USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1938 > Part 11
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Besides this record of book repair may be added 3476 hours of miscellaneous work which represents tasks inci- dental to recuttering and the locating of books for mending and recuttering.
N Y A helpers have assisted with various tasks.
AND SO WE COME TO :
THE SCHOOL WORK
The cooperation between the schools and the library has been particularly close during the past year. Requests have come for more and more books. The usual classroom librar- ies were distributed, 55 being prepared, each containing be- tween 20 and 40 books. Partial records kept by the teachers indicated a circulation of 4620 on 1899 books loaned be- tween the period September 1937 and June 1938.
12
This was but a small part of the service rendered by the library. Requests for deposits came from two more schools. In March 1933, a deposit was placed in the Oxford School for the use of the pupils, the distribution being made by the teachers. The resulting circulation proved that the need was real, the experiment justifiable. On the same plan, the experiment now extends to the Edmund Anthony School and Rogers School, where deposits were placed in the fall.
Now, five of the Fairhaven schools have either branch or deposit service. The number of books in each collection fluctuates due to the addition of new titles and the with- drawal of old ones, but the close of 1938 found almost 10% of our book stock in branches or classroom libraries as fol- lows:
East Fairhaven Branch (Open to the public) Serves chiefly pupils of the school 409 books
Oxford Branch (Open to the public) 1309 books
Oxford School Deposit 298 books
Edmund Anthony School Deposit 201 books
Rogers School Deposit
200 books
High School Library Deposit 814 books
Classroom Library Deposits
781 books
4012 books
The usual reference requests of teachers and pupils have been filled as far as our resources permitted.
The seventh grade course
The seventh grade course of library instruction was held between May 25th and June 7th, seven groups coming to the library from four schools, for five lessons each. The course was completely revised and greatly expanded by the libra- rian. The new booklet of 73 pages contains much more specific instruction, many illustrations and problems for classroom use. The task of mimeographing these booklets was a tremendous one and covered several weeks of work. Much credit is due Miss Janowsky and Miss Hanford for their patient endeavor in helping the librarian complete this undertaking. 200 booklets were distributed for classroom use and should serve as the textbook for several years.
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ENTHUSIASTIC READERS WELCOME:
THE SUMMER READING CLUB
The summer reading club idea has become established. Children look forward to it, ask about it long in advance. It fills a need for many who do not go away on long summer vacations. The story hours incidental to it are joyous occa- sions. Eleven of these were held during the summer, stories being told by Mrs. Carey Hood, Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Miss Ellen Meal, Miss Beatrice Mosgrove, Miss Evelyn Smith, Mrs. Sheldon Rogers and members of our own staff. The average attendance was 83 and as last year the school bus was engaged to convey the children from the north end of town to the library. At each story hour, club announcements were made.
Building around the theme of international friendship, boy and girl travellers journeyed as the summer passed over the Highway of Adventure to the Castle of Peace, the tower of which became gaily decorated with 108 flags of many nations,-these the evidence of group reading about our foreign neighbors and friends from more than three dozen countries. 154 miniature flags-the awards for individual reading-lined the approach to the castle, on the balcony of which King Goodwill and Queen Peace made their appear- ance, greeting their youthful visitors and nodding approval at their accomplishment of reading, out of a total of 792 books, 615 on lands and peoples, the greatest interest aside from their own United States centering in order around Sweden, England, France, Holland, Switzerland, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Norway and Germany.
A surprise
The usual gay party held on November 12th for the read- ing club enthusiasts terminated in a happy surprise as the announcement was made that Lady Fairhaven was the donor of the book prizes awarded to the ten boys and girls who merited first and second place honors. Bearing bookplates autographed by her, they immediately became a much prized possession of each recipient. Delighted and happy beyond words were these ten members and nine others re- ceiving honorable mention, when further announcements re- vealed that their daily passes recording reading accomplish- ments had been sent to England and returned by our beloved
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trustee who had autographed each with the words: "Ex- amined and approved by Lady Fairhaven. London, Eng. 27 Oct. 1938." To the Lady Fairhaven who always mani- fests interest in the activities of the library, we are grateful.
ONCE AGAIN WE CELEBRATE:
BOOK WEEK
Book week is a week in our library year to which many look forward. It is a week of unusual library activity-a time during which the library puts forth an effort to become better acquainted with its patrons, and to present to them at least a few new books of the season.
