USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 10
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6.25
Clarence E. MaGuire (Noon Hour)
6.25
Dorothy Turner (Noon Hour)
4.25
Edith Howes (Noon Hour)
4.25
$67,165.15
JANITORS
$1,040.16
Edward Richard
1,200.00
Willard L. Hoxie
1,000.08
Walter G. Spencer
1,000.08
James H. Ellis
1,000.08
Arthur H. Westgate
1,000.08
Thomas Duckworth
1,059.38
Richard Jenney
265.30
James H. Ellis (Band Rehearsals)
38.00
$7,603.16
Charles H. Lawton
46
TRANSPORTATION
Union Street Railway Alexander A. Hadfield
$2,989.80
1,768.01
$4,757.81
FUEL
City Coal Co.
$3,253.42
Charles F. James
22.50
Dennis Mahoney & Sons
5.00
$3,280.92
LIGHT, WATER, JANITOR'S SUPPLIES, ETC.
Charles M. Carroll Paper Co.
$ 88.11
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
12.75
Days' Electric Shop
31.20
Colonial Beacon Oil Co.
2.55
C. F. Delano
125.72
Middlesex County House of Correction
.52
Morgan Paper Co.
68.40
N. P. Hayes Co.
.65
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
58.23
The Millicent Library
62.99
Nye's Store
15.93
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
545.25
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
251.38
Fairhaven Water Co.
1,011.90
Reformatory for Women
54.98
Xavier's Service Station
.95
Department of Correction
16.72
J. I. Holcomb Co.
12.00
Phaneuf & Son
3.45
De Wolf & Vincent
.75
$2,364.43
REPAIRS
Tony P. Costa
$ 133.46
C. F. Wing Co.
1.68
C. F. Delano
86.03
Electric Service & Sales Co.
1.12
Days' Electric Shop
45.54
47
Knowles Loom Reed Works
1.50
Manufacturer's Supply Co.
11.31
F. A. Blossom
2.00
John M. Reilly
633.60
Alden Wrightington
2.50
Charles H. Sisson, Inc.
79.93
E. E. Huckins
4.50
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
4.35
Estate Thos. W. Croacher
7.49
F. W. Fraits
3.41
Herbert T. Delano
1.00
The Keystone Office
2.85
Rhode Island Covering Co.
112.00
Joseph S. Roza
1.50
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
1.50
Patrick Sullivan
78.75
J. B. Holt Co.
485.04
Richard T. Thatcher
157.08
Poor Brothers
12.52
C. H. Samuelson
27.37
M. D. Thompson
3.00
George H. Shurtleff
1.25
R. E. Hawkins
26.40
C. J. Birtwistle
1.75
E. G. Baldwin
79.60
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
32.63
E. Philip Osberg
13.68
C. E. Beckman
3.67
Walter F. Douglas
41.03
Dept. of Education, Division of Blind
12.00
$2,113.04
NEW EQUIPMENT
Royal Typewriter Co.
$ 42.50
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
39.00
De Wolf & Vincent
4.80
C. F. Delano
20.00
Kenny Bros., Inc.
30.70
C. J. Birtwistle
24.75
J. L. Hammett Co.
1.59
$163.34
48
HEALTH
Lena Howland, R. N. Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
$1,350.00 150.00
$1,500.00
MISCELLANEOUS
World Book Co.
$ 1.36
Mrs. Lena Howland, R. N.
75.00
Commissioner of Public Safety
60.00
Fairhaven National Bank
1.74
Hodges Badge Co.
10.74
Mrs. Anna Salice Leonard
13.44
A. D. McMullen
10.00
Railway Express Agency
.36
Fairhaven High School Lunch Dept.
75.64
Fairhaven Star, Inc.
43.75
F. Otis Eldridge
4.05
James H. Ellis
1.50
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
2.97
New Bedford Steam Dye House
1.50
Charles F. Prior
178.03
A. C. Smith Co.
.75
Fairhaven School Dept.
5.00
Manuel D'Amarel
2.50
Mrs. Mary D'Amarel
3.50
Andrews & Pierce
1.94
$493.77
INSURANCE
Whitworth & Co.
