USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1939 > Part 9
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17.35
Gledhill Bros.
13.40
Winnetka Education Press
20.42
Spare & Co.
.63
Superintendent of Documents
3.00
The Boston Music Co.
33.36
James A. Evans, Postmaster
11.26
Milton Bradley Co.
244.12
Akin-Denison Co.
1.10
Emile Bernat & Sons
19.89
Bostitch Boston, Inc.
20.75
The Fairhaven Star
10.00
The Keystone Office
71.17
E. L. Freeman Co.
5.00
Dennis Mahoney & Sons
1.37
J. L. Hammett Co.
727.73
Phillips Paper Co.
45.69
Hodges Badge Co.
7.06
$2,537.46
TEACHERS
Clarence E. MaGuire
$ 1,870.20
Caroline T. Feindel
1,238.55
Marion L. Ryder
1,425.00
Marie C. Rousseau
1,213.95
Rose Caton
1,350.00
Lillian Wigod
988.55
Margaret M. Buckley
584.75
Edith P. Bixby
365.25
Dorothy Whiteley
738.60
Mary A. S. Sale
1,550.00
Mildred Hall
1,346.54
Hazel M. Lovering
1,350.00
Mary S. Fletcher
1,350.00
Thelma Kalloch
1,346.54
Evelyn M. Smith
1,325.00
Helen L. Newton
1,350.00
Louise C. Johnson
1,350.00
Arthur P. Bixby
1,538.40
32
Agnes T. Athan
1,138.40
Dorothy Turner
991.50
Elina Davidson
1,137.20
Edith C. Howes
646.20
Elizabeth Graham
2,250.00
Frances S. Holmes
877.46
Harriet Robinson
1,123.74
Elizabeth Sherman
1,088.40
Eleanor Sisson
1,085.45
Florence Gillis
1,088.40
Mildred Borden
1,350.00
Claire Gardner
988.55
Mildred E. Webb
1,387.00
Helena L. Stanley
1,475.00
Mary Toledo
1,288.40
Barbara Macomber
1,088.40
Yvonne Richard
365.25
Edith McNamara
1,235.82
Caroline R. Gilmore
1,350.00
Helen McLeod
1,088.40
Margaret McGuire
2,000.00
Ellen E. Meal
1,242.61
Catherine E. Harney
1,083.02
Anne Surinski
1,072.26
Anna P. Malone
1,343.08
Eileen Creney
584.75
Mildred F. Smith
365.25
Eliza C. Moura
1,138.40
Mary Katkin
823.93
Jeanette Martin
988.55
Anne F. Geoghegan
1,061.48
Ann O'D. Brow
1,375.00
George L. Kane
1,469.35
Elizabeth Hastings
1,570.00
Edith Kenny
1,238.55
Isabelle Walsh
677.00
Virginia M. Leonard
365.25
Ailie A. L. Waris
988.55
Agnes T. Santry
859.60
Lillian E. Elliott
700.00
Helen Cushing
717.44
Samuel Sezak
317.34
Alexander M. Clement
46.14
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
855.00
33
Clarence W. Arey
500.00
Elizabeth Sherman (Noon Hour)
7.50
Eleanor Sisson (Noon Hour)
6.25
Florence Gillis (Noon Hour)
7.50
Mildred Borden (Noon Hour)
6.25
Claire Gardner (Noon Hour)
6.25
Mildred E. Webb (Noon Hour)
7.50
Frances S. Holmes (Noon Hour)
3.75
Harriet Robinson (Noon Hour)
2.50
Marion L. Ryder (Noon Hour)
6.25
Clarence E. MaGuire (Noon Hour)
27.25
Rose Caton (Noon Hour)
6.25
Lillian Wigod (Noon Hour)
6.25
Dorothy Whiteley (Noon Hour)
6.25
Margaret Buckley (Noon Hour)
6.25
Caroline T. Feindel (Noon Hour)
6.25
Marie C. Rousseau (Noon Hour)
5.00
Mrs. Hazel B. Raymond (Noon Hour)
1.25
Dorothy Turner (Noon Hour)
9.25
Edith Howes (Noon Hour)
5.75
Arthur P. Bixby (Noon Hour)
9.50
Agnes T. Athan (Noon Hour)
10.00
Elina Davidson (Noon Hour)
9.25
Catherine Harney (Noon Hour)
1.50
Anne Surinski (Noon Hour)
1.20
Eliza Moura (Noon Hour)
1.20
Mrs. Mildred Smith (Noon Hour)
.90
Mrs. Ann O'D. Brow (Noon Hour)
