USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1954 > Part 11
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CHARLES P. THATCHER
March 21, 1954
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The Millicent Library
Fairhaven, Massachusetts
THE
LIBRARY
AI
HAVEN, MASS
ANNUAL REPORT
January 1, 1954, through December 31, 1954
THE A. E. COFFIN PRESS
NEW BEDFORD, MASS.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE MILLICENT LIBRARY
It is extremely gratifying both to the Trustees and to the staff to note the increased use the library has had dur- ing 1954. Our records show a gain in all phases of the library's program, so that we must conclude that a greater need for our services is apparently being felt by those in Fairhaven and nearby communities.
Circulation figures are used to indicate a library's pop- ularity. This year the items borrowed from us reached a total of 77,618, which, compared with 59,311 in 1953, shows a gain of 24 per cent. The registration totals were higher, too, with 1,302 registered in 1954, as compared with 949 in 1953. Although our 3,245 library users number more than those of any year since 1942, this figure indicates that only 25 per cent of the population of Fairhaven is served by the main library and the North Fairhaven branch. The residents of East Fairhaven constitute the largest of the sections which we feel are poorly served by our library, with parts of North Fairhaven a close second. We shall dedicate ourselves in 1955 to the expansion of our services throughout the neglected area.
The library acquired 1,891 new books during the year and catalogued 1,832 volumes. Our only loss was suffered through hurricane damage to 62 of our books-a loss which the library felt obliged to bear, as the responsibility was indeed not with the borrower.
Staff
As stated last year, our aim for 1954 was the acquisi- tion of a full and efficient staff. This was accomplished when Mrs. Lillian Schmidt, a graduate of the Simmons Col- lege School of Library Science and a resident of Fairhaven, came to work for us as the Children's Librarian. Although she is in charge of the children's collection, she also directs the extension work, which includes the selection and prep- aration of books for the branch, the stations, and the class- room library collections.
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Each staff member strives to give the public the best service within her power. Cheerful cooperation and capa- bility are two qualities which we shall always consider de- sirable in our workers ..
Trustees
Two prominent Fairhaven residents were elected by our Trustees to fill vacancies on the Board. Mrs. Hugh B. Darden, Jr., was elected last January to fill the place left vacant by the death of her mother, Mrs. James H. C. Mars- ton. In April, Mr. Raymond McK. Mitchell was received as a new member to replace his father, Mr. Charles Mitch- ell, who resigned.
The Building and Grounds
This year the need for new chairs in the library be- came more acute. After a number of minor accidents, the chairs in the Reading Room were admitted to be a hazard and it became necessary to replace them with oak models noted for durability as well as comfort. Each staff mem- ber was also supplied with a posture chair.
Another step was taken this year toward the comple- tion of the small auditorium in the basement. Before any painting could be attempted, some of our problems had to be solved downstairs. The heating system which needed attention had to be repaired, leaking pipes were fixed, and Hoor trenches made safe. After these steps were taken, there was only enough money left to paint the hallways and staff room.' A once dreary basement is now being transformed step by step into an area having a bright and clean atmosphere.
The staff room, decorated in pale green and red, was improved by the addition of a rug and bookcase graciously donated by Mrs. Edward Denzler.
The exterior of the building occupied our attention, mainly because of the damage done by the two hurricanes. Our losses were slight in comparison with those suffered by the rest of the town. A few slates blew off the roof and the flashings on the ridges and steeple had to be re- paired. Six pine trees at the rear of the building went
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MRS. ELDRED BESSE, Storyteller, at the FIRST WEDNESDAY MORNING STORY HOUR HELD DURING THE SUMMER
- -
..
A DELEGATION OF FIVE JAPANESE NEWSPAPERMEN WITH TWO STATE DEPARTMENT INTERPRETERS SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK AT THE LIBRARY DURING THEIR VISIT TO THIS AREA IN JULY
20 - 40.
THE LIBRARIAN PRESENTING THE BOOK PRIZES TO THE SUMMER READING CLUB MEMBERS AT THE OPEN HOUSE HELD DURING BOOK WEEK
FRONT ROW (Left to Right) : BONNIE GIFFORD, CAROL ANN HESKETH, JOYCE HOWLAND BACK ROW (Left to Right) : BETHANY HAWES AND JANICE CLUNIE
S
EUGENE ROSE AND SUSAN MURPHY EXAMINING THE BOOKS OF INTEREST TO THEM IN THE NEW 'TEEN CORNER
down and fourteen others were badly buffeted by the wind. All of these must be removed next year.
