USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1919 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
1911
900
11
10
9
90
11 .
III .
..
IV .
Margaret Whittier ...
Salem Normal
1916
750
9
9
8
90
3
3
3
90
9
8
8
98
..
.
III.
II.
...
....
11 .
IV. ..
. . .
. .
III.
Helen G. Quinlan ..
21
21
19
90
IV.
II.
I .
V ..
Glenna Dow
27
21
18
94
VI .
I11
Olive S. Perry .
36
35
32
95
IV
....
JI . ..
. .
.. .
III .
VI
.
20
18
:0
. .
.. .
.. .
V ..
Elizabeth S. Stembridge . ....
6
4
4
90
4
3
3
90
. .
V ..
VI .
Cora Abbott . ..
10
8
7
90
Annie W. Quillen.
19
18
17
94
26
24
23
96
Wheelock Training.
.6
..
Connecticut State Normal
Bridgewater Normal
11
10
Caryl M. Porter
... .
IV.
.
Membership
238
21
239
LIST OF JANITORS WITH THEIR SALARIES, DECEMBER 31, 1919
per week
High-Clement Gleason
$20.00
per year $1,040.00
Center-Union St .- David W. Pigueron
15.00
780.00
Highland-Jesse N. Hutchinson
20.00
1,040.00
High-Mrs. Ara Pratt
15.00
780.00
per month
Lowell St .- Sylvanus L. Thompson
$25.00
$ 300.00
Prospect St .- Fernando O. Wyman
25.00
300.00
Chestnut Hill-Joseph Farpelha
20.00
200.00
Grouard House-C. H. Stinchfield
8.50
102.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE EXPENDITURES, CLASSIFIED
Appropriation requested for 1920
Expended 1919
Expended 1918
Expended 1917
GENERAL ACCOUNT :
$ 71,500.00
1. Teachers' and Supt's Salaries
$47,609.71
$42,759.16
$39,232.95
5,750.00
2. Janitors' Salaries
4,359.75
4,056.75
3,478.00
1,350.00
3. Other Salaries
Attendance Officer
350.00
250.00
120.00
Medical Inspection
100.00
150.00
200.00
450.00
400.00
320.00
3,200.00
4.
Transportation of Pupils
1,834.75
1,034.00
1,394.40
100.00
5. School Tuition
43.85
104.00
135.16
2,250.00
6. Books
2,259.64
1,460.17
2,057.08
3,000.00
7.
Supplies for Pupils
2,877.83
2,799.91
3,681.83
500.00
8.
Apparatus for Teaching
630.01
529.83
855.90
500.00
9. General Expense
550.00
9. General Expense
Printing and Advertising
60.54
3.39
130.15
Office Supplies
217.06
186.64
67.63
Telephones
325.28
253.01
313.14
Graduation, Miscellaneous
311.44
84.05
22.00
Supt's Expense .
Lectures, Public Meetings
Insurance
245.10
914.32
. 772.19
532.92
·
SCHOOL COMMITTEE EXPENDITURES (Continued)
6,500.00
10. Fuel
6,575.53
6,160.17
4,213.23
1,800.00
11. Building Maintenance
Gas and Electricity
495.92
408.12
508.35
Water
371.15
437.30
342.41
Trucking, etc.
475.07
225.79
180.54
Janitor's Supplies
487.95
511.51
795.90
L
3,500.00
12. Repairs
Buildings
2,398.70
2,500.55
2,052.98
Furniture
631.35
356.94
479.85
Grounds
297.90
145.57
198.28
3,327.95
3,003.06
2,722.11
$72,713.43
$64,661.96
$60,450.78
Receipts not from tax levy
received
$1,186.93
due
1,940.50
2,427.43
2,531.30
1,161.00
$ 97,450.00
Net Cost
$70,286.00
$62,130.66
$59,299.78
AGRICULTURAL ACCOUNT :
$
4,240.00
1. Teachers' and Supt's salaries ..
3,460.00
3,056.33
3,058.63
560.00
2. Janitors, Light, Fuel, Repairs ....
602.50
622.33
445.03
450.00
3. Books, Apparatus, Supplies ....
723.31
723.74
895.07
$ 5,250.00.
