USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 10
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Bertha S. Slater
145 No. Walnut St.
George A. Snedden
86 Francis St.
Paul R. Swift
34 Larch St.
George A. Selley
22 Taber St.
Joseph A. Walker
17 Huttleston Ave.
Webster Wilde
26 Larch Ave.
For One Year
Lillie B. Allen
5 Lafayette St.
Valmore J. Archambault
21 Huttleston Ave.
Olive L. Brown
7 Oxford St.
Daniel F. Downey
90 Huttleston Ave.
Albert Greenfield
161 Main St.
John F. Hennessy
223 Adams St.
Henry Holland
131 No. William St.
John B. Humphreys
35 Lafayette St.
Marguerite A. Johnson
179 Main St.
193
Catherine H. Jordan Frank G. King Rudolph B. Matland Lewis Meal
155 Main St.
218 Main St.
39 Elm Ave.
22 Taber St.
Roger J. Messier
13 Hedge St.
Raymond M. Mitchell
34 Oxford St.
Thomas J. Mulvey
135 No. William St.
Hjalmar A. Ray
46 Hedge St.
James Reed, Jr.
34 Linden Ave.
John Rogers
225 Adams St.
Russell E. Shaw
40 Huttleston Ave.
Arthur E. Taber
55 Elm Ave.
Era H. Tripp
7 Lafayette St.
69 Town Meeting Members - Precinct Three For Three Years
Henry W. Braman
67 Sycamore St.
George Taylor Elliott
29 Brown St.
Manuel Ferreira
8 Daniel St.
Oscar Gobeille
19 Sycamore St.
Richard Holmes
13 Howland Rd.
Walter P. Jachna
46 Spruce St.
Frank J. Krol
10 Newton St.
Peteer Majocka
123 E. Morgan St.
Herman Marshall
25 Hopkins St.
Carl Medeiros
378 Main St.
John Medeiros
333 Alden Rd.
Manuel Medeiros
22 Hawthorne St.
John P. O'Neill
30 Sycamore St.
John M. Pacheco
59 Sycamore St.
Walter Polchopek
60 E. Coggeshall St.
Wilfred Portway
46 Veranda Ave.
Manuel Rezendes
29 Garrison St.
Raymon Richard
418 Main St.
Albert M. Stevens
373 Alden Rd.
Jose V. Urquiola
39 E. Wilding St.
Gilbert Vieira
20 Morton St.
Walter G. Vieira
32 Hawthorne St.
For Two Years
Jose M. Albino Joseph Andrews, Jr. Frank Avila
14 Dover St.
71 Sycamore St. 7 Magnolia Ave.
194
Albert Bissonnette Omer Blanchette Walter J. Borowicz
32 Jesse St. 448 Main St.
8 Winsor St.
25 Hopkins St.
54 Howland Rd.
37 Hawthorne St.
Joseph A. Demanche Manuel Duarte
397 Main St.
John Laronda
373 Main St.
Dennis J. Leary
28 Morton St.
Walter Marsh
15 Morgan St.
Joseph Martin
9 Brown St.
Edward J. McDermott
25 Oak St.
Eddie H. Montplaisir
315 Main St.
Robert R. Norris
25 Garrison St.
Alfred J. Pacheco
313 Main St.
Anthony C. Plezia
415 Main St.
Antone S. Pires
5 Deane St.
Joseph Sutcliffe, Jr.
241 Adams St.
Alfred J. Tripanier
374 Main St.
Theorore P. Wolan
65 Harding Rd.
For One Year
Robert M. Clunie
36 Hawthorne St.
Alan B. Cooper
19 Garrison St.
Manuel V. Costa
27 Veranda Ave.
Oscar L. Dupuis
2 Dover St.
Mariano C. Fernandes
16 Alpine Ave.
24 Dover St.
Albert Giroux Edward Govoni James Henshaw Arthur Jarvis
7 Burgess St.
John J. Joaquim
30 Garrison St.
Manuel Machado
17 Hopkins St.
Custodio J. Marshall Antone Medeiros
318 Alden Rd.
James J. Medeiros
16 Morgan St.
Joseph J. Oliveira
75 E. Morgan St.
Alfred J. Pacheco, Jr.