$ 36.30
H. L. Pope Agency
281.25
Goddard & Borden
227.80
Cornish & Co., Inc.
225.00
James Henshaw
330.25
$1,100.60
TUITION
City of New Bedford, Dept. of Public Schools $209.00
High School (Itemized Expenditures)
TEACHERS
George C. Dickey
$ 1,917.93
Chester M. Downing
1,346.10
James Parkinson
1,997.44
Walter D. Wood
2,100.00
Robert C. Lawton
1,520.00
Katherine Talley
1,369.20
Mildred Robinson
1,288.40
Elva Cheney
1,213.20
Susan Gifford
1,349.20
Evelyn Murdock
1,276.95
Dorothy Williams
1,484.60
Margaret Siebert
1,900.00
Lena J. Russell
1,683.69
Florence Griswold
1,444.35
Eunice E. Strong
1,710.00
Marie R. Wentzell
1,349.20
Mabel G. Hoyle
1,453.95
Cecile Giguere
1,188.55
Mildred Bryant
1,000.00
Raymond L. Robinson
1,138.40
Alice Gidley
650.00
Lillian E. Elliott
594.20
Virginia Arnold
369.20
Ella L. Hopkins
459.60
Samuel Sezak
1,632.75
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
570.00
Edith Rogers
988.55
F. William Kempf
275.00
Mrs. Marie Whitfield
50.00
Mrs. Catherine Hathaway
10.00
Helen Adamska
15.00
Clifford Kendall
42.50
Selma Kroudvird
20.00
Geroge White
5.00
$35,412.96
TEXTBOOKS
Allyn & Bacon D. Appleton-Century Co.
$ 133.68
19.61
50
91.14
American Book Co. J. L. Hammett Co.
4.64
National Geographic Society
3.00
Ginn & Co.
273.06
Harper & Brothers
14.84
Oxford University Press
7.54
Library Book House
4.50
W. W. Norton & Co.
2.86
Benjamin H. Sanborn & Co.
4.40
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
5.81
Globe Book Co.
.89
Scott, Foresman & Co.
13.91
National Home Library Foundation
1.00
Leisure League of America
2.55
Charles Scribner's Sons
18.89
Oxford Book Co.
16.56
World Book Co.
5.50
Follett Publishing Co.
4.34
Webster Publishing Co.
40.93
D. C. Heath Co.
28.61
Houghton Mifflin Co.
42.53
American Education Press
23.38
H. W. Wilson Co.
8.20
The John C. Winston Co.
43.24
Blue Ribbon Books, Inc.
6.69
The Gregg Publishing Co.
143.69
Harcourt, Brace & Co.
19.12
Henry Holt & Co.
42.31
Mrs. George A. Hubbell
1.50
International Textbook Co.
1.00
The Rudder Publishing Co.
2.00
Little, Brown & Co.
32.56
South-Western Publishing Co.
23.53
The McCormick-Mathers Co.
14.80
Silver-Burdett Co.
43.88
J. B. Lippincott Co.
14.84
$1,500.37
SUPPLIES
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
$ 4.15
Wild & Stevens, Inc.
24.86
The Browne Pharmacy
7.69
School Service Co.
1.17
The Macmillan Co.
338.84
51
F. S. Brightman Co.
6.30
American Type Founders Sales Corp.
18.63
George Kirby, Jr. Paint Co.
4.44
Thompson Electric
2.40
Carter, Rice & Co.
192.93
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
35.39
Silver-Burdett Co.
5.65
Central Scientific Co.
59.23
Hutchinson's Book Store
.25
James W. Brine Co.
3.75
U. S. Government Post Office
2.50
Paragon Stamp Works
3.50
Claflin Sales Corp.
44.26
Charles M. Carroll Paper Co.
19.88
William F. Nye
.50
Webster Publishing Co.
7.04
Carl Fischer, Inc.
18.93
Ginn & Co.
6.20
Lewis Roberts, Inc.
1.90
Zaner-Bloser Co.
5.27
J. L. Hammett Co.
955.19
B. L. Makepeace, Inc.
53.80
Southern Cal. School Book Depository
.25
National Council of Teachers of English
2.75
The Keystone Office
17.05
U. S. Government Post Office
16.38
World Book Co.
