USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 11
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9
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOOK COLLECTION
"GONE WITH THE WIND"-the old order of things. New times demand new books. Along with a varying world which changes almost overnight, we note a change in reading. People wants books-better books-books that make them think-that give information. At least, this seems to be the trend. A library means books. They are its very life blood. Without them, libra- ries could not exist. Together with magazines and reports, they help to solve the thousand and one questions that pop up from time to time. A newspaper man calls the library for a poem, a man asks for a book showing the construction details of a dormer window, a salesman spends hours searching through local direc- tories, another person requests the address of a New York firm. Perhaps the next request will be about the amount of pork being produced in the United States at the moment. Even the library has a pretty hard time keeping up with statistics of this sort. At any rate, many arguments may be settled by calling the library -- which is as near as the nearest phone.
The book selection problem in a public library is to build up a collection of worthwhile books of permanent value to fill such needs, at the same time remembering the demand for purely re- creational reading.
Out of the experiences of people, worthwhile books evolve. Libraries are the sentinels which guard these human experiences of success and failure from which the present and future genera- tions may profit.
During 1936, our book collection was built up by the addition of 1415 titles and the withdrawal of 349, a net gain of 1066. The volumes withdrawn were either worn out or outgrown, having been superseded by more recent information.
Itemized, they are as follows:
Books added, 1936
Adult
Juvenile
New
Added Copies
New
Added Copies
Total
Fiction
270
187
198
88
743
Non-Fiction
478
41
110
43
672
Totals
748
228
308
131
Grand Total
1.415
10
Books withdrawn
Adult books 232
Juvenile 117
Total 349
205 books, 17 magazines and 1 newspaper were rebound to. preserve and increase their usefulness.
75% of the book purchases were for adult books, 38% of this being for adult non-fiction. For the juvenile collection, 17% constituted fiction titles and 8% non-fiction.
107 books were added to the Duplicate Pay Collection and 101 were withdrawn and placed in the regular collection, the earnings of these being $46.23 more than the cost of the new ones. To offset this, there has been a loss of 32 titles through theft.
OUR BORROWERS
The Millicent Library served 38.2% of the population. The registration for the year records 53 more cards issued than in 1935, the total for 1936 being :
Adults Juvenile 461
970
1,431 Total
641 of these are listed as new borrowers, while 790 reregistered. .
For the three year period :
2,830
Adults Juveniles 1,384 4,214 Total
It was our pleasure to extend to summer residents at Knollmere and nearby, an invitation to make use of the library. Small mimeographed folders outlined the privileges and resources of the library, and were distributed by two of the trustees, Mr. T. A. Tripp and Miss Mabel Potter.
A registration of 91 visitors and summer residents, several more than ever before, proved that the three-months card privilege is appreciated.
W P A ASSISTANCE
Since early in the year, when the project changed to the W P A. government workers, varying from 6 early in the year to 3
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at present, have continued to assist us along the same lines as before. The following statistics show the accomplishments of the year :
1,142 books mended 919 books rebacked
1,016 books recased
10,733 books relettered
6,589 books recuttered
1,578 hours miscellaneous work
By this work, our bookshelves are certainly in much better condition than they otherwise could have been. An N Y A assist- ant, who works 11 hours a week, was assigned to us in the fall, and has assisted us on a statistical study. The help of all is much appreciated.
WORK WITH FAIRHAVEN'S YOUNG PEOPLE
Youth Enjoys Reading
The year 1936 has been one of unusual activity as far as juve- nile reading is concerned. It is gratifying to learn that there has been an increase in every phase of the work with the young people. Perhaps the children are becoming more library con- scious, stimulated a little perhaps through the organized efforts of the last several years to reach these future citizens. Recently a child, borrowing books on a rainy day, remarked to the librarian, "I don't know what we'd do without this library. I use it so much". The children do use the library, and until they reach the 'teen age, there is seldom lack of respect, or lack of obedience.
School Activities
Twice during the year, the librarian made visits to the schools, announcing summer reading club and Book Week activities, be- sides telling stories to which the children respond so eagerly.