4,785.81
4,402.46
4,398.73
.
$100,450.00 3,000.00
1,830.09
1,582.72
1,827.20
SCHOOL COMMITTEE EXPENDITURES (Continued)
Expended 1919
Expended 1918
Expended 1917
Receipts not from tax levy
received
$2,362.46
due . .
273.00
2,648.96
2,421.85
2,638.58
2,000.00 $
Net Cost
$2,136.85
$1,980.61
$1,760.15
INDUSTRIAL TUITION ACCOUNT:
$
150.00
Tuition paid
80.25
205.34
195.65
Reimbursement from State
97.81
168.73
Net Cost
$107.53
$26.90
Appropriation requested for 1920 3,250.00
243
DETAIL OF EXPENDITURES, 1919- GENERAL SCHOOL ACCOUNT
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS :
Eastern Mass. St. Ry. (Bay State)
$ 1,070.00
C. A. Adams
180.00
H. Fifield
93.75
R. M. Wilkins
401.00
Woburn & Reading Buss Line . . 90.00
$ 1,834.75
TUITION :
Middlesex County
43.85
BOOKS:
J. Q. Adams & Company 10.26
Allyn & Bacon
89.32
American Book Company
95.17
American City
4.00
American Red Cross
.28
American Express Company
6.34
D. Appleton & Company
15.20
Edw. E. Babb & Company
392.54
F. J. Barnard & Company
48.65
Esther L. Binsky
16.11
Milton Bradley Company
90.27
Cummings' Express
.
4.00
De Wolfe & Fiske Company
.63
Oliver Ditson Company
131.86
Ginn & Company .
.
.
86.60
J. L. Hammett Company
10.27
Harvard Co-operative Society, Inc.
5.04
D. C. Heath & Company
96.04
Mrs. Sidney Horne
8.00
Houghton, Mifflin Company
24.41
Iroquois Publishing Company
1.33
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
.53
The Latin Game Company
1.95
Charles E. Lauriat Company
7.97
J. B. Lippincott Company
16.80
Little, Brown & Company
53.35
Longmans, Greene & Company
1.04
Lyons & Carnahan
13.51
The Macmillan Company
41.76
H. M. Meek Publishing Company
15.00
G. & C. Merriam Company
36.00
Miles & Parris 2.00
.
.
.
471.81
Gregg Publishing Company
.
244
National Express Company
1.63
Thos. Nelson & Sons
25.00
Old Corner Book Store
51.65
The Palmer Company
2.00
The A. N. Palmer Company
9.38
J. W. Pepper & Son
6.60
Benj. H. Sanborn & Company
158.04
Charles Scribner's Sons
10.20
Silver, Burdett & Company
13.88
University of Chicago Press
14.50
Warick & York, Inc.
86.40
Wilkins, Potter Press
22.14
H. W. Wilson Company
6.00
World Book Company
. . .
$ 2,259.64
SUPPLIES FOR PUPILS
Adams Company
7.64
American Book Company
10.18
American Express Company
22.79
Amigraph Company
1.42
Andrews Paper Company
80.00
Atlantic Chemical Company
9.22
G. H. Atkinson Company
1.10
Edw. E. Babb & Company
456.17
J. W. Bailey & Sons Company
8.35
W. Bancroft & Company
9.89
Barker Lumber Company
73.18
Milton Bradley Company
415.33
Central Scientific Company
10.91
Cummings' Express Company
30.77
A. W. Danforth
2.25
Ginn & Company
14.90
Farley, Harvey & Company
3.75
J. L. Hammett Company
614.44
Hodson Brothers
16.65
Howe & French
53.27
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins
36.69
L. E. Knott Apparatus Company
194.47
H. B. McArdle
56.15
E. A. Meekins
50.00
Charles E. Merrill Company
3.76
H. M. Meserve & Company
3.40
National Case & Carton Company
9.00
Northern Commission Company
7.00
National Express Company
18.79
Palmer & Parker Company
67.89
54.18
-
245
Robey-French Company
2.70
Rockport Fish Company
3.65
The Song Shop
2.00
Wadsworth, Howland & Co., Inc.
