Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1951, Part 10

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1951
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 306


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1951 > Part 10


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In the month of December around Christmas week there were 104 Xmas trees sprayed in the interest of fire and home protection with a fire retarding solution.


CONCLUSION


In closing this report I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen my sincere thanks for the interest and co-operation manifested by them in all matters pertaining to this department.


I wish to express my appreciation to the residents of Wakefield for their co-operation in fire prevention, to the permanent firemen who have responded to alarms when off duty; to the members of the call force for their co-operation at all times; to the auxiliary firemen who have given so freely of their time and efforts, and to all members of all other town departments for their assistance and co-operation.


To Herbert K. Noble and Paul Lazzaro my thanks are extended for their co-operation on matters pertaining to the Fire Department.


Respectfully submitted,


CLIFFORD E. JACOBS, Chief of Fire Department


Report of Director of Civil Defense


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Mass., January 4, 1952 Gentlemen:


The department of Civil Defense herewith submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1951.


This department was organized pursuant to directives issued by the Governor of Massachusetts, Paul A. Dever, and Chapter 639 General Laws of Massachusetts.


There is one paid employee serving as office clerk and field agent. The director and all other members of the organization are serving on a volun- teer basis. There are at present three hundred and fifty (350) volunteers serving in the various agencies of the department.


The prime objective of the department is the coordination of all mu- nicipal and private agencies in the discharge of the many functions of war time damage control and local damage control.


The Civil Defense staff consists of the Honorable Board of Selectmen; an Advisory Council; Director James T. Hurton; Deputy Director George A. Adams; Legal Director William A. Lee; Evacuation Service Director


118


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Henry Galvin; Transportation Service Director Paul Ayers; Communica- tion Service Director John J. Curran; Assistant Director Mrs. Ernestine Nardone in charge of Health and Welfare Services; Assistant Director Robert Fitz in charge of Law Enforcement, Fire Service, Plant Protection and Warden Services; Assistant Director Harry H. Denning in charge of Shelter Protection, Engineering and Rescue Services; Assistant Director Fred Rich in charge of Air Raid Warning and Military Activities; Assist- ant Director Howard P. Heavens in charge of Personnel and Training Services; and Assistant Director William P. Hurton in charge of Pur- chasing.


As Director of the Department of Civil Defense, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for the hearty co-operation shown me by all the members of the Civil Defense Organization and to all the other Town Departments who have rendered valuable assistance during the past year.


In closing this report I wish to extend to the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Selectmen's Representative Raymond S. Dower my sincere thanks for the interest and co-operation manifested by them in all mat- ters pertaining to this department.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES T. HURTON, Director of Civil Defense


Report of Wire Inspector


January 15, 1952


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


From January 1, 1951, to June 1, 1951, the following amount of wiring permits were issued by Joseph W. MacInnis-303.


I submit the following report of Inspector of Wires from the time of my appointment to December 31, 1951:


Permits granted 501


Inspections made


728


Inspections approved


377


Temporary approvals (dwellings under construction)


63


Installations rejected


31


Wiring without permits


14


Permits refused 1


Notices sent to property owners of unsafe wiring


6


Wiring in public buildings inspected


6


Illegal use of electricity


3


Permitting another to use a license


1


119


REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN


Violation reported to Board of Selectmen


1


Violation reported to Fire Chief 1


Violations reported to State Board of Examiners 0


Violation reported to Wire Inspector (service discontinued) 1


Complaints received from citizens


3


Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. CURRAN,


Wire Inspector


Report of Forest Warden


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


During the year there was a total of 89 woods and grass fires. Respectfully submitted, CHIEF CLIFFORD E. JACOBS,


January 1, 1952


Forest Warden


.:


120


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Building Inspector


January 7, 1952


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Massachusetts


Gentlemen:


I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending


December 31, 1951:


