USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 11
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The collection is growing. It has increased 32% in the past ten years, and 70% in the past 20 years.
12
During 1937, 1600 books were added and 338 withdrawn, itemized as follows:
ADDED
WITHDRAWN
Adult
%
Juvenile
%
Adult
Juvenile
Fiction
567
41%
322
17%
88
120
Non-Fiction
501
35%
210
7%
48
82
TOTAL
1,068
76%
532
24%
136
202
1600
338
24 magazines and 1 newspaper were bound, while 122 books were made more cheerful-looking by rebinding. Two lots of discarded books were sent to CCC camps and ap- parently were much appreciated.
178 duplicate pay books were also added, while 165 were transferred to the regular collection.
The clamor for new books must be satisfied as far as we are able, but we rejoice when the value of some of the fine old books is recognized. In selecting, an effort is made to add books which give evidence of being of worthwhile value and to strike a balance between books for pure entertain- ment and the heavier reading. Each group has its place in the library. Reviews can no longer be depended upon. We cannot cater to the demand for all the modern and many times risqué novels, so vividly advertised-which draw a picture of life as it ought not to be. Our book fund is too limited for that! Let the lending libraries supply these ! Often these risqué books are written by authors capable of producing really fine literature. Is it not a pity that these writers do not present a happier view of life, in these troublesome times? Do people find real satisfaction from the reading of this type of book, or are they simply follow- ing the call of glamorous advertisements? It would be in- teresting to learn what a survey of our borrowers would reveal in answer to this question!
13
WHERE MAY IT BE FOUND?
Did such a question ever bother you? If it is to be found in books, the answer is THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. We attempt to find whatever can be answered in the books at our command. During the past year, among many questions, we were asked for the formula of tapioca and of gold leaf ; for material on the MacDowell colony at Peterborough, N. H .; for pictures showing the height of an arched door- way in relation to the height of windows in a room; for information as to citizen rights of a woman marrying an alien; for the day of the week that the 18th of May, 1909 fell on; for the song "Sister Ruth"; as well as for operatic scores and for various quotations.
Upon request, book lists for special reading have been compiled for several people; lists have been checked for others; mimeographed circulars, listing books, have been distributed to various groups. Teachers have been provided with a mimeographed list of special privileges and recent rulings. In some cases, books have been borrowed from other libraries, and only once has the latter privilege been abused, when a borrower failing to return the book, caused the library to replace it.
Through 2,084 telephone or mailed notices, our borrowers have been notified of books being reserved for them.
To remind patrons of overdue books 3,954 overdue postals have been sent out.
W P A HELP
Through the continuance of three workers on the WPA project, the work of mending books in need of repair has gone on and many more books have been recuttered.
A summary of accomplishment for the year follows :
1,892 books mended
940 books rebacked
874 books recased
10,654 books relettered
2,655 books recuttered
1,274 hours miscellaneous work incidental to the above.
Since spring there have been two young women working under the supervision of N Y A. They have assisted in various ways, and have been especially helpful in doing work in connection with the summer reading club project.
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WORK WITH OUR FUTURE READERS
School Events
Lessons on how to use the library were given as usual in the spring to the seventh grade pupils. Several hobby exhibits belonging to High School pupils were displayed in response to a mimeographed circular asking for these.
As usual, the librarian has twice visited the various class- rooms through the seventh grade, telling stories and adver- tising various activities of forthcoming events of the summer and Book Week seasons.
Growing Up
The process of growing up seems to involve many prob- lems. The movies, the radio, increased activities after school hours, occupy the attention of the average school age boy and girl. The library needs to compete with all these things in order to insure a future reading public-to en- dow this same public with a love for the printed page- to make good reading a pleasure comparable to the movies and other diversions.
Along this line, the work with Fairhaven's young people has increased tremendously during the past nine sum- mers-for each year a different project has been created to attract our youthful borrowers. To some children, these clubs have become a part of their summer activities. Hav- ing grown up with it, they look forward to it each year. Some hardly able to write their names alone nine years ago, have outgrown the club and are in high school. There are evidences that such organized effort has been and is of inestimable value, but it is impossible to record it in figures.
Like unusual snapshots, there are moments when we catch glimpses of the joy of a child with a book. At the beginning of the past summer, one little boy was discovered all alone in the children's room, sounding aloud in a labor- ious fashion the syllables of the reading before him. But, oh, how happy he was in his discovery that he could do it! And then, some time ago, there was a little girl too young to read, who had wandered alone into the library, where she was discovered sitting on the floor, feet outstretched, holding in her lap a book almost big enough to hide her
15
from view, and so engrossed in the joy of the picture book that she was for some time totally unconscious of admiring people around her. That was a picture indeed !
