USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1929 > Part 22
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$10,475.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Spring and Fall
a. After school and Sat. play on school playgrounds.
b. Ath. for young men and women, base- ball and football, volley ball, soccer, tennis, horseshoe pitching.
c. Marble and kite tournaments.
d. Com. music, dramatics, music mem- ory contest, music week.
e. Com. center frolics.
f. Preparing and arranging programs.
g. Flag day, May day, Mothers' day, Armistice day, Thanksgiving day, Hallowe'en.
h. Service bureau.
Supt. Rec. Salary 6 mos. $1,800.00 2 year round workers 6 mos. 1,800.00 22 part time workers 2 mos. @ $40. 1,760.00 Music and Drama. 400.00 Holiday and other cele- brations 350.00
$6,110.00
Winter
a. Indoor social rec. for young people and adults.
b. Promotion of winter sports. c. Holidays, Xmas, New Years, Lincoln- Washington's birthday.
d. Music, Drama, Carol Com. Chorus, Plays, Pageants, etc.
e. Indoor athletics.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
f. Training school for vol. leaders. Salary Supt. of Rec. 3 mos. .$900.00 Salary 2 year round work- ers 900.00
Holiday celebrations 175.00
Music and Drama. 400.00
Leaders Training Class. . 100.00
Winter sports .
200.00
Office equip. and expense 600.00
Emergency Fund
140.00
$3,415.00
Total Budget
$20,000.00
Playground and Recreation Association of America 315 Fourth Ave. New York City
1
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
January 28, 1930
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
The Planning Board submits herewith a report cover- ing its activities during the year 1929. The Board has continued its policy of holding semi-monthly meetings which, as in the past, have been supplemented by field in- spection trips and by attendance at hearings at which. matters involving the future development and interests of the Town were involved. The Board has also been rep- resented at the annual meeting of the State Federation of Planning Boards and at several Planning Conferences held in Boston.
Further progress has been made with respect to the various projects covered by the previous report of the Board and in the case of the Spy Pond property, acquisi- tion of the land in question was authorized by the Town Meeting. A summary of the work done and the present status of each of these major problems is as follows :
MILL BROOK
The Board submitted a report to the 1929 Town Meeting of a plan for the improvement of Mill Brook and has since continued its study of the problem. It now has in its possession reasonably accurate surveys show- ing the course of the brook and the boundaries and names of the adjoining property owners. The Board feels that
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
this problem can best be solved by dividing it into sec- tions and taking up from time to time for study and im- provement whichever sections shall seem to most require it and whose improvement will be for the best interests of the Town. It is hoped to make a beginning in the sec- tion which includes the site of the former Fowles Mill and articles to this effect have been prepared for the 1930 Town Meeting.
WARREN STREET EXTENSION
This project has been the subject of considerable study and discussion with other Town Boards during the year. Recently the Metropolitan Planning Division has adopted this project as a part of one of its plans for a by-pass around Arlington Center. While the original plan has been somewhat modified it is still the feeling of the Metropolitan Division as well as this Board, that the extension of Warren Street to Mystic Street is justified and should be done as soon as possible.
SPRING STREET
Several conferences have been held with the Plan- ning Board of Belmont with reference to this matter. This Board has had a survey made which shows the prac- ticability of constructing a new highway without exces- sive grades or expensive land taking's which will supplant the older street which is wholly unsuited for present traf- fic. The land near the junction of Spring Street and Pleasant Street is rapidly coming into the market and as the boundary line between the two towns passes through this street it is very essential that some clean cut layout be adopted at this point at an early date. As the devel- opment at the easterly end of Spring Street lies within the boundaries of Belmont, this Board feels the imme- diate problem must largely be solved by Belmont in co- operation with this Town. In line with this proposed street change, further surveys of the Board have indi-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
cated the feasibility of a connection being ultimately made with the new Alewife Brook Parkway between Massachusetts and Concord Avenues via Lake Street, which in conjunction with the extension of Spring Street to the west around Arlington Heights, would provide an excellent route to Lexington and Concord, thereby re- lieving Massachusetts Avenue of a large part of its through traffic. The Board has also brought this plan to the attention of the Lexington Planning Board as it was felt that such a highway would likewise be of benefit to that Town.