.90
Anna P. Malone (Noon Hour)
.90
Ellen E. Meal (Noon Hour)
.90
Jeannette Martin (Noon Hour)
.90
Anne Geoghegan (Noon Hour)
.90
Mary A. S. Sale (Noon Hour)
58.80
Mrs. Charlotte Spooner (Substitute)
122.50
Mrs. Katherine Sherman (Substitute)
195.00
Mrs. Gertrude Young (Substitute)
55.00
Mrs. Marie Whitfield (Substitute)
40.00
Mrs. Dorothy Rogers (Substitute)
125.00
Mrs. Helen Porter (Substitute)
102.50
Mrs. Bertha Slater (Substitute)
62.50
Mrs. Hazel B. Raymond (Substitute)
82.50
Mrs. Gertrude Gidley (Substitute)
62.50
$69,785.30
34
ADULT ALIEN EDUCATION
Clarence E. MaGuire
$ 78.00
Mrs. Mary A. Smith
72.00
Mrs. Bertha Slater
69.00
Mrs. Marie Whitfield
66.00
Evelyn M. Smith
66.00
Edward Richard
24.00
D. C. Heath & Co.
29.44
Division of University Extension
6.25
$410.69
JANITORS
Charles H. Lawton
$1,040.16
Willard L. Hoxie
500.04
Elmer Walker
520.08
Walter G. Spencer
1,020.12
James H. Ellis
1,030.12
Arthur H. Westgate
1,021.12
Edward Richard
1,200.00
Thomas Duckworth
500.04
Louis B. Anderson
572.04
James H. Ellis (Band Rehearsals)
28.00
$7,431.72
TRANSPORTATION
Union Street Railway
$3,704.72
Alexander A. Hadfield
1,849.61
$5,554.33
FUEL
City Coal Co.
$ 674.13
David Duff & Son
2,374.38
Charles F. James
12.00
Dennis Mahoney & Sons
5.00
$3,065.51
35
LIGHT, WATER, JANITOR'S SUPPLIES, ETC.
Charles M. Carroll Paper Co.
$ 55.75
The Millicent Library
61.57
J. J. Gobell Co.
7.25
C. F. Delano
94.32
N. P. Hayes Co.
.90
Kennedy & Kerwin
77.75
Du-Ev-Products
35.25
Reformatory for Women
48.32
F. S. Brightman Co.
6.40
Colonial Beacon Oil Co.
9.18
Day's Electric Shop
29.40
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
34.91
Woodland's Market
.52
Nye's Store
15.47
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
310.50
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
580.72
Dept. of Correction
65.56
Fairhaven Water Co.
738.23
J. I. Holcomb Mfg. Co.
17.96
$2,189.96
REPAIRS
Tony P. Costa
$ 996.23
Richard T. Thatcher
18.44
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
4.17
E. G. Baldwin
749.95
Glennon Roofing Co.
76.23
James Taylor
16.50
Warren Gould
41.50
C. J. Birtwistle
64.75
N. B. Boiler & Machine Co.
29.14
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
4.00
Bldg. Materials, Inc.
1.50
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
38.14
Days' Electric Shop
273.61
C. F. Delano
59.43
John M. Reilly
203.34
Sullivan & Foster
160.00
Mass. Division of the Blind
30.50
Charles H. Sisson, Inc.
118.05
C. E. Beckman Co.
1.45
36
The Output Co. Elmer G. Whitmarsh
1.04
6.05
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
4.95
Joseph S. Roza
4.65
Alden B. Wrightington
2.50
Patrick Sullivan
53.75
The Ampro Corp.
1.10
E. E. Huckins
11.25
J. J. Duggan Roofing Co.
61.14
Simon's Supply Co.
1.75
S. C. Barrett & Sons
5.55
H. H. Hathaway Co.
6.89
C. F. Wing Co.
3.40
$3,050.95
NEW EQUIPMENT
Mass. Reformatory
$25.27
HEALTH
Lena Howland, R. N.
$1,350.00
Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
150.00
$1,500.00
MISCELLANEOUS
Railway Express Agency
$ 2.09
Mrs. Lena Howland, R. N.
