USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1963 > Part 14
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The entire reworking of the Reference and Young Adult Depart- ments, as well as the classes in literature and music in the non-fiction collection have been completed, and a significant beginning made on the local history collection.
173
This achievement in recataloging has been accomplished in addi- tion to the six thousand two hundred and seventy-five new accessions processed during the year.
The department was also responsible for the withdrawal from the shelf-list and public catalogue of one thousand seven hundred and sixty books withdrawn by the Librarian.
For the first time in over ten years, the Department has undertaken an inventory of the library's holdings. At the close of the year, over eighty per cent of the non-fiction collection in the Adult and Young Adult collections has been covered. Upon completion of the inventory, we shall have a more realistic picture of both strengths and weaknesses in the basic collection.
REFERENCE DEPARTMENT
The first four months of 1963 were difficult ones for our Reference Department. Difficulty in finding a successor to Mr. Brij Kapoor brought about a situation in which professional members of the staff at- tempted to ease the situation by filling in hours in the Department under the Librarian's direction. The hiring of Mr. Robert E. Cain as Reference Librarian in May solved this pressing problem. During the year all Adult reference materials were brought to a consolidated position behind the Circulation Desk. We were thus able to afford the Reference Librarian a good supervisory position and to eliminate much waste of motion in the use of reference tools. With some limitations - the lack of good light, and the ever-present problem of lack of adequate work space - this arrangement has proved much more satisfactory than prior arrangements.
The vertical file has undergone several changes aimed at making it more usable by both public and staff. The agricultural file, now infrequently used, has been moved to the basement. Some 280 career monographs have been incorporated into the vocational file, consider- ably strengthening our holdings in this vital area. More vertical file space is desperately needed, however, if our Reference Department is fully to meet demands for currently valuable materials.
During 1963 the combined efforts of those engaged in reference work resulted in the handling of 4,522 requests, an increase of 13.3 per cent over last year's total of 3,992. The areas of greatest demands in subject fields were in the area of history, travel and description, biography, and literary criticism. There was also considerable call for materials on building, do-it-yourself projects, antiques, and handcrafts. Reference requests this year, as in the past, have come chiefly from students. Although adult reference services have lagged far behind young adult reference services in terms of questions answered, we have experienced a sharp rise in adult reference use. Adequate physical facilities, combined with a good public relations program will, I know, greatly increase adult demand.
174
CHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT
An all-time high circulation of 93,310 books broke another record in our Children's Department. This figure is higher than the entire library's circulation just ten years ago.
Demands were made upon the departmental staff not only for books for home use, but for reference help as well. One thousand three hundred and seventy-four reference questions were recorded in the department during the year - an increase of nearly fifteen per cent.
The morning closing of the department has affected in no way its services. Rather it has increased its efficiency, for Mrs. Merrill is now able to spend much added time on book selection, weeding, and class room visits.
A continuing emphasis has been made on our work with schools and as a result class-room deposits totaled seven thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, an all-time high. More teachers have brought their classes to the library than ever before for instruction in the use of the card file and other departmental facilities.
The pre-school story hour has continued to be popular and many registrations have already been taken for next year's session.
The summer reading program was unusually successful and the quality of the reading done by the youngsters most gratifying
The growth of children's services continues to be severely hamp- pered by the utter physical inadequacy of the children's room. In order to make appreciable strides in making even better, service that is al- ready good, the department must have more space and a greatly increased book budget.
Mrs. Merrill deserves a special plaudit for the splendid fashion in which she conducts the work of the department despite difficult odds.
YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT
We have been fortunate indeed in seeing the splendid work of strengthening our service in this vital area begun by Miss Nancy B. Sartwell continued by Mr. Bee. The circulation of Young Adult materials has increased materially. Reference work with this age group continues to grow.
The restriction upon use of the department's facilities by secondary school students after 7:30 p.m. has proved most satisfactory. Students using the library for social purposes are rarely seen now, and the staff may spend more time with serious students and adults genuinely in need of reference help.
'The department's book collection has been greatly strengthened by a continuing policy of acquisition in areas of weakness, as well as a thorough program of withdrawal of materials of little or no current value. There is need for further strengthening of book resources, but this is impossible until more shelf space is afforded.
The matter of school-library cooperation in this area of book se- lection for this age group becomes more and more demanding of study.
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There would be, I am sure, much benefit derived from a cooperative system which would allow far fuller utilization of all the town's book resources twelve months a year.
CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT
The year was once again both a difficult and frustrating one for the Department. We have been able to rise to the challenge of increased demands by the borrowing public despite the fact that 68.4 per cent of the department's work is being done by part-time staff members.
The department continues to be without a permanent head - a fact which seriously impedes its professional development. Mrs. Doris H. Taylor has done well in regularizing many of the clerical procedures which consume so large a portion of staff time, since her appointment to the post on an ad interim basis. She is, of course, hampered by the fact that she works only a part-time schedule. We must soon think seriously not only of added personnel for the clerical work, but of a full time professional head.
The problem of overdue books remains a not inconsiderable one, but it has been alleviated considerably by the Trustees' implementation of the enforcement of Chapter 266, Section 99 of the General Laws.
The Circulation Desk itself presents more and more of a problem. As its use grows, the impracticability of its arrangement becomes more and more obvious. If we are able to transfer our Cataloging Depart- ment into the third stack during 1964, we should move the work of the Circulation Department into the area they formerly occupied. This would have the effect not only of freeing badly needed space in public areas, but would create a more business-like atmosphere for the work of the department.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The Music Department continued to see much use during the year. The circulation of phonorecords increased by 24.4 per cent to a high of five thousand one hundred and twenty-six.
The job of reclassification of the entire music collection, both phonorecords and book materials, was completed in 1963. The value of the collection was enhanced by the withdrawal of 378 records, all of which were in poor physical shape.
The degree of interest evidenced by Reading residents not only in music, but in the visual arts continues to point to the wisdom of future planning for a subject department in this area.
The problem of space continues to be our most pressing problem. If we are to continue to meet adequately the needs of Reading citizens of all ages and cultural backgrounds, we must push forward our pro- gram of building expansion. It is our hope that the work of the Town Building Needs Space Study Committee will serve as the needed goad to action on the library's behalf, and that in 1964 we will see definite steps taken to ensure continuing library service at a high professional level for all Reading residents, both today and in the future.
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APPENDIX A REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN TO THE BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES FOR 1963
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
Appropriation from the Town
$ 78,000.00
Appropriation by Special Town Meeting
1,542.48
Income from Trust Funds
1,825.00
C. Nelson Bishop Memorial Fund
195.00
Total Income
$ 81,562.48
SALARIES
Appropriation from the Town
$ 50,000.00
Appropriated by Special Town Meeting
1,542.48
$ 51,542.48
EXPENDED
Full-time personnel
$ 38,309.65
Part-time personnel
9,671.71
Custodian
3,561.10
Total expended
$ 51,542.46
MAINTENANCE
Appropriation from the Town
$ 28,000.00
Income from Trust Funds
1,825.00
C. Nelson Bishop Memorial Fund
195.00
Total Maintenance
$ 30,020.00
EXPENDED
Books
$ 15,936.45
Periodicals
1,235.23
Records
620.00
Bindings
2,278.77
Printing and Supplies
1,457.38
Expense Account
300.00
Service Contracts
737.07
Building Maintenance
1,377.93
Capital Expenditures
3,557.94
Telephone
589.60
Fuel
951.86
Light
886.57
Water and Sewer
91.20
$ 30,020.00
Grand Total Expenditures
$ 81,562.46
F Returned to Town .02
177
Fines and Charges
Turned into Town Treasury
$ 3,507.59
Total Receipts
$ 3,507.59
APPENDIX B LIBRARY STATISTIC FOR 1963
CIRCULATION
Adult Department
Fiction
52,759
Non-Fiction
44,380
Phonorecords
5,126
Filmstrips
77
Films
5
Total Adult Department
102,364
Young Adults Department
Fiction
14,035
Non-Fiction
11,514
Total Young Adults Department
25,549
Children's Department
Fiction
64,527
Non-Fiction
20,952
Classroom Deposits
7,831
Total Children's Department
93,310
Inter-Library Loan
217
Total Library Circulation
221,440
Total Increase Over 1962
13,187
6.33%
Average Daily Circulation
Adult Department
350.10
Young Adults Department
87.19
Children's Department
318.46
Total Average Daily Circulation
755.75
Per Capita Reading Index
11.4
Registered Borrowers
Adult
4,553
Young Adult
2,933
Children
3,368
Non-Resident
8
Total Registered Borrowers
10,862
Per Cent of Townspeople Having Library Cards 56.4%
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Number of Hours Library Open Each Week
Normal Schedule
Adult Department
63
Children's Department 33
Summer Schedule
Adult Department
55
Children's Department
40
APPENDIX C LIBRARY STATISTICS FOR 1963
Volumes in Library December 31, 1962 ....
