USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1943 > Part 13
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planning for a new High School with adequate facilities should begin immediately.
In the report of the Superintendent of Schools in 1921, on page 245, will be found the following illuminating sentence: "The High School in 1921 is about one-third larger than it was in 1918." This was a period of three years. A corresponding period from 1942 to 1945 would mean that our High School would have to accommodate from 750 to 800 pupils in a building with a maximum capacity of 425 pupils.
In projecting increased facilities of a new building, many plans have been discussed. Merits of the plan for a six-grade elementary school organization, a three-year junior high, and a three-year senior high, were considered in the Superintendent's report of 1924 on page 161 with the suggestion that the separate junior high school organization be ac- cepted because of the desire at that time to construct a Junior High School as a separate unit. In 1925, there was a definite proposal to de- velop the Junior High School on the ten acres located between Temple and King streets.
The statement of this proposal, however, gives the conclusion of the School Committee of that time with reference to the Senior High School location. In the Superintendent's report of 1925, is found the following : "It is now proposed that a new Junior High School building should be erected on this land immediately, and that when the increased enroll- ment warrants it, the present Senior High School is to be taken for the use of elementary schools of the central district, and a new Senior High School building erected adjacent to the Junior High School. By such an arrangement, some facilities may be used in common by the two schools, thus avoiding duplication, and might be a saving in heating, janitor ser- vice, and the teaching force required for special subjects."
If a separate three-year High School is to be constructed, it should be on an adequate amount of land, probably not less than fifteen acres. This means the school would have to be a great distance from the cen- ter of the Town, where such land could be purchased for a rather low amount. The construction of this building and its maintenance would be materially higher than the construction of a High School adjoining the present Junior High School building, where the present athletic field could be extended and the service units of the school be used by Junior and Senior High School units alternately. The problem therefore, be- fore the Town is that of a serious consideration of planning adequate facilities for a modern High School in time to take advantage of the much talked of Federal and State Assistance available to those school districts which have definite plans and specifications by the time the war ends.
159
LOOKING AHEAD
It is possible that after this war people will demand more and varied educational opportunities. They will probably demand local junior col- leges for their youth, adult education, evening classes to meet a higher standard of industrial and technical skill, and liberal arts offerings to enrich their lives.
The forward-looking community is considering these and many other matters to the end that citizens of the community may have the opportunity of making themselves more effective workers and more in- telligent citizens.
The school system regrets the loss of two members of its staff who have contributed to the welfare of the youth of this Town over a long period of time. The death of Mrs. Olive Perry, fourth grade teacher in the Pearl St. School, and that of Dr. Charles R. Henderson, School Physician, have been a great loss to teachers and pupils alike.
The Superintendent wishes to voice his appreciation for the cooper- ation and understanding of the school staffs during the year. Whatever the schools have done has been the result of the fine work which the teachers have accomplished in the face of strain and, oftentimes, per- sonal grief. Because of this loyalty, we face the new year with the as- surance that the pupils in Reading will suffer as little as possible dur- ing the critical year ahead.
I wish to express my deep appreciation to the School Committee for the frank discussions of the many problems we have had to meet this year and the understanding which they have shown in the administra- tion of the schools. With their continued help, the Superintendent, teachers, and parents, can feel confident as we go ahead into 1944.
Respectfully submitted.
E. C. GROVER
160
GRADUATION CLASS READING HIGH SCHOOL 1943
Dana John Alward
James Leslie Kendall
Ruth Amback
Eleanor Gertrude Kenney
Otis 1. Anderson
Francis Kiley
Berry W. Arnold
Bertram Alden Kilgore
George Robert Arnold
Helen M. Kimball
Charles Randall Arthur
Lorraine E. Kimball
Arthur Willard Bancroft, Jr.
Louise L. Kimball
Edna Frances Barmby
Kenneth Warren King
Alfred Sherman Knight, Jr.
Phyllis Barr
Anne Elizabeth Barrett
Barbara I. Komenda
Roger Frederick Batchelder
Ethel Leonette Lacey
Robert A. Beaumont
William J. Lander
Bruce Arnold Benson
Alice Esther Larrabee
Robert O. Berglund
John Lehne, Jr.