95.50
Charles F. Prior
3.25
F. M. Gifford (Petty Cash)
5.00
The A. E. Coffin Press
37.50
Mrs. A. S. Leonard
13.16
Patrick Sullivan
15.00
Fall River & New Bedford Express Co.
1.00
Fairhaven High School Lunch Dept.
5.00
Yale University Press Film Service
1.26
C. F. Delano
4.50
A. D. McMullen
4.00
Bachrach
9.89
F. M. Gifford
2.90
Fairhaven Ice & Trucking Co.
9.00
Fairhaven Star
11.00
$220.05
37
INSURANCE
James Henshaw
Whitworth & Co.
$510.02 241.00
$751.02
TUITION
City of New Bedford, Dept. of Public Schools
$155.75
GRAND TOTAL
$103,937.68
High School (Itemized Expenditures)
TEACHERS
Chester M. Downing
$ 3,600.00
Walter D. Wood
2,000.00
James Parkinson
2,050.00
Robert C. Lawton
1,520.00
Katherine D. Chaffee
1,338.40
Ruth Kussmann
1,138.40
Melvin Entin
1,066.52
Susan Gifford
1,400.00
Evelyn Murdock
1,454.49
Margaret Siebert
1,900.00
Dorothy Williams
1,500.00
Lena J. Russell
1,710.00
Florence R. Griswold
923.10
Grace E. Libbey
384.60
Marie R. Wentzell
1,469.35
Eunice E. Strong
1,710.00
Mabel G. Hoyle
1,526.18
Cecile Giguere
1,388.40
Raymond L. Robinson
1,338.40
Mildred Bryant
705.25
Phyllis Greene
290.88
Alice Gidley
650.00
Lillian E. Elliott
650.00
Agnes T. Santry
459.60
Helen Cushing
469.35
Samuel Sezak
1,628.90
Alexander M. Clement
230.76
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
570.00
Edith Rogers
1,182.65
Earl Dias
687.10
F. William Kempf
275.00
Mrs. Marie Whitfield (Substitute)
35.00
Mrs. Katherine Rook (Substitute)
40.00
Richard J. Brown (Substitute)
10.00
Wilbor Parkinson (Substitute)
15.00
Mrs. Catherine Dennie (Substitute)
15.00
$37,332.33
39
TEXTBOOKS
American Book Co.
$ 184.03
Johnson Publishing Co.
68.52
Auxilium Latinum
11.70
D. C. Heath & Co.
115.98
Little, Brown & Co.
119.31
Doubleday, Doran & Co.
16.20
D. Appleton Century Co.
9.35
The Macmillan Co.
186.27
Gregg Publishing Co.
2.27
Harper & Brothers
46.60
Noble & Noble
77.74
Hutchinson's Book Store
27.60
Charles W. Homeyer
22.76
Scott, Foresman & Co.
94.86
Lyons & Carnahan
1.57
Oxford University Press
.31
Charles Scribner's Sons
135.05
McGraw Hill Book Co.
6.94
John Wiley & Sons
3.65
Silver-Burdett Co.
21.20
National Conservation Bureau
4.00
Ginn & Co.
66.22
The John C. Winston Co.
59.30
Oxford Book Co.
10.29
J. L. Hammett Co.
10.83
World Book Co.
87.19
The Institute for Research
5.25
Harcourt, Brace & Co.
111.01
American Education Press, Inc.
39.29
Longmans, Green & Co.
63.38
Henry Holt & Co.
14.71
The H. W. Wilson Co.
9.20
National Geographic Society
3.00
Houghton Mifflin Co.
218.10
Allyn & Bacon
104.97
Martin & Murray Co.
23.30
$1,981.95
40
SUPPLIES
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
$ 362.28
Palmer & Parker Co.
29.22
World Book Co.
17.48
The Boston Music Co.
3.40
Kempton Oxyacetylene Service Co.
1.25
Acushnet Saw Mills
7.46
Carter, Rice & Co.
157.20
The Browne Pharmacy
2.81
DeWolf & Vincent
127.48
School Service Co.
1.17
Hutchinson's Book Store
1.65
Central Scientific Co.
76.44
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
149.07
J. L. Hammett Co.
296.55
F. S. Webster Co.
47.70
Craftsman Machinery Co.