Book exhibits, with many displays of various kinds for young and old, help to create an atmosphere of informality, and to focus attention on the friendly place the library is, which fact cannot be disputed since the evidence becomes greater year by year.
The school contribution
Again, after a lapse of three years, the school children, to whom it is impossible to give adequate praise, contributed many fine projects representing books and book characters. They were splendid examples of skill and some of them could hardly be credited to pupils of their age, but they in- dicated what talent is being developed by interested teach- ers in the Fairhaven school system. We are grateful for this evidence of cooperation on the part of the Superintendent of Schools, of all the principals, teachers and pupils.
The Tea
The Book Week Tea was an unusually successful and happy occasion-made colorful by a cheerful fire, glowing candles, lovely orange and yellow chrysanthemums, and not least, by the ten young hosts and hostesses, who, dressed in gay costumes representing their foreign neighbors about whom they had read during the summer, flitted here and there, delighting their adult admirers. Approximately 100 people attended this festive Tea at which Mrs. Harry L. Pope and Miss Edith Dana poured.
For children only
Intriguing to the school children were the passports to New Worlds distributed in anticipation of Book Week. Dur-
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ing the hours of four to six each afternoon during the school week, energetic ticket agents, chosen from the various schools, punched approximately 500 passes which gave their bearers admission to the daily features of Book Week. One, delighting the boys and girls, was the Storyland Ex- press to New Worlds which by the turn of a handle opened up the realm of new books to these youthful readers who stood fascinated before it.
A high spot of the week was the Saturday morning Story Hour held at the Job C. Tripp School. Delightful stories were told by Mr. Charles Prior and Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin. The rest of the program included two plays, one a delightful shadowgraph play "Ferdinand," presented by the fifth grade pupils of the Tripp School, the other a three act play entitled "The magic carpet", done by the seventh grade pupils of the Rogers School. This entertaining program was enjoyed by approximately 200 boys and girls.
OF INTEREST TO MANY ARE:
THE EXHIBITS
Much interest is shown in the various exhibits displayed during the year, and it is evident that many watch for changes in the display case. Besides drawing from our own source of supply of unusual books for two exhibits, the fol- lowing were loaned to us by interested townspeople :
From Mr. William Gardner: An exhibit of cotton from field to finished product.
From Mr. Thomas P. Scott: A stamp exhibit, featuring stamps, special covers, copies and tokens bearing head of Washington.
From Mr. John Tripp : A fine exhibit of air-mail stamps.
From Miss Muriel Cohen and Miss Elizabeth Smith : Two exhibits of letters from foreign countries-the cor- respondence between the youth of thirteen different countries.
From Miss Ruth Dutton : A collection of miniature dogs of china and ivory, of metal, wood and cloth.
During Book Week, the prize books, given by Lady Fairhaven to the boys and girls who earned them for sum- mer reading, were displayed and created much interest.
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WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR:
GIFTS
Gifts of books and magazines have been received from various publishers, authors, associations, state and govern- mental departments, as well as from local townspeople, among whom are Mr. Birtwistle, Miss Marie Chauvelot, Mrs. J. Otis Fuller, Mrs. Gilbert Jackson, Mrs. Robert Phillip, Mr. Thomas A. Tripp and Mr. Henry Waldron. A stereoscope and 100 stereoscopic pictures on Palestine were the gift of Mr. George Silsby.
The collection of local material has been augmented by the gift of booklets on town history, clippings, a blue print map of the "Plat of the twenty acre purchase", old pic- tures and programs,-from Mrs. Crawford Dunham, Miss Gladys Goodnow, Mr. Charles Harris, Mr. Harry L. Pope, Miss Mabel L. Potter, Mr. James E. Reynolds and Mr. Thomas A. Tripp.
Received during the year were two unusual gifts worthy of special comment. One was a splendid leather bound book of clippings relating to Mr. Henry H. Rogers-the gift of the Atlas Tack Corporation, presented by its president, Mr. Roger D. Edwards.
Mrs. Charles S. Hamlin of Mattapoisett and Washington, D. C. presented to the library an exquisite gold Japanese bowl,-and an emblem of the Japanese Order of the Third Class of the Sacred Treasure which was presented some years ago by the Emperor of Japan to her late husband, the Hon. Charles S. Hamlin. These because of their significance and close connection, have been placed in the case with the Samurai sword.
