USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1942 > Part 20
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$20,040.49
$20,330.29
Books
6,501.27
6,048.83
Periodicals
594.74
525.69
Bindery
2,203.22
2,384.23
Fuel
1,664.49
1,684.23
Light
913.89
860.88
Building and Grounds
933.19
826.73
Telephone
204.23
231.74
Other Expenses
1,350.29
1,214.91
Total
$34,405.81
$34,107.53
1942-Spent from Town Appropriation
$33,080.07
from Fund Income
1,027.46
Library turned back to the Town December 31, 1942 $2,333.42 from fines, $148.91 from other sources. Total $2,482.33.
WHAT DID WE DO?
Bought-4,458 books.
Received by gift-116 books.
Rebound-2,833 books, periodicals and newspapers.
Twenty-five different organizations used the library for meeting.
Hall and extra room used for courses, shelter, lectures and exhibits
Main Library 490 times
Dallin Brnach 143
Total
633 "
.
396
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Host to Charles River Club, and Americanization Class and teachers of elementary schools.
Held Sunday readings, book reviews, and musical.
Sponsored and planned art and book exhibits.
Made bibliographies.
Sent 1,867 postals and letters for books not returned. Mailed 3,636 reserve postals.
Sent 500 books to Fire Station.
Borrowed 310 books in nine languages.
Borrowed 60 books of specialized content.
Sent 14,715 books through interchange to Branches. Answered endless questions on Current. Problems
Rubber, history and customs of China, Japan and Africa Registered 1,920 new borrowers.
Acted as clearing house of coming events in Arlington.
Kept list of various services and places where informa- tion could be secured.
WHAT SERVICE DID WE GIVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE?
At the Junior Library, Branches and Schools 98,107 children's books circulated
Eighteen Story Hours
Junior Library attendance 1,736
Dallin Branch attendance 700
Total attendance 2,436
Summer Reading Club-
Everyland Club (July and August)
Junior Library attendance 575
Dallin Branch attendance 160
Total attendance 735
Ninety-five class room libraries sent to the schools. Pupils took home 16,668 books.
397
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Spring book festival and special celebrations brought many children to the Library.
From all schools at Book Week came many children.
Special exhibit of books taken to the Brackett and Peirce Schools.
For the children suitable exhibits of artistic merit, present day interest, historical value or work of local per- sons.
Many useful gifts were received by the Library during 1942.
A piano from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Edward H. Kittredge, enables us to have a piano in both halls.
The Library is appreciative of the various books, magazines and maps, gifts from thoughtful friends.
To the newspapers of the Town we are again indebted for much helpful publicity.
For those who have given flowers and plants there is appreciation.
To those who so generously gave of their books and magazines in our Victory Book Campaign and helped in the work there is gratitude.
400 books were collected by High School pupils ..
180 by Arlington Woman's Club, as well as the many by the Kiwanis Club.
The year brought two resignations in our Staff. Miss Louise Campbell resigned in May to take a business position, and Miss Jeannette Andersen in July.
Miss Miriam Wight joined the Staff in July.
Almost without exception the members of the Staff have taken courses; some cultural but mostly courses that have to do with our present day problems.
The Librarian and Staff members have spoken at Parent-Teacher groups and clubs.
As the year closes, the Robbins Library looks back on many years of library service; 50 years in November the
398
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
present building was opened, a gracious gift from Mrs, Maria Robbins in memory of her husband, Eli Robbins, to a then small New England village.
Whatever of changes the year 1943 will bring forth the Robbins Library and its Staff will stand ready to do their small part in preserving American ideals.
Again I wish to take the opportunity to express my appreciation of the co-operation of the members of the Staff.
I am also grateful to the Trustees for their confidence, advice and help in administering the Library affairs.
Respectfully submitted, · (MRS.) LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD,
Librarian.
January 12, 1943.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1942. Name of Library : Robbins Library.
City: Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian : Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding 1835
Population served : Census, 1940 40,013
Assessed Valuation of Town $53,197,750.00
FREE FOR REFERENCE
Total number of agencies 3
Consisting of Central Library
1
Branches 2
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 295
Library closed Wednesdays during July and August
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading
(Central Library) 66
399
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
INCREASE
Number of volumes at beginning of year ....
