USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1909-1912 > Part 24
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School garden work may be said to be truly success- ful when it awakens in the child an interest in growing things and makes him want to learn more about plants and how to cultivate them.
A national School Garden Association was formed during the session of the W. E. A. in Boston in July, and a State Association at the School Garden Confer- ence at Amherst Agriculture College in August.
160
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Persons interested in this subject will receive many suggestions, and literature of a helpful nature from either source.
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET G. BUTLER.
APPENDIX
SCHOOL LAWS IN BRIEF
1. All children between 7 and 14, unless sick, feeble-minded, at an approved private school, or other- wise instructed in branches required by law, to the satisfaction of the School Committee, must attend the public school during the entire time of each school year. Penalty to parent or guardian for failure in attendance for five days' sessions within any period of six months, $20 .- Revised Laws Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
2. No child under 14 shall be employed "in any factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment." "No such child shall be employed in any work performed for wages or other compensation" during the hours when the public school is in session, nor before six o'clock in the morning, nor after seven in the evening. -Chap. 106, Sect. 28.
3. No child under 16 shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment without a certificate from the Superintendent of Schools He must present an employment ticket from the person who wishes to employ him, on applying for a certificate. The father, if living, and a resident, must sign the certificate of age; if not, the mother; if neither, the guardian .- Chap. 106, Sects. 29, 30, 31, 32 ..
161
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
4. Children between fourteen and sixteen must either attend school or be regularly employed .- Chap. 46, Sect. 4.
5. Whenever a child is absent from school for the whole or a part of a session a written excuse stating cause of absence, and signed by a parent or guardian, must be presented by the pupil on his return to school. -Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
6. Children must be vaccinated before attending school, but a certificate from a regular physician say- ing a child is an unfit subject for vaccination, allows attendance.
No child can attend school from a household in which there is a case of smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or from a household exposed to a contagion from a household as aforesaid. Two weeks after the death, removal or recovery of the patient in a case of the first three mentioned, or three days after in a case of measles, the child may return, on presenta- tion of a certificate from the attending physician or from the Board of Health .- Chap. 44, Sect. 6.
7. "The last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature."-Chap. 42, Sect. 20.
8. A United States flag, not less than four feet in length, shall be displayed on the schoolhouse grounds or building every school day, when the weather will permit, and on the inside of the school- house on other school days .- Chap. 42, Sect. 50.
Every child between seven and fourteen years of age, and every child under sixteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during
162
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of at- tendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two and section three. five and six of this chapter. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required ; and if he fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such con- trol to cause such child, whose physical or mental con- dition is not such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint of a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or em- ploys or harbors a child who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
The school committee shall cause notice of the disease or defects, if any, from which any child is found to be suffering to be sent to his parent or guar- dian. Whenever a child shows symptoms of smallpox, scarlet fever, measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis, diph- theria, or influenza, tonsilitis, whooping cough, mumps, scabies or trachoma he shall be sent home immediate- ly, or as soon as safe and proper conveyance can be found, and the Board of Health shall at once be noti- fied .- Chap. 502. Sect. 4.
CALENDAR FOR 1911-1912
Spring term, eleven weeks, begins Monday, April 10; ends Friday, June 23.
163
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Fall term. sixteen weeks, begins Tuesday, Septem- ber 5; ends Friday, December 22.
Winter term. thirteen weeks, begins Tuesday, January 2; ends Friday, March 29.
Spring term. eleven weeks, begins Monday, April 8; ends Friday, June 22.
HOLIDAYS.
Every Saturday; Washington's Birthday; Patriot's Day;
Memorial Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving and the day following.
Patriotic exercises will be held in all the rooms the afternoon preceding Memorial Day.
