USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1953 > Part 12
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The investments of the contributory retirement sys- tem funds were checked and listed. The receipts, repre-
228
senting appropriations by the town, contributions by the members, and income from investments, were checked in detail. The disbursements were checked, and the cash balance on June 6, 1953 was proved by reconciling the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit and verifying the cash in the general treasury.
A record of the transactions and conditions of the Henry H. Rogers High School Fund furnished by the City Bank Farmers Trust Company of New York, Trustees, for the period of the audit, was examined, and the transfers to the town by the trustees were verified.
The tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and listed. The amounts transferred to the tax title account were compared with the tax books, the recorded redemptions of tax titles and sales of tax pos- sessions were compared with the treasurer's recorded re- ceipts, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were reconciled with the town accountant's ledger and compared with the records in the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the town collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, departmental, and water accounts outstand- ing according to the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitments, were audited and proved to the warrants issued for their collection. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the town treasurer and with the accountant's ledger, the abatements were com- pared with the records in the assessors' and other depart- ments authorized to grant such credits, the taxes transferred to the tax title account were proved, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's ledger.
The outstanding accounts were verified by mailing no- tices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The records of licenses and permits issued by the select- men, the town clerk, the building inspector, and by the police, fire and health departments were examined, and the payments to the State and the town treasurer were verified.
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The surety bonds of the officials required by law to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
In addition to the departments and accounts mention- ed, the records of all other departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for collection were ex- amined, checked in detail, and reconciled with the treas- urer's and the town accountant's books.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, tax title, tax possession, departmental, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust, investment and retirement funds.
For the cooperation extended by the officials of the town during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
William Schwartz
Assistant Director of Accounts
WS:EV
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The Millicent Library
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
ANNUAL REPORT January 1, 1953, through December 31, 1953
DEDICATION
This annual report is respectfully dedicated to Avis Miller Pillsbury, Librarian of The Millicent Library from 1928 to 1953, to honor her on her twenty-fifth year of service to the resi- dents of Fairhaven.
Miss Pillsbury's accomplishments are worthy of special notice and show the tremendous progress made by the Library under her guidance. Her work with the schools, the large summer reading programs, and her friendly contacts with the children themselves have made the Children's Room the well patronized place it is.
The faded beauty of the interior of the Library was re- stored to something better than its original decoration through the efforts of a prominent artist secured by Miss Pillsbury. She has always been aware of improvements and new aids that will better equip the library to serve the community. With her the Library has come to hold a position of respect in the library field.
AVIS MILLER PILLSBURY LIBRARIAN 1928 - 1953
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
The year 1953 has been one of change for the Millicent Library. The building itself experienced some worthwhile improvements, but the Board of Trustees and the staff suffered the loss of personalities who have given unsparingly of their time and effort in the Library's behalf. Mr. Thomas A. Tripp, the only member of the original Board of Trustees, died in January, thus depriving Fairhaven of an outstanding citizen and an encyclopedic mind of local history. He was replaced as Trustee by Mr. William Tallman. In December, Mrs. James H. C. Marston passed away after serving as a Trustee for 10 years. She too promoted the Library at every opportunity. During the late summer Miss Avis M. Pillsbury resigned as Librarian to become Librarian at the Fairhaven High School. The Assistant Librarian was appointed to fill Miss Pillsbury's place.
Innovations and Repairs
The major project of converting the basement into a some- day Children's Room was started by removing a wall which separated two smaller unsuitable rooms and making a small auditorium. Indirect lighting and 100 new folding chairs made the bare brick walls and unpainted ceiling a little less grim. During the summer story hours the use of this room at least provided the children with a place sheltered from the out-of-doors in a space large enough to accommodate all of them.
Upstairs in the main part of the Library the antiquated fixture in the Children's Room was removed and modern in- direct lighting installed to harmonize with the lights in the Reading Room. Our floors were refinished and a cork tile one was laid in the Children's Room. This has proved very at- tractive, much less noisy, and economical as far as maintenance is concerned.
Toward the end of the year our water heater broke down completely and had to be replaced. Other major repairs proved necessary on the outside of the building. For one thing, parts of the roof needed mending, and this was accomplished. For another, a few pranksters created the need for some new lights
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by removing our outside lamp post completely from its fixed position. This led to a thorough inspection of the other fix- tures, and eventually new lights were ordered for the outside post, the porch, and the foyer.
