USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1940 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9
4.33
Estate of M. P. Whitfield
20.35
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
34.01
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
20.98
C. F. Wing Co.
3.92
Charles E. Unwin
2.50
Potter & Casey
.50
Ralph W. Silsby
28.20
Wilfred H. Vincent
3.00
Paisler & Willis
3.40
Sturtevant & Hook
.75
William N. Tinkham
8.00
N. P. Hayes Co.
101.80
Typewriter Headquarters
2.50
$1,100.30
NEW EQUIPMENT
Norris Hardware & Paint Co.
$1.10
Dudley Lock Corp.
9.87
American Type Founders Sales Corp.
88.39
Baldwin & Co.
98.50
DeWolf & Vincent
99.07
$296.93
HEALTH
Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
$350.00
43
FUEL
David Duff & Son Holmes Coal Co. Charles F. James
$ 917.80
876.27
5.00
$1,799.07
INSURANCE
Harold B. Dennie E. S. Whiting
$ 160.00
160.00
$ 320.00
TRANSPORTATION
City Hall Taxi
$ 544.71
Union St. Railway Co.
862.72
$1,407.43
MISCELLANEOUS
John E. C. Merker
$ $3.00
Parsons Laundry
5.36
A. S. Leonard
32.25
Carter, Rice & Co.
9.90
Chester M. Downing (Petty Cash)
9.74
Andrews & Pierce
.50
Commissioner of Public Safety
20.00
F. William Kempf
7.50
Louise Flower Shop
10.00
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
16.80
E. E. Boudoin
3.10
Fairhaven Star
3.30
$ 121.45
GRAND TOTAL
$56,021.55
44
SPECIAL REPAIRS
E. G. Baldwin & Co.
$ 646.76
Boston Sand Blast Co.
735.40
Tony P. Costa
305.39
Days' Electric Co.
369.00
C. F. Delano
20.47
Walter Douglas
42.06
J. J. Duggan & Son Roofing Co.
41.51
J. P. Eustic Mfg. Co.
14.40
Fairhaven Water Co.
13.05
F. W. Fraits
7.45
E. P. Hirst Co.
89.66
Lawrence B. Maxfield
236.93
New Bedford Steel & Supply Co.
54.60
Olson & Appleby
2,257.46
Edwin E. Peirce
81.00
John M. Reilly
330.58
Charles H. Sisson
1,110.04
Sullivan & Foster, Inc.
150.00
William Tallman
192.66
Richard T. Thatcher
301.58
Total
$7,000.00
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1940
THE A. E. COFFIN PRESS-PRINTERS NEW BEDFORD, MASS. 1941
TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
*Henry Rogers Benjamin Edward L. Besse
George B. Luther Charles Mitchell
Morris R. Brownell
Mrs. Eliza C. Pease
Miss Edith Dana Harry L. Pope
Lord Fairhaven Miss Mabel L. Potter
William B. Gardner
George H. Tripp
Mrs. Lothrop Hedge 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 Mrs. Hedge Mr. Mitchell Mrs. Pease
Mr. Besse
Finance Committee
Mr. Benjamin
Miss Trowbridge, Chairman Mr. Luther Mr. Pope Mr. G. H. Tripp
Mr. Brownell
House Committee Mr. T. A. Tripp, Chairman 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
William E. Benjamin
1893-1940
Mrs. H. H. Stillman
1919-1920
Miss Sara B. Clarke 1912-1933
George H. Taber
1893-1901
Miss Georgia E. Fairfield 1920-1928
Job C. Tripp 1902-1917
The Lady Fairhaven 1893-1939
Charles W. White, Jr. 1902-1904
James L. Gillingham 1893-1912
Walter P. Winsor
1893-1911
Frederick B. Lyman 1904-1909
Mrs. Mary B. Winsor
1893-1921
Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye 1893-1919
Officers and Committees appointed bienially
Appointed Trustee May 3, 1940 ** Passed away February 24, 1940
LIBRARY STAFF
DECEMBER 31, 1940
Avis M. Pillsbury Librarian
Helen E. Beals
General Assistant
Mary Blum
General Assistant
Marion H. Hanford Cataloguer and Assistant
Jessie B. Kitching General Assistant
Richard Burke Part time Page
Charles Worster Janitor
OXFORD BRANCH
Albin Silva In Charge
Richard Burke Assistant
RESIGNED DURING 1940
Blanche Tillinghast
General Assistant Henry Gilmore Part time Page
Report of the Librarian FOR THE YEAR 1940
To the Trustees of the Millicent Library :
"This, books can do ;- not this alone; they give New views to life, and teach us how to live; They soothe the grieved, the stubborn they chastise, Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise; Their aid they yield to all; they never shun The man of sorrow, not the wretch undone; Unlike the hard, the selfish and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Not tell the various people various things,
But show to subjects what they show to kings."
