USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1936 > Part 28
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During the winter months our Reference room at the Centre is overcrowded. Our young men and women who come to read or study in the evening often monopolize the room to almost the exclusion of the adults. Adequate Library facilities provided in each end of the town would relieve this and provide a proper civic centre. School children must have access to libraries in order to meet school requirements.
The Branch Librarians have served their patrons as adequately as was possible in the limited time the branches are open, and with the equipment available. To help meet the demand 13,248 books were sent to and from the Branches during the year. Why not answer this need in 1937? Plans have already been accepted for a Branch at the Heights. Land is available.
Second: adequate money for books and periodicals.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Below is listed the amount spent for books and periodicals since 1931:
1931
$8,270.49
1932
7,122.65
1933 4,863.22
1934
5,073.26
1935
5,144.80
1936.
4,485.75
The life of a book in circulation is eighty to a hundred circulations under favorable conditions. With only $4,033.60 spent for books and $452.15 for magazines and newspapers even the present standards cannot be main- tained. The $4,033.60 had to cover all book purchases for the Reference Department, adult, juvenile, both new titles and replacements for the Main Library, two Branches, the deposits at fire stations, 94 classroom deposits in 7 schools.
Other than the work involved in cataloguing the cur- rent books the pamphlet file has been revised, 339 pamph- lets added and 146 discarded. Total number of pamphlets is 2,576.
A bibliography of Arlington first compiled in 1905 by Miss Edith Whittemore has been revised and new material added. Valuable material gleaned from older books has been typed and added to the pamphlet file under Arling- ton, History. An effort is being made to have a complete and workable collection of Arlington material so that at a moments notice questions having to do with our Town history may be answered.
Work was begun in September on the indexing of the Arlington Advocate, which was first published in De- cember, 1871. This was made possible by the grant of the time of a clerk from the W.P.A. Revision and planning
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
of the work has been under the supervision of our classifier, Miss Esther Gannett, who has much interest in local and historical matters. When the work is completed, the index will be a very valuable aid in looking up town history and old families of Arlington. When funds permit it is hoped we can increase our collection of town histories.
Needed work has been done on government and state documents.
Inventory has been taken of the Main Library and Branches. It is very disheartening when one reads the list of missing books caused by losses and wear; 2,505 books were discarded in 1936. Popular fiction missing, yes, but the number very small in comparison to the technical books, literature and drama. What can we say when we found that six copies of Fanny Farmer's Boston Cook Book were on the missing list? Our readers could render the Library much service if they would return books on time.
During the year $2,001.20 was turned over to the town in overdue fines. Not only does the Library receive none of the money, but it must also pay out substantial amounts for post cards, printing, and clerical work in- volved in an attempt to get these books back into circula- tion; 1,901 postals and letters were mailed in this effort. Reserves were received for 4,323 books.
To quote from the report of Mrs. Margaret Erskine, Reference Librarian :
"Every day brings to the reference desk new questions and new contacts. To stimulate all sorts of people to be- come curious and interested in a constant variety of new and worthy subjects, various exhibits have been arranged from time to time throughout the year. This we felt was a
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
definite library contribution to the constructive use of leisure. Some of the more interesting topics for the ex- hibits were: "Story of a House", "After graduation, what?", "Going south books", "Books for the stay-at- home", "Careers", "People worth reading about", "Meet these famous people during your vacation", and "Ramble through England".
The current interest felt in the Presidential Campaign of 1936 was fostered by a display of books on the history of the government of the United States, History of the Political parties and pamphlets on current affairs. Clip- pings concerning the candidates were cut for reference and election returns were posted. This material was of interest not only to the person who would vote for the first time but also to those who were in search of historical facts that they might build up a more sound and intelligent outlook on affairs pertaining to our country.
