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Report of Library Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Mrs. Florence L. Bean Richard Dutton, M. D. Arthur L. Evans Walter C. Hickey
Albert W. Rockwood John J. Round Hervey J. Skinner Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler
Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES
Chairman Secretary
Hervey J. Skinner Mrs. Florence L. Bean
BOOK COMMITTEE Frank T. Woodbury, M. D., Chairman All members of the board
BRANCH COMMITTEE John J. Round, Chairman
Richard Dutton, M. D.
Arthur L. Evans
CHILDREN'S ROOM Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler, Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Albert W. Rockwood
CIRCULATION COMMITTEE Arthur L. Evans, Chairman
John J. Round
Richard Dutton, M. D.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Richard Dutton, M. D., Chairman
Mrs. Florence L. Bean
Hervey J. Skinner
FINANCE COMMITTEE Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman
Richard Dutton, M. D.
John J. Round
GROUNDS COMMITTEE Albert W. Rockwood, Chairman
Walter C. Hickey
Mrs. Alice W. Wheeler
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
HOUSE COMMITTEE Walter C. Hickey, Chairman
Albert W. Rockwood
Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
Hervey J. Skinner
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE Mrs. Florence L. Bean, Chairman Frank T. Woodbury, M. D.
LIBRARY PERSONNEL
Librarian Helen Frances Carleton
DEPARTMENTS
Adult Circulation Elizabeth Black Barbara LeNoir
Cataloguing Barbara M. Wemmell Dorothy M. Rogers*
Children's Room H. Gladys Mackenzie
Greenwood Branch Library Clara G. Wilson
Reference Eva G. Boyer Margaret Doe*
Senior Part-Time Assistants
Marion Farwell
Etta F. Smith
Junior Part-Time Assistants
Marjorie Allman Marjorie Bridge
Shirley Plummer Josephine Ferrara
Earl Richard
Janitors
H. T. Mitchell, Main Library
Michael Neary, Greenwood Branch
*Resigned
167
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith submit the eighty-third annual report for the year 1938.
Since it is easy to become so used to an institution that its value and services are overlooked, even perhaps not recognized, this report is to be largely a statement of the routine services offered by The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library.
The Library consists of 60,541 books, 66,714 pictures (13,561 mounted), 5,596 pamphlets, and subscribes to 211 magazines (168 different titles).
The Main Library is open daily from 10 A. M. to 9 P. M., the Children's Room from 1.30 to 8 P. M. on school days and from 10 A. M. to 8 P. M. on other days. The Greenwood Branch Library is open Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 2 to 5 P. M. and from 6 to 8:30 P. M. The Reference Room of the Main Library is open for reading and study, in addition, from 2 to 5 P. M. on Sundays from November through April.
The picture collection consists of illustrations cut from duplicate maga- zines, photographs, drawings and other pictures. Many of these are for loan, others for library display illustrating special subjects: important among these is the Keander Collection of Medici prints, given to the Library in 1937 by Mrs. Gustav Keander in memory of her husband.
The pamphlet collection includes clippings, booklets, and other bro- chures on all sorts of subjects and is most helpful in reference work.
The Library sends out 37 school room deposits which are changed three times yearly. Deposits are also sent to the High School Library, and to the Elizabeth E. Boit Home for Aged Women and to the Cameron Hos- pital, and the summer camp of the Y. M. C. A.
An interlibrary loan service is offered by which books on special sub- jects are borrowed from various colleges, business and public libraries, thus supplementing local library resources.
Reference assistance is always available. .
A telephone service is maintained by means of which patrons may con- sult the staff for information or by which books may be renewed.
The Library has many special collections : the garden books; the mother's collection dealing with the care and training of children, many of the books the gift of the Mothers' Club; a collection of college catalogues of help to students and to parents planning the educational future of their children; . a collection of histories of the towns and cities of Massachusetts, of much interest to historians and genealogists; the Wakefield collection which con- sists of histories, anniversary records, documentary records, war records, maps and pictures as well as descriptive material of the Town of Wakefield.
A room just off the main delivery room is set aside for a collection of books for High School students. Though other patrons sometimes take books
168
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
from this room, the collection is made up from the lists for suggestive read- ing for High School pupils and some books are reserved for them only.
A column of book and library news is published each week in the Wake- field Daily Item. Once a month this column contains a list of books added during the month, reprints of which are popular among the borrowers.
Lists of books on special subjects are issued from time to time.
Help in planning programs for small clubs and discussion groups is given by the staff and reference material is also supplied.
Instructions and demonstrations in the use of the library are given to children from the public schools.
