USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1950 > Part 25
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In regards to interchange between the Main Library and the Branch, every effort has been made to fill every request for books that the Branch may not have, in the endeavor to be as helpful as possible. For the year these special requests brought about the preparation of 666 books alone in addition to the more permanent deposits sent down regularly to keep the book collection alive and stimulating. These so called permanent deposits which are in addition to the regular collection belonging to the branch amounted to a total of 1,827 books for the year. All in all the whole process of interchange involved a total of 9,056 books handled between the Main Library and the Branch for the year 1950.
Story Hour for the children showed a successful attendance with a total of 899 children from January to June, and this season so far (from November on) the attendance has amounted to 202 children.
Summer activity brought an outstanding attendance at the Sum- mer Reading Club as well, with the very popular Indian Club idea which constituted the program for this year. At the East Branch the total number of members who joined the club amounted to 82 children, with a total attendance for July and August at 232. The children showed a great deal of enthusiasm in the club and busied themselves this sum- mer with stimulating projects and games.
The technique of displaying books to the public has been success- fully brought about by the window displays. Many people have been introduced to the Library because of having seen a certain book in the window. Displays for the year have consisted of Easter exhibits, Paul Revere exhibits, Summer Club activities, the Book Week program, with a 'Carnival of Books' idea which involved a large merry-go-round made of colored construction paper on which were displayed all the new books, and finally a snow scene suited to the Christmas season.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Along with the Book Week celebration 4 classes of third grade chil- dren visited the Library to see the new books and learn about the use of the Library and the good care of books."
Some borrowers have made the comment that the Branch quarters were crowded and were looking forward to the time when there would be larger quarters. A large room for Story Hours and Club meetings, a place for the gathering of Adult groups is for future planning.
DALLIN BRANCH
Story hours have been better attended than in previous years. In Book Week 238 pupils visited the Branch with their teachers to browse among the new books, listen to a story or have instruction in the care and use of books.
The circulation shows a gain of 1,211 as compared to 1949. Total cir- culation was 32,994. One wonders if the small gain of 157 for Juveniles and 1.054 for Adults presents a challenge to teachers, librarians and parents to see that children become more interested in books and reading.
The following is taken from the report of Mrs. Ruth Fuller, Librarian of Dallin Branch: "Invitations to the schools during Book Week resulted in the visits from ten classes with a total of 238 pupils. Two groups of four classes came from St. Anne's School, the other eight classes from the Locke School. The children had an opportunity to look over the new books and other exhibits and for every group either stories were told or book talks given.
"The first Story Hour at the end of Book Week was attended by 60 children. The 1949-1950 season had a total attendance of 348 children at 14 Story Hours.
"Among the exhibitions of the year were one of trout flies and other fishing equipment, a collection of shells given by Mrs. Charles Morton, a display of articles made of colored milkweed by Mrs. Samuel Dan- forth, and a collection of dolls shown by Miss Phyllis Roberts.
"There were 9,390 books brought by interchange during 1950, 891 more than in 1949, 374 new borrowers were registered."
One of the very pleasant affairs of the year was the gathering on Sunday, February 12th at the Dallin Branch, when the Heights Study Club presented to the Branch Library two stained glass panels in mem- ory of Mrs. Vittoria C. Dallin, founder of the Study Club and for many years an ardent worker with the club, for the fulfillment of their dream of a Branch Library at the Heights. Mrs. Hallam T. Ring, President of the Club, presided. Rev. John Nicol Mark, minister of the Unitarian Church, of which Mrs. Dallin was a member, paid an impressive tri- bute to Mrs. Dallin. Dr. William Jacques, who designed and made the stained glass panels, unveiled them. One depicts a scene from 'Alice in Wonderland' and the other a scene from 'Tom Sawyer'. Mr. Wilson D. Clark, Jr., chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Robbins Library who accepted the panels on behalf of the Town, paid respect to Mrs. Dallin and her unflagging interest in the Branch Library. The program was arranged by the Study Club with Mrs. Alfred Patterson, Mrs. Herbert A. Snow, and Mrs. J. Howard Hayes in charge, and Mrs. Ervin J. Duschuttle in charge of the tea which followed the dedication.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TO INTEREST OUR PATRONS
The gallery has at all times had exhibits of taste and interest. For a time the Curator of the Robbins Print Collection, Mr. Evan Turner, kept prints of interest in the gallery. Schools have shown their work.