1.23
De Wolf & Vincent
206.57
C. C. Birchard & Co.
54.91
Holt & Bugbe
26.96
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
175.63
Gledhill Brothers
20.00
F. S. Webster Co.
50.40
Electric Service & Sales Co., Inc.
1.00
Days' Electric Shop
.70
Everead Mfg. Co. of Boston
1.05
Bay State Tablet Co.
40.50
Megansett Shores Corp.
6.32
C. E. Hiller
1.75
Nash Reclaiming Co.
.90
$2,110.16
JANITORS' SALARIES
Howard H. Shumway $1,683.16
James T. Poulton
1,313.08
52
Pardon A. Howland A. C. Robertson Louis B. Anderson
870.91
950.16
860.00
$5,677.31
LIGHT, WATER, JANITORS' SUPPLIES, ETC.
Charles M. Carroll Paper Co.
$ 58.41
Fairhaven Water Co.
575.89
Days' Electric Shop
20.00
Dept. of Correction
24.92
De Wolf & Vincent
2.30
William F. Nye, Inc.
3.00
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
43.89
Swift & Co.
9.38
C. F. Delano
22.03
George A. Blake Co.
.90
Universal Refining Co.
5.35
John J. Gobell Co.
8.76
Charles A. Waterman
2.85
Jonathan Handy Co.
1.20
William R. West
13.47
N. P. Hayes Co.
48.23
Colonial Beacon Oil Co.
3.80
J. I. Holcomb Mfg. Co.
55.03
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
175.19
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
897.48
Converse Tobacco Co.
18.45
Armour & Co.
6.95
H. H. Hathaway
1.60
Shur-Az-Chemical Mfg. Co.
10.00
$2,009.08
REPAIRS
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
$ 72.45
The Sturtevant Co.
.75
Tarello Tile Co.
93.35
Brown Electrical Co.
32.05
Ideal Mower Sales & Service
1.28
John M. Reilly Co.
32.91
Elmer G. Whitmarsh
181.00
C. F. Delano
69.56
N. P. Hayes Co.
11.31
53
City Sand Blast Co.
461.60
Tony P. Costa
13.32
Days' Electric Shop
8.45
Byron Jackson
.77
Walter Cook
17.75
N. E. Plate Glass Co.
26.34
New Bedford Boiler & Machine Co.
75.74
Frank M. McGowan
2.00
Leach Electrical Co.
159.13
Acushnet Saw Mills Co.
2.75
Mendell Electric Supply Co.
31.73
E. G. Baldwin
169.50
DeCatur & Hopkins Co.
1.66
Plumber's Supply Co.
.25
Charles H. Sisson, Inc.
57.44
Walter F. Douglas
39.93
Gunning Iron Works
42.40
New Bedford Steam Dye House
3.00
George H. Shurtleff
2.25
William Tallman
18.00
H. H. Hathaway Co.
50.95
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
4.00
Richard T. Thatcher
17.89
William N. Tinkham
6.00
Edwin E. Pierce
6.55
C. E. Beckman
8.87
Electric Service & Sales Co.
23.37
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
.50
E. Philip Osberg
13.10
John Catterall
2.00
Jonathan Handy Co.
.61
Fairhaven Water Co.
95.00
Robert M. Foster Brass Foundry
4.30
Educational Laboratory
10.95
Hathaway Machinery Co.
34.40
Thompson Electric
2.50
R. E. Hawkins
50.10
Bradley & Halliwell Machine Co.
17.60
Commonwealth of Mass., Division of Blind
9.00
New Bedford Typewriter Exchange
7.50
$1,993.86
NEW EQUIPMENT
Acushnet Iron Co.
$ 3.20
Electric Time Co., Inc.
20.00
Electric Service & Sales Co.
16.03
54
Ideal Mower Sales & Service
73.51
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
5.85
Mendell Electric Supply Co.
3.11
Central Scientific Co.
3.27
The Stanley Works
2.22
Cambosco Scientific Co.
12.00
Horace Partridge
53.18
Dupuis Piano Co.