The usual library lessons for the seventh graders were con- ducted from March 23rd to 30th, and in consultation with the teacher, the 7th-8th grade reading list was completely revised and enlarged, and now includes 472 titles.
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Summer Events
The summer. reading club was an unusually popular one. A. Storybook Garden Party was its theme, and in a miniature garden,. a king and queen sat in an archway leading to the woods, watch- ing their guests arrive and make merry around the Maypole. Peter Rabbit could be seen hopping along briskly and the Sleep- ing Beauty in the woods was guarded by elves from their posts on the garden wall. 70 boys and girls started along the garden trail, and 60 of them, reading at least 3 books each, found their names inscribed in gold in the Storybook Garden Guest Book. 55 of this number, who read 5 or more books were bidden to join this merry company, and "on the light fantastick toe", tripped through the garden gates into the garden vivid with flowers of many hues and rivaled only by the festive dresses worn by the guests. As 28 miniature figures, representing members, took their places around the Maypole, miniature lanterns, each earned by reading 3 non-fiction books of one kind, were hung from the treetops, until 85 were swaying gracefully in the breeze. The summer club represented excellent reading done, for 43% of it was non-fiction reading. 967 books were read by the group, an average of almost 14 each. One girl in the fourth grade read 83 books and a boy in the sixth grade read 74. More boys than usual joined the club, and we are proud of their record.
The Story Hours
Enthusiastic story tellers and 684 enthusiastic listeners macie the 11 weekly story hours and club periods, joyous occasions. The average weekly attendance was 62, the greatest we have ever had over a similar period in the summer. We are greatly in- debted to those who gave of their time so willingly for this work. We extend our appreciation to Mrs. H. E. Kerwin, Miss Beatrice Mosgrove, Miss Anna Malone, Miss Ellen Meal, Miss Evelyn Smith, Miss Marie Souza and Miss Mildred Webb. The staff should also be commended for their assistance.
The Party
A short while before Book Week, 60 invitations went out to faithful members of the reading club to attend a party on the Saturday afternoon preceding Book Week. It was a happy affair, and those who had done especially good reading were rewarded with book gifts and souvenir bookmarks, made from rainbow colored ribbons.
13
A New Booklist
A mimeographed list of 87 recent fall books for children was made in December for distribution to interested adults.
BOOK WEEK
The work of Book Week is closely associated with the chil- dren's work. For the young people, it means the culmination of the summer reading club activities,-new and special exhibits,- stories. Their enthusiasm always runs high.
Two projects represented many hours of work. For publicity, there was distributed to each child in the public schools a copy of the mimeographed miniature newspaper, called "The Book- land Morning News", in which were featured new book titles as well as beloved old ones, together with announcements of the week's activities for both children and adults.
Our major exhibit was a huge red book, with a crank on one side. When turned, it introduced Mr. and Mrs. New Book's new family. So great has the fascination been that the book still amuses the boys and girls who frequently gather around it and laugh and exclaim over the colorful book jackets and the ac- companying notes.
The Tea and Story Hour
The adults were not forgotten in our plans, for by general in- vitation, all townspeople were invited to the annual Book Week Tea, at which Mrs. Z. W. Pease and Miss Edith Dana poured. The affair was a sociable one with several members of the sum- mer reading club, looking like veritable blossoms themselves, serving some 65 people who found time to come, and ushering them to various parts of the library, explaining the exhibits and pointing out displays of new books.
On this occasion and throughout the week, an array of un- usually fine books for both adults and children were displayed for all to examine and to reserve for future reading.
Miss Hilda Barton delighted the 100 children who attended the closing feature of the week, the story hour on Saturday morning.
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EXHIBITS
Splendid exhibits were brought in during 1936, and a survey indicates many representing art interests. In the first three months of the year, displays of old books were made. An old "Mother Goose" of the seventies was loaned by Miss Grace Dana, and displayed with a modern version of this immortal classic. Miss Jane Kasmire contributed for display a miniature child's book, a 100 year old "Pilgrim's Progress" and one other book containing a poem by Robert Pollock. Miss Sarah Moore lent a Testament over 100 years old and an old edition of Euclid. A collection of 11 old and delightful children's books were loaned by Miss Mabel Potter. Mrs. Crawford Dunham brought in for exhibit an old "Illustrated London News."
