USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1937 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Plans are under way for cleaning up the Teele Street property and making it of a more even grade, so that coast- ing can be enjoyed there in the winter. It is hoped that sand boxes and horseshoe courts can be installed this sum- mer.
It is the feeling of the Park Commissioners and the Committee of Ten that the Purcell property be not de-
378
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
veloped until the greenhouses adjoining are removed and Everett Street extended.
The Thorndike Street Extension plot can be made available for ball-playing in one corner while the balance of the land is under construction. As most of this area needs considerable fill, due to the water line, it will take several years before work can be completed. Moving of the top soil off the whole area must be attended to at once; drainage can best be accomplished when most of the filling has been completed.
We feel that a building to house the equipment and tools of the Park Department needs to be built, and that a convenient site for such a building would be on the edge of the Ethel Wellington Playground at the end of Prentiss Road, since this location is central and is also properly zoned.
We feel that recreational facilities must be cared for in keeping with the expansion of the Town's population.
It has been a pleasure to work with other Town Boards and we wish to publicly express our appreciation of the help received from the Selectmen, Board of Public Works, the Planning Board, Police and Fire Departments, during the past year.
We hope that we may continue to receive the interest and support of the Citizens of Arlington, in order that all may enjoy the maximum benefits from the use of the park properties and facilities of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS,
NILS G. ANDERSON, Chairman DANIEL M. HOOLEY JOHN B. BYRNE
379
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board respectfully submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1937.
ZONING
Two petitions requesting changes from residence clas- sifications to that of a business zone were received during the year. In each case the areas concerned bordered on the Cambridge-Concord Highway and having in mind the best future development of the Town, together with the character of the opposition shown at the public hearings, the Board felt justified in recommending that no changes be made. The action of the Board was approved by the Town Meetings held during the year.
PROJECTS
The Board believes that it is desirable that certain fun- damental statistics, such as the number and sizes of lots in built-up and unbuilt areas; the proportion of park and public lands, the percentage of buildings in its business zone, occupied and unoccupied, together with information as to population density, be compiled and made available for its information. A project along these lines was ac- cordingly submitted during the latter part of the year to the Board of Selectmen. The plan was approved by the Selectmen and referred to the Works Progress Administra- tion for consideration. Approval has not as yet been re- ceived.
MAJOR HIGHWAYS
At the present time there are three principal routes passing through the town in an easterly-westerly direction. Each one of these has connection at its westerly end favor-
380
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
able for through traffic. These routes are Massachusetts Avenue, the Cambridge-Concord Highway and Summer Street. Massachusetts Avenue, however, is the only one having a direct outlet at its eastern end for traffic to the Metropolitan zone. On account of its gradual and small grades Massachusetts Avenue is still carrying the greater portion of the heavy trucking while a large proportion of the through pleasure traffic has been diverted to the Con- cord Highway. Recently the establishment of bus facilities over this latter highway has provided a satisfactory trans- portation service to a rapidly developing section of the town which has previously been inadequately served. With the increased traffic which probably will use this route due both to growth in Arlington and to the further proposed extension of the highway beyond Concord, the question of an improved outlet at its eastern terminus becomes of con- siderable importance. This matter has been studied by the State agencies concerned and tentative plans made for re- lief over one or both of the following routes. (1) An ex- tension of the Concord Highway easterly along a right of way following roughly the present Fitchburg Division of the Boston & Maine R. R. to the vicinity of Porter's Square, Cambridge, at which point connection can be made to ex- isting routes to Boston. (2) An extension of the route now covered in part by the Alewife Brook Parkway and the Fresh Pond Parkway to Gerry's Landing on the Charles River and the erection of a bridge at that point connecting with the Charles River Parkway in Boston. The construc- tion of these routes is favored by this Board as being of substantial benefit to the town.
