USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1934 > Part 21
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At Menotomy Rocks Park two horseshoe courts were constructed, and two sandboxes were placed on the shore of Hills Pond. At Forest Park six benches and two sand- boxes and one horseshoe court were installed. At Crusher Lot on Gray Street and Oakland Avenue, we placed six benches and two sandboxes, and at Meadowbrook Park, on the Chestnut Street side, two horseshoe courts and six benches were installed.
Our equipment is badly depleted owing to constant use by the ERA. It will be necessary to replace much of it in 1935.
The following are projects taken care of by National ERA Administration, some of which are completed, others are not.
December 31, 1933 to December 31, 1934
Parks and Playgrounds-Improvements
Expenditures
Federal Payroll Purchases
Town Payroll Purchases
Forest Park-Clearing Brush $
261.75
$ 8.62
Wellington Park-Grading
4,552.40
369.09
Forestry- Symmes Hospital and Reservoir
475.00
4.38
Grading High School Playground
1,644.50
129.62
409
PARK COMMISSION
Arl. Hts. Playground-Grading .... 30,841.06
4,093.91
Linwood Beach-Grading
6,421.15
314.02
Life Guard-Swim. Instructors ....
998.40
6.00
Park Area-Appleton Street.
656.00
94.41
Hills Pond-Grading and
Mosquito Control
10,517.06
1,300.30
Filling in Spy Pond
8,458.63
1,154.74
Replant'g Trees Menotomy Rocks
1,023.80
Meadowbrook Park
2,263.20
88.51
Memorial Park-Regrading
504.40
510.08
Russell Park-Grading
969.80
172.93
$69,587.15
$8,246.61
Full co-operation has been received at the hands of all Town Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION F. W. WUNDERLICH, Chairman NILS G. ANDERSON JOHN B. BYRNE
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD FOR THE YEAR 1934
January 29, 1935.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The report of the Planning Board for the year of 1934 is respectfully submitted as follows:
REPORT
The continued reduced budget for Planning Board ex- penditures has curtailed its activities to routine matters except on such projects as have been made possible by allotments of Federal Emergency Relief Administration Funds.
ZONING
An unusual number of Zoning changes were considered by the Board, field inspections made and public hearings held on each.
The Board is gratified at the support of the Town Meet- ing in its efforts to preserve the higher zoning classifica- tions.
E. R. A. PROJECTS
Since the beginning of the year allotments amounting to $7,121.60 have been made from Federal Emergency Relief Administration funds for thirteen projects under Planning Board supervision. The research, drafting and designing work, and formulation of complete reports on the various projects have given employment to fifteen technical engineers, who were not otherwise employed.
410
411
PLANNING BOARD
The studies undertaken, most of which are completed, include :
The Complete Redevelopment of Arlington Center, in- cluding grade crossing elimination, a rapid transit ter- minal, and the best handling of the complicated auto- mobile traffic.
Arlington Heights Bathing facilities; alternate plans for a beach in the Reservoir, and an artificial concrete tank.
Mystic and Summer Streets traffic layout.
River Street Extension across Massachusetts Avenue, along the east shore of Spy Pond to connect with the Cambridge-Concord Highway.
East Arlington Playground study and report on best location and costs.
Spy Pond Park study of the possibility of land takings for a narrow park strip and pathway from the Spy Pond Playground to the Cambridge-Concord Highway.
Cambridge-Concord Highway studies of the possibili- ties of adjacent zoning and street layouts.
Great Meadows improvement studies.
Mill Brook improvement studies, with a view to the ultimate construction of a brookside park extending in a narrow strip along the brook, to be as continuous as prac- ticable from the Mystic Lakes to the Heights Reservoir.
Town Plan Review study for the purpose of adjusting the original Town Plan prepared in 1926 to present day conditions.
Arlington Heights Crosstown Route involving study of the intersection problems on Park Avenue from Paul Re- vere Road to Lowell Street, and the general improvement of this area.
412
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Linwood Beach bath house, design and beach improve- ment.
The completed plans and reports on the above projects are available for such further action by the Town as may be found advisable; the preliminary engineering work having been taken care of in this manner.
CAMBRIDGE-CONCORD HIGHWAY
A regional planning committee consisting of a repre- sentative from the Planning Boards of the Town of Con- cord, Lincoln, Lexington, Belmont, and Arlington has been organized to take such action as seemed best for the pro- tection of the Cambridge-Concord Highway.
