USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1959 > Part 12
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Richard Charles Barrett
Robert Kimball Barrett Margaret Helen Barton Ellen Elizabeth Beale Carol Ann Beauchamp
Karen Colbourne Kean Elaine Lois Keene Margaret Elizabeth Kelly Paula Charlotte King Nancy Chenoweth Kramer Nancy Kurchian
Charles Robert Beighley
William Thomas Beighley
Robert Aschod Kurchian
Andrea Sue Beliveau
Andrew Francis Beliveau
Elizabeth Edna Benson Andrea Bickell
Barbara Carol Bliss
Paul Robert Boucher
Nancy Joan Bowker
Lois Ann Breugelman Susan Virginia Brown David Foster Burhoe
Deanna Pauline Burley
Gerald Alden Burnham
Robert William Burpee
Beverly Ann Butt Linda Ellen Butt
Laurel Ann Calvin
Desmond Manuel Camacho
William Norman Magnuson Susanne Ione Maguire Richard Roy Mansur Bonnie Naomi March
Muriel Ann Matthews
Daniel Joseph McCarron
Linda Jane McCarthy
Frank Vincent McDermott, Jr. Barbara-Anne McDonough Judith McGrath Delma Louise McMahon
Rheta Alice McManus
Francis Paul McMullen Denison Foster McRell Joyce Margaret Meikle
Allen Varden Clark
Alvin Walter Clark
Anne Frances Coneeney
Peter William Connors
Joan Wallace Kyle Iola Jean La Fleur C. Bruce Latham David Justin Latham Anne Marcy Lautzenheiser Sandra Joan Lionstone
Richard James Livingston Kenneth Allen Logan George Burton Long, Jr. Daniel Philip MacDonald Ernestine Macdonald Janet Diane MacHugh William Henry MacLean
Duncan Ross Macleod
Roy Lyman Carlow Susana Carretas M. Ellen Carter James Joseph Cavanaugh, Jr. Richard Thomas Cavanaugh James Roland Caywood Nancy Carter Chandler
Katherine Joan Chase Patricia Dorothy Chase Harry Ronald Chess Edward Bing Fong Chin, Jr.
Harold Anthony Melanson
Carol Frances Meuse Barbara Lee Miller
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Fay Wesley Converse Robert Milton Copp Richard Hansen Crouse Daniel Edward Cummings Virginia May Cutler Salvatore Paul D'Alessandro Stanley Miles Daley Donald Arthur DeMars Joseph Stanton Dempsey Margaret Frances Denbow Patricia Mary Elizabeth Devaney Marion Helen Dickman Kathryn Gail Doherty Philip George Dole Priscilla May Dole Beverly Ann Driscoll
Jean Elizabeth Milley Richard Gardner Moore, Jr. Nancy Beatrice Morang Kenneth Francis Mullen Stephen Knowlton Murray Donald Joseph Muse Barbara Bradley Nelson Stephen Ray Norris Carol Ann O'Connell
Carol Ann O'Donnell Gilbert Walter Ohnesorge, Jr. Jon Richard Olson
Bruce Edmund Parker
David Ames Parkman
Nicholas Peter Pellegrino
Arthur Penno Ellen Louise Perry
Edmund Peter Drozek, Jr.
David Edward Dwyer
Reginald Theodore Peters
James Edward Peterson
Louise Ann Elliott Richard Francis Ellis
David Lee Petroni
David Richard Evans
George Daniel Putnam
Leo Francis Faucette
Judith Ann Ralston
Patrick James Faucette, Jr.