1.00
Andrews & Pierce
1.48
Jacob R. Grove Co.
1.00
William Dizer Co.
13.72
N. P. Hayes Co.
2.70
Owen Sheerin-Allie O'Brien
.60
Electric Service & Sales Co.
1.20
Royal Typewriter Co.
9.40
C. E. Hiller
2.00
The Keystone Office
10.60
Bostitch Boston, Inc.
2.50
Carl Fischer, Inc.
20.40
B. L. Makepeace, Inc.
70.73
James A. Evans, Postmaster
30.76
Boston Blue Print Co.
86.15
Harpers Magazine
4.00
American Education Press
96.00
Marshall Newspictures, Inc.
5.50
International Textbook Co.
22.51
James W. Brine Co.
64.65
Gledhill Brothers
75.76
Charles H. Homeyer
158.12
Megansett Shores Corp.
9.45
News Map of the Week
16.00
Wild & Stevens
8.84
Phillips Paper Co.
6.35
George Kirby, Jr. Paint Co.
4.88
41
The A. E. Coffin Press
1.75
Mendell Electric Supply Co.
9.90
Taylor Instrument Co.
2.40
Milton Bradley Co. Remington Rand, Inc.
4.50
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
9.44
The Powers Regulator Co.
3.08
Bristol County Blue Print Co.
3.00
The Stanley Works
2.62
J. Bloom & Co.
8.28
Sullivan & Crocker
11.00
Lewis Roberts, Inc.
12.26
Education Guild of New England
18.11
John J. Gobell Co.
2.40
F. S. Brightman Co.
6.39
American Type Founders Sales Corp.
49.32
Ginn & Co.
1.23
$2,210.73
JANITORS' SALARIES
Howard H. Shumway
$1,680.16
William T. Wood
1,355.18
Pardon A. Howland
712.56
Richard March
520.08
A. C. Robertson
475.08
John Schofield
523.48
Louis B. Anderson
480.00
Thomas Duckworth
625.08
Raymond Morse
3.40
$6,375.02
LIGHT, WATER, JANITORS' SUPPLIES, ETC.
Mendell Electric & Supply Co.
$ 2.98
Swift & Co.
25.63
Visual Education Service
5.87
Dept. of Correction
60.94
Commonwealth of Mass., Div. of the Blind
18.24
Universal Refining Products
63.75
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
2.70
Middlesex County House of Correction
.75
DeWolf & Vincent
4.27
57.59
42
Fairhaven Water Co.
470.88
E. F. Dahill, Jr. & Co.
5.65
John J. Gobell Co.
42.34
Charles M. Carroll Paper Co.
18.75
William R. West
19.70
N. P. Hayes Co.
29.07
Colonial Beacon Oil Co.
1.70
Reformatory for Women
7.01
J. I. Holcomb Co.
8.20
Days' Electric Shop
60.05
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
2.00
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
190.58
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
829.92
C. F. Delano
23.31
Standard Oil of New York
17.55
Kennedy & Kerwin
51.09
Manufacturers Supply Co.
2.70
$1,965.63
REPAIRS
E. Philip Osberg
$ 20.24
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
37.46
C. F. Delano
85.10
C. E. Beckman
8.45
Allen Hersom Co.
1.30
Walter F. Douglas
89.54
B. L. Makepeace, Inc.
7.01
Cody & Tobin
2.60
F. H. Kingsley
22.60
Dupuis Piano Co.
5.00
Electric Time Co.
3.32
Stanley E. Smith Co.
6.00
Babcock & Wilcox
29.35
Est. M. P. Whitfield
101.90
New Bedford Typewriter Exchange
33.00
F. W. Fraits
1.60
Jonathan Handy Co., Inc.
1.90
Commonwealth of Mass., Div. of the Blind
14.00
N. B. Steel & Supply Co.
319.00
Potter & Casey
2.50
Frank M. McGowan
1.00
Thompson Electric
3.85
43
Tony P. Costa
2.20
Acushnet Iron Co.
1.20
Sturtevant & Hook
3.75
Leach Electrical Co.
40.83
N. E. Plate Glass Co.
15.86
Days' Electric Shop
30.92
J. J. Duggan & Son Roofing Co.
14.92
William A. Hoover
1.00
The Powers Regulator Co.