164
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CLASS OF 1910 SOUTHBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday Evening, June 23
"HONOR WAITS AT LABOR'S GATE"
PROGRAM
MARCH-"When Teddy Comes March Home,"
PRAYER,
BLANCHARD'S ORCHESTRA
CHORUS-"Gallant Volunteer,"
REV. GEORGE E. TOMKINSON THE SCHOOL
SALUTATORY, EDITH ROWLEY
ADDRESS-"New Men for the New Age," REV. CHARLES L. GOODELL
CHORUS-(a) "The Dance of the Fairies," (b) "Song of the Armorer," THE SCHOOL SELECTION-"Woodland," ORCHESTRA
VALEDICTORY,
GERTRUDE BELLE CLEMENCE
.CHORUS-"The Lord is Great,"
THE SCHOOL
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
BY CHAIRMAN OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BENEDICTION. FINALE-(March)-"Skyflyer,"
ORCHESTRA
CLASS OF 1910
Daniel Pursel Bernheim, Arthur Howard Boulton,
David Blain, Walter Curlys Chace,
Ernest Walker Hall,
Irving Charles Hall,
Harold Everett Harwood,
Ernest Sylvester Kirby,
Alton Maurice Small, Ruth Lillian Brown,
Henry Olin Jackson, Phileas Irvin Renaud, Chauncey Hulbert Swett, Esther Elizabeth Butterworth,
Gertrude Bell Clemence, Emma Frances Curtis, Anna Nellie French,
Honora Cecilia Higgins, Edith Rowley, Eugenie Albertine Tetrault,
Louise Bradford Corbin, Gertrude Frances Flood, Gladys Lucy Mayer, Nalda Bertha McDonald, Gladys Emma Small, Amy Wheelock.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
FIRE ENGINEERS
This board is pleased to report a substantial bal- ance to the credit of its account for the year, it having been our policy to save wherever opportunity pre- sented itself, and we feel that our efforts have been rewarded. There is always coming up in this depart- ment unlooked for demands for money, and unless careful watch is kept on the finances it is an easy matter to have the account overdrawn at the end of the year.
The $600 appropriated for the purpose of making changes in the Elm street engine house to make it suitable for horses, was not used, because in the opinion of the board, after carefully going over the whole matter, it would not have been wise to go on with the work. In our opinion the plan of keeping horses in the house, which do not belong to the town, and so under the direction of the engineers, would have so many drawbacks, that the good it would do would be more than offset.
However, the board does not mean by this that something ought not to be done toward providing bet- ter facilities for getting apparatus to fires, but until the town is ready to buy its own horses, or to buy an auto engine, it seems better to get along as hereto- fore, making the best possible arrangements with
166
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
owners of horses to haul the apparatus. This plan does not work satisfactorily, but being the best that can be done for the present, it will have to be continued. At Globe Village, the engineers have been able to get horses in good time, and there has been no complaint as regards that end of town.
The board has realized for some time that the present system of batteries at the Elm street house is antiquated and most unsatisfactory, and we have in- vestigated other methods very thoroughly, finding that our present system is far behind the times. It is also unreliable, unless looked after very closely at all times and for this reason ought to be discarded and a more modern system adopted in its place. The first cost of a dry battery system would be considerable, but the in- expensive way of maintaining it would make it much cheaper in the end than the present system. The board has prepared estimates on the cost of installing a new system, having investigated all the systems that are now in use in towns of this size, and taking those only that have the approval of practical men.
There is a great need for more hydrants, which was pointed out last year, when arrangements were made with the water company to have a number put in. This arrangement was not carried out for some reason or other, and so the need stands now, only in a more pressing way than it did a year ago. It is to be hoped that this matter can be adjusted without delay.
There is also pressing need for more alarm boxes, at least five being required to properly protect the newer districts that have been built up in recent years and the board reccommends that they be established. The apparatus is in good condition, although some of it is old, having been in service 35 years, and ought not to be expected to stand the hard use of new
167
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
apparatus. The engine houses need repairing outside, but this can be done at small cost. This year a large quantity of new hose will have to be bought. The chief wishes to extend his thanks to the members of the board for their valuable assistance and co-opera- tion at all times. The expenses of the year were $3,224.30. Balance February 1, 1911, $896.02.
B. J. PROULX, Chief:
JOSEPH LECLAIR, Clerk.
ROLL CALL OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
Bazile J. Proulx, Chief.
District Chiefs-Patrick F. Flynn, Charles Proulx, Thomas McGrath, Joseph LeClair, Clerk.
STEAMER AND HOSE COMPANY NO. 1.