The Library and the Schools
The Librarian made the usual visits to the schools in June to promote the Summer Reading Club, and during Book Week. This resulted in an increase in juvenile registrants and a re- vival of the children's interest in reading. This year we added St. Joseph's to the list of elementary schools visited and were pleased to note a tremendous response in new readers and new library borrowers from this school.
The Library extended once more to each elementary grade the privilege of having classroom collections of our books. A total of 89 collections were sent out, including some of the grades at St. Joseph's that expressed an interest in our offer.
In the spring the seventh-grade pupils made their usual visit to the Library for lessons on how to use the library. Our handbook of instructions is badly in need of revision because of changes in the Library system, and many more copies of it are needed. However, because of the careful study and con- siderable expenditure of time involved, this project has been shelved until another year.
Summer Reading Club
This summer we featured a Reading Round-Up to interest the children in our summer reading program. A small corral was set up, and ponies, horses, head of cattle, and so forth were added in the name of each child as a given number of books were read. At the end of the period those with the most livestock were named winners of our prizes. These were as follows :
Second grade: Bonnie Gifford, first prize
Third grade: Ann Early, first prize
Fourth grade :
Bethany Hawes, first prize
Joyce Howland, second prize
Fifth grade: Nancy Moss, first prize
Sixth grade:
Barbara Silva, first prize
Seventh grade:
Andrea Kucharsky, first prize Jeremy Jackson, second prize
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The story hours this summer were very well attended by 2,051 children in all. This was an average of 205.1 each session. Different story tellers were featured, including Mrs. Eldred E. Besse, Mrs. Ellen Rex, Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Miss Elsie-Lee McCarthy, Mrs. Alveric Bellenoit, Mrs. Beth Chollar, Miss Beatrice Mosgrove, Mrs. Carol Anderson, and Mrs. Joseph Rogers with her budgies. All were received with great en- thusiasm.
Other Library Activities
Mr. D. Austin Sistaire and the Reverend Clifton G. Hoffman organized a Great Books Discussion Group in Fairhaven to promote the better understanding of outstanding works of liter- ature. It was decided that the Library would be a sponsor and so the first meeting was held in the Trustees' Room. However, because the length of the meetings would conflict with library hours, the group moved itself to the Unitarian Parish House for future discusions.
Book Week is always a very active period for the Librarian and members of the staff. The first three days were devoted by the Librarian to school visits. On Thursday, the usual day for our Open House, we offered mulled cider and goodies to those who came to browse. The eight winners of the Summer Reading Club prizes helped serve, and two of our Trustees - Miss Mabel L. Potter and Mrs. Alfred P. Wilbor - were hos- tesses. At the Story Hour on Saturday morning Mrs. Eldred E. Besse, complete with her colorful posters, entranced the 125 children who by some miracle managed to squeeze into the Trustees' Room for the occasion.
New Teen Corner
It has come to our attention many times that some teen- agers appear highly offended at being referred to the Children's Room for books. Envious of libraries with enough space to have Teen Rooms, we gave the matter considerable thought and found we still had one alcove which had not occurred to us before as a possibility. Ingenious as usual, Mr. Boucher came to our aid once more and constructed shelves to form a Teen Corner which is now crammed with books of special in- terest to young people.
Gifts
During the year two photographs of the Presentation of the Samurai Sword in 1918 were given to us by Mrs. Lottie Ogren;
236
and a photograph and autograph of President Dwight D. Eisen- hower were sent to us by him to complete our collection.
Memorial books were presented to the Library by Miss Ruth Massey in memory of Miss Anna B. Trowbridge; by Bradford F. Swan in memory of his mother, Mrs. Anna F. Swan; and by Charles H. Smith, Gladys A. S. Holmes, and Allen and Ed- ward W. Holmes of Rochester, N. Y., in memory of Alberta Kempton Page.
The following persons have also graciously given books to the Library: Mrs. William Benson, Mrs. Floyd F. Cary, Earl J. Dias, Arthur P. Lewis, Mrs. Beatrice R. Long, Alton B. Paull, Dr. Richard Schlesinger, William T. Van Nostrand, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Philip. Many volumes were also sent to us from the estate of Thomas A. Tripp.
Exhibits
Our display case exhibited a variety of collections. Mrs. Agnes Delano loaned us her glass paperweights, Miss Ezilda Sylvia her demi-tasse cups, Mrs. Theodore Bradley her minia- ture dog collection, Miss Avis M. Pillsbury some foreign dolls collected by her in Europe, and the staff fine examples of old glass and china.