313 Main St.
August Perry Frank Pimental
94 E. Morgan St.
Lawrence V. Robinson
5 Wilding St.
Edward F. Rose
16 Deane S.
Raymond E. St. Onge
31 Garrison St.
James B. Taylor
114 E. Morgan St.
Alfred Tripanier, Jr.
16 Mozart St.
195
14 Deane St.
11 Sycamore St.
32 Coggeshall St.
13 Morgan St.
Ernest S. Costa, Jr. Arthur M. Cunha
66 Town Meeting Members -- Precinct Four For Three Years
Hohart H. Boswell
54 Washingtton St.
Arthur Boucher
26 Rodman St.
John C. Bresnahan
140 Green St.
R. Bradley Carle
12 Christian St.
Joseph Cordeiro, Jr.
54 Rotch St.
Frank J. Costa
137 Bridge St.
Winston H. Cushman
21 Elizabeth St.
Edith K. Dias
52 Walnut St.
Philip T. Gidley
65 Farmfield St.
Joseph B. Goulart
155 Chestnut St.
E. Cooper Jacques
132 Laurel St.
Edward L. Kerin
175 Green St.
Harold R. Lawton, Jr.
52 Rodman St.
Rose L. Lawton
52 Rodman St.
Edward S. Lequin
16 Hitch St.
Fletcher J. Long
81 Bridge St.
Harold J. O'Brien
7 Rodman St.
Joseph T. Peel
23 Rotch St.
Richard G. Ruby
53 Walnut St.
Clarence S. Russell
22 Spring St.
Dorothy P. Saladino
85 Bridge St.
Beatrice P. Thomas
63 N. Summer St.
For Two Years
Thomas V. Alves
45 Spring St.
Edward H. Baldwin
36 Spring St.
Clarence I. Bangs
125 Laurel St.
Louis T. Boroski
141 Pleasant St.
Arthur W. Darling
212 Washburn St.
Edgar William Darling
210 Washington St.
Edgar Winfred Darling
212 Washington St.
Enos E. Days, Jr.
65 Farfield St.
Edward J. Fisher
137 Green St.
A. Russell Gifford
140 Chestnut St.
Lindsey S. Gifford
51 Pleasant St.
George A. Greene James B. Lanagan
88 Washington St.
Bradford W. Luther
131 Laurel St.
Harold U. Pierce
147 Chestnut St.
Leonard E. Pierce
85 Church St.
Charles Radcliffe, Jr.
40 Spring St.
17 Elizabeth St.
196
Harry Rogers Edward B. Spooner Charles P. Thatcher Sydney Warburton August H. Xavier
99 Bridge St. 133 Laurel St. 38 Rotch St. 5 Rogers St. 1 Bridge St.
For One Year
John Admeida
Eldred E. Besse
Frank E. Bettencourt
111 Main St. 35 Summer St.
John B. DeGraw
135 Green St.
Miltton K. Delano
56 Walnut St.
Joseph L. Faria, Jr.
39 Elizabeth St.
Milton O. Fisher
105 Elizabeth St.
Macy F. Joseph
117 Bridge St.
Gideon H. S. Keen
93 Pleaesant St.
Rose E. G. Keen
93 Pleaesant St.
Edward L. Kerin, Jr.