With reference to the proposed Lowell Turnpike which has been mentioned in a previous report, the construction of this route would immediately react adversely on both Massachusetts Avenue and Summer Street unless some provision is made to handle the increased traffic which there is every reason to believe this road will attract. This Board has continued to study this matter both from its own in- formation and in cooperation with the Joint Board as well as the Metropolitan Planning Board and believes that the
381
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
best solution is the construction of a new connection be- tween the Lowell Turnpike and the Concord Highway. The most feasible and least expensive route appears to be one which would start at a point near the junction of Maple Street, Lexington and the Lowell Turnpike and continuing approximately parallel to Maple Street over the undeveloped land known as the Great Meadows for a distance of about one-half mile, then curving southeasterly to the vicinity of the junction of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street in Lexington. Crossing the Boston and Maine R. R. by means of an overpass and Massachusetts Avenue at grade, at which point traffic could be controlled by a traffic circle, the proposed route would again pass over undeveloped land along the easterly side of Pleasant Street. At this point connection can be readily made with an existing improved route to the Concord Highway. This proposed by-pass will not affect the small amount of traffic originating in Arling- ton or points north now using Summer Street or that pass- ing over Lowell Street to Massachusetts Avenue but will tend to divert the large volume of fast moving traffic from and to Lowell and New Hampshire points from passing through the entire length of Arlington along Massachusetts Avenue. At a recent conference with the Board of Select- men and the Board of Public Works, this matter was again discussed and the Senator and Representatives from this district requested to protest any plan for the construction of this Lowell Turnpike which does not make adequate and reasonable provision for the traffic which will be created and which will be forced to find some outlet either via Lowell Street and Massachusetts Avenue or via Summer Street and which will recreate the problem of traffic con- gestion through Arlington which has been relieved in part by the construction of the Concord Highway.
GENERAL
The Board has continued to keep in touch with the new legislation (Chapter 211 Acts of 1936) intended to more clearly define and to broaden in some respects the powers of Planning Boards. While this new enabling act
382
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
is undoubtedly an improvement and the operation of its various provisions has become better understood during the past year, nevertheless, we do not feel justified in recom- mending its adoption in whole or in part at this time. It is our feeling that we will be in a much better position to decide as to its merits and defects, as it would operate in Arlington, after additional towns or cities contiguous to Arlington have adopted it and have functioned under it.
The Planning Board has had a study and suggested revision made of our Town Plan and Zoning By-Laws and map by a Planning Consultant in order that we might benefit by the broader experience of those trained in this work through their professional contact with other munici- palities. The Board has studied this report and hopes to present to the Town meeting from time to time certain by- law changes which it is felt will be of benefit.
Conferences have been held during the year with the Board of Selectmen and the Joint Board on matters in- volving the future growth and development of different parts of the Town. The Board has also had representation at Board of Survey hearings when it seemed advisable.
Conferences have also been held with the Park Com- missioners at which suggestions were made as to lay-outs for proposed playgrounds and other public areas.
The Board has retained its membership in the State Federation of Planning Boards and has attended the con- ferences arranged for by this group.
The Planning Board has also been a correspondent of the State Planning Board and has had the benefit of the valuable reports and other information which the State Board has sent out at different times.
HAROLD C. KNIGHT HERBERT M. DUTCHER WALTER F. ROBINSON SEROVP P. BASMAJIAN CHARLES L. SHEDD
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY 383
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR 1937
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 MARGARET WEBSTER ERSKINE
Reference Librarian ESTHER GANNETT, Classifier THELMA BRICTSON MONTAGUE
Children's Librarian RUTH FULLER, Circulation
384
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
General Assistants PAULINE BENNETT *BARBARA DARLING RACHEL M. SANTOLIQUIDO *MIRIAM SNOW
Part-Time Workers
NAOMIE ALCOTT LOIS CRAIG ALICE CUTTER ELEANOR DE ROCHE ELIZABETH GRAY AUDREY JOHNSON FRANCES MACAULAY MURIEL MARSHALL
Janitor JAMES SULLIVAN
Heights Branch
JEANETTE FAVREAU, Branch Librarian JOHN J. HERON, Janitor
East Branch
EVA M. SMITH, Branch Librarian JOHN T. LOFTUS, Janitor
Messenger CHARLES L. O'NEILL
Curator Robbins Print Collection
MRS. KATHRYN M. ACHUFF
*Resigned
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY 385
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For the Year 1937
The Trustees of the Robbins Library present their report for the year 1937:
The outstanding event of the year has been the com- pletion of the new Branch Library building on Park Ave- nue, Arlington Heights. Greatly needed, as has been stated in previous reports, this most satisfactory building, de- signed by our townsman, William Proctor of Gay & Proctor, will play an important part in the education of the children of this section and add greatly to the enjoyment of many adults. The Trustees have requested the town to name this building the Vittoria C. Dallin Branch in recognition of the great interest of Mrs. Dallin in all Arlington public affairs.
