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CHARLES M. MACMILLIN, Chairman HERBERT M. DUTCHER, Secretary WALTER F. ROBINSON, HAROLD C. KNIGHT, SEROVP P. BASMAJIAN.
381
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR 1935
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
Assistants
RUTH SAMPSON, Cataloguer and Senior Assistant ALICE NELSON, Reference Librarian ESTHER GANNETT, Classifier THELMA BRICTSON, Children's Librarian MARGARET WEBSTER, Circulation
General Assistants *PHEBE ALDEN PAULINE BENNETT RUTH FULLER LOUISE M. MUIR
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Part-Time Workers F. JEANNETTE GORDON FRANCES MACAULEY ELIZABETH TISDALE NANCY STANDBRIDGE
Curator Robbins Print Collection MRS. KATHRYN McC. ACHUFF
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch JEANNETTE FAVREAU, Branch Librarian JOHN HERON, Janitor
East Branch EVA M. SMITH, Branch Librarian PATRICK REDDAN, Janitor
Messenger *AUSTIN MADDEN CHARLES L. O'NEILL *Resigned.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR 1935
The Trustees of the Robbins Library present their re- port for the year 1935. The outstanding event during the year was our Centennial. Founded one hundred years ago our Library is the oldest public library in the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts and the oldest free juvenile library in the United States. The One Hundredth Anni- versary was observed from November 17th to 23rd (in-
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
clusive) by exercises well described by our Librarian, Mrs. Spofford, in her accompanying report to the Trustees.
Again the Trustees have to report much activity in the affairs of the Library; over fifteen thousand active bor- rowers and a circulation in excess of 320,000, in fact the largest of any year, except that of 1933.
The Robbins Library art collection has been further catalogued and put in order for the use of the public. Mrs. Kathryn McC. Achuff has been appointed Curator and it is hoped that this department of library work, made possible by the generosity of Winfield Robbins, will now be of greater benefit to the people of Arlington.
The Trustees have found it increasingly difficult to give the required service with the appropriation available, and the desirability of a more generous expenditure is apparent to all acquainted with the affairs of the library. For the coming year 1936 the Trustees have made up a budget based on no increase over that of 1935. This appropriation will not permit work that should be done or the proper consideration of some salaries, but is recommended because of the present financial conditions and with the under- standing that should the Town Finance Committee recom- mend increased appropriations for other departments, the Trustees will appear before them and the Town and present their needs for a more generous policy.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1935
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1935.
One hundred years ago, Nov. 19, 1835, the first hundred dollars was received by the town of West Cambridge, now Arlington, which was the beginning of the present Rob- bins Library.
Given by Dr. Ebenezer Learned in the spirit of hos- pitality and friendship "for the purchase of books which will best promote useful knowledge and the Christian virtues among the inhabitants of the town."
To keep alive the memory of the many benefactors and in order to renew old friendships and to acquaint the new residents with the opportunities afforded by the Robbins Library, and to point out growing needs, the Trustees, Nov. 17-23, celebrated, simultaneously, Book Week and the Hundreth Anniversary of the founding of the first free library for children, in continuous service, which had its beginning in the small town of West Cam- bridge, now Arlington, in 1835.
Invitations were sent to former trustees, pastors, heads of all social organizations, librarians of greater Boston and a general invitation to the people of Arlington to take part in the unusual occasion.
Of much interest was the exhibit of books, catalogues, and pictures that had to do with the early history of the library and its founders. Tuesday evening Nov. 19, the Trustees held open house. The occasion brought many of the townspeople to the library. Mr. William A. Muller, Chair-
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
- man of the Board welcomed the guests, then graciously referred to the gift of the first one hundred dollars, given by Dr. Ebenezer Learned which was prompted because of hospitality and friendship for the people of Arlington, then to the gift of the present library by Mrs. Maria C. Robbins in memory of her husband Eli Robbins and to others who have remembered the library.
Mr. Muller then introduced Rev. Matthew J. Flaherty, pastor of St. Agnes Church, as the dean of the clergy in Arlington, who spoke in a witty and reminiscent vein. Miss Alice M. Jordan, Supervisor of Children's Work in the Boston Public Library, was the next speaker. She chose as her subject, "Seed on good ground". Milton E. Lord, Director of the Boston Public Library, the speaker of the evening, traced the development of the library movement during the past hundred years.
