USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1938 > Part 25
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29
Florence Avenue Playground
This playground is one of the recently acquired plots of land. During the Spring, the Arlington unemployed cleared out the thick underbrush, and fill was procured from Wachu- sett Avenue. A rather large area was levelled off and can be made suitable for baseball in the future.
Thorndike Street Playground
This playground is another of the recently acquired plots of land. During the Spring and Summer fill was obtained from Parker Street and spread through a section of the area, enabling the children of the vicinity to play baseball and other sports.
Teel Street Playground
This area is likewise a recently acquired plot of land. Dur- ing the Spring and Summer fill was obtained from Andrew Street and placed in a portion of this playground where it was levelled off and made suitable for the play of the children of the vicinity.
470
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AREAS OWNED BY TOWN OF ARLINGTON AND CARED FOR BY ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION
Brattle and Summer Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
Junior High West (Crusher Lot)
General maintenance; brush trimmed, trees trimmed.
Falmouth Road and Crosby Street Delta
General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
Thomas J. Robinson Rock (Gray Street and Endicott Road) General maintenance; grass cut and trimmed.
AREAS CONTROLLED BY ARLINGTON GARDEN CLUB AND CARED FOR BY ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION
Delta, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Suan Place Area cared for.
Delta, Adjacent to Old Town Hall
Area cared for.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This Board makes the following recommendations :
Arlington Heights Playground (Reservoir Field)
This Board recommends the erection of bleachers or a suitable grandstand to accommodate approximately 1,000 persons.
Reservoir Beach
This Board recommends the purchase of more sand to be placed around the shore of the Beach, and the erection of more
471
PARK COMMISSIONERS
seats to accommodate the ever-increasing patronage. It is ad- visable this year to replace the old raft, which has been con- demned and broken up.
Meadowbrook Park (area bordering Chestnut Street)
The portion that has been used in the past for the playing of baseball has been considerably reduced due to the erection of a dwelling house within close proximity to the field, thereby making the field unsuitable for organized baseball. Therefore, this Board recommends the immediate installation of at least two lawn tennis courts in this area.
Warren A. Peirce Playground
At the Annual Town Meeting a $10,000 appropriation was given to the Board of Selectmen to be used for the improve- ment of Parks and Playgrounds, the labor to be furnished by W. P. A. This Board recommends that of the aforementioned appropriation, $3,000, be expended for the purpose of erecting a rest house equipped with suitable toilet facilities at the Warren A. Peirce Playground.
Crosby School Playground
On January 13, 1936, this Board received from the Office of the Clerk of Courts for Middlesex County, a stipulation of the Superior Court, declaring the playing of baseball prohibi- tive at the Crosby School Playground. The Board accordingly posted notices to that effect upon several conspicuous places within the playground enclosure.
In view of the fact that the playing of baseball is pro- hibited at the Crosby School Playground, this Board recom- mends the installation of suitable tennis courts thereon, as the present status of the playground offers no inducement what- ever to the residents of East Arlington.
This Board cannot but strongly emphasize the expediency of immediately acquiring additional recreational areas in East Arlington, in order to meet adequately the demands of the citizens resident therein.
472
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
During the past year this Board has offered many sugges- tions and recommendations to the Committee on Parks and Playgrounds, created at the last Annual Town Meeting. The aforementioned suggestions and recommendations may be found in their entirety in the report of the Parks and Play- grounds Committee.
In conclusion, the members of this Board are thoroughly appreciative of the fact that it is clearly our duty to serve, to the best of our ability, the people of Arlington, who place their confidence in us, by electing us to this Board.
Ever since its inception in 1935, this Board's action on all matters requiring a vote in executive session, has been unani- mous on every occasion.
This Board, we hope, has acted wisely in our endeavors and decisions, and we are thoroughly appreciative of the full and genuine co-operation afforded us by all Town Departments, Town Officials, Town Meeting Members, and Citizens of Arling- ton, for which we are profoundly grateful.
With this continued manifestation of good will and un- selfish support, the Arlington Park Commission will advance toward ultimate accomplishment and complete satisfaction. to the end that the best interests of the Town of Arlington will coincide with the desires of its citizens.
DANIEL M. HOOLEY, Chairman, JOHN B. BYRNE, NILS G. ANDERSON.