63,367
Number of volumes added during year by purchase 4,685
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 138
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn dur- ing year 2,395
Total number at end of year
65,568
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use
175,077
Number of volumes of non-fiction lent for home use
105,464
Total number of volumes lent for home use 280,541
Pictures circulated 561
REGISTRATION
Number of registered borrowers December 31, 1942 15,575
Number of borrowers registered during 1942 1,920
Registration period, years
3
Number of periodicals and newspapers re- ceived :
Titles
206
Copies
264
Number of staff, library service (including part-time) 15
Number of staff, janitor service (including
part-time)
3
Full-time
1
Part-time
2
400
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation by Town, 1942 $33,530.00
Expenditures :
Salaries-Library Service
$17,872.16
Salaries-Janitor Service
2,458.13
Supplies and Expenses :
Books
5,815.00
Periodicals
523.14
Bindery
2,193.60
Fuel
1,305.51
Light
751.48
Building and Grounds
747.33
Telephone
231.74
Other Expenses
1,181.98
$33,080.07
Trust Fund Balance,
January 1, 1942
$3,460.28
Income during 1942
1,999.57
Total
$5,459.85
Expended during 1942 :
Books
$233.83
Periodicals
2.55
Bindery
190.63
Other expenses
600.45
1,027.46
Balance, December 31, 1942
$4,432.39
401
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE ROBBINS PRINT COLLECTION FOR THE YEAR 1942
In this first turbulent year of war, 1942, the work of the Robbins Print Collection went quietly on. The large number of portraits catalogued and filed away have filled the solander boxes almost to repletion; but the present equipment is being made to serve as long as is possible. Only necessary supplies were purchased, and the only por- traits acquired were the lithographs which complete the English Writers series by Walter Tittle, whose complete Arms Conference set we also own.
The department sustained a loss in the death of Mr. Arthur Wellington, whose continuous interest in the col- lection and its proper handling was always a stimulus to the zeal of the curator.
During the year the following portraits were acquired : De La Mare, Walter
Drinkwater, John
Haggard, Sir Rider
Hewlett, Maurice Henry
Hutchinson, A. S. M.
Jacobs, W. W. Lodge, Sir Oliver
These lithographs were executed in London by Mr. Tittle, in 1922.
KATHRYN M. ACHUFF,
Curator.
ROBBINS ART FUND 1942
Robbins Art Fund
$42,974.42
Expenditures :
Salaries
1,000.00
Prints
85.00
All others
139.59
Total
$1,224.59
402
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington :
For the fourth consecutive year the same nine mem- bers of the School Committee remained in office. At the Annual Meeting in March, Mr. Joseph J. Bevins, who had served very effectively as Chairman of the Committee for two years, declined to be considered as a candidate for an- other term, and the present Chairman, who at that time was starting his seventh year as a member of the Commit- tee, was chosen.
The Chairman is fortunate in having a Committee membership whose length of service ranges from five to eighteen years, and whose members are, therefore, in a position to render efficient service in the important capacity as the "Board of Directors" of the Arlington School Sys- tem.
One of the most important functions of the School Committee is the selection of the Superintendent of Schools. By the untimely death of Mr. Joseph S. Keating, who had been elected to the position in 1937, it became the duty of the Committee to fill the office of Superintendent.
Mr. Keating's death, after a brief illness, was a severe shock to the members of the Committee and the School De- partment and a heavy loss to the Town.
Eight of the present nine members were on the School Committee when Mr. Keating was elected in 1937. He was selected after the usual careful consideration of many can- didates and with the realization that his experience as Superintendent was obtained in a school system consider- ably smaller than that of Arlington. The readiness with which Mr. Keating grasped the details of the Arlington school system soon convinced the Committee that he was an outstanding Superintendent. As time went on, his ability and character won him the devotion and loyalty of the School Committee, the respect of the pupils and the regard of his fellow citizens. In his few years with the Department he administered the schools impartially and efficiently and · introduced many improvements in educational methods. His
403
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
passing, at a time when the schools were just beginning to benefit from his able direction, was a loss to the Town which can never be evaluated.
