USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1961 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
Grade
Election Education
Richard F. Smith, B.A., M.Ed.,
Principal
6
1926
Keene Teachers' College, Boston University
Doris Zimmermann, B.S.M., M.Ed.
1952 Boston University
5-6
Norman Dugas, A.B., M.Ed.
5
1958
Merrimac College, Boston State Teachers' College
Nancy M. Powers, B.S.Ed.
4
1958
Lesley College
Judith Marion, B.A.
3
1961
Jackson College
Beverley Schacht, B.S.Ed.
3-2
1957
Lesley College
Lee Pfeiffer
2
1925
Wheelock College, Boston University
Helena Anderson, B.S.Ed.
1 1956 Salem Teachers' College
Cynthia McFarlane, B.S.Ed.
1 1959 State Teachers' College, Salem
MONTROSE SCHOOL
First
Name
Grade
Election Education
William D. Healey, A.B., M.Ed.,
1928 Holy Cross College, Harvard University
Principal
1951 Calvin Coolidge College, Boston University
Catherine Doran
61
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
Chester Lee, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. 6
1957 Salem Teachers' College, Boston University
Genevera Ward, B.A.
6
1961 Iowa State Teachers' College
Leo Parent, B.S.Ed.
5
1959 Lowell State College
Mary E. Cassidy, B.A.
5
1957 Emmanuel College
Lona H. Adams, B.S.Ed., M.Ed.
4
1959 Washington Teachers' College, Boston State Teachers' College
Marjorie Casey, A.B.
4
1961 Boston College
Lee Hadsall, B.A.
3 1961
University of Massachusetts
Mary G. Riley, B.A.
3-4
1960 Regis College
Mary McAvinn, B.A.
3 1960
Newton Coll. of Sacred Heart
Mary J. Lord, B.S.Ed.
2
1954
North Adams Teacher's Coll.
Marcia F. Kreditor, B.A.
2
1961 Hunter College
Isabel L. Carley, B.S.Ed.
1
1959 Lesley Teachers' College
Constance Dougan, B.S.Ed.
1
1959
Salem Teachers' College
WALTON SCHOOL
First
Name
Grade
Election
Education
Robert C. Murray, B.S.Ed., M.Ed.,
1950 Boston University
Principal
Geraldine M. Dunne, B.S.Ed., M.Ed.
6
Northeastern
Katheryn D. Carney, B.S.Ed.
5
1925
Boston University
Carol Asker, B.S.Ed.
3
1958
Gordon College
Patricia M. Kimball, B.S.
4
1960
Salem Teachers' College
Ruth E. Finlay, B.S.Ed.
4 1952
Salem Teachers' College
Carol A. Grey, B.S.Ed.
3
1957 Lesley College
Marjorie MacNeil, A.B.
2 1953 Emmanuel College
Joan L. Holt, B.S.Ed.
1
1953
Gorham Teachers' College
WARREN SCHOOL
First
Name
Grade
Election
Education
Robert C. Murray, B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Principal
1950 Boston University
Louis R. Farrell, B.S.Ed.
6 1961
Suffolk University
Thomas LaBossiere, B.S.Ed.
6 1959 Boston Teachers' College
Dorothy Linder, B.S.Ed.
5 1946 Boston University
Judith Wilson, B.S.Ed.
4
1961 Cortland State Teach. College
Mildred J. Wile, B.A.
3
1960 W. Va. Wesleyan College
Sally R. Matheson, B.S.Ed.
2 1959 Lesley
Mary Pappadopoulos, B.S.Ed.
1 1959 Lowell State Teach. College
WEST WARD SCHOOL
First
Name
Grade Election Education
Richard F. Smith, B.A., M.Ed.,
Principal
1951 Calvin Coolidge College, Boston University
Donna Griggs, B.S.Ed.
2
1961 Bridgewater State College
Margaret McHugh, B.S.Ed.
