USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1942 > Part 10
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830.82
Receipts from Installations
439.14
Receipts from Small Jobs
42.96
Receipts from Water Liens
523.51
Receipts from Joint Works
1,589.45
$34,907.68
Services
New service installations
9
Renewal of services
14
Renewals to property line
1
Meter Pit Installations
1
Services cleaned
1
Receipts from Meter Repairs
175
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Hydrants and Gates
Hydrants repaired 4 37
Main Gates packed
Leaks
5 Leaks were repaired during the year.
General
Due to the restrictions on new material, no new main installations were made during the year. No word has as yet been received from the Public Works Administra- tion regarding the Emergency Water Supply. It is understood the project is still under consideration. Ap- proximately 440 service calls were received and taken care of during the year. Extreme care must be exercised in the use of material due to the serious scarcity.
An Emergency Service Crew, composed of reliable citizens, who have volunteered their services, and time, have been trained and equipped, and are working in con- junction with the Rockland Committee on Public Safety. In case of sabotage or bombing, and in any other serious disaster, this crew will assist in operation of the system. Twenty-four hour watch service is maintained at the main office, seven days a week, operating in conjunction with the Emergency Service Crew.
To date recommendations made by various State and Federal Departments regarding defense, have been fol- lowed.
Light
A beacon light was installed on top of the Water Tank on Rice Avenue at the request of the Navy Authorities at the South Weymouth Air Base.
LOCAL EXPENSES, 1942
Merchants National Bank, bonds and interest
$2,600.00
James B. Studley, salary 2,490.00
Louis Litchfield, salary 2,040.00
Mark McCarthy, labor
1,899.74
-
176
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
William Carey, labor
1,605.00
Lawrence Sheehan, labor
1,435.56
Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Co., meters and parts
1,351.31
Alice Gammon, office
1,333.00
Tony Sasso, labor
1,270.29
George Caldwell Co., fittings
1,020.92
Rensselaer Valve Co., hydrants and parts
687.60
E. L. LeBaron Foundry, fittings 381.70
John Wheatley, legal services on cranberry bog case 336.02
Mabel Osgood, land purchased by joint works 300.00
S. W. Baker, services as Commissioner
300.00
E. S. Damon, services as Commissioner
300.00
J. T. Shea, services as Commissioner
300.00
Warren Pipe Co., pipe
227.52
Kathryn Condon, collections
226.00
John R. Parker, P. M., envelopes and postage
225.40
Boston Blue Print, blue prints
183.61
Pinel Tool Co., tools
182.17
Sears, Roebuck Co., supplies
170.55
Hallamore Machine, wrenches
162.00
Brockton Edison Co., service
158.37
N. E. T. & T. Co., service
154.29
Corcoran Supply Co., pipe and fittings
134.63
A. Culver Co., coal and oil 111.13
Lawrence Auto Supply, supplies
104.65
Mueller Co., fittings
88.00
New England Gas Products, gas and oxygen
86.48
George Campbell, gas and oil
82.98
Warren Woodward, insurance
79.76
Henry Condon, gas and oil
79.26
The Ockers Co., office supplies
79.05
E. S. Damon, insurance
75.42
A. Wainshilbaum, repairs and supplies
74.25
Goodyear Service, hose and recaps
67.13
Timothy White, labor
63.13
Burton Rand, supplies
60.90
Sassi Tanzi, labor
59.70
177
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Rockland Auto Supply, gas
58.72
S. F. Doane & Co., fittings
58.67
John Cormier, supplies
55.50
Marilyn Hunter, collections
54.00
Mathew Ajamen, labor
52.54
Fred Gerstle, labor
51.88
C. A. Baker, oxygen
50.58