As a successor to Mr. Keating, the Committee chose Mr. Clifford R. Hall, who entered upon his duties on July 1. Mr. Hall is a graduate of Tufts College and Harvard Uni- versity, and at the time of his election, was Superintendent of Schools at Natick. In school work since his graduation from college, he has served as teacher, high school principal and superintendent. Therefore, he comes to us with a broad experience and after a career which has demonstrated his ability to progress. In the few months he has been with us he has handled the many unusual problems which have arisen in operating a school system in these difficult times in such a way as to assure the Committee that he will be equal to the task of maintaining the high standard which is characteristic of the Arlington schools.
This past year the present school buildings were adequate to accommodate the school population, although the increasing enrollment at the Brackett School will re- quire completing one of the four unfinished rooms on the ground floor by next year. The seventy-year old Russell School showed still further decline in enrollment. With the consent of the parents, some of the older pupils were trans- ferred from the Russell School to the Parmenter and Crosby Schools, which allowed the closing of all but one room on the third floor of the Russell School. This was a worthwhile step from a fuel economy standpoint. As pointed out many times previously, action should be taken to replace the Rus- sell School. The present view of the method of accomplish- ing this is to build two smaller schools, one to the east of the Russell to accommodate the pupils north of Broadway and east of Medford Street, and the other, to the north to care for the school population in the Mystic Lakes and Morningside sections of the Town. It is hoped that the necessary two sites can be acquired in 1943, thus putting the Town in a better position to build when conditions are more favorable.
404
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The extensive use of the school buildings by outside organizations has continued this year and besides we have had the added requirements of the Civilian Defense organi- zations. The school buildings are Town property and, there- fore, should be available for use by the citizens of Arling- ton. Under the present accounting methods the over-time for janitor service is paid from a special appropriation ad- ministered by the School Department. Organizations which reimburse the Town for this janitor service and for rental are compelled by law to pay the money to the Town treas- ury. The increased use of the schools was so extensive that the amount of money included in this special appropriation was sufficient for ten months only and additional money had to be obtained from the emergency fund to cover the use through November and December.
The total amount appropriated for the schools was $676,880. To determine the actual cost to the taxpayer, the income from the State, from tuitions, etc., plus the unex- pended balance should be subtracted from this to leave a net cost of $603,802.
For further details as to the operation of the School Department, your attention is called to the report of the Superintendent of Schools, which follows that of the Chair- man.
The year included another distinct loss to the School Department in the death of Mr. Alban Fowler, the Head of the Science Department of the High School. The following tribute to Mr. Fowler is paid by Mr. Gammons :
"Mr. Fowler came to our school in September, 1921, and was Head of the Science Department. He was highly efficient, an excellent teacher, with a very con- scientious and professional attitude. He gave his pupils the opportunity of getting a very sound foundation in the subject of chemistry. He was a man of great in- tegrity and a fine character."
As to be expected, the war caused many changes in the personnel of the School Department. We honor the fol- lowing members who are now in the armed services :
405
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Arthur T. Burroughs
John P. Dempsey Richard Faldetta
George F. Fusco
John A. Geary
John D. Haley
Edward H. Hardy
Roger S. Houston
Edward L. Humphrey
Gerard G. Kemp
Benjamin R. Lang
George F. Lowder
John J. Newborg
Guy A. Petralia
James R. Powers
Bert A. Roens
William J. Sullivan
Robert F. Thompson
James J. Toner
John Walsh
Fred Weiner
Carl T. Witherell
Other changes in the teacher personnel were as fol- lows :
Resignations:
Dorothy L. Burbank-High School M. Dorothy Rooney-High School
Mary H. O'Donoghue-Junior High School East John P. Bradley-Junior High School West Mary K. Carter-Brackett School Mildred Johnson-Brackett School Beth A. Easter-Crosby School Mary L. Hart-Crosby School Gertrude A. Donahoe-Peirce School Lillian Glugeth-Peirce School
406
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Retirements :
Beatrice Bennett, who began service in Arlington in 1922, and at the time of her retirement was a teacher at Junior High School Center;
Florence R. Norton, who taught in Arlington thirty- seven years and at the time of her retirement was a teacher at Junior High School Center;
Helen M. Warren, who retired May 1 after twenty-nine years of service in Arlington. She was a teacher at the Crosby School at the time of her retirement.