That the library is in sympathy with the varied in- terests of people is shown by our exhibits on hobbies, house architecture, needlework, interior decoration, opera, gar- dening and music. Through these displays, men and women have sometimes found the answer to their use of leisure time. Women who are preparing to mould their environment in the interest of the family are constantly seeking new ideas on building and beautifying the home, budgeting, child care and the family as a social institution. Then, there are those who have given their lives to building their career or doing creative work, who are interested in books on law, medicine, teacher-training, nursing, and office management.
One of the most hopeful tendencies in present day education is the trend toward a greater study of current events. Both students and business men are taking an active interest in the affairs of today. Such questions as "Problems of Soviet Russia", "Italian invasion of Ethio-
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
pia", "China-Japan relations" are only a few of those asked for repeatedly. Many of these questions are answered very satisfactorily from the pamphlet file. Four hundred and fifty pamphlets were circulated in 1936. Material on the N.R.A., the Social Security Act, Water supply of Arlington, Party platforms have been popular questions answered with pamphlet material.
The requests that come to the Reference Department of a public library reflect nearly the whole range of human interest and emotions. The depression period has brought to us in the libraries many people who never before have availed themselves of library resources and facilities.
The use of the telephone for reference work has been growing steadily.
Requests for books which we do not own were filled by borrowing from other libraries through Inter-Library Loan. Eighty-three books on various subjects such as "In- telligence tests", "Street traffic control", "Music teaching", "Cosmetics", "Industrial ownership", "Health", "Car- pentry", "Leatherwork", "Commercial rose-growing", and "Personnel problems".
The encouragement and aid given to those of foreign birth is worthy of note. During the past year 232 books in 8 different languages were borrowed from the Division of Public Libraries. Seven of these books were for those who are now studying English for the first time.
Work with the various clubs of Arlington, requesting bibliographies has been an important and interesting division of reference work. Groups of books have been selected for Parent-Teacher organizations and Church groups.
There are not many greater services than that of
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
bringing the gift of books to men and women. Books that give a deeper meaning to lives, books that advance human knowledge and enrich lives.
"Can anything replace the glow and magic of a book -new people, new places and dreams we may never realize, but who could price the pleasure of dreaming even for an hour?"
Gifts of books were received from:
American liberty league
Arlington Fortnightly Club
Arlington Garden Club
Atlantic Monthly Co.
Baruch, B. M.
Boston Life Underwriters Assoc.
Chemical Foundation, Inc.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Doubleday, Doran and Co., Inc.
Firestone, H. S., Jr.
Flaherty, Rev. Matthew J.
Gay, Charles R.
Gurza, Jaime
Huntington, E.
Legation of the Dominion Republic, Washington, D.C.
Literature Distribution Committee of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Cambridge
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Martin, Mrs. S. C.
Needham, Mr. Robert
Parker, Mrs. Urban J.
Peek, G. N. and Crowthers, S.
Powell and White, publishers Robbins, Miss Caira
Robbins, Miss Ida
Rogers, Hon. Edith Nourse
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Sackett, Meyer H. Schwamb, Miss Amy Smithsonian Institute Sprague, Mrs. Emma L. (estate of) Taveau, A. L., Jr. U.S.W.V., Dept. of Mass.
V.F.W. of U.S. Dept. of Mass. Voluntary Parenthood League Woodrow Wilson Foundation
At all seasons the Arlington Garden Club with flowers, plants, wreaths and Christmas decorations added much of beauty and warmth to the Library.
The gallery was used for five exhibits of prints, oils and water-colors. Two exhibits of prints from the Rob- bins Print collection were arranged by Mrs. Achuff, the Curator. Mrs. Ruth Sawyer Woodworth in March and Miss Jean Nutting Oliver in April showed oils and Miss Barbara Sears in November exhibited oils and water- colors.
