USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1954 > Part 22
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284
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AUXILIARY POLICE
During and since World War II this group of outstanding citizens have unselfishly devoted their time to the youth of our town, by sponsoring and supervising dances, baseball games and other recreational activities.
In addition, with utter disregard for their own personal comfort, they have spent many man hours receiving instructions in connection with their duties, which would enable them to com- bat any emergency. The emergency arose on August 31 and Sep- tember 11 in the guise of hurricanes "Carol and Edna". Evidence of their training was reflected in the admirable fashion by which they carried out their assignments. The assistance rendered to the regular department was of inestimable value. These men are an asset to the community and deserving of our heartfelt thanks.
CONCLUSION
This report illustrates the varied activities of the department. Its high efficiency has been retained, but on a sound economical basis. We shall continue our effort in the coming year to reduce the unnecessary number of automobile accidents, the wanton destruc- tion of public and private property, the financial liability of which has a redounding effect on every individual. Both goals can be attained with the cooperation of the motorists and the parents.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, our esteemed Town Manager, Federal, State and Town Agencies, members of the Police Department and the citizens of Arlington for their assistance and cooperation since assuming command of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. RYAN
Acting Chief of Police
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY 285
Annual Report of the Trustees of the Robbins Library for the Year 1954
TRUSTEES
*Mark W. Bradford, Chairman ** Hugh A. Mallon, Jr., Chairman Mrs. Molly F. Yood, Secretary Robert J. Brosnan Edmund L. Frost
* Resigned as Chairman December 13th, 1954
* * Elected Chairman, December 13th, 1954.
LIBRARIAN
Miss Judith E. Stromdahl
STAFF
Ruth Sampson - Assistant Librarian Mary Murdock Gallant - Reference Librarian
Elizabeth L. Phelan - Children's Librarian Dolores C. Eveleth - Head Circulation * Harriet L. Taylor - Cataloger * * Patricia J. Hunter - Cataloger Rita Z. Jackson - Music Librarian *Signe Hynson - Young People's Librarian ** Esther McQuaid - Young People's Librarian Helen E. Whiteman - Branch Librarian - Dallin Evelyn Colcord - Branch Librarian - East *Thelma W. Benshimol Margaret M. Bowser Judith Burg Anne Burke
Muriel G. Chandler *Rena Finch Marilyn E. Kenney Mary Massa Joan A. Perks M. Louise Sullivan Hazel M. Thurber
Louise I. Tilton Mary Nuovo Dolores T. Varello
Lauretta A. Wade *Mary Sue Wilson * Emily Woo
* Resigned * * Appointed
286
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
PART TIME ASSISTANTS
Antoinette W. Brask Audrey J. Hoeg Eva M. Smith
CUSTODIANS
George A. Capes - Senior Custodian Edward Caterino Normand J. Paradis John Loftus
REPORT of the TRUSTEES of the ROBBINS LIBRARY
To: Town Manager Edward C. Monahan
Dear Mr. Monahan:
We submit herewith the Report of the Librarian for 1954, which gives in detail an account of the activities of the year.
The Board of Trustees served during the year of 1954 under the able chairmanship of Mr. Mark W. Bradford.
As will be noted, the people of the Town made increased use of the facilities and services of the Robbins Library during 1954, and inany new borrowers were added.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the generous and wel- come gifts that have been received from both groups and individuals of the Town. Of special interest, perhaps, is the Ceiling Projector and Films for use by readers, who, through accident or illness, are physically incapacitated. This gift was presented by a local group, Theta Epsilon.
An outstanding event was the Open House held in September for Town Officials, heads of town departments, cultural, civic and fraternal groups as well as for the local clergy, to acquaint them with the facilities and services of the library.
In cooperation with some twenty other public libraries, the Robbins Library contributed to the film cooperative formed under the direction of the Massachusetts Department of Education. This affiliation enables the Robbins Library to borrow film from the Department of Education free of charge.