One of the highlights of the season was the Fine Arts Tea held by the Arlington Woman's Club. This was held Sunday afternoon, Novem- ber 5th and was attended by many guests from surrounding communities. The tea was presented by Mrs. Fred Butler, Art Chairman and her com- mittee; Mrs. Karl Place, Literature and Drama Committee; and Mrs. J. Clark Wyman, Music Chairman. The paintings done by Arlington artists remained in the Library gallery for a month. There were exhi- bits of hand painted trays, figurines, hand weaving, hooked rugs, and an exhibit of musical instruments made by Arlington musicians. There were books by Arlington authors and an exhibit which included interest- ing items from the Robbins Library collection. Holidays and birthdays of famous people were acknowledged by appropriate displays. Vacation books and travel folders were arranged to aid people in selecting the vacation spot suited to their taste and pocketbook. Books were collected and loaned for special exhibits.
REFERENCE WORK
As always much work was done on the more or less ephemeral material in the pamphlet file, current material which a library must have ready for reference. Bibliographies were made for several clubs and church groups. Much reference was also done for the Branches. The borrowing of books from other libraries, and the loaning of our books consume much time but is a wonderful cooperative way of filling immediate needs. We borrowed 103 books from 16 different institutions. We loaned 58 books to 13 different libraries. The Library received the loan of 85 books in Italian, German, Russian, American and French from the Division of Public Libraries.
What are some of the things that are done at the Library that take lots of time but the casual person does not think of?
Overdues: why don't people return books on time?
The Library mailed 4,544 letters and postal cards during 1950 for overdue books and magazines. Telephone calls received took time and attention. The Library returned to the Town Treasurer $3,164.36 from fines, damaged books and lost books.
The Library registered 2,338 new people.
1,351 Main Library
613 East Branch
374 Dallin Branch
This was 333 more than 1949. Reissued 43 cards, surrendered 507, expired 1,310 and change of address 429. 1,131 cards were lost and re- issued. Total number of persons now registered 20,186. Borrowers reserved 4,044 books. Through our interchange there were 18,446 books sent to Dallin and East Branches. 300 books were sent to Fire Stations.
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
WHAT OF OUR BOOK STOCK?
Books added:
By purchase
5,739
By gift
236
By binding
17
Books lost and returned
28
Total 6.020
49 books were added to the reference collection.
Books withdrawn
2,467
1950 gain in book stock
3,553
Volumes in Library Dec. 31, 1950
86,928
HOSPITAL SERVICE
The Library has continued a weekly bedside book service to the pa- tients at the Symmes Hospital. Many friends have contributed magazines. Mrs. Ruth Fuller reports during 1950, 51 calls were made on 2,136 patients. 'Figures, as always, fail to show the results of service. Even patients who do not take books are often very grateful and appreciative of the call. Rarely a visit when patients are not eagerly waiting the opportunity to get something to read'.
BUILDING
At the Main Library the small reading room was redecorated. At the Dallin Branch the window frames were painted. New lighting was installed in the Robbins Print room and a water cooler was placed near the door of the main entrance.
The problem of overcrowding both by people and books is a real one. More space for quiet work and more space for the showing of fine arts books and music is needed. Changes were made at the East Branch with new furnishings.
GIFTS
From the Estate of Miss Ida Robbins a goodly number of French books were received, beautiful art books, and many books which will be of use in the Library collection. A collection of miniatures and small art objects will make displays to attract attention. Friends have been very generous to us in the matter of gift books and periodicals both to the Main Library and the Branches. One of the unusual gifts, one of interest to those who cherish the theatre and seek to know of actors, their plays and costumes, was the bound volumes of The Theatre' from 1917-1931, given by Mrs. Franklin Gruber. Many beautiful flowers, magazines and books have come to us, far too many to list. For all these gifts there is a feeling of appreciation.