-Crabbe.
This, books can do, when they reach the people. In free America to-day, in an era when some of our foreign neighbors are being deprived of the privilege of books and reading, libraries are still considered as one of America's most prized possessions. They supply books to people. They are the guardians of the printed page. They are centers for the dispersal of knowledge. Wherever there is a public library, a community is made better and wiser.
"TIME ROLLS SWIFTLY AHEAD, AND ROLLS US WITH IT". -Seneca
During 1940, the Millicent Library broke no previous record. In its steady growth over the years, there have been years of amazing increase and years of moderate ac- complishment. Behind us, there is the knowledge of a service to a community faithfully and eagerly rendered ; ahead, there are new goals to reach.
Economic changes have been factors that have greatly influenced the library's growth, and at times have sent the circulation figures into a skyrocket high. Now, we face a new crisis in the history of the world-one which is making demands upon the time and energy of our citizens. Women are busy with Red Cross knitting and sewing, in working
6
out refugee problems, in helping in a number of ways- many youth and men are working in camps and in new posts that have been created to meet the emergency pressing upon us. The result is an inevitable one. Less reading is being done. Yet, libraries are more than ever needed to supply books.
BOOKS- that "GIVE NEW VIEWS TO LIFE".
These are needed. They teach! They help one to form, even to change opinions. They arouse a desire for further knowledge-a desire to learn the truth. They have been the means of giving many a reader new hope and courage in days of depression. They bring relaxation and forgetfulness to many a tired soul.
We need libraries-to serve those who could not other- wise have books. Books are expensive, and a large or even a moderately sized library can be had by only a few.
During 1940, the Millicent Library added to its col- lection 1531 books and withdrew 1203, as analyzed in the table below :
Added
Withdrawn
Adult
%
Juvenile
%
Adult
Juvenile
Fiction
479
31.2
275
18
218
603
Non-Fiction
661
43.2
116
7.6
34
348
TOTAL
1140
74.4
391
25.6
252
951
1531
1203
40% of the books purchased for the year 1940 were adult fiction. 38.1% were adult non-fiction. 15.7% fiction and 6.2% non-fiction were purchased for the juvenile de- partment. 123 books were added to the Duplicate Pay collection and 107 transferred to the regular shelves after they had earned the amount they cost. 37 books were re- bound to prolong their usefulness.
7
Books on all subjects-on as many phases as possible of each subject is the aim of almost every public library. It takes years to build up such a collection. We build today for tomorrow to add to that great treasure chest of books to which our borrowers have access. The books in the col- lection of the Millicent Library now total 41,526.
In the 1939 report, a statement was made regarding the selection of books for this permanent build-up, and to fill temporary need. Questions were raised as to the value of adding much advertised risqué and depressing novels, the demand for which is often temporary. The thought that this statement would call forth comments did not occur to us. That it was a question in the minds of others was evident, since it evoked editorials from two of the local newspapers and a notation from the third, brought com- ments from patrons, and was published in part in the October 15th issue of "The Library Journal" a magazine of library interest which circulates all over the country. There were some adverse criticisms of course, and we welcomed these, for they help to give us the viewpoint of others; but we found more in agreement with us on this subject. So this problem of book buying is no trivial matter.
