USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1942 > Part 8
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SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Children may enter the first grade if they are five years and six months of age on or before September 1 of the current school year. Consequently children will be admitted to the first grade: in September 1943 if born on or before March 1, 1938. Certifi- cates of birth and vaccination are required at the time of en -- trance.
COMPULSORY SCHOOL AGE
All children must attend school between the ages of seven and sixteen. Certain exceptions may be made by written permis- sion of the Superintendent of Schools for children who have reached the age of fourteen and have completed the sixth grade.
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
Employment permits, sometimes called "School Cards," are required for all persons under twenty-one who are employed in manufacturing, mechanical, mercantile, and certain other work. These may be obtained at the office of the Superintendent of Schools. The minor must appear in person and present a birth certificate or other suitable evidence of age.
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October 1, 1942
Age Groups
5-7
7-14
Illiterate 16-21
Total
Boys
143
811
954
Girls
149
813
962
Total
292
1624
-
1916
Distribution :
In Public Schools
198
1290
1488
In Private Schools
72
256
328
In Vocational Schools
8
8
Not in School
22
70
92
Total
292
1624
1916
161
Itemized Expenditures
GENERAL CONTROL
Flavel M. Gifford, Superintendent
$3,661.69
Flavel M. Gifford, Travel Expense
68.37
Beatrice DeCoffe, Clerk
1,166.00
Phyllis Greene, Substitute Clerk
36.35
Walter G. Spencer, Attendance Officer
1.50
Charles H. Lawton, Attendance Officer
175.00
Hannah Martin, School Census
125.00
Baldwin & Co.
13.15
Commonwealth of Mass., Division of Accts.
9.03
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
35.90
.J. D. Raymond
4.00
Typewriter Headquarters, Inc.
2.50
Hutchinson's Book Store
1.65
Wright & Potter Printing Co.
8.21
.C. F. Delano
10.80
L. S. McKenna Typewriter Co.
1.85
James Evans, Postmaster
64.14
.John S. Cheever Co.
11.73
H. S. Horne & Co.
9.20
$5,409.57
TEXTBOOKS
Scott, Foresman & Co.
$210.27
Georgia School Book Depository
10.73
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
23.80
Noble & Noble
36.18
World Book Co.
9.29
C. C. Birchard & Co.
67.81
Ginn & Co.
10.64
D. C. Heath & Co.
19.41
Harcourt, Brace & Co.
27.65
Beckley-Cardy Co.
3.25
D. Appleton Century Co.
1.60
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
3.50
F. S. Brightman Co.
2.25
162
Houghton Mifflin Co. The Education Digest The Macmillan Co. Rand McNally Co. John B. Perry
71.95
5.00
355.34
820.76
.69
Row, Peterson & Co.
3.01
Webster Publishing Co.
9.44
American Book Co.
182.87
R. H. Hinkley Co.
13.50
Hall & McCreary
13.50
The John C. Winston Co.
7.09
$1,906.03
SUPPLIES
Scott, Foresman & Co.
$241.02
Superintendent of Documents
1.00
Jamjes W. Brine Co., Inc.
49.11
O. H. Toothaker
51.86
American Education Press, Inc.
140.71
John S. Cheever Co.
135.34
J. L. Hammett Co.
303.93
Allyn & Bacon
2.78
Webster Publishing Co.
46.59
American Book Co.
25.53
Hutchinson's Book Store
11.52
Winnetka Education Press, Inc.
52.14
Robert A. Wilcox Co.
119.78
C. F. Delano
12.59
Young America
17.75
F. S. Brightman Co.
35.13
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
18.68
Baldwin & Co.
11.25
D. C. Heath & Co.
3.68
The Palmer Co.
8.54
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
128.43
Phillips Paper Co.
215.04
Gledhill Brothers
544.87
Remington Rand, Inc.
39.61
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
2.40
World Book Co.