The School Committee expresses its appreciation to these three teachers for their long period of faithful service.
Leaves of Absence:
Alma Casey, High School
Martha H. Schaedel, January 12 to September 1, Junior High School Center
Appointments :
Isabelle C. Cutler, part time substitute-High School Hazel Daley, substitute-High School
Raymond S. Kroll-High School
Ruth Matthews, part time substitute-High School Richard L. Miller-High School
Perley H. Thompson-High School
Ralph W. Brown-Junior High School Center Sidney P. White-Junior High School Center Alice S. Bowes, substitute-Junior High School East Lawrence J. Mantyla-Junior High School East Doris P. Neveu-Junior High School East
James P. Sullivan, substitute-Junnor High School East
Rosamond Walsh-Junior High School East
Foster B. Elliott, substitute-Junior High School West Eleanor B. Feerick-Junior High School West Frank M. Kotchin-Junior High School West
407
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
A. Naomi Lachut-Junior High School West Gladys LeBlanc, substitute-Junior High School West Agnes P. Sweeney, substitute-Junior High School West
Marion H. Roth, part time substitute-Junior High Industrial Arts School
Rita M. Hildreth, substitute-Brackett School
Louise B. Mathews, substitute-Brackett School
Thelma Sanderson-Brackett School
Ruth A. Hickey-Crosby School
June R. Phillips, substitute-Crosby School
Mae R. Youngquist-Hardy School
Lillian D. Layton, substitute-Peirce School
Charles H. LaDue, Director of Guidance
Transfers:
Beatrice Arrand-from Junior High School West to High School
Ellen B. Fitzpatrick-from Junior High School West to High School
Agnes C. Delay-from Brackett School to Junior High School West
Dorothy W. Byrne-from Hardy School to Junior High School West
Janet C. Rutherford-from Hardy School to Crosby School
Jessie E. Smith-from Locke School to Peirce School Cleone A. Cummings-from Russell School to Brackett School
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the entire personnel of the Department for their usual en- thusiasm and devotion to duty, and particularly for giving unselfishly of their time and energy in connection with the Rationing Program. Not only was the rationing in the schools handled very satisfactorily, but many of the teach- ers contributed time outside of school hours to the Fuel
408
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Rationing Program by assisting in the computation of the oil allotments.
The Committee is particularly indebted to Miss Keefe and her assistants in the Superintendent's office for their work while the Superintendent's position was unfilled, which period included the work in connection with the Sugar Rationing.
This year, as in other years, it has been a pleasure to work with the other departments of the Town because of the spirit of cooperation which has always been evident. We appreciate especially the work which the Planning Board has done in studying school sites as we feel their approach to this School Department problem is consistent with the responsibilities of that Board.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. KIDDER, Chairman.
409
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1942
To the School Committee of Arlington, Ladies and Gentlemen :
It is my privilege to submit for your consideration the following report of the schools for the year 1942. In view of the fact that my term of service includes only the second half of this year I am including excerpts from the annual reports submitted to me by principals and supervisors. The theme of this report is the effect of the present emergency on our department.
EDUCATION AND THE PRESENT CRISIS
It is the purpose of every school executive to conduct the schools on as normal a basis as is possible. We will make every effort to prevent those pupils entrusted to our care from being affected in a way which would tend to lower morale; but "education as usual" is as obsolete as "business as usual." Nevertheless, we should attempt to maintain the American schools as the most stable organiza- tion in the country. Every phase of the war effort-select- ive service, rationing, price control, war financing, indus- trial production-depends for its success upon an enlight- ened citizenry.