Frank Kenneth Brennan
Elizabeth Katherine Leonard
George Howard Boyce
Shirley Thelma Lieberman
Dorothea Christine Breshears
Lorraine Loughlin
Richard E. Brown
Robert Gordon Lowe
Eva Ruth Bruce
Mary Lowell
Anna R. Burbine
Betty Lou Lynch
Thomas Burbine
Jean Frances Maguire
Kenneth Clyde Bushway
John James Marchetti
Agnes J. Campbell
Pauline Magur Marstaller
Russell Eugene Carter
Richard Lloyd Marston
Ethel Mary Chapman
Norman S. Martin
Edith Louise Charles
Jean Ruth McClintock
Margaret Skinner Charles
Agnes Rita McGrath
Donald Hunt Clapperton *
Dorothy Louise McMenamin
Arthur Donald Conron
Paul Meuse
Beryl Doris Cook
Steven Joseph Miller
Robert Graham Cooper
Marilyn Monegan
Barbara Elizabeth Courser
Edward Jacob Morookian
Mary Katherine Cowhey
George Albert Morris
.
.
* In the United States Armed Forces.
163
GRADUATION CLASS READING HIGH SCHOOL 1943
Robert Patrick Cowhey
Jean Elizabeth Mullen
Ruth Shirley Cress
Barbara Elaine Nielson
Althea Anne Crilley
Barbara May Normin'e
Margaret Crowell
Priscilla Ann Norwood
Charles L. Cummings, Jr. *
Robert Stanley Parker
William Joseph Cuneo
Constance Parry
Patricia Anne Curtin
Donald Arthur Pease
Helen Winnifred Dahlquist
Joseph L. Pendergast, Jr.
Constance Davis
Nancy Gordon Perry
Joan Davis
June Louise Peterson
Mary L. DeFerrari
Irene Winifred Pettengill
Doris Marion DeLong
Helen Belle Poland
Wesley Arthur Dewhurst
Audrey Powers
Richard H. Dill
Lorraine Powers Nancy Pratt
Jean E. Donegan
Paul Matthew Quinlan
June Frances Doran
Elinor Joan Reardon
Gertrude Dorothy Doucette
Frances Elenor Redmond
Helen L. Doucette
F. Crawford Reed
Lawrence Leo Doucette
Pauline A. Doucette
Donald Rich
Richard L. Doucette
James Chapman Robinson
Phyllis Douglass
Walter L. Rowell, Jr.
David Sterling Dow
William Henderson Ryer, Jr.
Elmer Alfred Dykens
Robert Weston Sansom
Virginia M. Eldredge
Adelle Sargent
Alice Ellis
Marilyn Shapiro Mable Marion Skelton
Mary Ferrick
Margaret Mary Slack
Edward J. Fitzgerald
Eleanor Claire Smith
Paul Fitzgerald
Barbara Anne Spillane
Caroline Bowen Foster
Mary Arlene Spillane
Thomas Foster
Richard Leslie Stevens
* In the United States Armed Forces.
164
George Edward Fennelly, Jr.
Barbara Rich
Shirley Elizabeth Dodge
READING HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Class of 1943 Outdoor Exercises, Junior High School Field WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE NINE Four O'clock
Program RAISING OF FLAG and PLAYING OF COLORS PROCESSIONAL MARCH
AMERICA
High School Band Smith
Audience, Senior Class and Band PRAYER-Rev. Jack Matheson Baker
Salutatory "Hat's Off" Elizabeth Joan Hoffer
TORCH ORATION
Donald Hunt Clapperton, Class President
ESSAY ESSAY "Irresponsible Youth" "Challenge to Post-War America"
Jean Frances Maguire Richard H. Dill
Faculty Honors Class Honors ESSAY
ESSAY "First Lady of Our Land" "Women's Role in the Post-War Althea Anne Crilley Faculty Honors World" Helen Belle Poland Class Honors
Valedictory "After Graduation, What?" Kenneth Clyde Bushway
CERTIFICATION OF CLASS
ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION OF GRADUATES Dr. Elbridge C. Grover, Superintendent of Schools CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS Rudolph Sussmann, Headmaster CONFERRING DIPLOMAS Ralph W. Allen, Chairman of School Board SALUTE TO THE FLAG
1
Led by Class President Donald Hunt Clapperton STAR SPANGLED BANNER Smith
Audience, Senior Class and Band BENEDICTION-Rev. Jack Matheson Baker
RECESSIONAL MARCH
High School Band
162
AGE-GRADE TABLE - OCTOBER 1, 1943
Age
Opportunity I
II
III
IV
V VI
VII VIII IX
X
XI
XII
P.G. Total
5 Years
77
192
6
4
12
97
58
1
162
=
5
2
19
82
53
1
179
9
7
3 34
86
49
182