Friday evening, Nov. 22, from seven until nine o'clock the Junior Library was open to receive parents, teachers and any one interested in books.
Children were invited for the first story hour of the season on Saturday morning, Nov. 23.
The library has grown to have 55,081 books. During 1935, 3626 were added by purchase, and 53 by gift.
With a population of 38,539, now the second town in size in Massachusetts, the Robbins Library has a very small active collection with which to satisfy 15,261 active card holders.
But for the following donors who had the future of the library at heart our present usefulness would be much curtailed.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Amount
Year Received
Dr. Ebenezer Learned
$100
1835
Timothy Wellington .
100
1853
Nathan Pratt
10,000
1875
Henry Mott.
5,000
1891
Elbridge Farmer
50,000
1892
Ellen W. Hodgdon
1,000
1929
Children's Book Fund
5,000
1931
E. Nelson Blake Fund
4,000
1934
Dexter Rawson Fay
1,741.60
1934
During the one hundred years the library has had the following trustees and librarians.
Dr. Timothy Wellington . 1835-1853
Dr. Richard L. Hodgdon
1853-1893
Samuel S. Davis 1872
Warren Rawson .
1872
Rev. Amos Harris
1872-1873
J. W. Peirce.
1872-1873
Rev. G. W. Cutter
1872-1878
Rev. D. R. Cady, D.D.
1875-1876
John H. Hardy .
1878-1883
John T. Trowbridge .
1879-1891
Judge James P. Parmenter
1883-1922
Joseph C. Holmes
1891-1906
Frank W. Hodgdon
1893-1901
Matthew Rowe.
1893-1902
E. Nelson Blake . 1893-1913
Rev. S. C. Bushnell
1893-1920
Walter B. Farmer
1901-1902
Dr. C. A. Keegan.
1902-1925
Arthur J. Wellington
1902-
Cyrus E. Dallin .
1906-
William A. Muller (Chairman) 1913-
Clara Robbins . 1921-1922
M. Helen Teele. 1922-
Therese N. Turner 1923-
Dr. Charles J. Walsh
1925-
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
LIBRARIANS
Jonathan M. Dexter
1836-1837
Sarah Estabrook.
1837-1849
Charlotte Cutter 1849-1851
Helen M. Jarvis 1851-1861
S. E. Stanwood
1861-1865
Eliza W. Locke
1865-1866
Mary A. Green .
1866-1872
Elizabeth J. Newton
1873-1926
Frances Hubbert .
1926-1927
Lucinda F. Spofford. 1928-
CHILDREN'S LIBRARIANS
Louise Marsh .
1900-1907
Edith C. Rice .
1907-1926
Helen Thompson .
1926-1928
Lucile Orford .
1928-1929
Thelma Brictson
1929-
Our circulation for the year 1935 was 321,515. Of this 218,911 was fiction, 102,604 non-fiction. These figures show a decided increase in the use of non-fiction during 1935.
Comparative Circulation by Stations
1934
1935
Loss
Gain
Center, Adult
193,637
192,451
1,186
Center, Juvenile
60,760
60,282
478
East Branch
29,412
29,663
251
Heights Branch
26,963
26,314
649
Schools
13,221
12,805
416
Total
323,993
321,515
2,729
251
Total Loss 2,478
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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
1935
321,515
2,478
One of the vital tools of the library is books. The amount spent for books does show in the use of the library.
We have a growing number of requests for technical books. In order to answer these questions we must have the latest editions of technical books. There is also an insistent call for music scores. What request could be more laudable? We do need money to spend each year on music, although it is an expensive collection to estab- lish, it is one that would enhance the enjoyment of many.
The following table of comparisons does not tell the whole story as there are many factors that enter into the use of the library, such as, labor conditions, weather, stimulated interest along a certain line, and adult educa- tion groups, but the table is worthy of study.
Amount Spent for Books
Home Use of Books
1931
8,270.49
256,610
1932
7,122.65
308,433
1933
4,863.22
328,924
1934
5,073.26
323,993
1935
5,144.80
321,515
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The Librarian feels that she would be remiss in her duty unless she once more called attention to the need of Branch Libraries. The Robbins Library can never func- tion as it should until the Heights and East Arlington have better Branch facilities. The home use of books from each Branch has gained but under what handicaps? How much more could be done if there were room, equip- ment and plenty of books?