The Hiker's Book Club
All trails led to the mountains during the summer as 81 boys and girls set forth with knapsacks to reach the tip-top mountain peaks. 59 crossed the lake and were registered as hikers,-46 earned their passes to mountain slopes,-while 33 advanced to upland trails, with 3 suc- ceeding in reaching the highest summit of all. The in- crease over the 1936 high record was 8.3%, and together the group read 1,048 books, of which almost 45% were non-fiction,-a gratifying result, since one of the chief aims of the club was to encourage a wide range of non-fiction reading. Aside from readers for little children, books of useful arts (how to make things, aeronautics, etc.) topped the list in interest, with books on travel, nature, fairy tales, literature, history, biography, religion and art, fol- lowing in the order named.
During the period when vacation schedules are in force, credit is due the staff for their willing cooperation in a project which tremendously increases the work through trying summer months.
Story Hours
The ten story hours held from July 7th to September 8th were indeed hours of joy, not only to the young people, but to onlookers who happened in. Upturned faces, curi- ous, eager, tense, as the stories unfolded, revealed how much every child loves a story. A year ago, it was re- ported that 75 children had been accommodated in the children's room. During the past summer, by removing tables, and most of the chairs, leaving the floor space free, as many as 190 boys and girls were crowded into the same space. The average attendance was 107, but for the first five weeks very crowded conditions prevailed. What a splendid thing it would be if our basement could be fitted to accommodate an activity which has grown so rapidly.
The average a year ago which broke all previous records was 62. The reason for the increase is obvious. There has been a growing need to provide a way for the children of the north end of Fairhaven to enjoy a story hour period. A
16
request from that section brought the recognition of that need to a focus. It seemed impossible with our small staff to conduct a separate story hour period which would include also the benefits of the reading club. After consideration, the Board of Trustees authorized the hiring of the school bus to provide for the free transportation of children from the north end of town to and from the story hours held at the main library. Although involving considerable expense to the library, the success of the plan was more than could be expected. Approximately as many boys and girls came from the north section as from the center, proving that the experiment was justifiable.
Thus, this group had the privilege of participating in the reading club activities. Being a new thing to the boys and girls of this section, their contribution to the club mem- bership was small, but the way has been paved for greater interest another year.
To each one who told stories, never failing to hold the attention of these active youngsters, much credit is due. Appreciation is extended to Miss Evelyn Smith, Miss Beatrice Mosgrove, Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Miss Mildred Webb, Miss Marie Souza, Miss Ellen Meal, Miss Dorothy Gleason, Rev. E. Stanton Hodgin, and Miss M. Louise Norris.
A Happy Afternoon
Again this year, a gay party was held for the faithful members of the club and apparently none of the 38 boys and girls who attended it on the rainy afternoon of No- vember 13th failed to have a good time. A number merit- ing the honor went home carrying souvenir bookmarks and books in token of their good reading. To the New England News Company we are grateful for the donation of several books which were used as first prize awards.
BOOK WEEK ACTIVITIES
The Tea
The usual Book Week Tea was held on Wednesday afternoon, November 17th, with Miss Mabel L. Potter and Mrs. Charles Mitchell pouring. Approximately 100 people dropped in to enjoy the hospitality of the library,-festive with new books for young and old-a ruddy glow from
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the fireplace lending cheer, the light from flickering candles enhancing the brilliancy of the lovely fall chrysanthemums from the garden of Mrs. Emery E. Cushman and the late Mr. Cushman. Youthful members of the summer reading club, serving at the Tea, proved to be expert ushers and helpers.
Displays
Through the courtesy of the Rezendes Furniture Ware- house who loaned a display of furniture, a section of the children's room was converted into a cozy home scene before an open fire-the atmosphere conducive to read- ing-the emphasis on more books for the home.
A parade on the Magic Highway to Adventure sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. New Book and Family, rolled along merrily as again this year youthful borrowers turned a crank which brought into view many colorful illustrations of the sea- son's literary and amusing book output. Many of these same books displayed, were examined most greedily by boys and girls who had the special privileges for the week of reserving any three they wished to read.
At the End of the Week
Climaxing the events of the week for the younger read- ers was the Story Hour on Saturday morning when Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin entertained ardent listeners with amus- ing and delightful stories.
EXHIBITS
Some splendid exhibits were displayed during the year. The first one was a colorful display of semi-precious jewels from the collection of George Proctor, followed by another consisting of a few jewels and interesting stones loaned by the late Mrs. Hattie B. Cottelle.