6.92
Bureau of Publications
2.10
$2,228.30
163
TEACHERS
Laurence A. Fogg
$2,160.75
Mary A. S. Sale
1,666.80
Edith P. Bixby
1,301.95
Rose Caton
1,464.70
Mary S. Fletcher
1,434.98
Mildred R. Hall
1,464.70
Florence A. Kamandulis
857.92
Hazel M. Lovering
1,464.70
Helen J. Maxwell
646.10
Katharine A. Tiernan
414.45
Helen L. Newton
1,464.70
Arthur P. Bixby
1,818.05
Agnes Athan Smith
1,441.46
Loretta G. DuPre
414.45
Elina Davidson
1,464.70
Anne Surinski
1,464.70
Dorothy S. Turner
1,420.10
Clarence E. MaGuire
2,373.85
Marion L. Ryder
1,413.23
Mildred Borden
414.45
Claire Gardner
1,021.60
Helen R. Porter
1,301.95
Elizabeth P. Sherman
1,249.15
Eleanor M. Skahill
1,434.98
Mildred E. Webb
1,449.84
Helena Stanley Kennedy
1,590.90
Caroline R. Gilmore
1,464.70
Helen S. MacIntosh
707.70
Shirley A. Thompson
453.90
Anna P. Malone
1,464.70
Edith A. M'Namara
1,464.70
Mildred F. Smith
1,301.95
Mary Toledo
1,464.70
Margaret McGuire O'Leary
2,121.30
Catherine E. Harney
938.40
Ann O'D. Brow
1,489.75
R. Annette Cooke
1,100.00
Charlotte M. Forgeron
1,108.73
Yvonne Richard McBreen
1,145.67
Dorothy B. Rogers
1,301.95
Ruth E. Small
1,094.62
Ruth R. Stone
1,093.95
164
Eileen J. Walsh
1,097.31
Elizabeth Hastings
1,815.65
Caroline T. Feindel
892.45
Gloria O. Marshall
414.45
Virginia M. Leonard
192.24
Harry Rogers
323.16
Ailie Waris Wiley
830.85
Marion L. Congdon
414.45
W. Wilbor Parkinson
322.94
Eileen O'Connell
414.45
Clarence W. Arey
142.20
Alexander M. Clement
215.69
Helen B. Cushing
963.65
Lillian E. Elliott
572.39
Elfreda C. Samuels
252.60
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
507.75
Cuthbert W. Tunstall
276.30
Agnes T. Santry
1,114.25
Katharine A. Sheridan
414.45
Constance Lumbard
25.00
Chester M. Downing
300.00
Evelyn L. Teixeira
54.45
Ellen Rex
590.00
Dorothea L. Jameson
142.05
Hazel B. Raymond
167.50
Mary Durfee Romer
102.60
Ruth Wilbur
222.50
Doris W. Bruce
607.50
Katherine Sherman
260.00
Mildred Eaton
227.50
Gertrude Young
300.00
Ruby Fogg
50.00
Bertha Slater
40.00
Thelma Bennett
66.00
Mary J. Kerrish
15.00
$68,679.21
ADULT ALIEN EDUCATION
Clarence E. MaGuire
$196.00
Mary A. Smith
159.00
Bertha Slater
96.00
Margaret MaGuire O'Leary
3.00
165
Marie Louise Whitfield Edward Richard
90.00 53.00
$597.00
JANITORS
Charles H. Lawton
$1,240.08
Walter G. Spencer
1,266.80
A. James Ellis
1,292.80
Arthur H. Westgate
1,266.80
Edward Richard
1,366.72
Louis B. Anderson
657.00
John Schofield
592.63
Charles J. Astin
58.14
George Blechinger
3.40
John Pimblett
4.40
$7,748.77
TRANSPORTATION
City Hall Taxi Co.
$254.90
Union St. Railway Co.
1,459.39
Alexander A. Hadfield
1,850.41
Robert B. Ferguson
90.00
Robert Ferguson
210.00
$3,864.70
FUEL
David Duff & Son
$3,072.90
Charles F. James
18.00
Dennis Mahoney & Sons
16.25
$3,107.15
MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES
C. F. Delano
$82.36
Kennedy & Kirwin
190.45
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
429.09
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
1,464.80
Woodland's Market
11.74
166
.20
Nye's Store J. 1. Holcomb Mfg. Co.
61.43
F. Otis Eldridge
2.00
Masury-Young Co.
27.95
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
9.19
State Prison Colony
14.41
Wilfred's Market
2.07
The Millicent Library
110.63
Fairhaven Water Co.
574.10
E. C. Sherman
22.34
Reformatory for Women
32.97
David Duff & Son
37.50
John J. Gobell Co.