AN ITEM OF IMPORTANCE IS:
THE BUILDING AND ITS MAINTENANCE
The expenditure for equipment and building maintenance was rather heavy during 1938. Expensive valves were re- quired for the heating system. Double screens were fitted to the basement windows in an effort to eliminate damp- ness by better ventilation. Repairs were made to the chimney and roof over the Trustees Room. The floors were again resurfaced by the janitor. A bicycle rack was provided at the foot of the library steps. The vacuum cleaner was
17
repaired. One typewriter was exchanged for a recondi- tioned one, a new roll provided for another. Two pictures were framed and hung, the Longfellow picture being a great addition to the Children's Room.
New equipment included an oriental rug placed at the entrance to the main lobby, an 8x12 United States flag, a new electric mimeograph machine and a mimeoscope, which has proved of great value in doing work that otherwise could not have been done at the library.
AND NOT LEAST ARE:
A FEW ODD ITEMS
Lady Fairhaven was a guest in Fairhaven during the early spring, and on March 19th, a special Trustees meeting was held at which she presided as President of the Board.
The library was recognized in an unusual way when special attention was called to The Millicent Library Bulletin in an article in the Wilson Bulletin for November 1938 which included illustrations from our March 1937 and March 1938 issues, mentioning features in these which made an attractive bulletin. We do take pride in it, and hope our borrowers take a copy of each issue as it appears.
By special vote of the Trustees on October 7th, adults may now use the Trustees Room for reading purposes during evening hours.
Two benches and a table arranged in front of the stained glass windows to form an alcove, the outcome of a make- shift arrangement during Book Week, have proved so useful and popular that the arrangement is being continued.
AND NOW :
THE STAFF
A loyal staff, alert and willing to serve is an asset to any library. The staff of your library have cooperated in this manner to serve the public efficiently.
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The year has brought about several changes. Miss Florence Wilkinson, for thirteen years a faithful and intel- ligently alert member of our staff, was granted a leave of absence, beginning December 1st. Miss Muriel Cohen, one of our enthusiastic younger members, resigned on August 1st after almost three years of service, when her family moved from town. Milton Hadfield, a very efficient page for two years, resigned in the early fall, and was succeeded by Philip Murdy and later by Henry Gilmore.
Early in the summer Miss Mary Blum and Miss Blanche Tillinghast joined the staff to work for experience.
Mr. Richard March substituted for the janitor for three weeks.
Two meetings of the Old Dartmouth Library Club and the winter meeting of the Massachusetts Library Association were attended by the librarian and members of the staff as the schedule of work allowed.
Miss Emma Janowsky represented the library during Book Week in a talk before the Fairhaven Mother's Club.
AND IN CLOSING :
A WORD OF APPRECIATION
Cooperation with others goes far to make a successful year. We have had that from several sources already men- tioned in this report. We have had it, too, from the local newspapers of Fairhaven and New Bedford, from the School Department and the Selectmen of our town. The Police force has rendered service. Those who loaned exhibits, who gave gifts, who told stories to the children, all who helped in any way have each contributed a bit to the up- building of service rendered by their library to the com- munity. We may well take pride in such cooperative effort.
Not least to be commended is the earnest endeavor of the staff whose service has been faithfully and loyally given. And to the Board of Trustees, the librarian finds words in- adequate to express her appreciation for their thoughtful- ness shown during the year, and for their interest in all of the activities of the library-the kind of interest which has never once flagged during her administration as librarian.
Respectfully submitted,
AVIS M. PILLSBURY, Librarian.
January 10, 1939.
Statistical Report Pages 20 - 22
Statistical Report
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
American Library Association Form of Statistics.
Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1938.
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
$11,123,030.
Terms of use, Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies Consisting of-Central Library.
... .. 13
6 stations (Oxford Branch, Oxford School Deposit, East Fairhaven Branch, Edmund Anthony School Deposit, Rogers School Deposit, High School Library) 6 schools (55 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
Juvenile 7,300
Total 40,456
Vols. at beginning of 'year
Vols. added by purchase
754
395
1,149
Vols. added by gift
43
1
44
Vols. added by binding material not other- wise counted
15
15
Total volumes added
812
396
1,208
Volumes lost or withdrawn
1,160
414
1,574
Total volumes at end of year
32,808
7,282
40,090
Periodicals currently received (Titles 156, Copies 170).