175 Green St.
Harold R. Lawton
52 Rodman St.
M. Alice McCarthy
131 Chestnut St.
Earl A. Moore Frank Perry
69 Rotch St.
Dorotohy B. Rogers
32 E. Allen St. 3 Mulberry St.
Joseph A. Saladino
85 Bridge St.
Orsman A. Shumway
78 Washingtton St.
Thomas R. Thomas
69 No. Summer St.
Mildred E. Webb
149 Green St.
Alden B. Wrightington
23 Rotch St.
75 Town Meeting Members - Precinct Five For Three Years
Alfred M. Bellivean
33 Winsegansett Ave.
Willam C. Brennan
74 Raymond St.
Victtor Brunette
69 Mill Road
William Burrows
104 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Elizio Costa Gilbert Costa
40 Harvard St.
Louis E. Doucette
294 Sconticut Neck Rd.
John Duarte
r.61 Oak Grove Lane
Hugh C. Francis
623 Washington St.
396 Sconticut Neck Rd.
32 Harvard St.
197
20 Manhattan Ave.
Doris Green Charles E. Hoard, Jr.
20 Hitch St. 36 Washingtton St.
Alexander M. Clement
William E. Howard John P. Landry
5 Mill Road
52 Briercliffe Rd.
Ernest Langevin
42 Harvard St.
Charles I. Leblanc
6 Bayview Ave.
Catherine F. Machado
479 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Albert E. Murray
21 Winsegansett Ave.
Olive M. Murray
21 Winsegansett Ave.
Joseph Pauline Joseph Rumney
15 Bayview Ave.
Lucy M. Wallbank
580 Wasrington St.
William A. Wallbank
580 Wasrington St.
Florence Washburn
40 Harvard St.
Stnley J. Washburn
40 Harvard St.
John H. Wordell
27 Highland Ave.
For Two Years
R. Donat Audette
383 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Harry D. Bridges, Jr.
295 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Frank S. Brown
362 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Manuel S. Brown
506 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Manuel . Cardoza
321 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Richard Cardoza
22 Harvard St.
Bertha S. Cory
5 Weeden Rd.
Clarence M. Cory
5 Weeden Rd.
Noel B. Couture
Harold A. Gifford
Mary J. Goulart
747 Sconticut Neck Rd.
140 Sconticut Neck Rd.
James E. Green Lillian Lomax
394 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Frank G. Machado
479 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Arthur J. Martin
156 Sconticut Neck Rd. 68 Aiken St.
Charles A. Maxfield, Jr.
Elmira D. Mckenzie
346 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Joseph H. McKenzie
346 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Arthur J. Mullen
325 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Alexander Pifki
20 Bayview Ave.
Paul A. Pifko
20 Bayview Ave.
Sherman H. Rounseville
315 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Anthony Souza
31 Raymond St.
Albert E. Stanton
141 New Boston Rd.
For One Year
Elsie Aiken Milton G. Aiken Reuben A. Austin
342 Washington St. 342 Washington St. 544 Washington St.
198
194 New Boston Rd. 26 Bayview Ave.
396 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Carl J. Govoni
12 Highland Ave.
Raymond T. Babbitt Everett G. Barrow Clifford L. Belcher Lewis F. Blossom George J. Chartier
71 Aiken St. 48 Seavieiw Ave. 24 Berneses St. 565 Washington St.
2 Bayview Ave.
5 Manhattan Ave.
5 Bay St.
William V. Dean
776 Washington St.
Allerton Tt. Delano
453 Washington St.
Joseph Fleurent, Jr.
680 Washington St.
Leo H. Fleurent
688 Washington St.
Germano Gaspar
54 Sconticut Neck Rd.
Albert W. Guilmette
13 Harvard St.
Henry T. Howard
267 New Boston Rd.
Lawrence R. Marra, Sr.