293


Building inspections


2,459


Sidewalk permits


47


Sign inspections


17


Convalescent home inspections


3


Buildings torn down


20


Buildings moved


4


Buildings condemned


3


Shingle permits


60


Public buildings inspected


9


Fire escapes inspected


7


Rooming houses inspected


5


Elevator inspections


34


Fire inspections


5


Complaints investigated


62


Construction suspended, violation of building laws


1


Permits refused


11


Building without permits


4


Chimneys condemned


1


Cases to Appeal Board


26


Notices sent to owners of unsafe condition of buildings


4


Notices posted on dangerous and unsafe buildings


4


Approximate valuation of permits issued


$1,464,545.00


Permit fees received


1,028.20


BUILDING VALUATIONS FOR PAST SIX YEARS


1946


$ 775,440.00


1949


$1,475,201.00


1947


1,595,824.00 1950


2,368,580.00


1948


1,491,688.00


1951


1,464,545.00


Respectfully submitted, FRANK A. TREDINNICK,


Permits granted


121


REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR


Report of Animal Inspector


January 15, 1952


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Mass.


Gentlemen:


As Inspector of Animals for the Town of Wakefield, I herewith re- spectfully submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1951.


One hundred and ninety-five dogs were examined and quarantined for rabies observation as they had inflicted injury by biting or scratching various persons. There were no cases in the town this year.


Two dogs were consigned to residents of Wakefield from out of State without the proper health certificates required by law, said dogs were either quarantined or immunized for rabies as required by that statute.


All barns housing cattle, horses, sheep or goats were inspected and the animals housed therein were found to be in good condition; free from barn mange, scabies, and other diseases of an infectious nature, with the exception of one livery stable. This case was advised to improve its sani- tation and its general condition, after which an order of approval was given.


Respectfully submitted, (Signed) BLAIR CROWELL Inspector of Animals


Report of Dog Officer


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


February 26, 1952


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as Dog Officer during the year 1951. Due to the increased number of dogs licensed it was necessary to make a greater number of house calls during the licensing period, consequently a greater number of dogs were sheltered. The report is as follows:


Answered 615 calls.


Canvassed town twice for unlicensed dogs.


There were 1249 dogs licensed. Sheltered 150 dogs.


Seventy-one dogs were returned to owners.


Fifteen dogs sent to Animal Rescue League. Sixty-four dogs disposed of.


Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK DeMARCO,


Dog Officer


122


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Contributory Retirement Board


February 20, 1952


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wakefield, Mass.


Gentlemen:


The Contributory Retirement Board submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1951.


The total membership December 31, 1950 was 216 active members, 3 inactive members, 46 pensioneer members which comprised a total of 265 members as of January 1, 1951. During the year 1951 there were 87 new members added to the Retirement System's roll, this resulted in a total of 352 members. During the year 1951, 30 members resigned, and were duly awarded the return of their contributory deductions, 1 member retired under the Veterans' Act; Chapter 32, Section 56, General Laws Tercenten- ary Edition, on account of total disability, therefore his contributory de- ductions were returned to him as is statutorily prescribed. Three other members were retired under the Veterans' Act but inasmuch as they were non-contributory members their retirement did not directly affect the Contributory Retirement System. There were 4 members who were trans- ferred from the active to the inactive roll and 1 member was transferred from Group A membership to Group B membership, employed in the Fire Department.


The number of members on the Pension List was changed by the death of 3 employees, formerly employed by the Health, Light and Fire Departments; 2 transferred from inactive to active membership; 5 mem- bers were added to the Pension List, having reached the retirement age; 1 member retired on account of ordinary disability; 2 on account of acci- dental disability, resulting in a total of 52 members on the Pension List.


The total membership December 31, 1951 is 259 active members, 4 inactive members, 52 pensioneer members, which comprises a total of 315 members in the Contributory Retirement System as of January 1, 1952.