Display shelves in the main delivery room are filled with books on special subjects and appropriate posters are placed above them to emphasize the display.
Two tables, one for recent non-fiction and one for books yet to be added to the loan collection are also methods of display.
Exhibits of educational and artistic value are arranged in the balcony and in the Lecture Hall.
Source material for various film pictures has been displayed on a table in the newspaper room at different times; much of such material is supplied through the courtesy of Mr. Charles Hodgdon.
These services which have been mentioned are among those offered by the Library to the people of Wakefield.
This year the Library has been remembered by gifts of money from two of its loyal friends. A legacy of one thousand dollars has come from the estate of the late Milledge Elliot, and, as the result of the kindly thought of the late Harris M. Dolbeare, his family have given to the Library the sum of five hundred dollars in memory of his infant son, Robert Parker Dol- beare, the income of which is to be used for the purchase of books for child- ren.
From the Woman's Relief Corps the Library has received the flag given to the G. A. R. by them. Both organizations are now disbanded.
As in other years the gift of space in the Wakefield Daily Item has been extended to the Library through the generosity of Mr. Cyrus Dol- beare and Mr. Gardner Campbell.
During the year the Library has been the recipient of many worthwhile books through the generosity of Mr. Lucius Beebe.
Mrs. Junius Beebe again this year gave the beautiful Christmas decora- tions in memory of her husband and son.
To all these friends and to many others who have given books, flowers, magazines, the Trustees extend their sincere thanks.
Early in the year two resignations of members of the Library staff were received. Miss Dorothy Rogers, cataloguer, resigned to become li-
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
brarian for a Boston business firm at a considerable increase in salary, and Miss Margaret Doe, reference librarian, joined the staff of the Wheaton College library, also at an increased salary.
Miss Eva Boyer and Miss Barbara Wemmell, both Simmons graudates, have been added to the staff to fill the positions thus made vacant. As al- ways with changes, additional work and care were thrown on other mem- bers of the staff, and the Trustees wish to express their appreciation of the efficient co-operation shown by Miss Carleton and every member of the staff.
Miss Carleton, Miss Mackenzie and Miss Wilson have each spoken on book topics before local organizations. All members of the staff attended at least one session of the Institute of Adult Education in September at Simmons College.
Two young women from the National Youth Administration have done considerable clerical work during the year which has supplemented the routine work of the Library advantageously.
It has been necessary this year to make some repairs. Inside the build- ing the long deferred reupholstering of the fireside seats and some of the chairs became imperative. Some outside repairs and repainting were also necessary.
The circulation for the year is 225,874 books, pamphlets and magazines.
Respectfully submitted,
HERVEY J. SKINNER, FLORENCE L. BEAN, FRANK T. WOODBURY, JOHN J. ROUND,
WALTER C. HICKEY,
RICHARD DUTTON,
ALICE W. WHEELER,
ARTHUR L. EVANS,
ALBERT W. ROCKWOOD.
170
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
DONORS
American Association for Adult Education
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Bean Mrs. Junius Beebe Lucius Beebe
Mrs. Henry A. Behnke
Warren Bond
Boston Public Library
Brookline Bird Club
George Carpenter
Christian Science Church, Reading, Mass.
Daughters of the American Revolution
Theodore DeLuca
Cyrus Dolbeare Riberot Dutton
Mrs. Richard Dutton
William E. Eaton
Miss Betty Edson
Mrs. F. L. Edson
Fred Elliott Mrs. J. B. Fraser
The Wakefield Garden Club
Mrs. L. C. Gaul
Charles W. Hodgdon
Loea Parker Howard
Mrs. Archibald Hume
Frank Jordan The Kosmos Club
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph A. McDowell
Mrs. A. A. MacWhinnie
Mrs. Hubbard Mansfield
Massachusetts Free Public Library Commission
Massachusetts Society of Mental Hygiene
Mrs. Arthur Mellett Miss Hilda Morrill
New England Conservatory of Music
Mrs. Lyman Churchill Newell Mrs. Emily Paul Fred Rich Mrs. John R. Smith
Mrs. Sylenda Stearns
Miss Nancy Thayer Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Tredinnick Wakefield Daily Item Wakefield Rotary Club James S. Wallerstein Donald White
171