MILL STREET EXTENSION
The Planning Board has conferred with the Town Engineer with regard to a possible extension of Mill Street across Summer Street and it is felt that the Town's interests will be protected in the event of the develop- ment of the property on the northerly side of Summer Street and the consequent extension of Mill Street.
The personnel of the Board during the year has been changed by the decision of Mr. Cyrus E. Dallin not to be a candidate for re-election. Mr. Dallin served the Town as a member of the Planning Board for 15 years, being a member of the original Board. His former associates on the Board wish to acknowledge at this time the pleasure it has been to serve with him. Mr. Lester W. Collins was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Charles M. MacMillin con- tinued to serve during the year as Chairman and Mr. Her- bert M. Dutcher as Secretary.
CHARLES M. MacMILLIN, HERBERT M. DUTCHER, WALTON H. SEARS, CAROLYN B. REED, LESTER W. COLLINS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1929
Trustees WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary and Treasurer MISS M. HELEN TEELE MRS. THERESE N. TURNER CYRUS E. DALLIN DR. CHARLES J. WALSH
Librarian MRS. LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD
Librarian Emeritus ELIZABETH J. NEWTON
Reference MRS. ANTOINETTE W. BRASK
Cataloguing RUTH SAMPSON
Young People's Department THELMA BRICTSON *LUCILE ORFORD
Circulation EDITH A. WHITTEMORE
* Resigned.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
General Assistants ESTHER GANNETT LOUISE MUIR ALICE NELSON
Part-Time Assistant HELEN THOMPSON
Part-Time Workers ELIZABETH TISDALE EVELYN GLEASON HELEN RUSSELL
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch JEANNETTE FAVREAU
Janitor JOHN HERON
East Branch EVA M. SMITH
Janitor PATRICK REDDAN
Messenger PROCTOR MICHELSON
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1929
To the Board of Selectmen of Arlington :
The Trustees present herewith the report of the Robbins Library for the year 1929. As the following report and tables of the Librarian show, many people of Arlington appreciate the pleasure of a good book. A total of 193,665 were circulated for home use in 1929, a large increase in circulation at both the central desk and the branches.
In accordance with the vote of the Town Meeting Members in March, a Building Committee of five was appointed to secure plans and estimates for an addi- tion to the present building. This addition will con- tain a children's room, a hall, and a work room. The Committee appointed by the Moderator was composed of William A. Muller, Trustee, as Chairman, William Gratto, Building Inspector, Henry C. Guernsey, Angus P. Macdonald, and Miss Edith Fox. The Town at this meeting also appropriated $500 for the use of the Com- mittee in securing plans and estimates. With the addi- tion of the proposed Junior Library of adequate size and books enough to meet the needs of children up to Senior High School, a hall where the story hour and literary meetings can be held, and a suitable work room, the library will be able to do much more effective work and to a greater extent do its part in the educa- tional program of the Town. Because of the antici- pated changes in the library building, the Trustees
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
have spent the minimum amount in repairs during the past year.
At this time the Trustees wish to express their appreciation for the gifts and loans made the library in 1929. These include a gift of $1000 from the estate of Miss Ellen W. Hodgdon, and $500' from a friend of the library who gave the same amount last year for the purchase of children's books. In addition to the above, we have received many contributions of books and magazines from Arlington people.
Our increased service necessarily carried with it increased expenditures, and the Town has realized our needs as shown by our financial report, and co-operated with us.
We are grateful to the staff for their faithful service and co-operative spirit.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman, CYRUS E. DALLIN, M. HELEN TEELE, THERESE N. TURNER,
DR. CHARLES J. WALSH, ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON,
Trustees.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1929
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
The report of the work of the Robbins Library for the year 1929 is herewith submitted.
This year our aim has been to reach a larger pub- lic rather than merely a portion of it and to be pre- pared to meet the demands of people of varied interests.