12.71
F. Wallace
351.96
Whitall, Tatum Company . 34.61
4.50
A. J. Wilkinson & Company
33.65
W. H. Willis
$ 2,877.83
SUPPLIES FOR TEACHING :
O. Ditson & Company
5.00
Ginn & Company
3.27
B. L. Makepeace
69.30
The Metcalf Store
4.20
Neostyle Sales Agency
6.50
Wm. Read & Sons, Inc.
22.09
Remington Typewriter Company
5.79
Ribbon Life Company
2.50
Royal Typewriter Company
437.50
Standard Envelope Sealer Mfg. Co.
47.50
A. G. Spaulding & Brothers
1.75
A. J. Wilkinson & Company
24.26
$ 630.01
GENERAL EXPENSE :
Printing and Advertising :
Edw. E. Babb & Company .. $ 60.54
F. J. Barnard & Company ..
3.61
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
47.41
Office Supplies, Stationery, etc. :
Allen, Doane & Company ..
19.20
American Book Company
8.00
Edw. E. Babb & Company ..
11.76
F. J. Barnard & Company ..
.75
Library Bureau
6.08
H. B. McArdle
38.05
Macey-Morris Company
19.90
Manifold Mfg. Company .. 37.16
H. M. Meserve & Company
11.00
Thorp & Martin
2.85
W. E. & J. F. Twombly 60.25
Wright & Potter Printing Co. 2.06 $ 217.06
$ 60.54
Telephones : N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co. .. 325.28
246
Graduation and Miscellaneous:
Edw. E. Babb & Company .. 43.28
Peter Becker 6.75
M. F. Charles 6.45
Cummings' Express
1.50
Edgerley & Bessom
3.50
Kempton Art Shop
2.00
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins 49.23
Knox & Morris Company 60.95
Macey-Morris Company
10.50
Reformatory for Women . ..
32.43
Royal Typewriter Company ·
1.00
A. L. Safford
31.35
F. Wallace
24.00
R. H. White Company
14.05
Wright & Ditson
6.25
Mary U. Yaffee
18.20
$ 311.44
$ 914.32
FUEL :
W. Bancroft & Company
206.26
Municipal Light Board
5,107.10
P. N. Sweetser
1,245.17
Charles Wakefield
17.00
$ 6,575.53
BUILDING MAINTENANCE:
Gas and Electricity :
Malden & Melrose G. L. Co. 57.60
Municipal Light Board
438.32
$ 495.92
Water:
Reading Water Works .
371.15
Trucking, etc .:
J. W. Borthwick 7.75
Cummings' Express
29.22
A. L. Greene
5.00
E. C. Hanscom 4.00
J. Scott Parker
27.82
P. J, Seaman
.75
P. N. Sweetser
400.53
Janitors' Supplies :
G. H. Atkinson Company . . 11.51
Cudahy Packing Company . . 29.00
H. I. Dallman Company .
100.59
475.07
247
Hodson Brothers 9.15
George T. Johnson Company
14.00
Mass. State Prison
32.00
Masury-Young Company
112.60
Metcalf Store
15.34
Milton Bradley Company
54.00
George W. Reinhardt Co. .
. ..
13.50 ·
S. R. Stembridge
18.62
Stone & Forsyth Company .
32.50
Talbot Chem. Company .