The Trustees have extended the use of the Library Halls to the many musical, educational and civic organizations. The halls of the Library have been used 270 times during the year. The Dallin Branch Library Hall has been used by two chuch groups when a meeting place was much needed. Once again we begin to feel the impact of war as the Hall in the Main Library is used by the Draft Board.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
STAFF
During the past year there have been a few changes in the personnel of the Staff, for which matrimony has been chiefly responsible. Among those, Miss Helen Hovanesian became Mrs. Helen Pahigian, later to follow her husband to Washington, D.C. Miss Suzanne MacGillivray became Mrs. Suzanne Molloy in December. She will continue her work at East Branch. The resignation of Miss Ethel Hawkins was received in December. She leaves to be married. Miss Hawkins has been connec- ted with the Library since December 1945. Miss Jacqueline Miller re- signed to take up teaching. Mrs. Elizabeth Epstein joined the Staff in September and Miss Anne DeCamp in October. The Library has been fortunate in having Mrs. Marianna Rowe, a Simmons College graduate, work nearly full time doing reference work and cataloguing; Mrs. Antoinette Brask, also a Simmons College graduate, has continued one day a week doing cataloguing, and the much needed work of a profes- sional assistant. Several of the Staff have and are availing themselves of the opportunity of taking courses in Reference, Cataloguing, and Children's work, in order to qualify for State certificates. Namely these are Miss Helen Whiteman, Miss Marilyn Kenney, and Mrs. Suzanne Molloy. Several members of the Staff have been active in community affairs. Miss Phelan, Children's Librarian, had a part in the Brackett P.T.A. Book Fair and also the Book Fair at Parmenter P.T.A. She has also worked with groups of the Girl Scouts. Mrs. Ruth Fuller gave Book Reviews and instructed in the use of the Library. The members of the Staff have attended State meetings, Book Clinics, Children's Round Table and meetings of Civic organizations.
In this, my last report to the Trustees of the Robbins Library, I wish to express the wish that all of the forward looking plans that have been talked about may materialize in the future. That some may be realized soon, namely-
1. More shelving for present book collection.
2. Microfilming of newspapers.
3. A room devoted to fine arts, books on music, architecture, painting and music scores.
4. A record collection.
5. An East Arlington Branch Library suited to the needs of its community.
My thanks are extended to the Arlington newspapers for their help in Library publicity.
To all of the many patrons who have been appreciative of the Library, I wish to express my thanks.
To all my assistants I wish to express my thanks for their loyal help and for the fine spirit in which they have made adjustments that are necessary in a Library with a small Staff.
To Miss Ruth Sampson who has worked with me all of the twenty- three years I have served the Robbins Library, I express my gratitude for her faithfulness to duty, for her fine spirit and for her ever ready
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
help. And in this final report I cannot forbear to express my appreciation for the splendid support and friendly personal interest shown by all the Trustees of this Library under whom I have served. To the heartening support and thoughtful guidance of the Trustees, the Library and its public are deeply indebted. Much of the work accomplished is due to their interest and unselfish generous aid.
Respectfully submitted, LUCINDA F. SPOFFORD, Head Librarian.
January 11, 1951.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1950.
Name of Library
Robbins Library
Town: Arlington.
State: Massachusetts
Name of Librarian:
Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford
Date of Founding:
1835
Population served:
43,984
Assessed valuation of town:
$62,289.150.
Terms of use-Free for Lending, Free for Reference.
Agencies:
Central Library 1
Branches
2
In Library Building 1
In Rented Building
1
Others:
School (Class-room) 26
School Library Deposit
5
Fire Stations
3
Symmes Hospital 1
2
Total 37
Number of days open during year
302
(Main Library)
Hours open each week for lending
66
(Main Library)
Hours open each week for reading
66
(Main Library)
Library closed Saturdays during July and August
(Hours open each week) 55
INCREASE
Number of volumes beginning of year 83,375
Number of volumes added during year by purchase 5,739
Number of volumes added by gift
236
Number of volumes added by binding, etc.