7.90
Cox Paint & Wall Paper Store
2.50
Henry Disston & Sons
7.39
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
7.35
Westinghouse Electric Co.
105.34
John M. Reilly
5.70
Locke, Stevens, Inc.
.85
Gunning Iron Works
175.00
Herbert Atkinson
4.00
Tarello Tile Co.
42.00
N. P. Hayes Co.
11.20
Mendell Electric & Supply Co.
19.34
De Wolf & Vincent
2.40
E. G. Baldwin Co.
45.00
Richard T. Thatcher
160.76
N. B. Boiler & Machine Co.
11.16
F. Otis Eldridge
2.10
A. L. Bliss
24.03
Sheerin-O'Brien
3.55
The Charles F. Wing Co.
25.09
Hathaway Machinery Co.
7.38
C. J. Birtwistle
67.50
Charles E. Unwin
4.00
Brown Electrical Co.
116.50
Charles H. Sisson, Inc.
33.63
Gunning Iron Works
47.51
Alvin Tunstall
115.00
$1,961.58
NEW EQUIPMENT
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
$ 3.74
L. C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Co.
205.00
Henry S. Wolkins
27.00
DeWolf & Vincent
24.85
44
Underwood Elliott Fisher Co. N. P. Hayes Co. Megansett Shores Corp.
207.50
25.49
112.50
Royal Typewriter Co. Stanley E. Smith Co.
210.00
5.88
$821.96
HEALTH
Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
$350.00
MISCELLANEOUS
Andrews & Pierce
$ 2.29
Thompson Electric Co.
. 8.13
Elmer Stevens
11.00
Sullivan & Crocker
2.00
Fairhaven High School Lunch Dept.
31.90
Chester M. Downing
8.40
Kirby's Express
.50
Xavier's Service Station
9.40
The Fairhaven Star
3.70
The A. E. Coffin Press
1.25
Mrs. Anna S. Leonard
28.75
E. E. Baudoin
3.50
Parson's Laundry
8.90
Darling's Flower Shop
14.15
Boston, Providence & Fall River Express
2.30
N. E. Transportation Co.
.50
Farm Service Co.
1.95
Rockland Transportation Co., Inc.
.75
Murray H. DeCoffe
1.75
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
9.09
F. William Kempf
7.50
Swift & Co.
5.78
Porter Trucking Co.
.77
Railway Express Agency
5.36
Charles Scribner's Sons
1.00
N. B. Dry Goods Co.
38.37
Alexander M. Clement
6.40
45
The Browne Pharmacy Chester M. Downing (Petty Cash) Fall River & New Bedford Express G. Vigeant Trucking Co. Alpio C. Bartholo
.35
8.45
.50
.30
6.00
$230.99
FUEL
City Coal Co.
$1,179.85
David Duff & Son
623.85
$1,803.70
GRAND TOTAL
$55,033.89
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
-
-
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
THE A. E. COFFIN PRESS-PRINTERS NEW BEDFORD, MASS.
1940
TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
William E. Benjamin Edward L. Besse
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 1939 - 1940 Lord Fairhaven, President Charles Mitchell, Vice-President Anna B. Trowbridge, Treasurer Avis M. Pillsbury, Secretary
STANDING COMMITTEES 1939 - 1940
Book Committee Lord Fairhaven, Chairman
Mr. Besse
Mrs. Hedge Mr. Mitchell Mrs. Pease
Finance Committee
Miss Trowbridge, Chairman
Mr. Benjamin
Mr. Luther Mr. Pope Mr. G. H. Tripp
House Committee Mr. T. A. Tripp, Chairman
Mr. Brownell
Miss Dana Mr. Gardner Miss Potter
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 1893-1909
Edmund Anthony, Jr. 1902
Henry H. Rogers, Jr.