J. E. Duchaineau, Robert Moore, D. T. Morrill, Louis Lamothe, Alfred Langevin, Joseph Bebo,
Foreman Assistant Foreman Clerk Engineer Assistant Engineer Stoker
HOSEMEN.
Adelard Delage, W. G. Curboy, Joseph Brouillette, M. F. Maloney,
I. Duchaineau Charles Martel Thomas Halpin George Berry
C. J. Potvin.
168
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
SUBSTITUTES.
Alex. Langevin, Louis St. Martin Ferdinand Lemoine.
STEWARD NO. 1 HOUSE.
Henry Lucier.
STEAMER AND HOSE COMPANY NO. 2.
James Pollard,
Foreman
Edward Splain,
George Simpson, John Splain, William Walters,
Assistant Foreman Engineer and Clerk Assistant Engineer Stoker
HOSEMEN.
Joseph Dufault, Louis Brunelle, Monroe Walters, Hector Collette, A. N. Badger,
Geo. Largess Wm. Lachapelle Wm. Fitzpatrick John F. Power John E. Splain
SUBSTITUTES.
Adelard Dumas, Paul Potvin
John Mallinson
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 1.
Louis Peloquin, Joseph Lucier, Leandre Couture,
Foreman Assistant Foreman Clerk
LADDER MEN.
Olivier Paul,
Philias Dufault
169
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
Henry Lusignan, Olivier Langevin,
Napoleon Garceau Alfred Boucher
Isidore Leblanc
SUBSTITUTES.
John Lippe,
Joseph Morin
Alpherie Duplessi
HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY NO. 2.
John Brennan, Hosea Weld, John Smythe,
Foreman
Assistant Foreman Clerk
LADDER MEN.
John J. Hogan, Patrick May, Wm. G. Laughnane,
Collis Boucher
W. H. McGilpin Charles Wright
Joseph Girard.
SUBSTITUTEŚ.
Thomas F. Thimblin, Thomas Brennan Napoleon Loranger.
Steward No. 2 house-Louis Proulx.
LIST OF FIRES AND ALARMS
During the year there were 20 alarms, three gen- eral alarms and two false alarms.
A total fire loss of $9,115.00. Total insurance paid, $7,685.00. A net loss of $1,430.00.
170
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
Feb. 1-Box 26, alarm 12.15 p. m., recall 12.20 p. m. House owned by Demera, Plimpton street. Value $3,000, loss none. No. 2 companies responded.
Feb. 6-Box 26, alarm 6.28 p. m, recall 6.47 p. m. Owner, M. Delehanty, Robert street, Value $1,800, loss none. Steamer and Hook and Ladder compa- nies No. 2 responded.
Feb. 9-Box 23, alarm 7.55 a. m., recall 8.43 a. m. Owner, Joseph Ramsey, Beech street. Value of building $3,800, loss $750. Insurance $2,000. In- surance on contents $1,100. Insurance paid $318.85. Cause, defective chimney. Nos. 1 and 2 compa- nies responded.
Feb. 11-Box 36, alarm 6.43 a. m., recall 6.50 a. m. House owned by S. K. Edwards, Wardwell court. Insurance paid $15. Cause, chimney. Chemical present.
Feb. 12-Box 32, alarm 9.05 a. m., recall 9.20 a. m. Dwelling owned by Pierre Gaucher, Hamilton street. Cause, chimney fire, no loss. Chemical and Hook and Ladder company No. 1 responded.
Feb. 13-Box 27, alarm 11.42 p. m., recall 12.09 a. m. Dwelling owned by Hodgson, occupied by Curboy and Harvey, Sayles street. Value of building $2,000. Loss on building $50. Insurance on con- tents $500. Loss on contents $25. Total insurance paid $75. Cause defective chimney. Steamer and Hook and Ladder company No. 2 responded.
Feb. 27-Box 24, alarm 12.12 p. m., recall 12.24 p. m. Dwelling owned by Hamilton Woolen Co. Cause defective chimney. No loss. Hose and Hook and Ladder company No. 2 responded.
March 25-Box 34, alarm 12.05. Brush fire on Dudley
171
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
road. Wood lot owned by H. A. Morse. Steamer, Hook and Ladder and Chemical company No. 1 responded.