The withdrawals for 1940 as analyzed in the preced- ing table were unusually high. In the Children's Room were many old books, seldom if ever used, and others old and tattered beyond satisfactory repair. The shelves were overcrowded. The withdrawal of the 951 books gave us extra space, thus helping to partially solve another problem.
BOOKS- "THEIR AID THEY YIELD TO ALL" WHO SEEK THEM.
During 1940, 517 new people sought to become ac- quainted with the resources of the Millicent Library, and 629 came to renew their privileges, making a total of 3,641 people in the community who were registered for a three year period to share in book borrowing. 61.7% were adult and 38.3% juvenile borrowers. 10.2% were registered at the Oxford Branch Library. Of the total, 12.6% were resi- dents of towns surrounding Fairhaven. To 73 summer visitors was granted the courtesy of a three month's tem- porary card.
8
It would be interesting to know the exact count of people who come to the library for other reasons than to borrow books. Many come to read magazines and news- papers, some come to study or to consult reference volumes. A count taken during a week in March, from 6 to 9 o'clock in the evening, revealed that 1,015 came into the library. For this period of 21 hours, the average was 145 people an hour.
AND THUS WE SERVE
"Enough, if something from our hands have power To live, and act, and serve the future hout".
-Wordsworth.
The Millicent Library was open for 263,520 minutes of service to the public during 1940. Leaving the library, one by one, on an average schedule of one in every two and a third minutes, a procession of 114,201 books marched around the year 1940, stopping for a while at the homes of our 3,641 borrowers before joining the return parade. The 1940 march of books from the library was somewhat less than usual, with no satisfactory explanation other than reasons already offered.
The loss of 6.8% was a general one, affecting every de- partment and branch, excepting only the High School li- brary where there was a gain of 1 book, and the Anthony School collection where a gain of 351 is indicated.
Of the 114,201 books circulated, 30,043 or 26.3% were loaned to juvenile readers, and 84,158 books or 73.7% to adults.
Non-fiction circulation was 32,887, or 28.8%. The loss is not quite 1% over 1939. This is gratifying, since it shows that the reading of more serious books is not declining noticeably. A slight gain was shown in the borrowing of bibliographical works and in philosophy. Aside from the circulation of current magazines, the four classes of non- fiction that contributed the most to the total circulation were in order: literature, useful arts, travel and biography.
The accompanying table shows the distribution of reading :
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Grand Total
Total Gain or Loss Over 1939
% contribution to total
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Main Library Adult Juvenile Dup. Pay
50,677 13,545 3,032
19,894 5,248
70,571 18,793 3,032
92,396
-2,504 -2,707 -240
58.9
22.
80.9
Oxford Branch Adult Juvenile
5,276
2,440 1,367
7,716 3,553
-888
6.5
3.3
9.8
Oxford School Juvenile
1,165
446
1,611
1,611
-1,593
1.02
4
1.42
E. Fairhaven Branch Juvenile
1,181
810
1,991
1,991
-382
Anthony School Juvenile
2,800
1,139
3,939
3,939
+351
2.45
1.
3.45
High School Library Adult Juvenile
1,329
1,510
2,839 156
2,995
-39 +40
1.3
1.4
2.7
Rogers School
-61
Total
81,314
32,887
114,201
114,201
-8,375
71.2
28.8
100.
9
1.03
7
1.73
1
123
33
11,269
-- 352
2,186
10
The circulation per capita was 10.3 and per registered borrower 31.3 books.
The circulation of 712 pictures, 124 more than a year ago, 84 stereoscopes and 2 maps brought the grand total of circulation to 114,999.
Foreign books circulated totalled 196, consisting of 156 Portuguese and 40 French books. 92 fiction and 22 non- fiction, a total of 114, were borrowed on the summer vaca- tion privilege. Teachers borrowed 341 books for profes- sional aid.
