
In Account with Town of Wakefield Brought Forward
Cr.
$2,212,394.25
$2,212,394.25
138
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FINAL STATEMENT
During the year 1933, the following time loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy of 1933.
High School
$22,500.00
Montrose School
15,000.00
Woodville School
3,500.00
Greenwood School
9,500.00
Franklin School
9,000.00
Metropolitan Sewer
11,000.00
Extension of Sewer
22,000.00
$92,500.00
Water Loan
$7,000.00
Extension Water Mains Loan
1,000.00
Water Loan, Acts of 1922
4,000.00
Water Loan
8,000.00
Water Loan
3,000.00
All included in Water Department Appropriation
$23,000.00
Light Plant (Paid from receipts of plant)
12,500.00
$128,000.00
139
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
There will also be required the following amounts to meet our interest payments:
High School $8,906.26
Montrose School
4,310.00 798.75
Woodville School
Franklin School
2,320.00
Greenwood School
4,239.38
Metropolitan Sewer
2,905.00
Extension of Sewer
7,233.75
Temporary Loan (estimated)
23,286.86
$54,000.00
Water Loans (included in Water Department appropria- tion $5,960.00
Extension of Water Mains (included in Water Depart- ment appropriation) 200.00
Water Loan Acts of 1922 (included in Water Department Appropriation) 1,286.25
$7,446.25
Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant)
4,452.50
$65,898.75
ยท The borrowing capacity of the town, on temporary notes in anticipation of 1932 revenue, was $948,197.75, as determined by the State Director of Accounts. Of this amount the town borrowed the sum of $695,000.00 and of this latter amount $375,000.00 has been paid, leaving $320,000.00 to be paid in 1933.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN,
Treasurer.
140
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
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. D.
Arthur L. Evans
+Winfield S. Ripley John J. Round Hervey J. Skinner
Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler Edson W. White
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
John J. Round Hervey J. Skinner Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
BRANCH COMMITTEE John J. Round, Chairman
Richard Dutton, M. D.
Edson W. White
CHILDREN'S ROOM
Mrs. Florence L. Bean, Chairman
Edson W. White
Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler
CIRCULATION AND PUBLICITY Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
Edson W. White
Richard Dutton, M. D.
EXECUTIVE Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
J. Oliver Beebe
FINANCE Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Arthur L. Evans
John J. Round
HOUSE J. Oliver Beebe, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler
*Ex-officio, as Town Treasurer.
*Deceased September 8, 1932.
141
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 Miriam G. Needham
Bertha Taylor
Part-Time Assistants
Olive L. Eaton
Etta F. Smith
Regular Junior Part-Time Assistants
Eleanor Alden Dorothy Flannigan
Priscilla Lamprey Edward Liljestrom
Nita Tucker
Janitors H. T. Mitchell, Main Library Michael Neary, Greenwood Branch
Katherine Madden
142
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
WINFIELD S. RIPLEY
Mr. Winfield S. Ripley who became a member of the Board of Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in 1911 brought to this civic service a very keen interest in all the phases of the work.
A lover of books himself who had built up a private library of no mean proportions, he brought to the work on the Library Board an extensive know- ledge of books and a discriminating sense of values which it would be difficult to duplicate. His regard for the work of the Library was one of the serious interests of his life and no call connected with it was ever too trivial for his serious consideration. The many volumes which he gave to the Library are a very tangible evidence of his interest.
In quite a different way his grasp of the financial problems which constantly arose also showed his interest. His service as Chairman of the Board and later as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board brought him into close touch with every detail and every expenditure, to each of which he gave his personal consideration.
In addition to the literary and financial service he gave so generously, the Trustees will miss the cheery greeting and the keen sense of humor which were also a marked characteristic of Mr. Ripley.
143
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith submit the seventy-seventh annual report for the year 1932.
In contrast with the continued economic stagnation in the business world, the facilities offered by the Library have been used more widely than in any other year of its existence. The lessened opportunity for employment has af- forded an increased amount of leisure for reading and thus the Library has been a source of comfort and inspiration to many. The calls have been very varied and sometimes the resources have been taxed to the utmost, but each problem has been met with genuine interest by the staff and rarely has a patron gone away without the help sought.
The year 1932 has brought no startling changes; there are no great events to record but the Trustees believe that a report of steady, day-by-day service is the best sort of report to be able to make.
Some years ago the Mother's Club started a custom of giving a sum of money to be spent for books of special interest to mothers and they have continued the custom this year with a gift of ten ($10) dollars. By means of these yearly gifts, a collection has been built up which is of a very real value and which is available to all the mothers of Wakefield.
By the will of Mr. Melvin J. Hill the Library has received the sum of $500.00.
The Library has been remembered generously by many friends during the year. There have been gifts of books, magazines, and flowers. Mr. Harris M. Dolbeare and Mr. Gardner Campbell have been generous with space in the Daily Item, a generosity which has been of great benefit to the Library and its patrons. To all these friends, the Trustees wish to extend their thanks.