In January of this year our community lost by death one of its most valued and respected citizens, Judge James Parmenter, one whose interest in the affairs of the library was most noteworthy and who served as Trustee during the long period of 40 years, 1883-1922. The Trustees, in January, passed the following resolutions :
Whereas :- The late Judge James P. Parmen- ter served as a Trustee of the Arlington Robbins Library for thirty-nine years from 1883 to 1922.
Whereas :- He enriched that splendid service by his wise counsel and devotion to the best in- terests of the Library.
Whereas :- He has honored the Library by the gift of his own private library.
386
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Resolved :- That the Trustees hereby express their appreciation of his notable service and gift and this testimonial be added to the Annual Re- port of the Trustees.
During this year, Miss Emily Buckman died. She had been associated with Miss Newton as a library assistant for many years.
The number of persons who have made use of the library during the year-more than 17,000-is impressive, and while our entire circulation was slightly less than in 1936-a condition which is true of our libraries in general- it was in excess of 305,000.
The Trustees wish to express their appreciation of the splendid work during the year of Mrs. Spofford and her valued assistants.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman.
387
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1937
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1937.
In my report for 1936, I stated that the Robbins Li- brary had two definite needs. First: Branch Library buildings at Arlington Heights and East Arlington, and second; adequate money for books and periodicals.
Part of the first need, a Branch Library building at the Heights will be satisfied. In the early weeks of Janu-
Gay & Proctor, Architects Branch of Robbins Library at Arlington Heights
388
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Adult Side of Branch Library, Arlington Heights
Juvenile Side of Branch Library, Arlington Heights
389
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
ary 1938, a well equipped Branch Library will be opened. The history of the struggle to obtain a Branch Library building, when written, will contain the names of many clubs and groups of people who have worked for the Branch, but special mention should be made of Mrs. Vittoria C. Dallin who saw the vision and for many years and on all occasions worked to make the building possible. A Branch for East Arlington is just as much needed with an esti- mated population of 14,230, which is made up of a large school population.
The second need: adequate money for books and peri- odicals. To answer this need, we should have $.60 per registered borower for books and $.15 for periodicals, mak- ing a total of $.75 per registered borrower for books and periodicals.
We have 17,795 registered borrowers. Following is the expenditures for books and periodicals for the last ten years :
1928
$4,287.50
1929
6,329.30
1930
7,297.87
1931
8,270.49
1932
7,122.65
1933
4,863.22
1934
5,073.26
1935
5,144.80
1936
4,485.75
1937
5,265.60
(1937)
$4,846.72.
.books
418.88.
.periodicals
During the year, 3,556 books were added; 3,482 by purchase, and 74 by gift. The number discarded was 2,923, making a gain of 633 books. The Library has 56,160 vol- umes. The three largest classes added were: literature, fine arts, and biography. The reference collection was in- creased by 84 volumes. Besides the preparing and cata-
390
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
loguing of books, the Catalogue Department filed 12,484 cards and transferred 1,029 books from the regular stacks to the basement. The indexing of The Arlington Advocate continued until May 21, when the W. P. A. Project closed. The Arlington Advocate is now indexed to 1910.
The Library turned over to the Town Treasurer $1,984.95 from fines, sale of postals, and waste paper.
Fines
$1,938.92
Sale of postals
39.40
Waste paper
6.63
Total
$1,984.95
OUR BORROWERS
It is always interesting to know who read the 305,915 books which the Library circulated in 1937. At the end of December, 1937, readers numbered 17,795. During this year, 1,871 borrowers were registered, or reregistered; 938 Adults, and 816 Juvenile. The number of registered bor- rowers increased by 1,198.