Ed. Palfrey, paint
50.00
Dresser Manufacturing Co., sleeves
47.06
Harrington & Richardson, supplies
46.30
Gorham Fire Equipment, hose
41.65
Alton Lyon, legal services
36.62
H. J. Dupuis, repairs to chimney
35.00
Red Hed Mfg. Co., fittings
34.20
Carpenter Manufacturing Co., lights
33.63
Chase, Parker Co., supplies
33.07
F. S. Carman, tools
32.00
Douglas Print, printing
28.80
Parker, Danner Co., fittings
28.25
Mark McCarthy, supplies
28.07
Robert O'Brien, supplies
22.64
Amos Phelps & Son, insurance
21.35
Howard Diersch, labor and material
20.00
Lelyveld Shoe Co., boots
19.50
Mathewson Alkali Works, supplies
19.00
Bigelow Waste Co., waste
17.82
Burrill & Delorey, boots
16.50
M. F. Ellis, supplies
15.80
Charles Clarke, labor
15.00
Donald Robbins, supplies
14.85
J. C. Moore Corp., office supplies
13.27
John J. Duane, lumber
12.09
William Eamon, labor
12.00
Bradford Price Book, price book
12.00
Manifold Supply Co., office supplies
11.50
Estes Auto Supply, supplies
11.17
Grace Burns, supplies
11.00
Hall & Torrey Co., supplies
10.74
Mat's Radio Lab., batteries
10.14
178
. SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Proportioneers Inc., test kit
10.12
Rockland Hardware & Paint, supplies
10.08
Ralph Measures, labor
10.00
Old Colony Gas Co., gas
9.63
Sherwin Williams Co., paint
9.35
C. W. Thomas, supplies
9.20
Marcy Hardware, supplies
8.60
Rockland Motors, gas and oil
8.30
Rockland Standard, printing
7.90
Becker & Co., office supplies
7.65
W. B. Mason, office supplies
7.50
Margret O'Connor, insurance
7.34
Brown Instrument Co., charts
6.93
West Side Grocery, supplies
6.80
Rockland Coal & Grain Co., supplies
5.95
Donald Smith, labor
5.00
N. Y. H. & H. R. R., freight
4.95
Rome Brothers, supplies
4.03
Robert Hayden, gas and oil
3.95
Brockton Sporting Goods, belt
3.25
Austin Print, printing
3.25
Water Works Engineering, magazine
3.00
American Red Cross, First Aid books
3.00
Beal & Harlow, supplies
2.70
Jenkins & Simmons, express
2.60
Bemis Drug Co., supplies
2.55
Ray Hill, supplies
2.50
MacNeil Doughnut Shoppe, food for laborers
2.40
Blake & Rebhan Co., office supplies
2.40
Joseph Baker, repairing clock
2.00
Ware Radio Supply, battery
1.73
Railway Express Agency, express
1.67
Market Street Garage, gas
1.37
Rufus Delano, rebate
ยท 1.25
John Underwood, ink
1.25
C. & D. Hardware, supplies
1.10
Carlton McPhee, lamps
1.00
Howard Street Grocery, supplies
.84
Rockland Transportation Co., express
.75
179
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Nemasket Transportation Co., express
.53
McCarthy Freight, freight .50
Lawrence Sheehan, supplies
.45
Hickey Brothers, supplies
.25
$23,916.05
Approved and accepted :
SAMUEL W. BAKER, EVERETT S. DAMON, JAMES T. SHEA, Board of Water Commissioners, Town of Rockland
Report of Board of Health
The Board of Health herewith submits its annual report for 1942.
During the year 1942 the town experienced a mild epidemic of scarlet fever. In general there has been an increase of colds and grippe, probably due to the fact that people are in closer contact in larger groups. We have also experienced the new verus pneumonia. This infection in its true form is disabling for two to four weeks. The diphtheria clinic for the schools was again conducted by the physicians of the board. One hundred thirty two children were inoculated.
Cases of reportable diseases reported to the board were:
Scarlet Fever
36
Dog Bite
4
Lobar Pneumonia
5
Mumps
10
Measles
3
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH DUNN NORBERT F. LOUGH WILLIAM McCRAITH
180
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report for the Police Depart- ment of the Town of Rockland for the year ending De- cember 31st, 1942.