473
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board respectfully submits herewith its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
ZONING
Another petition requesting a change from a residence classification to that of a business zone was received during this year. This case also involved land bordering on the Cam- bridge-Concord Highway and as in the other similar cases the Board recommended to the Town Meeting that no change be made. The Board, however, presented an article to the Town Meeting providing for a change in an area fronting on Lake Street, now being developed on a single residence basis, from a general residence zone to a single residence zone. Both recommendations were approved by the respective Town Meet- ings at which these articles were considered.
PROJECTS
The project intended to provide the Planning Board with fundamental information regarding the Town which was re- ferred to in the annual report of the Board for 1937 has not, as yet, been approved by the Works Progress Administration.
BOSTON-LOWELL HIGHWAY
During the latter part of this year it was reported that construction had been authorized on some of the outlying por- tions of this route. This Board, however, has had no definite information as to the final layout of the easterly end in Lex- ington and Arlington. The Metropolitan Planning Division has recently released its five-year program and has asked the vari- ous city and town planning boards to cooperate with it. Item
474
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
number 5 on the schedule of this report outlines a connection between this proposed highway and the Cambridge-Concord Highway in Lexington. This route is substantially the same as the route previously recommended by this Board.
GENERAL
The Board has had a series of maps prepared in color,' using the standard Town map as a base map. These maps cover transportation facilities, land use, location of accidents, main sewer and water routes, school houses and recreational areas and density of population. This information should be of great value in connection with the work of the Planning Board.
By a vote of the March Town Meeting the Chairman and Secretary of this Board were designated to serve on a new committee to further study and report on the collection and disposal of the Town's waste material. This committee has organized, and this study is now progress.
The Chairman is also acting as a member of a committee cooperating with the Board of PARK COMMISSIONERS in the study of playgrounds and recreational areas.
During the year the Board, in addition to a schedule of monthly meetings, has had representation at a hearing in Belmont on a proposed zoning change which was of mutual interest. Members of the Board have also attended the Lex- ington Town Meeting when the matter of lot areas was under discussion.
The Board has continued all activities as reported during the previous year.
The Board has prepared during the latter part of the year two Warrant Articles for presentation to the March, 1939, meeting. One of these articles specifies a minimum size lot for residential areas which should prevent further over-crowd-
475
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
ing in undeveloped residential areas. The second article is planned to create an apartment-house zone with suitable re- strictions in a semi-residence district. The Board has also been asked to create another type of apartment-house zone which under similar conditions will permit the erection of a group of detached apartment houses not to exceed eight apart- ments in each unit and not over two stories high. It is prob- able that all of these matters will be discussed at the March, 1939, Town Meeting.
The resignations of Mr. Walter F. Robinson and Mr. Charles L. Shedd were received during the year and accepted with regret. At joint meetings with the Board of Selectmen the following were appointed to serve out the unexpired term : Mr. Hartwell Flemming and Mr. Charles Bowker. Mr. Flem- ming was subsequently elected for a regular term at the March, 1938, election.
HAROLD C. KNIGHT, Chairman HERBERT M. DUTCHER, Secretary SEROVP P. BASMAJIAN HARTWELL FLEMMING CHARLES H. BOWKER
476
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
FOR THE YEAR 1938
Trustees
WILLIAM A. MULLER, Chairman ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary MISS M. HELEN TEELE MRS. SARAH R. VAUGH 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, Head of Circulation
Branch Librarians
JEANNETTE FAVREAU, Dallin Branch EVA M. SMITH, East Branch
477
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
General Assistants PAULINE BENNETT, at Dallin Branch ALICE E. CUTTER MARIANNA HEMENWAY HELEN HENRY RACHEL M. SANTOLIQUIDO
Part-Time Workers
MARY BAILEY MARION CHAPMAN ELEANOR DE ROCHE ELIZABETH GRAY JACQUELYN HESSION AUDREY JOHNSON FRANCES MACAULAY SUSANNE McGILLVRAY
Janitors
JAMES SULLIVAN, Main Library GEORGE A. CAPES, Dallin Branch JOHN T. LOFTUS, East Branch CHARLES L. O'NEILL, Messenger
Curator Robbins Print Collection
MRS. KATHRYN M. ACHUFF
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR 1938
The Trustees of the Robbins Library present their report for the year 1938:
The outstanding event of the year was the dedication on January 14, 1938, of the Vittoria C. Dallin Branch at Arling-
478
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ton Heights. How well these added facilities have benefited the work of the Library is set forth in the very complete re- port of our Librarian.