Pauline H. Maxfield
Joseph Souza
465 Sconticut Neck Rd.
61 Sconticut Neck Rd.
757 Washington St.
16 Bay St.
16 Bay St.
Oren S. York
273 Sconticut Neck Rd. 68 Aiken St.
Eugene F. Sullivan
Marinus Vander Pol
Ruth H. White
William White
558 Washington St.
199
Samuel R. Costa Armand J. Cote
"your Library
1952"T
The Millicent Library Fairhaven, Massachusetts
1893
FEB. 1
1953
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
L
THE
ARY
FA
SS
M
RHAVEN.
your Library's Trustees, 1952
HENRY ROGERS BENJAMIN
GEORGE A. GREENE
ELDRED E. BESSE
MRS. LOTHROP HEDGE
STUART M. BRIGGS
MRS. JAMES H. C. MARSTON
MORRIS R. BROWNELL
CHARLES MITCHELL
ELWYN G. CAMPBELL
HARRY L. POPE
MRS. ORRIN G. CARPENTER
MISS MABEL L. POTTER
LORD FAIRHAVEN
*THOMAS A. TRIPP
MRS. ALFRED P. WILBOR WALTER A. SILVEIRA Chairman, Board of Selectmen
OFFICERS 1951-1952
Lord Fairhaven, President Eldred E. Besse, Vice-President George A. Greene, Treasurer Avis M. Pillsbury, Secretary
STANDING COMMITTEES 1951-1952
BOOK COMMITTEE Lord Fairhaven, Chairman Mrs. Marston
Mr. Mitchell
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Mr. Greene, Chairman
Mr. Benjamin
Mr. Briggs Mr. Brownell
Mr. Pope
Mr. Silveira HOUSE COMMITTEE *Mr. T. A. Tripp, Chairman Mr. Campbell Miss Potter Mrs. Wilbor
FORMER TRUSTEES 1893-1952
Miss Ellen H. Akin
1893-1919
Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye 1892-1919
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
1902
Mrs. Eliza C. Pease
1919-1943
Mrs. Sarah H. Anthony
1893-1912
Henry H. Rogers 1893-1909
Mr. Lyman C. Bauldry 1913-1939
Henry H. Rogers, Jr. 1909-1935
William E. Benjamin 1893-1940
Don C. Stevens
1893-1901
Edward L. Besse 1893-1947
George W. Stevens 1893-1908
Mrs. H. H. Stillman
1919-1920
Miss Edith Dana
1921-1951
George H. Taber
1893-1901
Miss Georgia E. Fairfield
1920-1928
George H. Tripp
1893-1943
The Lady Fairhaven
1893-1939
Job C. Tripp
1902-1917
William B. Gardner
1917-1941
Miss Anna B. Trowbridge 1929-1950
James L. Gillingham
1893-1912
Charles W. White, Jr.
1902-1904
George B. Luther
1909-1951
Walter P. Winsor 1893-1911
Frederick B. Lyman
1904-1909
Mrs. Mary B. Winsor
1893-1921
Officers and Committees appointed biennially.
* Died January 6, 1953.
204
Mrs. Hedge
Mr. Besse
Miss Sara B. Clarke 1912-1933
your Library's Stall, 1952
Librarian Avis M. Pillsbury
Assistant Librarian Rita E. Steele
Assistants
Mona W. Staples
*Rosemary Lang
Ruth Barnes
Circulation Cataloger Clerical Assistant
Part-Time
Mary A. Sale Agnes F. Hewitt
Circulation Assistant
General Assistant
E. Sandra Eddy Student Page
High School girls, Judith Boyd, Helen F. Cordeiro, and Eleanor Mis also worked as pages for short periods during the year.
In Charge, Oxford Branch Albin S. Silva
Janitor
Arthur Boucher
Librarians 1893-1952
Don C. Stevens Feb. 1, 1893 - May 31, 1901
Drew B. Hall July 1, 1901 - May 31, 1911
Galen W. Hill
June 1, 1911 - Jan. 31, 1926
Louis Felix Ranlett Feb. 1, 1926 - April 30, 1928
Avis M. Pillsbury
June 8, 1928 - date
* Resigned December 10, 1952.
205
The Good Old Days !