We have borrowed a much larger number of books than usual from other libraries for borrowers requiring them for special reasons. We are grateful to those who have loaned them to us: the Massachusetts Division of Public Libraries, and the public libraries of Boston, Brook- line, New Bedford, and Newton.
A report came toward the close of 1940 from the Book- mobile, operating under the Massachusetts Division of Pub- lic Libraries that on several visits made from July through December in the East Fairhaven section of town 165 books had been distributed, 63 to adults, and 102 to children.
For 133 books featured on the Millicentiana table, 324 requests were left. 1,807 reserves were filed for books other than these.
Overdue books and the collection of fines present a problem. 3,474 first, second and third overdue notices were sent, after which, when necessary, follow-up letters were mailed. There are always a few who are delinquent, re- sulting in a small percentage of loss to the library, and if settlement is not made, the loss to the borrower of borrow- ing books.
A new system of recording fines was put into operation during the year. Cards bearing fines were listed in a file which may be consulted at a minute's notice when any question arises or when cards are renewed.
50 borrower's cards which had been left at the library over a period of time were mailed to the borrowers in Oc- tober. This served to clear our file and to renew contact with these patrons.
11
SCHOOL WORK
" 'Tis education forms the common mind; Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined." -Pope
There has always been an unusually fine spirit of co- operation between the schools and the library. During 1940, 65 classroom libraries were loaned, this being an in- crease of 16 over 1939. 1,765 books were sent out in these collections, and special requests from the teachers for par- ticular books or classes of books have been filled as far as possible. From teacher's records, for the school year from September 1939 to June 1940, 3,057 circulations were re- ported on books in classroom libraries.
The continuance of the library at the Edmund Anthony School has been more than justified. There has always been an enthusiastic response for books placed there, and now, in its third year, it has had a record circulation, with a gain already noted.
The Oxford School library was discontinued in Febru- ary upon the request from the principal, but with the work- ing plan somewhat altered, it was resumed again in late September and now continues to lend books to the children of the school, some of whom would not or could not return to the Oxford Branch library during the evening hours it is open.
The East Fairhaven School library has functioned normally, and the High School library continues as usual.
Collections in these various agencies have been changed or added to as the need has arisen.
These school deposits, in districts too far from the main library for the majority of boys and girls to come to regular- ly, serve a definite need. The encouragement given these children to help them form a reading habit during the first few years at school will undoubtedly help to make better citizens. Reading for fun helps to create a love for reading, which may result in filling a recreational need as much as other diversions.
12
W PA AND NY A WORK
"The sum of wisdom is, that the time is never lost that is devoted to work." -Emerson.
As repairs on books have been required, they have been made by the W P A and NY A assistants. Records show :
4,849 books mended
2,720 books rebacked 320 books recased
3,631 books relettered and shellacked
Recuttering, occasional typing and filing, the making of scrapbooks that are very much enjoyed by little folk, and have even been sent to classroom libraries, aid in vacation reading club publicity and in mimeograph work are some of the things accomplished in over 3,000 hours of miscella- neous work done by these groups. There have been some changes in the personnel, but at the end of the year, there were six workers, three in each group.
Under the direction of the American Imprints Survey of the WP A, a worker was assigned to the library in July to make a record of all books in its possession bearing American imprint dates prior to 1876. 967 books were found and listed.
Later, in the fall, a listing was made by the Historical Record Survey of the W P A of special items from our file of local material.
YOUTH CHALLENGES US
"The youth of a nation are the trustees of posterity." -Disraeli
Youth likes variety, and to keep the boys and girls interested in reading is a challenge, for tomorrow they will be the adult readers of the community.
The twelfth annual reading club swung into activity on June 26th, and a happy band of youngsters followed the trail to Zoo-Land during the summer months. The world of nature was the theme and the troupe of young travellers journeyed in a very modern fashion, via bus and train over
13
super-highways, and by airliners to rocky coasts and polar regions, to river valleys and mountain heighths to find treas- ures to take along in the parade to Zoo-Land.