After numerous meetings and two hearings before the State Highway Commission, the Committee has caused a bill to be filed in the present session of the General Court proposing legislation for the protection of the towns through which the Highway is constructed.
The Arlington Board has consistently made every effort to preserve and improve conditions along this new thor- oughfare until a uniform policy could be developed which would give the greatest possible benefit to all Towns con- cerned.
The personnel of the Board has had one change due to the decision of former Chairman Walton H. Sears not to become a candidate for re-election on the expiration of his term. His effective services for the Town are a matter of record, particularly in the preliminary work on the new through Cambridge-Concord Highway which was origin- ally initiated by this Board and brought to a successful conclusion largely through his efforts.
LESTER W. COLLINS, Chairman HERBERT M. DUTCHER, Secretary CAROLYN B. REED CHARLES M. MacMILLIN EDWARD L. SHINN
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY For the Year Ending December 31, 1934
Trustees
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary 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
Cataloguer and Senior Assistant RUTH SAMPSON
Reference Librarian ALICE NELSON
Classifier ESTHER GANNETT
Children's Librarian THELMA BRICTSON
Circulation MARGARET WEBSTER
413
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
General Assistants PHEBE ALDEN PAULINE BENNETT RUTH FULLER LOUISE M. MUIR
Part-Time Workers ANNE CODY F. JEANNETTE GORDON FRANCES MACAULEY ELIZABETH TISDALE
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch Branch Librarian JEANNETTE FAVREAU
Janitor JOHN HERON
East Branch Branch Librarian EVA M. SMITH
Janitor PATRICK REDDAN
Messenger AUSTIN MADDEN
Special Work on Robbins Print Collection MRS. KATHRYN McG. ACHUFF
415
TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR 1934
Again the Trustees report to our citizens a year of great activity in the affairs of the Library. A circulation of over 300,000, as in 1932 and 1933, is ample evidence of the great need that this institution has met during these years of financial depression. A larger circulation would have resulted had it not been necessary to reduce the appropriation for the purchase of books. The Trustees, however, fully appreciate the necessity of reduction in cost in all Town departments.
Fortunately, we are the recipients again this year of an added fund for our endowment. The proceeds of the sale of the G. A. R. Hall, by the terms of the gift of E. Nelson Blake, come to the Library, and our funds are increased by $4,000. Because our total Town appropriations are now far beyond the legitimate Town income, the growth of these endowment funds is of the greatest importance to the welfare of the Library. It is hoped that other public- spirited citizens will not be unmindful of our needs in making their wills.
The coming year is one of great interest to all, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Library. In 1835, Dr. Ebenezer Learned, a physician of Hopkinton, N. H., left to the Town $100 for the purchase of books, and thus established the Library. In 1836, the West Cambridge Sewing Circle gave an additional $60, and in 1837 the Town voted to appropriate $30 annually for this purpose. Thus Arlington has the honor of being
416
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
the first town in Massachusetts to have a free town library.
The Trustees desire to take this opportunity to thank our Librarian and all the members of the staff for their efficient and cheerful work during the year.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman.
417
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1934
To the Board of Trustees :
I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1934.
Every thinking man or woman and many who have never thought before have begun to think out problems in the last few years. In acquiring the perspective nec- essary to understand our times, the modern library with free access to the literary and social documents of both past and present is of vital importance. We must save the fine things, art, music and books. They provide a part of the natural craving of man. "A people's spirit is their first source of inspiration, as well as their last line of defense. The first and greatest duty of the libraries, to foster this spirit is their greatest claim to immortality."
That people are seriously trying to solve these problems by reading the more serious books is indicated by the year's circulation figures. The Robbins Library circulated 323,993 books during the year 1934, 224,553 fiction and 99,440 non-fiction-a gain of 28% in the number of non- fiction circulated.
11,939 books were carried to and from the Branches to supplement their small collections. 500 books were sent to the Fire Stations.