Two high school pupils, Sara Champlin and Natalie Tallman loaned a fine stamp exhibit, while another pupil, Fred Barnes, contributed boat models he had made.
To Rev. Edmund C. Miller, we are indebted for the un- usual display of articles brought by a missionary from the Belgian Congo. Included was a charm basket, a mask of a medicine man, objects of carved ivory, small idols, etc.
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An old doll, lotus leaves on which were delicate paint- ings, an inlaid box, were among the articles displayed from the collection of Japanese objects owned by Natalie Tallman.
The coronation issue of stamps from Mr. Bradford Luther's collection made a fine exhibit.
Cotton grown during the past summer in North Caro- lina and brought to the library by Mrs. Reginald C. Peirce made a splendid exhibit of interest to school children.
During Book Week and the following week, Phyllis Johnson, a fourth grade pupil loaned a modernistic doll house built by her grandfather Mr. Onslow Johnson. Equipped with miniature furniture, electrically lighted, this was an object which fascinated many boys and girls who stood gazing longingly at it.
GIFTS
Various volumes have been presented to the library from publishers, authors, state and governmental departments, and also from local people, among whom presenting books, magazines or maps were Miss M. L. Chauvelot, the late Mrs. Hattie B. Cottelle, Miss Edith Dana, Miss Gladys Goodnow, Mr. Arthur P. Lewis, Mrs. C. S. Parsons, Mrs. Robert A. Philip, Mr. T. A. Tripp, and the administrators of the estates of the late Mr. William M. Allen and Miss Mary W. Greenleaf.
Mrs. Jean S. Millette of Acushnet donated two volumes, while Mr. Charles A. Harris of Hanover presented two old town reports, a picture, and many clippings of interest and value to the library.
To Mrs. Arthur W. Packard, Mr. Alton Paull, and Mr. T. A. Tripp, we are especially grateful for pictures which have added to our growing file of local and historic value.
The library has been brightened by flowers in season from Mr. and Mrs. Max Cohen, Mrs. Emery E. Cushman and the late Mr. Cushman, the late Mrs. Hattie B. Cottelle ; from Mrs. H. E. Kerwin, Miss Mabel L. Potter, Mr. Henry G. Thurston, and Mr. T. A. Tripp.
BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
Again this year the floors were resurfaced by the janitor, thus keeping them in good condition. The door leading to
19
the basement from the main lobby was equipped with an electrical lock controlled from the loan desk. The stained glass windows in the outer hallway and in the librarian's office were releaded at considerable expense. One adjoin- ing the reading room was hinged to permit opening for better ventilation and for supervision of the hallway.
Extensive repairs were made in December on the roof over the children's room, the main lobby and the librarian's office, and to the flashings around two of the chimneys. There is still work to be done to the chimney over the trustees' room as soon as the weather permits.
Six screens were made for basement windows.
A great help has been the addition of a cupboard for storage and a section of shelves across the south wall of the tower, permitting the proper shelving of many books formerly stacked on the floor. More books, called for only occasionally, have been added to others already stored in the tower.
The restoration of the two paintings of Peter the Great and Catherine, hung in the Trustees Room, has brought new life to the portraits,-and many favorable comments.
The overcrowded condition of the shelves in the children's room still continues, the summer season especially present- ing a real problem when the classroom libraries have been returned from the schools. To relieve crowded adult fiction shelves, duplicate copies of many titles have been stored in the upper stacks.
From year to year, new needs develop. Before long, we shall have to face the problem of a new rug for the chil- dren's room. The center where the greatest wear comes is rapidly becoming shabby, but the rug, a fine one when it was given to the library, has been subjected to extremely hard wear for over 20 years.
THE STAFF
The one resignation of the year from our staff came in February when Miss Sarah Moore returned to a better position in the Queensboro Public Library where she was formerly employed.
While efforts to engage a trained library assistant to fill her position were unsuccessful, we were fortunate to secure
20
during the late spring and early summer as a part time substitute, Miss Emma Janowsky, who has worked on a full-time schedule since August 1st.
Mr. Manuel Martin substituted during the janitor's va- cation in August.
For experience, Miss Blanche Tillinghast, now attending college, worked several weeks during the summer.