A statement of Financial Condition for the year ending December 31, 1951 is presented as follows:


1951 RECEIPTS


Balance January 1, 1951


$241,297.21


Contributions of members


$ 36,045.36


Investment Income


7,306.51


Town Appropriations 1951


42,701.00


Expense Fund


3,274.40


Special Military Service Fund


138.60


89,465.87


Total Receipts


$330,763.08


Pension Fund


REPORT OF CONTRIBUTORY RETIREMENT BOARD


123


1951 EXPENDITURES


Annuities Paid


$ 3,009.11


Pensions Paid


59,392.25


Refunds of Deductions to members


2,887.96


Expenses Paid


3,131.35


68,420.67


Balance January 1, 1952


$262,342.41


ASSETS


Savings Bonds Series "G"


$ 70,000.00


Cash (Checking Acct. Bal.)


45,465.43


Bank Stock


7,900.00


Co-operative Banks, Serial Shares


116,992.50


Savings Banks


21,453.27


Accrued Interest on Bonds


531.21


$262,342.41


LIABILITIES


Pension Fund


$ 17,508.91


Annuity Savings Fund


205,583.11


Annuity Reserve Fund


33,821.53


Military Service Special Fund


5,037.10


Expense Fund


391.76


$262,342.41


Respectfully submitted, ROLAND B. OLIVER, Chairman JOHN J. MCCARTHY, Secretary HENRY F. GALVIN


124


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Sweetser Lecture Committee


SEASON OF 1951 RECEIPTS


Income from Invested Funds


Received from sale of tickets at door


$245.24 97.30


Sales by Stores


Smith's Drug Store


4


Nagle's Drug Store


3


Lane's Drug Store


1


Greenwood Pharmacy


13


Item Office


2


24 at 35c 8.40


Total


$ 350.94


EXPENSES


Nov. 21 Gerhard Neumann Lecture


$ 50.00


Nov. 27 Gardner Campbell Lecture 100.00 $150.00


Daily Item Advg. and Ptg.


19.10


Ticket Boys Janitors at Lectures


12.00


Federal Tax on Admissions


18.06


Bank Service Charge


.90


A. D. Handy Co., screen


15.00


Wm. Blanchard Co., moving


4.50


$227.56


Balance to Sweetser Charities


123.38


$350.94


Respectfully submitted, EB. V. YEUELL EDWARD A. RICH WILLIAM J. LEE


GEORGE E. POTTER


ROLAND H. KINDER


CHARLOTTE R. FITZ ROBERT G. REED


8.00


125


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures


Jan. 1, 1952


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the following report for the year 1951:


Adjusted


Sealed


Condemned


Scales over 10,000 lbs.


1


4


Scales 100 to 5,000 lbs.


21


45


1


Scales under 100 lbs.


27


151


4


Weights


3


206


Linear Measures


10


Meters 1 inch outlet


18


81


4


Vehicle tank meters


18


30


6


Bulk storage meters


3


9


Leather measures


1


Cloth measures


1


Fees collected $381.30


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES J. DEVLIN, Sealer


126


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Board of Assessors


January 7, 1952


To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:


We herewith submit the Annual Report of the Assessors Department for the year ending December 31, 1951.


State Audit of Municipal Accounts $ 87.26


State Examination of Retirement System


103.52


Smoke Inspection Service


357.12


Metropolitan Parks Assessment


15,632.30


Metropolitan Sewerage Assessment


35,923.23


1950 Underestimates


3,403.57


Total State and Metropolitan Charges County Tax for 1951


$ 56,095.23


Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment


12,073.36


Total County Charges


$ 68,168.59


Charges for Town Purposes


$ 2,052,297.39


Overlay for 1951


41,322.90


Gross Levy


$ 2,217,295.88


Estimated Receipts :


