USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 7
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Several shipments of books have been sent to the bindery this year, including a goodly number from the collection loaned to the High School Library.
An inventory was taken in September of the books in the High School Library collection and a rather large per- centage (93 books) were found missing. 786 books are now there on loan.
Some years ago the accession record was discontinued. Since, after careful consideration, this seemed the best fitted record in which to keep certain statistics, it was resumed in 1929, when the estimated count, computed carefully from all available records, reached 32,000.
As stated elsewhere in this report, an inventory of the juvenile collection was taken also.
New books have been sent at intervals to the Oxford Branch, and a thorough inventory and a partial change of books was made in September at the East Fairhaven branch.
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THE CHILDREN'S ROOM
Nothing perhaps is more gratifying than the work with the boys and girls. They are eager and responsive, and much can be done to guide them in the path of good reading while their reading tastes are being formed. A project carried on during the summer months was met with enthusiasm by 143 children all of whom were happy to travel over the Millicent Library Railroad to the land of books. The con- test was in the nature of a travel tour, but the idea of it was to instil into the boys and girls a love of reading. As the contest progressed, some dropped out as was to be expected, others showed they were reading for pure joy, while a few read for the reward in sight. 82 reported in written form on books read. During Book Week, a party was held for the children who participated, and a conscientious effort was made to place merit where it really belonged, in the awarding of book and pencil prizes, and badges of recogni- tion. Entertainment at the party was provided by pupils of Mrs. Jane Kilpatrick of New Bedford and by Mr. A. R. Clish, principal of the East Fairhaven School.
Story hours in the form of side trips to various countries were carried on during the summer in connection with the travel tour idea. These were held on Saturday mornings at 10 o'clock, and delighted the children of all ages. Credit for the success of these hours should be given to the following local people who were so generous in giving their time, namely, Mrs. Seth Alden; Mrs. Howard Crowell; Mrs. H. E. Kerwin; Rev. John Maddaford; Miss Beatrice Mosgrove and Miss Helen Seaman, all of Fairhaven, and to Mrs. Evan A. Bowen of Rochester. A visit of the Japanese students during one of the story hours made the day one long to be remembered by the youngsters.
At the Tea held for the mothers and teachers during the Book Week celebration, five boys and girls, who merited the honor, were dressed as book characters and helped serve.
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For the loan of the costumes, we are indebted to Mrs. C. E. Shurtleff, Mrs. L. J. Renaud and Mrs. Seth Alden.
Many parents have voiced their appreciation of the at- tention given the children during the past year, and while it has involved much careful thought and overtime work, it has been very much worthwhile.
During the last three months of the year, an inventory of the books in the children's room was taken. This was done for two reasons : (1) because the collection needed a thorough checking, and, (2) because when the count of 1927 was taken of the entire book stock, and a discrepancy of 2,009 books found, the record was left incomplete, and there was no way of building up accurate statistics therefrom.
SCHOOL WORK
45 classroom collections were loaned to the six schools during 1929. Until September 1928, no record had ever been kept of the use of these books. Due to the special card with which every book sent out is now equipped (for the purpose of aiding the teachers, and keeping a record for ourselves) there was a partial record as a basis. Because some teachers prefer to use their own scheme of charging, and others do not allow the books to leave the classroom, in spite of our willingness, our record is not complete. But at least there is a record of 2,182 books circulated. This count is not included in the totals given elsewhere in this report.
Early in the year, about 140 eighth grade pupils from the Rogers School, came in groups to the library for three lessons which were given by the librarian on the use of the library. Exercises in the proper use of the catalog, and the locating of books on the shelves were part of the instruction.
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BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
Most fortunately, no one was near enough to be in- jured when the facing, consisting of twenty or so huge granite blocks came tumbling down from the chimney onto · the library steps and walk, on March 19th. The work of rebuilding the chimney and repairing the damage done in- volved considerable necessary expense.
During the spring, several of the rugs were washed. Several minor repairs have been made on the water and steam pipes, and two leaks, one on the roof, and one on the side of the building, have been repaired. The corner just outside the Trustees Room door and a portion of the ceil- ing in the office have been redecorated.
A splendid new bulletin board, with a table to match placed in front of it for the display of books, was installed in May. Its location is almost directly opposite the entrance from the outside hall. It has been much used for exhibits of all kinds, and has proved itself to be a valuable addition.
Electric light fixtures were installed to light two dark nooks of the library, namely the corner where the pay books are located, and the opposite corner where the bulletin board has been placed.
