USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1956-1962 > Part 61
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Here we are preparing a re- search project on Switzerland in a Library which we our- selves, with PTA assistance, have created
7
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KOVI RY
EXPLORATION
The murals which we make help us to awaken heroes who long ago died in our textbooks
115
--
I guess there are times when getting us to and from school is a bigger problem than teaching us
That's me, the one next to him
....
-
Dur Christmas Choir
L
There are times when we set aside our Arithmetic and History and try to learn about ourselves
116
Our room is alive with Science
In the Laboratory we discover the truth
-
-
We are proud of our new Language Laboratory. Now we can practice say- ing it like a Frenchman and nobody laughs
117
Be square and on the level, whether building houses or character
Sugar and Spice!
-
Our hearing is tested regularly so that our learning speed will not be handicapped
118
It is too, Art
In
But Grandma, what big ears you have! The better to hear you with, my dears
And we sing just as sweetly as we look
119
-
Where facilities are available, Physical Education starts in the Elementary School
JFK would be proud of our physical fitness progress
And ours too !
120
WESTFORD ACADEMY 1961 GRADUATES
Carolyn Greeley Abbot
*Nancy Ann Abbood Charles Edwin Baker
Gregory George Beskalo III Stephen D. Beskalo Russell Wayne Bill
Hubert Joseph Boisvert Christiane M. J. Bracquart Kathleen Mary Bradley
*Joyce Faye Chaisson George Dexter Connolly Richard Weldon Cornwall Kathleen Crowley Vincent B. Daly, Jr. Thomas Fuller Darrah
*Robert Arthur Deforge Karen Elaine DeMartin
Marie Antoinette DeVincentis Charles Anthony DiDonato Judith Gail Donnelly Sandra L. Dureault
*Joan Eliasen Deborah Marie Finn Carolyn Ann Gerlach
*Ann Elizabeth Goucher Candis B. Hanson *Shirley Jean Harris *Linda May Herrmann
*Alison Winifred Hogg *Mary Jane Kane Jacqueline Ann Killam Francis A. King III *Stella Alice Kosowicz William H. Lahan
*National Honor Society Member
C. Joyce Lamb *Deborah Ann Lambert Melvin Edward Leedberg
*Paulette Marie MacMillan Douglas Gordon MacPhail Maurice Roland Marchand, Jr. Francis Theodore McAllister, Jr.
*Paula Jeanne McCarthy Pauline R. Menard Paul Joseph Milot Harlene Minsk Roger Warren Moore
*Susan Jane Morash George Roy Morrison Ralph Arthur Mosher Thomas J. Mosscrop Brian B. Mulligan Richard Francis Mungovan Judith Marie Murray George Linwood Nesmith, Jr.
*Diane F. Noel Sandra Ann Nylund Sandra Sue Phillips John L. Reeves Sandra Ann Richardson Karen Anne Rooks
*Sharon Lee Saunders Robert Wayne Secovich Patricia Ann Terenzio Jane Marjorie Tyzzer Constance T. Valley Paula Judith Westwood Robert Newell Williams Dorothy Louise Wilson Barbara Jane Wright
PROGRAM
PROCESSIONAL - "Pomp and Circumstance" .... Elgar
INVOCATION
REVEREND THOMAS D. DONNOLLY
SALUTATORY ADDRESS - "Totalitarian Concepts of Peace and Truth" PAULETTE MacMILLAN
HONOR ESSAY - "Truth Before Peace"
ALISON HOGG
SENIOR CLASS ODE: Music - May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You Words - Sharon Lee Saunders
121