During this period, there was also displayed in the Trustees Room, an unusually attractive array of student paintings and drawings loaned by the Massachusetts School of Art.
In April, several ship models, represented a hobby of Colby H. Benson, Jr., a High School pupil, who made them himself.
In July, Miss Beatrice Shelton Haden, a summer visitor, again allowed us to display some of her paintings of local scenes. This exhibit was followed by another one on art, a collection of about 20 water colors and drawings done by Mr. Harold Kenworthy of New Bedford.
In August, another hobby was shown in the exhibit of rocks and minerals collected by Howard Odiorne. For a short while, the display case guarded several dolls, favorites of their owners, Jean Adshead, Shirley Griffin and Dorothy Millette.
The exhibit loaned by Mr. and Mrs. William D. Regan, showed exquisite Chinese handicraft and consisted of beautifully em- broidered slippers, collar and headdress worn by the better class of Chinese children.
In October, we exhibited several of Mr. Thomas Martin's oil paintings and pen and ink sketches, reminiscent of old time scenes in this locality and on the Cape. Later we displayed a single cil painting which has received considerable excellent comment, done by Wee Lee Wong, a Junior High School pupil.
Just before the year closed, Mrs. Thomas Martin loaned us 13 pieces of very fine and delicately tinted china, representing her own handicraft.
15
These exhibits, loaned by so many people have been objects of keen interest throughout the year. We are grateful to those who have lent them so willingly.
GIFTS
Outstanding among the gifts of the year is the Mark Twain bronze tablet, presented by Lady Fairhaven "in memory of her father's great friend, Mark Twain". We are grateful for this, as it makes a fine addition to other Mark Twain material with which it is hung on the south wall of the Reading Room.
Another unusual gift was from Dr. Toichiro Nakahama who presented to us the biography of his father, written in Japanese. In the volume are included several interesting Fairhaven scenes.
A number of Japanese prints, one of which has been hung in the Trustees Room, came to us in the fall from the estate of the late Miss Mary W. Greenleaf.
For gifts of books and magazines, we are indebted to several publishers and townspeople, among whom are Mrs. Carson Axtell, Miss M. L. Chauvelot, Miss Edith Dana, Mrs. Edith A. Eldridge, Mrs. J. Otis Fuller, Mrs. Albert W. Holmes, Mr. Arthur P. Lewis, Mr. W. J. Mitchell, Mrs. J. H. Seaman, Miss Cora Stevens and Mr. John Tripp.
Gifts of flowers in season from Mrs. James Baker, Mrs. Max Cohen, Mrs. J. Drefke, Mrs. Chester F. Hathaway, Mrs. H. E. Kerwin, Miss Mabel Potter and Mr. T. A. Tripp have been much enjoyed and appreciated.
BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
During the year, minor repairs were made on the gutter and on the door leading from the outside hall. The staff room was redecorated, the work being done by the janitor who has also spent much energy in keeping the floors in condition. The light- ing system in the juvenile room has been improved, and at the Oxford Branch, a new outside light with a protective cage was installed on a corner to throw the light in three directions.
Several rugs were washed and mended and four leather up- holstered chairs were either rebacked or reseated.
The greatest single expenditure was for a Douglas Fir hedge, which is a thing of beauty along the south boundary of the
16
library property, set out in May under Miss Potter's supervision to replace the old winter-killed one.
Future needs
Every year finds the building more and more in need of reno- vation, and constantly there is much that needs to be done. The high ceilings are showing the grime of years of use, the paint is peeling in a few sections, the hall and stairway leading to the basement is quite gloomy due to dark paint, and unfortunately moisture has loosened the plastering on some of the exterior walls of the basement. These are repairs that should be made when and as funds permit.