"
8
5
27
87
55
179
11
"
3
10
23
98
45
175
12
"
5
2
6
22
92
48
168
13
"
2
2
10
30
90
34
14
"
1
10
27
89
53
15
2
2
11
25
103
58
2
203
16
"
1
2
7
35
87
51
183
17
1
3
20
64
1 89
18
2
9
11
19
"
2
2
20
"
21
and over
1
1
Total
34
230
172
179
179
168
188
180
178
156
194
168
128
1
2155
"
139
53
172
7
8
77
10
180
GRADUATION CLASS READING HIGH SCHOOL 1943
Winifred Fowle
Doris Marion Gadbois
Earline Gaw
· Martha Stimpson Sherman Israel Stone John A. Sullivan Richard Brendan Surette
Jean Kathryn Geary
Paul Joseph Geary, Jr. *
Mary Casimir Tanner
Jean Grace Gleason
Mary Louise Tebeau
Albert Richard Goodwin
Teddy R. Theodorou
Natalie Gray
Frank Tomlinson
Patricia Josephine Gray
Michael G. Twomey
Joseph Francis Griffin
Mildred G. Tracy
Russell Owen Gunn
Edgar E. Upton
Mary Margaret Halloran Elizabeth Barker Ham
Ruth Elizabeth Van Horne
Shirley Jean Hatch
Theodore Watson
Ruth Eleanor Higgins
Robert David Webb
Marjorie Elinore Hill
Gretchen Helene Weber
Glenn Gardner Hodson
Richard Blaine Webster ₭ Roger Milton Wheeler
William James Hole
Elizabeth White
Lemuel Herbert Howe Margaret Collet Ivers
Barbara E. Williams
Douglas Foster Williams₭
Muriel Lorraine Jones
Ralph Edgar Wilson
Dorothy Rita Kelley
John Hilton Winslow
James Edward Kelly
Rosalie Mildred Wistuba
Mary Louise Kelly
Shirley F. Woodward
Kathleen Louise Wright
* In the United States Armed Forces.
165
Elizabeth Joan Hoffer
Jane Veazie
Forty-ninth Annual Report of the
ELECTRIC LIGHT
COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ended
December 31, 1943
MANAGER'S REPORT
To the Municipal Light Board :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of the operation of the Municipal Light Plant for the year ending December 31, 1943.
We purchased 12,555,023 kilowatt hours at an average cost of 1.2417 cents. This is an increase of 461,892 kilowatt hours over last year, and a decrease in the average cost, last year's cost being 1.2973 cents.
The highest station load during the year was 3600 kilowatts which is 375 less than our pre-war load.
Sales of kilowatt hours for residence service increased 4.9 per cent, and for wholesale power 4.8 per cent, while kilowatt hours sold for com- mercial lighting and power dropped 16.2 per cent.
The kilowatt hours sold per residence meter were 1141 as compared with 1102 the previous year.
Revenue from the sale of current was $404,712.56, and from other sources $649.34 making the total revenue $405,361.90.
Operating expenses, bond and note payments, interest, taxes and other expenses totaled $349,750.14 leaving an operating profit of $38,477.76.
Operating cash received during the year amounted to $441,057.92 and expenditures $402,362.43 leaving a balance in the operating fund of $38,695.49. $35,000 of this amount has been turned over to the Town Treasurer and the balance transferred to the Construction Fund.
Additions to the plant have been of a minor nature, due to restric- tions in the use of critical materials : 2 poles have been set, 2 street lights, 23 meters, 1 transformer, and 13,301 feet of wire installed at a total cost of $2,119.43.
The underground steam pipes between the power station and the garage building have been renewed.
A coal burning heater was installed in the office building, due to the restrictions on the use of fuel oil.
Dim-out shields were installed on the street lights in all of the towns served, in accordance with Army requirements.
Pole renewals during the year totaled 495, of which 342 were re- newed by the plant, and 153 by the Telephone Company.
Tree clearance on the lines in North Reading and Wilmington has been improved by trimming under the supervision of the Tree Wardens.