49,248
Books Added
Adult Department
Fiction
1,118
Non-Fiction
3,247
Total Adult Department
4,365
Young Adult Department
923
Children's Department
987
Total Books Added
6,275
Gifts (Included Above)
386
Books withdrawn or missing
Adult Department
1,376
Young Adult Department
135
Children's Department
249
Total withdrawn or missing
1,760
Increase in Number of Volumes
4,515
Volumes in Library December 31, 1963
53,763
Volumes recatalogued
5,034
Repairs to Books
Rebound
298
Repaired at Library
2,297
2,595
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BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
ROBERT E. STEWART, Chairman C. NELSON BISHOP, Deceased 3/2/63 HELEN E. CLARK
H. IRENE LATHAM, Secretary WILLIAM H. DIAMOND SYDNEY M. HODSON
ALFRED R. JOHNSON
STAFF
December 31, 1963 Theodore E. Johnson, Librarian
Richard E. Reed
Jayne K. Finney
Georgianna C. Merrill
Thomas M. Bee
Robert E. Cain
Joyce K. Miller
Doris H. Taylor
Assistant. Librarian and Cataloger Administrative Assistant Children's Librarian Young Adults Librarian Reference Librarian Readers Services Librarian Circulation Librarian ad interim
Gusta E. Lodi
General Assistant
Janice M. Carter
General Assistant General Assistant
Eunice R. Currie
Eleanor R. Hardy
General Assistant
Mae M. Keenan
General Assistant
Elinore M. Pinto
General Assistant
PAGES
Steven Bacon, Susan Conroy, Robert Frotten, Ronald Bezubka, Joan Foy, Philip Westra
CUSTODIAN
Louis B. Bacigalupo
180
ANNUAL REPORT
of
THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS of
The Town of Reading, Massachusetts
for the year ended December 31, 1963
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Citizens of Reading:
The Board of Public Works herewith submits its Annual Report for 1963.
On March 11, 1963, the Board organized with William H. Watt as Chairman and Fred C. Kenney, Jr. as Secretary.
Regular meetings of the Board were held on Monday evenings plus additional meetings as required.
Acting as the Board of Survey, hearings were held to consider proposed developments. Rules were reviewed in the light of actual experience and changes were made where it was thought warranted.
The approved programs of construction were reviewed and changes made where it was thought advisable. The method of making programs for the various departmental construction projects has resulted in good progress and will be continued in operation.
Sewer construction within an approved program has resulted in the elimination of many sanitary problems and has provided a much needed service to many homeowners. However, much remains to be done and it is recommended that this program be vigorously prosecuted and possibly expanded.
The Department had two serious cases of ill luck in 1963. The sewer contractor entered into voluntary bankruptcy with the work about 50 percent completed. The Bonding Company has contracted for the completion of the 1963 sewer extensions. Some work has been done and the remainder will be completed in 1964. There will not be any financial loss to the Town. A fire in June did considerable damage to the Town Garage. The Insurance Company has paid for the fire damage to the Garage, its contents and the equipment. Repairs are being de- ferred until a study is completed to determine the best use of the garage and surrounding area and recommendations for rebuilding will be made to the Town at a later date.
Construction of the Water Treatment Plant was completed and it has been placed in full operation. The result has been water of an excellent quality.
A program of improvements to the Water System has been de- veloped by the Department's Engineering Division. A companion pro- gram of financing has also been developed. Over a period of the next six to seven years, many improvements, such as enlarged distribution, enlarged storage, greater pump capacity, increased supply, etc. will be made.
The many requests for various types of service which are received by the Board are studied, evaluated and when warranted, developed into workable programs. Reference is made to the report of the Super- intendent for details of programming.
182
Again, the Board wishes to extend its thanks to the many Town Boards and Committees, to the Department Employees and to the gen- eral public for the cooperation and assistance received.
Respectfully submitted, William H. Watt, Chairman Fred C. Kenney, Jr., Secretary George W. Cochrane, 3rd Donald E. Florence Lawrence W. Leonard
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Public Works:
Gentlemen:
As required by Section 4, Chapter 118 of the Acts authorizing the Town of Reading to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration the forty-third annual report of the Department of Public Works and a short resume of the work performed during the year 1963 with recommendations for the future.