The shelving of books in the children's room is a serious prob- lem at the present time, and more so in the summer months. The shelves are overcrowded and almost every inch of space has been utilized, without encroaching on that needed for tables and chairs. What's the solution? Frankly, we do not know at the moment! We would like to try the formula proposed by the librarian of the Haverhill, Mass. Public Library, which, quoting from this 1934 report is as fellows: "We have thought that by standing before the rows of books and making faces at them, some of the smaller ones might be bluffed into shrinking away enough to make room for more neighbors. There may be nothing in this theory, but it does indicate to what lengths we are forced to go, to solve the problem of room for books . .. The scheme, of course, has an additional difficulty. Can our attractive staff make faces spectacular enough to scare even the mildest little book ?"
We, too, wish that we knew how to solve our shelving problem, and also that of seating the young people on some of the busy winter evenings.
PERSONNEL
Until the late summer, our staff was the same as for the year preceding. In August, Wallace Baylies, our page, resigned to accept other work before going to college in the fall. In Novem- ber Milton Hadfield succeeded him as part time page.
Miss Sheila McKoan changed her residence to Waltham in September. To her, we are indebted for her able assistance, and especially for her enthusiasm in helping the children, by whom she, especially, was well liked.
17
Mr. Richard H. March substituted efficiently for two weeks during the janitor's vacation.
The entire staff have pulled together in an able manner dur- ing the year to make it a successful one. Without coordinated effort, little can be done. The librarian recognizes and appreci- ates their willingness to assist in every possible way.
Members of the staff have attended with the librarian, as the routine of work permitted, meetings of the Cape Cod and Oid Dartmouth Library Clubs, and the fall meeting of the Massachu- setts Library Association. Miss Trowbridge and Mrs. Pease have also attended some of these meetings. The value of contacts made, of ideas gained and exchanged, cannot be over-estimated. Such meetings provide the only means of group association with others of the same profession. The library group in a town can- not be compared with the teaching force. It is so much smaller.
The librarian has represented the library in several ways dur- ing the year,-in May at Richmond, Virginia, at one of the ses- sions of the American Library Association Conference, it was her privilege to outline the plan of our summer reading club projects for children. In July, she served again for two weeks as in- structor in the summer library course conducted by the New Hampshire Public Library Commission, and as usual, at intervals, has given talks on bookish subjects before local clubs. At one of the latter, the College Club were guests of the library which was particularly cheery with its open fires on a rainy December after- noon.
IN APPRECIATION
The past year has not been marked by any unusual events, but has been one of steady service to the townspeople-to our stock- holders. We have carried on-maintaining the reputation which forty-four years of helpful service have earned for the Millicent Library.
The librarian and staff have experienced cooperation front many sources: from the newspapers; from the Fairhaven Select- men and Policemen; from the School Department and its teachers; from many townspeople who have benefitted the library in the several ways already noted. To all who have contributed in any way we express our appreciation.
18
Each year, the cooperation of the Trustees is reassuring. The librarian believes that no library ever had a more loyal Board of Trustees, who by their presence at meetings, indicate their in- terest in its activities, who, by their professional attitude, help to maintain the fine standards of the library.
The librarian's report for the year 1936 is ended.
Respectfully submitted :
AVIS M. PILLSBURY, Librarian
Statistical Report
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS. American Library Association Form of Statistics. Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1936.
Name of library-The Millicent Library.
Town -- Fairhaven, Mass.
Librarian-Avis M. Pillsbury.
Date of founding-1893.
Population served (Census 1935)
11,003
Assessed valuation of town
$11,361,630.
Terms of use, Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies 11
Consisting of-Central Library
4 stations (Oxford Branch, Oxford School Branch, East Fairhaven Branch, High School Library) 6 schools (64 classroom collections)
Number of days open during year (Central Library)
366
Hours open each week for lending
84
Hours open each week for reading
84
BOOK STOCK
Total
Vols. at beginning of year
Adult 31,480
Juvenile 6,648
38,128
Vols. added by purchase
847
437
1,284
Vols. added by gift
109
2
111
Vols. added by binding material not other- wise counted
20
20
Total volumes added
976
439
1,415
Volumes lost or withdrawn
232
117
349
Total volumes at end of year
32,224
6,970
39,194
Periodicals currently received (Titles 137, Copies 163).