REFERENCE AND CIRCULATION
We are glad to record that in the year just closed we have had a substantial increase in the home use of books and magazines. In 1928, the record showed 169,619 issued; in 1929, 193,665, a gain of 24,046, or about 121/2 per cent. Of these 128,229 were adult books and 64,774 juvenile. Estimating the town's pop- ulation at 34,000, our circulation per capita is 5.7. New borrowers have registered to the number of 1,835; 1,383 at Central, 146 at East, 306 at Heights. Use has been made of the new picture collection to the amount of 472.
The Branches at East and Heights have made sub- stantial increases in circulation under many handicaps. The interest of the teachers in children's reading has done much to build up the circulation. At East much has been done with the State Reading-list. The Branch Librarian at East, Miss Eva M. Smith, writes : "Forty-seven State reading certificates have been given out and three children are now ready for honor certifi-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
cates. Up to date thirty-seven children are reading required books to earn certificates. The Branch does as much reference work as possible with the small amount of reference books on hand. There is great need of books of this type to cover the work of the Junior High School. Books sent to the Branch on deposit keep the supply constantly changing. These are selected each week from the main library."
Miss Jeannette Favreau, Branch Librarian at the Heights, reports: "Should a stranger drop in at the Heights Branch on a Tuesday, he would find a line of children extending from the librarian's desk to the school corridor. As a rule there is little confusion, although once in a while some child tries to shove his neighbor. They often form the line of their own accord when they see the room filling rapidly. Often over two hundred books are given out between one and six o'clock and as many are returned. Then there is the evening circulation also.
"A great many of the readers are second or third grade pupils who start out by reading the very simplest books and then proceed to fairy tales. Many of the new readers come from the Peirce School, and they arrive at the library between four and five o'clock. Some of these children walk more than a mile to the library, as they come from the Winchester line. The evening work is with Junior and Senior High School pupils who are gradually forming the habit of coming to the Branch to do their reference work. The telephone enables us to answer some questions which we could not do otherwise as the reference books are limited in scope. Biographies of literary men seem to be a favorite assignment. Modern inventions like the tele- phone and radio are also popular questions. By changing the deposits of juvenile and adult books once or twice a month, new titles are in circulation and the old complaint
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
of 'Oh, I've read everything in this library' is without a basis. The new books are always in demand and the peo- ple seem very pleased to get some of the newer titles without going to the main library."
A study of the circulation tables shows the circu- lation at the various stations.
CIRCULATION 1929
Gain over
Adult
Juvenile
1928
Central
.110,929
38,121
Total 149,050
11,929
East
9,571
13,318
22,889
5,536
Heights
7,729
13,335
21,064
5,919
School
662
662
662
Total 128,229
65,436
193,665
24,046
COMPARATIVE CIRCULATION TABLES
1892 (First year in present building) .. 33,993
1900 (Stacks were opened to public) .. 51,069
1905
44,035
1910
44,179
1915
54,598
1920
60,251
1925
102,156
1926
119,774
1927
. 140,521
1928
. 169,619
1929
193,665
It is interesting to note that the gain in circulation for 1929 over 1928 is very nearly three times that made from 1905 to 1925.
The increased use of the library shows itself in an increased demand for new books. An effort has been
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
made to supply requests from many sources and con- cerning many subjects. Special attention has been directed to selecting books on architecture, painting, applied arts and to books of interest to the business man, as well as building up the reference collection. Much money is expended on periodicals, which furnish a great deal of reference material.
The catalogue department has been charged with the addition of 3,920 volumes, an increase of 425 over the previous year; 2,323 volumes were adult and 1,597, juvenile. Of the volumes added 382 were gifts. 1,369 books were withdrawn during the year and with- drawal records corrected to the number of 1,415, mak- ing total discards 2,784. The estimated number of volumes belonging to the library December 31, 1929 was 39,803, a gain of 1,136.
The work of recataloguing has been carried on along with the regular work. There are still many books to be gone over and much work to be done on the catalogue.
The preparation of books includes besides the mending of many volumes the rebinding of 2,597 books and the recasing of 450.