The following schedule shows the results of the operation of the appliance and repair department.
168
. STATEMENT OF MERCHANDISE REVENUE AND EXPENSE
as of December 31, 1943
SALES OF APPLIANCES a/c 560
$23,234.76
Deduct-RETURNS & ALLOWANCES
151.21
NET SALES
23,083.55
COST OF APPLIANCES SOLD
15,289.77
GROSS PROFIT
7,793.78
Deduct-EXPENSES
Storage
300.00
Rent
1,812.83
Heat
Payroll
4,207.43
Commissions
665.56
Express & Trucking
47.60
Store Expense
26.13
Sales Expense
65.31
Automobile Expense
Advertising-Mdse.
64.20
Demonstrations & Exhibits
Cost of Installations
1,933.39
Inventory Adjustments
326.54
Uncollectible Accts.
Miscellaneous
40.00
TOTAL EXPENSE
9,548.43
SALE OF APPLIANCES-NET EXPENSE
1,754.65
JOBBING SERVICE-NET REVENUE.
190.36
TOTAL MERCHANDISE EXPENSE
$1,564.29
Estimated annual revenue from use of
appliances sold $ 5,213.00
The following estimate of new construction is submitted as Post 1 War projects.
169
4
.
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 1944-1948
Days
Man Man Days Labor Extra Costs
Material Costs
Total Costs
Complete underground sys-
tem on High & Lowell Sts. Underground system on Mt. Vernon, Linden, Woburn & Chute Sts., Bancroft & Brande Ave.
483
8,024 $ 28,976 $ 19,318 $ 48,294
372
3,095
22,285
24,589
46,874
Underground system on Washington, Lincoln, Pres- cott Sts., Summer Ave. & Temple St.
1,136
7,572
56,794
37,863
94,657
Additional transformer at
Power Station - 5,000
K. V. A. including con- n'ections
20
300
2,000
12,000
14,000
730 New Service Connec- tions
2,457
24,566
36,849
61,415
Totals
4,468
18,991
$ 134,621
$ 130,619
$ 265,240
To be financed from Depreciation and Construction Funds.
EMPLOYEES IN THE ARMED FORCES
* John J. McLellan Lineman
Army
* Merrill P. Reed Service Man Army
Alexander Williamson Meter Reader Army
Alfred J. Burbine. Meter Reader Navy
Anthony Tine Stock Clerk Coast Guard
Ralph F. Conti Salesman Navy
* Received an honorable discharge and re-entered our emplov.
ESTIMATE FOR 1944
I submit herewith my estimate of the income and expenses of the plant for the Year 1944, in accordance with the provisions of Section 57, Chapter 164 of the General Laws.
INCOME $ 377,792.00
From Private Consumers
From Tax Levy :
For Street Lights $ 14,000.00
For Municipal Depts. 4,700.00
18,700.00
From Miscellaneous Income 500.00
TOTAL INCOME $ 396.992.00
170
EXPENSE
For Operation, Maintenance & Repair $ 296,023.35
For Interest on Bonds and Notes 1,882.50
For Depreciation at 3% on $1,283,782.50 38,513.48
For Bond Payments
2,000.00
For Note Payments
22,000.00
TOTAL EXPENSE $ 360,419.33
The auditor's certificate, financial report and summary of statistics follows.
· Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR G. SIAS, Manager
AUDITOR'S CERTIFICATE
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY Accountants and Auditors 150 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts
150 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts January 29, 1944
To the Municipal Light Board Town of Reading
Massachusetts
We have examined the accompanying balance sheet of the Municipal Light Department of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts, as at Decem- ber 31, 1943 and related statements of income and profit and loss for the year then ended, and reviewed the system of internal control and ac- counting procedures, and, without making a detailed audit of the trans- actions, have examined or tested accounting records of the Department 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, 1943 and the re- sults of their operations for the year then ended, in conformity with the "Uniform System of Accounts for Municipal Lighting Plants" as pre- scribed by the Department of Public Utilities of Massachusetts.
CHARLES E. STANWOOD & COMPANY
171
REPORT OF MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
The report of the Manager as submitted by him, together with the certificate of the auditor, is hereby approved by the Municipal Light Board, and constitutes its report to the Town.