Several major repair jobs were completed during the year. Necessary improvements to the boiler were made, the roof of the original building was replaced, the stairs to the front entrance were relaid eliminating a dangerous condition and the fire door at the East Branch was replaced at the request of the Insurance Car- riers. Specifications for the major changes in the lighting at the Main Library were also completed and the bid awarded for the work to be done. The Board regrets the work had not been completed in 1954, but anticipates its completion within the first few months of 1955.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF ROBBINS LIBRARY 287
Several key members of the Staff have resigned during the past year to accept better paying positions elsewhere. The Head Cataloger and the Assistant Cataloger, and the Librarian in Charge of work with Young People were among this group. The Trustees are ensuing an ever increasing difficulty in filling such vacancies with professionally trained personnel.
Mrs. Marilyn Lavin, Curator of the Robbins Print Collection, returned to her duties following a year spent in Europe, during which time Mrs. Birgit Shell acted as Curator. During recent months several modern prints have been added to the Print Col- lection and the Print Room and Gallery have been redecorated.
In view of the existing emergency, the Trustees were glad to have the East Branch Library used for voting purposes during the November election.
The Trustees are grateful to Miss Stromdahl and the Staff for their faithful service and cooperative spirit. Please refer to data that follows for detailed information about Library activities.
Respectfully submitted,
HUGH A. MALLON, JR.
Chairman.
288
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Librarian for the Year 1954
The Robbins Library has just completed one of the busiest years in its history. This is due to the fact that the citizens of Arlington have recognized the value of the library's services in many areas - in education, business, recreation, and the cultural fields. It is the responsibility of the Library to provide books and other materials, chosen for values of interest, information and the enlightenment of the people of the community. The materials selected should present all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times. In other words, the library is an institu- tion for democratic living, as the people of this town have recognized.
It is almost impossible to evaluate many of the services ren- dered by the library; the following report, however, will point up the growth of the library and the use the townspeople have made of some of the facilities at their disposal.
GROWTH OF THE BOOK COLLECTION
In order to function, the Library must have books. They are its stock in trade. Obviously, however, no library can provide all the books published; selection, within the framework of its budget and in terms of community reading needs, must be made. In ad- dition to new titles, books worn out or lost must also be replaced. The following figures show the growth of the collection during 1954:
Number of volumes January 1, 1954 100,126
New titles added during 1954 2,986
Books added to Branches 2,838
Duplicate or replacement titles added 2,749
Total volumes added 8,573
Volumes withdrawn
3,059
Net volumes added 5,514
Number of volumes December 31, 1954 105,640
INCREASE IN REGISTERED BORROWERS
The number of registered borrowers indicates that Arlington is a reading conimunity. Thirty-eight percent of the Town's popu- lation have registered as borrowers within a period of three years. This is 13 percent above the national average.
Number of borrowers
January 1, 1954
14,213
New borrowers registered January 1 to December 31, 1954 3,042
Main Library 1,744
Dallin Branch 523
East Branch 775
Borrowers reregistered
281
3,323
Cards surrendered
187
3,136
Total registration December 31, 1954
17,349
289
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
During the year a change was made from the old type bor- rowers' library cards for adults to identification cards. This change has resulted in considerable saving in materials as well as in in- creased efficiency in borrowing and returning books.
CIRCULATION STATISTICS
I. BOOKS and PERIODICALS
One of the criteria for judging the service rendered by the library is the circulation record. According to the statistics, 7.5 books per capita were circulated during the year - or, stated in yet other terms, the books borrowed, if placed side-by-side, as on a bookshelf, would cover a distance of about five miles. A fair number of books! In all, 334,168 volumes were circulated, an increase of 17,649 over the previous year. This gain was evi- denced in both the adult and juvenile circulation records.
The increased use of the Branches is most encouraging. In 1938, the Dallin Branch Building was built on the corner of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road. During the first year in new quar- ters, the branch experienced a high increase in circulation, from 25,519 in 1937 to 60,408 in 1938. Then in 1939 the circulation began to decline until in 1948 it reached a low point of 28,317. Since that year, however, the circulation has been on the increase again and in 1954 reached the largest figure since 1940, 45,992, a gain for 1954 of 4,768 volumes.
The East Branch, on the other hand, has grown by leaps and bounds ever since it was moved out of the Crosby School. In 1949, 23,804 volumes were circulated. In the first year of its location on Massachusetts Avenue, this figure jumped to 39,755, and today, after two years in the remodeled building on Massachusetts Ave- nue, the circulation has reached a total of 73,529 volumes.