20.00
Bostitch Boston, Inc.
19.00
$231.37
HEALTH
Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
$324.00
INSURANCE
$576.00
MISCELLANEOUS
Andrews & Pierce, Inc.
$
2.82
Elmer Stevens
75.00
Fairhaven High School Lunch Account
41.25
Commissioner of Public Safety
25.00
New England Transportation
.94
Sullivan & Crocker
4.75
Standard Oil Co. of N. Y.
6.45
Manuel D'Amarel
1.47
Fairhaven Star
4.40
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
15.01
Railway Express Agency
9.56
Fall River & New Bedford Express
1.00
Poor Brothers
4.50
Parsons Laundry
6.23
Farm Service Stores
12.40
A. C. Smith
3.00
C. E. Hiller
3.75
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
.54
Xavier's Service Station
19.82
A. D. McMullen
4.00
George C. Dickey
5.00
Chester M. Downing
10.00
Mrs. Anna Salice Leonard
26.00
New Bedford Steam Dye House
1.50
FUEL
$284.39
City Coal Co.
$1,735.35
Elisha Whiting Agency
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1937
THE A. E. COFFIN PRESS-PRINTERS NEW BEDFORD, MASS.
1938
TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
Lyman C. Bauldry William E. Benjamin Edward L. Besse
Morris R. Brownell Miss Edith Dana The Lady Fairhaven William B. Gardner
George B. Luther Charles Mitchell Mrs. Eliza C. Pease Harry L. Pope Miss Mabel L. Potter
George H. Tripp Thomas A. Tripp
* Miss Anna B. Trowbridge
OFFICERS 1937 - 1938
The Lady Fairhaven, President Harry L. Pope, Vice-President +George B. Luther, Treasurer Avis M. Pillsbury, Secretary
STANDING COMMITTEES 1937 - 1938
Mr. Bauldry
Book Committee The Lady Fairhaven, Chairman Miss Dana Mrs. Pease Mr. Pope
Mr. Benjamin
Finance Committee Mr. Luther, Chairman Mr. Mitchell House Committee Mr. T. A. Tripp, Chairman
Mr. G. H. Tripp
Mr. Brownell Mr. Besse Mr. Gardner Miss Potter Miss Trowbridge
LIBRARIANS
Don C. Stevens
1893-1901
Drew B. Hall
1901-1911
Galen W. Hill
1911-1926
Louis Felix Ranlett
1926-1928
Avis M. Pillsbury
1928-
FORMER TRUSTEES
Miss Ellen H. Akin 1893-1919
Henry H. Rogers, Jr. 1909-1935
Edmund Anthony, Jr. 1902
Don C. Stevens 1893-1901
Mrs. Sarah C. Anthony 1893-1912
George W. Stevens 1893-1908
Miss Sara B. Clarke 1912-1933
Mrs. H. H. Stillman 1919-1920
Miss Georgia E. Fairfield 1920-1928
George H. Taber
1893-1901
James L. Gillingham 1893-1912
Job C. Tripp 1902-1917
Frederick B. Lyman 1904-1909
Charles W. White, Jr. 1902-1904
Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye
1893-1919
Walter P. Winsor 1893-1911
Henry H. Rogers 1893-1909
Mrs. Mary B. Winsor 1893-1921
* Appointed treasurer January 11. 1938 to fill unexpired term of Mr. George B. Luther
+ Resigned as treasurer January 11, 1938
Officers and Committees appointed biennially.