HENRY R. JOHNSON
LOUIS E. ELLENWOOD
HERBERT G. EVANS Municipal Light Board
TOTAL COST OF PLANT
as of December 31, 1943
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 27,849.85
Generating Plant-Steam :
Cost of Boiler Plant Equipment 69,696.71
Cost of Prime Movers & Auxiliaries 21,512.38
Cost of Turbo Generator Units 46,870.83
Cost of Electric Plant-Steam
83,090.61
Transmission, Distribution & Storage :
Cost of Trans. Sta. & Substa. Equip. 40,669.55
Cost of Poles, Fixtures & Overhead Cond. 499,490.89
Cost of Underground Conduits 112,079.16
Cost of Underground Conductors
110,266.81
Cost of Consumers Meters
75,588.76
Cost of Consumers Meter Installations
24,147.69
Cost of Line Transformers
55,697.38
Cost of Line Transformer Installations
5,693.56
Utilization Equipment ;
Cost of Street Lighting Equipment
53,755.20
Total Cost of Electric Plant
$1,293,817.76
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as of December 31, 1943
Fixed Assets :
Land
$ 10,035.26
Structures
63,206.95
Plant Equipment
37,739.17
172
Transformer Station & Substation Equip.
26,547.55
Poles, Fixtures & Overhead Conductors 241,667.36
Underground Conduit
94,416.76
Underground Conductors 87,377.91
Consumers Meters & Installations
49,291.34
Line Transformers & Installations
32,965.50
Street Lighting Equipment 17,637.20
General Equipment
15,988.65
Total Fixed Assets
$ 676,873.65
Unfinished Construction
4,998.22
Current Assets :
Construction Fund
3,695.49
Const. Fund-Spec. Underground
1,431.59
Real Est. Debt Retirement Fund
6,000.00
Depreciation Fund
67,743.17
Consumers Deposit Funds
12,440.54
Petty Cash Fund
250.00
Accounts Receivable
40,124.90
Materials and Supplies Inventories
69,004.36
Total Current Assets
$ 200,690.05
Prepaid Insurance
1,423.40
Totals
$ 883,985.32
Liabilities :
Notes Payable
$ 99,000.00
Bonds Payable
16,000.00
Accounts Payable
None
Consumers Deposits
12,440.54
Town Treasurer-Petty Cash Fund
250.00
Interest Accrued
579.90
Loans Repayment
536,578.26
Total Liabilities
664,848.70
Profit and Loss Balance Dec. 31, 1943
219,136.62
Totals $883,985.32
Note : A contingent liability in the amount of $3837.25 existed at Dec. 31, 1943, on account of leases received from installment sales of electrical appliances and which were discounted with the First National Bank of Reading.
173
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT as of December 31, 1943
Balance December 31, 1942 $ 198,502.80
Income Balance from Operating Account
79,802.12
Total Credits
$ 278,304.92
Bonds and Notes Paid
$ 24,000.00
Transferred to General Funds of the Town
in lieu of taxes
35,000.00
Surplus Adjustments,
168.30
Total Debits
$ 59,168.30
Credit Balance Dec. 31, 1943
$ 219,136.62
Amounts transferred to Town Treasurer in lieu of Taxes
Dec. 31, 1934
$ 20,000.00
Dec. 31, 1935
20,000.00
Dec. 31, 1936
20,000.00
Dec. 31, 1937
22,000.00
Dec. 31, 1938
24,000.00
Dec. 31, 1939
24,000.00
Dec. 31, 1940
26,000.00
Dec. 31, 1941
35,000.00
Dec. 31, 1942
35,000.00
Dec. 31, 1943
35,000.00
Total
$ 261,000.00
SUMMARY OF INCOME AND EXPENSES for the year ending December 31, 1943
REVENUES :
Residence Service
$ 296,541.15
Commercial Service
45,336.92
Commercial Power-Wholesale 21,300.58
Municipal Service 9,768.13
Sales to Private Companies & Municipal Plants 2,441.39
Street Lighting Service
29,324.39
Miscellaneous Income
649.34
Total Revenues
$ 405,361.90
174
EXPENSES :
Production Expenses
$ 155,895.25
Distribution Expenses
68,418.94
Utilization Expenses
8,870.26
Commercial Expenses
18,067.60
New Business Expenses
123.49
General Expenses
26,196.09
Depreciation
38,477.76
Interest on Bonds & Notes
2,074.69
Taxes
5,106.00
Uncollectible Operating Revenues
534.93
Interest on Consumers Deposits
230.48
Merchandise Expense
1,564.29
Total Expenses
$ 325,559.78
Balance to Profit and Loss
$ 79,802.12
Totals
$ 405,361.90
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
December 31, 1943
Kilowatt hours purchased
12,555,023
Kilowatt hours sold
11,309,404
Kilowatt hours delivered to Reading Street Lights 412,881
Kilowatt hours used at Station, Garage and Office
82,750
Kilowatt hours unaccounted for
1,175,096
Average cost per KWH at switchboard
1.2417c
Maximum KW load at Station
3600
Miles of street with overhead lines
191
Number of Poles
8826
Miles of overhead wire
1296
Feet of underground conduit
76755
Miles of underground cable
77
Number of manholes
80
Number of transformers
531
Number of meters
6773
Number of street lights
2162
Number of customers
6861
175