Joanne Robinson
Marylin Ann Foley
Robert Alan Rogers
Nancy Ann Foster
R. Clinton Francis, Jr.
Wendy Russell
Felix Francis Santore
Jean Diane Scavongelli
Donna Eloise Shannon
Helen Demars Sharp
Jean Mary Shaw
William James Shaw
Deborah Jane Gilbert
Mary Ellen Sias Rosemary Sias James Shepherd Sinatra
Paulette G. Goguen
Evelyn Cecilia Skitzki
Richard Lloyd Goodwin
Betsy Brooke Smith
Janet Ermina Smith Linda Grace Smith
Robert Arthur Goodwin Sandra Goodwin Lincoln M. Grant George G. Gray Richard A .Gray
Richard Clayton Smith
Richard Stephen Smith Judith Anne Sollows
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Roland Prince Garland
Caroline Kendel Gibson
Vincent Giuliano Michael Bolster Glynn
Frank Allen Rosenkrans
Joan Carol Frazier Peter L. Gale Charlotte C. Gannon Linda Marie Gardner
Walter Gray Marlene Jean Gregorio Linda Janice Gromyko Sally Mae Grundy Constance Greenleaf Hale Charlotte Ann Haley Francis W. Hamilton Patricia Ann Harrow Sylvia Jane Harvey June Carole Haskell Thomas Michael Havel Elizabeth Jean Hawe
Beverly Ann Stephenson Barry Eugene Stevens Peter Frederick Stevenson Karen Elizabeth Story Linda Cordell Stott Kenneth Lee Sumner Shirley S. Sun
Lynne M. Sutherland
Thomas John Swenson
Vernon D. Taylor
Donna L. Thibault
Arthur Thomas Hayden
Jacquelyn Ann Tibbetts Shirley Ann Toner
William John Herrick
Diane Marie Villella
David Laurence Hill
Carol Ann Wadman
Elsie Louise Horrigan
Carol Ann Weadick
Bruce Foster Horton
Ann Mary Houle Judith Blair Hovey
Nancy Laura White Judith Ann Whitehouse Beverly Lauran Wilkins
Gail Lillian Howard
Edward D. Winkler, Jr.
Patricia Mary Hoyt
Carol Ann Wisentaner
Arthur Harry Hubbard
Diane Frances Witham
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Gary Bainbridge Walker
Chester Irving Hopkins III
Lois Ann Thornton
Susan Elizabeth Haynes
Annual Appraisal No. 92
Problems in Bookkeeping at Reading Public Library
Increasing demands upon the Reading Public Library during the past year have ordered quickened pace in the expansion program re- ferred to in last year's report. In all departments, your Public Library has experienced an increase and there seems to be no let-up in the growth of adult and juvenile patronage.
Along with the awaited master plan for land usages and other developments, there comes also a report on coordinated planning for Boston and the suburbs. This points with firmness to gains in popu- lation throughout the area and urges communities to take appropriate action.
Population growth is a key factor in the proposal and planning of any service. The Board of Library Trustees cannot be content with allowing its program to remain static. Those who come daily to the Library for study, reference, or relaxation continually present needs that set a pattern of progress.
CIRCULATION RISES: - The mainspring that drives the planning mechanism is the circulation. Before November had been finished, the 1959 circulation figure had passed that of 1958. At year-end accounting we found the total figure for the 12-month period had increased by 25,125 which is 16.81 per cent above the previous year. This includes a gain of 12.74 per cent in the adult department and a startling increase of 23.57 per cent in the children's room.
This sharpens the task of administration along three important lines:
1. More room for patrons.
2. Personnel for patron service and routine functions.
3. More room for circulated material.
Immediate action is needed on the first two. The third must re- ceive attention now with a view to definite action within a short time.
Space for the patrons has been an apparent need throughout the past year. Use of the main reading room by high school students during the evening has brought some protests because of the student overflow into the adult area and the buzz and bustle that sometimes results. The Library administration and staff are in full sympathy with the students' need for reference facilities, but also feel that stu- dents who utilize the main reading room merely for a study hall, using only their own textbooks, are indeed taking up space which the public would like to occupy.
The Board of Trustees, in setting up controls, does not desire to ex- clude students but it does favor restrictions, and conferences with school officials are expected to result in a time schedule that will promise more accommodations for the elder patrons during the evening hours.
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In the children's room there is particularly heavy traffic during the late afternoon and this prompts steps to combine the junior and senior high school reading and reference facilities.
This all works together to compound problems for the staff. A limited payroll budget prevents addition of either permanent or part- time workers for the peak hours.
This is relieved somewhat by the installation of new charging ma- chines. The necessary re-issuance of cards to all patrons was accom- plished without inconvenient delay. The charging of books by this method saves much time and the cost is less than the hourly wages for personnel to do the same work.
An intercommunication system also has been installed as a time saver enabling staff members to complete work loads in shorter time by remaining in their own departments. Further saving comes in less hiring of part-time help for messenger work.
But there still must be an over-all effort to increase the service de- partments along with the growth of the number of borrowers. In- creased book services - shelving, cataloguing, repairing, and other handling routines - must keep pace with the addition of new volumes and the continuing rise in circulation.
The need for book storage space, while now apparent, will not become acute for some time - probably about two years. It means that thought must be applied to the problem now to formulate a timely remedy.
Before maturing any plan for physical expansion, the Trustees will consider asking for a survey of needs. This may require the work of a specialist in library construction and service or the board might under take to make the estimate itself if time and facility will permit. It might well be more advantageous, in both time and money, to hire a professional in the field to set up recommendations for renovating, en- larging or replacing the present building. It seems that an adequate solution to the expansion problem and a judicious planning of expenses would result from such competent advice.