HONOR ESSAY - "Man's Struggle for Peace" DIANE NOEL
PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT
DOUGLAS GORDON Mac PHAIL President of the Class of 1961
ACCEPTANCE OF CLASS GIFT
DONALD EDWARD REEVES President of the Class of 1962
VALEDICTORY - "The Importance of Truth" PAULA MCCARTHY
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS (Given by the Trustees of Westford Academy)
For Excellence in English
For Excellence in French
For Excellence in Home Economics
Judith M. Murray
Richard W. Cornwall
Paula J. McCarthy
Francis A. King III and
Robert A. Deforge
Diane F. Noel
For Excellence in Social Studies
Sharon L. Saunders
THE MOST WORTHY REPRESENTATIVE OF WESTFORD ACADEMY Class of 1961 - Susan J. Morash Class of 1962 - Janet K. Nesmith Class of 1963 - Lynne A. Darrah
Class of 1964 - Beverly J. Brown
OTHER AWARDS
Bausch and Lomb Science Award D.A.R. Good Citizenship Award
D.A.R. American History Award Balfour Awards for:
Loyalty, Scholarship, Achievement
Homemaking Industrial Arts
Business Betty Crocker Award
SCHOLARSHIPS
Fletcher Athletic Club Scholarship Robert LeGacy
Westford Teachers' Association Scholarship Henry Leyland, President
Westford Grange Scholarship Mrs. Walter A. Wright, Master of Westford Grange The Westford Academy Student Council Scholarship Presented by Miss Irene Mitchell
Trustees of Westford Academy Scholarships Presented by Mr. H. Arnold Wilder
Robert A. Deforge Stella A. Kosowicz Joan Eliasen
Susan J. Morash
Judith M. Murray Richard W. Cornwall Diane F. Noel
Gregory Beskalo
Alison Hogg and Paulette MacMillan Joan Eliasen
Nancy Abbood
Several totaling $2900
For Excellence in Industrial Arts
For Excellence in Latin
For Excellence in Mathematics and Science
For Excellence in Secretarial Science
Paulette M. MacMillan
Paula J. McCarthy
122
AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS
R. ANDREW FLETCHER, JR. Chairman of School Committee
WESTFORD ACADEMY ALMA MATER
FRANK PAGE, Director
Calkin
BENEDICTION
REVEREND VIRGIL MURDOCK
RECESSIONAL - War March of the Priests from "Athalia". Mendelssohn Westford Academy Band, FRANK PAGE, Director
CLASS MOTTO "Truth Before Peace"
CLASS COLORS
Royal Blue and Silver Blue
CLASS FLOWER White Rose
CLASS MARSHAL
Donald Reeves
ACADEMY PROGRAM OF STUDIES
Grade 7-1
Grade 7-2
Grade 7-3,4,5
English
English
English
Social Studies
Social Studies
Social Studies
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics
Science
Science
Science
Art
Art
Art
Music
Music
Music
Grade 8-1
Grade 8-2
Grade 8-3,4,5,6
English
English
English
Social Studies
Social Studies
Social Studies
Science
Science
Science
Algebra I
Mathematics
Mathematics
Latin I
Accelerated Reading Art
Art
Accelerated Reading
Music
Music
Music
Physical Education
Physical Education
Physical Education
Home Economics
Art Home Economics
Home Economics
123
Business
English * Civics *
Physical Education * Accelerated Reading *
Introduction to Bkkpg Business Math
General Science
Latin I
French I Art Music
Business
English * Speech *
Physical Education *
World History
Biology Typing I Bookkeeping I
French 2
Latin 2 Business Math 2 Art Music
Business
English * U. S. History *
Physical Education *