The staff have carried on efficiently, cooperating without friction, and with a sincere desire to render the best pos- sible service to the public. Of the work that goes on be- hind the scenes, the public knows little, and it is easily un- derstandable that they should feel that the members of the library staff have an opportunity to read all the books they wish. But the truth is told in the following verses by Grace Mckinstry, taken from an issue of the New York Sun, published over 15 years ago:
THE VILLAGE LIBRARIAN
"She thought before she entered it, This work she longed to do, That very often she might sit And read a page or two, An esssay or a bit of rhyme, A story,-modern, gay, Because there surely would be time If she were there all day.
"But now the volumes in the stacks Might just be bricks or lead. She catalogues, she mends their backs, She lends them to be read, She fines slow readers, stamps the date And brings you from the shelf The volume she can scarcely wait To draw and read herself.
A tantalizing task, indeed To touch the outward part Of all the books she longs to read And cannot even start ; She puts them up, she takes them down, Inside she scarcely looks ; We say, 'It's fine you're here, Miss Brown, You are so fond of books!' "
21
State and local library meetings were attended by the librarian and members of the staff as the routine of work permitted. This is a valuable means of contact that enables our workers to make the acquaintance of others in the same profession, to talk over smiilar problems, new methods and practices. The value is immeasurable.
Through talks before school, church and mothers' club groups, and on the air, the librarian has represented the library and told of some of its activities.
IN APPRECIATION
As the old whaling ship captains sailing from Fairhaven in the early days of the last century were responsible to their ship's owners, so the librarian is responsible to the managing board of the Library, the Board of Trustees; as the crew looked to their captain, so have the library as- sistants fulfilled their obligation to the duties assigned by the librarian. Thus has been formed a chain, each link an instance of service to an institution, The Millicent Li- brary, which we have reason to believe is one of the out- standing libraries of its size. Many have helped, as al- ready noted in this report,-the Selectmen and Policemen of Fairhaven have rendered service; the School Department and teachers have been most cooperative; the three news papers: The New Bedford Morning Mercury, Standard- Times, and The Fairhaven Star, have all been generous in publishing information about our activities.
The librarian expresses thanks to all these-to the staff, also for their willing endeavor-to the Board for their never- failing interest, their enthusiasm in the work carried on, their helpful spirit.
We are proud of our record of service, but not content. In this age of library expansion, we seek to find new ways within our means of extending our service to those we serve.
We close the books for the year 1937, the 45th in the library's history, unashamed of the service rendered our patrons-and we look forward to a still bigger and better 1938.
Respectfully submitted,
AVIS M. PILLSBURY,
January 11, 1938.
Librarian.
Statistical Report
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
American Library Association Form of Statistics. Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1937.
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
$11,175,590.
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)
365
Hours open each week for lending
84
Hours open each week for reading
84
BOOK STOCK
Adult 32,224
Juvenile
Total
Vols. at beginning of year
6,970
39,194
Vols. added by purchase
974
532
1,506
Vols added by gift
74
74
Vols. added by binding material not other- wise counted
20
20
Total volumes added
1,068
532
1,600
Volumes lost or withdrawn
136
202
338
Total volumes at end of year
33,156
7,300
40,456
Periodicals currently received (Titles 153, Copies 165).
Publications issued (4 bulletins, 1 annual report)
23
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols. of fiction loaned
63,041
25,340
88,381
Total volumes loaned
86,430
37,040
123,470
Per cent of fiction of total vol. loaned
72.9%
68.4%
71.58%
Circulation per capita
11.2
Circulation per registered borrower
29.4
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc., loaned
727
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
922
457
1,379
Total of registered borrowers
2,811
1,377
4,188
Registration period, three years.