1 1951 Villanova College
1957
Boston College,
62
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
WOODVILLE SCHOOL
First
Name
Grade
Election Education
George E. Weldon, A.B., M.A.,
1952 Boston University
M.Ed., Principal
William J. Doherty, B.S., M.Ed. 6 1955 Suffolk University, Salem Teachers' College
Lora Ann Sheridan, B.S.Ed. 5
1956 Lowell Teachers' College
Fiora Sava, B.S.Ed.
4 1961 Boston University
Camille L. Harris, B.S.Ed.
3 1958 Boston College
June A. Reynolds, B.S.Ed.
2
1960 Salem Teachers' College
Nancy L. Butz, A.B.
1
1961 Jackson College
SPECIAL TEACHERS
First
Name
Election Education
Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite,
B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Elementary Consultant
Helen E. Corbet, B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Art, Elementary
Mary Downey, B.S.Ed.,
Physical Education Elementary
Jerry Boisen, B.S., M.A. in Mus. Ed., Director of Music
James Rizza, B.M., M.M.Ed., Music, Elementary
1958 New England Conservatory of Music
1958 Boston University
Madelyn L. Davis, B.M., Music, Elementary
Robert D. Chandler, Jr., B.M.Ed., Instrumental Music
1954 New England Conservatory of Music
1950 Lowell Teachers' College, Boston University
1960 Indiana University, Boston University
1958 Fitchburg Teachers' College
HEALTH
Sigmund J. Szydlowski, M.D., School Physician
1951 Tufts College, Middlesex College
Dorothy L. Adams, R.N., School Nurse
1951 Massachusetts Memorial Hos- pital School of Nursing
1959 Carney Hospital
Mary Hogan, R.N. School Nurse
Irene Schmidgall, R.N., B.S.,
School Nurse
1960 Adelphi College, Columbia, Presbyterian Medical Center
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Thomas F. Kenney, Attendance
1939 Suffolk Law School
Officer
1956 Boston University, Tufts University
1955 Massachusetts School of Art, Boston State Teachers' College
1957 Bouve School of Physical Edu- cation, Tufts University
1957 New York University
Diane Kludjian, B.S.Ed., M.Ed., Reading, Elementary
Robert F. Reen, B.S.Ed.,
Physical Education, Elementary
Florence R. Fischer, Home Instruction
63
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
JANITORS
M. Leo Conway, Head Custodian Charles B. Lally John T. Barrett George Oliver Charles N. Leather Mrs. Alice Floyd, Matron Joseph Sardella Lyman E. Allen Wilfred L. Lemos
Senior High School Memorial Building Memorial Building Memorial Building Memorial Building