Stenography I Typing 1 or 2 Basic Electronics Bookkeeping 2 Art Music
GRADE 10 College
English *
Speech *
Physical Education *
World History
Algebra 1 or 2
Geometry
Chemistry and Lab
Latin 1,2,3,4
French 1 or 2
Art
Music
GRADE 11 College
English * U. S. History *
English Composition ** Physical Education ** College Prep Only College Math Chemistry and Lab Physics Trig & Analyt Math
Geometry French 2 or 3 Latin 3 Art - Music
Mechanical Drawing
General
English
Physical Education * Practical Math
General Science Practical Arts (Girls)
Industrial Arts (Boys) Business Math Art
Music
General
English * Speech *
Physical Education * World History Biology Practical Math 2
Practical Arts (Girls) Industrial Arts (Boys) Bookkeeping
Typing I Art
Music
General
English * U. S. History
Physical Education * Basic Electronics Practical Arts (Girls) Industrial Arts (Boys) Bookkeeping 2 Typing 1 or 2 Art Music
124
GRADE 9 College
English *
Physical Education * Civics *
Algebra I
Geometry
Biology General Science
Latin 1, 2 or 3
French I
Art
Music
Business
English * Physical Education Prin. of Democracy Stenography 2 Bookkeeping 2 Typing 2 Business Law Office Practice Senior Science
Art - Music
GRADE 12 College
General
English *
English *
Physical Education * Physical Education * Senior Science
World Literature
Prob. of Democracy
French 3 or 4
Latin 4 Algebra 2 College Math (Review) College Science
Industrial Arts (Boys) Art - Music
Art - Music
Mechanical Drawing
Prob. of Democracy Review Math Typing 1 or 2 Practical Arts (Girls)
*All starred subjects are required
125
TEACHING STAFF 1961 -- 1962
TEACHERS
WESTFORD ACADEMY
SUBJECT OR GRADE
Oct 1960
English
Sep 1958
Kenneth Caldwell, A.B. (Providence College)
Social Studies
" 1960
Business
"
1954
English
" 1961
Latin
"
1961
Business
"
1961
Dorothy Doucette, B.S. (Framingham State)
Home Economics - Dietician
"
1954
Sharon Ewing, B.A. (University of Oklahoma)
English
"
1961
William Fisk, Jr., B.S. (Northeastern)
Science, Math
"
1960
Francis Foley, B.S. (Boston College)
Science
1960
Peter Graham, B.Ed. (Plymouth Teachers College)
English - Social Studies
1961
Donald Griffin,A.B.,M.Ed. (Boston Coll.,Fitchburg State)
Latin, English, Social Studies
"
1959
Eugene Hayes, B.S., M.Ed. (Boston College)
Vice Principal
"
1958
Bette Hook, B.A.,M.Ed. (Univ Mich., Fitchburg State)
Social Studies
" 1955
Industrial Arts
" 1959
Math - Science
Oct 1961
Science
Sep 1960
George Larkin, Jr., B.S. (Boston College) Donald Maclean, A.B. (Boston University)
Math - Science
1958
Charles Manousos, B.Ed. (Lowell State) Jessie Merritt, B.S. (Boston University)
Physical Education
"
1960
English
"
1955
Math
1961
English
Mar 1960
Guidance Director
Sep 1952
Harold Ready, B.S.,M.Ed. (Boston Univ.Fitchburg State)
Business
"
1956
Speech
1959
English
1961
French
Dec 1954
Physical Education
Sep 1958
Mathematics - Guidance
1956
Margaret Weafer, B.S. (Boston College)
Social Studies
1959
126
Francis Joyce, B.S. (Fitchburg State) Patricia Keating, B.S. (Salem State) A. William Kochanczyk, B.S. (Bridgewater State)
Guidance Counselor
"
1959
Math
1961
Irene Mitchell, B.S.,M.Ed. (Lowell State, Rivier) Edna Phillips, B.S. (University of Michigan) Walter Powers, B.A. (University of Mass.)
