USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1941 > Part 17
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1,265 lights were installed and the cost to the department was $238.40.
GARAGE
The Department operates 14 automobiles, of which 8 are trucks and 6 passenger type.
The average cost per mile for the operation of all the cars was 4.832 cents and the total mileage was 138,680 miles.
210
Details of expenses are shown in the table below :
Gasoline
$ 1,362.16 50.49
Oil
Tires and Repairs 1,283.49
Labor 2,070.32
Insurance
765.14
Depreciation
1,170.00
Total
$ 6,701.60
Under authority granted at the annual meeting in March, 1941 an addition to the garage and stock room 60 by 641/2 feet has been construc- ted, and provides much needed space for the automobiles and materials.
George H. Sidebottom was engaged to prepare the plans and speci- fications.
The foundation work, filling, grading, concrete floor and apron, also the electrical work was done by employees of the Department. The contract for the construction of the building was let to William A. Cann Company of Lexington, this company being the lowest responsible bid- der.
The heating system was installed by Edward Lappin.
The cost of the building as completed was $12,556.37, $10,000.00 of which was borrowed by vote of the Town and the balance of the cost was paid from the Depreciation Fund.
The principal items of cost are shown in the following schedule : William A. Cann Co .- contract $ 6,552.00
William A. Cann Co .- extras 720.72
Edward Lappin-installing heating
322.00
Boyd Weatherproofing Service-sandblasting
75.00
Municipal Light Department-labor 2,500.14
Municipal Light Department-materials 1,893.51
George H. Sidebottom-Architect
493.00
Total Cost $ 12,556.37
LAMP AND APPLIANCE DEPARTMENT
The net sales in this department were $70,825.12, the largest in the history of the plant. 1,289 items of merchandise were sold to the users of our service, among which were 258 ranges, 205 refrigerators, 33 water heaters, 93 washing machines, 92 flat irons, and 110 portable lamps.
It is estimated that as a result of these sales the annual revenue from the additional kilowatt hours sold should be about $16,000.00.
The appropriation for this department was $12,000.00 and the net expense as itemized below was $6,403.02.
211
STATEMENT OF MERCHANDISE REVENUE AND EXPENSE
For the Year Ending December 31, 1941
SALES OF APPLIANCES a/ 560
$ 73,825.79
Deduct-RETURNS AND ALLOWANCES
3,000.67
NET SALES
70,825.12
COST OF APPLIANCES SOLD
51,235.89
GROSS PROFIT
19,589.23
Deduct-EXPENSES:
Rent
2,459.78
Payroll
8,146.30
Commissions
4,962.38
Express and Trucking
378.05
Store Expense
131.74
Sales Expense
347.93
Automobile Expense
152.10
Advertising-Merchandise
2,116.96
Demonstrations and Exhibits
44.87
Cost of Installations
5,409.41
Inventory Adjustments
1,843.41
Uncollectible Accounts
153.27
Insurance
94.73
Miscellaneous
TOTAL EXPENSE $ 26,240.93
SALE OF APPLIANCES-NET EXPENSE
6,651.70
JOBBING SERVICE-NET EXPENSE
92.38
RENTAL MERCHANDISE-NET EXPENSE
341.06
TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPENSE 6,403.02
Estimated Annual KWH Used by Appliances Sold 533,436
Estimated Annual Revenue at 3.15c per KWH .. $16,803.23
212
SALE OF RENTAL REAL ESTATE
In accordance with the authority granted by vote of the Town at a special meeting held December 1, 1941, the real estate located at the junction of Haven, High, and Green Streets, consisting of 4,479 square feet of land, together with the building thereon, designated as No's 1 Haven Street and 31 and 33 High Street, has been sold to Norman P. and Esther D. Charles for the sum of $10,000.00. This amount has been set up in a special fund, designated as "Real Estate Debt Retirement Fund" and is to be used to retire the notes issued for the purchase of the property, in accordance with the provisions of Section 63, Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
ESTIMATE FOR 1942
In accordance with the provisions of Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws, I submit herewith my estimate of the income and ex- penses of the plant for the coming year.
Income
From Private Consumers
$373,390.07
From Tax Levy :
For Street Lights
$ 15,000.00
For Municipal Dept.