Number of Arrests
Year 1942 246
Subdivision
Male
Female
Assault
6
2
Breaking and entering
4
Disturbing the peace
4
Carrying concealed weapon without permit
1
Drunkenness
138
Failing to send child to school
1
1
Illegitimate Child Act
1
Insane persons
11
Larceny
3
Lewdness
1
Maintaining gaming implements
1
Malicious mischief
2
Motor Vehicle violations
43
2
(1) Allowing improper person to operate 1
(2) Leaving the scene of accident 5
(3) Operating after revocation 1
(4) Operating so as to endanger 1
(5) Operating under influence
7
(6) Operating unreasonable speed 1
(7) Operating without license 5
(8) Operating without sticker
22
(9) Refusing to give true name to officer 2
181
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Non-support
10
Present where gaming
9
Setting up lottery
1
Trespass
2
Truancy
2
Violating Weights and Measures Laws
2
-
Total
241
5
Males
241
Females
5
Total
246
Miscellaneous
Automobile thefts investigated
5
Automobiles recovered
5
Automobile accidents investigated
39
Complaints investigated
532
Miles traveled by Police Cruiser
15,924
Persons reported missing
8
Persons located for other Police Departments
11
Summons served for other Police Departments
39
Number of arrests for other Police Departments
4
Store doors found unlocked
45
Persons lodged for the night
12
Number of autos stopped for license, etc.
389
Number of operators reported to Registry
92
Fires reported
4
Defects in highway reported
8
Emergency notices, telegrams, etc., delivered
43
Electric lights reported out
24
Bicycles stolen or taken without authority
11
Bicycles recovered
10
There have been no serious crimes in this town in the past year. The records show a decrease in arrests which is general throughout the country, mostly caused by the increase in employment.
Conditions on parking and traffic have been very good. The new traffic regulations have been approved by the
182
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Department of Public Works and are now in effect. Also the erection of two hour parking signs according to the vote of the town at the last annual meeting have been materially helpful to this end. There has been a sub- stantial decrease in automobile accidents. None of these have been of a very serious nature. The very noticeable decrease in the number of automobiles on the road, the new regulations in regards to speed, rationing of tires and gasoline, etc., have all contributed to make the past year a much safer one than preceding years have been.
The work of the department has been greatly increased by the town being included in the Dim Out Area. The darkness of the streets has called for increased watchful- ness and care for all members of the department.
There have been a number of practise blackouts and air raids in the past year and the results have been very satisfactory. The response of the Auxiliary Police, the members of the entire Civilian Defense organization and the cooperation of the general public has been very fine and shows that this town is in fine condition to meet any emergency that may arise.
I wish to thank the members of the Finance Committee, the Town and County officials and the citizens of the town for their assistance and cooperation in the past year. I also wish to express my appreciation to the members of the department for their fine work and co- operation in the affairs of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
ADOLPH L. JOHNSON, Chief of Police
183
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Assessors' Report 1942 FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1942
To the Citizens of the Town of Rockland:
On completion of the state audit last year, the state auditors instructed the assessors on the installing of four new additional book-keeping accounts to be set up this year in keeping with the changed laws passed during the last session of the legislature, which has been done.
The auditors complimented the Town of Rockland for having in the Assessor's office, one of the finest up-to- date systems for assessment records that they had audit- ed. The Assessors at this time wish to thank the citizens of the Town of Rockland for their cooperation on their street work.
We hereby submit to you the following facts, figures and statements from our records.
The Assessors have assessed the sum of $330,014.38 upon the Polls and Property subject to taxation in the Town of Rockland and have committed said sum to the Collector for collection.
Number of Polls assessed 2,540
Value Real Estate assessed $6,432,730.00
Value Land assessed 1,655,020.00
Value of all other Personal 98.655.00
Total Value Real Estate in-
cluding land
$8,087,750.00
Value Personal Property
Value of Stock in Trade
$258,590.00
Value of Live Stock 13,347.00
Value Machinery 323,596.00
Total Value Personal Property $ 694,188.00
Total Valuation Real and Per- sonal Property $8,781,938.00
184
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Town Appropriations