10.50
F. Wallace
9.52
G. H. Worcester & Company
34.12
1
487.95
$ 1,830.09
REPAIRS :
Buildings:
Allen Shade Holder Company
137.27
Edw. E. Babb & Company ..
10.87
W. Bancroft & Company . . ..
23.00
Brooks, Gill & Company
24.00
E. H. Chapin
4.50
R. D. Clapp
152.99
Clapp & Leach
17.38
Cummings' Express
3.35
L. T. Eames
2.00
T. C. Fife
310.80
Francis Brothers
138.75
Hodge Boiler Works
284.28
Hodson Brothers
674.30
J. N. Hutchinson
.95
Pettengell-Andrews Company
82.26
Stewart & Robertson
491.54
A. J. Wilkinson & Company .
36.97
Furniture :
Edw. E. Babb & Company ..
73.00
Billings, Chapin Company
18.90
M. F. Charles
18.60
Cummings' Express
4.50
J. L. Hammett Company . . . .
60.00
Sam'l Pierce Organ Pipe Co.
1.75
Daniel Pratt's Sons
7.00
Estey Organ Company
34.00
Heywood Bros. & Wake. Co.
249.95
Macey-Morris Company 139.65
Edw. B. Nye
6.50
2,398.70
248
Woburn Carpet Clean'g Works 17.50
631.35
Grounds:
R. P. Burgess
68.00
F. W. Crosby
3.50
M. Devaney
137.60
E. C. Hanscom
76.25
W. Pierpont
1.50
F. W. Nelson
2.00
J. L. Weston
9.15
297.90
$ 3,327.95
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL ACCOUNT:
City of Boston
$ 23.25
Town of Wakefield
57.00
$ 80.25
AGRICULTURAL ACCOUNT
BOOKS:
Allyn & Bacon
$ 6.72
D. Appleton & Co.
3.69
Edw. E. Babb & Company
104.20
S. E. Bilik
2.00
De Wolfe & Fiske Company
7.26
J. B. Lippincott Company
6.19
Little, Brown & Company
4.80
Macmillan Company
10.28
Market Growers' Journal
3.00
Old Corner Book Store, Inc.
23.25
Orange Judd Company
3.10
Benj. H. Sanborn & Company
1.05
Silver, Burdett & Company
4.35
The Survey
4.00
Webb Publishing Company
1.45
$ 185.34
SUPPLIES FOR PUPILS :
Adams Company
1.91
Atlantic Chemical Company
22.75
Fottler, Fiske & Rawson
2.75
Ralph Harris & Company
3.64
Hodson Brothers
.50
H. B. McArdle
24.00
F. M. Page
.64
F. F. Smith
.90
F. Wallace
6.39
$ 63.48
249
APPARATUS FOR TEACHING:
Adder Machine Company
56.26
Amigraph Company 21.35
W. Bancroft & Company
4.25
Joseph Breck & Sons
1.50
Brooks, Gill & Company
15.00
George Cell
150.00
Charles M. Cox
40.00
Oliver Ditson & Company
4.70
Fottler, Fiske & Rawson Company
16.59
Frost & Adams Company
3.00
J. L. Hammett Company
36.62
William Hannaford
6.00
Ralph Harris & Company
1.56
Houghton, Mifflin Company
58.99
Howe & French
15.80
Robey-French Company
7.21
Spaulding-Moss Company
10.80
A. J. Wilkinson & Co.
1.01
GENERAL EXPENSE:
Macey-Morris Company
92.88
Newcomb & Gauss
10.22
Royal Typewriter Company
2.25
Standard Electric Time Company
25.46
$ 130.81
BUILDING MAINTENANCE:
Malden & Melrose G. L. Company
17.10
Municipal Light Board
29.80
New England Tel. & Tel. Company
8.51
$ 55.41
REPAIRS :
Burgess & Blacher
242.66
Stewart & Robertson
92.12
$ 334.78
.
$ 474.43
-
250
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
BOARD OF SELECTMEN, READING, MASSACHUSETTS.