Mrs. Brask, the reference librarian, has given the following account of the work done in the Reference Department: "The year 1929 was one of increased use- fulness in this department. An approximate count of readers totals 29,139 as against 28,288 in 1928; but no attempt was made to keep statistics of reference questions. These varied from the routine questions of the high school students to the more comprehensive and technical questions of college students, teachers, club women, and business people, involving the use of reference books, periodicals, pamphlets as well as books from the stacks.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
"Throughout the year there has been a constant demand for debate material covering such subjects as Water power control of Niagara Falls, the Honor sys- tem in high school, Equal pay for women, U.S. naval expansion, Coeducation, and Abolishment of the income tax. Housewives have been aided in finding informa- tion on hooked rugs, table setting, child training, social letter-writing, house plans, gardening, etc. The vari- ous women's clubs have made a study of painters, for- eign countries, modern writers, the early history and social life of Massachusetts. Miscellaneous questions varied from the subject of grafting trees to the dances of the Axtec Indians. The large number and variety of questions makes necessary a fairly complete collec- tion of reference books, periodicals, and pamphlets.
"The following books were added to our collection in 1929:
Cyclopedia of Painters and Paintings
Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. 1, 2, 3
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 14th edition
Firkins. Index to Short Stories, Supplement Granger. Index to Poetry, Supplement
Nutting. Furniture Treasury
Ward. Encyclopedia of Food Who's Who, 1929 Who's Who in America, 1928-1929
"The pamphlet collection increased in number to over one thousand, making necessary the addition of two drawers to the filing case.
"Considerable work was done on the picture col- lection, which now consists of nearly one thousand mounted pictures and a great many still unmounted. In addition to lending pictures to teachers for class- room use, we have frequently had such requests as pic-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tures of beetles, old castles, Egyptian furniture, a Phoeni- cian ship, the Alamo, the buildings of colonial Boston.
"Through the Inter-library loan we have filled 101 requests for books not in the Robbins Library-an in- crease of 17 over last year. The Division of Public Libraries supplied 58 books ; the Boston Public Library, 20; Somerville Library, 11; Newton Library, 7; Water- town Library, 4; and Belmont Library, 1.
"During the year the exhibits in the small reading room have been changed more frequently and have proved more successful than in former years. The Indian exhibit lent through the courtesy of Mrs. Cyrus Dallin, the Boy Scouts of Arlington, and the Children's Museum of Boston attracted considerable attention and was very much appreciated. From the Children's Museum we also borrowed exhibits on Cotton and Silk, , India, Butterflies, and Art in Japanese Handicraft. The Garden and Flower exhibit was very worth while as was the Travel exhibit consisting of bright colored posters, a variety of books and pamphlets, and moun- tain pictures borrowed from the Seller Collection of the Appalachian Mountain Club."
Books have been sent monthly to the Telephone Exchange and to the Fire Stations. The latter is a new departure this year. Books sent to the Branches during the year numbered 9,193.
WORK WITH CHILDREN
The children's room continues to be the center for busy, happy children. During the summer months the Everyland Club was organized. As the name indicates, the Club took an interest in every country in the world, considering one country each week. The children read and discussed books about the countries. They talked of its history and its customs and played the games of
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
the land. Some books were dramatized by the children themselves with real skill and perception of the salient points of the story. Others told the stories of some favorite book. Whatever was done had for its chief aim the creating of the love for books and a taste for the best in reading. During the fall and winter months story hours were held with an average attend- ance of seventy-two. As the seating capacity of our basement room is fifty, it bespeaks a real interest. Who but children would come and be happy under such con- ditions ? In the children's room itself we have a room equipped to meet the needs of twenty-eight years ago, a room with twenty-eight chairs. In this room we are trying to meet the needs of the children of a town many times its former size.
Children took 311 books away on the vacation privilege. Teachers have availed themselves in increas- ing numbers of the books for supplementary reading, and since September 662 books have been used in class- room libraries. It is very gratifying to note the growing use of the room made by teachers and parents, who more and more are seeking help as to suitable books for the child's own reading, stories to read aloud, or plays to be presented on special occasions.