To the office equipment, there has been added a type- writer stand, a Burroughs portable adding machine, and a table and revolving stand to hold the new United States Catalog of books in print. All are extremely useful tools and much appreciated by the librarian.
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GIFTS
Notable among the gifts are two autographs, one of President Harding, and one of President Mckinley, presented to the Library by Mr. William E. Benjamin, through Miss Abby S. Howland. These two make the collection of presi- dential autographs complete up to the administration of President Hoover.
Gifts of books, received from several sources, have been duly acknowledged.
OUTSTANDING EVENTS
Noteworthy among the events of the year was the visit of Lady Fairhaven to the library. It was a rare pleasure to have her with us at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on October 25th, and to point out to her the progress and changes made at the library, since her last visit to Fairhaven in 1926.
The Old Dartmouth Library Club held its meeting at the Millicent Library on June 13th. The staff and several of the trustees combined in being hosts and hostesses and the day was enjoyed by all. The address of welcome was given by Mr. Thomas A. Tripp, and just before luncheon at the Tabitha Inn, many of the librarians availed themselves of the privilege of viewing the Memorial Church under the guidance of Mr. Tripp.
The librarian and members of the staff have attended meetings of the Massachusetts, Old Dartmouth, and Cape Cod Library Clubs. During 1929, the librarian was made vice-president of the Cape Cod Library Club, and secretary- treasurer of the Old Dartmouth Library Club.
At the trustees meeting of January 4th, 1929, Miss Anna B. Trowbridge was appointed as a trustee of the library to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Miss Georgia Fairfield.
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Book Week activities for the adults, included as last year, a tea, for the success of which the librarian is greatly indebted to the women members of the Board of Trustees. During Book Week, new books were displayed and booklets distributed.
Several exhibits in our special display case have been objects of attraction. The most noteworthy was the exhibit of book-plates, and the display of American and foreign coins of all kinds and descriptions The coins were loaned by various townspeople, and so widespread was the interest, even among visitors to the library, that the display was ex- hibited for several months.
During the last two months of the year, a most satisfy- ing change was made in the stack arrangement in the base- ment, where bound and unbound magazines are shelved. Mr. Worster removed all of the stacks from the small room under the office and placed them in the central room on the west. The shelves were then revised systematically, and the arrangement is a great improvement over the former plan. It was suggested by the librarian that the room now vacant was well adapted for a staff room.
During the year, the librarian has given several talks on bookish topics.
STAFF
In spite of disturbances in the personnel of the staff, the library has been kept in smooth running order. Miss Winifred Hughes (now Mrs. Herbert Stewart) who served for almost three years as reference assistant and high school librarian, resigned in June to be married. We were sorry indeed to lose Miss Hughes as were we also to accept the resignation of her successor, Miss Margaret E. Soar (now Mrs. Adin Bailey) who came to us in September, and who gave promise of excellent work. With matrimony as their reasons, we had no arguments strong enough to convince either one to remain.
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With Miss Soar's resignation coming after the beginning of the school year, the position has been a difficult one to fill, and we have been forced to manage with temporary assistants. Miss Marjorie Ashley of New Bedford served in November at the High School Library, and Miss Marion E. Foskett of Winsted, Conn, assisted in December at both the High School Library and Millicent.
During the vacation season, Miss Gertrude A. Stiles, Miss Christine McLeod, Miss Marion Whiting and Philip Gidley served as substitute workers. Miss Annie Thompson continues to assist occasionally. The substitute workers filled in the Sunday afternoon schedule from 1-6, during the latter half of the year. The change in the Sunday schedule, as approved by the Board of Trustees, has been much appreciated by the librarian and staff.
Following an unfortunate accident which occurred at home to Mr. Rourke, who had given six years of faithful service as janitor, Mr. Charles Worster was engaged to carry on the work. To him we are grateful for the many ingenious bits of construction, such as the ticket office used for the children's work during the summer, and the miniature stage used during Book Week.
The librarian wishes to take this opportunity to express publicly her appreciation of the many ways in which the staff members have cooperated with her.
NEEDS
Probably no library exists but what has many needs. Some are pressing, in order to carry on work efficiently, some are desirable, but can be postponed for awhile. I wish to mention only the first class at his time. The shabbiness of the books in the juvenile room is very noticeable, and
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many of them are too soiled to be rebound. Many books or 30% of the books purchased were bought for this depart- ment during the past year, but this was not nearly enough.