13.80
Rose's Market
3.49
Phaneuf & Son
.65
$3,091.17
REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS
C. J. Birtwistle
$4.50
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
1.75
Center Lumber & Supply Co.
2.08
Dura Binding Co.
4,00
Tony P. Costa
165.97
C. F. Delano
51.50
American Saw Service
1.25
Reformatory for Women
32.97
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
1.60
John M. Reilly
200.99
Potter & Casey
1.50
Edward Richard
17.00
Joseph Roza
1.00
Charles H. Sisson
47.26
J. J. Duggan & Son Roofing Co.
5.85
William N. Tinkham
13.25
E. G. Baldwin
31.48
Day's Electric Shop
37.00
Walter F. Douglas
8.75
Fairhaven Water Co.
4.10
M. D. Thompson & Son
4.00
State Prison Colony
9.85
Est. M. P. Whitfield
54.19
John J. Gobell Co.
6.50
167
Edwin E. Peirce Carl Govoni N. E. Plate Glass Co.
2.25
2.25
1.00
$713.84
OUTLAY
Est. Thomas W. Croacher
$5.60
Combustion Control Corp.
910.00
$915.60
HEALTH
Lena Howland, R. N.
$1,758.50
The Browne Pharmacy
28.31
Charles E. P. Thompson
150.00
Roche Renaud Co., Inc.
3.20
$1,940.01
MISCELLANEOUS
F. M. Gifford (Petty Cash Account)
$5.00
Ernest L. Hoar
26.77
The Army Store
2.95
Commissioner of Public Safety
50.00
The Fairhaven Star
46.00
Dura Binding Co.
4.00
Babe's Store
5.50
Anne Leonard
13,80
Noon Hour Duty (4 bldgs.)
197.70
$351.72
INSURANCE
Cornish & Co., Inc.
99.20
Humphrey & Covill
33.28
Whitworth & Co.
167.76
Elisha Whiting Agency
29.60
Federated Hardware Mutuals
26.40
Harry L. Pope
474.31
Harold B. Dennie
103.20
168
Goddard & Borden James Henshaw
12.00 221.22
$1,166.97
TUITION
City of New Bedford, Dept. of Public Schools
$101.69
GRAND TOTAL $101,821.73
169
High School
TEACHERS
Chester M. Downing
$3,538.55
Walter D. Wood
2,463.75
Katherine Chaffee Robinson
866.80
Byard C. Belyea
646.02
Earl Dias
1,392.00
Mary Durfee Romer
1,129.17
Melvin Entin
1,554.50
Harry Rogers
513.15
Cecile Giguere
1,717.25
Mabel G. Hoyle
1,717.25
Dorothea L. Jameson
1,614.27
Edith G. Kenny
1,605.10
Ruth H. Kussmann
898.98
Robert C. Lawton
1,818.05
Grace E. Libbey
1,352.55
James Parkinson
2,222.10
Anna L. Peters
1,554.50
Raymond L. Robinson
1,046.30
Edith Rogers
1,605.10
Lena J. Russell
1,828.20
Margaret Siebert
2,020.15
Marie R. Wentzell
1,717.25
Alice Gidley
808.00
Phyllis Greene
613.76
Evelyn L. Teixeira
238.58
Lillian E. Elliott
338.51
Ruth C. White
453.90
Agnes T. Santry
380.60
Elfreda C. Samuels
252.60
Helen B. Cushing
591.10
Alexander M. Clement
1,945.20
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
675.75
Cuthbert W. Tunstall
552.60
Clarence W. Arey
383.20
Elizabeth Hastings
153.90
Florence Smithcoe
25.00
Édith C. Wollison
25.00
170
Georgette Johnson Catherine Boylan Maud O. Walker
15.00
5.00
478.92
Helen Morris
10.00
Martha Wilde
155.00
Eleanor Flathers
10.00
Donald Kearns
5.00
Marie Louise Whitfield
85.00
$43,022.61
TEXTBOOKS
Character Bldg. Publications
$7.58
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
4.60
Scott, Foresman & Co.
42.87
The National Education Ass'n.
5.15
The Institute For Research
3.75
Silver Burdett Co.