LIBRARY STAFF
DECEMBER 31, 1937
Avis M. Pillsbury Librarian
Muriel A. Cohen
General Assistant
Marion H. Hanford Cataloguer and Assistant
Emma A. Janowsky General Assistant
Florence M. Wilkinson General Assistant
Milton Hadfield Part time Page
Charles Worster Janitor
OXFORD BRANCH
Albin Silva In Charge
Milton Hadfield Assistant
EAST FAIRHAVEN BRANCH
Arthur P. Bixby In Charge
RESIGNED DURING 1937
Sarah Moore General Assistant
A SUMMARY OF CIRCULATION, 1927 - 1937
Juvenile Contribution
+Total Circulation Adult and Juvenile
Non-Fiction *21,904
Total
*8,965
28,804
1927
95,313
23,532
9,357
32,101
1928
107,342
+12.6%
8,953
29,801
1929
98,051
-8.6%
24,274
29,599
1930
99,776
+1.7%
10,881
**
32,090
1931
115,846
+ 16%
11,335
30,859
34,557
1932
127,381
+9.9%
11,640
32,087
35,790
1933
134,826
+5.8%
10,403
32,375
30,988
1934
123,825
-8.1%
10,028
33,251
30,347
1935
122,305
-1.2%
11,207
33,839
33,326
120,553
1936,
-1.4%
11,700
35,089
37,040
1937
+2.4%
+28.5%
+ 60%
over 1927
+29.5%
+338% -Duplicate pay gain 1937 over 1922.
Scale - 1/16 inch to 2500 books
-Figures within the bars indicate total circulation of fiction and non-fiction.
*- Figures above the bars indicate non-fiction circulation.
**- High School library circulation of Millicent Library books,-and Duplicate Pay col lection circulation included in totals, beginning 1931.
***- Oxford School Branch opened in March 1933.
Percentage figures refer to gain or loss over preceding year.
123,470
***
28,176
9,430
22,806
Report of the Librarian
FOR THE YEAR 1937
To the Trustees of the Millicent Library :
BARGAIN DAY TOMORROW! UNUSUAL VALUES! OPENING AT 9 O'CLOCK SHARP! In these days when the practice of economy and thrift is a necessity to the ma- jority, an advertisement such as this will invariably draw a crowd. But one usually receives what one pays for!
There is a real bargain however that the public seems not to consider. It's the PUBLIC LIBRARY! Thousands of dollars worth of material is available for the free use of every person who will take the time to ask for it, and the knowledge derived from it belongs to the reader-is a pre- cious possession that cannot be taken away from him. It is his to keep-a bargain in knowledge, obtained easily with a little expenditure of effort. Where else can one find such values as in the public library ?
Knowing these facts, how can one afford to pass by these unusual bargains offered to the public? To apply it prac- tically, the library may save its users many dollars in the course of a year by providing reading for recreation, and on instructions on how to do and how to make things.
Libraries have always been conservative institutions working quietly for the upbuilding of a community but saying little about it. The new thought of the times is that libraries must assert themselves and make themselves better known by resorting to modern business methods in this matter of publicity. Without putting into practice the bolder advertising schemes, we hope the time will come, and soon, when every library borrower and citizen of Fair- haven will say, "Let's go to the Millicent Library today and see what new bargains are there, where every day is bar- gain day-as new books are added, old ones returned."
A BACKWARD GLANCE
In submitting my tenth report as your librarian, a brief survey of these years is herewith included. Throughout
6
the country, there have been radical economic changes of which we all know. Even before we entered the so-called era of the depression, the strike of 1928 in New Bedford brought about an unusual demand for books, and especially at our Oxford Branch, breaking all previous records there, and more than doubling its circulation in less than two years. The effects of unemployment were evident. De- mands on the library resulted in a 12.6% increased circula- tion for 1928 over the previous record year, 1927.
In 1929, the circulation dropped back to a more normal basis, but was still ahead of the 1927 record by 5%. Then came the years of unemployment and uncertainty when circulation statistics skyrocketed to unthought-of figures, as people sought the libraries to improve their knowledge or to find amusement in leisure hours in lieu of other pleasures no longer financially possible.
By 1931, the circulation had jumped 3.4% ahead of the high record of 1928,-a 13.5% gain was indicated in 1932,-the climax came in 1933 with a record circulation not since reached-a total of 134,826 books circulated,- 20% more than in 1928.
Then with the appearance of what seemed to be the beginning of a return to prosperity, the circulation began to decline and continued to do so for three years, 1934, 1935 and 1936, the loss at the end of this period being 11.6% over the high record of 1933, but still a gain over 1928 of 71/2%.
For 1937 is recorded a gain of 2.4% over 1936, a 10% gain over 1928, and a 22% gain over 1927.