$455,348.77
Appropriations from Available
Funds
44,073.97
State Tax
21,300.00
County Tax
14,528.08
Hospital Tax
176.08
State Parks and Reservations
304.52
State Audit of Municipal
Accounts
1,174.76
Overlay
17,102.04
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
4,915.80
$558,924.02
Estimated Receipts
Income Tax
$ 28,571.66
Corporation Taxes
15,803.03
Motor Vehicle Excise
15,250.48
Licenses
5,436.50
Gasoline Tax
14,730.69
Fines
224.50
False Alarm Refund
140.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
116.78
Infirmary Board and Sales
165.00
Health and Sanitation
921.86
Charities
14,930.27
Old Age Assistance
36,957.46
Sale of Surplus Commodities
59.73
Schools
2,367.36
Libraries
412.00
Miscellaneous Receipts
88.55
Water Department
42,075.00
Tax Costs
291.97
Interest
5,410.49
Refund Compensation Policy
562.61
County Tax Overestimate
304.16
State Parks and Reservations
16.09
185
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Appropriations from Available Funds 44,073.97
Total Estimated Receipts $228,910.16
Total Amount to be raised on Property 330,014.86
Tax Rate Per Thousand $37.00
Number of Motor Vehicle and Trailers assessed
2,340
Value of Motor Vehicles and Trailers $505,580.00
Number Persons assessed on Personal
Estate only
338
On Real Estate only
1,984
On both Personal and Real Estate
216
Total number of Persons assessed
2,538
Number of Dwellings
1,910
Number of Cows
51
Number of Horses
14
Number of All Others
41
Number of Swine
575
Number of Fowl
5,904
Number of Acres
5,348
Amounts Committed to Collector
Real and Personal
$324,934.86
Poll Tax
5,080.00
December Assessments on Polls
44.00
Excise Taxes
17,594.36
Added Real Estate Assessments
118.40
Added Personal Assessments
14.80
Total
$347,786.42
Respectfully submitted, NORMAN J. BEALS, MARGRET D. O'CONNOR, JAMES H. McPARTLIN, Board of Assessors.
186
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Tax Collector's Report
Taxes of 1939
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$216.21
Collected during year 216.21
Outstanding January 1, 1943
none
Water Liens added to 1939 Real Estate Taxes
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$22.81
Collected during year
22.81
Outstanding January 1, 1943
none
1939 Personal Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$317.48
Collected during year
317.48
Outstanding January 1, 1943
none
Taxes of 1940
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$47,471.39
Collected during year
47,410.19
Outstanding January 1, 1943 .
$ 61.20
Water Liens added to 1940 Real Estate Taxes
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$422.87
Collected during year
422.87
Outstanding January 1, 1943
none
1940 Personal Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$3,300.28
Collected during year
3,218.75
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 81.53
187
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
1940 Motor Vehicle Excise
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$297.98
Collected during year
267.91
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 30.07
1941 Poll Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$970.00
Collected during year
406.00
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$564.00
1941 Personal Tax
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$4,464.47
Collected during year
1,963.18
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$2,501.29
1941 Real Estate Taxes
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$78,192.88
Collected during year
$45,880.70
Tax Title Credits
55.00
45,935.70
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$32,257.18
Water Liens added to 1941 Real Estate Taxes
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$ 537.99
Collected during year
41.88
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 496.11
1941 Motor Vehicle Excise
Outstanding January 1, 1942
$1,211.41
Collected during year
834.91
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 376.50
188
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
1942 Poll Tax
Amount committed to Collector
$5,124.00
Collected during year
3,614.00
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$1,510.00
1942 Personal Tax
Amount committed to Collector
$25,700.24
Collected during year
22,507.61
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 3,192.63
1942 Real Estate Tax
Amount committed to Collector
$299,367.82
Collected during year
$200,491.34
Tax Title Credits
1,484.91
201,976.25
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 97,391.57
1942 Motor Vehicle Excise
Amount committed to Collector
$17,594.36
Collected during year
16,810.15
Outstanding January 1, 1943
$ 784.21
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. DONOVAN,
Collector of Taxes
189
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Report of Town Treasurer
Treasurer's Report of Receipts and Disbursements for year 1942:
January 1, 1942, Cash on hand
$126,923.70
RECEIPTS
Anticipation Tax Notes
$100,000.00
Taxes-Real Estate, Personal and Poll
310,957.58
Taxes-Interest
4,876.10
Taxes-Excise
16,912.71
Tax-Costs
122.33
Tax Titles Redeemed
706.55
Licenses-Liquor
4,654.00
Licenses-Miscellaneous
540.50
Trust Funds-Cemetery
1,147.58
Dog Licenses
561.80
Water Department
33,318.23
Joint Water Department
13,726.78
Memorial Library
460.00
Sealer of Weights
90.80
School Department
177.75
Court Fines
404.00
Highway Department
322.52
Sales and Refunds-Miscellaneous
108.16
Tuition-Boston
172.19
Sales-Tax Title Property
90.00
Insurance-Grand Stand
3,210.20
U. S. Grant C. A. A. and A. A. A.
1,192.09
Welfare Refunds-
Cities and Towns
3,844.31
Chapter 90 Maintenance Loan
1,000.00
$498,596.18
County Treasurer
Dog Dividend $ 408.50
190
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
West Water St. Chapter 90
452.90
Chapter 90 Maintenance
442.23
$ 1,303.63
$626,823.51
State Treasurer
U. S. Grant, Old Age Assistance $56,483.19
U. S. Grant, Old Age Ass't. Adm.
1,883.12
U. S. Grant, Aid to Children
4,603.77
U. S. Grant, Aid to Children Adm.
260.97
Indigent Persons
540.00
Aid to Children
4,981.95
Temporary Aid
2,550.92
Income Tax
33,018.25
Meal Tax
744.93
Corporation Tax
17,557.30
Old Age Assistance
46,646.86
Public Health
541.42
Gas and Electric Tax
4.52
Education
700.69
Highway Fund
14,730.69
Tuition
940.78
State Aid
360.00
Chapter 90 W. Water St.
905.80
Chapter 90 Maintenance
442.23
$187,897.39
$814,720.90
Payments
Anticipation Tax Notes $200,000.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance Loan
and Interest
1,002.50
Joint Water Warrants
21,095.77
Joint Water Receipts to
Abington
1,589.45
Cemetery Trust Funds
1,147.58
Aid to Dependent Children- Local 10,000.00
191
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
U. S. Grant C. A. A.
1,190.00
Mckinley School
750.00
Old Age Assistance-Local
72,000.00
Old Age Administration-Local
297.06
Public Welfare
27,678.74
Selectmen's Warrants
169,562.54
School Department
124,798.20
Soldiers' Relief
3,303.77
Tax Refunds
282.38
U. S. Grant O. A. Assistance
48,631.46
U. S. Grant O. A. Administration
1,762.75
U. S. Grant Aid Dependent Child'n
2,859.95
U. S. Grant A. D. C. Administration 273.10
Water Department Warrants
23,916.05
Chapter 90 W. Water St. Loan
5,000.00
Tax Title Redemption Refund 12.80
Project 1440 Fire Station
84.94
$717,239.04
State Treasurer
State Tax
$ 21,300.00
State Parks
304.52
Auditing Accounts
1,174.76
$ 22,779.28
County Treasurer
County Tax
$ 14,528.08
Dog Licenses
562.40
$ 15,090.48
Cash on hand December 31, 1942
$ 59,612.10
$814,720.90
Permanent Loans
Junior-Senior School Notes
$10,000.00-33/4% Maturing
1943
36,000.00-33/4% Maturing 1943-1948
Union St. Construction Notes $11,000.00-2% Maturing
1943-1946
Water Tank Notes
$28,000.00-2% Maturing
1943-1956
192
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
Municipal Relief-Acts 1938
$18,000.00-11/2% Maturing
1943-1948
Fire Station Notes $26,000.00-21/4% Maturing
1943-1958
Municipal Relief-Acts 1939
$16,000.00-2% Maturing
1943-1950
Fire Departmental Equipment
$5,000.00-3/4% Maturing
1943-1946
Municipal Relief-Acts 1941
$18,000.00-11/4% Maturing
1943-1951
Joint Water Department
Receipts
From Joint Rates etc.
$ 3,178.90
From Abington-1/2 Maint. and Land
10,547.88
From Rockland-12 Maint. and Land
10,547.89
$24,274.67
Payments
Joint Warrants
$21,095.77
1/2 Joint Rates etc. to Abington
1,589.45
1/2 Joint Rates etc. to Rockland
1,589.45
$24,274.67
Water Department
Receipts
Rates, Construction etc.
$33,318.23
1/2 Joint Rates etc.
1,589.45
$34,907.68
Payments
Warrants
$23,916.05
1/2 Joint Warrants
10,547.89
Receipts over Payments
443.74
$34,907.68
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES J. HIGGINS, Town Treasurer
193
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Report of Trustees of Memorial Library
The Trustees of the Memorial Library submit the fol- lowing report for 1942.
In common with other libraries, the Memorial Library conducted a drive for books and magazines to be sent to those in the armed service. People responded to the appeal by contributing 2,108 books and 1,720 magazines. Interested citizens kindly took these books and maga- zines to the collection center in Brockton. The Trustees thank the people who made the drive so successful.