The following tables show many interesting facts :
Circulation by Stations
1937
Center, Adult
178,646
Center, Juvenile
51,898
East Branch
27,541
Heights Branch
25,519
Schools
22,311
Total
305,915
Comparison of Home Use of Books
Non-fiction
Fiction
1926
1931
77,813
178,887
Total home use of books 119,774 256,610
391
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
1935
102,604
218,911
321,515
1936
102,465
207,835
310,300
1937
100,916
204,999
305,915
Pictures
1936
529
1937
1,097
Circulation of Juvenile Books
1937
Junior Library
51,898
East Branch
15,303
Heights Branch
12,223
Schools
22,311
Total
101,735
1936
99,768
1937
101,735
Total gain for 1937 1,967
More visits have been made to schools this year. The deposit of books at the Junior High West proved very popular. 6,357 were used for home reading. The Summer Club was very successful in that there was much reading done, and the children were called upon to use any talents which they had in the interests of the Club. The Story Hour had an attendance of 1,708.
Quoting in part from the report of the Reference Librarian :
"To present the library and facilities to the public is perhaps one of the most important, yet delightful phases of library work. Much has been done with exhibits of books and pictures to advertise worthy pictures, radio broadcasts, and special events of town, state, and nation.
392
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
"Important dates in the history of the world were ob- served with fitting displays. During the Coronation of George VI, books on the history of England and biographies of famous English people were displayed with excellent results. Books on the American Revolution were gathered together for April 19; Travel week was observed from May 16-20; Lenten reading in March; Washington and Lincoln birthdays were celebrated in February. This year the schools were especially interested in Horace Mann cen- tennial observances. A bibliography was made which was used continually by both teachers and pupils. A list of books recommended by Jordan Marsh Information Center was used in connection with Better Home Week, April 25- May 1.
"Perhaps the most important exhibit during this past year was that on the Constitution in connection with the observance of the Sesquicentennial of the Constitution, September 17, 1937 to April 30, 1939. At this time, a noteworthy display of the portraits of the signers of the Constitution was made from the Robbins Print Collection, and with prints borrowed from the Holman Print Shop. This was arranged with the help of the Curator of the Print Collection, Mrs. Kathryn McC. Achuff.
"The exhibit on Careers was especially appreciated by the High School students. Books of fiction were exhibited together with books on careers. These enjoyed a fine cir- culation and were tremendously popular.
"Books on China and Japan have been read continually.
"Through the inter-library loan, 73 books were borrow- ed on the following subjects : credit, electric welding, social service work, lip reading, navigation, meat industry, stock market, money and banking, street traffic control, and time study. From this, one may readily see just how varied the interests of the Arlington people are. 115 books in 8 different languages were also borrowed. 55 books were loaned from this library to other libraries.
393
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
"Reference work by telephone has increased greatly this year. Many questions relating to business have been an- swered satisfactorily over the telephone. 84 reference books have been added to the collection.
"This year we have had our usual quota of unusual questions. Puzzle workers head the list. The Old Gold Contest probably furthered the education of some, but caused us many a harrowing time. Just how far a library should go in solving these puzzles has been a question. However, demands on our time for other things has solved the problem to some extent.
"We have had a definite call for books on Consumers' research bulletins, printing costs, cancer research bulletins, radio operator's manual, and brokerage accounting in re- lation to commodities. These are representative of the demand from business men for more technical books which we too often have to borrow from other libraries.
"The pamphlet file is answering more and more ques- tions as time goes on. 226 new pamphlets have been added, 473 discarded, and 343 circulated. But for this up-to-the- minute material, available in pamphlets and periodicals, many questions would go unanswered.
"Many bibliographies for clubs and study groups have been made. To name a few: Horace Mann, The Empire Period in American Furniture, Evolution of the Library, and A Study of Scandinavian Countries.
"To have more business books, more specialized books, is always the hope of the Reference Department." It is always hard to turn away a person requesting special knowl- edge, although he may have been given the information as to just what special library he may go for his answer. After the Library has received a certain type of question over and over again, the Library should have money enough available to build up its collection along the line of those subjects.