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Women's Relief Corps Miss Ruth Woodbury
ART LOANS
Amateur Camera Club Wakefield Garden Club Miss Marjorie Hussey Mrs. Hazel Johnson Mrs. Hubbard Mansfield
Mrs. Clyde Morrill Wakefield Stamp Club
172
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
TABLE I
FINANCIAL STATISTICS 1938 Receipts
Town Appropriation
Dog Tax
$19,200.00 1,412.46
Income from Library Funds:
Junius Beebe Fund
$890.43
Marcus Beebe Fund
610.23
Decius Beebe Fund
541.07
Katherine Beebe Fund
208.94
Eleanor H. Beebe Fund
196.59
Frederic Beebe Fund
346.97
Charles S. Beebe Fund
43.72
John H. Beebe Fund
96.09
J. Oliver Beebe Fund
175.89
Alice B. Carpenter Fund
240.50
George O. Carpenter Fund
43.55
Sylenda B. Stearns Fund ¢
78.26
J. G. Aborn Library Fund
42.49
Cyrus Gilbert Beebe Fund
60.45
Frederic Beebe Library Fund
30.23
Willard Donnell Fund
12.58
Rev. Thomas A. Emerson Fund
15.11
Flint Memorial Library Fund
30.23
M. W. Gove Library Fund
12.58
Melvin Hill Fund
12.58
Dr. F. P. Hurd Library Fund
75.56
Franklin Poole Library Fund
15.11
Mary H. Pratt Library Fund
5.03
Cyrus Wakefield Library Fund
15.11
Total Income
$3,799.30
$24,411.76
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Expenditures
Books
$4,705.37
Periodicals
470.89
Binding
1,205.66
Salaries, library service
11,540.25
Supplies, printing
1,108.49
Heat, light, power, water
1,156.27
Salaries, janitor service
2,228.90
Repairs, furniture, maintenance, et cetera
1,495.09
Telephone, postage, freight, express
486.06
$24,396.98
Unexpended Balance
14.78
Total
$24,411.76
TABLE II CLASSIFIED TABLE OF VOLUMES ISSUED IN 1938
MAIN LIBRARY
GREENWOOD BRANCH
Schools -
Boit Home
Cameron Hospital
Y. M. C. A.
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult Juvenile · Adult
Adult
Adult Juvenile
Peference Works
189
129
21
23
Philosophy
1,512
8
199
2
5
3
Religion
636
151
152
105
82
Sociology
3,127
1,767
518
745
56
257
Philology (Language)
268
14
34
1
Natural Science
1,344
702
153
641
20
220
4
1
7
8
5
Literature
5,204
973
949
354
188
349
History
1,537
714
239
514
12
261
Travel
4,051
1,758
929
1,121
130
322
Biography
4,326
742
1,077
521
64
275
Fiction
79,303
21,496
25,825
12,233
406
5,142
1,060
78
Little folks' readers
9,257
Current periodicals
6,962
1,370
3,251
596
15
Pamphlets
369
1
6
1
Vocal music scores
895
117,663
40,763
34,532
23,484
1,089
7,180
1,060
78
9
16
158,426
58,016
8,269
25
Total circulation for the year
225,874
Pictures issued during 1938
5,563
LIBRARY BORROWERS REGISTERED
Main Library
6,650
Greenwood Branch Library
1,271
Total number of registered borrowers
7,921
Borrowers of school and deposit collections not registered.
174
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Useful Arts
4,094
1,112
557
852
74
198
Fine arts
3,846
569
622
450
118
71
5,326
DEPOSITS
175
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
TABLE III
RESOURCES
Volumes belonging to Library, January 1, 1938
59,325
Additions in 1938:
MAIN LIBRARY
New Titles
Adult
1,436
Juvenile
302
1,738
Replacements and duplicates
Adult
491
Juvenile
114
GREENWOOD BRANCH
New Titles
Adult
392
Juvenile
315
707
Replacements and duplicates
Adult
25
Juvenile
55
80
Books for school deposits
165
Unclassified
40
Total additions
3,335
Volumes withdrawn, 1938
2,165
Volumes belonging to Library, December 31, 1938
60,495
Magazines belonging to Library, December 31, 1938
168 Titles
211 Magazines
Pictures belonging to Library, December 31, 1938 66,794
13,561 Mounted
Pamphlets belonging to Library, December 31, 1938
5,596
605
176
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Park and Cemetery Commissioners
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
The Park and Cemetery Commissioners hereby submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
We have under our care and supervision Forest Glade Cemetery of thirty-five (35) acres. Fifteen acres set aside for the Protestant section and fifteen acres as the Catholic section. The rest includes driveways and walks.
A much needed asset to the Cemetery is the new stone constructed office and receiving vault which was placed in use this past summer. When it is graded around, and evergreens set out it will be second to none in this vicinity. Another W.P.A. project has been approved for general develope- ment to be started in the spring which will add materially to the develope- ment. Each year more of our citizens are taking advantage of this municipally owned Cemetery. The receipts for 1938 were $4,177.00, including perpetual care funds. We have only one full time employee at the cemetery, Mr. Frank LeGro and one part time employee from April 1st to November 1st, Mr. Charles Lynch.