The Sunday evening readings and teas continued to prove of interest. The first of the 1936 season on January 19 was one of the big storms of the year, the planned pro- gram was postponed and a small group listened to Rev. Laurence Barber read from a collection of modern poets. February 16 Rev. Laurence Barber spoke on "Abraham Lincoln and his connection with New England". For the last reading, March 8, all were asked to bring a book or manuscript, rare or new, and tell a bit of its history or share a poem, an essay, or a story that they had enjoyed.
The hall has been much used by :
Arlington Garden Club Arlington Peace Conference Boy Scouts
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Fortnightly Club Girl Scouts Junior Woman's Club Middlesex Health Association Junior Garden Club
Lip-reading and Americanization classes were held in a small hall.
WORK WITH JUNIORS
Circulation of Juvenile Books
1935
1936
Loss
Gain
Junior Library .
60,282
54,458
5,824
East Branch .
15,497
15,530
33
Heights Branch.
12,296
13,134
838
Schools .
12,805
16,646
3,841
Total
100,880
99,768
5,824
4,712
Total Loss, 1,112
During the year twenty-two story hours were held in the Library Hall with an attendance of 2,044. Stories were told at the Pierce and Locke School to the first three grades during the Christmas season.
Several classes have visited the Library for instruc- tion in the catalogue and reference books. Good Book Week again gave an excuse for publicity and a chance to entertain teachers and mothers.
Many pleasant contacts were made at the two day Scoutorama put on at the High School by the Sachem Council. A booth with posters, bookcases and attractive books was made to look like a home library.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
An opportunity for helpful and lasting friendships is given each summer when the Everyland Club is revived with its many activities, but all planned around the idea of creating a love for reading. The Children's Li- rarian must show the judgment and tact possessed by every successful teacher and mother.
STAFF
The year of 1936 brought much of sickness and change to the Staff.
Miss Barbara Darling became a member of the Staff in January.
Very suddenly in August, death took from our Staff Miss Louise M. Muir. Miss Muir first began work at the Library while she was a student in Arlington High School. Later she became a faithful member of the Staff, where she endeared herself to many by her courteous and friendly manner.
Miss Alice Nelson, Reference Librarian, who came to us after finishing her Simmons Library School course, re- signed to be married.
Two of our Staff members were married-Miss Margaret Webster became Mrs. Hugh Erskine, and Miss Thelma Brictson became Mrs. Richard Montague.
The Librarian and several Staff members have spoken at library meetings, parent-teacher groups, and Scout executive meetings, and have attended whatever of the library meetings could be arranged for without detriment to our own library service. Several have taken cultural courses and technical library courses during the year.
As the Librarian looks in retrospect at the work of the
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
year, with its accomplishments and unfulfilled hopes, she realizes anew her dependence on the unfailing spirit of service of her Staff, and she knows that on their mental and physical alertness, their earnestness, and sympathy de- pends whatever of success and usefulness the Library may have attained. In this spirit I wish to express to my Staff, my Board of Trustees, and to friends of the Library who have rendered helpful service sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted, LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD, Librarian.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 1936.
Name of Library: Robbins Library.
City: Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian: Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding. 1835
Population served (estimated)
38,555
Assessed Valuation of Town. .
58,889,250
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 . . .
55,081
Number of volumes added during year by purchase . 2,851
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange. 100
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year. . 2,505
Total number at end of year 55,527
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
USE
Adult Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes of fiction
lent for home use . . . 151,696
56,139 207,835
Total number of volumes lent for home use . 210,532 99,768 310,300
Pictures circulated 529
REGISTRATION
Number of borrowers registered during year .
1,903
Registration period, years .
3
Number of periodicals and newspapers cur- rently received :
Titles .
166
Copies . 208
Number of publications issued during year: Booklists . 0
Number of staff, library service (including part-time) 14
Number of staff, janitor service.
3
LIBRARY FUNDS
Robbins Art Fund . $44,068.06
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 .
54,003.77
E. Nelson Blake Fund. 4,073.75
Dexter Rawson Fay Fund. 1,741.60
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts from:
Trust Fund Income Balance, Jan. 1, 1936. . $2,752.76
Appropriation by Town. 25,220.65
Income from Trust Funds, 1936 2,283.88
$30,257.29
Expenditures .