GENTLEMEN-Herewith I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1919. The work of the Town Counsel for the past year has been mostly of an advisory capacity, there having been an unusual number of requests for written opinions in practically all of the different departments of the town. The increasing number of such written opinions is gradually building up a body of reference which ought to be of great value and assistance to the different depart- ments as time goes by. It is hardly necessary to make any further comment in this report to that phase of my work.
LITIGATION
The only litigation in which the town was involved during the past year was the case of Batchelder vs. the Town of Reading, which has been pending for several years in the Middlesex Superior Court. The suit is to recover damages alleged to have been caused by the negligence of employees of the Moth Department in leaving down the bars to a certain field so that the plaintiff's cattle had access thereto and in eating grass sprayed with poison suffered the damage complained of. On behalf of the town I filed a demurrer to this com- plaint which was sustained by the Court at a hearing in Lowell last fall. Guaranteeing the outcome of litigation is most hazardous, although I feel that the town will ultimately prevail in this case; I do not, at the same time, hesitate to recommend a reasonable adjust- ment. Counsel for plaintiff has informed me that the matter can be settled for $400.00. I think this matter should be referred to the town by incorporating a special article in the warrant therefor at the next annual meeting.
JITNEYS
There are jitneys, so-called, now operating in the town and without adequate security being given to cover damages to passen- gers. This adequate security can be obtained only by having the town accept the "Jitney Act" so-called, and adopt regulations rela- tive to the operations of jitneys. It seems to me that this is a matter that ought to receive early consideration.
251
BUDGET
I have been called upon to render opinions as to the propriety of paying certain warrants drawn against their appropriations by different departments. I have been handicapped in rendering a full, definite, and governing opinion through the generality with which appropriations are made at the annual meeting. The remedy for this is a segregated budget; each appropriation, unless in itself specific, should be divided showing exactly what part is to consti- tute salary, if any, and what part shall be merely for expenses and the class of expenses. The adoption of such a budget, in my opinion, would be of distinct advantage in the handling of town finances.
BY-LAWS
Section 2 of Article 1 of the By-Laws of the town should be amended by striking out all of the first paragraph thereof beginning "Notice of every adjourned town meeting before which any pro- posed reconsideration is to come,".
I recommend this on account of the occurrence at the last annual meeting at which I entertained a motion for reconsideration without requiring publication of notice as set forth in that portion of the by-law referred to. I did this because the attorney general specifically refused to approve of this treatment of "reconsidera- tion," but inadvertently failed to cross it out in red ink on the official copy submitted by him. This matter should be corrected by action of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE W. MORTON, Town Counsel. February 3, 1920.
252
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
TO THE CITIZENS OF TOWN OF READING:
Your Board of Sewer Commissioners submit the following report for the year 1919 :
In February, the Board was assured by the Metropolitan Water and Sewer Board of the early completion of their part of their con- nection over Bear Hill which would make the sewers already con- structed usable, so deemed it expedient to construct additional sewers in certain streets of the town.
Accordingly, the Board asked for authority to do this, at the special town meeting called in May, at which time $40,000 was asked for to meet the expense of same.
This appropriation was recommended by the Finance Committee and the meeting voted to authorize the construction of additional sewers in certain streets, also $5,000 for connecting estates with public sewers in accordance with Chapter 49 of the Revised Laws.
These connections were to be made in advance of certain per- manent street construction as proposed by the Highway Department.
On Oct. 20th, a contract was signed with A. Michelini to make certain house connections. After conferring with the Highway De- partment, it was decided to put in the house connections in High Street, from Washington to Haven, also in Main, from Washington through Reading Square to Woburn Street, as these were two of the streets which the Highway Department proposed to permanently reconstruct in 1920.
The connections in these two locations have been laid as far as the curb and the backfill over them should be well settled by spring.