7.68
World Almanac
2.20
Superintendent of Documents
3.00
United Publishers Service
19.80
Harper & Brothers
9.02
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
25.56
Charles Scribner's Sons
51.91
The H. W. Wilson Co.
6.75
Henry Holt & Co.
51.85
Frontier Press of Boston
29.79
South-Western Publishing Co.
43.00
Ginn & Co.
360.00
World Book Co.
100.81
The Gregg Publishing Co.
99.44
Houghton Mifflin Co.
92.46
The Macmillan Co.
48.19
W. M. Welch Mfg. Co.
16.75
The Grolier Society
2.95
Noble & Noble
27.24
R. H. Hinkley
4.25
The Jr. Literary Guild
2.81
The A. N. Marquis
9.00
The Odyssey Press, Inc.
30.39
Americana Corporation
2.85
The National Council of Teachers of English
7.88
$1,119.53
171
SUPPLIES
The Boston Music Co.
$10.47
Lewis Roberts, Inc.
4.92
Holt & Bugbee Co.
9.83
Wild & Stevens
12.25
James W. Brine Co., Inc.
143.45
Typewriter Headquarters, Inc
22.00
The Arnold Roberts Co.
3.96
The Fairhaven Star
2.00
Charles W. Homeyer Co., Inc.
2.70
Boston Blueprint Co.
7.62
Ginn & Co.
1.67
The Macmillan Co.
.93
Kennedy & Kirwin
5.98
J. Bloom & Co.
17.37
H. W. Wilson Co.
6.75
Science Research Associates
35.00
Central Lumber & Supply Co.
86.70
South-Western Publishing Co.
46.12
C. F. Wing Co.
18.00
American Red Cross Chapter
1.80
James Evans, Postmaster
27.76
American Education Press, Inc.
36.00
F. W. Woolworth Co.
4.57
Carl Fischer, Inc.
26.50
The Lincoln Press
5.40
Edward E. Babb & Co., Inc.
7.45
American Type Founders Sales Corp.
6.25
American Book Co.
67.64
News Map of the Week, Inc.
15.00
W. M. Welch Mfg. Co.
6.46
Spaulding-Moss Co.
4.95
Carter, Rice & Co.
136.40
World Book Co.
5.06
Hutchinson's Book Store
26.10
H. E. Wiggins
10.80
Cascade Paper Co.
31.45
J. R. Johansen
2.00
Acushnet Saw Mills
15.66
Central Scientific Co.
65.26
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
2.45
C. F. Delano
32.47
Denoyer Geppert Co.
18.36
172
Baldwin & Co. F. S. Brightman Co.
56.70
40.64
DeWolf & Vincent
73.15
Cambosco Scientific Co.
1.55
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
2.76
Gledhill Brothers
133.52
The Gregg Publishing Co.
47.18
Singer Sewing Machine Co.
9.10
J. L. Hammett Co.
214.17
Metal Crafts Supply Co.
25.35
L. S. McKenna Typewriter Co.
5.25
$1,602.88
JANITORS
Howard H. Shumway
$1,742.55
William T. Wood
1,459.58
John Schofield
673.72
Richard Jenney
516.67
Thomas Duckworth
1,520.85
James E. Holden
121.15
Elmer Walker
995.95
Charles J. Astin
56.63
Richard Jones
165.20
John Pimblett
6.80
$7,259.10
MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES
K. M. Crawford Co.
$5.10
E. F. Dahill & Co.
7.00
John J. Gobell Co.
85.80
David Duff & Son
15.00
Kennedy & Kirwin
102.33
M. F. Ellis & Co.
32.00
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
178.94
N. B. Gas & Ed. Lt. Co.
436.19
C. F. Delano
5.00
Masury-Young Co.
22.30
Fairhaven Water Co.
537.53
Swift & Co.
25.88
N. P. Hayes Co.
15.50
173
T. J. Moriarty
3.10
E. C. Sherman Co.
46.91
Mfgrs. Supply Co.
1.50
Days' Electric Co.
5.92
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
.55
J. I. Holcomb Mfg. Co.
79.45
Phaneuf & Son
1.25
American Flag Co.
2.93
The Holmerden Co.
5.19
$1,615.37
REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS
C. F. Delano
$51.33
Sears Roebuck & Co.
18.86
Electric Service & Sales Co.