Memorial Building Atwell Building
Atwell Building
Atwell Building
Atwell Building
Junior High School
Junior High School
Junior High School
Junior High School Junior High School
Dolbeare School Doyle School
Franklin School
Franklin School
Greenwood School
Greenwood School
Hurd School
Lincoln School
Montrose School
Walton School
Warren School
218 Salem St.
Woodville
12 Laurel St.
West Ward
44 Cooper St.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE WORK
John Galenius Louis J. Colucci Clarence W. Meuse
25 Bartley St. 44 Cooper St. 10 Highland St.
HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Robert P. Reid
Cafeteria Manager
Mrs. Cora Comeau
Helper
Mrs. Margaret L. Moore
Head Cook
Mrs. Helen Delano
Head Baker
Mrs. Lillian Dodge
Assistant Cook
Mrs. Henrietta Dobbins
Cashier
Mrs. Alice Hudson
Helper
Mrs. Catherine McGrath
Helper
Mrs. Margaret Mclaughlin Mrs. Ina Moores
Cashier
Helper
Mrs. Mae Sederquest
Assistant Baker
Mrs. Ethel Smith
Helper
Mrs. Effie Hopkins
Helper
10 Bennett St. 10 Wilson Ave. 71 Bennett St. 35 Farm St. 37 W. Water St. 11A Salem St. 27 Green St. 498 North Ave. 8 Parker St., Wilmington 1 Cumberland Rd. 294 Main St. 8 Summer St. 18 Hawthorne St. 3 Biggs Court 41 Green St. 36 Lake St. 32 Gould St. 57 Richardson St. 23 Woodland Rd. 29A Armory St. 5 Sylvan Ave. 10 Muriel Ave. 50 Aborn Ave. 19 Park St. 57 Calthea St., Stoneham
Mrs. Flora Rice, Matron John J. Powers, Head Custodian
Warren M. Peabody Harold M. Campbell
Leonard MacDonald Charles DiFederico Alfred E. Delaney Thomas R. Doren Richard F. Osetek
Francis L. Ryder
Francis E. Foley Harold A. Doucette Robert Ellis Edward J. Meuse Paul K. Burbine Thomas E. Kelley
Eugene Maher Anthony M. Kard Louis J. Colucci
64
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
JUNIOR HIGH CAFETERIA
Mrs. Mary Ryder
Head Cook
Mrs. Helen Hamel
Head Baker
Mrs. Cora Swanson
Assistant Baker
Mrs. Eleanor Fowler
Cashier
Mrs. Marion Layton
Helper
Mrs. Doris North
Helper
Mrs. Edith Phinney
Cashier
Mrs. Marjorie Simensen
Helper
Mrs. Roslyn Jennings
Helper
Mrs. Helen Foley
Helper
THE COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
Class of Nineteen Sixty-One WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Wakefield, Massachusetts High School Auditorium - Eight O'clock June the Eighth
THE CLASS OFFICERS President, Lawrence Owen Brehaut Vice President, Paul Stephen McNulty Secretary, Maureen Mckeon Treasurer, Elizabeth Ann Winner
TO WAKEFIELD HIGH
One more class, dear Wakefield High, Our class of 'Sixty-one, Bids fond farewell to teachers, friends, And work that we have done. As we leave you, Wakefield High, We pledge with all our hearts Our loyalty to memories Of which you are a part.
Here before us, Wakefield High, There lie uncertain years. And yet with all that you have taught We'll march and have no fears. CHORUS
We sing to you now, Wakefield High, As through your doors we go. We give to you our dearest love Which with the years will grow.
Words by Nancy Louise Needham Music by Mary Margaret Phipps
65
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
Class Colors Aqua and White
Class Motto We are what we make ourselves.
-THE PROGRAM -
THE THEME One Nation Under God
Overture and Processional Wakefield High School Band Mr. Jerry Boisen, Director
The Flag Salute - Audience and Seniors led by Class President Lawrence Owen Brehaut
The National Anthem
Audience and Seniors
Mr. Jerry Boisen, Director
The Invocation
Original
Nancy Jean Hurd, Honor Student
"Heavenly Light"
Kopylow Wakefield High School Chorale Mr. George E. Mckinley, Director Susan Mattheson, '62, Accompanist
Essay - "One Nation Under God - Through Education" Martin Crosby Graham, Honor Student
Presentation of Academic Awards Mr. Gerard G. Barry Principal of Wakefield High School
"You'll Never Walk Alone" Rodgers - Hammerstein Wakefield High School Chorale David Edward Hogg, Baritone Soloist Mr. Robert G. Mckinley, Director Susan Mattheson, '62, Accompanist
Essay - "One Nation Under God - Through Science" Walden McCloskey Dillaway, Honor Student
Remarks
Principal Gerard G. Barry