Mary Quinn, A.B.,M.Ed. (Regis, Fitchburg State)
Agnes Shipp, A.B., M.A. (Emerson College) J. Donald Silva, B.A. (Univ of New Hampshire) Madeleine Spaulding, A.B. (Boston University) Chesley Steele, B.S. (Springfield College) Louis Stroumbos, B.S. (Purdue University)
UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE SINCE
Daniel L. Desmond, B.S.,M.Ed. PRINCIPAL(Salem State, Boston Univ) Eva Brown, B.A. (University of New Hampshire)
Mary Carrick, B.S.,M.Ed. (Salem State, Boston University) George Curtin, B.A. (Our Lady of the Elms)
Elaine Day, A.B. (Radcliffe College) Christine Demetriou, B.S.Ed. (Salem State) Joseph Derby, B.S. (Tufts)
Mathematics
1959
WM. C. ROUDENBUSH SCHOOL
Peter F. Perry, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed., PRINCIPAL (Hyannis State, Boston Univ) Ralph Drinkwater, A.B. (University of Mass.) Marietta Greene, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State) James Thomas, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State) Ruth Wright, B.S.Ed. (Plymouth Teachers College)
Grade 7 Math
Sep 1924
11
English
1960
English
1961
Science
1959
Social Studies 1946
WM. E. FROST SCHOOL
Grade 6
1939
Rita Miller, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed. PRINCIPAL (Lowell State, Rivier College) Florence Morris (Lowell State)
11
2
1940
Kathryn Wilder (Bridgewater State)
3
Apr 1953
George Walsh, B.S. (Salem State)
11
4
Sep 1961
Madeline Goucher (Keene Teachers College)
5
1959
CAMERON SCHOOL
Alice Murphy, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed. PRINCIPAL (Lowell State, Calvin Coolidge Coll)
4
1949
Catherine Donahue, B.S.Ed. (Wheelock College)
1960
Josephine St Onge, A.B. (Boston College)
2
1959
Ann Cogger, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
3
1957
Vivian Norton, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
5
1958
Peter Van Ausdall, B.A. (University of Colorado)
6
Apr 1960
SARGENT SCHOOL
Henry Leyland, A.B.,M.Ed. PRINCIPAL (Merrimack Coll., Rivier College)
Sep 1956
Mona Griffin, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
11
1
1959
Jean Bell (Fitchburg State)
2
Apr 1930
Beatrice Provost (Lowell State)
"
3
Sep 1952
Patricia Gill, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
4
1961
Pearl Delaney, B.E., M.S. (Keene Teachers, Simmons)
5
1960
1
1948
Shirley Oliver, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed. (Lowell State, Rivier College)
11
11
1
127
6
NABNASSET SCHOOL
Robert A. Noy, A.A.,B.S.,M.Ed.,C.A.G.S. PRINCIPAL (Vallejo Coll., Boston Univ) Caliopy Keratsopoulos, B.S. (Lowell State) Marcia Englund, B. A. (University of Mass.) Ruth Frucht, B.A. (Brooklyn College) Carolyn Greene, A.A. (Salem State) Mona Strom, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State) Phyllis Quintin, R.N., B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
Supervisory
Sep 1960
Grade 1
1960
1
1961
"
1
Nov 1960
2
Sep 1960
2
11
1960
2
1961
Joyce Moore, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
3
1961
Patricia Nordberg (Fitchburg State)
3
Oct 1960
Anne Laforge, B.S.Ed. (Lowell State)
4
Sep
1960
Jeremiah Long, A.B. (Boston College)
4
1961
Elizabeth Chachus, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (Lowell State, Rivier College)
5
1955
Rebecca Woodruff, A.B. (Wellesley)
5
1960
George Quirbach, B.S. (Lowell State, St. Anselm's)
6
1960
Joan Woods, B.S.Ed. (Bridgewater State)
6
1957
Lloyd G. Blanchard, A. B. , M. Ed. (Dartmouth Coll., Harvard Univ) SUPERINTENDENT
Aug 1957
Dorothy A. Healy, R.N. (Framingham Union Hospital)
SCHOOL NURSE ACADEMY NURSE
Sep 1941
Ruth N. Hall, R. N. (Capt. John Adams Hospital)
1960
Frank J. Page, B.S.E. (Lowell State)
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Apr 1959
Melba L. Leite, B.S. (Lowell State)
MUSIC TEACHER
Nov 1961
William N. Mietzner,B.S.Ed. (Mass. College of Art)
ART SUPERVISOR
Feb 1960
Laura Husted, B.S. (New Jersey State)
SPECIAL CLASS TEACHER
Sep 1958
Beatrice Higgins, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed. (Bridgewater State)
REMEDIAL READING TEACHER
1956
Catherine P. Lewicke, B.S.Ed.,M.Ed. (Lowell State, Boston Univ)READING SUPERVISOR
11 1961
11
128
ENROLLMENT - WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
October 1, 1961
GRADE
ACADEMY
ROUDENBUSH
FROST
CAMERON
SARGENT
NABNASSET
TOTAL
PG
1
1
12
79
79
11
82
82
10
114
114
9
159
159
8
141
141
7
135
135
SP
7
7
6
21
24
30
50
125
5
21
19
21
44
105
4
26
26
23
68
143
3
25
29
23
59
136
2
23
33
28
71
155
1
30
27
26
72
155
576
135
146
158
158
364
1537
There is one Westford child attending the Acton Schools.