5.25
F. W. Fraits
6.10
Arthur C. Smith
18.75
Robert M. Foster Brass Foundry
3.15
Kempton Oxy-Acetylene Service
1.25
Baldwin & Co.
.60
John M. Reilly
9.00
Babbitt Steam Specialty Co.
37.28
H. M. C. Cutlery Co.
13,50
Thompson Electric
8.04
Tony P. Costa
60.31
Carl Govoni
4.50
DeWolf & Vincent
1.70
N. P. Hayes Co.
34.70
Harrie W. Johnston
4.50
Hathaway Machinery Co.
18.10
The Keystone
2.40
T. J. Moriarty
58.52
Gunning Iron Works
200.00
Wilfred H. Vincent
2.84
William Tinkham
8.00
Spring St. Auto Service
7.90
J. R. Johansen
5.10
Brown Electrical Co.
6.75
Charles E. Unwin
4.50
N. E. Plate Glass
10.20
Walter F. Douglas
51.36
Mass. Reformatory
32.65
174
Bldg. Materials, Inc.
12.15
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
12.98
Farm Service Co. Flexrock Co.
10.70
Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
4.70
Herb's Musical Instrument Repair Shop
5.75
Day's Electric Shop
5.10
Mendell Electric Supply Co.
24.40
F. Otis Eldridge
3.75
Reformatory for Women
20.39
Electric Time Co., Inc.
7.25
$826.24
OUTLAY
Visual Education Service, Inc.
$147.16
HEALTH
The Browne Pharmacy
$14.54
Dr. C. E. P. Thompson
253.00
$267.54
FUEL
David Duff & Son
$2,141.51
INSURANCE
Samuel T. Brightman
$75.20
Humphrey & Covill
531.00
The E. S. Whiting Agency
64.00
$695.80
TRANSPORTATION
City Hall Taxi Co.
$434.76
Union St. Railway Co.
887.10
$1,321.86
175
25.60
Harry L. Pope
31.93
MISCELLANEOUS
Commissioner of Public Safety
$25.00
School Service
1.17
Tony P. Costa
1.10
Mary D. Romer
4.20
Chester M. Downing
25.21
E. E. Baudoin
3.00
Kennedy & Kirwin
2.86
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.
33.25
Helen Ladd
2.00
James Parkinson
25.00
John Merker
2.00
The Fairhaven Star
2.25
Sullivan & Crocker
2.50
Alexander M. Clement
1.80
New Bedford Laundry
13.33
Railway Express Co.
4.10
Mahoney & Beaucaire
1.35
Xavier's Service Station
28.70
James W. Brine Co.
24.35
Bush & Co.
1.50
Anne S. Leonard
32.00
$236.67
TUITION
City of New Bedford, Dept. of Public Schools
$56.00
GRAND TOTAL
$60,312.27
SPECIAL REPAIRS
John M. Reilly
$46.48
John J. Gobell
16.45
J. J. Duggan & Son Roofing Co.
627.33
Tony P. Costa
67.65
C. J. Birtwistle
244.60
Fox Auto Top & Upholstery Shop
72.00
Sullivan-Foster Inc.
1,061.61
Alvin Tunstall
107.50
Est. M. P. Whitfield
44.65
$2,288.27
176
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1942
177
TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
Henry Rogers Benjamin
George B. Luther Charles Mitchell
Edward L. Besse
Morris R. Brownell
Mrs. Eliza C. Pease
Harry L. Pope
*Elwyn G. Campbell Miss Edith Dana Lord Fairhaven
Miss Mabel L. Potter
Mrs. Lothrop Hedge
George H. Tripp Thomas A. Tripp
Miss Anna B. Trowbridge
OFFICERS 1941 - 1942 Lord Fairhaven, President George B. Luther, Vice-President Anna B. Trowbridge, Treasurer Avis M. Pillsbury, Secretary
STANDING COMMITTEES 1941 - 1942 Book Committee Lord Fairhaven, Chairman Miss Dana Mrs. Hedge
Mr. Pope
Finance Committee Miss Trowbridge, Chairman
Mr. Benjamin
Mr. Brownell Mr. Luther
Mr. G. H. Tripp
Mr. Mitchell
House Committee Mr. T. A. Tripp, Chairman Mrs. Pease
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 Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye
1893-1919
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
1902
Henry H. Rogers
1893-1909
Mrs. Sara H. Anthony
1893-1912
Henry H. Rogers, Jr.