General
Residential construction continues at a moderate pace. As a result, the Board continuously receives requests for various services. Programs have been established in the various divisions of the Department and steady progress is being made in many ways. Some work has been let out to contract but most work is being done by Department employees.
Progress continues on modernizing the various functions of the Department. Much has been done but much remains to be done. In 1963 much time was spent on establishing an improved method of purchas- ing and installing unit cost records.
Board of Survey
The members of the Board of Public Works are ex-officio members of the Board of Survey. Acting as the Board of Survey, several hearings were held for the consideration of individual street layouts and for developments including several streets. Conferences were held with developers, contractors and affected property owners.
Estimates were prepared and performance bonds secured for proper construction as required.
A large number of proposed lot plans were examined and endorsed for recording. In many cases, for various reasons, it was not possible to endorse the proposals.
Engineering Division
During the year all positions except that of rodman were filled on a regular basis. This division is now operating well. The division has a
183
nucleus of good employees. A realistic use and expansion of this division would bring real efficiency and economy in many areas of Town Government providing the town is willing to pay salaries com- mensurate with private industry.
Water Division
Expansion of existing facilities continued in 1963. Work on the new treatment plant was completed and it now is in operation. Small sized mains were replaced by larger mains in several locations.
Residential construction remained at a moderate level. A total of 5,344 lineal feet of water main was installed. A total of 82 new water services were installed and 25 old services were replaced.
New water meters were installed in 82 locations, 976 meters were removed, tested and reset, or if required, junked and new meters set.
Pumping Stations and Filter Plant
Rainfall in 1963 was near normal, and problems of water supply were not serious during the year.
A total of 672,209,200 gallons of water was delivered to the dis- tribution system in 1963. The average daily consumption was 1,841,600 gallons. The highest single daily consumption was 3,872,400 gallons on June 26, 1963. The highest seven-day consumption for the period June 22 to June 28 was 21,112,000 gallons.
Well Fields
Extended dry spells in 1963 made it necessary to restrict water consumption.
The tubular wells were cleaned, inspected and repaired in the early summer months and wells showing high mineral content were shut off.
Statistics for the Year Ended December 31, 1963
General
Population - United States Census of 1960 - 19,259
Date of Construction of Pumping Stations - 1931, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962.
Source of Supply: Tubular (Driven) Wells, Gravel Walled Wells
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons - Power Only - $30.63
Cost of Pumping per Million Gallons based on total Pumping Sta- tion Expenses - $87.64
Cost of Water Supplied (per Million Gallons Pumped) based on Cost of Maintenance, plus Interest on Bonds - $281.28
184
YEARLY RECORD OF PUMPING STATIONS COMBINED PUMPAGE - 100 ACRES & REVAY BROOK January 1, 1963 through December 31, 1963 Total Total Total
Month
Days
100 Acres Revay Brook
Pumpage
Average Daily
January
31
21,030,600
30,754,000
51,784,600
1,670,471
February
28
17,902,800
27,348,000
45,250,800
1,616,100
March
31
29,214,700
23,418,000
52,632,700
1,697,830
April
30
28,905,100
21,802,000
50,707,100
1,690,024
May
31
29,388,000
27,072,000
56,460,000
1,821,290
June
30
37,833,500
29,079,000
66,912,500
2,230,417
July
31
41,101,700
24,375,000
65,476,700
2,112,152
August
31
42,874,300
24,664,000
67,538,300
2,178,655
September
30
34,174,900
23,610,000
57,784,900
1,926,163
October
31
34,410,400
24,017,000
58,427,400
1,884,755
November
30
27,413,500
19,305,000
46,718,500
1,557,283
December
31
29,513,700
23,002,000
52,515,700
1,694,055
Totals
373,763,200
298,446,000
672,209,200
1,841,600
COMPARATIVE TOTAL PUMPAGE OF WATER FOR PAST 10 YEARS
Total Pumpage
Increase or Average Daily
Increase
Year
Gallons
Decrease
Pumpage
or Decrease
1954
374,804,000
30,776,000 (D)
1,026,860
84,318 (D)
1955
412,582,400
37,778,400 ( I)
1,130,363
103,503 ( I)
1956
430,214,900
17,632,500 ( I)
1,178,691
48,328 ( I)
1957
471,102,600
40,887,700 ( I)
1,290,692
112,001 ( I)
1958
454,355,200
16,747,400 (D)
1,244,809
45,833 (D)
1959
503,026,200
48,671,000 ( I)
1,378,153
133,344 ( I)
1960
524,579,100
21,552,900 ( I)
1,433,276
55,123 ( 1)
1961
608,908,100
84,329,000 ( I)
1,668,241
234,965 ( I)
1962
609,073,900
165,800 ( I)
1,668,696
455 ( I)
1963
672,209,200
63,135,300 ( I)
1,841,600
173,004 ( I)
RAINFALL AT HUNDRED ACRES PUMPING STATION
1963
Month
Normal Rainfall
1963 Rainfall
Excess or Deficiency 1963
January
3.50
2.62
. . 88
February
3.19
2.89
. . 30
March
3.77
3.37
- . 40
April
3.80
1.15
-2.65
May
3.09
3.12
+ .03
June
3.33
1.44
-1.89
July
3.28
2.41
.87
August
3.41
1.68
-1.73
September
3.63
3.41
. . 22
October
3.23
1.93
-1.30
November
3.63
9.14
+5.51
December
3.51
1.55
-1.96
Totals
41.37
34.71
-6.66
185
Highway Division Chapter 90 Construction
Using Chapter 90 Funds plus Chapter 782 Funds, John Street from the Wakefield line to Washington Street was reconstructed.