Publications issued (4 bulletins, 1 annual report)
33,156
21
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols of fiction loaned
67,575
23,787
91,362
Total volumes loaned
94,078
34,469
128,547
Per cent of fiction of total vol. loaned
71.8%
69%
71%
Circulation per capita
11.68
Circulation per registered borrower
31.1
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc., loaned
737
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
913
405
1,318
Total of registered borrowers
2,805
1,323
4,128
Per cent registered borrowers of population served
37.5%
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, 1938
CIRCULATION
ACCESSIONS
WITHDRAWALS
Main Library
Oxford Branch
Oxford School
Anthony School
Rogers School
East Branch
High School
Dupli- cate Pay
Total
Class
Adult
Juvenile
Total':
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Juvenile
Adult
Fiction
384
287
671
632
265
897
56,685 6,984
6,826 2,396
3,041 229
2,482
374
17
2
2,060
913
42
3,149
91,362 10,044
1 Periodicals
000
23
3
26
12
12
206
18
2 General Works Philosophy
100
14
14
10
10
614
3
2
1
17
34
31
186
74
2,671
Language
400
4
14
18
26
36
82
175
1,060
642
261
40
385
3
2,566
Useful Arts
600
83
21
104
100
3
103
2,345
647
38
174
34
8
82
73
3,401
Fine Arts
700
42
11
53
99
7
106
1,843
352
9
38
26
6
67
30
2,371
Literature
800
25
15
40
90
21
111
2,165
898
17
219
96
21
194
705
2
4,317
History
900
32
3
35
16
17
33
864
342
3S
120
117
11
60
66
1,620
Travel
910-919
65
6
1
36
21
57
2,733
888
60
165
130
16
59
231
5
4,287
Biography
B-920
67
5
72
17
9
26
1,970
302
40
84
22
3
24
396
30
2,871
Pamphlets
150
Total
812
396
1,208
1,160
414
1,574
78,858 22,006
9,466
5,079
3,527
526
17
2
3,233
2,603
81
3,149
128,547
100,864
14,545
3,235
2,684
1. Not accessioned
Pictures, clippings, etc. Stereoscopes
93
2. Includes bound magazines
Total
129,284
2
598
Sociology
300
51
13
64
48
20
68
1,234
664
17
228
237
Science
500
13
12
25
26
8
34
508
173
17
122
87
16 T
107
54
1,384
Religion
200
9
6
15
48
7
55
382
153
1
9
1
230
55
675
435
115,771
150
644
INDEX
Page
Agency, Trust and Investment
43
Aid to Dependent Children
18
Analysis of Appropriation Account-1938 44
Balance Sheet-1938
49
Charities
36
Commercial Revenue
21
General Revenue
20
Health and Sanitation
32
Highways 35
42
Old Age Assistance
19
. Payments General Government
24
Protection of Persons and Property
28
Public Service Enterprise
42
Public Welfare
17
Recreation and Unclassified
41
Refunds and Transfers
43
Report of the Assessors
88
Report of the Auditors
92
Report of the Board of Appeals
97
Report of the Board of Fire Engineers
98
Report of the Board of Health
119
Report of the Board of Sewer Commissioners
122
Report of the Building Inspector
108
Report of the Collector of Taxes
60
Report of the Dog Warrant Officer
87
Report of Emergency Relief
125
Report of Fairhaven Board of Retirement
113
Report of Fairhaven Com. on Street and Highway Safety
123
Report of Health Nursing Service
120
Report of the Highway Department
93
Interest and Maturing Debt
Page 110
Report of Inspector of Animals
Report of the Moth Superintendent
118
Report of the Park Commissioners
139
Report of the Planning Board
94
Report of the Police Department
76
Report of Pound Keeper 111
Report of Selectmen
15
Report of the Sealer of Weights & Measures
114
Report of State Audit 136
Report of Supt. of Fire Alarm 107
141
Report of the Tree Warden
117
Report of the Trust Fund Commissioners
59
Schools
39
Town Clerk's Report
64 64
Births-1938
Marriages-1938
69
Deaths-1938
72
Town Meeting Members
8
Town Officers for 1938
4
Treasurer's Report
54
Report of Outstanding Debt
55
Debt and Interest to be Paid
56
Trust Funds 57
Library Report 1-22
School Reports-1938
Age and Grade Table 38
Elementary School Expenditures 40
High School Expenditures 50
Present Corp of Teachers-1938-1939 35
27
Report of School Committee
4
Report of School Nurse 33
Report of the Superintendent 11
School Calendar
2
School Committee (Officers)
3
Tabulated Grades, Teachers, Attendance, etc. 39
Report of the Principal of the High School
Report of Town Physician
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