Class Song Directed by Poetess Nancy Louise Needham Accompanied by Composer Mary Margaret Phipps
Address to the Graduates and Presentation of Diplomas Mr. John P. Turner, Wakefield School Committee
Recessional
Wakefield High School Band
Mr. Jerry Boisen, Director
66
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
CLASS OF 1961
Arthur Paul Abdinoor Jeannette Mary Accetta Emily Louise Adams Patricia Ruth Ahearn Clifford William Alcorn Charles Everett Alden
Edgar Malone Almeida Jean Dorothy Anderson Judith Anne Anderson Michael Granfield Anderson Carol Ann Atwater Judith Arline Avery Sandra Jean Ballard Bartholomew Dennis Barry
Aldo Andrew Bartlett, Jr. Glee Evelyn Beach Leo Francis Beane, Jr. Joseph David Bellucci David Clark Berry Paul Vincent Bilicki
David Richard Bisacre Lawrence Owen Brehaut
Patricia Elizabeth Brooks Norman Frederick Brown William Earl Brown James Sebastian Bruno
H David Rounds Burnett Ralph Wallace Burns Robert William Butler Stanley Earle Buttrick, Jr. Robert William Call Linda Elizabeth Canty H Paula Mae Caracoglia Ronald Angelo Caracoglia John Anthony Carbone Ellen Claire Carboneau Stephen Marshall Carleton Ernest Milton Cherry, Jr. William Earl Chetwynd Harry George Chickles Robert Peter Ciacera Michael Anthony Ciampa Norma Helen Clark Carol Louise Coakley H Susan Betty Coflan Patricia Ann Comeau John Edward Conley H Elizabeth Jean Cook Elaine Marie Correiro
Paul Thomas Costantino David Matthew Courtenay Christopher Richard Coviello Brenda June Croce Shirley Ann Crocker Patricia Ann Cronin
Meredith Ann Cronk Judith Wells Crosby Richard Nelson Cummings John Francis Curran Stephen Edward Curran Herbert William Currier, Jr. Sandra Ann Cusato Helene Elizabeth Dale Richard Francis Daley Salvatore D'Amico Roy Lee Davey Gail Margaret Davidson Joan Carol Davidson Dianne Loretta Davis Richard Louis DeFeo Robert Henry Delano John Leo DelRossi, Jr. Joanne Mary DeMatteo Richard Demerle Richard Francis d'Entremont
H Yvonne Ann DesMarteau Priscilla Carol DiDonato Robert John Dignan H Walden McCloskey Dillaway Janice Marie Dillon H Carol Ann Dingle Karen Jean Doucét Grace Marie Doucette Mary Martha Downing Ruth Virginia Drady Dennis Victor Drinkwater Patricia Ann Driscoll Warren Harold Dugmore Ann Fay Dulong Robert Donald Duncan John James Duval, Jr. Diane Ethel Eager Margaret Marie Erker Clarace Cornelia Fall Judson Kenneth Farnsworth Bruce Michael Farrell Charles Denton Fernald Daniel Clark Ferrin
67
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
Russell Leo Ferris Annette Carol Fine Craig Foster Finney Jessica Theresa Fitzgerald H Brenda Alice Flight William Henry Fox Robert Paul Frederick Lawrence Ray Freethy Dorothy Ann Frost William James Galpin Mary Kathleen Galvin James Edward Gascoigne Richard Carl Gaudet David Paul Gaw Rosemary Ann Gerrior Gerald Francis Gilvey Carol Ann Golini William Allen Grady
H Martin Crosby Graham Susan Jane Greene Kathleen Gertrude Haladay Jean Ellen Hamel Judith Elaine Harris Emilia Barbara Harvey Walter Irving Hatch, Jr. Sandra Jean Hatfield Virginia Margaret Healey John Thomas Healy Judith Yvonne Hemeon Eileen Ann Hennessy H Mark Richard Henriksen Candace Lou Hibbard David Warren Higgins Sandra Marie Hill David Edward Hogg Barbara Jean Hogan
Edward Patrick Holleran David Foster Howard Laurie Jane Howard Paul James Howard Robert Leo Hubbard Robert William Hugo H Nancy Jean Hurd John Kevin Hurton Neal David Hurton H Susan Margaret Hurton Patricia Eileen Ingham
H John Frederick Innocenti Eileen Marie Irwin Carolyn Mary Jack
Lee James Janvrin Joan Marie Jarema Linda Lou Johnson Kathleen Mary Joyce John Kurt Kaiser Carol Jeanne Kelley
Richard George Kelley Nancy Jeanne Kiley
H Barbara King John Dutton King Edward Purdy Knowlton Robert Curtis Knowlton David Leonard LaFave Jean Louise Landry Anthony Albert Lapery Karen Hoag Larson Harry Robert Lattanzi Philip Gray Leavitt Beverly Ann LeBlanc Louise Mary Leone William David Loconzolo Anita Louise Loomis Sheila Marie Lucey
Adele Carole Lupien Charlotte Ann Lynch Peter Matthew Lynch John William McAuliffe James Gordon McClory Robert William McKay, Jr.