BOOK-BUYING POLICY: - Shrinking shelf space brings squarely before the trustees the need for a tighter policy in the acquisition of books and other materials for circulation. We must consider two elements:
1. What do the patrons demand?
2. What sort of a collection shall be circulated?
It is likely that the patrons as a whole could demand more in the line of books, phonorecords, film strips, and other materials than the Library could afford to buy or find room to house. With proper regard for the requests that fall into small minorities, the staff often can satisfy individual tastes through inter-library loan or other temporary shelving of materials. This would mean that purchases then could be confined to items more greatly in demand and which will have longer use.
There are always works of fiction and non-fiction that fill a lot of space and enjoy comparatively short popularity. Their storage in out-of-the-way stacks until they no longer call forth even an occa-
136
sional request, necessitates a constant review of the collection and a continual sifting of inactive books in order to make room for newer entries into the light of public favor.
Advancement in science and technology requires increased updat- ing of the collection and even those works must be weeded out after they become obsolete. Sometimes these outdated works will have their use but it is questionable whether the local library should be ex- pected to stock. them. Specialized libraries or other depositories fre- quently may balance this demand.
It seems very likely that a selection and retention policy must be well defined and followed in order to utilize space and streamline service within present housing facilities and even after the plant may be enlarged.
The demand for specialized materials such as recordings and film strips seems likely to increase and quarters will be needed for audio- visual equipment.
Youth services, as noted in the 1958 report, need growing attention and more space in which to operate.
Speeding of communications and rapid developments in current events bring to the library a constant flow of seekers for information at all levels - neighborhood to global.
Continued growth means increases in capital, maintenance, and payroll outlays. Thus any demands made by the public can be served only if the public is willing to meet the expenses involved.
Upkeep during the past year has required action against inroads of the weather on the outside and the laying of a new floor and other in- terior finishing in the children's room, as well as brightening of decor in the adult section. Drainage and general service fittings about the building have been repaired with special attention being called to the need for more uniform lighting.
COOPERATION WITH SCHOOLS: - The Library has for many years served as a reference center for Reading school pupils. In early school years the children are encouraged to use the Library. The growth in this department during the past few years has been surpris- ing. An upswing shown by reports from public libraries in various parts of the state appears to an even greater percentage in the statistics of this Library.
Consideration has been given by your Library and school officials to the matter of cooperation between the two departments in order to allow the students maximum use of the library facilities. With the modern trend establishing a library, and detailed instruction as to its use, as an active part of the school program, it was proposed that there be a refinement of communications between the schools and the Public Library. The Public Library staff desires to know what materials and services might be expected by the schools and what the school libraries have to offer that will underlie or supplement the Public Library fa- cilities.
Cooperation between the two departments has been good in the past. The growing stress on library facilities within the schools makes it urgent that the liaison be strengthened.
137
As construction and maintenance costs continue to rise, it becomes more pressing that space be utilized to its greatest advantage. New time schedules and regulations might help this situation.
DISCIPLINARY PROBLEM: - There has been the perennial prob- lem of discipline during evenings when young people were on hand and there were found to be some not versed in proper library decorum or not considerate of the industrious attitude of fellow students.
Disciplinary steps were necessary and this matter seems now to be under control. Cooperation was asked of students, school heads, parents, and police.
Combined suggestions and appeals seem to have had the desired effect. The threatened loss of library privileges was forcefully pub- licized.
JOB CLASSIFICATION: - A new job and salary schedule is under consideration. Library personnel can be classified as professional and non-professional and the latter can be further subdivided according to degree of training and experience. The present schedule does not properly reflect these considerations.
The demands upon the Reading Public Library have reached a point where we must more than ever be ready to meet professional standards in equipment and service. This requires efficient personnel under pro- fessional direction. We must either modernize our schedule or be content to face rapid turnovers in administrative and staff personnel.
It has been suggested to the board that there are a number of mat- ters in personnel management that should be set down in writing since they do not seem to be covered by town by-laws or other official statements. It could avoid critical misunderstandings if these items were clearly set forth as established policy.
LIBRARY-USE QUESTIONNAIRE: - Earlier in the year a ques- tionnaire was devised and circulated throughout the town asking lead- ing questions of residents about their use of the Public Library. The response was gratifying and the professional interest in the move widespread.