The Trustees, with sorrow, report the death on Septem- ber 16, 1938, of Miss Caira Robbins. An attempt to express what she meant to Arlington is set forth in the following resolutions adopted in Town Meeting, October 3, 1938, and spread on the records of the Town; also in resolutions of November 1, 1938, adopted by the Board of Library Trustees :
MISS CAIRA ROBBINS
RESOLVED, That the Citizens of Arlington, by their representatives in Town Meeting assembled, inscribe upon the records of the Town this expression of the high esteem in which they held the late Caira Robbins, who died at Evian, France, on September 16, 1938, and their gratitude for her life-long service and generous gifts to the Town.
Born in Philadelphia, she came in childhood to the home of her grandfather, Nathan Robbins, in this Town. Here she attended the public schols and grew to womanhood. With her two sisters and her brother she shared in a household dis- tinguished for its culture, refinement, and hospitality. Her mind was enriched by constant study and wide reading. Ex- tensive travel and residence for long periods in Europe broadened her vision and improved her taste. She became in the best sense a citizen of the world, interested in all its problems and a lover of the beautiful and noble in whatever country or in whatever form they were to be found. Whether living at home or abroad, she never forgot her friends in this community, and her devotion to the Town and her presents of rare and beautiful works of art to its Public Library con- tinued to the end of her life.
From members of the Robbins family the people of this Town received the noble gifts of the Public Library Building, the Town Hall, the Robbins Mansion House and many treas- ures of art. The personal benefactions of Caira Robbins were
479
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
numerous and important, and hers was no small part in plan- ning and completing the gifts of other members of her family.
Her host of friends in this community will never forget her sweet nature, refined taste and cheering manner. The people of Arlington will cherish her membory as that of one who lived worthily and went about doing good.
And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to Miss Ida F. Robbins, the surviving sister of Caira Robbins.
HELEN G. BAILEY, Chairman EARL A. RYDER E. CAROLINE FAIRCHILD CHARLES A. HARDY WILLIAM A. MULLER
Committee appointed by Selectmen
Caira Robbins was a woman of rare quality of spirit. She had the vision and understanding which gave her sympathies a wide range. Whatever cause she undertook was served with whole-hearted devotion.
In response to the wishes of the donor, Winfield Robbins, she began the great task of cataloging the Print Collection. Her fine appreciation of art and her knowledge of the subject gave her a deep interest in the work. During the years abroad her counsel and support were constantly sought to guide the work.
Her gracious presence and unfailing tact made a meeting with her a cherished memory. Her loyalty to Arlington and her generous gifts to the Robbins Library are in the tradition of the Robbins name.
"By their fruits ye shall know them." By this standard the life of her whom we moun is an open record of noble purposes and fine achievement. Arlington has reason to be
480
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
proud that she lived for a time among us and that at least she has returned to be with her own in the place she loved.
ARTHUR J. WELLINGTON, Secretary.
Miss Edith Whittemore, who resigned from the staff of the Library in August, 1932, after a service of 42 years, died on January 4, 1938. Her memory will be cherished by all who used the Library during the long period of her activity, and she will be remembered as one of the most helpful librarians associated with this old institution.
The Trustees in expressing their approval of the splendid work of Mrs. Spofford and her assistants call to your attention the noteworthy results as shown in a circulation of 350,000 and book borrowers to the number of over 19,000. In these respects our library is outstanding among those of this Com- monwealth. The Trustees express the hope that our citizens will take a greater interest in the unusual print collection owned by the Library and under the efficient charge of Mrs. Achuff as curator. . This collection is worthy of an increased attendance in 1939.
Again the Trustees express their regret that the financial condition of the Town will not permit of a larger appropria- tion for new books.
For the Trustees,
WILLIAM A. MULLER,
Chairman.
481
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR 1938
To the Trustees of the Robbins Library :
I submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1938, being the eleventh report of the present Librarian.