The policy of the schools must be determined in the light of many facts. Rapidly changing conditions cause us to be confronted with continuous problems in the planning of a definite program. It is evident that curriculum adjust- ment is essential, especially in the high school. Every able- bodied high school boy is destined for service in the armed forces. Labor shortages in industry and agriculture will draw large numbers of boys and girls from high school and demand part time service of many others. The correction of educational deficiencies revealed by the draft is a definite duty of the schools. Adjustments and curriculum revision are under way and definite accomplishments in our effort to meet changing demands are treated in greater detail later in this report.
410
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The teacher situation throughout the nation has re- ceived much attention. The shortage of teachers occurs mainly in the subjects handled generally by men; science, mathematics, general shop work, physical education and coaching of athletics. To date, eighteen men teachers have entered the armed services. We have, I believe, been more fortunate than most systems in covering these vacancies. Other vacancies may occur, however, where, because the teacher situation is becoming more acute, we may experi- ence difficulty in maintaining a reasonably satisfactory standard of instruction in some subjects.
With much severe cold weather, the matter of continu- ing regular school sessions in buildings using fuel oil is an uncertainty. By the time this report is available to the citi- zens, some school time may already have been lost in the two buildings where fuel oil is used; namely, the new por- tion of the High School and the Brackett School. Both these buildings have regulation, oil fired boilers which are expen- sive to convert to the use of coal. Attempts have been made to arrange for this conversion but the expense is great and the time it would take to procure and install special grates would carry us nearly by the heating season. At best, the conversion of an oil fired boiler would mean an inefficient heating system. Coal is higher in price and poorer in quality and, with the transportation problems, may also be difficult to obtain.
The extensive evening use of our school buildings has been curtailed, although public safety groups must continue for want of other available meeting places in the various parts of the Town. These groups have cooperated, however, by conducting their safety training courses in rooms at a much lower temperature than normally should be provided.
Citizens are fully aware, I am sure, of the extensive amount of time given by our teachers to the war effort. It is only logical that such a well-organized group should per- form such services as the registration for the rationing of sugar, for the rationing of gasoline on two separate oc- casions, for the rationing of fuel oil, assisting in the Se-
411
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
lective Service registration, and promoting the sale of war stamps and bonds. The registration for War Book Number Two, a project which will mean the filing of applications and distribution of forty thousand of these books in Arling- ton, will, no doubt, face us in the near future.
CURRICULUM CHANGES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
Adjustments in our program in accord with the new "Victory Corps" recommendations of the U. S. Education Department are explained by the principal of the high school in his annual report, excerpts from which follow :
"The Federal Office of Education at Washington has asked all high schools to offer preparation to the pupils that will help the war effort. In accordance with this request we have introduced a course in elementary aeronautics with sixty-three senior boys enrolled and a course in automotive mechanics with thirty-three senior boys enrolled. Also we are giving pre-induction courses in mechanics and in electricity to a large number of boys in the senior class.
"We have also expanded and changed our physical training program to meet the war needs. All of the girls are now taking physical training at least twice a week and all of the boys are taking it five times a week. Furthermore, the nature of the training has been changed to meet the recommendations of the army and navy authorities so that our pupils will be toughened physically. As far as possible we shall correct individual physical deficiencies.
"In our classes in social studies, a greater emphasis is being placed on present day world affairs and problems. This, we believe, will enable our pupils to understand better the political, social, and economic conditions at present and the needed changes in these fields in the future.
"While we are giving our pupils much practical and specific training to make them more valuable in the war ef- fort, we are continuing to give them training in the non- practical subjects. We believe this is necessary in order to prepare them with the good general education that they
412
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
will need to help them solve the after-war problems and to develop the right kind of leaders.
"I believe that the great majority of our teachers and pupils are very willing to do all they can to help in the war effort. Many pupils have already volunteered their services in such war work as the rationing and civil defense work. A large majority of the pupils have joined the Junior Red Cross and have contributed to the Christmas boxes spon- sored by that organization. Last year a Student-Council committee conducted a successful scrap paper collection campaign and turned the money over to the Civilian De- fense Committee to build and equip two emergency Red Cross chests. This year our Student Council members are selling war savings stamps and bonds with good success.
"Although we have made changes in our school work that are necessary because of the war, we have been able on the whole to give our pupils a normal school life. We shall continue to do so as long as possible because we be- lieve it to be best for their future progress and happiness."
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