The Millicent Library's sixtieth birthday falls on February 1, 1953. Looking into the mirror of 1893, we see the automobile in its early infancy, the aeroplane still in the dream stage, radios unknown, television beyond the average person's concept, if indeed even imagined, and movies definitely not a part of the social program of millions. The Millicent Library's activities, following the order of that era, were geared to a slower way of life. With the passing years, its service to the Fairhaven public has been accelerated in keeping with the tempo of the times. On the national scene, the public library's pattern, especially over the past ten years, has been one of catching up with the rapid strides being made in this fast moving age of science. Book lending, once the most important function of a library, is still important, but is just one of the many library services to the community served. Extension of service to schools, to clubs, to hospitals, to special groups is expected. The lending of records and films is becoming more and more common. Lecture pro- grams in the library, radio, records, movies, and television for the benefit of the public are all finding a place in the modern library's planning.
We cherish the memories of the "good old days" and they were good, but time marches on and we must look to the future. Progress going ever forward does not look back.
206
To you, Our Borrowers, Fairhaven Citizens We Give Our 1952 Almanac
(All quotations are from "The Old Farmer's Almanacs" of yesteryear)
RECORDS
JANUARY: NEW BEGINNING
"With joy we hail another year, Nor grieve that time so rapid flies; Its flight brings many prospects near, Which will in quick succession rise." (1845)
January is always a month of stocktaking, of looking back over the year just past, reviewing our accomplish- ments, recording statistics for comparison in the years to come. It is a time, too, of budget making, of anticipation, the time to dream and to hope. It was a challenge to begin a new year on January 1, 1952. We had our own blueprints in mind for the year which began auspiciously. We were bustling about with preparations for February events. The building, freshly painted, was a joy to behold. We liked it, and so did the public. Financial problems seemed a little less complicated after a period of stress, and we had visions of carrying on a normal program in a normal fashion. It is good that the future is concealed, for were we to know in advance just what was in store, we might wish to crawl into a hole like the proverbial ground hog on Candlemas Day and just wait until another season rolled along.
207
FEBRUARY'S HIGHLIGHTS
"And though abroad the sharp winds blow, And skies are chill, and frosts are keen. Home closer draws her circle now, And warmer grows her light within." -S. Longfellow (1873)
Open House: February 1952 might be called a month of re-dedication.
The last finishing touches required upon the comple- tion of the library's splendid redecoration by Mr. George DeFelice were done in time for a wonderful OPEN HOUSE afternoon on Sunday, February 10th. This was held to acquaint the general public with our "new look." The presidential autographs chronologically arranged on the new rack drew much attention, as they have done con- stantly since. The affair was attended by approximately 200 people, among them old-time friends, a former libra- rian, Mr. Galen W. Hill, with his wife, library associates from New Bedford, our artist painter, Mr. DeFelice and his family, and many of our borrowers.
The Fairhaven High School Trio, composed of Mari- etta Vogt, Margaret O'Leary, and Dorothy Govoni, and directed by Miss Elizabeth I. Hastings, gave a heart- warming program of old-time, classical, and popular music. Mrs. Eldred E. Besse and Mrs. Stuart M. Briggs poured tea and served punch. Girl Scouts of Cloverleaf Troop 93 from North Fairhaven helped in serving and Boy Scouts of Troop 55 assisted with the ushering. In a friendly atmosphere, everyone chatted, enjoyed the music, the light refreshments and warm handshakes. The New Bedford Standard-Times gave us a full page spread of lovely photographs, artistically taken by a photographer on their staff, in the rotagravure section of the January 27th issue with further publicity in the March 9th paper telling about the open House program.
Workshop: To better acquaint Town Meeting members with the library's activities and what goes on behind the scenes, a program was held on the evening of February 26. All staff members were on hand to explain the special work assignments for which each is responsible. There were exhibits featuring the processing of books, accessioning,
208
cataloging and classification, on mending, reference service, classroom libraries make-up, book ordering routine, circu- lation, and record keeping procedure. These were dis- played for a considerable period so that the public might share in the knowledge of the library's work routine.