April 10-Box 42, alarm 11.37 a. m., recall 11.43 a. m. Dwelling owned by N. Beauregard, Morris street. Cause defective chimney. No loss. Apparatus present, Steamer, Hook and Ladder, Chemical and Supply No. 1.
April 19-Box 27, alarm 10.02 a. m., recall 10.12 a. m. Dwelling owned by Edward N. Leblanc, South street. Cause defective chimney. Value of build- ing $2,500. Value of contents $1,600. Loss on building $75. Insurance paid on contents $40.50. Total insurance paid $115.50. No. 2 companies responded.
April 28-Box 24, alarm 11.12 a. m., recall 11.20 a. m. House owned by John J. Delehanty, West Main street. Cause, rats and matches. Value of build- ing $1,200. Insurance on building $1,000. Loss on building $15. Value of contents $500. Loss on contents $150. Total loss $165. Steamer and Hook and Ladder companies No. 2. responded.
May 12-Box 25. alarm 9.58 a. m., recall 10.07 a. m. Dwelling owned by Hamilton Woolen Co., No. 14 Cross street. Cause, chimney. Value of building $2,500. Loss on building $50. Value of contents $300. Total loss $50. Steamer and Hook and Ladder companies No. 2 responded.
June 17-Box 43, alarm 11.18 p. m., recall 12.18 a. m. Barn owned by Sandersdale Print Works. Cause unknown. Value of building $6,000. Value of contents $1,000. Insurance on building $1,200. Insurance on contents $1,000. Total loss. Entire force at fire.
172
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
July 4-Box 34, alarm 12.40 a. m., recall 1,15 p. m. Shed owned by Maxwell, occupied by Eugene J. Sullivan, second hand furniture store. Cause un- known. Value of building $300. Loss on building $15. Value of contents $600. Loss on contents $80. Total loss $95. Steamer, Chemical and Hook and Ladder No. 1 responded.
Sept. 24 .- Box 37, alarm 1.41 p. m., recall 2.10 p. m. House owned by Horace Geer, Chapin street. Cause, coal ashes, Value of building $3,000. In- surance on building $2,000. Loss on building $50. Value of contents $2,500. Insurance on contents $2,500. Loss $50. Total loss $100. Insurance paid $100. Chemieal, steamer, Hook and Ladder company No. 1 responded.
Oct. 12 .- Box 37, alarm 6.45 p. m, recall 7.15 p. m. House owned by Joseph Sereleto, Elm street. Cause, chimney fire. Value of building $2,000. Loss on building $30.00. Value of contents $200. Total insurance paid $30. Steamer, chemical, Hook and Ladder company No. 1, responded.
Oct. 18 .- Box 34, alarm 1.15 p. m., recall 7.45 p. m. Brush fire Eastford street. Chemical responded.
Oct. 24 .- Box 42, alarm 5.45 a. m .. recall 6.00 a. m. Bakery on East Main streets. Cause, gasoline en- gine. No loss. Steamer and chemical responded. Nov. 6 .- Box 24, alarm 11.45, recall 1.30 p. m. House owned by Vernon J. Brown, Hooker district. Cause, chimney. Value of building $800. Loss on building $800. Insurance on building $600. Value of contents $400. Loss on contents $400 Insurance on contents $400 £ 'Total loss $1,200. Insurance paid $1,000. Chemical of company No. 1 responded.
173
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
Nov. 29-Box 34, alarm 6.45 p. m., recall 7.15 p. m. Universalist church, Main street. Cause electric wire. Value of building $8,000. Loss on building $300. Insurance on building $6,000. Insurance on contents $2,000. Total loss $300. Steamer, · Chemical and Hook and Ladder companies No. 1 responded.
Dec. 27-Box 27, alarm 7.40 p. m., recall 9.00 p. m. Dwelling owned by Miss E. L. Newhall, Sayles street. Cause stove. Value of building $2,500. Loss on building $2,000. Insurance on building $2,000. Value of contents $2,500. Loss on con- tents $1,500. Insurance on contents $1.500. Total loss $3,500. Entire force at fire.