The increase in both branches has been accomplished with a minimum of additional increase of Staff.
COMPARATIVE CIRCULATION FIGURES FOR 1953 and 1954.
1953
1954
GAIN
LOSS
Main Library
Adult
140,781
140,741
40
Juvenile
41,855
47,542
5,687
Dallin Branch
Adult
21,470
24,491
3,021
Juvenile
19,754
21,501
1,747
East Branch
Adult
36,592
40,390
3,798
Juvenile
29,370
33,139
3,769
Hospital
8,171
3,311
4,800
Schools
Juvenile
18,526
23,053
4,527
TOTALS
316,519
334,168
22,549
4,840
Net Gain for 1954
17,709
290
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
II. MUSIC
The citizens of Arlington know and appreciate good music. This has been demonstrated by the use they have made of the Music Department during the past year. On January 1, 1954, the library owned 719 albums, (552 LP and 167 78rpm). During the year this number increased to 969 albums (719 LP and 250 78rpm). From January 1 to December 31, 1954, these albums circulated 10,248 times. This was 4,193 fewer than in 1953. The reason for this circulation loss can be attributed to the fact that for five months the Music Librarian was on a leave of absence, and to the fact that the borrowing time on records has been increased from one to two weeks. This change has met with the approval of the borrowing public, but of course, does retard the circulation turn- over.
REFERENCE and READERS' ADVISORY SERVICE
Some of the most time-consuming and important work is done by the librarians, both at the Main Library and the Branches, who answer the many reference questions presented them by students, professional people, business men, club members, and others who have need of reference service. During the past year many new reference tools have been added to the collection to aid in answer- ing these questions. In 1954, a total of 7,982 requests for refer- ence help were recorded.
Closely related to the work of the Reference Librarian is that of the Reader's Advisor, who guides the borrower to the particular materials to fit his needs. The readers' advisor helps the borrower select books in specified subject areas, such as politics, history and the fine arts, recommends books for leisure time reading, compiles lists of books for systematic reading on some definite topic, or in short, gives personalized service to those who wish and ask for it. This work, of course, is carried out by trained members of the pro- fessional staff. During the past year 4,329 such requests were re- corded. Altogether, 12,311 library patrons were aided by these two services in 1954.
Much of the work of the library is carried on behind scenes, as it were - ordering and checking new books and record albums, cataloging and classifying books and music, keeping records of various kinds and carrying out the many other steps necessary in keeping the library functioning. Listed below are a few addi- tional statistics indicating some of the work done in these "behind the scenes" responsibilities:
7,875 notices for overdue books were mailed.
1,630 pictures were mounted for the picture file, bringing the total number of mounted pictures available to teachers and other borrowers to 3,285 items.
724 books were prepared for the bindery.
4,640 books were reserved by request of the borrowers.
248 books not included in the Robbins Library Collection, were borrowed from other libraries by special request of borrowers.
641 pamphlets were added to the pamphlet file and 599 were discarded.
291
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
190 catalogs were added to the file of college and prepara- tory school catalogs.
54 classroom deposits, representing 2,140 books were loaned to the schools by the Junior Library.
Reading certificates for 613 boys and girls were issued by the Junior Library.
Collections of books were sent to Nursing Homes, Fire Stations, Churches, and other organizations.
Thousands of books were repaired and mended.
SPOTLIGHT ON CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S ACTIVITIES
Mention must be made of the work with children, a vital part of the library program. In addition to the ever increasing routine work of issuing books, helping children with their reference work, sending collections of books to the school classrooms to augment the school curriculum, maintaining school libraries in five elemen- tary schools, carrying on Story Hours and Summer Reading activ- ities, the Staff of the Junior Library has been giving reading guidance to parents to a greater extent than ever before. Parents have become concerned at the inroads made by television and the comics on the time of their children and are seeking help from the library to com- bat these influences. The Children's Librarian has met with many P. T. A. and Church groups, and other organizations, upon invita- tion, to discuss children and their reading.
A new activity for boys and girls was a series of Record Con- certs for Children presented by the Music Librarian on Saturday mornings. These proved to be unexpectedly successful, the at- tendance ranging from 20 to 150 boys and girls at each meeting.