A report of circulation is always of interest to those who know the work of the Public Library. The year 1938 marks the largest circulation the Library has ever had, a total of 348,994 books, a gain of 43,079 over the previous year, and an increase of 27,479 more books circulated than the previous high year of 1933.
Herewith follows the tables showing the circulation by sta- tions, fiction and non-fiction.
CIRCULATION STATISTICS-1938
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Center
184,906
50,547
235,453
Dallin Branch
31,649
28,759
60,408
East Branch
13,224
15,448
28,672
Schools
24,461
24,461
Total
229,779
119,215
348,994
Fiction
Non-fiction
Total
Adult
128,432
56,474
184,906
Juvenile
28,337
22,210
50,547
Dallin Branch
39,408
21,000
60,408
East Branch
19,706
8,966
28,672
Schools
8,989
7,924
16,913
J. H. W.
5,673
1,875
7,548
Total
230,545
118,449
348,994
This is nine per capita circulation.
482
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
CIRCULATION BY YEARS
Year
Total
Gain
Loss
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
1936
310,300
11,215
1937
305,915
4,385
1938
348,994
43,079
Gain from 1928 to 1938-179, 375.
CIRCULATION BY STATIONS
1937
1938
Gain
Loss
Center Adult. .
178,646
184,906
6,260
Center, Juvenile
51,898
50,547
1,351
East Branch ...
27,541
28,672
1,131
Dallin Branch.
25,519
60,408
34,889
Schools
22,311
24,461
2,150
Total
305,915
348,994
44,430
1,351
Total gain for 1938-43,079.
From January 17th, we have had the joy of a branch building suited to our present needs at the Heights, the Vit- toria C. Dallin Branch. The formal dedication took place on January 14 and was followed on Saturday by open house. Tea was served by the Friday Social Clyub, Sunshine Club and Tower Mothers' Club.
The Branch Librarian at the Dallin Branch, Miss Jean- nette Favreau, says "The circulation figures tell the story of how much the people appreciate the new branch. Contrary to
483
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
expectation, it seems there has been a larger gain in the adult rather than the juvenile department. Perhaps the fact that the children are limited to three books at one time accounts for this. The after school hours indicate that the library is a popular place with the children. As many as 75 have been counted at one time, some of them doing reference work, others exchanging their books or just browsing.
The total of new registrations was 720. There are 502 families represented.
Individuals have donated books from their private libra- ries. The collection belonging to the Dallin Branch has been materially increased by the purchase of new books, both standard and recent. Additional copies of the current new books have been sent to fill the demand for popular books. A dictionary was donated by the Sunshine Club. The Study Club subscribed to the Etude and Nature magazines. Other magazines donated were the Christian Science Journal, Moni- tor and Sentinel, The Messenger of the Sacred Heart, and three years' subscription to Better Homes and Gardens from the Friday Social Club.
In September, the grounds were landscaped under the di- rection of Mrs. Walter Vaughn, after having previously been planned by Miss Esther Wyman. The school children of the district contributed $21.89 which helped to pay for the hedge. The Garden Club gave $10.00 for the grading. A placque in honor of Mrs. Vittoria C. Dallin, for whom the branch was named, was donated by her friend, Miss Bettina Kahnweiler of Cambridge. A stereopticon lantern was given by the Trefoil League of the Heights Baptist Church. Two screens, one for decorative purposes and the other for bulletin use, were given by the Heights Study Club.
The reference work with both the children and the high school people has increased materially.
Exhibits have attracted a great deal of attention and have included dolls of various countries, two Chinese exhibits, one
484
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
South American, Mr. Dallin's Indian curios, a foreign coin collection, some snapshots of White Mountain summits, and a group of Girl Scout dolls representing 31 nations."
The Branch has had story hours each week and during the summer a reading club met once a week.
COMPARISON OF 1937-1938
Circulation
Adult
Juvenile
1938.
31,649
1938.
28,759
1937
13,296
1937. 12,223
Gain
18,353
16,536
Total Gain-34,889.
Registration for 1938
New registrations 720
Streets represented
111
Families represented
502
This year has been a try-out year; we know now how much the Branch was needed and feel sure that it will do much more in the coming years.
The East Branch has continued to do fine work under the direction of Miss Eva Smith, Branch Librarian, in spite of the handicap of the location and proper equipment.