4,800.00 19,800.00
From Miscellaneous Income
980.00
Total Income
$394,170.07
Expenses
For Operation, Maintenance and Repairs
$301,561.72
For Interest on Bonds and Notes
2,847.50
For Depreciation at 3% on $1,264,101.93
37,923.06
For Bond Payments
2,000.00
For Note Payments
22,000.00
Total Expenses
$366,332.28
A summary of cash receipts and expenditures, statement of the various funds, book value and total cost of the plant, together with statistics pertaining to the plant and a list of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the year, is appended.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR G. SIAS, Manager.
213
AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY
Accountants and Auditors
150 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts February 4, 1942
To the Municipal Light Board
Town of Reading
Massachusetts
We have examined the accompanying balance sheet of the Munici- pal Light Department of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, as at December 31, 1941 and related statements of income and profit and loss for the year then ended, and reviewed the system of internal control and accounting procedures and, without making a detailed audit of the transactions, have examined or tested accounting records of the De- partment and other supporting evidence, by methods and to the extent we deemed appropriate.
In our opinion said financial statements present fairly the position of the Municipal Light Department as at December 31, 1941 and the results of their operations for the year then ended, in conformity with the "Uniform System of Accounts for Municipal Lighting Plants" as prescribed by the Department of Public Utilities of Massachusetts.
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY.
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
The report of the manager as submitted by him together with the certificate of the auditor, is approved by the Municipal Light Board and constitutes its report to the Town.
HENRY R. JOHNSON LOUIS ELLENWOOD HERBERT G. EVANS Municipal Light Board.
214
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES For the Year Ending December 31, 1941
Revenues :
Residence Service
$257,242.55
Commercial Service
55,029.64
Commercial Power-Wholesale
24,858.41
Municipal Service
10,125.85
Sales to Private Companies and Municipal Plants 1,330.52
Street Lighting Service
29,138.18
Miscellaneous Income
4,381.48
Total Revenues
$382,106.63
Expenses :
Production Expenses
$147,136.26
Distribution Expenses
66,990.20
Utilization Expenses
12,114.71
Commercial Expenses
18,381.52
New Business Expenses
190.70
General Expenses
25,487.43
Depreciation Expense
36,130.78
Interest on Bonds and Notes
2,810.24
Taxes
5,185.00
Uncollectible Operating Revenue
753.17
Interest on Consumers' Deposits
338.54
Merchandise Expense
6,744.08
Total Expenses
$322,262.63
Balance to Profit and Loss
$ 59,844.00
Totals
$382,106.63
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT As of December 31, 1941
Balance December 31, 1940
$174,838.84
Income Balance from Operating Account
59,844.00
Surplus Adjustment-1940 Profit and Loss
1,000.00
Total Credits
235,682.84
Bonds and Notes Paid
$ 19,000.00
Transferred to General Funds of the Town for reduction of taxes
35,000.00
Total Debits
54,000.00
Credit Balance Dec. 31, 1941
181,682.84
215
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As of December 31, 1941
Fixed Assets :
Land $ 10,035.26
Structures
65,912.46
Plant Equipment
47,710.05
Transformer Station and Substation Equip.
31,427.89
Poles Fixtures and Overhead Conductors
267,871.91
Underground Conduit
98,661.14
Underground Conductors
85,302.85
Consumers Meters and Installations
53,044.24
Line Transformers and Intallations
35,089.34
Street Lighting Equipment
21,340.60
General Equipment
14,804.99
Total Fixed Assets
731,200.73
Unfinished Construction 4.
5,048.32
Current Assets :
Funds
33,710.65
Accounts Receivable
39,125.63
Materials and Supplies Inventories
93,366.48
Total Current Assets
$166,202.76
Prepaid Insurance 781.90
Totals
$903,233.71
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES As of December 31, 1941
Liabilities :
Notes Payable
$143,000.00
Bonds Payable
20,000.00
Account : Payable
57,788.58
Consumers Deposits
11,004.54
Town Treasurer-Petty Cash Fund
250.00
Interest Accrued
780.53
Loans Repayment
488,578.26
Premium on Bonds
148.86
Total Liabilities
$721,550.87
Profit and Loss Balance Dec. 31, 1941
181,682.84
Totals
$903,233 71
216
NOTE:A contingent liability in the amount of $31,845.30 existed at December 31, 1941 on account of leases received from installment sales of electrical appliances and which were discounted with the First Na- tional Bank of Reading.