The Office of Civil Defense designated the library building as a shelter, and their emblem was set up at the foot of the driveway.
School Work
The usual service that the library renders in sending book collections to the classrooms of all the elementary schools was continued this year with the delivery of 3,574 books during 1954. This whole collection of books was in need of revision, but because of an incomplete staff at the time, we were not able to accomplish this until this year. During the summer months, Mrs. Schmidt inspected each copy for mending, cleaning or discarding and added 77 new titles to the collection.
Seventh-grade students visited the library during the first week of May. Each class remained here for a session of an hour and a half, which included a tour of the library, a review of the study of library methods and procedures, and a test on the use of the catalog.
Summer Program
During the summer months the children had special attractions that encouraged them to use the library. To publicize the coming events, the Librarian visited each el- ementary school in June to tell the children about some of the new books, announce the schedule for the story hours, and to invite all to join the summer reading club.
This year the reading club had special appeal to those who were space-minded. The Rocket Riders Club featured a chart of the heavens set up in the Children's Room. After a child had read and reported on three books, he became a member of the Rocket Riders Club and received a pin to wear and a silver rocket ship, which was attached to the chart. According to the number of books read, a child would reach planets farther and farther removed in space.
229
Of the 34 members in the club, the following five won prizes :
Third grade : Carol Ann Hesketh, first prize 95 books read Bonnie Gifford, 2nd prize
55 books read
Fifth grade: Joyce Howland, 1st prize
63 books read
Bethany Hawes, 2nd prize 52 books read
Janice Clunie, 3rd Prize
42 books read
A planet was named for Carol Ann Kesketh, who read more books than any of the other club members, and she received an especially beautiful book as a prize. The book prizes for these winners were awarded at the Book Week Open House, where these children were invited to serve, in order that parents and friends could witness the present- ation of the awards.
The story hours, which were held each Wednesday morning from June 30th through August 25th, were the most successful in many years. Mrs. Eldred E. Besse fea- tured two Dr. Seuss stories illustrated with her own color- ful posters. Mrs. Joseph Rogers, a must on our yearly pro- gram, thrilled the children with her stories and the trained budgies which she brought with her. Miss Beatrice Mos- grove kindly consented to appear twice on our schedule, and Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Miss Elsie-Lee McCarthy, and Mrs. Alveric Bellenoit all agreed to return engagements. Mrs. Beth Chollar came over from New Bedford with some films and stories featuring animals.
Almost 400 children attended the first week and near- ly the same number the second week. Since the auditorium in our basement will accomodate only a little more than 125 comfortably, the story tellers on these two occasions were forced to conduct three separate story sessions. A total of 2,543 children attended these story hours, or an average of 283 a week.
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Book Week
As has been the custom of past years, National Chil- dren's Book Week-this year November 15-20-was duly celebrated at the Library. The Librarian, from Monday through Thursday, visited all the elementary schools to dis- play the latest children's books and tell a few stories to the younger grades. Throughout the week all the newest ad- ult books were exhibited at the library. On Thursday a general Open House was held for teachers, parents, and friends. Refreshments consisting of a cranberry fruit punch and delicacies were served in the Trustees Room from a table decorated with red and white carnations and wreaths of greens and cranberries. On Saturday morning at 9:30 Mrs. Carol Anderson of North Dartmouth told stories at the special Book Week story hour.
Exhibits
Throughout the year the staff make an effort to keep attractive and up-to-date displays of books and decora- tions before the public. Each month the top shelf in our niche featured a seasonal display that was often tied in with our monthly book list covers. The glass exhibit case held some collections of interesting and unusual hobbies. Mr. Eldred Besse selected some of his own paintings having marine and local appeal, scrimshaw belonging to the Elwyn Campbells helped to complete a whaling exhibit, Mrs. Blanche Moreau loaned us her miniature violin collection during Music Week, Mrs. A. G. Moberg of North Rochester lent us some interesting and unusual sea shells from her extensive collection, garden birds carved by Mr. Alveric Bellenoit made another colorful group, and salt and pepper shakers of every description owned by Mrs. Minnie Hughes and miniature shoes owned by Miss Jean Chace interested many because of their unique qualities. All collectors are urged to lend us any material that they have available for exhibit.