A Branch Library is surely needed at the East end of the Town. Here we have a population of many school children and many adults could make use of a well located and ade- quate Branch Library.
Many and varied have been the activities carried on in the Junior Library. The library was visited by many classes, some who came for instruction, and other groups who came to
485
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
learn of the facilities of the library. There have been story hours, a book fair, a Good Book Week celebration, and a Sum- mer Club.
One hundred class-room libraries were sent to schools from which there was a home circulation of 16,813. Junior High West was sent a deposit of nearly 300 books at a time, from which they had a home circulation of 7,548.
Total school circulation, 24,461. A gain of 959.
One cannot watch the work done in our Reference Room without appreciating the change that has taken place in the attitude of the public toward the library. Mr. Average Man realizes "That the library is no longer a passive or static in- stitution, but a dynamic organization for service to the com- munity, a definite part of our equipment for public education, an institution that can make a distinct contribution to the solution of the problems which confront him in his daily life and toward the success of democratic government."
Bibliographies have been made for various clubs. Through numerous exhibits, interest has been created in certain groups of books. With the never-ending changes that are taking place in our world map, the most popular group of books is those on foreign affairs.
Many and varied have been the exhibits to stimulate in- terest in timely topics. "Among the subjects in constant de- mand are : air-conditioning, automobile engineering, cosmetics, welding, civil service examinations subjects, oil heating, water color painting, and aviation."'
Over the telephone have come many requests for inform- ation.
"Through inter-library loan, 79 books were borrowed from other libraries; 204 books in Italian, French, Finnish, Portu- guese, Russian, Armenian, and German languages were bor-
486
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
rowed from the Massachusetts Library Commission. This is a privilege greatly appreciated, both by individuals who know little English and students who are making a study of a cer- tain language." But for the help of these libraries, many questions would have been left unanswered. In return we were able to loan 50 books.
More and more people are coming to realize that the library is not simply a place to get the latest novels and magazines, but it is a bureau of help and information. Any- one who has learned to use the nearest library as a sort of consulting bureau has taken a long step in intelligent self- help.
Our Stock in Trade
Of invaluable help in reference work is the collection of pamphlet material. The stock consists of 2,450 pamphlets. 440 were added and 352 discarded in 1938.
The Catalogue department added 1,224 more volumes in 1938 than in 1937. The total new accessions of books for the year was 4,780 ; the number withdrawn, 2,312. The total num- ber of volumes belonging to the library, December 31, 1938, was 58,628.
Four thousand two hundred and eighty-two were added by purchase and 498 by gift. Of the gifts, 356 volumes were from the estate of the late Judge James Parmenter. Of the books added, they were placed in the following places :
Central Library, Adult 2,790
Central Library, Juvenile 976
Dallin Branch 786
East Branch
228
Total 4,780
What has it cost?
Books and Periodicals
1928 $4,287.50
1929 6,329.30
487
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
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
1938
5,749.63
1938 Periodicals 463.82
1938 Books
$5,285.81
Two thousand six hundred and fifty-three books and peri- odicals were rebound in 1938. This was 524 more than in 1937.
1938 Bindery Cost $2,029.07
1937 Bindery Cost. 1,603.52
Increased cost $425.45
The Library returned to the Town Treasurer from fines, sale of postals, etc.
Fines
$2,203.13
All others 70.49
Total
$2,273.62
The library needs are many, but few will question the statement that: "After the church and the school, the free public library is the most effective influence for good in Amer- ica," and as such needs adequate support.
What of Our Borrowers
Our readers number 19,188 at the end of 1938; 2,209 new borrowers registered, the largest number ever to register in one year. Of this number, 1,318 registered at Central, 716 at the Vittoria C. Dallin Branch and 173 at East Banch.
488
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The fifth season of Sunday Readings proved a continued success. Readings were held on January 16th, February 13th and March 20th. In January books were reviewed by Miss Esther Bailey, Prof. Ernest Benshimol and Mrs. Robert Rice. On February 13, Rev. Lawrence L. Barber talked on the then recent book : "Hidden Lincoln," by Hertz, and Mr. Allan Perry read from "Road to Xanadu" by John Livingstone Lowes, and "An Adventure" by Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdian. Miss Barbara Sears who was exhibiting her pictures in the Gallery was the guest of honor.
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.