Comparative Circulation by Stations-1933-1934
1933
1934
Less
Gain
Center, Adult
201,227
193,637
7,590
Center, Juvenile
59,620
60,760
1,140
East Branch
29,046
29,412
366
Heights Branch
26,615
26,963
348
Schools
12,416
13,221
805
Total
328,924
323,993
7,590
2,659
Total Loss
4,931
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Circulation by Years
Year
Total
Gain
Loss
1924
89,585
27,557
1925
102,156
12,571
1926
119,774
17,618
1927
140,521
20,747
1928
169,619
29,098
1929
193,665
24,046
1930
210,692
17,027
1931
256,610
45,918
1932
308,433
51,823
1933
328,924
20,491
1934
323,993
4,931
Our great need, as stated in several previous reports, is adequate Branch facilities for both the Heights and East Arlington.
Both Branches have gained in their circulation but many normal and much needed activities cannot be car- ried on in the present quarters.
The Reference Librarian submits the following :
"The year 1934 unfolded spectacular events, some of which were only of passing interest, while others were of graver import. The Reference Department has been grati- fied during the year by the interest Arlington people have shown in seeking authentic information and discussions on matters of the day.
The reference collection in 1934 was increased by the addition of 35 books and 25 bound periodicals.
Of inestimable worth, also, was our pamphlet collection which circulated 258 pamphlets for home use and satisfied a much greater demand at the Library. 278 additions and 164 discards brought the total to 2,134 pamphlets. New subjects have been added to aid, simplify and speed up our investigations.
419
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The following bibliographies were compiled during the year for the Arlington Woman's Club, the Garden Club, the Kensington Park Study Club, the Arlington Heights Study Club, the Tower Mothers' Club, and the Parent- Teachers' Associations of the Brackett School, Crosby School and the Junior High East, on the following sub- jects : Peaceful settlement of international disputes-Re- cent additions (to the library) of interest to the flower grower-Notable Women and their achievements-Africa -and Child psychology. The cooperation on the part of these organizations has been an inspiration and source of satisfaction to the department.
Other reading lists have been arranged for use at the library on Fiction depicting frontier and pioneer life, and Vocations in fiction. The latter was featured with a dis- play of fiction concerning various occupations. Exhibits which have attracted considerable attention, also, were Careers, Reading with a purpose, Make your leisure time count, Gardening, and timely displays connected with newspaper articles.
In the spring, the newspaper room enticed many readers by its elaborate travel exhibit: large colorful posters on the walls and hundreds of fascinating folders descriptive of pleasurable vacations far and near. Our travel books included in the exhibit received renewed in- terest.
The picture collection reached the total of 1756 mounted pictures, and innumerable unmounted illustrations which may be prepared for use when needed.
As usual the inter-library loan department met heavy service. Books borrowed from other libraries for our pa- trons amounted to 304 volumes, and books loaned to other libraries reached the total of 57. Books in Armenian, Dutch, French, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Russian, Slov- enian, and Swedish languages to the number of 252 were
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
borrowed from the Massachusetts Library Commission. Books in English were also available from the same source for use of serious minded readers, teachers and correspon- dence course students.
The Junior Library had a circulation of 60, 760, a gain of 1,140 over the year 1933. The first year the Junior Li- brary was operated in its present room, 1931, the circu- lation was 49,599; in 1934 the home use of books was in- creased by 11,161. Stories were heard by 1,309 children at eighteen story hours. Since 1929 a club has been conducted in the summer months in order to increase reading inter- est. In 1929, the first year, 454 children attended ; in 1934, 984 children showed their interest by reporting on 108 books.
Five Sunday readings and teas were held with an aver- age attendance of 80. On January 28, 1934, Superinten- dent of Schools, Mr. Clarence Dempsey read from Ver- mont authors : February 11, Miss Gladys Porter had for her topic Neglected Shelf of Books; April 8, Mrs. Winni- fred King Rugg spoke on Contemplative literature: Octo- ber 28, Rev. Laurence Barber read from Walter Hard's poems and December 9, Mrs. William Powers talked on the life of Robert P. T. Coffin and read his poems.
The Junior Library Hall has been in almost constant use. It has been used for other than library activities, story hour, meetings of Everyland Club and special Li- brary gatherings, by nineteen different civic and educa- tional groups which held 114 meetings.
The following exhibits were sponsored by the Woman's Club.