Staff Activities and Services
During the year the staff attended meetings held by the Massachusetts Library Association, the New England Library Association at Swampscott, the Cape Cod Library Club, and the Old Dartmouth Library Club, of which the Librarian is now president. Meeting and exchanging ideas with other librar- ians is most valuable in maintaining a high degree of pro- fessional efficiency.
A monthly list of books added to our collection was com- piled during the year by different members of the staff. We are rather proud of these attractive folders.
Oxford Branch
The Oxford Branch of our Library has been closed to the public since June, 1952. However, preparations were con- stantly being made at the Main Library for the opening of our new library there. A new collection of books has been assem- bled, new curtains made, and a new sign painted for the outside of the building. The official consent has at last been given and
237
the doors can be opened to the public once more. No definite date has been decided on as yet, but this information will be supplied in due time by both newspapers and radio.
Summary.
On reviewing the facts and figures for 1953 we find many encouraging signs prefaced by the word "more." More books were added to our collection, more books were catalogued, and more people used the library than last year. One of our principal aims for the year 1954 will be the acquisition of a full staff to help serve an increased number of library borrowers as efficiently as possible.
Here a word of appreciation is rated to the present staff members for their cooperation beyond the call of duty to the new Librarian.
Respectfully submitted,
RITA E. STEELE,
Librarian
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1953
Officers
President
Lord Fairhaven
Vice-President
Stuart M. Briggs
Treasurer
George A. Greene
Secretary
Rita E. Steele
Trustees
Henry Rogers Benjamin
Mrs. Lothrop Hedge
Eldred E. Besse
*Mrs. James H. C. Marston
Stuart M. Briggs
Charles Mitchell
Morris R. Brownell
Harry L. Pope
Elwyn G. Campbell
Miss Mabel L. Potter
Mrs. Orrin G. Carpenter
William Tallman
Lord Fairhaven
Mrs. Alfred P. Wilbor
George A. Greene
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Standing Committees 1953-1954
Book Committee
Lord Fairhaven, Chairman
Mrs. Carpenter
Mr. Pope
Mrs. Hedge
Miss Potter
Finance Committee
Mr. Greene, Chairman
Mr. Brownell
Mr. Benjamin Mr. Mitchell
Mr. Briggs Chairman, Board of Selectmen
House Committee
Mr. Besse, Chairman
Mr. Campbell
Mr. Tallman
Miss Potter Mrs. Wilbor
Officers and Committees appointed biennially
* Died December 2, 1953.
239
Former Trustees 1893-1953
Miss Ellen H. Akin ..... 1893-1919
Edmund Anthony, Jr. 1902
Mrs. Sarah H. Anthony
1893-1912
Mr. Lyman C. Bauldry 1913-1939
William E. Benjamin 1893-1940
Edward L. Besse 1893-1947
Miss Sara B. Clarke
1912-1933
Miss Edith Dana 1921-1951
Miss Georgia E. Fairfield
1920-1928
The Lady Fairhaven 1893-1939
William B. Gardner
1917-1941
James L. Gillingham
1893-1912
George B. Luther 1909-1951
Frederick B. Lyman 1904-1909
Mrs. Lizzie F. Nye
1893-1919
Mrs. Eliza C. Pease 1919-1943
Henry H. Rogers 1893-1909
Henry H. Rogers, Jr.
1909-1935
Don C. Stevens
1893-1901
George W. Stevens 1893-1908
Mrs. H. H. Stillman
1919-1920
George H. Taber
1893-1901
George H. Tripp
1893-1943
Job C. Tripp 1902-1917
Thomas A. Tripp
1893-1953
Miss Anna B. Trowbridge 1929-1950
Charles W. White, Jr.
1902-1904
Walter P. Winsor
1893-1911
Mrs. Mary B. Winsor
1893-1921
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TRIBUTES BY THE TRUSTEES
THOMAS A. TRIPP 1857 - 1953
During his long life-span of 95 years, Thomas A. Tripp was an outstanding citizen of his native Fairhaven and this community.
A man of many and varied interests and talents, Mr. Tripp was elected to many town offices and to many positions of trust and honor in this community.
As a banker, a business man, or an office holder, he was always kindly, friendly, courteous, prompt, efficient, and pub- lic spirited.
Mr. Tripp's close friendship with Henry H. Rogers had much to do with Mr. Rogers' benefactions to Fairhaven.
In 1892, before the Millicent Library was dedicated, Mr. Tripp was elected as the first secretary of the organization, and in 1893 at the dedication he was one of the original Trustees of this Board, a position he continued to hold for an unbroken period of almost sixty years.