1909-1935
Mr. Lyman C. Bauldry
1913-1939
Don C. Stevens
1893-1901
William E. Benjamin
1893-1940
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 Job C. Tripp
1902-1917
William B. Gardner
1917-1941
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
Officers and Committees appointed biennially
1893-1901
The Lady Fairhaven 1893-1939
* Appointed April 3, 1942.
178
Mr. Besse
LIBRARY STAFF
DECEMBER 31, 1942
Avis M. Pillsbury Librarian
Mary Blum General Assistant
Gertrude L. Gibbons General Assistant
Marion H. Hanford
Cataloguer and Assistant
Roberta B. Tripp
General Assistant
Paul Ganley Part time Page
Arthur Boucher Janitor
OXFORD BRANCH
Albin Silva
In Charge
Paul Ganley
Assistant
RESIGNED DURING 1942
Charles Worster Janitor Richard Burke Part time Page
179
Report of the Librarian FOR THE YEAR 1942
To the Trustees of the Millicent Library :
"BACKWARD, TURN BACKWARD, O TIME, IN YOUR FLIGHT."
On a memorable day, almost a half century ago, January 30, 1893, amidst the splendor of orchids and roses, palms and ferns, the stage was set for a grand opening, and the deep-rooted desire of those who had struggled with patient endeavor, even as early as 1828 to establish a library in Fairhaven, was about to be realized in a more glorious way than even the most bold among them had ever dared to dream.
For approximately sixty years, the idea of a library for the town had been germinating. In 1860, the first library was estab- lished and its scant collection of books was available to the pub- lic for only a few hours a week. Plays and festivals were pro- duced at intervals to secure money for books. In 1884, the Thalia Society came into being, their constitution stating that "We, the undersigned, ladies and gentlemen of Fairhaven, desirous of pro- curing a building suitable for library purposes, do hereby form ourselves into an association for the purpose of giving dramatic entertainments to secure funds for this end."
So, on this dedication date, when fond hopes were to be realized through the kindly generosity of those who cherished the memory of a younger sister, the footlights flared brilliantly against the curtain, as the play which was to have a continuous run into an unknown future was about to begin.
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That this was an occasion, was evidenced by the fact that nearly all the stores closed during the dedication exercises and that approximately 1400 people turned out, many standing during the service which was held at the Congregational Church.
Immediately afterwards, when the curtain rose during the grand tour of inspection, there was revealed to the people of Fair- haven a vast wealth of literary resources, the actors being no other than the great of all times and places, and those personages in literary history whose names will live as long as books shall endure.
On January 31st, 1893, the rush for season tickets began and 302 were issued, and 181 more on the following day. In this nov- el theatre, no admission was to be charged, and it was to pay to its audience larger and larger dividends as its repertory enlarged. And then, on February Ist, the anniversary of the birth of Milli- cent Gifford Rogers, began the performance which was to con- tinue from 9 A. M. to 9 P. M. each day of each year in a long un- broken sequence, until September 1918, when the curtain dropped for the first intermission, not from choice but by order of the Board of Health during the influenza epidemic. This intermission was a month's duration, and a second one occurred from May 9th to June 13th, 1920, when scarlet fever broke out. Though the reasons were unfortunate, they gave opportunity for certain renovations. No further intermissions have as yet become neces- sary, and the play has continued, not always the same, but chang- ing, keeping in tune with the march of progress. New scenes, new costumes, new methods have replaced old ones, new actors and actresses have stood in front of the limelight. Some have had only short runs of popularity, a few have made sensational hits, a number have been called back for repeat engagements, and the most successful have found a permanent place among the old favorites on the bookshelves. Bulletins, published quarterly or oftener have, since 1899, announced the appearance of new ac- tors, and newspapers and broadsides have foretold many changes.
There have been seasons of comedy and seasons of tragedy, and their effect upon the audience has made an interesting record. Perhaps the strangest coincidence is the fact that in this, the fif- tieth season, the grim spectacle of war has, as it did in the twenty-
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fifth season, projected itself before the spectators, robbing many of accustomed pleasures.