17
Number of volumes lost and returned 28
Number of volumes lost and withdrawn
2,467
Total number at end of year 86,928
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use
160,097
Number of volumes of non-fiction lent for home use 102,260
Total number of volumes lent for home use 262,357
(Books issued for 7 days and 4 weeks with no renewal)
Church
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REGISTRATION
Number of registered borrowers December 31, 1950
20,186
Number of borrowers registered during 1950 2,338
Registration period, years 3
Number of periodicals and newspapers received:
Titles
222
Copies
306
Number of Staff, Library service (Including part-time)
20
Number of Staff, Janitor service (Full time)
3
(Part time)
0
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation by Town
$ 79,815.00
Personnel Services
$ 54,990.00
Expenses
24,825.00
Expenditures:
Salaries-Librarians
42,179.22
Jr. Custodians
7,321.94
49,501.16
Expenses :
Books
10,725.97
Periodicals
1,010.90
Bindery
2,318.85
Building and Grounds
2,017.85
Fuel
2,484.74
Light
1,656.50
Telephone
506.90
Other Expenses
3,028.78
Rent
900.00
Total
24,650.49
Total Appropriation spent
74,151.65
Balance from Town Appropriation
Salaries
5,488.84
Expenses
130.23
Total
5,663.35
Trust Funds:
Expended during 1950:
Building
787.70
All others
28.67
Total
816.37
Capital Outlay :
Expended during 1950:
Building
265.00
Total
265.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
TOTAL COST OF MAINTENANCE 1950
Town
Salaries
Town Appropriation $49,501.15
Funds
Capital Outlay
Total $49,501.16
Books
10,725.97
10,725.97
Periodicals
1,010.90
1,010.90
Bindery
2,318.85
2,318.85
Building-Grounds
2,017.85
787.70
265.00
3,070.55
Fuel
2,484.74
2,484.74
Light
1,656.50
1,656.50
Telephone
506.90
506.90
All others
3,028.78
28.67
3,057.65
Rent
900.00
900.00
Total
$74,151.65
$816.37
$265.00
$75,233.02
Returned to the Town received from fines, etc.
$3,356.03
ROBBINS ART FUND EXPENDITURES, 1950
Salaries
$ 2,263.26
All others
1,175.39
Telephone
66.75
Total
$ 3,505.40
347
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Annual Report of the School Department
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1950
To the Citizens of Arlington:
During this year the School Committee was the recipient of a new building, the Bishop School; an eight-room addition to the Hardy School; and a new gymnasium and auditorium at the Junior High School West. We wish to express our appreciation to the respective building committees for their close cooperation with the school authorities.
Your committee studied the uses of existent buildings with a con- sulting engineer and as a result will offer special articles to the Town Meeting relating to the old Parmenter School which formerly housed the Junior High Industrial Arts School, the Russell School and the Center Junior High School. We plan to abandon the old Parmenter School. A town committee seeking additional space for town offices met with the School Committee to see if they could suggest utilizing space in the Junior High Center building. This committee inquired of the possibility of the school offices at Maple Street being moved to the Junior High School Center and the Town using the Maple Street building for offices. The School Committee has studied plans for put- ting its Maintenance Department, now at the High School, in the base- ment of the Center Junior High School; having the Junior High Industrial Arts School occupy the first floor as it has since this past September; and renovating the second floor for school administrative offices. This move would release some valuable space at the High School and would make the Maple Street offices available to the Town.
Our consulting engineer presented three alternatives for the Russell School: (1) Renovating and modernizing the school, (2) building a new, five-room, one-floor school in the Warren Street area, (3) razing the existing building and erecting a new one at the same site. We plan to discuss these possibilities with the Finance Committee, although the present emergency may cause the elimination of any work on the Russell School.
A survey by the Boston Edison Company confirmed our estimates of the cost of replacing the antiquated lighting in our schools. The total cost would be $80,000. and your committee would like to proportion this work over a four year period. We shall seek the initial appropriation this year.
It is gratifying to have our new buildings and so much renovating completed at this time. We may not be able to do all of the work con- templated for 1951 because of material scarcities, allocations and labor shortages. Never has the outlook been more obscure. However, in war or in peace, we must remember that education is the foundation of our whole democratic structure. Let us hope that children will not be the first casualties of international strain through the neglect of education.
Francis J. Higgins retired from the committee this year after three years of faithful service. He was replaced by Mary K. Boyd.