We are deeply grateful to the Board of Public Welfare for allotting men during the summer months. If we did not have these men from the welfare rolls it would necessitate the hiring of more men during the summer months to keep the Cemetery in first class appearance. Also the Town would be compelled to appropriate a larger amount for upkeep. We wish to publicly thank the Welfare Board for their co-operation. The old Cemetery on Church Street is also under our supervision and from Trust Funds we try to keep this old historic cemetery in first class condition. In the near future we in- tend to sponser a W.P.A. Project that will beautify and conserve this ceme- tery for years to come.
The Park and Common has been at its best this past year under the supervision of A. G. Abbott, Superintendent. The beach shore of the Park has been raked and cleaned of weeds and driftwood and broken bottles, several times this year. If this refuse was left there it would be dangerous to small children who use this beach for wading. The Pagoda and flag pole should be painted this coming year as it is two years since this work has been done and we feel it is good economy to do this work every two years.
As a Board we feel that if more flower beds were planted in the Com- mon it would beautify the center of our town. At present all the flower beds we have are those that are on the Rockery but this year we have started a bed south of the flag pole where a large tree was blown down during the Hurricane.
REPORT OF PARK AND CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS 177
Our Department was most fortunate as we had very little damage from the hurricane although several sections of the iron fence had to be replaced because of falling trees.
We have (14) fourteen triangular plots in different sections of the town to be taken care of together with (5) five playgrounds. These must be kept in order as we have only one man for this work from April 1st to November 1st. It has been necessary to again use Welfare help. The Welfare Board has also loaned us, every Friday, a truck and with our power machine which we use on the Park and Common and with our regular men we cut grass at the Church St. Playground, Moulton Playground, Greenwood Playground, and the large grass plot at the corner of Hopkins and Prospect Streets. May we state here in passing, that our Department is the only department in the town that does not have a truck. We feel that this is a necessity in our many ramifications. We realize the conditions at the present time and con- sidering the large tax rate we did not feel justified in asking the citizens for one at this time.
We have an old truck at Forest Glade Cemetery that was donated to us by the Municipal Light Department and which has proved its worth. This truck, because of its condition, must be kept in the Cemetery and is not allowed on the public highway.
The Bath House this year has been under the efficient supervision of Mr. David Ingerton and his corp of assistants. They are working under a great disadvantage because of the condition of the bath house. A W.P.A. project has been sent to Washington for approval and if it is accepted we will have a modern bath house, wherein the health and safety of the children will be assured. A more detailed report of the supervision of the Bath House will be found on another page of this report.
A project which we believe will be a great asset to the town when it is completed, is that of the development of Hart's Hill Reservation and play- ground. We firmly believe that this will be a spot attractive to out of town residents and therefore, being an advertising medium to attract new resi- dents.
In conclusion we wish to state that all town departments were very co-operative this past year and we wish to thank them most sincerely, with special mention to Harry Denning, Superintendent of Highways and John Landry, Superintendent of the Moth Department.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. STRINGER, Chairman, GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary, JOHN W. MACGILLVRAY.
178
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Bath House Supervisor
Wakefield Park Board,
Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The bath house opened officially June 22, 1938 and closed September 1, 1938, a period of seventy-one days during which time a strict and continuous watch was given for the protection of the bathers from 9.00 A. M. to 8.00 P. M. on week days and from 2.00 P. M. to 6.00 P. M. on Sundays.
During the usual hot spell the bath house was kept open longer for the safety of night bathers. The attendance fell off considerably during the month of July due to inclement weather. The life guards were kept busy however, spreading gravel and filling in low places in the parking space at the rear of the bath house. This gravel or filling was hauled by the Municipal Light Department from one of their underground electrical projects and we sincerely thank them for their help and co-operation, as otherwise we would have been flooded in that particular area.
Total number in attendance
48,365
Average daily
681
Maximum weekly
5,900
Number of minor injuries
178
Number of serious injuries requiring medical attention
3
Sunstroke
1
Epileptic fits
1
Number of persons beyond their depth needing help
83
Help rendered to overturned boats
7
Rafts and home made boats
9
Unsafe crafts seized and destroyed
9
Number of suspensions
5
Cause of suspensions-immoral conduct
1
Destroying property
2
Stealing
2
Aid to police given in drowning accident outside bathing area
1
Lost children found wandering along shores of lake and restored to police or parents 12
General conduct at the bath house was excellent, due largely to the fine co-operation of the police department with the guards at the lake.