Nothing is admired more than attractive floral arrange- ments in libraries which are fortunate enough to have them. There is no doubt that such displays lend an air of gracious- ness and a homelike atmosphere to a library, and we have hoped that by degrees we would be able to accomplish more and more along these lines. In some communities such floral arrangements are accepted as their responsibility by
231
the local garden club members. In Fairhaven we have re- lied on spontaneous donations from thoughtful and gen- erous persons who have given flowers to the library from time to time. We thank Mrs. Ruth E. Fuller of Matta- poisett, Mrs. Harold E. Kerwin, Miss Mabel L. Potter, and Mrs. Kenneth Noyer of Fairhaven for their contributions during the past year-and especially Mrs. Floyd Cary, who brought a beautiful bouquet of white gladioli in memory of her father, Mr. Thomas A. Tripp, on his birthday. All others who have flowers to donate or who feel that they have a flair for arranging them are more than welcome to exercise their talents at the library.
Gifts
We were fortunate to receive worthwhile and useful gifts of books from many of our patrons :
Mrs. Caroline Bauer Miss Leslye Shurtleff
Mr. Alton B. Paull
Mr. John B. DeGraw
Mrs. Otto F. A. Arnold
Miss Ruth Barnes
Mr. Louis A. Baudoin Dr. Richard Schlesinger
Mr. Earl J. Dias Mrs. W. Chapin
Mr. Alfred J. Poisson
Mr. Stuart M. Briggs
The Rev. Clifton G. Hoffman Mr. William T. Van Nostrand
Mr. Louis Blossom Miss Alice Sturtevant
Mr. A. P. Lewis
Mrs. Gilbert Long
The Fairhaven High School
A magazine subscription for the DAR magazine was donated by Mrs. Richmond Wood of New Bedford. Issues of Vermont Life were given by Mrs. Bancroft Winsor of Acushnet and Arizona Highways by Mr. Pierce Brown of Fairhaven.
Oxford Branch
On March first the new Oxford Branch Library was opened for the convenience of the residents of North Fair- haven. This attractive room, which is housed in the new Oxford School building, has its own entrance and is well advertised by a lighted sign at the corner of Main and East Morton Street. During the first four months the room was used to such an extent that a page had to be hired to assist the Branch Librarian. For the remainder of the year, how-
232
ever, the circulation has fallen off at an alarming rate. It has come to our attention that many adults have the mis- taken opinion that the library is exclusively for children be- cause it is in a school building. An interesting collection of adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as the current issues of 14 magazines, may be found there, with the opportunity to borrow any of the books from the Main Library through the Branch.
Because the Branch Library is open in the evening only, it is now felt that perhaps many children are deprived of its use. Later this next year we hope to include one afternoon a week in the schedule.
Acknowledgments
Our library report for the year 1954 would not be com- plete without a special paragraph expressing our apprecia- tion of Mr. Lucien Cyr's expert job of repairing the lamp- post which stands outside the library at the foot of the front steps. About a year ago, the upper part of the lamp post was razed by pranksters. For many months only the lower part of the pedestal was standing, the problem constantly in our minds as to how we could repair and replace this and still remain within our limited budget. Mr. Cyr vol- unteered on his own initiative to repair and reinstall this ornate and complicated mechanism, which he accomplished only at the cost of many long hours of painstaking effort. We cannot express the gratitude and appreciation which we feel is due Mr. Cyr and we consider his act to be the mark of a public-spirited and extremely generous man. Our thanks to Mr. Cyr publicly and wholeheartedly.
Not infrequently we receive queries of a genealogical nature and sometimes, finding our own resources inade- quate, we turn to people in the community who have done research on this subject and who are specialists in Fairha- ven history. We extend our thanks to Mrs. Flavel Gifford for the many favors that she has done for us in this regard and to Mr. Pierce Brown for some extended research which he also did for us.
Our special events have been publicized more than ad- equately by WBSM, The Standard-Times, The Fairhaven Star. We are very grateful for these services.
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Summary
The vote of confidence which the people of Fairhaven have given us in their increased patronage this year leads us to believe that, on the whole, 1954 has been a successful year for the library. Our efforts in 1955 shall be directed sincerely toward justifying the confidence which has been placed in us.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES, 1954
Officers
President
Lord Fairhaven
Vice-President Treasurer
Stuart M. Briggs
George A. Greene
Secretary
Rita E. Steele
Trustees
Henry Rogers Benjamin
George A. Greene
Eldred E. Besse
Mrs. Lothrop Hedge
Stuart M. Briggs
Raymond McK. Mitchell
Morris R. Brownell
Harry L. Pope
Elwyn G. Campbell
Miss Mabel L. Potter
Mrs. Orrin G. Carpenter
William Tallman
Mrs. Hugh B. Darden, Jr.