Jan. 22-Box 24, alarm 6.45 a. m., recall 7.00 a. m. Building owned by Marie Roy, Union street. Cause over-heated stove. Value of building $150. Loss on building $10. Value of contents $25. Loss on contents $10. Total insurance paid $10. No. 2 companies responded.
Jan. 30-Box 47, alarm 6.30 p. m., recall 7.00 p. m. Building owned by John Tully, 31 Worcester street. Cause defective chimney. Value of building $5,000. Loss on building none. No. 1 companies responded.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
INSURANCE ON TOWN PROPERTY
Town Hall building and contents, $80,000 00
Boiler in Town Hall, 6,000 00
Boilers in Marcy street school, 4,000 00
Armory and contents, 9,500 00
Engine house and contents, Elm street, 15,000 00
Engine house and contents, Globe Village, 6,500 00
Alms house, barn and contents, 12,302 50
School house, Marcy street, and contents,
40,500 00
School house, Main street, and contents,
5,000 00
School house, Pleasant street, and contents, 3,700 00
School house, School street, and contents, 3,000 00
School house, Corner of Morris street, 1,500 00
School house, Sandersdale, and contents, 2,000 00
School house, Elm street, and contents, 1,600 00
School house, Dennison district and contents, 400 00
School house, Hooker district and contents, 600 00
School house, Bacon district, and contents,
400 00
School house, Mechanics street, and con- tents, 10,000 00
Storage barn and contents, Goddard court 1,100 00 Library building, 3,750 00
Boilers in steam engine houses, 3,000 00
Hook and Ladder truck, 800 00
175
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
Police station and steam boiler Elm street, $3,500 00 Printed books, paintings, furnishings, etc., library building, 20,000 00
Stone crusher and equipment, 2,000 00
VITAL STATISTICS
For year ending December 31, 1910.
Number of marriages, 125
Number of deaths, 205
Number of births, 400
Number of dog licenses issued
for 1910 :
Males,
394
Females,
36
Total, 430
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. BUCKLEY, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
LIBRARY OFFICERS.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Daniel T. Morrill,
Cary C. Bradford, -
- Term expires 1911' Term expires 1911
Joseph Metras,
- Term expires 1911
F. E. Corbin, -
Term expires 1912
Geo. M. Cheney,
- Term expires 1912
Origene J. Paquette,
Term expires 1912
J. A. Whittaker,
- Term expires 1913 .
Wm. C. Flood,
Term expires 1913
Henry J. Tetrault,
- Term expires 1913
LIBRARIAN Ella E. Miersch
ASSISTANT Mabel W. Plimpton
JANITOR John W. Ccggans
LIBRARY HOURS Week days, except legal holidays, 10 to 12 a. m .; 2 to 5.30; 6.30 to 9 p. m
180
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account Feb.
1,1910, $ 389 86
Dog fund from 1910, 827 09
Appropriation at the annual
town meeting,
2,000 00
Received from the Librarian, fines, cards, etc., 139 57
--
$3,356 11
EXPEDITURES.
Ella E. Miersch, librarian, salary
and sundry expenses, $743 49
Elizabeth R. Frost, salary and sundry expenses as substi- tute librarian, 250 72
Mabel W. Plimpton, salary as assistant, 396 00
John Coggans, salary as janitor,
108 37
Webster & Southbridge Gas & Electric Company, light,
169 43
H. P. Oldham, rent for extra rooms, 112 50
E. C. Ellis, coal.
120 95
Library Bureau, supplies,
9 90
Southbridge Electrical Contract- ing Company, repairs and electrical work, 20 93
Southbridge Press, printing, 45 25
Oldham & Ranahan, Co., repairs, 26 40
Gaylord Bros., supplies, 20 11
181
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
G. C. Winter, rent for vacuum cleaner, $18 00
George H. Chaffin and helper, labor, 27 00
Library Art Club, subscription, 6 00
Alexis Boyer, shelves, 5 87
R. R. Nickerson, dustdown,
6 00
Southbridge Water Supply, water,
15 00
Mary Delehanty, assistance, 5 70
R. A. Beckwith, stamped envelopes, 10 62
Alfred Allard, Tantalum lamps, 10 13
M. Egan & Son, window glass,
4 15
Ready Binder Co., binders,
5 52
Susan Sayles, cleaning,
9 77
J. M. & L. D. Clemence, lumber,
1 99
H. U. Bail, repairs,
5 08
Chivers Bookbinding Co., magaz- ine cases, 26 70
$2,181 58
BOOK ACCOUNT.