CENSUS SUMMARY - OCTOBER 1961
(Ages are as of October 1, 1961)
AGE
BOYS
GIRLS
TOTAL
PUBLIC
VOCATIONAL
PRIVATE
NOT IN SCHOOL
15
69
51
120
112
3
5
14
75
95
170
161
1
8
13
70
77
147
137
10
12
78
55
133
126
7
11
67
57
124
119
4
1
10
63
71
134
128
6
9
75
77
152
143
9
8
90
63
153
146
7
7
80
82
162
154
7
1
6
67
91
158
142
12
4
5
92
86
178
4
41
133
4
78
106
184
10
174
3
167
3
164
2
195
195
1
138
138
0-1
157
157
904
911
2472
1372
4
129
967
-
-
129
FINANCIAL REPORT OF SCHOOL CAFETERIA
January 1, 1961 2,248.21 $ Receipts 35,451.33
Reimbursements due from State & Federal Funds 2,523.61 $ 40,223.15
Expenditures : January 1 - December 31, 1961 37,661.12
Balance January 1, 1962
$ 2,562.03
FINANCIAL REPORT OF SCHOOL ATHLETIC FUND
Receipts :
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 282.29
Town of Westford
3,424.00
Basketball Games
591.55
Football Insurance
148.00
Football Games
1,299.25
PL 874 Funds
$ 36.67
$ 5,781.76
Expenditures :
Athletic Supplies, Equipment, Repair
3,380.32
Football Insurance
1,065.00
Police, Custodians, Officials
$ 1,336.44
5,781.76
Balance January 1, 1962
$ 0.00
FINANCIAL REPORT OF SCHOOL BAND ACCOUNT
Receipts :
Balance January 1, 1961
$ 181.96
Town of Westford
1,050.00
Performances
756.96
Magazine Drive
407.00
School Instrument Rental
241.00
PL 874 Funds
$ 265.36
$ 2,902.28
Expenditures :
Summer Concert Program
280.50
Music
367.39
Supplies
487.00
Equipment
409.42
Instruments
925.50
Repair of Instruments
$ 432.47
$
2,902.28
Balance January 1, 1962
$ 0.00
130
REPORT OF SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES
Children taken home from school because of illness
177
to the School Physician or other Doctor 11
Nurse-Teacher Conferences 540 Nurse-Pupil Conferences. 660
Children recommended for exclusion because of Contagious
Disease, Skin Infection or Pediculosis. 6
Tested Vision of all children with Massachusetts Vision
Equipment. Children referred to Physician. 95
Tested Hearing of all children with a Pure Tone Audiometer Children referred to Physician. 71
Assisted School Physician with Physical Examinations in Grades 1, 4, 7 and 11, also students participating in Sports
Home Visits:
Acute Communicable. 40
Tuberculosis :
Case .. 28
Suspect.
8
8 Contact ..
Crippled Children 3
Children under 1 year. 52
1 year to school age. 102
School age children. 301 To Middlesex County Sanatorium for X-Ray 3
Conferences and Meetings attended. 26
Mrs. Dee, Dental Hygienist on the Staff of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, gave Stannous Fluoride Treatments to the children in Grades 2, 5 and 8. Notices were sent to parents of children needing dental care.
In May, Dr. Benjamin Blechman, the School Physician, conducted a Pre-School Roundup for the children who were to enter Grade 1 in Sep- tember. This gave parents an opportunity to have the children exam- ined, vaccinated and receive Diphtheria and Tetanus Boosters, if need- ed, before entering school. 61 children attended this Roundup.