Many librarians now feel that circulation figures serve as a barometer to economic conditions. If this is true, we may well ask if the increase of the past year means that more people are again out of employment. Local conditions almost command our belief in this theory, but we would like to think that in these last few years of struggle, the public has become library conscious of the facilities ex- tended to them through these great universities of the people.
The decline in circulation the country over, beginning in some communities as early as 1933, but in Fairhaven in 1934, seems out of proportion to the increase in gainful employment. Many reasons have been advanced. Some
7
say, fewer books because of reduced budgets have caused the drop-but we have purchased our normal supply each year. Still others think that people have become too dis- couraged to read for self-improvement-yet we have cir- culated and still are lending more books on practical mat- ters than ever before. May your librarian suggest that with times a little more hopeful, some people with some- what increased budgets, may, instead of reading, have spent more money and probably much time upon various amusements, including the movies, lotteries, etc. But why try to explain the decline in circulation? It would seem upon examination that it is returning to a more normal basis, and that perhaps out of these past years has devel- oped a greater interest in the more worthwhile books.
For eight successive years the non-fiction circulation has been a record one, and in 1937 was 60% more than in 1927; 49.1% more than in 1928; 9.3% more than in 1933; and 3.6% more than in 1936. 35,089 books of non-fiction borrowed in 1937 is the largest number ever loaned in any one year by the Millicent Library.
The ten years just past has been a period of library ex- pansion throughout the country. As we see new meanings by re-reading books at different periods of life, so we see new needs in new times. We have expanded in propor- tion to our income to meet those needs.
A few ways are summarized :
In the fall of 1928, the Duplicate Pay collection was completely revised-a new beginning made. The policy has been continued of adding new books, withdrawing old ones. The end of the year 1929 revealed that over the highest record previously recorded-that of 1925-it had gained 72%. The circulation increased by leaps and bounds, until it reached a total of 4923 books borrowed in 1932, a gain of 221% over 1925, and 317% over the year of its revision, 1928. Then a gradual decline was noted for four years, until 1936 showed a 34.6% loss over 1932. Still, the gain over 1928 was 172%, and with the upward trend of 1937, it has registered 259% increase over that year, and 338% over 1927.
In the summer of 1929, a plan was put into operation in an effort to expand the work of the children's depart- ment. To what extent it has been successful has been shown in the annual reports from year to year. The grati-
8
tude and pleasure of children and parents have been satis- fying, and after nine successive summer clubs, the librarian recalls no instance of any faithful reading club member causing any real disciplinary problems at the library at any time. The work has increased not only through the summer months, but during the winter season as well.
In March, 1933, the Oxford School Branch was opened and has more than proved its value. It has filled a differ- ent need from that of the regular Oxford Branch, serving the school children, many of whom are too small to go alone to the Oxford Branch during evening hours when it is open. In 1937, with a record circulation of 4861, the percent increase since its opening is 159.
In an endeavor to make better known the services of the Millicent Library, circulars of various kinds have been distributed to children, teachers, high school pupils, adult citizens of the town, summer residents. It is impossible to measure the results of the accomplishments of the past ten years, but in many, many ways the library service has shown, if we may use a popular title, "How to win friends and influence people."
THE 1937 WINDFALL
A beautiful elm, in fact, several of them, stand in front of the library. As far as the librarian knows, statistics have never recorded the number of leaves on a stately elm tree. No more can statistics indicate the use of the library in 1937, for much of the service rendered is not indicated in circulation figures. However, we know that if every book circulated from the Millicent Library during the past year were a leaf on an elm tree shaken by a windstorm, there would be left on the library lawn a pile of books- enough to erect there an obelisk, five feet square at the base and somewhat higher than the famous Bunker Hill monument.
Unexpectedly, after three years of decrease in circulation, our borrowers took home 123,470 books, 2917 more than in 1936, a 2.4% gain. This is 11.2 per capita, or 29.4 per registered borrower.