Street Betterments
Five streets were accepted as public ways. All construction work was done by Town employees. The streets are:
Ash Hill Road Henzie Street
Wentworth Road Whitehall Lane
Tennyson Circle
Bituminous Concrete Pavement
Portions of the following streets were recovered with bituminous concrete:
Charles Street
Chute Street
Pleasant Street Sanborn Street
General Highway Maintenance
Normal maintenance operations took place during the year. Streets were swept, basins cleaned, storm drains cleared, tree lawns repaired, curbing set and reset, plus many other items. With the substantial installation of new public utilities plus increased traffic, it has become increasingly difficult to maintain street surfaces. Large amounts of patching materials are used annually. A substantial amount of various types of road oil was used. Several methods of treatment were used in an attempt to cover the scars of utility installations and to maintain reasonably smooth riding surfaces.
Sidewalk Construction and Maintenance
Long sections of sidewalk were constructed on High Street, Chute Street and Pleasant Street. Due primarily to economic reasons, most sidewalks were constructed of bituminous concrete.
Maintenance as usual was accomplished during the year. Gravel and stonedust were spread, tree lawns loamed and seeded and repairs made to granolithic and bituminous sidewalks.
Storm Water Drains
This item continues to be a source of constant requests for facilities.
These requests have been resolved into a program which the Board feels included the most pressing projects and which would be of most benefit to the town and the abutters.
Maintenance of Storm Drains
Under an expanded program several culverts were cleared, long lengths of ditches cleaned, and all catch basins cleaned with a mechan- ical cleaning machine. A portion of the Quannapowitt Drain was cleaned with a hired crane.
186
Snow and Ice
Several plowable snow storms occurred. Also, several that required sanding only. Additional equipment was hired and extra personnel em- ployed as required. Every reasonable effort was made to plow and re- move snow and return the Town to normal conditions in each instance.
John Street Dump
The dump was operated in a partial sanitary fill manner. Broadly speaking, the operation was reasonably successful. Some problems arose which required special attention. The fence was extended and trees planted. More cover was placed on the side facing Route 128. All possible brush, boards, limbs, etc. were processed through a chipper. During 1963 almost 2 acres of land was filled.
Park and Playground Division
In 1960 this section of the Department was placed on a divisional basis with a working foreman in charge and an enlarged labor force assigned regularly. The result was gratifying and the method has been continued to date.
Extensive maintenance was accomplished on all areas. Debris was removed, beds and walks edged, fertilizer applied, grass cut, loam and seed spread, play equipment repaired, bleachers repaired, fences re- paired, brush cut and removed, grass cut regularly, ball fields main- tained, tennis court maintained plus many other related items of work.
Men and equipment were placed at the disposal of the Recreation Committee and work done which would allow their program to be carried out efficiently.
Based on a prepared program there was considerable replacement of worn, antiquated facilities and extensions were continued in two areas.
Sewer Division
Sewer Construction followed the program as printed in the Annual Report.
Sewers were installed in several streets, with most of the work being done by contract.
Sewer house connections were installed to 139 homes.
Maintenance of main sanitary sewer was accomplished using power operated cleaning machines.
The Willow Street Sewage Pumping Station operated efficiently with no major problems except during heavy rains when homeowners released flooded cellars into the sewers and the station was inundated. Pumping totaled 22,273,630 gallons compared to 27,111,370 in 1962.
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