Authorities in the conduct of such surveys have indicated that a 9 per cent response to a questionnaire might be considered adequate. The response in this case was about 16.5 per cent. While most of the answers expressed approval of the Library's program, there were some suggestions for improvement and these are a most welcome reaction, helping to guide both policy making and administration.
The survey was promoted as an academic interest of the librarian but the reception of it was on a practical as well as academic basis. While the librarian has set up the resulting statistics he is proceeding with some precision through the evaluation and interpretation of them. One main aim now is to find the public's viewpoint of the areas that need improvement.
At the fall meeting of the Massachusetts Library Trustees Associa- tion a staff member of the Division of Library Extension in the State Department of Education cited the questionnaire and your librarian was asked to tell about it. This brought several inquiries as to its development and copies of it have been requested by trustees and li-
138
brarians in many parts of the state, all agreeing that Reading's move to find out what the public wants is a progressive step in library admin- istration.
LOCAL HISTORY ROOM: - Planning in advance for expansion of facilities brings in consideration of a department of local history. With interest in this field expanding, there is much that a local library can do - and many have done a great deal.
One step is the establishment of a room set aside for books and study of local history. Here town history and information would be kept for reading and research. The section might well include county and state references as well as genealogical material and works on local history. But the stress would be upon the Town of Reading.
The extent of this department might go so far as to include access to old original town records if proper security could be arranged through interdepartmental exchange.
Notable in this provision for the citizen interested in the story of his home community is the Cary Memorial Library in Lexington for which a resident of Reading, who is an archivist by profession, was a consultant.
LIBRARIAN'S STATISTICS: - The librarian compiles the following
statistical summary:
Appropriation from Town
$ 46,995.80
Salary Appropriation
$ 30,000.00
Total Expended
$ 29,999.98
Balance returned to the Town $
.02
Maintenance Appropriation
$
16,995.80
Maintenance Expenditures
$ 16,995.79
Balance returned to the Town $
.01
Total Expenditures
$ 46,995.77
Total Balance Returned to the Town $ .03
CIRCULATION DESK RECEIPTS
Adult Department Fines
$ 2,235.64
Children's Department Fines
750.66
Total Fines
$ 2,986.30
Non-resident Fees
$ 14.00
Total to Town Treasurer $ 3,000.30
CIRCULATION
Adult Circulation
Fiction
58,061
Non-fiction
36,909
Periodicals
6,823
139
Phonorecords
3,187
Filmstrips
85
Total Adult Department
Children's Circulation
Fiction
53,415
Non-fiction
13,808
Periodicals
469
Classroom deposits
1,662
Total Children's Department ...
69,354
Inter-Library Loan
Borrowed
91
Loaned
24
Total Inter-Library Loan
115
Total Library Circulation
174,534
Increase in Circulation Over 1958
Adult Department
11,838 (12.74%)
Children's Department
13,233 (23.57%)
Inter-Library Loan
54
Total Increase
25.125 (16.81%)
Average Daily Circulation
Adult Department
360.20
360.20
Children's Department
190.88
237.33
Total Average Daily Circulation ...
597.53
Per Capita Circulation (Based on population estimate of 18,000)
9.7
Registered Borrowers
Adult
2,800
Young Adult
1,746
Children
2,076
Non-Resident
8
Total Registered Borrowers
6,630
Volumes in Library, Dec. 31, 1958
40,782
Adult Books Purchased
Fiction
690
Non-fiction
783
Reference
8
Total Adult Department
1,481
Children's Books Purchased
Fiction
764
Non-fiction
327
Reference
25
Total Children's Department 1,116
Total Books Purchased
2,597
140
105,065
Adult Department Gifts .... Children's Dept. Gifts ...
42 0
Total Gifts
42
Total Books Added
2,639
Books Withdrawn or Missing Adult Department 3,351
Children's Department ...
690
Total Books Withdrawn or Missing
4,141
Decrease in Number of Volumes
1,502
Volumes in the Library Dec. 31, 1959
39,280
Repairs to Books
Rebound
40
Repaired at Library
1,118
Total Books Repaired
1,158
BOARD CHANGES: - The board members and staff were saddened during the year at the passing of Mrs. Lewis E. Pierce, a highly con- scientious trustee and chairman of the board.
Robert Stewart succeeded to the charmanship and the vacancy on the board was filled by the election of Miss Helen E. Clark at a joint meeting of the Selectmen and the Library Trustees.
Mr. Stewart's term and the unexpired term being filled by Miss Clark regularly expire with the March election.