.9
The distribution of reading and the percent contributed is indicated in the following table :
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Grand Total
% Contribution to Total
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Main Library Adult Juvenile Dup. Pay
52,208 16,781 4,139
20,418 7,513
72,626 24,294 4,139
101,059
59.2
22.6
81.8
Oxford Branch
Adult Juvenile
5,487 2,827
1,455
1,959
6,942 4,786
11,728
6.73
2.77
9.5
Oxford School Deposit Juvenile
3,821
1,040
4,861
4,861
3.1
9.
4.
E. Fairhaven Branch
Adult
Juvenile
254 1,871
13 1,152
267 3,023
3,290
1.75
.95
2.7
High School Library Adult Juvenile
953 40
1,503 36
2,456 76
2,532
.8
1.2
2.
Total
87,381
35,089
123,470
123,470
71.58
28.42
100.
Adding to this the circulation of 727 pictures and stereo- scopes, the grand total reached was 124,197.
From the total loaned were 182 Portuguese, 46 French and 2 Italian books. On the summer vacation privilege, borrowers took home 210 novels and 40 non-fiction titles.
For classroom use and study, 689 books, 69 more than in 1936, were loaned to teachers. Again this year, 64 class- room libraries were sent to the schools. Partial records kept by the teachers indicate that the 2234 books loaned were circulated 5060 times between September 1936 and June 1937.
381 requests were made for the 248 books, chiefly adult non-fiction, which were annotated for the Millicentiana column of the Fairhaven Star, and displayed from week to week at the library. Several books were requested by from ten to sixteen persons during the display period of one week.
10
Another table, indicating the gains and losses over 1936, is self-explanatory :
GAIN
LOSS
ADULT
JUVENILE
ADULT
JUVENILE
Fiction
Non-
Fiction
Fiction
Non-
Fiction
Fiction
Non-
Fiction
Fiction
Non-
Fiction
Net Gain or Loss
Main Reg. Col. Dup. Pay
753
846
321
3,017
-1.1 +28.
-175
Oxford
Branch
292
379
400
30
+ 1041
+9.7
Oxford
School
2,008
278
+1730
+55.
E. Fair- haven
254
13
34
38
+263
+8.6
High School
317
26
16
301
+58
+2.3
Total
1,493
1,058
3,259
771
3,047
301
38
278
+2917
2,551
- 4,030
3,348
316
+6581
-3,664
+2,917
Of this gain of 2,917, 42.8% or 1,250 books loaned were non-fiction, while the rest, 1,667 books, or 57.2% were fiction titles. The greatest loss was in the circulation of adult fiction from the main library, but the non-fiction in- crease there was gratifying-3.8% more from the adult collection, and 4.4% from the juvenile department.
The adult circulation at the East Branch is the first re- ported for several years as the placing of adult books there in 1937 was a renewal of an old experiment.
As last year, the juvenile department marched ahead. With 37,040 books borrowed of which 31.6% or 11,700 were non-fiction, there is recorded for 1937 the highest record of all years, with a 11% gain over a year ago, a 24% increase over 1929, the year of the first reading club, 151/2% over 1928, 281/2% more than in 1927. Its contribution to the total circulation of the year was 30%.
022
11
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
38% of Fairhaven's population found the Millicent Library of value to them during 1937, as indicated by the total of 1,379 cards issued, of which 922 were for adults and 457 for juvenile readers. 678 cards issued were to new borrowers.
For the three-year period during which cards are in force, the total registration was 4,188,-2,811 being adult and 1,377 juvenile.
64 summer visitors and residents registered for tempo- rary cards.
WE ARE GROWING
A stone wall in New England is a typical characteristic of the countryside and does not attract any particular attention. In most cases, it has been built to keep out intruders and to protect the enclosed property. Should a high stone wall be erected to surround the library grounds, considerable comment would probably be made. Then if each stone were replaced by a book, laid end to end upward and side by side around the square of 674 feet, and built as high as the library's collection of 40,456 books would permit, there would be built up a wall about 30 feet high. What a wall of books that would be, in which every book in the library's possession was visible! Perhaps the novelty of such a display as this would bring all of Fairhaven's citizens of reading age to the library to secure a card. Perhaps it would be a spectacular way to draw the attention of these new borrowers to our resources and would enable those who have not always found what they wished and some who feel they have read most of the books in the library, to discover other books, and some they would like to re-read.
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