The smooth functioning of this drama which has unfolded bit by bit over five decades, and has created an ever widening in- terest on the part of the spectators, is due in large measure to an open-minded Board of Trustees, - directors, appointed on a long term basis, and not for a short political one as in many like organ- izations. Thus, over the years, they have watched developments with a long range vision, sensing the needs, and as the directing force, have cooperated loyally and harmoniously with the five stage managers who have been responsible for the daily perform- ance of the stage hands.
AND WHAT OF THE PRESENT ?
"Of all the ages, the present hour and circumstance is the
-- Thomas L. Peacock. cumulative result."
"The wheel of time rolls downward through various changes" and brings us to the report of the work of the fiftieth year. We cannot claim a record breaking year for 1942, much as such a record would be fitting at the end of a half century. That record came during the years of depression. Gigantic changes are now shaping the destiny of man, and in the face of epoch- making and frightful warfare, it is inevitable that all activities of a peace-time nature should be overshadowed. Readers in Fair- haven, as in other communities, are doing their bit in this all-out effort to make a free world. Many women have taken places behind machines. Many men have gone into government service. A large share of our registered borrowers are occupied with extra demands that leave them little if any time for their usual reading. Knowing this, the decrease in circulation of 10,260 books or 8.17% under 1941, is not unexpected. We must be prepared for a still further decrease if the war coninues, for blacked-out streets, the necessity for conservation of tires and gasoline and perhaps further restrictions will bring this about.
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A study of the loss brings out some interesting facts. Adult loss numbered 9,703 books or 12.7%, the juvenile being only 557 books or 1.8%. Of the adult loss, 8.3% was fiction and 4.39 % non-fiction.
By agencies, the Main library loss was 9.1%, the High School 8.7%, the Oxford School, 5.6%, the Oxford Branch, 40%. The reason for the tremendous loss at Oxford is a matter of conjecture, but our guess is that more mothers are working, that many of the adults are on night shifts, and with more income in the family, the children go more often to the movies. At this branch the juvenile loss is the greater, 56% under 1941, while the adult circulation lost 33%. In both, the loss was almost equally divided between fiction and non-fiction.
To render to the north section of town, as much service as is possible under the conditions, mimeographed folders were made at the library during the late fall, and distributed in that section from house to house, to make the Branch known to possible new people there and to remind old ones of the library privileges. In addition, the sign on the school was relettered to make it conspic- uous.
The Edmund Anthony School collection showed a gain of 11.4% in circulation, and from the East Fairhaven School came the amazing report of a 33% gain, following a 49% gain a year ago. To the principal Mr. Arthur Bixby and teachers is due much credit in stimulating this increased interest in reading at this school.
The distribution of the 96,366 books borrowed, or 96,911 by including 473 pictures and 72 stereoscopes, is shown in the follow- ing chart:
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1942 DISTRIBUTION OF CIRCULATION
% contribution to total
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Grand Total
Total gain or loss Over 1941
Fiction
Non- Fiction
Total
Main Library Adult
39,720
17,014
56,734 17,554 3,046
77,334
1
23
57.42
22.81
80.23
Oxford Branch Adult Juvenile
2,773
1,278
4,051
- 2,012
757
484
1,241
5,292
- 1,594
3.7
1.83
1 5.53
Oxford School Juvenile
2,556
913
3,469
3,469
- 208
2.65
.95
3.6
E. Fairhaven School Juvenile
2.519
1,433
3,952
3,952
981
2.61
1.5
4.11
Anthony School Juvenile
2,533
810
3,343
3,343
+ 343
2.62
84
1 3.46
High School Library
Adult
1,078
1,778
2,856
-
-
-
2,976
30
1.2
1.87
1
3.07
Total
67,655
28,711
96,366
96,366
~10,260
70.2
29.8
100.
1
1
-
49
Juvenile Dup. Pay
3,023
23
1
-
1
1
1
+
-
1
-
-
1
-
1
90
30
120
255
Juvenile
1
7,413
12,606
4,948
184
1
-
1
Of this, adult reading constituted 69.21% and juvenile 30.79%. The percentage of non-fiction reading, 29.8% is grati- fying and the loss over last year is only .56%. Gains were even recorded in the circulation of books of Language - History - Trav- el - and Biography.
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