This year as last the exhibit of books held during Good Book Week and a week beyond was made unus- ually attractive by the book purchase of $500 worth of books from the anonymous gift of a woman who is a lover of children. The exhibit held in the small read- ing room contained many beautiful editions of old favorites as well as the most worth while of the new books. Again the case filled with books on child train- ing and child psychology was consulted with great frequency. Receiving on two afternoons was Mrs. Herman Gammons, Chairman of the Civics and Educa- tion Committee of the Arlington Woman's Club with
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
her committee. On these afternoons members of the Everyland Club presented the play, Mother Library's Tea Party, and Miss Brictson held a typical story hour for adults. A spirit of fine cooperation was very evi- dent and the attendance most gratifying.
GIFTS
Gifts of books and pamphlets are acknowledged from the following individuals: The New England Historical and Genealogical Society, the Hispanic Society, Judge James Parmenter, Mrs. Frank Welling- ton, Mrs. Arthur Wellington, Mrs. William A. Muller, Mrs. Charles Gannett, Miss Edith Whittemore, Miss Payne-Sills, Miss Edith Rice, and Mr. Denis McCarthy .. The Library desk has been made attractive many times during the year by the Arlington people who have shared the beauty of their gardens with the library patrons.
The library is much indebted to The Arlington Advocate for the use of very generous space allotted to the library. There have been many special articles as well as the weekly list of new books. As their con- tribution to Good Book Week a series of articles were run during the last part of October and November written by prominent people of Arlington who remin- isced about their youthful reading or gave lists of books which seemed to them good for children to read.
As a side-light, it is interesting to note that 387,320 books, issued and returned, were handled during the year 1929. This is at the rate of 2 books handled every minute, 10 hours a day, for the 303 days the library was open. 3,047 books were prepared for the bindery and then made ready for the shelves upon their return. 3,920 volumes were bought and catalogued.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
THE LIBRARY STAFF
. Fortunately for the general running of the library there have been only a few changes on the staff. Miss Lucille Orford, assistant in the children's room, re- signed in February. In March Miss Isabel Flynn, a graduate of the Brooklyn Library Training Class and Radcliffe College, was engaged to do part-time work and was with us until September. Miss Elizabeth Gage, a Simmons College senior, did practice work at the library. It was pleasant to have Miss Alice Nelson, an Arlington girl and a graduate of the 1929 Class of Sim- mons College Library School, join the staff in Septem- ber. Previously Miss Nelson had done practice work and part-time work at the library. Miss Thelma Brictson, who for three years was children's librarian at the Medford Public Library, was made children's librarian in June.
Miss Esther Gannett, Miss Louise Muir, Miss Thelma Brictson, and Miss Jeannette Favreau have availed themselves of educational and cultural courses that have been given in Boston. The American Library Association meeting in Washington, D. C., was attended by Miss Esther Gannett, Miss Ruth Sampson, and Miss Jeannette Favreau. The Massachusetts Library Club meetings, the Round Table of Children's Librarians and other meetings of interest to librarians have been attended by as many members of the staff as has been possible with our increased service to the public and a small staff.
If the year 1929 has been a success, the credit is due to those of the staff who are responsible for its service and also to those who much more behind the scenes have made that service quick and accurate, and to all those whose interest, loyalty and pride in the Robbins Library have done so much to uphold its good name.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Trustees for their keen understanding of the problems involved in the administration of our growing institu- tion and their support in all matters pertaining to the library.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for year ended December 31, 1929
Name of library : Robbins Library
City : Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian : Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding 1835
Population served (latest estimate) 34,000
Assessed valuation of Town . $58,270,450.00
Terms of use: Free for lending Free for reference
Total number of agencies 3
Consisting of Central Library.
1
Branches 2
Number of days open during year
(Central Library) 303
Hours open each week for lending
(Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading
(Central Library) 66
INCREASE
Number of volumes at beginning of year.
38,667
Number of volumes added during year by pur- chase 3,538
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 382
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year 2,784
Total number at end of year . 39,803
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