PETTY CASH FUND
Petty Cash Fund-Due Town Treasurer $ 250.00
OPERATION FUND
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
None
Debits
Received from Sale of Electricity
$415,480.98
Received from Appropriation for Streets Lights
14,000.00
Received from Sale of Merchandise and Jobbing 67,260.84
Received from Sale of Junk 498.62
Received from Rental Property
1,594.54
Received from Sale of High Street Property
10,000.00
Received from Interest on Consumers' Deposits
239.45
Total Debits
$509,074.43
Credits
Expenditures for Operation
$386,345.36
Merchandise and Jobbing Service Expense
25,992.25
Bonds and Notes Paid
19,000.00
Interest Paid on Bonds and Notes
3,045.00
Amount transferred to Depreciation Funds
36,130.78
Total Credits
$470,513.39
Balance Dec. 31, 1941
38,561.04
Amount Transferred to Town Treasurer
$ 35,000.00
Amount Transferred to Construction Fund
3,561.04
Balance Dec. 31, 1941 (After Closing)
None
DEPRECIATION FUND
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
None
Debits
Amount transferred from Income $ 36,130.78
Total Debits
$ 36,130.78
217
Credits
Amount expended for Construction $ 36,130.78
Total Credits $ 36,130.78 None
Balance Dec. 31, 1941
CONSTRUCTION FUND
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
$
2,179.84
Debits
Amount transferred from Operation $ 2,803.70
Amount transferred from Real Estate Operat- ing Fund 1,644.05 $ 4,447.75
Total Debits
6,627.59
Credits
Amount expended for Construction
$ 3,066.55
Total Credits
Balance Dec. 31, 1941
$ 3,066.55 3,561.04
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION FUND-GARAGE ADDITION Debits
Amount of Note Issue $ 10,000.00
Transferred from Depreciation 2,556.37 $ 12,556.37
Credits
Amount Expended for Construction of Garage Addition $ 12,556.37
Balance Dec. 31, 1941 None
SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION FUND-UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION
Debits
Amount of Note Issue
$ 21,000.00
Credits
Amt. Expended for Underground Construction $ 12,104.93
Balance Dec. 31, 1941 8,895.07
218
REAL ESTATE OPERATING FUND
Balance Jan. 1, 1941
$ 1,644.05
Debits
Rents Collected
$ 1,647.50
$
3,291.55
Credits
Water and Sewer Service $ 35.25
Heat
190.99
Surveying Land
27.25
Transferred to Construction Fund
1,644.05
Janitor Care
29.35
Miscellaneous Maintenance Items
58.03
Total Expenses Paid
$ 1,984.92
Cash on Hand Dec. 31, 1941
1,306.63
Transferred to Operation Account
1,306.63
Balance Dec. 31, 1941
None
INVENTORY OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES ON HAND DECEMBER 31, 1941
Line Materials and Supplies
$ 46,065.79
Electric Appliances in Stock
35,586.11
Tools and Supplies
11,442.54
Coal
271.94
Total Materials and Supplies
$ 93,366.49
SUMMARY OF CASH RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
During the Period January 1, 1941 Through December 31, 1941
Cash Balances Jan. 1, 1941
Operation Fund
None
Depreciation Fund
None
Construction Fund
$ 2,179.84
Real Estate Fund
1,644.05
Special Construction Fund-25 Haven St. Bldg. None
Petty Cash Fund
250.00
Total Cash Balances Jan. 1, 1941 $ 4,073.89
219
Cash Received :
Sale of Electricity
$415,480.98
Sale of Merchandise and Jobbing
67,260.84
Street Light Appropriation 14,000.00
Sale of Junk
498.62
Interest on Consumers Deposits
239.45
Rental Property
1,594.54
Sale of High Street Property
10,000.00
Total Cash Received
$509,074.43
Totals
513,148.32
Cash Disbursed :
Operation Accounts-Plant, Merchandise and Jobbing
$366,909.95
Construction Accounts
61,302.26
Taxes
5,185.00
Interest Paid
3,045.00
Bonds and Notes Paid
19,000.00
Transferred to Town Treasurer
35,000.00
Total Cash Disbursed
$490,442.21
Cash Balances December 31, 1941
Operation Fund
None
Depreciation Fund
None
Construction Fund
$ 3,561.04
Real Estate Debt Retirement Fund
10,000.00
Special Construction Fund-Underground Construction
8,895.07
Petty Cash Fund
250.00
Total Cash Balance Dec. 31, 1941
$ 22,706.11
ADDITIONS TO PLANT During the Year 1941
Structures-Garage and Storeroom
$ 12,556.37
Electric Plant-Steam
756.71
Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Conduits
17,175.79
Underground Conduits
7,470.09
Underground Conductors
13,505.60
Consumers Meters
3,187.21
Consumers Meters Installation
1,848.38
Line Transformers
2,827.22
Line Transformers Installation
125.00
Street Lighting Equipment
1,857.95
Total Additions to Plant
$ 61,310.32
220
DEPRECIATION CHARGED OFF PLANT ACCOUNTS During the Year 1941
Structures
$ 1,448.35
Electric Plant-Steam
4,940.03
Transf. Sta. and Substa. Equip.