In September the Trustees and the Library met with a distinct loss in the sudden death of Mr. W. S. Ripley who had served on the Board since 1911. The following appreciation was sent by the Trustees to Mrs. Eva G. Ripley, to the Daily Item and was spread upon the records:
Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library wish to express to the family and friends of Mr. Winfield S. Ripley their sincere ap- preciation for his loyal and generous service as a member of the Board.
As its chairman for many years he gave devoted service, never sparing time nor energy in solving the many problems which arise constantly in public work.
As the library increased in its scope he kept pace with every ad- vance and was always ready with suggestions to smooth the way. The new building was a great delight to him for it made possible a service which he had desired for many years. He kept in close touch with every phase of the work, whether financial or literary, and again and again when a question came up as to some previous action or custom some one would say, "Mr. Ripley will know," and he always did.
In his sudden passing the trustees and the public have met with a loss which will long be felt.
144
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The death of Mrs. Bertha Round in November 1931 and of Mr. Ripley in September 1932 brought about two changes in the personnel of the Board. At a joint meeting with the Selectmen on January 12, Mr. John J. Round was chosen to fill out the year of Mrs. Round's service and in March he was elected to fill out the term. At a joint meeting on October 4, Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler was elected to finish the year of Mr. Ripley's service.
It is always a pleasure for the Trustees to express their appreciation of the loyalty of the staff. This year, when everywhere conditions have been so un- settled, has been especially marked by the willing, helpful service of every mem- ber.
According to statistics of Library circulation per capita as compiled from the 1931 reports by the Division of Public Libraries, Department of Education,- Wakefield, Amherst and Westfield stand at the head of the group in towns of from 5,000 population up.
The circulation for the year 1932 is as follows:
Main Library
181,167
Greenwood Branch
54,499
Schools
8,147
243,813
This shows a gain of 23,230 over the circulation of 1931.
In the first full year in the new building, 1924, the circulation was 114,191; this year, as has been stated, it is 243,813 or over twice as much.
In 1924 there were 25,052 books in the Library, this year there are 51,834. The expense in 1924 was $19,653.67, this year it has been $25,349.79.
In other words with an increase of over 100% in the circulation and in the number of books, the expenses have increased only 29% and it must be remem- bered also that the Library carried on many other community activities.
In accordance with the vote of the Town at a meeting held in June, the pay of all employed in the Library Department was reduced ten percent for the re- mainder of the year, beginning with July. Careful planning of expenditures, as well, has made it possible for the Trustees to report an unexpended balance of $1,033.13.
FLORENCE L. BEAN,
Secretary.
145
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1932
To the Trustees of The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library:
In the year 1932, 7,364 library borrowers were registered, 45% of the popu- lation of the town according to the 1930 census figures-16,318. While numerous people may have moved away from town new borrowers have come to the li- brary. The borrowers are re-registered every two years so that this total does not include old, unused names.
These 7,364 borrowers took out on loans from the library 243,813 books, magazines and pamphlets and about 5,000 pictures (4,952 is the exact figure.) This means that each borrower averaged 33 books during the year, or that 14 books were borrowed for every resident of the town. The total circulation of library material is over 1012% more than last year's total, an increase of 23,230. In one day 1,600 library books were issued to Wakefield borrowers.
In the interests of economy of time and service, no regular record is kept of all the requests and reference questions asked and information given. Of the hundreds recorded in one month, however, a few listed may give a slight sug- gestion of their scope and a hint of some of the needs filled by the library:
Health of Massachusetts towns.
Use of oil instead of steam in power plants.
Domestic oil burners.
Air circulation of refrigerators.
Wakefield water supply.
Separation of words in song writing.
Foreign advertising material.
Pictures of designs.
A silk manufacture process exhibit.
Vatican Council.
Details of all political platforms.
Races of the world.
Meat packing. Building laws.
Compulsory automobile insurance laws. Smoke in cities.
Commerce of Boston.
Police pensions.
3,497 books were catalogued and prepared for the shelves; of these 812, 23% or nearly one fourth of the total books purchased, were replacements of books needed but worn out.
Pictures and pamphlets are constantly being added from clippings and cuts from old magazines and newspapers. 156 magazines were received and pre- pared for circulation each month.
12,000 books were repaired, and 2,134 books were rebound as well as 63 volumes of magazines.
Ordinarily the volume of service to the public decreases in April and Decem-
146
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ber. In 1932 there was no such decrease at these times. Even on the day be- fore Christmas nearly 700 books were issued.
Not only increased circulation but increased attendance at the library for reading or studying, during the day and especially in the evening has been marked. Crowded were the children's room and the adult loan department of the main library during the evenings this fall. The book stacks were full and people were awaiting their opportunity to read the newspapers. Since in the town no other free meeting place for all may be found, the library has been used for this pur- pose by the restless youth who have no interest in reading,-providing a com- munity problem that today makes the giving of service to library patrons diffi- cult as well as exhausting at times, and brings factors into the library which have nothing to do with legitimate service.
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