More books than ever before were read-1,168 in all, of which 546, or 46.7% were non-fiction. 74 joined the club, and 55 read three or more books.
It is amazing how evenly the interest was divided be- tween the wee ones and those in the upper grades. In reading interest, grade 4 lead the group, followed by the 7th, 3rd, 6th, 2nd, 9th, 5th, 8th and finally the 1st. Travel books were the most popular of the non-fiction books, while next in interest came books of science and useful arts, then little readers and fairy tales, literature and biography, history and art.
In membership interest, the 4th graders again held first place, then came the 3rd, 2nd, 5th and 7th, the 6th, 8th, 9th and 1st. One little boy, too young to read, wanted to join the club, and since we did not want to thwart such youthful enthusiasm, we gave him credit when he told us the stories his mother read to him.
The annual party held during Book Week, brought a very happy surprise to twelve children, who, deserving the honor, received book awards from Mr. Henry Rogers Benjamin.
STORY HOURS ARE FUN
"The tree that grows in Storyland Is never, never bare, No matter when you go to look, You'll find a story there." -Maud Lindsay
Following the usual custom, a combined story hour and club period was held on each Wednesday morning during the school vacation, and according to the plan followed for several summers, the school bus was engaged to convey the boys and girls from the north section of town. The attendance for 11 story hours averaged 89.5. Delight- ful stories for the entertainment of the children were told by Mrs. Carey Hood, Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Mrs. Helen Luce, Miss Beatrice Mosgrove, Mrs. Sheldon Rogers, Miss Evelyn Smith, Miss Mildred Webb, Mrs. Linden White and members of the staff.
14
BOOK WEEK "Good books-Good friends."
Precedent was broken in 1940 when we postponed the Book Week activities planned for the Millicent Library, and observed them a week later than the date set for the national observance. Coinciding with Education Week, teachers, parents and young people were too busy with school activities to participate in library affairs and it seemed needless to cause interest to be divided. Book Week is an important week in the library year. It is an oppor- tunity to recall to our adult borrowers how the library hopes to serve them and to acquaint them with outstanding books of the year, particularly the very newest ones, so many of which are published during the fall season.
"Good books - Good friends" was the advertised slogan of 1940, and the library took on a nautical atmos- phere as a lighthouse of books came into being, with a bookish anchor and a life preserver, along with a pilot's wheel, which, revolving around and around, suggested book titles and showed author's pictures, with a request to "Sail on the Good Ship Millicent" and "Chart your Course through a Sea of Books".
For the children, small mimeographed folders were distributed at the schools. Each child presenting at the library the key contained therein, was permitted to unlock a tiny chest wherein were found bookmarks to be taken home.
The Tea
The usual Book Week Tea was featured on Wednesday, November 20th, and the Trustees Room was gay with books and flowers, a glowing fire and an inviting table. A group of children, with colorful aprons and head bands which indicated the journey to Zoo-Land taken during the summer,-and thus honored because of credits earned,- welcomed about 90 adult guests and helped serve tea. Mrs. Z. W. Pease and Miss Mabel Potter poured.
The Girl Scouts entertain
The week ended with a marionette performance of "Snow White", presented at the Town Hall on Saturday
15
morning, November 23rd to an enthusiastic audience of 175 wiggling boys and girls. This was presented by the Corn- flower Troop of Girl Scouts, and those taking part were Cynthia Trull, Lois Swift, Anna Reilly, Judith Barstow, Joan Osborne, Nancy Eldredge, Shirley Cowan, Mary Packwood and Shirley Stetson, under the able leadership of Mrs. Madeline Barstow.