394
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
"The Library owes special services, both to those who are unemployed, and to those who have jobs. 'People are interested in the study of economic problems-reading in hope of finding a way out: vocational education-reading for increased efficiency in the present job of re-education for a new job and morale: reading to keep one's balance and as a substitute for expensive recreation.'
"And as the months cross the margin of a year, we of the Reference Department look backward over filled hours shared with interesting minds, gratified hearts, and as they thank us, we return the appreciation, for from them we learn, and see, and grow. We too enjoy the kinship of fellow minds meeting in the world of books."
Then with the tools, plus an efficient and trained staff, the Library can at all times be of practical aid to the business man, a strong factor in the general education of the child, and a help in continuing the informal education for all ages.
The Library Hall was used 210 times during the year, over four times a week. The small hall was used three evenings a week.
Societies using the Hall were as follows :
Arlington Garden Club Arlington Junior Woman's Club Arlington Woman's Club
Boy Scouts Health talks sponsored by Symmes Hospital Girl Scouts Middlesex Health Association Public Welfare and Community Service Committees
The Gallery was used for the following Exhibits:
February-Oils, Federal Art Project March-Local Artists
395
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
April-Dramatic Masks by Joseph Coyle April-Exhibition of drawings by Beatrice Field
May-Pencil renderings of Old New England by Charles Stanton Giles
June-Arlington High School Art Exhibit
August-Water Colors by Massachusetts Artists, Federal Art Project
November-Boston , Club, Fourth Annual Traveling Exhibit
December-Oils, water colors, stained glass, masks and sculpture by local artists
Other exhibits held have been an author's exhibition of original manuscripts; scrap-books of the author, Gladys Hasty Carroll. This was made possible by Mrs. Robert N. Rice. The Arlington Stamp Club exhibition; drawings, paintings, plaster models, marionette masks and miniature stages done by the pupils of the Guild House; and two from the Robbins Print Collection provided something for everyone.
The fourth season of the Sunday Readings proved very popular as we had an average attendance of 80 at each reading. Here have gathered together a group of book lovers. On January 3, Mrs. Cyrus Dallin read her trans- lation of old French lyrics. February 7, The Reverend John Nicol Mark spoke on "Gems from Carlyle," and four recent books were reviewed by members of our staff, Mrs. Ruth Fuller and Miss Rachel Santoliquido. On March 7, Mr. George Rugg gave a very delightful reading and discussion of "Old Favorites," while Mrs. Wallace Powers read from the poems of Robert Tristam Coffin.
GIFTS
Arlington Garden Club, an 8 foot screen to be used with lantern ; a Christmas tree; Christmas wreath ; and $10.00 for books.
396
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Arlington Junior Woman's Club, $10.00 for books.
Arlington Woman's Club, two magazines : World Youth, and Federation Topics.
Bingham, Mrs. George, a bust of Dante.
Shaw, Mrs. Leroy, Terrarium.
The bequest of the library of the late Judge James Parmenter, who was for many years a Trustee of the Li- brary is a rich addition to our book collection. Other books were received as gifts from the following:
American Chemical Company
American Viscose Company
American Book Company
Arlington Garden Club
Arlington Junior Woman's Club
Associated Harvard Clubs
Bacon, Mrs. Clara H.
Bemis, Mrs. Cornelia
Christian Science Publishing Society Collier, William Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Dumble, Mrs. Clifford
Government Printing Office
Gruber, Mrs. G. Franklin
Hall, Foster Hilliard, F. C.
Hope, Mrs. Carmeta
Alexander Legge Memorial Committee
Lincoln Highway Association
Little, Brown Company
Martin, Mrs. S. C.
Massachusetts Commission of Education
Massachusetts Savings Bank Insurance National Council of American Shipbuilders Plumer, Miss M. Reardon, James G.
Robbins, Misses Schwamb, Miss Amy E.
397
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Sewall, Mrs. Flora
Members of the Sigma Kappa Sorority in Arlington Trustees under will of Mary Baker Eddy Wheat Flour Institute, Chicago, Illinois
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.