1. Water colors and prints by Margaret Jordan Pat- terson of Boston.
2. Oil and water colors by Ralph Ayers of Woburn.
3. Water colors by Barbara Sears, two which depicted some of the beauty spots near home, Spy Pond and the Robbins House.
421
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
4. Four portraits by Joseph Coyle.
5. Rolla Myron Chandler of Staff of Boston Herald showed family portraits, and copies of old masters.
6. Travelling show of oil and water colors from the Boston Art Club, the work of 25 women, members of the Art Club.
7. The Club season 1934-1935 opened by the Trustees cooperating with the Art Committee with open house on Sunday, October 7, at which Arlington artists exhibited their work and were guests of the afternoon.
8. Drawings and paintings by Lucia Buckle of Boston, one of the younger members of the Boston Art Club.
9. Hand-made jewelry by Mrs. Leonard Wood.
10. Book illustrations by George and Doris Hauman of Lexington.
Two exhibits that had to do with books and book mak- ing were chosen and arranged by Richard F. Lufkin of Medford, the outstanding books printed by Daniel Berke- ley Updike, and the work of William Addison Dwiggins, a leading book designer and printer.
Much interest was created by the exhibit of the art work of High School pupils which was arranged by Mrs. Marion I. Ford, School Supervisor of Art.
The Arlington Stamp Club conducted a stamp exhibit, with speakers daily for nearly a week.
Aside from the financial consideration, the growing cost of new books, book selection is an increasingly dif- ficult problem. Clever and wide advertisement create immediate demand for books which are written by char- latan authors and are debase and contaminating. The selection of fiction is a task both troublesome and delicate. Subjects and methods touch moral issues that once were rarely used by the novelist.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The Library has 52,817 books or based on the last census, 1.4 books are available per capita and volumes available per registered borrower 3.9.
The Garden Club has been most generous with flowers, a wreath at Christmas time, and books. The Fortnightly Club presented $15.00 for the purchase of articles much needed in the Staff Rooms. The Junior Woman's Club, $5.00 for purchase of books. The Art Committee of Woman's Club, a small creche at the Christmas season.
Books have been received from the following:
American Legion, Department of Massachusetts Arlington Garden Club Arlington Junior Woman's Club Harvey S. Firestone Ford Motor Co. Estate of Mrs. Ida Brown Hooker Earl D. Horrigan Insurance Co. of North America McCormick family
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
President of the New York Stock Exchange
Estate of W. A. Peirce
Mrs. Sara Perkins
Misses Plumer A. A. Shurcliff
Dr. Elizabeth A. Thelberg
U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture U. S. Government, Smithsonian Institute United Spanish War Veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform
423
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The Librarian wishes to thank the many persons who have been helpful to the Library and shown an interest in its work, and to express her appreciation for the loyal support and co-operative spirit of the Staff.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD,
Librarian.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 1934. Name of Library : Robbins Library.
City: Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian: Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of Founding 1835
Population served (Last census)
36,094
Assessed Valuation of Town $60,943.850.
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) 302
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 ... .... Number of volumes added during year by
51,210
purchase 3,172
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 78
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year
1,643
Total number at end of year
52,817
Use
Adult
Juvenile Total
Number of volumes of fiction
lent for home use
164,294
60,259
224,553
Total number of volumes lent
for home use
223,279
100,714
323,993
Pictures circulated
396
Registration
Number of borrowers registered during year ..
1,904
Registration period, years
3
Number of periodicals and newspapers cur- rently received :
Titles
146
Copies
188
Number of publications issued during year : Booklists
0
Number of staff, library service (including part-time)
14
Number of staff, janitor service
3
Financial Statement
Receipts from :
Trust Fund Income Balance, Jan. 1, 1934 ....
$990.04
Appropriation by Town
26,802.80
Fire Loss 63.25
Income from Trust Funds
2,919.30
$30,775.39
425
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Expenditures $27,854.03
Balance of Salary Account returned to Trea- surer
95.15
$27,949.18
Present Expense Balance
$2,826.21
Payment for:
Salaries, library service
15,443.74
Salaries, janitor service
1,879.67
Books and periodicals
5,073.26
Bindery
1,517.11
Fuel
1,353.85
Light
884.22
Building and grounds
546.99
Telephone
138.20
Other expenses
1,016.99
$27,854.03
Receipts from :
Robbins Art Fund $1,362.50
Expenditures :
Care of Robbins Print Collection-Salary ....