1909-1935
Mrs. Sarah C. Anthony 1893-1912
Don C. Stevens 1893-1901
Mr. Lyman C. Bauldry 1913-1939 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
+The Lady Fairhaven 1893-1939
Job C. Tripp
1902-1917
James L. Gillingham 1893-1912
Charles W. White, Jr. 1902-1904
Frederick B. Lyman 1904-1909
Walter P. Winsor 1893-1911
Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye 1893-1919
Mrs. Mary B. Winsor
1893-1921
Officers and Committees appointed biennially
* Appointed April 7, 1939 succeeding his mother, Lady Fairhaven as president of the Board Appointed Trustee Nov. 3, 1939 + Passed away March 18, 1939
Morris R. Brownell Miss Edith Dana
*Lord Fairhaven William B. Gardner
* Mrs. Lothrop Hedge
LIBRARY STAFF
DECEMBER 31, 1939
Avis M. Pillsbury Librarian
Helen E. Beals
General Assistant
Mary Blum
General Assistant
Marion H. Hanford Cataloguer and Assistant
Blanche Tillinghast
General Assistant
Henry Gilmore Part time Page
Charles Worster
Janitor
OXFORD BRANCH
Albin Silva ...
In Charge
Henry Gilmore Assistant
RESIGNED DURING 1939
Emma A. Janowsky
General Assistant
Florence M. Wilkinson General Assistant
Report of the Librarian
To the Trustees of the Millicent Library:
"Books are like the windows of a great tower. They let light in." Thus wrote William L. Stidger, likening every life to a tower which needs windows here and there. Into the lives of many people, during the Millicent Library's forty-seven years of service, has come light from books. Year after year, the library continues to enrich the lives of those who have become acquainted with and have patron- ized it, and during 1939, 3,874 people, or 35.2% of the population, held unexpired borrowers cards. Registration figures for the year indicated that 629 people renewed their cards and 548 became new borrowers-a total of 1,177. 69 summer visitors were granted the privileges of the library. Unquestionably, there are others who, not holding cards, come to read or to seek information.
Ever before us is the hope of reaching a greater per- centage of our population, making them library conscious, also. But,-is it not possibly true that the Millicent Library sheds its light farther than is realized? The li- brarian holds the opinion that IF the Millicent Library should suddenly fail to function there would be a great re- action from our townspeople, and we would find that many of those who are not active patrons of the library, do know about it, are proud of it, and think of it as one of the most important and enduring institutions in Fairhaven.
ALL LIBRARIES ARE BUSY PLACES
Public libraries exist for the education and enjoyment of the people of a community. It is their business to distribute books, to make them known and to disperse in- formation found in them. In connection with this, there are many routine tasks of which the average public knows little or nothing. Functioning quietly as is the custom of libraries, it would be astonishing to most of our towns- people-and a revelation, too-to learn what duties are carried on by the combined staff of the Millicent Library during one working day of twelve hours. Multiplied by seven days a week for fifty-two weeks a year, the work ac- complished is considerable, and much of it is unrecordable in figures.
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WHAT DOES THE CIRCULATION TELL?
Circulation figures are tangible ones. They tell us how many books are borrowed, as well as the kind of books our patrons read. They might be called an index to the reading tastes of our borrowers, who together, during 1939, borrowed enough books to occupy the time of persons, read- ing continuously at the rate of one book a day, for 335 years and 217 days,-or-it would take five people, each reading a book a day for approximately 67 years, to reach 1939's total circulation of 122,576 books, of which 34,747, or 28.3%, was the juvenile contribution.
This total is less by 5,971 than a year ago, and repre- sents 6,249 adult loss and 278 juvenile gain. There is no occasion to worry over this decrease, for library statistics recorded over the last ten years seem almost to be a barometer to the economic conditions of a community. When business is good, time for reading is lessened, for there is more work to be done-more money for recreational activi- ties. When business is bad, the reverse is true, and libraries prove a great source of help to many people. If reports are correct, local business is really better than it was a year ago. Upon analyzing the loss, we find that 86.51% is fiction, and only 13.49% non-fiction loss, and that actually the percentage of non-fiction circulated during 1939 was higher, being 29.68% against not quite 29% in 1938 and 22% in 1928. It is encouraging to learn that during the past year our patrons borrowed more books of science, use- ful arts, fine arts, literature and biography. It is gratifying, too, to have even a small increase in the juvenile circulation, for, from school statistics we have learned that the school enrollment has been declining for several years and for 1939 was 208 less than for 1935.