Young visitors: February winds did not dismay little fourth graders who came to the library on February 13th with their teacher, Mrs. Dora C. Pope, to get acquainted. We recall a quotation beginning "As the twig is bent," and it reminds us that this early acquaintance with books will help to make adult readers.
MARCH THAT BLUSTERS
"O March that blusters, and March that blows, What color under your footsteps glows! Beauty you summon from winter snows, And you are the pathway that leads to the rose." -Celia Thaxter (1885)
New Trustee: Mrs. Orrin B. Carpenter was elected a Trustee on March 7th to fill the vacancy left by Miss Edith Dana's resignation, and was welcomed by the Board at the April meeting.
Weeding: It may have been a little early in the year for weeding, but we wanted to get off to a good start, for the weeding of our book garden had already been postponed too long because of lack of help. The time seeming ripe for a beginning, Miss Steele undertook the tremendous task of clearing deadwood from our bulging shelves. Books too shabby and soiled to serve longer, books not having been borrowed for fifteen years or more, books superseded by newer material on the subject were removed from our records, involving much detail work. By the end of the year, this work continuing at intervals, 3,138 adult and 104 juvenile books were thus removed, and we now have space to better shelve the new books as they go into our bookstacks.
209
APRIL: THE YEAR'S AT THE SPRING!
"Buds on the bushes, and blooms on the mead, Swiftly are swelling;
Hark! the Spring whispereth, 'Make ye with speed Ready my dwelling' "
-Bayard Taylor (1886)
Signposts for our borrowers: In April, new signs were placed in our stacks to indicate the location of books. We believe we have made a unique application of plastic, with gold and black letters to fit into our color scheme. The firm from which we purchased the material have been interested in our use of plastic for this purpose, and cer- tainly our stacks have never before been so well marked.
School lessons: From April 22 to April 30, 7th grade pupils came to the library to receive the supplementary instruc- tion with practical application on the lessons taught by their teachers on "How to use the library." This annual instruction, taught from a textbook prepared at the library, has proven helpful over the years to pupils as they are nearing their High School career.
MAY DAYS
"The seed, now buried in the soil, Throughout keen vision's widest scope, Will soon spring up, to cheer our toil, And flourish in the bloom of hope."
Spring Drought (1885)
1
-
Spring drought: In early May, we hit the stone wall of hard reality. Our deepest well, our dependable source of income for long years, brought up an empty "NO MORE FUNDS." We were stunned, our hopes withered. Financial problems at the Water Company, the organization of a labor union there, necessary pay raises, soaring costs of materials had, it seemed, drained that over-the-years dependable well dry. The Millicent Library, its sole stockholder, be- came the drought victim. Faced with $1,800 worth of bills which were to be entered momentarily for payment, we were forced to fall back on the good nature and kind- ness of those who supply us with books and supplies. They waited patiently for payment for several months.
The situation was disheartening and trying, when our mission to the town is service to young and old. With the matter entirely beyond our control, all book buying was stopped immediately. Only the most urgent bills-gas, lights, telephone, salaries, and a few very small ones- were paid. To do even this, we were forced to borrow ahead of schedule from our town appropriation.
Book supply dwindles: Patrons found fewer and fewer new books. Long accustomed to having available the majority of the leading best sellers, they no longer found these on our shelves for the first time in the library's history. Our 1952 literary well was dry indeed.
Alexander Pope wrote immortal lines many years ago when he said, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast." From early May until October 16th we lived on hope inter- mingled with faith that the town would not let us down. (More about this situation later) .
A time to catch up: The new book drought afforded us an opportunity to make hay while the drought continued and the sun shone. Cataloging is like housework, dishes for instance. It is never done. As soon as it is caught up for even a day, if ever, more books accumulate. We had a store of old books, mostly gifts over a period of time, a considerable number from Miss Anna B. Trowbridge's estate. We raked our book field clean, to our great satis- faction, and cataloged practically all the books that had accumulated.