632.00
Supplies, etc.
15.30
$647.30
Balance to Fund
$715.20
Library Funds
Robbins Art Fund
$43,940.15
Henry Mott Library Fund
5,200.00
Timothy Wellington Fund 100.00
Ellen W. Hodgdon Fund
1,000.00
Children's Book Fund 5,000.00
Nathan Pratt Library Fund
10,000.00
Elbridge Farmer Fund
52,065.00
E. Nelson Blake Fund
4,000.00
Dexter Rawson Fay Fund
1,741.60
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
M. NORCROSS STRATTON Chairman
THERESE N. TURNER Secretary
Term Expires March, 1935
NORINE D. CASEY 36 Bartlett Avenue
M. NORCROSS STRATTON 11 Trowbridge Street
MORTIMER H. WELLS 4 Brantwood Road
Term Expires March, 1936
KATHARINE W. LACEY 32 Jason Street
WINBURN S. CANNELL 3 Oak Knoll
CLAIR E. TURNER 19 Village Lane
Term Expires March, 1937
CLEMENT J. BEAUDET 168 Medford Street
HARRIE H. DADMUN 56 Robbins Road
THERESE N. TURNER 130 Jason Street
Regular Meeting Third Tuesday of each month, except July and August
426
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington :
The principal objective of the School Committee again this year has been its effort to conduct the school organ- ization with a view to the greatest possible economy of administration with the least possible damage to the effi- ciency of the educational program.
That our effort has resulted in economies is evidenced by the fact that in 1931 the total annual expenditures for school purposes amounted to $717,634.62; in 1934 the cor- responding expenditures were $663,081.12, a reduction of $54,553.50 in four years. This year we are returning to the Town Treasury an unexpended balance amounting to $10,048.88. Coupled with this reduction our school re- sponsibilities have increased from a total average mem- bership of 6,170 pupils in 1931 to 6,710 in 1934-540 added pupils, nearly as large as the Junior High School East.
We also call your attention to the item of $62,504.08 which was returned from the State income tax fund and from other sources on account of school appropriations in 1934. This actually reduces the expense for schools from local appropriations, which affect the tax rate, to $600,- 577.04 which is equivalent to a tax rate of 9.85. It does not appear possible nor wise to make further drastic cuts in the school budget if Arlington wishes to maintain a first class educational program.
We refer you to the Superintendent's Report for ex- plicit details of school administration.
For several years your Committee has been continually confronted with the necessity of economy in school ad-
427
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ministration while at the same time facing the problem of providing every educational opportunity possible during a period in our history when the need for extraordinary educational advantages has been greatest.
From data available, furnished by the Superintendent after a study of the situation, it is apparent that the pro- posed new school in the Pheasant Avenue District will not be required this year. The schools are not overcrowded and while this school building would accommodate many pupils who have long distances to travel, and could relieve the problem in the so-called Morningside section, we do not feel justified in recommending its construction at this time. We do urgently recommend that the High School auditorium be completed and we hope that through the co-operation of government officials, this can be done with the help of Federal funds, and at a considerable saving to the Town.
The changing social and economic conditions have presented many new problems to the youth leaving school, particularly those who leave school to go to work. These changes will require further readjustment in our curri- culum and your Committee and the Superintendent are planning to give this problem careful study.
We call attention to the reference in the Superinten- dent's Report to the athletic program and the accomplish- ments of those who have participated in the successful teams. We also stress the need for sprinkler systems as a safeguard to our children in case of fire. We urge the continuance of sprinkler installation this year in the Locke School.
The retirement of two teachers should be recorded, Eva G. Jones, instructor of English in the Junior High School Center, and Annie W. Cobb, first grade teacher in the
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Crosby School, retired in June. They had both rendered long and valuable service to many hundreds of the youth in Arlington.
We wish to express our appreciation for the co-opera- tion given us by other town officials and we thank the Selectmen and the Federal officials for their contributions to the efficiency of the School Department by allotting funds and labor for much needed work in the schools.
Respectfully submitted for the School Committee,
(Signed) M. NORCROSS STRATTON, Chairman, Arlington School Committee. January, 1935.
ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1934
To the Honorable School Committee, Arlington, Massachusetts.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my privilege to submit for your consideration the following report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1934.
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