The distribution of reading by agencies is shown in the following table :
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Grand Total
Total Gain or Loss Over 1938
% contribution to total
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Main Library Adult Juvenile Dup. Pay
51,436 15,597 3,272
21,639 5,903
73,075 21,500 3,272
97,847
-5,783 -506 +123
57.36
22.47
79.83
Oxford Branch Adult Juvenile
6,123
2,252
2,481 1,653
8,604 3,905
12,509
-862 -1,174
6.83
3.37
10.2
Oxford School Juvenile
2,344
860
3,204
3,204
-323
1.91
.70
2.61
E. Fairhaven
Branch Adult Juvenile
0
0
0
-2 860
1.23
.71
1.94
1,501
872
2,373
2,373
Anthony Sch. Juvenile
2,484
1,104
3,588
3,588
+3,062
2.03
.90
2.93
Rogers School Juvenile
59
2
61
61
+44
.0484
.0016
.05
High School
Library Adult Juvenile
1,043 85
1,835 31
2,878 116
2,994
+275 +35
.92
1.52
2.44
Total
86,196
36,380
122,576
122,576
-5,971
70.3284
29.6716
100.00
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By the addition of 588 pictures and 110 stereoscopes, the grand total of 123,274 was reached. 173 foreign books were borrowed, 106 being Portuguese, 62 French and 1 Italian. From a German collection borrowed from the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries, 4 books were loaned. 160 books, of which 36 were non-fiction, were bor- rowed on the special vacation reading privilege. For pro- fessional help, teachers took 463 books. 116 Millicentiana books featured in the "Fairhaven Star", and displayed on a special table in the library proved popular, 425 requests being made for these. 2,392 reserves for other books, an increase of 19.7% over a year ago, were filled, and 3,192 overdue postals were mailed.
THE BOOK COLLECTION MAKES THE LIBRARY WORTHWHILE
It is only by adding worthwhile books over a period of time that a fine library is built up. So, in selecting books, a librarian must look to the future. The Millicent Library has a collection to be proud of, both old and new. We hear ex- pressions of appreciation from people, surprised and pleased to find here so many of the latest books. On the other hand, there are others who are disappointed because we do not supply some of the talked about books that it has seemed unwise to buy. There is a question as to how far to go in filling requests for books of fiction for which a demand has been created by high pressure advertising and the effort of publishers to put such books in the class of those called "best sellers". Many books on these lists are to be highly com- mended and are decidedly worthwhile, but there are others, depressing and risqué, which would be criticized by as many or more of our patrons as would approve them. How many of this latter class should we buy? A few, perhaps, but cer- tainly they will not fill a permanent place on our library shelves. They are called for frequently, often by those who know nothing more about them than that they are adver- tised, talked about and therefore should be read. The mat- ter could be easily decided if such books were poorly written. But almost always, they are written by very capable authors, sometimes even by popular writers.
Perhaps these novels are based on fact, intended to expose existing conditions in order that improvements may be made
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to benefit society. If so, why not call a spade a spade, and learn the facts through books, not fictionized, that will give us a picture of the true condition of things. Modern non- fiction is as readable as fiction so to gain this knowledge, does one need to read sensational novels which give detailed accounts of vulgar conversation, of sex situations, of life un- der depressing conditions, of harrowing ordeals from which there seems to be little or no hope of escape? How far does this kind of reading serve to improve conditions or to uplift humanity already depressed by economic struggles, by war and conflict ? Does it not seem a pity that writers so capable could not write novels that would bring hope and inspira- tion to struggling mankind.
With a book budget as limited as is that of the Millicent Library, the purchase of such books means careful considera- tion. Yet, there is another type of book of temporary value which we are probably justified in buying. These are the so-called novels of escape which a large proportion of our borrowers ask for and read for relaxation. Among these may be classed the mystery novels, the western thrillers, the light but wholesome stories of romance. Presenting impos- sible situations, they nevertheless have plots sufficiently ex- citing to carry one far away from one's problems of the mo- ment. Though not of lasting value they have their place in the library.
Late in the year, a box inviting book suggestions from our patrons was placed near the desk, and we hope borrowers will make their wishes known.
THE 1939 BOOK ADDITIONS
Occasionally, the librarian or an assistant is asked if she reads all of the books that are added to the library. This is not such an absurd question to ask of people who deal with books, yet there is but one answer-"NO". "And why not" may be the reaction of the person who asked the ques- tion. The answer is simple. Taking the year 1939 for an example, 1,154 books were added. It would be highly de- sirable if the librarian and assistants could give an account from first hand knowledge of the contents of every new book added, but to read them all would mean that one would have averaged reading slightly more than three books a day for the entire year. That would be an impossibility, for routine
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