Mrs. Alfred P. Wilbor
Lord Fairhaven
Chairman, Board of Selectmen
Standing Committees 1953-1954
Book Committee Lord Fairhaven, Chairman
Mrs. Carpenter
Mr. Pope
Mrs. Hedge
Miss Potter
Finance Committee
Mr. Green, 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
235
Former Trustees 1893-1954
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. James H. C. Marston 1943-1953
Charles Mitchell
1935-1954
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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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Report of the Treasurer for the year ended December 31, 1954
December 31, 1953, Balance on Hand
$4,504.84
Receipts for 1954
Town of Fairhaven
$18,123.00
Commonwealth of Mass. (Trust Fund)
2,500.00
Fairhaven Water Company
4,800.00
Fines
459.28
Duplicate Pay Books
41.69
Miscellaneous items
131.77
26,055.74
$30,560.58
Payments
Salaries - Library Staff
$12,992.69
Salary - Janitor
2,345.56
Social Security
289.38
Books
4,392.58
Periodicals
220.40
Book binding
168.88
Library of Congress catalog cards
262.18
Annual report
95.00
Bus service
90.00
Library and Office Supplies
940.64
Telephone
204.22
Gas and Electricity
736.25
Fuel
342.00
Insurance
290.50
Water
18.00
Building Maintenance and Repair
1,023.58
New Equipment
881.34
Repairs to Equipment
252.18
Balance cash on hand December 31, 1954
$25,545.38 5,015.20
$30,560.58
Investments
1,600 shares of Fairhaven Water Company
Endowment with Commonwealth of Mass. $100,000.00
New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank 540.66
Examined and approved : - January 6, 1955 M. R. BROWNELL
R. McK. MITCHELL, Signed
(Signed) GEORGE A. GREENE, Treasurer.
237
STATISTICAL REPORT THE MILLICENT LIBRARY, FAIRHAVEN, MASS.
American Library Association Form of Statistics
Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1954
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 (1953)
$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 (104 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
37,561
9,454
47,015
Volumes added by purchase
1,281
507
1,788
Volumes added by gift
102
1
103
Total volumes added
1,383
508
1.891
Volumes lost or withdrawn
590
384
974
Total volumes at end of year
38,354
9,578
47,932
Periodicals currently received
146
Publications issued
Annual report, monthly list of books
Use
Adult Juvenile
Total
Total volumes loaned
46,620
30,998
77,618
Circulation per capita
6.1
Circulation per registered borrower
24
Registration
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers registered during year .........
699
603
1,302
Total of registered borrowers
1,955
1,290
3,245
Per cent registered borrowers of population served
25%
238
LIBRARY STAFF
Rita E. Steele Librarian
Avis M. Pillsbury
Cataloger*
Lillian Schmidt Children's Librarian*
Ruth Barnes Secretary
Mona W. Staples
Circulation Assistant
Mary A. Sale
Circulation Assistant*
Agnes F. Hewitt
Assistant in Charge of Periodicals and Binding
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
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HOURS
MAIN LIBRARY Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a. m. - 9 p. m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 9 a. m. - 6 p. m.
Closed Sundays and Holidays
OXFORD BRANCH Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7 - 8 p. m.
240
Index
Assessors' Department 72
Building Inspector 95
Calendar of Board Meetings 17
Civil Defense
117
Election and Registration 78
Fire Alarm Superintendent 88
Fire Department 86
Fire Department, Historical Outline (12 Pages)
3
Health Department
89
Animal Inspector 91
Health Nursing Service 92
Inspector of Slaughtering 91
Milk Inspector
91
Health Nursing Service 92
Highway Department 94
Information About the Town 15
Millicent Library 221
Officers of Federal, State and County Governments 23
Park Department 98
Planning Board 84
Police Department 105
Public Assistance
81
Retirement Board 97
School Department
119
School Committee Report 122
Superintendents Report
125
High School Principal 129
School Nurse 133
Expenditures, (Itemized) 145
Financial Statement 135
Selectmen's Message 24
Sewer and Water Commissioners
93
Shellfish Inspector
96
Tax Collector
67
Tax Title Report
103
Town Accountant
Analysis of Appropriation Accounts 55
Balance Sheet 28
Cash Receipts and Payments 32
Town Clerk 159
Births 160
Marriages 164
Deaths
169
Town Meeting Members
207
Town Meetings 1954
173
Town Officers
18
Treasurer
Cash Accounts 61
Debt and Interest 1955 63
Outstanding Debt 1954 62
Trust Funds 1954 64
Tree Warden
102
Trust Fund Commissioners 66
Veterans Benefits 104
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