H Maureen Mckeon Margaret Susan McLennan Patricia Irene McMenimen Paul Stephen McNulty Kevin Francis McQuillen Sandra Jean McSorley Joseph George McWhinnie David Tracy MacClellan Andrew Eliot MacDonald Suzanne MacDonald Ian Bruce MacRobbie H Rosemary Theresa Mahoney Joan Mary Malonson Dianne Marie Marshall Janet Elinor Martin
H Frederick Arthur Mason Pamela Ann Mead Carol Ruth Menges Jean Kathrine Meuse Gail Dorothy Millar Edward Henry Milley, Jr.
68
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Judith Ann Mitchell Donna Marie Moore Sheila Ann Moreira Carol Ann Moretti Stevia Ann Morton Donna Lee Mueller
James Thomas Mulloy H Gail Elizabeth Munro John Joseph Murray James Joseph Mussells Franklin Michael Nardone Nancy Louise Needham
H Robert Libby Neff Joan Lillian Nelson Linda Jean Newbegin James Edward O'Brien John Edward O'Brien Elizabeth Christine O'Donnell Matthew Brendan O'Keefe John Michael Palmerino Shelia Ann Palumbo Beverly Ann Pamp Richard Parr, Jr. Priscilla Lee Perry Ronald Joseph Petrucci
Mary Margaret Phipps Janet Marie Pietrafitta Richard Anthony Pietrafitta Roberta Maynard Plummer Gary Richard Powell
H David James Middleton Proctor H Irene Ethel Puddister James Matthew Rattray, 2nd Richard Martin Reass Barbara Joan Renaud Judith Gail Rice Diane Marie Riley Elaine Mary Robinson John Harry Rogers Enid Marcia Rosen
H Donna Lee Rowe Sadie Clara Russo
H - National Honor Society
Ronald Dennis Rutledge Jeannette May Salonen Sylvia Ann Sampson Robert John Scanlon Thomas Gleason Scanlon
Yvonne Ernestine Schreyer
Harold Francis Shea
Carol Ann Sherman Gail Ann Shirreff
H Charles Hannum Shultz, Jr.
Diane Sylvia Shurtleff Richard Joseph Silvey Andra Marilyn Simonsen Nancy Hope Snow Walter John Sowyrda Judith Ann Stevens Ardeen Frederick Stickney John Francis Studley Arthur Swanson, Jr. Patricia Anne Tarr Beverly Jean Taylor Patricia Ellen Taylor Theresa Bernadette Teixeira
H Sherry Michele Tigar Robert Gray Tillson, Jr.
Susan Toth
Marcia Lee Toussaint
Charlene Frances Ulwick
H Paul Vingerhoet Richard Warren Vining
H Susan Mary Wallace Maurice Edward Walsh Patricia Anne Walsh Thomas Francis Walsh Thomas Joseph Ward
H Patricia Ann Watters Richard Raymond Weed Louis Frederick Williams Stephen Bourghs Wingate Elizabeth Ann Winner Maureen Dorothy Witt Leslie Christine Workman Katharina Elisabeth Wurmli
69
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Library Trustees
106th ANNUAL REPORT of the TRUSTEES of THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY 1961 Wakefield, Massachusetts
TRUSTEES OF THE LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY Phillips C. Davis, Chairman Miss Gladys Watkins, Secretary
Moses M. Frankel Walter C. Hickey* Mrs. David Hodgdon
Edward E. Lynch Thomas L. McManus Frank A. Tredinnick, Jr.