Charles E. Lauriat Co., books, $231 60
Michelson Bros., binding,
173 76
E. F. Dakin, books, 138 39
E. F. Dakin, periodical and news- paper subscriptions, 178 48
H. R. Hunting Co., books, 65 97
Emile Terquem, books,
72 83
Chivers Bookbinding Co., books,
20 47
H. W. Wilson Co., books and subscriptions, 31 30
Caroline L. Himebaugh, books, 4 29
Henry Malkan, books, 11 05
182
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
The Bookman, periodicals, $5 50
American school of correspond-
ence, books, 16 57
Popular Educator Co., subscrip- tions, 3 75
Quinebaug historical society,
leaflets, 3 30
Belisle Printing Co., La grande semaine, 1 25
Bailey, Banks Co., book,
5 00
Munn & Co., books, 3 20
Chas. K. Reed, books,
4 11
De Wolfe & Fiske Co., books,
9 00
Schoenhof Book Co., subscription
for "Lectures pour tous", 2 25
C. A. Nichols, book, 6 00
E. P. Dutton & Co., books,
9 15
Baker & Taylor Co., books, 9 86
John H. Williams, book, 1 00
Doubleday, Page & Co., books,
4 75
D. VanNostrand, book, 6 28
MacMillan Co., book, 1 95
H. J. Graham, book, 2 00
Richard G. Badger, book, 1 00
A. L. A. publishing board, pamphlets, 1 20
$1,025 26
Total amount received for library,
$3,356 41
Amount expended, expense ac-
count, $2,181 58
Amount expended, book account,
1,025 26
$3,206 84
Balance to credit of account,
Feb. 1, 1911, $149 57
The above expenses are for thirteen months.
183
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
MYNOTT FUND
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account Jan.
1,1910,
$1,003 32
Interest on fund to Jan. 1, 1911, 40 40
$1,043 72
Deducted by bank,
105 98
$937 74
EXPENDITURES.
E. F. Dakin, periodical subscrip- tions,
$4 40
Balance to credit of account
Feb. 1, 1911, $933 34
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
During the past year 37,798 volumes have been taken from the library for home use, a decrease of 422 volumes from the 38,220 volumes circulated during 1909-1910. The reports from libraries from all parts of the country are announcing decreases in circulation during the past year which they attribute to various causes, such as plenty of work, giving people less time to read. Our decrease came largely in one month, March, in which month, in the previous year, the cir- culation had been disproportionately large. On Jan- uary 28, 311 volumes were given out, the greatest number circulated on any one day in the history of the library ; 23 books, the smallest circulation of the
184
HEPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
year, were given out on September 16, cattle show day.
A little booklet containing a list of "100 good books for boys " and "100 good books for girls " has been printed to supply the demand for a children's catalogue. The library is distributing a list of "Nine good books on farming ", presented by the Free public library commission, and containing the nine books which agricultural experts are recommending for the reading not only of the farmer but of all those inter- ested in dairying, in the raising of poultry or of veget- ables. We expect soon to print a list of " Industrial art books", to enable the worker in electricity, me- chanics, engineering, etc., to see the books we supply for his use. Technical books are very expensive but we try to supply at least one up-to-date book on every subject for which there is any demand. Anyone who has been in Southbridge less than six months may take books from the library by leaving a deposit of $2, which is returned to the depositor at any time upon the return of all books to the library.
It is very doubtful whether in our inadequate quarters it would be wise to make any great effort to increase the use of the library. The reading room is often filled to overflowing, every available space filled with every available chair. As for the books circu- lated, no one except those who are carrying on the work of the library can realize the disadvantages under which that work is carried on. The narrow aisles, where, when the library patrons go to the shelves, it is almost impossible to get the books asked for at the charging desk, the double rows of books on the shelves, books crushed together on the shelves and stored in the darkest imaginable corners, inade- . quate bulletin space, a stack room which there is ab-
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