Once again the "Learn to Swim" campaign inaugurated in 1936 resulted in 315 youngsters and advanced pupils, also a number of grown ups learn- ing to swim or improving their ability to take better care of themselves in the water. This figure does not include the special classes for Boy Scouts, eleven of whom passed their merit badge test from Wakefield, seven from
179
REPORT OF BATH HOUSE SUPERVISOR
Saugus, nine from Stoneham, six from Malden and three from Reading, making a total of thirty-six boys in all passing their required tests.
On Saturday afternoon, September 1, the closing day of the season, a grand and successful water carnival was held with racing, diving, and novelty events as the features. The winners received very fine prizes donated by the local merchants for which we are thankful.
In closing I wish to thank the town department heads and the workers that from time to time have helped us.
Last but by no means least I wish to thank Eugene Sullivan of the Recreation Board, my superiors, members of the Park Board namely Messrs. Abbott, Stringer and MacGillvray, and all others who assisted us in any way this past season.
Sincerely submitted,
DAVID F. INGERTON,
Bath House Supervisor.
180
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of the Municipal Light Board
January 3, 1939.
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:
We submit for your consideration, the forty-fifth annual report of the Municipal Light Board, covering the year ending December 31, 1938.
The operations of the department resulted in a net profit, after deduct- ing debt retirement, of $20,086.90 as compared to $28,896.93 in 1937.
The balance of our Operating Fund is $15,805.97 as compared to $26,356.38.
The decrease in the net profit and the cash on hand at the end of the year is due to the September hurricane; the necessity of lowering gas mains and services due to lowering the grade in several streets that were rebuilt during the year; and other necessary maintenance.
In 1938 the department turned back to the Town $26,356.38, which makes a total of $135,305.85. This year we will not ask the voters to transfer the balance of the Operation Fund to our Construction Fund.
The Commissioners adopted and placed on its records the following memorial to A. Francis Harrington, who passed away November 12, 1938.
A Tribute to A. Hranris Harrington
"The members of the Municipal Light Board of the Town of Wakefield hereby place on record their grateful tribute to the memory of their friend and fellow member
A. FRANCIS HARRINGTON
He became a member of the Municipal Light Board in 1930, taking an active interest in its welfare, served on the Board from 1930 to 1938, and was Secretary during that period.
His term as a member of the Municipal Light Board was notable for increased cordiality in the meetings of the Board, greater interest in the department.
His ability as an executive, his good judgment, his sense of fair play and unfailing loyalty to his duties were supplemented by a lovable personality, which insured the co-operation and respect of all his associates.
A. Francis Harrington, with his upright character and fine personality was 'A man among men', whom all were glad to know and whose memory we shall cherish.
This memorial was adopted by the members of the Municipal Light
A. FRANCIS HARRINGTON Municipal Light Board 1930-1938
181
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
Board, placed on their records and a copy presented to the family of Mr. Harrington."
On December 28, 1938 at a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Eugene J. Sullivan was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy due to the death of Mr. Harrington, and was subsequently elected Secretary.
The report of the manager, showing the financial condition of the Plant, as of December 31, 1938, and its operations for the year, is included in this report.
The books of the Department are being audited by Thomas Donnelly, C.P.A. of Boston.
Respectfully submitted,
MARCUS BEEBE, 2nd, Chairman, EUGENE J. SULLIVAN, Secretary, CURTIS L. SOPHER, M. D.
To the Board of Light Commissioners,
Town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1938. Inspection of the balance sheet which follows, shows the total assetts to be $898,333.38. The sales of gas amounts to $103,485.79, the operating expense $95,445.87, showing a profit of $6,982.12. The sales of electricity amounted to $216,343.86. The operating expense $191,013.03 showing a profit of $23,104.78.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Plant investments and general equipment have been increased $325.79 net, including the underground distribution duct line, which was completed by W.P.A. labor and superintendence, this department furnishing materials and trucks, pumps, concrete mixer and air compressor. This work began about the first of September and was pushed through till December 22nd. A four duct line was laid in Emerson St. from Chestnut St. northerly, to and through Prospect St. to Cedar St. In Richardson Ave. from Foster St. westerly to a point about 200 ft. from North Ave. In Greenwood Ave. from Pitman Ave. northerly to a point about 150 ft. from Francis Ave. In Warren Ave. from Greenwood Ave. to. Madison Ave. and in Madison Ave. from War- ren Ave. southerly to the line of Pitman Ave. where the work was stopped on account of freezing.
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