USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1961 > Part 22
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REPORT OF PHYSICIAN AND BACTERIOLOGIST
Performed the duties required of me in my capacity as Physician of the Board of Health. Rendered professional services at three Immunization Clinics which were conducted by the Board of Health. Released all mem- bers of households that had been quarantined because of contagions. Examined smears and cultures and reported the result of the examinations to the Physicians who submitted the specimens.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Visits were made to the homes of patients who were reported cases of communicable disease in accordance with regulations and State Department of Public Health recommendations on the control of communicable diseases.
Assisted at the various clinics which were conducted by the Board of Health.
Made Inspectional visits to Day Care Centers and Nursing Homes that are operated within the Town.
Administered the school nursing program at the elementary Parochial Schools in Arlington. This program includes physical examinations by physicians. Vision and hearing tests were given and all pupils who failed to pass the tests were referred by their parents for further examination. Weight and measurements of the pupils were taken.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Held meetings with those pupils who required counsel and gave assis- tance in meeting their personal problems.
Attended a work shop conducted by the State Department of Public Health at Simmons College, and had several conferences with District Health Supervisors.
Prepared and maintained files for permanent record on the above activities.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
During the year all carcasses of small animals and birds reported by the Board of Health and other Town agencies were collected and disposed of in a prescribed manner. Assisted in attempts to locate the owner of animals that had been reported as "strays" which had been picked up and impounded.
REPORT ON CLINICS CONDUCTED BY THE BOARD OF HEALTH
DIPHTHERIA CLINIC (Five year comparative figures)
Diphtheria
Year
No. of children immunized
Percent below 5 yrs.
Percent 5-10 yrs.
Cases
Deaths
1957
1
100
0
3
0
1958
14
65
35
0
0
1959
9
66
34
0
0
1960
1
100
0
1
0
1961
1
100
0
0
0
DENTAL CLINIC
Total number of patients
802
Total number of operating hours
537
Total sittings. .
1,570
Total number of operations
2,655
Extractions
Permanent teeth.
0
Deciduous teeth
11
Treatments
Prophylactic 1,126
Total number of dismissals
1,076
CLINICS FOR VACCINATING DOGS AGAINST RABIES
Clinics held April 17, 18, 20 and 21, 1961
Total number of dogs vaccinated .
1,027
REPORT OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
No inspections were made in the Town during the year 1961.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
Licenses and Permits issued without fee
Burial Permits 399
Licenses to act as Funeral Directors. 14
Permits to keep poultry. . 2
Permits to hold Rummage Sales 21
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
BIRTHS AND DEATHS OF ARLINGTON RESIDENTS IN 1961
Total number of deaths. 603
Total number of births 1,410
Age of Oldest persons dying in Arlington 1961
Male 99 years Female
98 years
THE FIVE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF DEATH IN ARLINGTON 1961
Disease
Number of Deaths
Number per 1,000 of population
Heart
272
5.4
Cancer
96
1.9
Pneumonia
76
1.5
Cerebral Hemorrhage
71
1.4
Accidents
17
.3
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Town Counsel
Mr. Edward C. Monahan Town Manager Robbins Memorial Town Hall Arlington 74, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1961 in accordance with Sec- tion 3 of Article 3 of the By-Laws of the Town of Arlington.
There have been thirty accident claims against the Town this year. Seven have been settled as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen. Ten have brought suit and thirteen are in abeyance. Of the previous year's claims and suits, seven were abandoned without suit, one was abandoned at the time it was reached for trial, eight were settled as authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen and four are still pending. There were no verdicts against the Town.
Sixteen land damage claims against the Town arising from street widenings and storm drain installations were disposed of by compromise settlements authorized by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen.
There was one case pending against the Town before the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board petitioning for real estate tax abatement. This case was tried and there was a finding for the Town denying the requested abate- ment.
A Bill in Equity appealing from a decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals resulted in a Final Decree in the Superior Court in favor of the Town and upholding the decision of the Board of Appeals. Two other Bills in Equity brought against the Town resulted in findings for the Town and decrees dismissing the said bills.
A petition for a writ of mandamus was brought in the Superior Court by residents of the area abutting the land on Spy Pond which was rezoned from the Residence B, or two-family, District to the Residence C, or apartment house, District under Article 64 of the Warrant for the 1961 Annual Town Meeting. This petition challenged the power of the Town Meeting to rezone the area in question and alleged that the action taken under Article 64 was invalid and of no effect. This matter was heard by the Court in November in a trial which lasted for ten days. Briefs have been filed. No decision has been handed down by the Court at the time of the preparation of this report.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Board of Health and the Symmes Hospital have been collected and turned over to the Town Collector.
Substantial amounts of money for aid rendered by the Bureau of Old Age Assistance have been recovered and turned over to the Town Collector also.
The Town Counsel has been available at regular and special meetings of the Board of Selectmen, has worked in close co-operation with the Town Manager, has rendered opinions as requested by the Town Manager, various Boards, Departments, Committees and Officers, has attended meetings at State Board and Commissions, and has been vigilant in all matters affecting the interest of the Town.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
For the kind consideration and co-operation extended to me by all the officials of the Town during the past year, and especially to the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager, I desire to record my sincere appreciation.
Very truly yours,
Joseph A. Purcell Town Counsel
234
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Annual Report of the Robbins Library for the Year 1961
TRUSTEES Mrs. Maude Thompson - Appointed Aug. 1961 Mrs. Molly F. Yood Robert J. Brosnan Robert T. Uek - Appointed April 1961 J. Milton Washburn, Jr. - Chairman, Sept. 1961 Mrs. Margaret H. Spengler - Chairman, Resigned Aug. 1961 Nicholas F. Troiano - Resigned March 1961
HEAD LIBRARIAN Judith E. Stromdahl
PROFESSIONAL STAFF Elizabeth J. Hodges - Assistant Librarian Elizabeth L. Toohey - Supervisor of Children's Library Activities Yu T. Chiu, Supervisor of Technical Services Dorothy L. Hart - Reference Librarian Esther McQuaid - Head of Circulation Penelope Maglaque - Music Librarian - Resigned Feb. 1961 Hazel White - Music Librarian
Edith Sanborn - Young People's Librarian - Resigned May 1961 Lucile F. Carpenter - Young People's Librarian Helen W. Thompson - Branch Librarian - Dallin Branch Evelyn Colcord - Branch Librarian - East Branch Ann Anderson - Senior Assistant Susan E. Casey - Senior Assistant Stillman Hilton - Senior Assistant Luz Posada - Senior Assistant Rose M. Rothenberg - Senior Assistant - Resigned March 1961 Norma B. Herz - Junior Assistant - Resigned Dec. 1961 Norma W. Piper - Junior Assistant - Resigned July 1961
SCHOOL LIBRARIANS
Emily M. Glover Joan Lee
Doris Schermerhorn
Elisabeth S. Sussman Betty A. Wellington Jane S. Palais - Resigned June 1961
LIBRARY ASSISTANTS
Elinor S. Leonard
Margaret J. Morash
Margaret V. O'Brien
Alice D. Peggs
Ruth G. Philpott Madeleine B. Woodbury Margaret M. Bowser Librarian's Secretary
PART-TIME ASSISTANTS
Alice Crowley M. Louise Sullivan Virginia Rudd Audrey J. Hoeg Celeste Vincent
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE STUDENTS Jacqueline Reeves Frederick C. Dooe
CURATOR - Robbins Print Collection Ellen P. Wiese
CUSTODIANS
George A. Capes, Senior Custodian Florey Corelli
Arthur V. Galluzzo Normand J. Paradis
Adelaide M. Bennett Murial G. Chandler
Anne I. Enquist Marilyn E. Kenney
235
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ROBBINS LIBRARY
To: Mr. Edward C. Monahan - Town Manager
Dear Mr. Monahan:
The past year has been a trying one for the trustees, staff, custodians, and the many faithful folks, both young and old, who have had to cope with the many inconveniences during the renovation program. In spite of all hin- drances, however, with the cooperation of all concerned, the circulation figures show an increase.
We are happy to report that for the present we have a full staff of pro- fessional and non-professional workers. This in spite of the fact that our salary scale is below that of many other comparable libraries. We hope that this situation may soon be corrected.
Miss Elizabeth J. Hodges was appointed Assistant Librarian in April. Mrs. Yu T. Chiu has taken over admirably the position of Supervisor of Technical Services, left vacant with the resignation of Miss Mary M. Burgarella. Miss Hazel White, our Music Librarian, with a wealth of ex- perience, has graciously filled the position after the resignation of Mrs. Penelope Maglaque. Mr. Stillman Hilton was well qualified to replace Mrs. Rose M. Rothenberg as a Senior Assistant. We were fortunate to secure the services of Miss Lucile Carpenter as Young People's Librarian when Mrs. Edith Sanborn left to accept a position of Librarian in another public library. Mrs. Norma Herz, a Junior Assistant resigned as of January 1, 1962, and her position has been filled by Mrs. Susan Casey.
Miss Ellen P. Wiese has been appointed Curator of the Robbins Print Collection.
Miss Luz Posada, an exchange librarian from Columbia, South America, is visiting us for a year of experience in North American Library Service.
Two Elementary School Librarians were appointed during the year, Mrs. Doris Schermerhorn, and Mrs. Joan Lee.
There were some changes among the part time personnel, pages, and College and cooperative students.
Mrs. Gordon P. Thompson and Mr. Robert T. Uek were appointed trustees filling the places formerly held so ably by Mrs. Margaret H. Spengler and Mr. Nicholas F. Troiano. The present Chairman was elected to the office in August 1961.
In order to share the many responsibilities, and assist the chairman, the members of the Board have assumed the following duties:
Mrs. Thompson - School Libraries Friends of the Library
- Invested Funds
Mr. Brosnan Mr. Uek - Building and Grounds
Mrs. Yood - Personnel
Step I in the Renovation Program has been completed. This included installation of the elevator and fire escape. Step II is well under way.
The contract for remodeling the gallery area, installing the lighting and ventilating, and erecting the steel for the new stacks was awarded to Man- zelli Construction Company who had a low bid of $21,510.00.
236
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The Estey Corporation was awarded the contract for the stacks with a bid of $6025.00, and this work should be completed this Spring.
The room formerly used by the Catalogue Department is now being used by the Young People, and greatly appreciated by them. New chairs and tables were bought in order to accomodate them.
The Catalogue Department has moved up to the room previously used for the Robbins Print Collection.
The former Young People's alcove has been converted to an Adult Browsing Area. Comfortable chairs for this area are needed.
The Public Works Department has been of great assistance in providing the men and materials with which to erect the shelving in the Catalogue room, and to paint the Catalogue room and hall, and the entire gallery area. This work was completed in December.
Step III, the final phase of our program will be completed when funds are provided to purchase:
1 - Furnishings for the new Music and Art Area
2 - New Functional furniture for the Reference Room
3 - New Charging Desks for the Adult and Junior Libraries
4 - Furniture for the Adult Browsing Areas
The Junior Library Wing, as well as the South and East sides of the Main building have been pointed, so that there should be no more leaks in these areas.
The wood work on the outside of the Main Building has been painted and the wells pointed.
The Dallin Branch has been painted inside and out, exclusive of the meeting hall.
New office space has been prepared and furnished for use of the Li- brarian's Secretary.
The Friends of the Robbins Library held a very successful meeting during National Library Week in April at the Senior High School auditorium. Over 1000 people bought tickets at $1.00 each to hear Emily Kimbrough and Cleveland Amory tell of their many interesting and amusing experiences. The New England News Company very kindly arranged a book exhibit under the direction of Miss Louise Weiscopf and Miss Kimbrough and Mr. Amory autographed their books for those who so desired. Following the meeting a reception was held in the Reference Room of the Library in order that the committee and invited guests might have an opportunity to meet informally with the guest speakers.
The Trustees held a tea in the Reference Room on Sunday afternoon, November 19, 1961. Invitations were sent to all members of the staff, cus- todians, Town Manager, Board of Selectmen and former Trustees. The guest of honor was Miss Judith E. Stromdahl, who had earlier in 1961 com- pleted ten years of faithful and devoted service as Librarian. An attractive desk clock was presented to her in recognition of these ten busy and chal- lenging years.
The Town of Arlington received a grant of $10,490.13 from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts as the amount due under the recently passed State Aid to Libraries Legislation. This money went directly into the Town Treas- ury, even though the Trustees had applied for it, hoping that it could be
237
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
used to pay for items not included in the budget. A new bill (House #366) has been introduced into the 1962 Legislature "to provide that such State aid for free public libraries may be expended by library trustees without appro- priations."
The Trustees have endeavored to maintain the high level of service and community appreciation which has been established over the past years. This could never have been reached without the full support of the entire staff, and particularly that of Miss Stromdahl, our most esteemed Librarian. Largely because of her endeavor, Robbins Library ranks high among the Public Libraries in the State and Nation.
The Town Manager, Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Superin- tendent of Schools, School Committee, and the many members of the Friends of the Robbins Library have all given willingly of their time and experience to make 1961 a fruitful year for Robbins Library.
Respectfully submitted,
J. Milton Washburn, Jr. Chairman, Board of Library Trustees
238
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Report of the Librarian for the Year 1961
BOOKS - LIBRARIES - PEOPLE - these form an important triad.
Books are basic to our culture and play an important part in the lives of people, young and old. They give information, impart wisdom, offer con- solation, furnish recreation. Books help young and old to solve problems, improve skills, become informed; they promote knowledge of other peoples, stimulate new thoughts, generate new ideas, preserve the best that is known and thought in the world and they offer a challenge for leisure time.
Libraries are "facilities centers", "reservoirs of learning" making available books and other related materials such as newspapers, magazines, phonorecords, and films to those seeking truth, learning, enjoyment. Li- braries provide the resources of existing ideas to challenge and enlarge the minds of men. Libraries serve the people.
People are the citizens of each community, the potential users of li- braries, those who must keep abreast of world, national and local affairs, those who want to improve themselves in their own fields of work and in their general knowledge whether it be of space exploration or of awakening Africa. People include those whose educational programs demand research resources, those who need revitalizing and refreshment of mind and spirit through recreational reading. They are young people and boys and girls who need help in their school projects, books for reading activities and leisure time hours and books to stretch their imaginations and broaden their hori- zons.
The Town of Arlington has a library, a good one, with an excellent collection of books provided for the people of the community, young and old, who made wide use of its facilities during 1961. In order to really assess library use during the past year, however, it would be necessary to deter- mine a number of facts, such as what books had influenced which people and what role, in turn, these people had played in the lives of others. It would be necessary to know how many college students used library materials to advantage in preparing papers, and the number of business men who turned to the library for information. It would be needful to ascertain how many housewives and parents looked to the library for books to guide them in training their children, preparing meals, decorating the home, and what "do-it-yourself" books helped individuals to complete special projects. The number of members of the League of Women Voters who found material for their study projects, and the use made of the library by other study and community groups would have to be evaluated, as would also the use made by teachers and group leaders of the community.
It would be necessary to check the readers of the several hundred periodicals which are available and to ascertain the use made of the phono- records. Were these latter used for study or for group listening, for pro- gramming or for individual or family enjoyment? What effect or influence did the records have on the listeners ?
It would be necessary also, to know what the children's programs have done for the boys and girls. Did they inspire them to read more, have they, together with the books, broadened horizons and inspired the young with higher ideals and have they perhaps deterred some individuals from joining the ranks of the ever-growing number of delinquents ?
These are the intangibles which cannot be measured. However, it can be assumed that the library has played its part in the lives of many, judging from the ever-growing reports of borrowers who acknowledge their debt to the library. The tangible results of the year's work can be measured by
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
the number of books and related materials which the citizens borowed for home use.
During 1961, total circulation of all materials, not including school li- braries, was 454,026 items. Books and periodicals accounted for 432,965 of this number, phonorecords 19,200, films 293, and pictures 1,568. The gain in circulation over the year 1960 was 1,330. The adult circulation and young people's departments were the only ones to show a loss. This, how- ever, was not unexpected. Work on the remodeling project started in January and continued throughout the year. Conditions in the stack area have been far from ideal; of necessity books have been stacked on the floors, many times inaccessible to the public. In fact, on several occasions, the stacks have been closed to the public, and lighting in the center stack aisle has been cut to a minimum. In spite of these conditions, circulation has increased during the latter half of the year, although not to the degree of overcoming earlier losses. Amazing is the only term to express the heavy circulation under most adverse conditions. The excellent service given by the Reader's Advisers and members of the Circulation Department no doubt accounts for this accomplishment.
Perhaps excerpts taken from the various departmental yearly reports will give a glimpse of the library program during the past year. First, in the words of the REFERENCE LIBRARIAN, "the numerous activities of the Reference Department followed a familiar pattern in 1961. There were the students writing papers and preparing for examinations, men using the business guides, people doing puzzles and finally, the use of the reference collection and other sources by the staff to find the answers to questions which the public keeps asking .... All in all, it has been a good year .... More people have used the department for reading and study than ever before and it is to be hoped that they have gone away with a feeling of satisfaction at the way they have been received and accomodated."
The MUSIC LIBRARIAN reported that "the circulation of record albums and films remained practically the same as in 1960. Lack of a substantial increase in these areas no doubt is due in part to the fact that, owing to the remodeling of the mezzanine areas, there were several days when the Music Department was closed. Another factor may have been the lack of space for shelving and exhibiting new records as well as the removal from the music room of tables and chairs for lack of space.
Although no definite date in 1962 has been set, the staff is looking forward to the time when the Music and Art Department is moved to the third floor where there will be ample shelving space for both books and record albums. ..
According to the YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIBRARIAN, "The most important element of the Young People's Department is the young people themselves .. They come to the library to do research for a term paper, to prepare an oral talk, or look up material for a science project. One may want a novel for a book report, the next, a light novel to read during vacation, and the third many be a mature reader looking for a specific English classic. Or they may have come to the library to leaf through a magazine and meet a friend. These individuals together make the Young People's Department hum with activity. It is the responsibility of the Young People's Librarian to develop the collection and increase her knowledge in order to meet the needs of the young people and guide them as they begin to read adult books and prepare for their adult lives .... A big change in the Department in 1961 was its relocation in a new area, the former cataloguing room. This is a far superior location, for now the young people have a room of their own in which they can congregate without disturbing others. The new chairs have arrived and we are eagerly awaiting the new tables. On a busy night, every chair is filled and the entire book collection, particularly the reference section, is being used.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
At the time of moving the books, the collection was weeded and about 1,000 teen-age fiction and non-fiction books were givento the Junior Library for its new Junior High section. The Young People's book collection now contains about 96 per cent, adult books ....
The RVT, (Read, View, and Talk Club) is an enthusiastic group of teen- agers who meet to review books, hold panel discussions, see films, and listen to speakers. It is a pleasure for Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Hynson, the school librarians, and for me to meet with them and participate in their lively discussions. During 1961 Mr. Holt Ashley, a professor at MIT, talked to them about "Progress in the exploration of space" and Mr. Harry Siegel of the Arlington High School history department talked about integration. Another meeting was an animated panel discussion on the subject of youth codes.
The program is planned by the school librarian and the Young People's Librarian. After that the young people take over, selecting themes and books, planning refreshments, and organizing the panel discussions. I en- joy working with them for it gives me an opportunity to work closely with some of the teenagers.
As the young people seek help in finding an historical novel, a play, or information, I have attempted to teach them how to find the material for themselves. When they need information, I have shown them how to look material up in the card catalogue, reference books, and the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. They use the pamphlet file frequently to look up careers for assignments or for their own use. So far, it has met every demand except how to raise huskies to pull sleds in Alaska.
When there is a large demand for a subject, we have put the books on the reserve truck. Shakespeare and Elizabethan England seem to rest there permanently. In November ninety students had to compare the Cavaliers and the Puritans; these books were constantly being used in the room, sur- rounded by a group of young people sharing their ideas. The High School library and some of the teachers have been helpful in giving me advance notice so that I can locate the books before the requests begin .... "
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