The work with Young People continues to grow increasingly important as added numbers of these Young People of High School age find the Library a place where they can get books for their school assignments, help with their personal problems, and leisure time reading for their recreational hours. During 1954, the Young People's Librarian recorded a total of 1,225 questions referred to her by these Young People. As usual, class instruction in the use of the library was offered and given by the Young People's Li- brarian; the High School Reviewers' Reading Group was continued. Last April this group was invited to participate on the television program "The How Show" on WBZ-TV Channel 4, and in May took a Sunday trip with Edward Rowe Snow on one of his sched- uled trips around Boston Harbor.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The Robbins Library is fortunate in having available a Hail and a Conference Room where local civic, cultural and education- al groups can gather for meetings and conferences. During the past year the facilities at the Main Library were used on 566 oc- casions, more than in any previous year.
Many gifts have been received from Arlington groups, clubs and individuals. These gifts are always appreciated.
292
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Local artists have kept the Art Corridor a place of beauty and interest with their exhibits of oils and water colors. Other civic-minded citizens have loaned hobby collections and other exhibits of unusual interest for display purposes.
Throughout the year the Arlington Garden Club has kept the Library attractive with arrangements of flowers, plants, and holi- day decorations. This cooperation has been much appreciated.
On Sunday afternoon, September 11, an Open House arranged by the Board of Trustees and the Staff was held to acquaint people, holding key positions in the town and in the various organizations of the town, with the Library and its program. As a result of this Open House, many requests for information have been received from residents who were made aware for the first time of the use their public library could be to them.
Weekly visits by a Staff member to the Symmes Arlington Hospital were continued throughout the year and 3,311 books were circulated to the patients there.
STAFF
A number of Staff members resigned from their positions during the year, Miss Harriet Taylor, Mrs. Emily Woo, Mrs. Signe Hynson, Mrs. Rena Finch and Mrs. Mary Sue Wilson, from the Pro- fessional Staff and Mrs. Thelma Benshimol from the Non-Profes- sional Staff.
To replace these Staff members, Miss Joan Perks, Miss Mary Massa, Mrs. Patricia Hunter, Miss Louise Tilton and Mrs. Esther McQuaid were added to the Professional and Mrs. Mary Nuovo to the Non-Professional Staff.
NEED FOR BUILDING EXPANSION
With the growth of the library's holdings and with the in- creased services being offered to the public, the serious problem of space for both books and reading has become acute. In 1892 when the original building was erected, the library owned 12,183 volumes; in 1931 the Junior Library addition was built. In that year the library's book collection had grown to 46,929 volumes, and in De- cember 1954, the collection numbered 105,640. Not including those housed in the two branch libraries, the books shelved at the Main Library have doubled in number since the Junior Library addition was built. As Arlington continues to grow, so its educational facilities will continue to expand. Thought must soon be given to some type of building expansion.
293
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
IN APPRECIATION
The library is dependent on its Staff to carry out its program. The Librarian wishes to thank its members and the custodians for their splendid and heartwarming cooperation during the past year.
No library can function properly without an active and for- ward looking Board of Trustees. Arlington has such a Board, and the Librarian wishes to thank the members for their support, co- operation and interest.
The Librarian herewith expresses her appreciation to the Town Manager for his understanding of, interest in, and support of library problems.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
APPROPRIATION
Personal Services and Expenses
$131,268.80
Capital Outlay
2,688.50
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services
87,970.27
Books, Periodicals, and Bindery
26,469.41
Records
1,029.80
All others
15,773.77
Total Expenditures
131,243.25
Balance returned to the Town
25.55
Capital Outlay
3,522.50
Respectfully submitted,
JUDITH E. STROMDAHL,
Librarian
294
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Park Commission
Mr. Edward C. Monahan
Town Manager
Town Hall
Arlington, Mass.
The Board of Park Commissioners herewith submit its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1954
Mr. Daniel J. McFadden, Superintendent of Parks and Recre- ation, rendered his resignation effective July 6, 1954. After eight years of devoted service, during which time the Park Department grew to its present size and influence in the community, Mr. Mc- Fadden resigned to assume his new duties as Town Manager of Danvers, Massachusetts.