$27,669.51
Balance of Salary Account returned to Treasurer .
320.64
Balance, Dec. 31, 1936 .
2,267.14
$30,257.29
Payments for:
Salaries, library service
$15,123.10
Salaries, janitor service
1,879.67
Books and periodicals .
4,485.75
Bindery
1,665.08
Fuel
1,484.07
Light
803.47
Building and grounds
1,071.86
Telephone . .
143.83
Other expenses
1,012.68
$27,669.51
Robbins Art Fund.
Expenditures :
Salaries
$905.65
Prints .
319.50
Supplies, etc.
168.33
$1,393.48
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington:
The personnel of the School Committee during 1936 had but one change. Mr. Winburn S. Cannell who served the town devotedly for six years retired. His interest in athletics has been greatly responsible for the development of sports in the schools. Mr. James W. Kidder was elected in March to fill the vacancy on the School Committee.
Your Committee has continued to uphold a high standard of education at the lowest possible cost. Our duty to give the children of this town a thorough educa- tional training is our first concern, and we have attempted to accomplish this end by employing the best qualified teachers within the salary limits we are able to pay. The present economic conditions have made it difficult for Arlington residents who have prepared themselves for a teaching career to get positions in other towns. We have, therefore, where possible, given preference in positions to applicants who reside in Arlington. We have also em- ployed recent graduates of normal schools as helping teachers, thus giving them an opportunity to get experi- ence in teaching, and where they have proven themselves capable, have advanced them to regular teaching positions in the department.
During the year 1936 your Committee has continued to make economies in the operation of the school depart- ment. The teachers and other employees have cooperated to eliminate wasteful use of supplies and reduce other needless expenses which are bound to be present in any large organization. We have under construction a central storeroom to be used for the supplies of the entire system.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
One person will be put in charge to keep an accurate in- ventory of the amount of supplies on hand, and a more systematic record of the orders and requirements of the various schools. Heretofore, each building has had its own storeroom and as no complete inventory of supplies has ever been kept many large surpluses of materials have found their way into some of the buildings. Excessive inventories encourage extravagant use of supplies, and require more capital investment than is necessary.
During the last three years we have been reducing the excess supply of materials on hand. We have standardized our inventory of paper so that fewer kinds and sizes are used, thereby requiring a smaller amount on hand. The same policy has been carried out with other materials.
The result has been that since 1931 the amount spent on supplies has been reduced from $41,976.60 to less than $18,000 in 1936, although the enrollment in November, 1931, including the evening school was 6,957, and in the corresponding month of 1936 without an evening school was 7,040. With a central storeroom and more accurate record of supplies we hope to keep their cost at a minimum.
As a result of abolishing positions or reducing the teach- ing staff during 1936, we have made an annual saving of $15,300. Of this amount $5,750 was anticipated in our 1936 budget, and the balance will be allowed for in the 1937 budget. This has been accomplished without im- pairing the high standard of education afforded the pupils. The teacher load or average number of pupils per teacher has been raised from 25.4 on December 31, 1935, to 26.6 on December 31, 1936, an increase of only 1.2 pupils per teacher.
Your school buildings have been well maintained. The estimated cost of these buildings is close to $3,000,000. A fair estimate of the amount necessary to keep them in
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
good repair is between 112 to 2% of the cost, or between $45,000 and $60,000. By taking advantage of the Federal W.P.A. projects, however, we have been able to ask the town for but $30,000 to keep the buildings in good condi- tion. It will be necessary to increase this item of the school budget if and when the W.P.A. help ceases.
Reimbursements to the town on account of payment by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and other receipts from the use of school property, etc., amounted to $57,990.96. The Committee will return approximately $9,500 from the appropriations made in 1936. The sum of these items, or $67,490.96 deducted from the budget of $662,170 leaves for the year a net charge of approximately $594,679.04 against the real estate tax levy.