Credits from State and County


$343,024.92


Town Receipts


266,668.73


From Light Dept. to Treasury


25,000.00


From Water Dept. Receipts


165,223.35


From Available Funds


97,371.33


From Overlay Surplus to Reserve


7,000.00


Total Estimated Receipts


$ 904,288.33


Net Levy Added Polls 52 @ $2.00


104.00


Added Assessments


1,294.90


Total Tax Levied on Polls and Property Tax Rate $46.00 per $1,000.00


$ 1,314,406.45


VALUATION OF PROPERTY TAXED


Buildings


$ 22,710,100.00


Land


4,271,000.00


Tangible Personal Property


1,304,475.00


Total Gain in Valuation 1951


$ 28,285,575.00


$ 1,666,950.00


$ 55,507.00


$ 1,313,007.55


REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS


127


PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION


Town of Wakefield


$ 1,666,005.00


Town of Wakefield, Schools


1,874,325.00


Town of Wakefield, Tangible Property


5,724,375.00


Foreclosed Tax Titles


23,050.00


Town owned Cemeteries


18,400.00


United States of America


109,000.00


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


215,350.00


Literary, Benevolent & Patriotic Organizations


423,825.00


Cemeteries, Land and Buildings


89,400.00


Tangible Property excluding Town owned


37,125.00


Parsonages


34,500.00


Churches, Land and Buildings


803,650.00


Total


$ 11,019,005.00


Number of Motor Vehicles Assessed


7,593


Valuation of Motor Vehicles Assessed


$ 3,747,140.00


Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Assessed


$ 150,314.58


Number of Polls Assessed


6,635


Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed


4,241


Number of Persons, Partnerships and Corporations Assessed


6,869


Value of Assessed Stock in Trade


285,050.00


Value of Live Stock Assessed


8,225.00


Value of Machinery Assessed


232,000.00


Value of Other Ratables Assessed


779,200.00


Number of Horses Assessed


5


Number of Cows Assessed


5


Number of Fowl Assessed


6,375


Number of Swine Assessed


4


Number of Sheep Assessed


4


Number of Goats Assessed


23


Number of Heifers Assessed


11


Number of Acres of Land Assessed


3,530


Area of Town in Acres


4,947


Respectfully submitted, Board of Assessors GEORGE E. BLAIR, Chairman LEO F. DOUGLASS, Secretary GEORGE H. STOUT


128


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Report of Board of Health


To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield:


During the past two years the Board of Health has lost its two senior members and its nurse.


In the latter part of January 1950, the Board of Health suffered the loss of its senior member, Chairman Wesley S. Goodwin. His sudden death was a loss keenly felt by the Health Department. Mr. Goodwin, a former Selectman, was appointed to the Board of Health on May 4, 1922. He was appointed Secretary of the Board on May 9, 1922, and Chairman of the Board on November 28, 1933. He served as Chairman until his death on December 27, 1950.


The Board also regrets the death of Miss Nellie B. Russell, R. N., who was appointed the Board of Health Nurse on April 1, 1921. Miss Russell served faithfully in this position during her long years of service, until her resignation on December 13, 1949. Miss Russell died on November 21, 1951.


A loss to the Board of Health this year was the resignation of Chair- man Ned C. Loud, effective December 31, 1951. Chairman Loud resigned because of ill health after 17 years of valuable service. He was appointed to the Board on September 11, 1934, was appointed Secretary on Septem- ber 17, 1934, and served in this position until September 2, 1939. Mr. Loud was appointed Chairman of the Board on March 17, 1950, and served in this position until his resignation on December 31, 1951.


In reporting the health of the Town of Wakefield for the year 1951, the Town has been fortunate in not having any serious epidemics. How- ever, not since 1944 has Measles been so prevalent. We have at the present time, 10 patients in Middlesex County Sanatorium, who are ill with Pulmonary Tuberculosis. There has been one death from Tuberculosis, reported for the year 1951. Also, we have one child who is ill with Tuber- culosis at North Reading State Sanatorium. Two cases of Poliomyelitis were reported for the year 1951. Fortunately, both cases recovered without serious affliction.