The thanks of the Trustees are also due the Literature Department of the Woman's Club for $5.00; the Mothers' Club for $5.00; the Rockland Woman's Club for a mem- bership ticket; and those friends of the library who contributed books.
Among the books is a set of "The Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare" published in Boston in 1801. The bookplates in the eight volumes show they were once owned by the East Abington Circulating Library as of January, 1841, a fact which makes them of especial in- terest and value to the Memorial Library.
Income from the Trust Funds was paid out for books as follows :
Hattie Curtis Fund
$ 18.90
Alice L. French Fund
11.43
Everett Lane Fund
2.74
Zenas M. Lane Fund
17.74
John A. Martin Fund
2.63
Mothers' Mutual Improvement Society Fund
1.40
John W. Rice Fund
13.63
Mary L. Shaw Fund
3.15
Mary A. Spence Fund
12.11
Sarah J. Spence Fund
7.57
Charles Edwin Vinal Fund
25.70
$117.00
194
SIXTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
These withdrawals left on deposit in the Rockland Savings Bank:
Hattie Curtis Fund
$ 500.49
Alice L. French Fund
501.32
Everett Lane Fund
100.12
Zenas M. Lane Fund
507.40
John A. Martin Fund
100.00
Mothers' Mutual Improvement Society Fund
50.12
John W. Rice Fund
400.16
Mary L. Shaw Fund
200.18
Mary A. Spence Fund
500.99
Sarah J. Spence Fund
300.01
Charles Edwin Vinal Fund
1,001.28
The terms of Francis J. Geogan and Emma W. Gleason expire in 1943.
For the next appropriation the Trustees recommend $4,966.00 plus the dog dividend refund of $443.77.
FRANCIS J. GEOGAN,
JOHN B. FITZGERALD,
BURTON L. CUSHING,
EMMA W. GLEASON,
EMILY F. CRAWFORD,
ANNIE E. McILVENE,
Trustees
Librarian's Report
To the Trustees of the Rockland Memorial Library:
The sixty-fourth report of this library is herewith submitted.
A total number of 47,890 books and magazines have been loaned for home use. The average monthly circu- lation was 3,991. Received for fines, reserved books, sale of cook books, subscription from non-resident, old magazines and books, $460.00.
At the end of 1942, the library has 22,985 volumes in its book collection. Five hundred fifty six volumes were
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added by purchase (including replacements) and 150 books were presented. One hundred sixty four books were worn out and missing.
The reading room provided 58 different magazines and four newspapers. To supplement the above resources books for teachers and others have been borrowed when the need arose, on the inter-library loan privilege.
Fewer books were borrowed from the library during the past year, but this fact is not at all alarming. We should feel no discouragement, as it is a national, not a local condition. The war has brought many new prob- lems, as well as opportunities for service.
With less leisure, there is more money to spend on recreation. The people are more restless by the times. They listen to more radio news, and civilian defense activities outside of working hours take up time and energy. Forms of communication other than the printed page need to be reckoned with.
Usually the use of the library is determined by the facilities offered; but this year the collection and its service have improved. Is it too much to say that the change is merely one symptom of the uncertainty of a troubled world ?
There is of course, a demand for the new books dealing with all phases of the war, and with all aspects of the world situation. It is natural that the people should seek information about this great and terrible struggle, and it is right that the library should provide books, periodi- cals, and other material that will help them to understand the days' events.
There is less of the light fiction or books on general cultural subjects in circulation, but there is a greater use of technical books ; and emphasis has been placed on meet- ing demands for books requested for technical training for all military or associated duties. Regular activities have been secondary.
Early in the year it became apparent that the war was to leave its mark upon children's work also. The con- venience of borrowing three books at a time was made
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possible not by increased book stock, but by decreased cir- culation.
Again this year classroom deposits have been in de- mand by the grade schools, and teachers have been co- operative in encouraging pupils to take advantage of the certificate reading. No complete record of the use of these books at the schools is recorded.
The Reference Department has continued to serve a large number of students of all educational levels. How- ever, there is a marked change in the type of service demanded by the library's adult patrons. There has been a vast increase in the demand for background material, which includes public documents and miscella- neous pamphlets, many of which are uncatalogued.
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