EXHIBITS
"I do love to note and to observe." -Ben Jonson
Early in the year, some exceptionally fine paper weights, both old and new, were loaned by Mrs. F. Kimball White of South Dartmouth. The next display was a splen- did collection of silhouettes and daguerreotypes, collected by Mrs. Hannah Martin. These were the property of Mrs. Martin, Jean Parkinson, Sally, Frances and Betty Wilde, and the Prichard Studio of Mattapoisett.
Albert W. Tripp and Mrs. Julia Keane loaned some interesting and odd stones. Interesting, modern dolls be- longing to Shirley Cowan, and two old-fashioned ones loaned by Miss Margaret Mooney attracted attention, while a very modern French doll which was exhibited was given to the library by Mrs. William A. Clough. Miniature elephants of various colors and sizes were loaned by Channing Hayward.
A collection displayed for several weeks in the fall and belonging to Mrs. May L. B. Taylor, a former Fairhaven resident, consisted of Civil War material and curios from various places. Campaign and odd sticker buttons made an unusual and interesting exhibit loaned by Miss Pearl Green- wood in December.
An unusual cactus, called the "Spoon caltus" in Arizo- na, brought to the library by Mrs. D. H. Gillingham, was displayed at the desk and brought forth many comments from those who saw it.
The various exhibits, featured from time to time, add much to the enjoyment of people who come to the library, and through newspaper publicity, undoubtedly attract some who would not otherwise come.
16
GIFTS TO BE SHARED
"Not what we give, but what we share,-
For the gift without the giver is bare." -Lowell
Outstanding among the gifts of the year was an orien- tal rug received in April, sent by Lord Fairhaven from his mother's estate, the late Lady Fairhaven. The rug, cover- ing almost the entire floor, is attractive in the Trustees Room. A water-color painting of Lady Fairhaven received from her son has been hung on the north wall in the Chil- dren's Room, and a fine photograph of Lord Fairhaven has been placed in the Trustees Room.
Gifts of books, magazines, pictures, pamphlets and clippings, a number of which are of local interest, have been received from the following: Mrs. W. E. Alton, Mr. Walter O. Cook, Mrs. Elida C. Denton, Mrs. Edith A. Eld- ridge, Mrs. Lillian Gifford, Miss Pearl Greenwood, Mr. John Hayward, Mrs. A. Henderson, Mrs. Grace E. Johnson, Mr. Charles Mitchell, Miss Margaret Mooney, Mrs. C. L. Nich- olson, Mrs. Horace Nye, Mrs. Mary Oliver, Mrs. Robert Philip, Mr. Harry L. Pope, Miss Mabel Potter, Mr. James Reynolds, Mrs. Judith H. Russell, Mr. Thomas A. Tripp, Miss Anna B. Trowbridge, the late Mr. Henry Waldron and Mrs. Thomas Whitfield. Out-of-town people whose names should be included are: Mrs. Chester Bolton of Ohio, Mrs. E. C. Capen, and Mr. and Mrs. Felix Riesenberg, Jr., of California, Mrs. Irene Anthony Chase of Fall River, and Mrs. Anna Walker of New Bedford.
BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE
"Keep up appearances; there lies the test; The world will give thee credit for the rest." -Churchill
Repairs and purchases of equipment were rather heavy for the year 1940. During the winter, two radiators were installed along the south wall to offset a drafty condition. In the summer, it was necessary to make expensive repairs on the boiler and all tubes were replaced, and a new blow- down pipe installed. Two valves were needed during the year.
17
It was necessary to make repairs on the clock in the Reading Room, to one of the typewriters and to the front door checkspring. The janitor installed a very useful elec- tric plug in the office, resurfaced the screen door, and re- varnished the floors of the Reading Room, Children's Room, office and the stacks.
In May, two new oriental rugs were purchased to re- place two very worn ones near the display case in the Read- ing Room, and 24 window shades were renewed in various parts of the library. During the spring and summer, pur- chases were made of four steel chairs, an electric fan, a Demco clamp and drill to aid in the recasing of books, and a visible magazine file which is a great improvement over the old system. To the janitor's equipment, a new ladder was added.