The Board of Health continues to urge upon parents the need for im- munization of all pre-school children over three months of age, against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whooping Cough. Two immunization clinics will be held during the coming year, and the Board of Health urges parents to take their children to the clinics or to their own family physician for these innoculations.


The Board will also continue its Dog Clinic, where dogs will be innocu- lated against Rabies.


Rules and Regulations prescribed for agencies giving Day Care to Children were accepted by the Board of Health on January 2, 1951. Six licenses were issued to maintain and operate a kindergarten or day nursery school.


REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH


129


Mrs. Ernestine M. Nardone, R. N., Health Nurse, made during the year the following number of visits to homes with contagious diseases, tuber- culosis, and tubercular contacts.


Tuberculosis and contacts 125


Scarlet Fever 42


Mumps 21


Poliomyelitis


1


Diphtheria 1


190


Mrs. Nardone also made the following trips to sanatoriums and hospi- tals :


North Reading Sanatorium 98


Middlesex County Sanatorium 16


Children's Medical Center, Boston 1


Taking a total of 128 patients to be x-rayed, admitted, or for physical examination.


Mrs. Nardone stated in her report that 76 pre-school children attended the Board of Health immunization clinic.


37 children were immunized against Diphtheria (Booster)


39 children were immunized against Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Whooping Cough.


Respectfully submitted,


ROBERT DUTTON, M. D., Chairman ROBERT REED, Secretary EVAN FAIRBANKS


To the Honorable Board of Health:


The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 1951, is as follows:


Number of Permits Issued


330


Number of Fixtures Installed


1,890


Automatic Oil Water Heaters


10


Gas Storage - Hot water Heaters


100


Electric Storage - Hot Water Heaters


50


30 Gallon Water Tanks


25


Tankless Heaters


75


Water Closets


302


Lavatories


321


Bath Tubs


266-


Stall Showers


48


Urinals


27


Cabinet Sinks


309


Sink and Tray Combinations


12


130


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Laundry Trays


51


Slop Sinks


4


Dental Units


1


Washing Machines


20


Dish Washing Machines


11


Garbage Disposals


10


Soda Fountains


1


Drinking Fountains


4


Gasoline Interceptors


1


Floor Drains


10


Roof Drains


8


Water Piping


75


Sewer Connections


75


Cesspools


54


Septic Tanks


20


Respectfully submitted,


KENNETH G. SHAW, Inspector of Plumbing


Report of Milk and Food Inspector


To the Board of Health, Wakefield:


Gentlemen :


Herewith is submitted the report of the Inspector of Milk and Food for the year ending December 31, 1951.


The following details cover the work of this office during the above mentioned period.


55 Retail Milk Licenses were issued @ 50c $ 27.50


26 Dealers Milk Licenses were issued @ 50c 13.00


4 Pasteurization Licenses were issued @ $10.00 40.00


4 Ice Cream Licenses were issued @ $5.00 20.00


26 Oleomargarine Licenses were issued @ 50c 13.00


$113.50


168 Samples of milk were tested for fats, solids, and bacteria. 39 Dairy Farms and Milk plants were inspected.


No milk is raised in the Town of Wakefield at the present time, neces- sitating the Town's 10,000 quart daily consumption, to come from other sources.


Few complaints regarding food were filed in this office during the past year and only one of these, involving the violent sickness of three per- sons, was serious in nature.


Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE E. DOUCETTE, Inspector of Milk and Food


131


REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES


Report of Library Trustees


TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY Hervey J. Skinner, Chairman Mrs. Miriam G. Needham, Secretary


Phillips C. Davis *Arthur L. Evans Walter C. Hickey William J. Lee


Edward E. Lynch Albert W. Rockwood John J. Round, Jr. Miss Gladys Watkins


*Deceased January 11, 1951


STAFF LIBRARIAN Helen Frances Carleton


ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN AND HEAD CATALOGUER H. Gladys Mackenzie