The additional lines authorized will provide for the sewering of all the public buildings and schoolhouses, also a large part of the thickly-settled portion of the town together with that location where cesspools overflow.
Chapter 159, Section 5, of the Act providing for the addition of the Town of Reading to the North Metropolitan Sewer District, pro- vides that the assessment on account of maintenance requirements
253
of the North Metropolitan Sewerage District shall be made on the Town of Reading in the calendar year in which its sewers shall be connected with the North Metropolitan System.
As this connection will be made within the present calendar year it is expedient financially that we should have as much of our system constructed as possible when this connection is made.
The work of constructing the connection from Reading to Stoneham, by the state, is progressing favorably, more than three- fourths of the entire distance being completed.
The temporary pumping station in Summer Avenue and the short balance of pipe line is about all that remains to be constructed. This, the State Engineers assure us, barring unusual or unforeseen conditions, will be completed this summer so that it is reasonable to expect that the Reading sewers will be in operation within the coming season.
In view of this fact, your Sewer Commissioners consider it important that additional sewers be constructed in streets where immediate improved sanitary conditions are required and that the work of constructing the same be begun as early in the Spring as weather will permit, so that they may be completed by the time the State has its station operating.
The Board proposes to construct such lines as were authorized by the Town at the meeting held in June, 1919, together with such additional streets as it deems necessary.
With the proposed additional streets there will be $165,000 worth of sewers constructed on bond issue against an allowable bond issue of $200,000 on which former amount assessments will be levied amounting to approximately $50,000, which amount can be used for paying interest, paying bonds or making extensions.
With the construction of these additional sewers it is the opinion of the Board that a sufficient amount of the system will have been constructed to provide for the present needs. Any future ex- tension which may become necessary can be constructed from the sewer assessments.
The Board of Sewer Commissioners recommend that additional sewers already authorized be constructed this year in order to have the major part of the system completed and operating when the State assessment is levied; also that these streets may be ready for highway improvements when it is desired to make same.
Appended is the financial statement of this department for the fiscal year:
254
EXPENDED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Unexpended balance of 1918 bond issue for construction
Boston Iron Co., M. H. castings
$ 769.08
Warren Bros. Co., joint composition
20.75
Inspector
50.00
Bruno & Pettiti, construction
2,351.35
Fred F. Smith, 24" pipe
198.00
Bruno & Pettiti, construction
276.62
Express
.68
Unexpended
. . . ...
46.79
$3,713.27
$3,713.27
GENERAL EXPENSE
Appropriated
$ 325.00
EXPENDED
W. E. & J. F. Twombly
$ 20.65
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
34.28
Yawman & Erbe Mfg. Co.
19.55
Salaries
225.00
P. O. Box rent
3.00
Incidental expense
6.68
Unexpended
15.84
$ 325.00
$ 325.00
JOHN W. OWEN, C. E., Chairman CHARLES R. HERRICK, C. E., Secretary EDWARD J. DAHILL, C. E. Reading Sewer Commissioners
February 10, 1920.
$3,713.27
255
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report:
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
Following is a condensed financial statement:
Appropriations, direct tax, present year
$3,000.00
Balance from 1918 96.23
$3,096.23
EXPENDED
Salaries: Librarian, assistants and janitor $1,085.86
Books and periodicals, including re-binding 995.89
Printing and stationery, etc.
· 83.01
Fuel (including $134.38 carried over against outstanding bill)
361.92
Lighting
90.33
Repairs, including new shelving, etc.
175.35
Express and miscellaneous supplies (including bills, $96.23, brought forward)
161.23
$2,953.59
Balance unexpended
$ 142.64
Late in the year we expected to pay for constructing and placing concrete stepping stones in the foot path across the front of the building to connect with the new brick walk at the Municipal Building, and money was reserved for that purpose. After the brick walk was completed, however, it was found impracticable to under- take our work on account of the approach of cold weather. An agree- ment to have it done lies over until spring, and the sum of $75 should be re-appropriated out of the unexpended balance, (or transferred to the library account for 1920) in order that it may be paid for with- out encroaching upon the appropriation for the maintenance of the library during the coming year; since we have kept our estimate at the lowest possible point. We point to the unexpended balance of the present year, as evidence that, as previously, we shall conduct the
256
affairs of the library with due economy, and spend no more than may be needed out of any appropriation that may be made.