While the year has been one of very noticeable progress in some directions we have been handicapped in others. There has been a lack of sufficient assistance. As the work has increased during the past few years, the number of reg- ular members on the staff has remained practically station- ary, and it is much to be desired that an additional member be added to the staff, and one who has had sufficient training to carry on certain constructive problems, which your librarian sees looming ahead for the healthy growth of the Millicent Library, which should, as it has in the past, keep pace with the progress in other libraries. To carry on the most efficient work, the library needs well trained workers just as much as does the school department. The school department would not think of engaging a teacher unless she had training of some kind. The well trained librarian is required to spend more time on her education than the average teacher, for the work involves highly specialized study, after the fundamentals have been acquired. And after all, a knowledge of one's subject is the key which opens the resources of the library to the many patrons who come to it every year.
A WORD OF APPRECIATION
Sincere thanks is here expressed to those townspeople who have so willingly given of their time and energy on various occasions ; to the several local newspapers who have so kindly published library items of interest to the public ; and to the teachers who have circulated books from the classroooms, and otherwise assisted.
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In drawing this report to a close, the librarian wishes to express her sincere gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their firm backing in the several innovations introduced dur- ing the past year. She wishes to express her ever increasing feeling of appreciation, which has grown even more keen during the second year of her administration,-for their loyalty to and confidence in her, for the hearty cooperation without which many things could not have been accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
AVIS M. PILLSBURY,
January 14, 1930.
Librarian.
Statistical Report
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS. American Library Association Form of Statistics. Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1929.
Name of library-The Millicent Library
Town-Fairhaven, Mass.
Librarian-Avis M. Pillsbury
Date of founding-1893
Population served (Census 1925) 10,827
Assessed valuation of town $11,519,574
Terms of use, Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies 10
Consisting of-Central Library
3 stations (Oxford Branch, East Fairhaven Branch, High School Library) 6 schools (45 classroom collections)
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 065
Hours open each week for lending 84
Hours open each week for reading 84
BOOK STOCK
Total
Vols. at beginning of year
31,570
Vols. added by purchase
1,174
Vols. added by gift
75
Vols. added by binding material not otherwise counted 25
Total volumes added 1,274
Volumes lost or withdrawn
427
Total volumes at end of year
32,417
Periodicals currently received (Titles, 128, Copies 159) ..
Publications issued (4 bulletins, 1 annual report) ..
5
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USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols. of fiction loaned
54,397
20,848
75,245
Total vols. loaned
68,250
29,801
98,051
Per cent of fiction of total vols. loaned .. 79%
69%
76%
Circulation per capita
9.05
Circulation per registered borrower
24.4
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc. loaned
1,013
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
741
515
1,256
Total of registered borrowers
2,450
1,556
4,006
Registration period, three years.
Per cent registered borrowers of population served
.37%
Vols. placed in collections in schoolrooms are counted in cir- culation on the day they are moved from Central Library, and no complete record of use at the school is recorded.
Classified Accessions, Withdrawals and Circulation, 1929
ACCESSIONS
With- drawals
CIRCULATION
Main Library
Oxford Branch
East Branch
Total
Class
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Total
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Fiction
414
308
722
316
47,570 3,972
15,287
6,827
4,487
1,074
75,245
1 Periodicals
604
1,364
3
5,943
2 General Works
000
42
9
51
184
109
1
294
Philosophy
100
14
14
292
2
1
296
Religión
200
9
2
11
1
202
97
14
5
318
Sociology
300
70
29
99
18
468
933
33
325
60
1,819
Language
400
7
30
37
11
49
673
479
106
1,307
Science
500
12
3
15
5
399
178
13
38
21
649
Useful Arts
600
33
6
39
7
1,011
208
18
97
12
1,376
Fine Arts
700
40
22
62
6
890
629
33
194
38
1,784
Literature
800
36
35
71
30
1,525
1,385
15
266
96
3,287
Travel
910-919
31
46
77
9
1,323
1,073
77
186
30
2,689
History
900
22
6
28
17
676
488
19
82
18
1,283
Biography
B-920
40
8
48
7
1,086
338
61
144
21
1,650
Pamphlets
111
111
Total
770
504
1274
427
59,758
22,005
8,492
6,312
1,484
98,051
81,763
14,804
1,484
1-Not accessioned
2-Includes bound magazines
3-Part of books property of High School
Duplicate Pay Collection 3 High School Library Pictures, Clippings, etc.
2,642
4,540
1,013
Total
106,246
.
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