THE PERSONNEL OF THE LIBRARY
Individual effort is, after all, the grand thing." -Spurgeon
Trustees
In the Trustees records of March 1st was recorded the passing on February 24, 1940, of Mr. William Evarts Ben- jamin, one of the original members of the Board of Trustees, whose term of service covered 47 years.
To fill this vacancy, his son, Mr. Henry Rogers Ben- jamin, was appointed a new Trustee of the Board, on May 3rd.
The Staff
Changes must come in every staff from time to time. It was a fortunate coincident that Miss Jessie Kitching, a 1940 Vassar graduate was added to our regular staff in Septem- ber, just two months before Miss Blanche Tillinghast re- signed on November 1st, to be married.
The willingness and eagerness on the part of each member of the staff to assist the public efficiently has been unusually noticeable during the past year. It is this kind of a spirit that builds up a feeling of good-will over a period of time.
18
Henry Gilmore, a page for nearly two years, resigned in August to go to college, and was succeeded by Richard Burke. Mr. Charles Eddy substituted during Mr. Worster's vacation.
The librarian has been called upon to talk before a number of groups. Local library club meetings have been attended by some of the trustees, and by the librarian and members of the staff, as advisable. A most enjoyable and helpful meeting was the Northfield conference of the Mass- achusetts Library Association, which the librarian attended, accompanied by Miss Anna B. Trowbridge and Miss Mary Blum.
AS THE YEAR CLOSES
"We are always looking to the future; the present does not satisfy us .- Out ideal, whatever it may be, lies further on." -Gillett.
Many have joined in contributing to a year of normal activity at the Millicent Library. There has been the same splendid cooperation from the local newspapers: "The Fair- haven Star", "The Standard-Times", "The Morning Mer- cury". The aid of the School Department- of superinten- dent, principals and teachers in cooperative endeavor with the library- is highly appreciated; our thanks is extended to the town officials for kindly assistance on several occa- sions; we convey our gratitude to those who in contributing gifts, lending exhibits and telling stories to the children have added to the enjoyment of our patrons. The staff has worked loyally with the welfare of the library always in mind.
The never-flagging interest of the Trustees, their help in advising, reviewing books, their confidence in and loyalty to the librarian is more deeply appreciated than can be ex- pressed in words.
The work of 1940 is finished, and, as the curtain drops on the 48th year of service of the Millicent Library, we look forward to the future- to the challenging issues of 1941.
Respectfully submitted,
AVIS M. PILLSBURY,
January 14, 1941.
Librarian.
Statistical Reports Pages 20 - 22
Statistical Report
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
American Library Association Form of Statistics.
Annual Report for the Year Ending December 31, 1940.
Name of library-The Millicent Library.
Town-Fairhaven, Mass.
Librarian-Avis M. Pillsbury.
Date of founding-1893.
Population served (Census 1940)
. 10,985
Assessed valuation of town
$10,755,480.
Terms of use-Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies
12
Consisting of-Central Library.
5 stations (Oxford Branch, Oxford School Deposit, East Fairhaven School Deposit, Edmund Anthony School Deposit, High School Library) 6 schools (65 classroom collections)
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 366
Hours open each week for lending
84
Hours open each week for reading
84
BOOK STOCK
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols. at beginning of year
33,646
7,552
41,198
Vols. added by purchase
966
373
1,339
Vols. added by gift
170
18
188
Vols. added by binding material not other- wise counted
4
4
Total volumes added
1,140
391
1,531
Volumes lost or withdrawn
252
951
1,203
Total volumes at end of year
34,534
6,992
41,526
Periodicals currently received (Titles 149, Copies 161)
Publications issued (4 bulletins, 1 annual report)
21
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Vols. of fiction loaned
60,314
21,000
81,314
Total volumes loaned
84,158
30,043
114,201
Percentage of fiction of total vol. loaned .. Circulation per capita
71.6%
69.8%
71.2%
10.3
Circulation per registered borrower
31.36
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc., loaned
798
REGISTRATION
Adult
Juvenile Total
Borrowers registered during year
668
478
1,146
Total of registered borrowers
2,246
1,395
3,641
Percent registered borrowers of population served
33.2%
Vols. placed in collections in school rooms are counted in circulation on the day they are moved from Central Library, and no complete record of use at the school is recorded.