In the Spring we propose to place on the front lawn near the sidewalk a much-needed sign showing the hours the library is open, with possibly other appropriate display features.
ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY
Volumes in library, close of 1918 9,736
Volumes bought, including replacements 632
Received by gift 109
10,477
Worn out and not yet replaced
212
Total number of volumes Dec. 31, 1919 10,265
USE OF THE LIBRARY
Volumes borrowed for home use 32,623
Increase over previous year 3,900
Largest monthly circulation, March 3,808
Smallest, June
2,116
Number of new borrowers registered 518
The amount collected for fines for over-detention of books bor- rowed was $169.19. This sum, which is regarded as income of the library and to be considered as reducing to that extent its annual cost, is turned into the town treasury. It should be remembered also that the amount of the dog tax. received into the treasury offsets under the statute a similar amount appropriated for the library, and to that extent reduces its net cost to the taxpayers directly.
Of the new volumes purchased, fiction for adult readers number 133; books other than fiction for adults, 217; books for young read- ers, 134. The replacement of worn-out books for adults, number 30; and for young readers, 118.
A considerable number of books on technical subjects has been bought, as proposed in our report last year; also books for use in connection with the work of our teachers in promoting the reading of pupils in the schools. We have also bought regularly, month by month, books upon subjects of current interest.
The books for young readers have been carefully selected for the ages in the different grades, as determined by experts. Some of the gaps in our files of standard literature have also been filled.
There was never a time when books discussing the pressing ques- tions of the day were in greater demand than now. Books relating to economics and industrial topics generally, and those upon matters of civic policy incidental to the period of re-adjustment following the great war, are needed in the wise settlement of current problems, and these the public library can supply.
257
In directing readers to the best sources of information on such topics, the library, as we stated last year, offers its assistance; and we again call attention to the possibility of obtaining books of certain kinds through our library, from other sources of supply, in case of need by students or others.
During the year we have shelved the store room in the basement of the building for the reception of certain volumes rarely consulted, and for newspaper and periodical files. We propose to continue the re-classifying of the books in the main collection on the open shelves, a work begun during the year, carrying this forward at such time as the Librarian may give to it, employing her present Assistant to a greater extent than formerly, and by this plan keeping the ex- pense of the work as low as possible. The discarding of old volumes no longer useful may be continued in this connection, leaving space on the shelves for new accessions.
The Librarian reports as follows:
"The attraction of the new building and the increased hours of service have helped to make a good increase in circulation. Although the number of gifts is less than during the preceding year, the resi- dents of Reading, have shown their interest by giving 80 books dur- ing the year.
"The story-hour for children was held as usual on Saturday mornings during January, February and March. The Library Hall has also been used by the Current Events Class and for other activi- ties of the Reading Woman's Club; also by the Girl Scouts Council, and the Playground and Chatauqua Committees.
The Woman's Educational Association (of Massachusetts) lent the Library in February a set of pictures on "Grandmothers' Gowns," which was exhibited for a month."
The increased use of the Library shown by the statistics and re- ferred to by the Librarian, is evidence of progress. The circulation was never so large as it is now, and we expect it to increase, and that many of our citizens who have not yet taken borrower's cards will do so. Especially we are confident that the closer relation between the schools and the library, already seen and certain to grow more in- timate, will bring to it readers who will continue in after years the use of books begun while in school.
THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
The American Library Association whose library service during the war was so much appreciated that it is now being taken over by the Government as a basis for permanent library systems in the army and navy, is now contemplating wider activities under peace.