GENEVIEVE P. MARSTON 1886 - 1953
It is with deep regret that we record the passing of Mrs. Genevieve Pratt Marston. Interested and active in the civic life of the Town in earlier years, as a Trustee of the Millicent Library (1943-1953) she was a faithful member, regular in attendance in so far as health permitted; and in her quiet way she supported the best interests of the Library.
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LIBRARY STAFF
Rita E. Steele ......... ..... Librarian
Avis M. Pillsbury Cataloger*
Ruth Barnes Secretary
Mona W. Staples
Circulation Assistant
Mary A. Sale
Circulation Assistant*
Agnes F. Hewitt General Assistant
Constance L. Handler Extension Librariant
Susan Murphy Student Assistant
Albin S. Silva Oxford Branch Librarian
Arthur J. Boucher Building Custodian
Former Librarians, 1893 - 1953
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 - Sept. 8, 1953
* Part-time
+ Resigned
242
FINANCIAL STATEMENT Report of the Treasurer for the year ended December 31, 1953
December 31, 1952, Balance on Hand
..... $3,267.66
Receipts for 1953
Town of Fairhaven
$24,078.00
Commonwealth of Mass. (Trust Fund)
2,500.00
Lost and damaged Books and Cards
9.18
Fines
367.41
Duplicate Pay books
46.35
Miscellaneous items
46.37
27,047.31
$30,314.97
Payments
Salaries - Library Staff
$13,038.77
Salary - Janitor
2,120.00
Social Security
226.09
Books
3,178.89
Periodicals
573.47
Binding books
247.74
Library of Congress cards (catalog)
233.10
Annual report
85.00
Bus service
90.00
Library and Office Supplies
687.13
Telephone
179.62
Gas and Electricity
629.92
Fuel
702.00
Insurance
424.07
Water
16.50
Building Maintenance and Repair
981.65
New Equipment
1,078.89
Repairs to Equipment
119.38
Balance cash on hand December 31, 1953
25,810.13 4,504.84
$30.314.97
Investments
1600 shares of Fairhaven Water Company Endowment with Commonwealth of Mass. $100,000.00
New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank 526.10
Examined and approved: - January 10, 1954 STUART M. BRIGGS
M. R. BROWNELL, Signed
(Signed) GEORGE A. GREENE,
Treasurer
24.3
STATISTICAL REPORT
THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS. American Library Association Form of Statistics
Annual Report for the year ending December 31. 1953
Name of Library - The Millicent Library
Town - Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Librarian - Rita E. Steele
Date of Founding - 1893
Population served (Census 1950)
12,764
Assessed valuation of town
$14.377.080.
Terms of use - Free for lending and reference.
Total number of agencies
12
Consisting of
Central Library
4 Stations (Oxford Branch, High School Library. King's Daughters Home, Our Lady's Haven) 7 Schools (89 classroom collections)
Volumes placed in classroom collections are counted in circulation on the day they are moved from the Central Library and no complete record of use at the school is kept.
Number of days open during year (Central Library)
303
Hours open each week for lending
63
Hours open each week for reading
63
Book Stock
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes at beginning of year
36,853
9.119
45,972
Volumes added by purchase.
1,159
566
1,725
Volumes added by gift
97
2
99
Total volumes added
1,256
568
1,824
Volumes lost or withdrawn
548
233
781
Total volumes at end of year
37.561
9,451
47,015
Periodicals currently received
148
Publications issued
Annual report, monthly lists of books
Use
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Total volumes loaned
39,188
20,123
59,311
Circulation per capita
4.6
Circulation per registered borrower
21
Pictures, photographs, clippings, etc., loaned
47
Registration
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year
616
333
949
Total of registered borrowers
1,771
955
2,726
Percent registered borrowers of population served
21%
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ஆடிஸஸ்
Page
Superintendent's Report
134
High School Principal 138
School Nurse 142
Expenditures, (Itemized ) 155
Financial Statement
144
Sealer of Weights and Measures 92
Selectmen's Message ..... 25
Sewer and Water Commissioners 89
Shellfish Inspector 93
Tax Collector
67
Town Accountant
Analysis of Appropriation Accounts 52
Balance Sheet 28
Cash Receipts and Payments 32
Town Clerk
Births 166
Marriages
172
Deaths
176
Town Meeting Members 217
Town Meetings 1953 180
Town Officers
18
Treasurer
Cash Account 57
Debt and Interest 1954 59
Outstanding Debt 1953 58
Trust Funds 1953 63
Tree Warden
98
Trust Fund Commissioners 66
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