Leslie J. Wilson LIBRARIAN D. Marjorie Taylor ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN AND CATALOGUER H. Gladys Mackenzie SUPERVISOR OF ADULT SERVICES Evelyn B. Henderson
YOUTH LIBRARIAN Ruth Bush CHILDREN'S LIBRARIAN Kathryn Duggan CIRCULATION LIBRARIAN
Kathleen M. Pike **
Mae Keenan
GREENWOOD LIBRARIAN Florence Bolster MONTROSE LIBRARIAN Alice Waterworth ASSISTANTS
Barbara S. Holloway Margaret Gardner
Peter Harris Maryann Ellis
SENIOR CLERK Florence Larson PART-TIME ASSISTANTS
Grace Eaton
Frances Merrey
Ann Berry SENIOR BUILDING CUSTODIAN Carl H. Brown
Francis Foley, Greenwood Branch
Theodore Roache
*Died Nov. 1961
** Resigned Aug. 1961
70
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1961 REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The death of Walter C. Hickey on November 13, 1961 brought sorrow to the Town of Wakefield and a keen loss to the Trustees of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library. Mr. Hickey was elected to the Board in 1933 and over the years has served it in many capacities. His devotion to the library and his knowledge of its history will be missed greatly.
During the past year the Board of Library Trustees has held ten reg- ular meetings, five special meetings and many meetings with Town boards and committees.
As in previous years, it has been difficult to attract well qualified per- sons to vacancies on the staff, since the local salary schedule does not in- terest holders of library degrees.
On January 17, 1961 the Board voted to accept provisions for State Aid to Public Libraries as outlined in Chapter 760 Act of 1960.
The celebration of National Library Week was arranged by the follow- ing citizens' committee: Mrs. David Hodgdon, Mrs. Kent Fletcher, Mrs. Paul Guillow, Mrs. Marcus Beebe, Miss Constance Doyle, Mr. Leslie Wil- son, Mr. William Lee, Mr. Edward Hennessy, Mr. Robert Reed and Miss D. Marjorie Taylor. An excellent opening address by Mr. Peter Neumann on Sunday afternoon, April 16, 1961 was followed by varied programs of interest throughout the week. The Library Trustees express the gratitude of the Town to the citizens' committee.
In September, increased enrollment in the first grade of the Greenwood School necessitated the use of the Greenwood Branch facilities for a class of eighteen pupils, which curtailed library hours and space. Upon receipt of a letter from the School Committee advising immediate steps to find new space for the Greenwood Branch, studies have been made of ways to provide library service in Greenwood. At present, the Library Board is cooperating with the Greenwood Fire Station Committee to propose a joint Fire Station and Library building.
A joint meeting of the Library Survey Committee and the Library Trustees was held on October 19, 1961 to study Progress Report No. 1.
Two members of the Library Board have served beyond the local area. Mrs. David Hodgdon has been Boston representative for the Great Books Foundation. She participated in the Dynamics for Leadership project tele- cast on Channel 2 and assisted in the formation of a first year Great Books discussion group in Melrose.
Mr. Edward Lynch is President of the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association which is affiliated with the Massachusetts Library Association. He reported that the following resolution has been passed by the Associa- tion:
Whereas: the time has come for trustees and school officials to accept separate but complementary responsibilities in strengthening library resources to all age groups and interests;
Whereas: legal authority and responsibilities to establish policies to pro- vide the best possible library service for all ages reside in library trustees; and
71
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
Whereas: school libraries are essential and provision of school libraries and programs is the responsibility of the school boards and ad- ministrative officers
Therefore be it resolved: that trustees work for the gradual assumption of this responsibility by the Board of Education, relinquishing school library service as the schools are able to undertake it.
The Library Trustees have concern that adequate space and reference material be available to the student population of Wakefield.
PHILLIPS C. DAVIS, Chairman
GLADYS WATKINS, Secretary
MOSES M. FRANKEL ROSARIA HODGDON EDWARD E. LYNCH
THOMAS L. McMANUS
FRANK L. TREDINNICK, JR.