Publications issued (4 bulletins, 1 annual report)
5
20
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols. of fiction loaned
64,595
22,119
86,714
Total volumes loaned
87,227
33,326
120,553
Per cent of fiction of total vol. loaned
74.05%
66.37%
71.9%
Circulation per capita
10.95
Circulation per registered borrower
28.6
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc., loaned
931
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
970
461
1,431
Total of registered borrowers
2,830
1,384
4,214
Registration period, three years.
Per cent registered borrowers of population served
38.2%
Vols, placed in collections in school rooms are counted in circulation 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, 1936
CIRCULATION
Main Library
Oxford Branch
Oxford School Branch
East Branch
High School
Dupli- cate Pay
Total
Class
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Fiction
457
286
743
73
72
145
55225
15935
2448
1813
1909
€36
14
3217
S6714 6929
2 General Works 000 Philosophy 100
27
2
29
146
31
5
9
1
1
22
608
Religion
200
23
8
31
1
1
344
131
1
14
37
31
6
504
Sociology
300
74
22
96
2
6
8
1322
842
206
225
189
64
2853
Language
400
4
20
24
24
24
172
1518
342
236
234
51
1561
Useful Arts
600
73
15
88
3
2
5
1980
588
26
7.9
59
30
54
2816
Fine Arts
700
49
18
67
1754
477
14
18
20
16
36
2365
Literature
800
65
16
81
2
9
11
2233
980
17
277
279
229
614
4629
Travel
910-919
82
9
91
143
143
2411
838
29
124
82
128
276
1
3895
History
900
25
5
30
4
7
853
468
11
118
255
105
140
3
1953
Biography
B-920
58
17
75
2
2
1872
309
14
82
3
36
529
10
2856
Pamphlets
116
10
74890 | 23127
6680
4007
2440
34
976
439
1415
232
117
349
98017
10687
3131
3027
2474
3217
120553
Total
1. Not accessioned
Pictures, clippings, etc. Stereoscopes
856
75
2. Includes bound magazines
Total
122305
1 Periodicals
5308
419
161
12
189%
21
21
1
1
Science
500
18
21
39
1
1
2
579
572
11
106
122
120
3
126
ACCESSIONS
WITHDRAWALS
2502
575
5517 1029
INDEX
Page
Town Officers for 1936 4
Town Meeting Members 8
Report of Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare 16
General Revenue 18
Commercial Revenue 19
Payments General Government 22
Health and Sanitation
28
Highways
31
Charities
33
Schools
35
Recreation and Unclassified
36
Public Service Enterprise
37
Interest and Maturing Debt
38
Agency, Trust and Investment
38
Refunds and Transfers
38
Analysis of Appropriation Account-1936
39
Balance Sheet -- 1936
44
Treasurer's Report
48
Report of Outstanding Debt
49
Debt and Interest to be Paid
50
Trust Funds 51
Report of the Trust Fund Commissioners
53
Report of the Collector of Taxes 54
Town Clerk's Report 59
Births - 1936 59
Marriages - 1936
63
Deaths - 1936 67
Report of the Police Department 71
Page
Report of the Assessors 87 Report of the Auditors 92
Report of the Highway Department 93
Report of the Planning Board 94
Report of the Board of Appeals 97
96
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
103
Report of the Building Inspector
Report of Inspector of Animals 104
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures 105
Report of the Tree Warden 108
Report of the Moth Superintendent 109
Report of Fairhaven Infirmary 110
Report of the Board of Health 112
Report of Health Nursing Service 114
Report of the Board of Sewer Commissioners 116
Report of Fairhaven Com. on Street and Highway Safety 117
W. P. A. Projects Completed-1936 119
Commodity Distribution Center 129
State Auditor's Report
130
Report of the Park Commissioners
134
School Reports - 1936
School Calendar 2
School Committee (Officers) 3
Report of the School Committee 4
Report of the Superintendent 12
Report of the Principal of the High School 25
Report of School Nurse 29
Present Corps of Teachers - 1936-1937 31
Age and Grade Table 34
Tabulated Grades, Teachers, Attendance, etc. 36
School Expenditures
36
Library Report
1-21
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