Mr. Everett J. Henderson, a member of the Board of Park Commissioners for a period of twelve years, announced that he would not be available for reappointment at the expiration of his term on December 22, 1954. No appointment has been made to fill this vacancy as yet.
Loss of his services to this department is deeply regretted; he gave freely of his knowledge and time and the members of the Park Department are grateful to him for his many years of out- standing service as a member of the Board.
Effective June 3, 1954, Miss Sally A. Randall was engaged on a full time basis as Supervisor of Women's and Girls' Activities. Her duties are to promote and organize women's and girls' programs during the fall and winter and to supervise the summer playground program.
At Warren A. Peirce Field the final one-third of the Wayne Grandstand was replaced with new lumber and painted. The base- ball diamond was relocated by request of the School Committee.
Fifteen trees were planted on the Summer Street playground. Baseball backstop was moved to make way for a sidewalk on Sum- mer Street, and a drinking fountain and several picnic tables were installed.
Forty-five trees were planted at Thorndike Street playground; thirteen of these trees were destroyed by youngsters who were ap- prehended by the police and ordered by the court to make resti- tution.
A ten foot slide for small children was replaced at Waldo Road. One set of all steel hobby horse swings was installed at Lin- wood Street play area.
A softball diamond was installed at North Union playground and baseball diamond relocated.
Little League diamond at Reservoir Field was resodded and made available for play June 1.
On August 30, 1954, Arlington was severely hit by Hurricane Carol and the department was alerted and a state of emergency
295
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
declared by the Town Manager. Our entire personnel cooperated with the Tree Warden in the opening up of highways and in the removal of trees which were hazardous. This emergency work caused us to postpone grading and seeding Spy Pond Field and the addition to Warren A. Peirce Field until next spring.
About four hundred trees were felled in Menotomy Rocks Park. This was a project in itself and took approximately three months with a crew of seventeen men to put this area in good order. It was necessary for most of the brush to be hauled away; however, many residents came into the park to take some of the fine oak and ash away for use in their fireplaces.
The water level at Menotomy Rocks Park has been lowered three feet below high water for safety of skaters.
Skating areas were maintained by the department at Meadow Brook and Menotomy Rocks Park with floodlights operated during the evening hours when ice was available. Small areas were also maintained for skating on the asphalt surface at Waldo, Thorndike, North Union, Medford and Robbins playgrounds.
All areas were maintained throughout the season with special emphasis given to daily marking of athletic fields to comply with permits issued by this department. Baseball and softball fields were in constant demand for twilight activity from May 1 through September 8 with a total of 70 baseball and softball teams using our various diamonds.
The Little League program, coordinated by this department, fielded eight completely uniformed teams. Eight additional teams, uniformed in sweat shirts and caps, were organized with their games scheduled at Thorndike playground. Assistance was also given to the Cub Scouts in the formation of its baseball program, in the scheduling of fields and in the assignment of umpires; and to the Arlington Youth Association in its baseball program.
A total of sixteen teams participated in the Adult Softball League with two games scheduled per team each week from May 1 to August 28. Floodlights were installed for night games at Reservoir Field; 42 games were played under lights.
Reservoir Beach was opened June 13 for supervised bathing and operated daily throughout Labor Day. Swimming instruction was given each afternoon and special classes formed in the morn- ing for both Girl Scout and Boy Scout groups.
The summer playground program officially opened on June 28, 1954 for an eight week period ending August 20, 1954. Seven- teen playgrounds were under supervision for the 55,769 children that used the facilities throughout the summer season.
This program offered a variety of games, sports, playground leagues, crafts, trips, picnic and special events. £ The third an- nual weenie roast was held at Menotomy Rocks Park with approxi- mately 1,500 children enjoying the Boston Children's Theatre along with the weenies and tonic. A trip attracting 300 children was made to the Boston Red Sox game. Approximately 3,000 adults and children were at the Warren A. Peirce Field to witness the field events following the colorful parade from Robbins Library.
296
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Over 250 fifth and sixth grade school girls enrolled in the Saturday morning activity program held at the Lowe Auditorium and the Locke and Hardy playrooms; an Adult Health Exercise Program held once a week during the fall and winter season at- tracted approximately 25 women; swimming lessons were held at the Somerville Y.M.C.A. for high school girls; tennis lessons were made available to girls.
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