LESLIE J. WILSON
LIBRARIAN'S ANNUAL REPORT - 1961
Library Service to the Community
Wakefield has a main library and two branches, and facilities at all three locations are strained to the utmost to give the best possible library service to a community of over 24,000 people. To assist in this service we have a staff of thirteen and one full time and one part time custodian.
During 1961 Wakefield people, and a few from neighboring towns, have borrowed over 227,000 books, periodicals, records and pictures, while almost 14,000 reference questions of one sort or another have been asked and answered.
To increase our service to the community we have added more than 4300 books and about 100 long playing records, and have discarded 4200 obsolete or wornout volumes. We also provide about 350 periodicals for library and home reading.
Library service to the community extends beyond the library walls in many ways. Almost 13,000 books have been sent to Wakefield schools for classroom reading, and our children's librarian has visited each of the first five grades in all the schools, while the young adult librarian talked to all sixth grades. Talks have been given by staff members to Parent Teacher Associations, Women's Clubs and other civic and social groups, and several collections of books have been sent to the Elizabeth Boit Home during the year.
Library hours have recently been extended at the Main library to accommodate those people who like to get an early start, the library now being open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. except on Saturdays when it closes at 6 p.m.
Service to Children
In addition to the regular routine work of the children's room, we have had a weekly pre-school story hour with an attendance of between 66 and 70, while about 100 school age children meet weekly for a program of stories and films. During the summer about 200 children joined the sum-
72
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
mer reading club where they were given instruction in the use of the library and encouraged to read and talk about what they had read. Each meeting ended with the showing of a film.
The summer school for exceptional children visited the library for instruction four times, and the remedial reading group came twice with their teachers to familiarize them with books suitable to their reading abilities.
Many kindergartens have visited the library during the year when they were taken on a tour of the building, and then entertained with stories and film strips.
Service to Young Adults
Nowhere is the fact that the public library is part of the educational system of the town more apparent than in the Youth Room which caters to our young people through Junior and Senior High School.
With school assignments in mind the book stock has been checked, weeded and added to, during the past year. Many books at college and adult level have been added, including the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. Because of greater emphasis on current events in High School, pamphlets have been added to the vertical file, and News- week and U. S. News and World Report bought for the Youth Room. The newly purchased Deadline Data on World Affairs, located in the lobby, is also available for use after consultation with the Youth Librarian.
Increased cooperation with high school teachers has meant better serv- ice to the students. It is obviously impossible for the library to supply the required number of books on certain subjects for a whole class for home reading, but prior knowledge of assignments enables the librarian to have the books available for all students in the library. This cuts down on cir- culation figures, but is fairer to all concerned. It is unfortunate that some students have no sense of responsibility for library property, and will steal or mutilate books in order to get the article or picture they require.
During the summer the class of exceptional students visited the Youth Room and the senior class at Nazareth Academy came with their teacher. Mrs. Bush, Youth Librarian, welcomes any visitors who are interested in young people, and would be particularly happy to see High School teachers and discuss the book stock and services with them.
Service to Adults
The adult section of the library has to meet demands from business men, students, teachers, technicians, clubs, to name but a few, as well as supply- ing recreational reading for all, and supplement branch and youth room stock.
To meet these demands the book stock is continually being revised and added to. This year a new vertical file cabinet was purchased for the reference room and the pamphlets weeded and brought up-to-date where possible.
Here, as in the Youth Room, a certain number of books are lost each year. This year two volumes of the new edition of Encyclopedia Britannica, one volume of Butler's Lives of the Saints, a Machinist's Dictionary and a Law Dictionary are among the valuable books missing from the adult ref-
73
150TH ANNUAL REPORT
erence room. Library books are bought with public money for the use of all the public, not for one or two irresponsible persons who think they can help themselves.
Our collection of local history and geneology is put to good use not only by local people but in answering the many letters we receive from such places as Texas, California, Wisconsin and Michigan from people who are tracing their ancestors.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.