That the people of the Heights are alive to the needs of a Branch Library is evinced by the activities that are being carried on for the benefit of a Library fund. In February, the Park Players of the Park Avenue Congre- gational Church gave a performance of the play "Dis- raeli" in the Town Hall for the benefit of the Vittoria C. Dallin Fund of the Arlington Heights Study Club. This fund is for the benefit of the Heights Branch which is planned for the corner of Paul Revere Road and Park Avenue.
In September, the Arlington Heights Study Club held a Silver tea at the home of Mrs. Cyrus E. Dallin for the benefit of the Vittoria C. Dallin Fund. Mrs. Dallin read some original translations of French poems.
Herewith follows in part the report of Miss Alice Nel- son, Reference Librarian.
"Very definite trends in the information sought by users of the reference department have developed during the year 1935. There has been a marked interest in poli- tics with its blatant demagogues and utopia seeking spokesmen. The studiousness of the public, fostered by unemployment in the years of depression, has not, with the unmistakable signs of slow improvement around us, increased, but, at least, has continued as a sustained source of profitable reading. A noticeable indication that public desires to better itself was evident in the sizable
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
group which came seeking information in preparation for civil service examinations. Indeed, it has been a task to furnish material when the examining periods arrived and all the manuals for this purpose were in circulation.
To the reference collection (for 1935) have been added 36 separate volumes and 29 bound periodicals. The pam- phlet collection has reached the total of 2383 through the addition of 309 and the discarding of 60. Circulation of individual pamphlets amounted to 300, a gain over last year of 42.
The reference room itself passed through a complete transformation during the fall when workmen cleaned, painted, and gilded the room, restoring it to its former state. Its walls and ceiling, dimmed by the dust of years, now shines again with the beauty of revivified colors and the dull sheen of the polished wood carvings. New shades to replace those, faded and torn, have completed the metamorphosis of the room. It is indeed a place of which one may be proud.
Evidence of public interest in timely questions con- cerning local as well as world wide affairs is indicated in the following topics of the day, which were repeatedly requested :--
Saar District, dictatorships, piping of oil in Iraq, Boulder Dam, Bernard M. Baruch, Abyssinia and Italy, history of the Boston Latin School, history of secondary education, pronunciation of Haile Selassie, description of the Normandie, George II of Greece, etc.
We have been able to meet the demand for this current material because of our excellent general collection of periodicals which are indexed semimonthly.
391
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
An exceptional increase in requests in the technical sciences, especially in fields of continual discovery, has been noted. The following have received the heaviest demand :-
Automobile repairing and engine assembling, motion picture industry, aeronautics, transmission of sound, elec- tric welding, house wiring, Diesel engines, air condition- ing, road construction, and technicolor.
Many women and men both have, through necessity, or love of creative ability, desired to produce by hand their own designs in craft work. How to make French windows, methods of leather finishing, how to make a hand loom, cane and rush seating, how to make a rose trellis, an outdoor fireplace; lock repairing and key fitting, designs for painted trays, making automobile trailers, built-in furniture, plans for recreation rooms and making of bayberry candles are only a few of the unusual ques- tions about which the Public Library is expected to have information. How many patrons have come to the li- brary as a last resort hardly expecting to have their queries satisfied and go away happily with just the expla- nation they wished.
There are a small number, however, whom it was nec- essary to turn away because of inadequate material to fill their needs.
Through the inter-library loan 80 books have been bor- rowed on insurance, stock exchange, security analysis, gun smithing, education on the air and radio speech, archeology, pastel painting, Japanese prints, laws for police officers, forsenic medicines, vocalizing exercises, railroad engineering, diseases of trees and shrubs, to men- tion a few. As usual, many foreign books (192), were loaned to us by the State House in Swedish, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, French, Polish, and Armenian. In
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
return, we have been liberal to the extent of 80 books, which were loaned to other libraries.
Ingenuity and resourcefulness are necessary in the search for unusual bits of information to answer the ex- tremely singular questions coming to our attention; such as :-
What is the meaning of the knots in the corners of the tablecloth in Da Vinci's picture The Last Supper?
History of the use of elephants.
When was Mrs. Lyman Perry's husband mayor of Boston?
Number of words in primitive languages.
Dimensions of a sleeping bag.
Reclamation of ocean frontage for creating attractive communities.
Picture of a barrel organ.
Cooperative farming in Norway.