Classified Accessions, Withdrawals and Circulation, 1940
CIRCULATION
ACCESSIONS
WITHDRAWALS
Main Library
Oxford Branch
Oxford School
Anthony 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
1 Periodicals
8,687 159
2 General Works Philosophy
100
42
42
1
1
530
14
8
3
14
49
9
7
392
Religion
200
20
2
22
11
11
224
86
Sociology
300
80
14
94
2
60
62
1,219
589
14
139
121
140
104
89
2,415
Language
400
8
17
25
1
84
85
148
1,064
358
90
206
137
1
2,004
Science
500
17
15
32
28
28
550
490
12
110
78
148
87
55
1,530
Useful Arts
600
103
15
118
11
15
26
2,408
554
44
92
29
103
73
81
3,384
Fine Arts
700
87
4
91
17
22
1,888
259
29
39
10
60
62
30
2,377
Literature
800
59
5
64
2
58
60
1,840
730
15
228
45
154
141
581
1
3,735
History
900
53
8
61
4
34
38
924
204
18
81
20
78
40
84
4
3,323
Travel
910-919
95
8
103
6
31
37
2,021
602
65 26
104 76
9
135 57
77
28
2,769
Biography Pamphlets
B-920
77
4
81
1
9
10
1,934 88
90
Total non-fiction
661
116
777
34
348
382
19,894
5,248
2,440
1,367
446
1,139
810
1,510
33
32,887
Fiction
479
275
754
218
603
821
50,677
13,545
5,276
2,186
1,165
2,800
1,181
1,329
123
3,032
81,314
GRAND TOTAL
1,140
391
1,531
252
951 | 1,203
70,571 | 18,793 89,364
7,716
3,553
1,611
3,939
1,991
2,839
156
3,032
114,201
11,269
2,995
1
1. Not accessioned
Pictures Stereoscopes
84
Maps
2
Total
114,999
24
44
1
1
2
132
14
4
9
21
573
5,988
353
2,209
137
000
20
26
80
286
1,449
289
273 2
712
2. Includes bound magazines
INDEX
Page
Accounting Officer
Analysis of Appropriation Accounts 51
Balance Sheet
57
Cash Receipts and Payments
27
Aid to Dependent Children
24
Animal Inspector
112
Assessors Department
93
Auditors
97
Board of Appeals
103
Building Inspector
110
Dog Officer
92
Emergency Relief
128
Fire Department
104
Fire Alarm Superintendent
109
Health Department
120
Animal Inspector
112
Slaughter Inspector
113
Health Nursing Service
122
Highway Department
98
Millicent Library
1-21
Moth Superintendent
119
Old Age Assistance
25
Park Department
141
Planning Board
100
Police Department
84
Public Welfare Department
Aid to Dependent Children
20
Old Age Assistance
21
Public Welfare
18
Town Physician
144
Retirement Board
115
Safety Council
126
School Department
Superintendent's Report
10
High School Principal
15
School Nurse
20
Expenditures
28
Sealer of Weights and Measures
116
Page 15
Selectmen Sewer Department
125
Shellfish Inspector
114
Slaughter Inspector
113
Soldiers' Relief
22
State Audit
137
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
109
Tax Collector
68
Town Clerk
Births
73
Marriages
77
Deaths
81
Town Meeting Members
8
Town Officers
4
Town Physician
144
Treasurer
Cash Account
62
Debt and Interest 1941
64
Outstanding Debt 1940
63
Trust Funds 1940
65
Tree Warden
119
Trust Fund Commissioners
67
Works Projects Administration
128
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.