Per cent registered borrowers of population served
38%
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, 1937
CIRCULATION
ACCESSIONS
WITHDRAWALS
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
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Fiction
567
322
889
88
120
208
52208
16781
5487 1297
2827 153
3821
254
1871
953
40
4139
88381
1 Periodicals
30
2
32
1
1
164
39
2 General Works Philosophy
100
20
20
1
1
618
-1
25
80
19
Religion
200
20
5
25
18
84
4
10
14
1098
828
8
273
155
116
42
3258
Language
400
7
82
89
1
40
41
144
2205
9
103
90
117
32
1413
Science
500
19
16
35
1
3
+
480
582
16
108
71
68
28
1
3086
Useful Arts
600
74
27
101
13
4
14
3
17
1761
306
11
26
55
1
16
22
1
4483
Literature
800
53
24
77
8
12
20
2
688
348
19
195
257
4
103
87
1701
History
900
22
6
28
J
6
11
2787
777
62
162
40
4
133
307
6
4278
Travel
910-919
B-920
46
6
52
2
1822
311
23
41
3
4
49
391
28
2672
Biography
136
Pamphlets
Total
1068
532
1600
136
202
338
72626
24294
6942
4786
4861
267
3023
2456
76
4139
123470
96920
11,728
3290
2532
1. Not accessioned
2. Includes bound magazines
Total
124,197
1
21
646
343
163
Sociology
300
514
38
357
17
2129
665
Fine Arts
700
61
11
72
174
567
2207
915
10
359
250
83
13
96
6
127
3
Pictures, clippings, etc. Stereoscopes
663
6-4
7864
6050
364
204
000
630
2520
66
2198
2
Book Stock and Circulation for 10 Years, 1928-1937
(Supplementary to the Table of Statistics for 35 years, 1893-1927, in the Report for the Year 1927)
1
2
3
4
5
6
6a
7
7a
7b
8
9
10
CIRCULATION
Year
Year of Operation
Population
Vols. at end
Central
Library
Oxford
Branch
Oxford
Branch
East
High
School
Duplicate
Total of
columns
5, 6, 6a, 7 7a, 7b
Extra
Grand Total
1937
45
11,003
40,456
96,920
11,728
4,861R
3,290R
2,532
4,139
123,470
727
124,197
1936
44
11,003
39,194
98,017
10,687
3,131R
3,027R
2,474
3,217
120,553
931
121,484
1935
43
11,003
38,128
98,100
13,633
2,493R
2,281
2,341
3,457
122,305
1,038
123,343
1934
42
10,930
37,938
98,550
15,449
1,792
2,300
1,725
4,009
123,825
1,040
124,865
1933
41
10,930
37,320
107.236R
17,148R
1,872
2,414
1,907
4,249
134,826R
815
135,641R
1932
40
10,930
36,012
102,388R
15,135
2,903R
2,032
4,923R
127,381 R
1,193
128,574R
1931
39
10,930
34,769
93,194R
12,727
2,254R
2,834
4,837
115,846R
+1,219
117,065R
1930
38
10,930
33,274
84,576
13,179
2,021
99,776
*6,744
106,520
1929
37
10,827
32,417
81,763
14,804
1,484
98,051
*8,195R
106,246
1928
36
10,827
31,570
89,154R
16,152R
2,036
107,342
*5,862
113,204R
*- Includes High School and Pay Collections, pictures, stereoscopes, clippings.
+-Beginning 1931. High School and Pay Collection not included.
R-A record year. Used only with circulation figures.
#-Deposit station opened at Oxford School in March.
School
Branch
Pay
of year
INDEX
Page
Town Officers for 1937
4
Town Meeting Members
8
Report of Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare 15
Public Welfare
17
Old Age Assistance
18
General Revenue
19
Commercial Revenue
20
Payments General Government
24
Protection of Persons and Property
28
Health and Sanitation
31 34
Highways
Public Welfare
35
Schools
Recreation and Unclassified
37 39 41
Interest and Maturing Debt
41
Agency, Trust and Investment
41
Refunds and Transfers
42
Analysis of Appropriation Account-1937
43
Balance Sheet-1937
48
Treasurer's Report
52
Report of Outstanding Debt
53
Debt and Interest to be Paid
54 55
Trust Funds
Report of the Trust Fund Commissioners
57
Report of the Collector of Taxes 58
Town Clerk's Report 62
Births - 1937 62
Marriages - 1937 66
Deaths - 1937 70
Report of the Police Department 74
Public Service Enterprise
Page
Report of the Dog Warrant Officer
89
Report of the Assessors 90
Report of the Auditors
93
Report of the Highway Department
94
Report of the Planning Board
96
Report of the Board of Appeals
98
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
99
Report of Fire Alarm
107
Report of the Building Inspector
108
Report of Inspector of Animals
109
Report of Inspector of Slaughter
110
Report of Shellfish Inspector 111
Report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures
112
Report of the Tree Warden
115
Report of the Moth Superintendent
116
Report of Fairhaven Infirmary
117
Report of the Board of Health 119
Report of Health Nursing Service
121
Report of the Board of Sewer Commissioners
123
Report of Fairhaven Com. on Street and Highway Safety 124
Emergency Relief
127
Report of State Audit
134
Report of the Park Commissioners
137
Playground Report
139
School Reports - 1937
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
28
Report of School Nurse 32
In Memoriam - George C. Dickey 34
Present Corps of Teachers - 1937-1938 35
Age and Grade Table 38
Tabulated Grades, Teachers, Attendance, etc. 39
Elementary School Expenditures 40
High School Expenditures 49
Library Report 1-25
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