2,440.17
Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Cond.
15,958.11
Underground Conduits
2,087.51
Underground Conductors
2,649.71
Consumers Meters
2,181.01
Consumers Meters Install.
641.20
Line Transformers
1,566.04
Line Transformers Install.
165.53
Street Light Equipment
2,053.02
Total Depreciation Charged Off $ 36,130.78
TOTAL COST OF PLANT
As of December 31, 1941
Cost of Land-Ash Street
$ 2,575.80
25 Haven Street
7,459.46
Cost of Structures-Ash Street
57,373.12
25 Haven Street
27,601.38
Generating Plant-Steam :
Cost of Boiler Plant Equipment
69,696.71
Cost of Prime Movers and Auxiliaries
21,512.38
Cost of Turbo Generator Units
46,870.83
Cost of Electric Plant-Steam
83,090.61
Transmission, Distribution, and Storage :
Cost of Trans. Sta. and Substa. Equipment
40,669.55
Cost of Poles, Fixtures and Overhead Cond.
492,213.14
Cost of Underground Conduits 111,845.35
Cost of Underground Conductors
101,829.30
Cost of Consumers' Meters
75,087.02
Cost of Consumers' Meter Installations
23,221.72
Cost of Line Transformers
54,261.35
Cost of Line Transformer Installations
5,646.06
Utilization Equipment :
Cost of Street Lighting Equipment
53,183.41
Total Cost of Electric Plant $1,274,137.19
221
COST OF DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IN OUTSIDE TOWNS Lynnfield Center
Total Investment Dec. 31, 1941 :
Poles, Fixtures, and Overhead Conductors $ 53,721.72
Consumers' Meters 8,919.61
Line Transformers
4,263.13
Street Lighting Equipment
2,204.52
Substation Equipment
1,051.46
Totals
$ 70,160.44
North Reading
Total Investment Dec. 31, 1941 :
Poles, Fixtures, and Overhead Conductors
$100,496.99
Consumers' Meters
15,900.32
Line Transformers
10,265.44
Street Lighting Equipment
3,907.65
Substation Equipment
2,069.19
Totals
$132,639.59
Wilmington
Total Investment Dec. 31, 1941 :
Poles, Fixtures, and Overhead Conductors
$146,434.39
Consumers' Meters
21,872.47
Line Transformers
11,055.72
Street Lighting Equipment
4,258.95
Substation Equipment
2,910.98
Totals
$186,522.51
KILOWATT HOURS PURCHASED, SOLD, USED, AND UNACCOUNTED FOR
Kilowatt Hours Purchased
12,185,003
Kilowatt Hours Sold :
For Rresidence Service
6,308,844
For Commercial Service 1,565,1.26
For Primary Power
1,724,810
222
For Lighting Municipal Buildings
180,640
For Municipal Power-Primary
355,200
For Street Lighting For Resale by Other Plants
736,831
44,401
Totals
11,016,852
Kilowatt Hours Used at Station, Garage and Office
95,023
Kilowatt Hours Used for Chrismas Illumination
4,429
Kilowatt Hours Unaccounted for
1,068,704
Totals
12,185,008
Per Cent Unaccounted for
8.77%
CLASSIFICATION OF CUSTOMERS
December 31, 1941
Residence Service
6108
Commercial Service
549
Primary Power-Wholesale
12
Municipal Service
51
Municipal Power-Primary
5
Co-operative Resale Service
24
Private Street Lights
19
Public Street Lights
3
Total 1941
6771
Total 1940
6511
VOUCHER REGISTER BALANCE
December 31, 1941
H. K. Abbott
$ 2.50
John A. Akeson Co.
8.04
Apex-Rotarex Corp.
5.17
J. Brinton Bailey
55.95
Wendell Bancroft & Co.
2.75
Henry S. Blethen
99.50
Boston & Maine R. R.
2.55
Boston Edison Co.
28,874.06
Milton L. Brandon
12.00
223
Brooks' Express
25.15
George H. Buckminster Co.
2,063.85
Burroughs Co.