A change was made during the year in the control of athletics. It has long been a tradition in Arlington that the School Committee should in no way interfere in the management of our school sports. This idea undoubtedly has been handed down from the time when we had a very enthusiastic Arlington High School Athletic Association made up of nearly one hundred per cent of the high school undergraduates, which group took a great deal of interest in our teams and by means of putting on entertainments of various kinds were able to raise sufficient funds to keep the Athletic Association out of debt. Due to the varied interests of the present undergraduates this unity of interest in athletics no longer exists. Sports, on the other hand, have drawn more public interest in recent years in Arlington and have created a new problem. First, there is a need for sound management of finances and secondly, an effort to prevent the regimentation of our immature athletes for the purpose of swelling gate receipts.
For this reason we have created an Executive Com- mittee consisting of the Superintendent of Schools, the Principal of the High School, the three members of the
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Sub-Committee on Physical Training, the coach of the football team, the coach of that sport which may be under consideration at any time, the Chairman of the School Committee, the Treasurer of the Athletic Association, and the student in the Arlington High School who is elected by the "A-Men" of all sports. The purpose of this Com- mittee is to create a better understanding between the various departments of the school system interested in athletics and to promote proper management.
The first meeting was held October 2, 1936, at which time the treasurer's report showed liabilities of $4,015.99 and cash on hand of $231.60. The Committee immediately started in operation a budget system for all sports and concentrated on the elimination of this deficit.
The fall football schedule was, in the opinion of this Committee, too difficult for the 1936 football team to complete successfully, and future schedules will be planned with consideration given more to the welfare of the boys than to the gate receipts.
We also will coordinate the junior high school teams into the complete system with a purpose of standardizing the training and with especial emphasis on keeping those participating in athletics up to high scholastic standards and of giving benefits of athletic training to a larger number of students rather than to a small selected group.
Your Committee has confined itself more to the effi- cient management of the school system than to the minute details of the curriculum. In a general way we did order an investigation of the commercial course with a motive of making it more practical and of giving the pupils a more thorough knowledge of commercial subjects in a shorter period of time. We take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation to Professor Frederick G. Nichols of Harvard University who generously gave his services to help us attain the results for which we were striving.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Our confidence in the ability of our Superintendent to carry on the administration of a system of education which would meet the standards expected by citizens of this town has left for the Committee more the duty of repre- senting the general interests of the town as a whole. We have tried to act as a balance wheel between a too complex and costly school system on one hand and any unreason- able demands of small organized groups unfamiliar with the problems of the entire system.
For further information regarding the operation of your school department we respectfully refer you to the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) HARRIE H. DADMUN, Chairman.
January, 1937.
559
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1936
To the Honorable School Committee,
Arlington, Mass.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit for your consideration this annual report of conditions and work in the public schools. Our main problems-efficient instruction, adjustment of work to individuals, economy in finance, upkeep of build- ings, careful supervision of regular and special subjects, health of teachers and pupils, public service within proper limits and the like-have been similar to those of preceding years. The entire personnel of the system has worked cheerfully and well as hitherto in performing the many tasks and duties devolving upon them.
The problem of housing, oftentimes a perplexing one, has not been acute with us during the year. A review of changes in the State since 1932 or 1933 reveals numerous shifts in school membership in places comparable in size to Arlington. Thus, Malden, Salem, Taunton, and Framing- ham did not change substantially between 1931-32 and 1935-36. Brockton, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Chelsea, Chicopee showed appreciable losses over the same period. Arlington, Watertown, Belmont and Medford all increased sub- stantially and in that order.
School Growth
The story in Arlington has been one of steady growth in the junior and senior high schools, but of little change
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
in elementary membership. A three year comparison will show the situation clearly.
School Year, 1932-33
Average Membership, Senior High School . 1,320
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