REFERENCE LIBRARIAN #Frances E. Holly Dorothy Dengler


CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN Violet E. Reed


CIRCULATION LIBRARIAN Evelyn B. Henderson


GREENWOOD BRANCH AND ART LIBRARIAN Clara G. Wilson


MONTROSE BRANCH LIBRARIAN


#Yolanda Roberto


Christine Robinson


FULL TIME ASSISTANTS


#Therese Crandall


Virginia Gove


#Louise Kozell


PART TIME ASSISTANTS


#Eleanore Duffie Grace W. Eaton Joan Evans


Dorothy K. Hayward Evelyn J. Snyder Etta E. Ux


JANITORS


Main Library and Montrose Branch Library Greenwood Branch Library


Carl H. Brown Chester I. Hopkins


#Resigned


132


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE


The Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library herewith submit the ninety-sixth Annual Report.


This has been a year of changes in personnel, furnishings, and public service. In the sudden death of Arthur L. Evans on January 11, 1951, the Trustees suffered the loss of another long and valued member of the Board. From the time of his election in March 1915 Mr. Evans was actively inter- ested in the welfare of the Library and gladly made himself available for consultation and advice on any and all library problems. He was Treasurer of the Library site committee, and a member of the building committee for the erection of the present Library building.


At a joint meeting of the Trustees and the Selectmen on February 6, 1951, William J. Lee was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Evans.


In the Children's Room tables and chairs have been refinished, divans and chairs re-upholstered in the Reading Room, draperies replaced, and new book cases added in the Balcony and Children's Room. All this has greatly enhanced the beauty of the Main Library and its furnishings. Rooms and corridors on the lower floor and the Trustees' Room have been painted and fluorescent lights added to the work areas. It was also neces- sary to make extensive plumbing repairs after twenty-eight years in the Library building. A new musical record player and cabinet as well as a slide projector and screen for showing pictures have been added to the equipment to enable promoting projects for interested groups.


The Publicity Committee has been active this past year in developing public relations. Cards were sent to new residents, and attractive folders with detailed information were prepared for new borrowers. In April the Library participated in the Pageant of Progress by having an exhibit booth. The Trustees appreciate the efforts of the Librarian and Staff in developing this project which proved to be of great interest to many visitors. The success of this exhibit was definitely aided by the generosity of The Murray Printing Company and the talents of the Camera Club.


The Trustees are indebted to the Garden Club for many fine flower arrangements, to the Wakefield Daily Item for generous space allotted for book lists and special articles, and to Mr. Lucius M. Beebe and Mrs. Albert W. Rockwood for beautiful Christmas decorations. Many other people have shown their interest in the Library by their thoughtful gifts of 134 books.


Many exhibits have been displayed in the Lecture Hall and Balcony from the art collection and loans from interested friends. In conjunction with Mr. Peter Nash, a Harvard student, and the Town Planning Board, a "Survey of Wakefield" was shown in February. Sophia (Lewis) Morrill and Ernest A. Beliveau have each held an art exhibit. In the Fall as part of American Art Week, paintings by Wakefield High School graduates were displayed.


ARTHUR LUCIUS EVANS Member of the Board of Library Trustees 1915-1951


133


REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES


A reference course was given by the University Extension and held in the Library Lecture Hall in the Spring. Among the twenty librarians from nearby communities who attended the course were five members of our library staff.


In May the Centennial of the first permissive law for free libraries in Massachusetts was celebrated. In Wakefield it was observed by the Trustees and Staff meeting together for a social evening at the Hartshorne House.


The circulation of books alone is no longer a true record of library service. The newest service to be offered by the Library is the circula- tion of musical records which was introduced in the Fall by an evening of recordings. This new service is apparently appreciated for in three months 221 records have been loaned. As is common in many libraries during recent years the reading of fiction has dropped off, but the usual number of good non-fiction books available this year has meant a steady use of these books, especially from the Practical Arts, Fine Arts, and litera- ture collections. Altogether there is an increased number of people regis- tered as borrowers, and of this number there are 1169 new borrowers.




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