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The annual report of the Librarian shows a rather decided drop in book circulation. Without question this means that the war is. having its effect upon the reading habits of the people of Reading as it is upon people everywhere. The books which have lost their popularity for the time being are, as one has put it, of the "thistledown" variety, that is to say, light novels and entertaining non-fiction. This does not mean, how- ever, that the Public Library has lost any of its real vital importance in the war effort. On the contrary, the every increasing demand for up- to-date books on Russia, the Far East, the Pacific War, and material on the human side of the war is evident of the fact that there is a great interest in world affairs and international politics. The shelves are al- ready bulking large with the literature on peace and post-war planning. The care with which our library staff has selected material to meet this demand has provided our community with excellent literature on the most pertinent problems of the day-winning the war-and the peace. Only through an intelligent public opinion can we hope to establish a little more decent world to live in after this war is over. Here the Pub- lic Library serves as a vital force for good in the achievement of this worthy end.
To meet the needs of the times, governed not by circulation figures, but by the requirements of people caught up in the rush of war work, the library has not curtailed its services, but has extended them. The hours the library is open has been extended; the rooms have been util- ized by various adult study groups certain mornings of the week; and special attention has been given to the needs of children in war time. It has been the thought of many that the Public Library serves as some- thing more than a place to borrow a book occasionally, but to a certain degree it is also a community center. In this respect it might well sat- isfy the need for more active cultural expression of our community life. An experiment was attempted last year in presenting a Sunday after- noon musicale. There is no reason why more of this sort of thing can- not be done if there is any public demand for it.
The time for post-war planning is at hand. Our community is well out in front with a far-sighted committee at work on this problem. The needs of the Public Library is a part of this post-war picture. For sev- eral years each successive library report has emphasized the need for relieving the overcrowded and congested condition in the library. The reading room could be cleared of unsightly book-alcoves, and book shelves, by the building of a wing to the library which would serve as a stack-room. By careful planning this need not entail a great deal of ex- pense and it would add considerably to the serviceability of the library. The original beauty and utility of the reading rooms would be restored.
176
This need has been neglected far too long. It is difficult to see how a staff can continue to work efficiently under such handicaps. In addi- tion, it is impossible for the Librarian to do many of the interesting things which she would like to do. For instance, we are entering an im- portant year in the history of our town. There is a wealth of historical lore concerning Reading which should be exhibited. But the Library has no room for exhibits. There are interesting educational and pa- triotic displays which should be exhibited from time to time in the pub- lic Library, but these things cannot be done because space cannot be sacrificed for such purposes. The budget of the Library is small; the endowments are negligible as compared with nearby communities; and the capital outlay on the library plant over a number of years has been nothing at all. It is time to take an account of stock in a community in- vestment from which every man, woman, and child receives a rich dividend.
When plans are considered let us not forget the Public Library and its needs.
Respectfully submitted, A. IMRIE DIXON, Chairman KATHERINE C. PIERCE, Secretary ISABEL G. HEDGES WILLIAM S. TONKS C. NELSON BISHOP SIDNEY M. HODSON
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
The Library continues to be a busy community center, despite the decrease in circulation which every library is experiencing during these war years. One of the important things accomplished, or partly accom- plished, has been the weeding out of old and unused books; many about the first World War, which are not of interest now; out-of-date science books, fiction that has not been off the shelves for years; also many old magazines and books in the store room that were not old enough to have any value but not recent enough to be interesting.
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