211
Annual report substitute: Our report for the year past was included, as usual, in the annual town report. Because of printing difficulties which forced us to forego the usual printed report we normally send, we substituted a simple mimeographed booklet outlining a few highlights of our work in 1951 to exchange with 125 or more libraries. Incidentally, we were again cited by the Selectmen's Association of the state as rating recognition for our 1951 report.
JUNE: SUMMER'S BEGINNING
"Inne is the pearl of our New England year. Her coming startles. Long she lies in wait, Makes many a feint, peeps forth, draws coyly back, Then from some southern ambush in the sky, With one great gush of blossom storms the world." -J. R. Lowell (1871)
Club Program Bureau: Interest was expressed in a clearing house for club programs in order that conflict in dates might be avoided. A committee organized by Miss Eliza- beth I. Hastings met at the library on June 11th, prior to which date the librarian mailed a circular letter to the chairmen of some 35 clubs asking their cooperation in sup- plying their calendars of events for the coming year. From those received, a chronological card file was set up, be- coming available in early September to all who wished to consult it. Phone information is gladly accepted and given. The success of this new project, now on a trial basis, will be entirely dependent upon information given us and the use made of it.
Oxford Branch : On June 13th we were forced to close the Oxford Branch because of the construction of the new addition to the school. Consequently, the circulation of 668 was low for the year. Adult and juvenile circulation was almost equally divided. As all good things are worth waiting for, so a new and very attractive room with more books and improved facilities will be the reward of those borrowers who have been inconvenienced. The reopening date has been tentatively set as February 1, 1953.
212
JULY ADVENTURE
"On a glorious July day, The meadows were ripe and sweet with hay, And the purple mountains, erect and bold, Propped pyramid clouds of ruffled gold."
-A. C. Bristol (1876)
Youthful joy: There is nothing like the joy of a child, and the enthusiasm of youth. The annual summer reading club, in 1952 called the Teladventure Club, opened on Wednesday, June 25th, when the first Story Hour of the season was held with an attendance of 247 children from pre-school age to 12 or 13 years. In the succeeding weeks, until the last Story Hour period of the summer on August 27th, the cumulative attendance reached 1,848, averaging almost 185 each week. The school bus brought a weekly average of 65 youngsters from the north section of town, 72 from the east and Sconticut Neck sections, while 48 was the average number of children who came from other sections without benefit of the school bus. We be- lieve our record in this field is an enviable one and the work certainly worthwhile, even though it makes our summer season strenuous.
Reading is fun! The Teladventure Club had a membership of 32 youngsters who gave an oral review to one of the library assistants of every book read for credit. The staff listened to 429 reviews, an average of over 13 books read by each member. The 6th graders proved the most avid readers, with 11 members reading 160 books. The 3rd grade's 8 members read 87 books, 1 lone member in the 7th grade read 78, the 4th grade had 7 members who read 51, 5th graders with 3 members read 30, a second grader read 20, and a first grader 3.
Many children read without joining the club and the summer reading record of children was exceedingly high in July and August-the highest since 1942. On Wed- nesday mornings, the charging machine banged out circu- lation while children stood patiently in a long line to have books charged. Story Hours were frequently held up nearly a half hour because of the demand for books. Appearing on a miniature television screen each week were the names of children who had made records for themselves during the week past. As the club progressed, those who
213
received the required number of credits were given an audition-that is, they told a story of their own choosing over our own Station ML and then had the privilege of listening to their own recording made on a borrowed tape recorder. The idea was popular and they certainly had FUN. So did we.
AUGUST HAZE
"Languid and still are vale and hill, And Nature's face is growing sear ; The lurid haze of summer days Is hung across the atmosphere." (1870)
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