Several new periodicals have been added to our splen- did collection by purchase or bestowed by generous don- ors. "Motion Picture and the Family" has been of value in combining books and the motion picture. There has been a distinct influence felt on the circulation of books dealing with material upon which the motion picture is based. Certainly, the immortal David Copperfield, Little Women, Alice Adams, Vanessa, Madame du Barry, etc. have been noticeable for their absence from their places on the shelves. Of indisputable value, also, are the sup- plementary lists of books offered by "Motion Picture and the Family" in connection with pictures in question.
Other additions to our magazine rack are American- Swedish Monthly, Fire fighting, Leisure, Life and health, Political science quarterly, Q. S. T. (amateur radio), Sportsman, Foreign policy bulletin and reports.
393
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
There has been a more decided cooperation between instructors of the high school and the reference depart- ment during the year, a fact which has facilitated greatly work with the students. Copies of lecture sheets out- lining their studies have been sent to us, so that material may be reserved for their use in advance.
The debating society of the high school, which is very active, has needed much assistance from the library dur- ing the year, on the following debates :-
Should the United States increase its air force? Public vs. private schools.
Congress' next appropriation should be for the navy rather than for the aeronautical department.
Existance of lost continents of Mu and Atlantis.
That warfare is natural to man.
Socialized medicine.
Military training in schools.
In order to bring our readers' attention to books and pamphlets of varied interest and unusual content, dis- plays, under the following captions were offered :---
Home decoration. Books on Lincoln. Travel in America. Books about Washington. Mountain climbing. Garden books. Books and librettos in the operas. Summer camps. Outdoor life and athletics. Theatre art. Modern essays. Clemens Centennial 1835-1935.
An extensive summer exhibit "Travel with Books"
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
occupied the newspaper room. Large travel posters were hung about the room to entice the borrowers to browse further among books of "Diverting Romances", "Famous Folk", "More Fascinating than Fiction", "Colorful Countries" and "For a Change of Scene".
The use of the Robbins Library Hall mirrors the activ- ities of the town. During the year the hall has been used by thirteen different organizations for 116 meetings ex- clusive of story hours and special meetings held under the auspices of the library. The following organizations have used the library :-
Arlington Community Orchestra, Committee of. Arlington Stamp Club.
Boy Scouts. Fortnightly Club.
Garden Club.
Girl Scouts.
Junior Garden Club.
Junior Woman's Club.
Middlesex Health Association.
Search Light Club.
Visiting Nursing Association.
Woman's Aid Association of Symmes Arlington Hospital.
Woman's Club.
Civic and Education Committee.
Education Committee. Art Committee.
The Art Committee led by Mrs. Arthur J. Covell placed a collection of Medici prints on Dutch and Flemish Art in the gallery during January. A collection of modern paintings by the Mowe and Pueblo Indians was loaned by Mr. Cyrus E. Dallin. Prints from our own Robbins Art Collection were arranged by Mrs. Kathryn Achuff, Curator of the collection. Through the kindness of Pro-
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
fessor Arthur Andrews, a loan exhibit of letters, docu- ments, and other material bearing upon the revolt of the Bulgarians against the Turks was shown in the small ref- erence room. For the stamp enthusiasts, Professor An- drews, through the International Historical Cover Com- mittee, arranged two cases of historical covers. The Arl- ington Aero Club arranged an exhibit of models, pictures, parts of planes and instruments in the small reference room.
One of the very pleasant activities has been the Sun- day evening readings and teas at which kindred spirits have gathered about the open fire and listened to some reading from books or talks of things and places literary. Miss Virginia Wellington, on January 13, told of the "Modern American Women Essayists". On February 17, Mr. Ernest Benshimal read an original play "Reunion on Calvary" and three poems. Miss Julia Maynard, Sunday December 8, spoke on "Literary and Historical Nantucket."
A few figures which are a matter of routine but which bulk large in the amount of time consumed and call for accuracy and speed, are given.
8882 cards were filed in the card catalogue. 1764 cards and letters were sent for overdue books. 3704 reserve postals were mailed. 1910 new borrowers registered, 151 borrowers cards were reissued, 469 borrowers cards were surrendered. At present there are 15,261 active borrowers, 1896 more than in 1934.
WORK WITH CHILDREN
More and more as our collection of books is proving adequate to meet the demands, parents and teachers are coming for advice as to what to suggest for reading and what to buy.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Very satisfactory contacts have been made with the boys and girls of Junior High Centre.