This Association is the professional association with which libra- rians and public libraries throughout the country are connected. Its enlarged programme of operations points to a time when books will be freely accessible to every man, woman and child in America. It
258
believes, as all friends of the public library believe, that the stability of any country depends on the intelligence of its people,-in the edu- cation of its people, and that in this education libraries are essential. It contemplates the promotion of free libraries where they do not now exist, and the cultivation of the library spirit in the public, where such libraries are already established. It hopes, by publicity, to ex- tend the vocational use of books, to strengthen the spirit of American- ism, through reading on American History, social problems and other subjects a knowledge of which, makes for intelligent citizenship and for American habits of living. It has in view other legitimate fields of effort. Under sane, cultivated and enthusiastic leadership, sup- ported by the faithful and devoted men and women in library ser- vice everywhere in the United States it puts itself behind a great forward movement in the library field, and proposes, unselfishly and without other reward than the excellence of its work, to undertake a great public service.
In this service it relies for its funds on the contributions of the public. It has no other means of support, for the members of the library profession are not rich, and for the most part are working for inadequate salaries, barely sufficient, in these days, to enable them to live. It is engaging in a nation-wide campaign of publicity. To its appeal for funds when made we hope our citizens will find it possible to respond as generously, and in the same spirit, as in its war work campaign in which Reading shared.
ESTIMATES FOR 1920
Mindful of the demands likely to be made for necessary appro- priations at the annual town meeting, we keep our estimates for the coming year within the sum appropriated last year, asking however for the re-appropriation of $75 (part of our unexpended balance) for the reason previously given. We could easily (and profitably) use a larger sum. But this year we refrain from presenting a larger bud- get. We trust that the way will be clear, under the circumstances, for appropriating the sum named. The expense of the library, as we cannot refrain from once more pointing out, is fractional when com- pared with the entire expenses of the town and affects but slightly anybody's tax bill.
We estimate for maintenance during 1920:
Salaries
$1,200.00
Heat and Light 500.00
Books, periodicals and other library equipment, including re-binding
1,000.00
Stationery and other small supplies 150.00
Minor miscellaneous expenses
150.00
Total
$3,000.00
259
We estimate the receipts of the Department, to be turned into the treasury of the town, at $175.
CONCLUSION
We acknowledge the faithful service of Miss Bertha L. Brown, Librarian; that of Miss Grace Abbott, her assistant; and of those who have rendered minor assistance during the year. Mr. Stinchfield also has been helpful and efficient always, as janitor.
Two vacancies are to be filled at the town meeting, the terms of Mr. Frank C. Carter and Miss Fannie C. Whittemore, expiring.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE G. WADLIN, Chairman ARTHUR N. MANSFIELD, Sec'y CHARLES F. DOUGHTY RALPH S. KENEELY FRANK C. CARTER
FANNIE C. WHITTEMORE
Trustees.
Adopted as the Report of the Trustees
Feb. 3, 1920.
500 467 1
200
470
¢
525
INDEX
PAGE
Board of Assessors
77
Building Inspector
194
Board of Health
135
Cemetery Trustees
133
Chief of Fire Department
72
Chief of Police
66
Collector
74
Electric Light Commissioners
137
Forest Warden
76
Inspector of Animals
195
Inspector of Milk
69
Inspector of Plumbing
134
Inspector of Wires
64
Overseers of the Poor
136
Planning Board
197
Public Library
255
School Committee
201
Sealer of Weights and Measures
70
Selectmen
49
Sewer Commissioners
252
Superintendent of Fire Alarm
196
Superintendent of Streets
62
Town Accoutant
79
Town Clerk, Town Meetings
8
Town Clerk, Dogs Licensed
34
Town Clerk, Births Registered
35
Town Clerk, Marriages Registered
40
Town Clerk, Deaths Registered'
45
Town Officers
3
Treasurer
190
Town Counsel
250-
Water Commissioners
171
ـم
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.