19.75
Burroughs Adding Machine Co.
74.12
Butts & Ordway Co.
7.56
Central Electric Co.
4.00
Christian Science Pub. Soc.
58.41
Clapp & Leach, Inc.
150.44
Ralph Conti
21.13
Dayton Pump & Mfg. Co.
48.46
Decatur & Hopkins Co.
.97
Henry O. Doucette
10.98
Dyer-Clark Co.
1,825.23
Eagle Electric Supply Co.
439.00
Eastern Co.
5,128.86
Easy Washing Machine Co.
308.61
Electric Time Co., Inc.
157.77
Electromaster, Inc.
363.18
Eppinger & Russell Co.
1,210.50
Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Co.
29.68
F. Clifford Evans
12.28
T. C. Fife
15.70
Francis Bros., Inc.
15.02
Frigidaire Division
2.18
General Crushed Stone Co.
17.11
General Electric Co., Boston
4,423.83
General Electric Co., Conn.
1.86
General Electric Co., Mdse.
2,699.52
General Electric Supply Corp.
137.67
Good Housekeeping Shop
1.50
Grainger-Rush Co.
85.64
Graybar Electric Co., Inc.
1,219.73
Hazard Insulated Wire Works
Cr. 36.00
Helrich's Auto Body Co.
.70
Hygrade Sylvania Corp.
333.51
Insulation and Wires, Inc.
7.56
Laing Chevrolet Co.
3.29
224
Landers, Frary & Clark
9.80
Edward Lappin
149.38
Legasse Refrigeration Co., Inc.
3.24
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
508.83
Lincoln Oil Co.
317.94
A. J. Lindemann & Hoverson Co.
3.47
Malden Motor Parts Co.
95.83
A. E. Martell Co., Inc.
15.71
H. B. McArdle
1.35
McGraw Electric Co.
1.17
Merchants Credit Bureau, Inc.
1.07
Robert M. Merritt
3.60
Milhender-Afes Elec. Co.
403.40
H. J. Montgomery
3.50
L. E. Muran Co.
59.15
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co .- Service
115.14-
N. E. Tel. && Tel. Co .- Const.
1,430.35
North Wilmington Nurseries
11.00
Palmer Elec. & Mfg. Co.
308.00
Palmer-Severini & Co.
4.50
Phelps-Dodge Copper Prod. Corp.
Cr. 32.00
L. B. Philbrick Co.
7.78
Railway Express Agency, Inc.
2.13
Reading Chronicle
193.75
Reading Motor Co.
18.10
Reading Square Market
4.62
John A. Roebling's Sons Co.
299.86
Sager Elec. Supply Co.
5.5
J. F. Sanborn
37.50
Sangamo Electric Co.
13.86
Simplex Wire & Cable Co.
245.97
Fred F. Smith, Inc.
351.69
Spaulding-Moss Co. 14.57
United Motors Service, Inc.
2.44
W. R. VanHorn
10.56
Village Press
12.60
Geo. H. Wahn Co.
691.02
225
-
Geo. H. Wahn Co., Lamp account
Wanamaker & Feindel
116.85 9.75
Warren Bros. Roads Co.
274.40
Waverley Heating Supply Co.
2.87
Westinghouse Elec. & Mfg. Co.
3.03
Wetmore-Savage Division 17.52
Edwin L. Wiegand Co.
17.30
Wilmington Mirror
9.50
Wm. S. Cavanaugh
8.00
General Cable Corp.
Cr. 4.00
Robeson-Royal Serv. Co.
1.54
Rome Cable Corp.
Cr. 24.00
Manning-Bowman & Co.
1.88
Snap-on Tools Corp.
8.95
J. W. Babine
30.00
Dockam's Express
.50
Sargent's Express
.35
Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co.
59.70
American Steel & Wire Co.
114:80
Dance Co., Inc.
8.35
Electric Storage Battery Co.
1.13
R. S. Hanks
14.00
Heath Tree Service, Inc.
273.00
Town Clerk, Lynnfield Centre
4.00
C. W. Pierce
1.60
Winifred Rice
22.25
Syd's Auto Supply Co.
1.90
Richard T. Webb
6.30
A. C. Gilbert Co.
70
Kay & Ess Co.
1.70
W. E. Johnson
1.50
Town of Reading
290.00
L. Ellenwood
121.71
$ 56,674.84
226
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
A slight decrease in circulation during 1941 and a prospect of more pressure from economic conditions in 1942 appear to high-light the annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library.