Board of Library Trustees
ROBERT R. STEWART Chairman C. NELSON BISHOP HELEN E. CLARK
IRENE LATHAM Secretary WILLIAM H. DIAMOND SYDNEY M. HODSON
FULL-TIME STAFF JOSEPH J. SCHMUCH Librarian
RUTH W. CURRIER Assistant Librarian
JOHN N. BERRY III Youth Reference
GEORGIANNA MERRILL
LOIS LEE
Circulation
Children's Librarian GUSTA E. LODI Children's Assistant
EDWARD TEER Custodian
LIBRARY HOURS: - Adult department, 10 a. m. to 9 p. m., Monday through Friday, until 6 p .m. Saturday (63 hours). Children's room, 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. daily (48 hours). Both departments closed all day Saturday during summer months.
141
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE
Attendance: In spite of the rainy summer attendance increased at all playgrounds. The newly opened Glen Meadow had an average attendance of 140, proving the need for this facility in the housing de- velopment on West Street. Other play areas operated were as follows: Washington, Birch Meadow, Memorial, Eaton and Haverhill Street (Zigorski's).
Activities and Staff: The Recreation Staff under the capable direc- tion of John B. Pacino attempts to treat each "p'arkster" as a very important person. They provide a list of activities so varied that it is much too lengthy to list in this report. The Supervisors are university graduates or in the process of securing a college degree. The Playlead- ers are mature young ladies in the same category while the assistants are all high school graduates.
Winter Program: Your committee operates three supervised, lighted skating areas: Birch Meadow, Sturgis Pond, and Memorial Park. This year we have hockey boards at Birch Meadow, and we hope next year to extend these to Sturgis. In this manner the larger boys can play hockey in a rink separate from the general skating area where the smaller children congregate.
Acknowledgments: Many town groups aided the summer Recrea- tion Department. The School Department has been extremely co-opera- tive in all ways. The Board of Public Works has answered all requests in a courteous and prompt manner. The Reading Chronicle has en- abled us to extend our message through a series of informative articles, pictures and stories. To those previously mentioned and all others who assisted the recreation program, The Recreation Department wishes to express an appreciative thanks.
Respectfully Submitted,
HERBERT M. RIXON, Chairman
DONALD TEEL, Secretary PHILLIP ALTHOFF ALBERT CHISHOLM H. LEE DONLEY . LAWRENCE LEONARD NEWELL MORTON ROBERT TURNER WM. WILSON, JR.
142
ANNUAL REPORT of
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS of The Town of Reading, Massachusetts for the year ended December 31, 1959
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
'To the Citizens of Reading:
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its annual report for 1959.
On March 9, 1959, the Board organized with Domenick Zanni, Jr. as Chairman and Lloyd Harrison as Secretary.
Regular Board meetings were held on Monday evenings through- out the year plus a few special meetings.
Acting as the Board of Survey, several hearings were held to con- sider proposed lines and grades for proposed new streets. As a result of the hearings, and the operation of developers in various develop- ments, new rules and regulations have been invoked, which, it is felt, will work to the advantage of the Town, the Developer and the future home owner.
During the year the following members served on the following Special Committees:
Law Committee Domenick Zanni, Jr.
Park and Recreation Study Committee Coleman J. Donahue Recreation Committee Lawrence Leonard
Junior High School Building Committee Lloyd Harrison
Construction work was accomplished by the Town forces and by contractors in several of the various divisions of the Department. The usual large amount of maintenance work also was accomplished.
Sewer Construction was accomplished according to the published program. Continued annual appropriations will permit the Department to keep abreast of the program and to add to it continually.
Steady progress has been made on the expansion program of the water system. Your attention is called to the more specific report of the Superintendent for details on this subject.
During the year it was necessary to close the Mineral Street Bridge to vehicular traffic. The Board has proposed to the Town that an ap- propriation for repairs be approved. If granted, the repairs will be made and the Bridge reopened as speedily as possible.
Residential construction continued at near the levels of the past few years, bringing with it many varied problems which received the attention of the Board for possible solution.
Again, it is our privilege to thank Boards and Committees of other 'Town Departments, and the general public, for the cooperation extended during the year.
'The Board also wishes to extend its thanks to the employees for their continued loyalty and cooperation, especially in cases of emer-
144
gency when it has been necessary for them to work long hours under trying conditions.
Reference is made to the report of the Superintendent for a more detailed account of the activities of the various divisions of the Board of Public Works.
Respectfully Submitted,
DOMENICK ZANNI, JR., Chairman LLOYD W. HARRISON, Secretary COLEMAN J. DONAHUE DONALD E. FLORENCE LAWRENCE W. LEONARD
SUPERITENDENT'S REPORT
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