Three Library days were held at Junior High West when the Junior Librarian with an assistant took groups of books to the school. Many more school rooms have been visited than ever before.
Twenty story hours were held with an attendance of 1490 children.
The Everyland Cruise, a reading club, held during the summer months, when there were pictures of boats, mod- els of boats, and when cruises were taken by the way of books to many lands, proved stimulating to the reading of many books.
The "Everyland Cruiser", a weekly paper run by a committee from the club, was eagerly waited for each week. In a gay blue cover with nautical decoration, it contained news of the club and local items about the members as well as the programs of the meetings.
Circulation of Juvenile Books
1934
1935
Loss Gain
Junior Library
60,760
60,282
478
East Branch
15,549
15,497
52
Heights Branch
11,184
12,296
1,112
Schools
13,221
12,805
416
Total
100,714 100,880
946
1,112
Total Gain
166
In 1931 the first year in the present Junior Library, the circulation was 49,599; in 1935, 60,282.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Gain since the Junior Library was opened on Feb. 1931, 10,683.
School Circulation
In 1935
12,805
1931 6,467
Gain 6,338 in class room use.
The results of our special efforts during Good Book Week seem more satisfying than ever before. It was felt that much constructive help had been given.
Gifts
Grateful acknowledgment is made to the following for books and magazines.
Allen, Mrs. W. Stuart American Gas Association
Arlington Fortnightly Club (Twenty-five dollars for the purchase of books) Boy Scouts, Sachem council Caldwell; Morand F.
Chemical Foundation, Inc.
Cunningham, R. E.
Dodge, Arthur A. family (set of books in memory of Edward Hale Lowell)
Foster, Miss Carol Gilbert, Mrs. C. E. Great Northern Railway
Laymen's foreign missions inquiry
Massachusetts Commonwealth Massachusetts, Commonwealth of General Court. Needham, Mr. Robert
Peirce, W. A. (Estate of) Reed, Mrs. Caroline B. Robbins, The Misses
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Robertson, Miss Mary
Rogers, Hon. Edith Nourse
Scribner's Sons Co.
Smithsonian Institution
Thompson, Mrs. Gertrude
U. S. W. V. Dept. of Massachusetts.
Whitney, Harold L.
Shaw, Mrs. Albion (Horticulture Magazine)
To the Garden Club for the beautiful flowers and seas- onal decorations, we extend a hearty thanks, and to all those who in many kind ways have expressed their appre- ciation of the library we feel a satisfaction.
A report without an expression of gratitude to the Arl- ington Advocate and the Arlington News, which have so generously printed our lists and notices, would be incom- plete.
STAFF
The staff have attended such state and local meetings at such times as would not impair the service.
In December, Miss Phebe Anne Alden resigned, after three years, to be married.
The Librarian has spoken to clubs, and Parent-teacher groups, on books and reading, and on occasions when knowledge of the library was requested.
The service which the library has rendered is due in no small measure to the earnest efforts and whole-hearted cooperation of the staff.
To each member of the Board of Trustees I express my thanks for their confidence and interest at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD, Librarian.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE ROBBINS PRINT COLLECTION
FOR THE YEAR 1935
During 1935 more visible progress has been made in the cataloguing of the Robbins Print Collection than before: practically all of the better portraits have been segregated from the great bulk of miscellaneous subjects, have been card-catalogued, and placed in a file separate from the general one. These are the "exhibitable" portraits. Most of them have been measured for mats, and after they are mounted and filed in portfolios they will be available for exhibition at any time.
The research work goes on endlessly in a collection of this size. Naturally among so many thousands of portraits there are a great many which are difficult to identify. In sixteenth and seventeenth century prints the names of subjects are often spelled quite differently from the way we spell them now; this is true not only of French, Ger- man, Dutch, and other continental subjects, but of early English as well. In interpreting these, the curator has had invaluable help from the reference works and catalogues in the Print Department of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which has a comprehensive collection of such books of reference.
The English mezzotints, of which there are approxi- mately three hundred, and the engravings by Robert Nanteuil, of which there are about fifty (twenty-one on exhibition in the print room), are among the finest prints in the Robbins collection. Other noteworthy groups are portraits, mostly early English, by Faithorne (the first great English portrait engraver), Hollar, Marshall, R. White, and the Van de Passes, and a series of lithographs of silhouettes, William Henry Brown's "Distinguished
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