The committee expresses its appreciation to the following people who retired during the year:
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Gertrude B. Bradstreet with twenty-two years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirement a teacher of grade six at the Hardy School;
Blanche M. Dow with twenty-two years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirement a teacher of grade six in Bishop School;
Arthur E. Robinson with thirty-five years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of his retirement the Supervisor of the Manual Arts Department and the Director of the Vocational High School;
Elsie P. Seward with twenty-eight years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirement the principal of the Crosby School;
Eugenia C. Peck with twenty-five years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirment a teacher of English at the Senior High School;
June E. Simmons with twenty-eight years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirement a teacher of grade three in the Parmenter School;
May S. Thatcher with twenty years of service in the Arlington schools, and at the time of her retirement home teacher of children unable to attend school because of physical handicaps.
Each year the Town receives a substantial revenue on account of public schools from the Commonwealth. The amounts for 1950 are as follows:
Maintenance of Arlington Vocational School $ 12,022.58
Vocational Tuition 968.89
Tuition and Transportation of State Wards 6,470.65
For support of schools in accordance with
Chapter 70, Amended 1948, Chapter 643 147,106.67
Total revenue from the Commonwealth $166,568.79
The entrance age has been raised effective September 1951. A child must be four years of age previous to January first for admission to kindergarten, and five years of age previous to January first for admission to first grade.
The committee expresses its appreciation to the school officials, teachers and employees for their loyal and conscientious efforts. We thank the Town officials, members of boards and departments, and the citizens of the Town for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN P. MORINE, Chairman.
I
1
349
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1950
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 1950. I am including in my report excerpts from the annual reports submitted to me by various principals and supervisors.
Building Program:
The year 1950 saw the completion of an extensive school building program. The Bishop School in the Morningside area was opened about the first of May. It houses children from the old Russell School district to near capacity of the building. The cost of this building was in excess of $600,000. It has eight classrooms, a large auditorium, an all- purpose room, an extensive health unit, a conference room and excellent office space. It was necessary to keep the Russell School open, both from a housing and a safety angle.
The Junior High School West, remodeled to provide some additional classroom space and a combination gymnasium and assembly hall, was constructed at a cost in excess of $475,000. This addition was available in the fall. The gymnasium is sufficient in size to provide concurrent classes for boys and girls.
An addition to the Hardy School provided four classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, a health unit and a library. These additional facilities were erected at a cost slightly less than $225,000.
State aid to school construction is provided through the School Building Assistance Commission. If the State adheres to this program, Arlington will receive nearly $20,000. a year for a twenty-year period, or an approximate total of $400,000., toward the cost of this extensive school building program.
Financial Policy Changes:
Recent Acts of the Legislature now require that all lunchroom ac- counts and athletic accounts pass through the office of the Town Treas- urer. The law concerning athletics provides that athletic receipts, whether from appropriations or otherwise, shall be deposited with the Town Treasurer to be held in a revolving fund and expended only upon order of the School Committee. The immediate effect of the law is to make it necessary for the School Committee to ask the Town for an appro- priation to carry on the interscholastic athletic program in anticipation of receipts from future games.
The Summer Institute:
During the past summer the School Department participated in an original and unique activity which has attracted interest in several communities throughout the country and which has already been re- ported in the local and Boston press as well as in two educational journals. Reference is made to the Arlington Summer Institute which was organized with funds provided by Mrs. Ruth Hornblower Greenough, daughter of one of our former School Committee members. The School
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Department, in cooperation with the Arlington Youth Council, the Park Department and the Boys' Club launched a six-week program (June 26 through August 4) to provide young people in the community with an opportunity to develop their interests in the creative arts beyond that which was normally offered in the schools during the regular school term.
A survey made by the Guidance Department in our schools several years ago revealed that among those pupils from elementary, junior and senior high schools, who remained home during most of the summer there was a dearth of opportunity for the type of constructive activity which they sought. In order to meet this problem and to fulfill interests expressed by these pupils, the Institute provided tuition-free instruction for advanced pupils in original music composition, creative writing and painting. In addition, a summer theater group, an extensive crafts program, a music group for elementary school children and a day camp under the supervision of the Boys Club were established. With the exception of the elementary music group and the day camp all activities were conducted in our own school buildings during the morning hours.
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