The Circulation Drops
It is evidently a sign of the times that circulation in the Library has dropped during 1941. This is a general situation throughout the country according to the most reliable surveys.
The American Library Association attributes the decrease to the public's preoccupation with the war and it further reports that the public's awareness and desire to be informed has resulted in sharp shifts in reading tastes.
The association's report points out that part of the decrease in circulation is attributable to increased employment and work hours; that although they are aware of the war, people are not reading novels with war background; that historical novels, particularly those with American background are popular, and that technical subjects are much in demand.
In general the local reading tastes parallel those reflected in the A.L.A.'s report, according to the library staff. As to circulation the figures are :
1941
1940
Difference
Adult
77,468
80,642
minus 3,174
Juvenile
21,569
21,497
plus 72
So while the adult circulation has dropped off there has been a slight gain in the juvenile department. This department, of course, can be kept busy not only through the usual visits of the children to the Library but also by the work directly with the schools. The report of the Librarian can go further into this subject.
The drop in circulation does not represent a great decrease in work for the staff as might first appear. It is only an average of 10 books a day, whereas the number handled in the course of a day through 1941 was, on an average, about 250.
The Salary Question
The matter of salaries in all town departments is a pressing one this year. Various authorities on price indexes cite rising living costs
227
and it would appear that there will be further increase before there is an recession. Municipal employees, with their salaries pegged at given amounts for the year cannot look for any relief once the wage rate is set by acceptance of the budget at the annual town meeting in March.
Accordingly, any consideration given the subject must come at town meeting. It is not an easy matter for any board to recommend more expenditure if it means addition to the tax rate in time of war. But it is similarly hard to leave employees at the mercy of rising living costs and prospective high taxes that federal levies are going to bring.
The Library Trustees, however, feel a bit differently on this matter than some town boards might feel. For many years we have called to the attention of the Finance Committee, and the town itself, the fact that the library staff is underpaid. In asking for increases in salaries we do not feel that we are doing something that is in keeping with the current trend but rather that we are still trying to rectify a condition that should have been met years ago.
The present librarian, after 25 years of service is paid less than is paid to an elementary school teacher and the work is as great and the responsibility in general probably greater.
The children's librarian, a specialized type of work which is being very capably handled in the Reading Public Library, receives still less and her service goes back over 12 years. The assistant librarian (10 years' service) is in the same relative position.
It seems certain that any Reading citizen who had worked for a business firm over similar periods would expect to be farther along the remunerative path. Any man who employs any number of peo- ple should realize that trained and faithful employees are worth more than the Library's faithful personnel receive. Competent replacements would be impossible at the salaries now paid to our librarians.
Library work is specialized and it calls for training-either in school or in the field-in order to have workers capable of giving good library service. The Trustees are unanimous in the opinion that we have a capable staff; capable in every way to conduct the routine and special demands that come to the Library.
Our Library fills an important place in community life. As an ad- junct to school study, an outlet for recreational reading, or a reposi- tory for facts for utilitarian reference, it meets wide requirements. During the coming year the general public, subjected to war strain and nerve effort, will find the services of the Public Library a welcome escape from the grim realities of the present.
New books are purchased frequently at even the slightest sugges- tion that there is a use for them and in the course of the year many
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special requests of borrowers are met in addition to the purchases of books made entirely on the judgment of the library staff itself.
These words of recognition of the value of such service on the part of the librarians may be somewhat gratifying to them but that alone will not meet the bread-and-butter facts of life and the Trus- tees, realizing this, feel that they are within the bounds of long-stand- ing economic justice when they urge that salaries be increased.
The Annual Appropriation
The trustees have pointed out before that the annual appropria- tion for the Reading Public Library is below the standard advocated by library authorities everywhere. It is generally felt that a minimum of one dollar per person in the community would be a fair amount for a Library budget.
The fact that the Finance Committee and the voters have not sought to keep up with that figure has not occasioned controversy. Your Library Board recognizes that there are other financial problems in other departments so that what we would like must be set aside for what we can afford. Last year's budget was $8,925.
In asking for the same amount this year the Trustees feel that they will be able to continue the library service on the same scale as before. There is planned a shift in the figures by raising the salary section and cutting down the maintenance.
Endowment Policy
The Library is a public service institution. Bequests to the Public Library in the form of trust funds constitute a splendid form of com- munity service that is enduring. A neighboring community has a trust fund, the interest from which purchases more than 60 per cent of all books annually. Another community has a trust fund that provides for the entire magazine subscription list.
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