Immunization Clinics for the purpose of giving Diphtheria, Teta- nus and Polio Boosters, were conducted by Dr. Eleanor Smith. Students in Grades 1, 6 and 11 participated in this Program. A Polio Clinic was conducted by Dr. Smith, in May.
A Tuberculin Testing Program was conducted by Dr. Barbara Ganem, in November. For the past few years children in the 1st Grade have received this Test. This year the Program was also offered to the 9th Grade students.
Dr. Mary Donald conducted 18 Well Child Conferences for pre- school children during the year.
For statistics on these Clinics and all other Nashoba sponsored activities, see the Report of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, appearing elsewhere in the Town Report.
131
EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ITEM
1959
1960
1961
110 Salaries - Supt. Office
$ 13,566.55
$ 14,747.01 $
16,210.65
120 Census Enumeration
200.00
226.80
247.80
130 Other Expenses - Admin.
1,875.64
1,613.98
1,691.58
211 Salaries - Principals
36,324.86
36,279.17
38,697.98
212 Salaries - Supervisors
13,177.92
15,124.42
21,151.60
213 Salaries - Teachers
243,668.40
284,060.10
325,279.39
220 Textbooks
6,255.36
6,954.42
8,693.08
230 Libraries & Audio Visual
1,032.21
1,060.46
1,498.31
240 Teaching Supplies
11,939.64
11,567.90
12,172.20
250 Other Expenses-Instructional
1,511.26
2,541.35
2,907.88
410 Salaries - Health
4,728.36
5,463.53
6,547.64
420 Other Expenses - Health
457.57
433.35
390.03
520 Pupil Transportation
43,377.51
46,875.33
48,340.51
610 Salaries-Plant Operation
25,660.40
30,113.08
32,258.88
620 Contracted Services-Operation
654.00
512.65
545.75
630 Fuel
10,550.34
10,306.09
12,738.13
640 Utilities
9,529.75
11,032.11
13,376.66
650 Custodial Supplies
3,166.76
4,061.13
4,102.65
710 Salaries - Maintenance
402.52
420.77
446.18
720 Contracted Services-Maint.
11,660.15
8,818.35
9,480.66
730 Replacement of Equipment
2,677.33
2,978.78
2,269.57
1200 Capital Outlay
10,962.17
8,425.65
18,572.97
1410 Tuition and Transportation
2,472.87
1,546.43
453.57
Gross Totals
455,951.57
505,162.86
578,073.60
Federal Aid
11,001.57
10,946.86
26,793.60
Net Appropriation
$ 444,950.00 $ 494,216.00 $ 551,280.00
RECEIPTS
General School Fund
$ 65,610.21 $
71,820.21 $
80,445.21
Transportation
33,959.20
37,161.60
36,364.60
Special Class
2,447.76
2,821.40
3,499.82
State Wards
754.35
846.09
1,175.63
Tuition
3,388.60
2,940.37
2,272.72
Other
1) 1,854.60
723.81
2) 1,973.17
Totals
$ 108,014.41 $ 116,313.48 $ 125,723.17
Net Cost to Town
$ 336,935.59 $ 377,902.52 $ 425,556.83
1) includes $1173.10 Insurance Adjustment
2) includes $1108.27 Sabbatical Leave Reimbursement
132
Annual Report
OF THE
J. V. Fletcher Library
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD
CHE
RARY.
1895
For the Year Ending December 31 1961
133
ANNUAL REPORT - TRUSTEES OF J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
The Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library submit their Annual Report for the year 1961, including the Report of the Librarian.
This is the first year that the Trustees have functioned as a si: member Board, in place of the three member Boards that have been in effect for so many years. Unfortunately, Miss Alice M. Howard, who has served the town as Trustee so faithfully for many years, has been unable, due to illness, to participate in Board activities during the year. At the organizational meeting, Mr. John F. Sanders was elected Chairman, Mr. Alan W. Bell, Auditor of Library Funds and H. Arnold Wilder, Secretary.
Through the efforts of the Westford 4-H Citizenship Club, a framed portrait of Mr. William R. