USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1917 > Part 12
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Cash balance from 1916
$236 35
Bonds sold
16,003 20
Sundries
15 60
Rent of house
180 00
Coal for Artesian Wells
745 53
Interest .
426 36
Main pipe
243 25
Service pipe
646 86
Meter rates
19,460 08
Hydrant rent .
6,030 00
Water for street sprinkling
150 00
Water for drinking fountains
100 00
Paid maintenance
$2,916 24
Pumping Station maintenance
5,380 63
Filter maintenance
3,381 09
Meter maintenance
1,114 46
Service pipe maintenance
232 64
Main pipe maintenance
513 84
Deep well pump maintenance
656 59
Main pipe
1,234 58
Service pipe
2,375 92
Meters .
737 13
Interest .
5,940 00
Bonds
3,000 00
Artesian Wells
. 10,820 68
Deep well pump
953 75
Cash on hand
4,979 68
$44,237 23 $44,237 23
COST OF PLANT
Reported last year
$366,199 39
Main pipe
991 33
Service pipe
1,729 06
Meters
737 13
Artesian Wells
10,820 68
Deep well pumps
953 75
$381,431 34
204
UNPAID BILLS, DECEMBER 31, 1917
Old Colony Trust Co.
$10 00
The Garland Co.
30 00
Reading Garage
28
Francis Bros. .
14 41
G. H. Atkinson Co.
7 66
Cummings Express
6 15
Artesian Well & Supply Co.
2,000 00
Susi & Williams
214 81
$2,283 31
The Board recommends that $6,030 be raised and appro- priated for hydrant rental, that $150 be raised and appro- priated for water for drinking fountains, and that $150 be raised and appropriated for water for street sprinkling.
The interest payable the current year amounts to $5.720, as follows :
$136,000 bonds for twelve months . $5,440 00
$13,000 bonds for six months 280 00
$5,720 00
In accordance with vote passed at a subsequent town meeting authorizing the Water Board to continue the drill- ing of artesian wells, we engaged the Artesian Well & Sup- ply Co., of Providence, R. I., to drill a well or wells as we needed them.
No. 1 well, as most of you know, is situated across the road west from the pumping station and has been pumped day and night for more than a year.
No. 2 well was drilled north of the filters, about 120 feet from No. 1, and was drilled to a depth of 500 feet, and has been pumped at the rate of 100 gallons per minute for some time. This well has not been pumped long enough to ascertain the quality the water will be, but we feel that it will be about the same as No. 1.
205
No. 3 well was drilled across the road south from the pumping station, about 150 feet from No. 2 and about 235 feet from No. 1, and was drilled to a depth of 500 feet, and the tests of pumping we have given this well indicates that the quantity and quality will be the same as the others.
No. 4 well was drilled across the river north of the pumping station, approximately 300 feet from No 1 and about the same distance from No. 2. While the location of this well has been considered by all well experts to be ideal, we are sorry to say it is a failure. From the nature of the material drilled through, and No. 1 and No. 2 wells, we felt warranted in drilling this well to the same depth of the other wells, expecting all the time that it would be satis- factory.
No. 5 well was drilled west of No. 1, near the gallery in the meadow, to the depth of 500 feet. While this well did not show up as well in the test pumping, we feel that it will yield 50 to 70 gallons per minute when pumped, and be of good quality.
No. 6 well was drilled on the north side of the road lead- ing to the pumping station, about 175 feet from No. 3, and test pumping proved very satisfactory.
The first of August we asked for bids, from three firms, on air compressors and pumps, and upon receiving bids there was so much difference in the same, we felt it neces- sary, in a proposition as large as this, to call in an expert, so that when the plant was installed the Town would be assured of the best. We consulted C. W. Whiting, Consulting En- gineer, and engaged him to go over the different proposi- tions. He recommended at the time to put in an air com- pressor for pumping the wells and trying the different pumps offered. We secured a second-hand compressor, at a very low price, to do this work. It has been installed and we have tested the pumps and expect within two or three days a report from Mr. Whiting, which will determine the best method of pumping and the most efficient pump, and will be able, at the annual town meeting, to give you this information.
206
While No. 4 well was a failure, we feel on the whole our results are very satisfactory, and when these wells have been completed and pumped, we would recommend the drilling of enough wells to supply the needs of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY R. JOHNSON EDGAR N. HUNT HARVEY A. BANCROFT Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF WATER REGISTRAR
Amount of bills rendered in 1917
$20,096 99
€
Amount collected and paid Treasurer $18,443 69
Amount uncollected .
1,605 35
Amount abated .
47 95
$20,196 99 $20,196 99
Amount of bills of previous years
uncollected . ·
$2,525 60
Amount collected and paid Treasurer
1,017 39
Amount uncollected .
1,445 68
Amount abated .
62 53
$2,525 60
$2,525 60
Amount of service pipe bills rendered in 1917
$572 09
Amount of bills of previous years uncollected .
380 80
Amount collected and paid Treasurer
646 86
Amount uncollected .
271 20
Amount charged off
34 83
$952 89
$952 89
LEWIS M. BANCROFT, Registrar.
207
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
READING WATER COMMISSIONERS :
GENTLEMEN-The twenty-eighth annual report of the Superintendent is submitted for the year ending December 31. 1917.
The extension of mains has been 1,030 feet, as follows : Grand Street, 600 feet of six inch; Korker Rubber Co., 151 feet of six inch; Lincoln Street, 218 feet of six inch; and Lowell Street, 50 feet of eight inch. Four gates were set in the above named streets. All hydrants have been inspected and put in good order. Two hydrants have been moved : one at Grove, opposite Forest Street, was set back about four feet, and one on Salem, opposite Pearl Street, was moved about twelve feet west. Four breaks in the main pipes were caused by the contractors at work on the sewers. Eighty feet of six inch pipe on Washington Street was moved on account of the sewer.
SERVICE PIPES
Twenty-eight services have been put in and one dis- continued. Eight leaks in service pipes were repaired, all caused by electrolisis except two. This department is very much in need of an automobile truck to use in the place of a horse. This idea is well expressed in the following quota- tion from a paper read by Mr. J. A. Jenson, Supervisor Water Department, Minneapolis, Minn .: "In service pipe work, with miscellaneous jobs scattered over forty or more square miles of territory, Ford runabout trucks are em- ployed; each rig and two men, generally speaking, replace three single-horse rigs and six men. This is explained by the fact that the principal part of the performance of street service is mileage, and the work itself is secondary so far as time element is concerned."
208
209
PUMPING STATION
A new chain drive was put on the Platt pump, boiler furnaces repaired and many small repairs made. The up- take from the boilers to the chimney should be replaced soon.
KINDS AND SIZES OF METERS IN USE
SIZES
No.
NAME
3 in.
2 in.
14 in.
1} in.
1 in.
in.
& in.
81
Crown.
5
1
2
2
71
973
Nash
1
5
8
6
953
1
Gem
1
41
Lambert
2
39
12
Thompson
1
1
10
7
Worthington
7
208
Hersey
1
1
7
8
1
190
93
Neptune
93
8
Union
3
1
4
6
King
6
15
Columbia
15
9
Keystone
8
1
10
Gamon
10
1663
1
13
13
8
22
10
1596
YEARLY RECORD OF PUMPING SERVICE FROM JAN. 1, 1917, TO JAN. 1, 1918
MONTH
No. Days
Hrs.
Min.
Gallons Pumped
Total Head
Pounds Coal
Rain- fall
January
31
212
30
7,137,915
219
46,890
2.92
February
28
203
6,685,106
44,722
2.41
March
31
214
15
6,942,032
42,338
4.18
April .
30
207
15
6,699,805
40,119
2,90
May
31
225
7,342,396
40,820
4.00
June
30
232
45
7,790,652
41,579
4.78
July
31
287
15
9,416,619
56,283
1.19
August
31
291
30
9,045,424
55,175
3.40
September
30
239
30
7,800,943
44,383
1.46
October.
31
227
45
7,561,508
49,650
5.75
November.
30
217
..
7.238,907
50,358
1.39
December
31
253
45
7,094,917
51,035
2.65
365
2,811
30
90,756,224
219
563,352
37.03
1
1
197
199
Empire .
.
210
TABLE SHOWING CONSUMPTION IN GALLONS FOR VARIOUS PUR- POSES, 1917
Domestic use, manufacturing and trade pur- poses, metered 57,466,147
Domestic use, unmetered (estimated) ·
6,700,000
Drinking fountains (estimated) 1,000,000 .
Street sprinkling (estimated)
3,000,000
Fires (estimated)
100,000
Broken mains (estimated) 500,000
Total accounted for
68,766,147
Amount unaccounted for 21,990,077 .
Total pumped · 90,756,224
Percentage of water pumped accounted for .757
Percentage of water pumped unaccounted for .
.243
Percentage of water pumped metered
.633
COST OF MAINTENANCE AND REVENUE
Amount
Cost per 1,000 gallons pumped
Interest on bonds
$5,940 00
.065
Management and repairs
4,761 58
.052
Pumping Station maintenance .
5,111 69
.056
Filter maintenance
·
3,381 09
.037
Received per 1,000 gallons pumped
Receipts from water takers
.214
Total receipts .
.298
211
TABLE SHOWING AMOUNT OF RAIN AND MELTED SNOW FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1917
Day of Month
.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Day of Month
1 ...
.77
.07
.75
1
2 .. . .
.01
.02
.01
.01
4 .. . .
.17
.78
.33
.43
.02
4
5 ....
.88
.64
.64
1.17
.08
6 .. . .
.77
.04
.05
6
7 ....
.19
.09
.10
.10
7
8. . ..
.13
.12
.02
.03
.92
8
9. ..
.09
.27
.18
.02
.90
.16
10 ....
.19
.58
.04
.10
11 ....
.06:
.42
.70
.44
.15
.11
12 ....
.05
.05
.27
.44
.12
13 .. ..
.03
.13
.95
13
14 . ..
.27
.12
.36
.12
.. 15
16 ....
.16
17 ....
.33
1.23
.77
.58
.01
.17
18 ...
.16
.34
·18
19 ....
.32
.03
.55
.19
20 ....
.01
.28
.03
.20
21 .. . .
.38
.20
.05
.06
.21
22 ...
.36
.05
.51
.22
23 . . . .
.22
.09
.02
.01
.06
.23
24 .. ..
.02
.01
2.37
.24
25 .. ..
.01
.04
.25
26 ....
.74
.38
.48
.14
.25
.27
28. .. .
.04
.05
.84
.04
.16
.. 28
29 .. . .
.22
.01
.96
.01
.29
30. . . .
.15
.63
.12
1.23
.60
.30
31 . . . .
.38
.07
.01
31
2.92
2.41
4.18
2.90
4.00
4.78
1.19
3.40
1.46
5.75
1.39
2.65
-
The average rainfall for Massachusetts as deduced by State Department of Health from long continued observa- tions in various parts of the State is 44.62 inches. The rain- fall at Reading Pumping Station in 1917 was 37.03 inches, making a deficiency of 7.59 inches. There was an excess of rainfall in the months of March, May, June and October of 4.10 inches and a deficiency in the other eight months of 11.69.
.26
27 ... .
.09
1.12
.05
.20
. 14
15 ...:
.56
.15
.37
8
2
3 .. . .
.63
5
..
.45
.67
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS -STATE DEPT. OF HEALTH
WATER ANALYSIS - (PARTS IN 100,000)
APPEARANCE
Date of
No.
Collec- tion
Turbidity
Sediment
Color
Free
Albu- mi- noid
Ni- Ni- trates! trites
Oxygen
Consumed
Hardness
Iron
1917
135409 Jan. 24 Slight 135410 Jan. 24 none
Cons. None
Fil.
.011
16.00 15.00
.0380 .0010
.0114 .0020
2.34
.0100 .0080
.0007 .0009
4.2 1.200
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
136078 Mch. 20 Slight
Slight None
Fil.
.52
12.20
.0192
0080
1.72
.0100
.0007
3.4
.250
Filter 'Gallery Filter Weir
136735 May 16 Slight 136736 May 16 None
Cons. None
Fil.
.60 10.00
0150 .0004
.0118 .0062
1.32
.0020
.0000 .0000
2.8 6.8
.440 .012
Filter Gallery tap Filter Weir tap
137692 July 18 Distinct Iron V. Cons. iron Turb. 1.00
137693 July 18 Slight
None
Turb. 27 19.40
.0002
.0156
1.22
.0080
.0000 .0002
8.0
.045
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
138615 Sept. 18 Distinct iron 138616 Sept. 18 None
V. Cons. iron None
.62 13.60
.0184 .0002
.0164 .0042
1.46 .98
.0060 .0070
.0009 .0000
2.0 8.0
.240
Filter Gallery Filter . Weir
139635 Nov. 22 Slight iron 139636 Nov. 23 None
Cons. iron None
Fil.
.35
.0204 .0010
.0138 .0072
.96
.0100
.0000 .0002
3.6 8.0
.018
Filter Gallery Filter Weir
.10
Residue on
Evaporation
AMMONIA
NITROGEN AS
Chlorine
.70
4.4
:. 008
136079 Mch. 20 None
.00
13.40
.0000
.0018
.70
.0040
.0000
4.6
.010
.18 14.40
11.90
.0112
.0206
1.44
.0000
2.6
.320
.11 17.60
.007
1.37
.0080
.260
212
.00
1.06
.0080
213
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1917 In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association
READING WATER WORKS READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
GENERAL STATISTICS
Population by Census of 1915, 6,805.
Date of construction. 1890 and 1891.
By whom owned, Town of Reading.
Source of supply, filter gallery and artesian wells.
Mode of supply (whether gravity or pumping), pumping.
PUMPING STATISTICS
1. Builders of pumping machinery, George F. Blake Man- ufacturing Co. and Platt Iron Works.
r
a Kind, coal
b Brand of coal, New River
2. Description of fuel used
c Average price of coal per gross ton, delivered, $8.75 d Percentage of ash, e Wood, price per cord, $
3. Coal consumed for the year, 563,352 lbs.
4. [Pounds of wood consumed] divided by three equals equivalent amount of coal lbs.
4a Amount of other fuel used
5. Total equivalent coal consumed for the year equals (3) plus (4) lbs.
214
6. Total pumpage for the year, 90,756,224 gallons, with allowance for slip.
7. Average static head against which pumps work, 219.
8. Average dynamic head against which pumps work, 240.
9. Number of gallons pumped per pound of equivalent coal (5), 161.
10. Duty equals gallons pumped (6) × 8.34 (lbs.) x 100 x dynamic head (8) Total fuel consumed (5) equals 32,284,493.
Cost of pumping, figured on pumping station expenses, viz : $4,455.10.
11. Per million gallons pumped, $49.08.
12. Per million gallons raised one foot (dynamic), $90.204.
FINANCIAL STATISTIOS
RECEIPTS
Balance brought forward :
(a) From ordinary (main- tenance) receipts $236 35
(b) From extraordinary . receipts(bonds, etc).
CO Total maintenance . DD Interest on bonds (CC plus DD) 20,135 49
5,940 00
Total $236 35
From Water Rates :
A Fixture rates .
B Meter rates . .
$19,460 08
O Total from consumers
$19,460 08
D For hydrants .
6,030 00
JJ New supply
11,774 43
F For street watering 150 00
J Total from municipal departments.
6,280 00
(aa) Ordinary
L From bond issue .
16,003 20
M From other sources
Rent, interest, etc.
1,367 49
Service pipes . .
646 86
Main pipes .
243 25
EXPENDITURES
Water Works Maintenance :
AA Operation (manage- ment and repairs) . $14,195 49
$14,195 49
EE Payment of bonds 3,000 00
Water Works Construction :
GG Extension of mains 1,234 58
HH Ext. of services 2,375 92 · II Entension of meters . 737 13
E For fountains 100 00
KK Total construction
16,122 06
MM Balance
4,979 68
Total balance
N Total
.
$44,237 23 N Total
$44,237 23
DISPOSITION OF BALANCE - CARRIED TO NEW ACCOUNT
O Net cost of works to date . . .
P Bonded debt at date
Q Value of Sinking Fund to date
R Average rate of interest, 4 per cent
.
. $381,431 34 . 150,000 00
217
STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER
1. Estimated total population at date, 6,855.
2. Estimated population on lines of pipe, 6,800.
3. Estimated population supplied, 6,750.
4. Total consumption for the year, 90,756,224 gallons.
5. Passed through meters, 57,466,147 gallons.
6. Percentage of consumption metered, .633.
7. Average daily consumption, 245,373 gallons.
8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 36.2.
9. Gallons per day to each consumer, 36.8.
10. Gallons per day to each tap, 143.5.
11. Cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance (item CC), $157.27.
12. Total cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance, plus interest on bonds, $223.72.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
MAINS
1. Kind of pipe, cast iron.
2. Sizes, from 6 inch to 12 inch.
3. Extended, 1,030 feet during year.
4. Discontinued, 0 feet during year.
5. Total now in use, 33.39 miles.
6. Cost of repairs per mile, $15.38.
7. Number of leaks per mile, 0.
8. Length of pipe less than 4 inches in diameter, 0 miles.
9 Number of hydrants added during year (public and private), 0.
10. Number of hydrants ( public and private) now in use, 201.
11. Number of stop gates added during year, 5.
12. Number of stop gates now in use, 311.
13. Number of stop gates smaller than 4 inch, 0.
14. £
Number of blow-offs, 14.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 45 lbs. to 90 lbs.
218
SERVICES
16. Kind of pipe, cast iron, galvanized iron, lead and cement lined.
17. Sizes, 3-4 to 6 inches.
18. Extended, 2117 feet.
19. Discontinued, 373 feet.
20. Total now in use. 26.2641 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during year, 28.
22. Number now in use, 1731.
23. Average length of service, 1917, 756 feet.
24. Average cost of service for the year.
25. Number of meters added, 67.
26. Number now in use, 1663.
27. Percentage of services metered, 96.6.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water (B) divided by (C).
29. Number of motors and elevators added, 0.
30. Number now in use, 0.
LEWIS M. BANCROFT, Superintendent.
REPORT OF TOWN OFFICE BUILDING COMMITTEE
TO THE CITIZENS OF READING :
The Special Committee on Town Office Building here- with submit a report of progress.
As a result of reports and recommendations made by former committees the Town voted, at a special meeting held January 8, 1917, to erect an office building for the use of the several municipal departments and officers. A bond issue of $40,000 was authorized to defray the expense of construction. It was also voted to purchase the property of Mrs. Emma F. Brown on Lowell Street, lying between the Grouard and Richardson lots, so-called, already owned by the Town, as a portion of the site for the building. The purchase price for this lot of about 14,000 square feet was $7,750. In relinquishing the property at this time, Mrs. Brown, whose home it was for nearly fifty years, with notable generosity waived her claim to its continued posses- sion which had been guaranteed to her under a previous agreement with the Town.
The Committee employed as architects Messrs. Adden & Parker and George H. Sidebottom who, in collaboration, had drawn the preliminary plans of the building. Final plans and specifications were adopted embodying such minor changes as seemed advisable after further study and consultation with the various departments and boards affected.
Sealed proposals for construction of the building were invited by advertisement, and were publicly opened on May 25, 1917. There were fourteen bids on the general con- tract and seven on the steam heating contract. On June 9 the Committee voted to award the former to James Miles & Sons Company of Worcester, and the latter to Francis Brothers of Reading.
219
220
The contracts awarded by the Committee to date are as follows :
James Miles & Sons Co., general contract . $33,982 00 James Miles & Sons Oo., extra account blasting 227 68
Francis Brothers, heating contract 2,161 50
Herring-Hall-Marvin Co., vault doors 750 00
W. A Snow Co., weather vane 45 00
James Miles & Sons Co., erecting vane 19 00
$37,185 18
Architects' commission, 6% of above 2,231 11
Total
$39,416 29
The Committee received $335 from the sale of buildings on the lot, which amount was turned in to the Town treasury.
Work on the building commenced on June 27, 1917, and has progressed favorably since that time .. We believe that the work under the general contract will be finished in March.
LAY-OUT AND GRADING OF LOT
For advice as to the development and laying-out of the lot upon which the Town Office Building and new Library stand, the Committee secured the services of Warren H. Manning, landscape designer.
At a special Town meeting held October 29, 1917, the Town appropriated the sum of $2640 for carrying out the plan proposed by Mr. Manning, and work was commenced as soon as possible thereafter. Bills contracted to date by the Committee, in this connection, are as follows :
E. C. Hanscom, labor, masons, teams, materials $1,407 72 New England Brick Co., paving brick 250 12
Austin Ford & Sons, bluestone steps 158 50
Warren H. Manning, expenses (actual cost) 45 86
Prentiss & Viall, compensation and liability insurance 76 75
$1,938 95
-
221
Under ordinary circumstances, the work necessary to provide walks and entrances to the buildings would have been completed by January first, but the unseasonably cold weather continuing through December prevented the lay- ing of brick walks and cement work. This must now go over until Spring.
On behalf of the citizens, the Committee wish to ex- press a deep sense of gratitude to Mr. Manning for his advice and counsel. Standing high in his profession, en- gaged in large undertakings in various parts of the country, he gave his time to this need of his old home town, making no charge for his personal services. Once more the Town is in his debt.
FURNITURE AND FITTINGS
The matter of such furniture and fittings for the new building as are not covered by the original plans and con- tracts, was referred to this Committee for report. The re- quirements of the several departments and offices are under consideration, and a report outlining the probable cost and recommendations in connection therewith will be submitted at the annual meeting.
For the convenience of citizens, and as a matter of record, plans of the new building are appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES P. CARLETON, Chairman EDGAR O. DEWEY
GILMAN L. PARKER JOHN F. TURNER
CARL M. SPENCER, Secretary
Town Office Building Com.
222
EXIT HALL
SELECTMEN
TREAS & ACCOUNTNT
HEARING ROOM '1
PUBLIC SPACE
PUBLIC SPACE
STAIRCASE
YEST.
LAST COPRIJOR
W. CORRIDOR F
VAVLT
VAULT
HALL
PUBLIC SPACE
PUBLIC
SPACE
ILEC.LIGUTOETT
TAX
COLLECTOR
MGR'S OFFICE
VEST
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
JEWER DEP'T.
WATER DEPT.
PUBLIC
SPACE
Ve
VAVIT
FAULT
VAULT
PUBLIC
SPACE
HEALTH
ANTE RM.
ASSESSORS
CEMETERY BAS
LANDING
.
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
CLOS
PASSAGE MaisTower .
HEARING ROOM " 2
CORRIDOR
STAILCASE HALL
TOWN CLERK
223
SOUTH CORLITOL
JAN
10
MEN'S
CION
TOILET
BOILER ROOM.
COAL
METER & LAMP RM.
CLO1.
PASSAGE
BROTTLIK
CLOS
CLOS
CLOSE
STAIRCASE HALL UP
WEST CORRIDOR
VAULT
APPLIANCE& SHOW RM. LLEG LIGHT DEPT.
SEALER OF WTS. & MEAS.
UNASSIGNED
UNPACKING ROOM
DASEMENT PLAN
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the follow- ing report :
Mindful of the necessity, under present conditions, of avoiding unnecessary expense for paper and printing, we shall restrict our statements within narrow limits, present- ing, however, the essential financial and statistical facts.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
The Trustees organized at the beginning of the year by the choice of Mr Wadlin as Chairman and of Mr. Mansfield as Secretary.
EXPENSES OF THE LIBRARY
The receipts for the year were :
Appropriation, direct tax, present year
$2,750 00
Re-appropriated from previous year
100 00
$2,850 00
EXPENDED
Salaries (librarian, assistant, and care-
taker)
$531 12
Books
457 05
Periodicals
76 60
Binding .
8 52
Fuel and care of heater
193 79
Rent (including $351.32 rent and taxes of 1916)
901 32
Lighting
27 88
Printing
.
48 25
Minor supplies and expenses
.
28 41
$2,272 94
Balance unexpended
$577 06
$2,850 00
224
225
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
Volumes in Library, close of 1916 9,364
Volumes purchased, including replacements
327
Received by gift
72
9,763
Worn out and not yet replaced
329
Total number of volumes, Dec. 31, 1917
9,434
USE OF THE LIBRARY
Volumes borrowed for home use 27,275
Increase over previous year
852
Largest monthly circulation, March
3,284
Smallest, July
1,851
Number of new borrowers registered
366
The Librarian reports :
"A somewhat larger number of books has been dis- carded than usual, many of which need not be replaced as they are mostly old fiction not in demand.
"The story-hour for children was continued during the winter months (subsequent to January 1st) with as much interest shown in this, its third season, as in the first.
"The Woman's Educational Association lent to the library in the autumn months a collection of books and pic- tures relating to Venice."
THE LIBRARY WAR FUND
In September, the Trustees of the Library, acting as the local library War Council, under the direction of the Ameri- can Library Association, authorized by the United States War Department, participated in the effort to raise a fund by national subscriptions, for the establishment and main- tainence of libraries for the use of our soldiers and sailors in the various cantonments and camps and on shipboard. To our appeal the citizens of Reading generously responded, the total amount subscribed here being $527.15, a sum in excess of our apportioned quota. The full amount subscribed in the United States exceeded $1,500,000; including a sub-
226
scription from the Carnegie Cooperation covering the cost of buildings; and since October the work for which the fund was established has gone forward as fast as the complex details involved could be reduced to a practical basis. Buildings have been erected and put in operation in virtu- ally every cantonment, books and periodicals have been provided for them, and skilled supervision, largely by volunteer workers, has been secured. Besides the money raised here for the fund, the librarian reports that 277 volumes and many magazines have been given to the lib- rary during the year, for our soldiers, about one-half being sent to Camp Devens, and the remainder sent through the State Library Commission for use at other camps.
THE NEW BUILDING
Unforeseen delays have interfered with the progress of the new building. Some of these have been due to war conditions which have retarded the delivery of materials and diminished the supply of labor. The chief delay how- ever was caused by the failure of the principal contractor, requiring various adjustments and subsequent re-contract- ing. A new contract with the James Miles & Sons Company has at last brought the building forward so that it is now nearly completed. The early approach of severe winter weather, halting work on paths and grading, delays in the procuring of furnishings, the coal shortage, and other minor interruptions, operating together, have made it inexpedient to open the building until early (it is hoped) in the coming season.
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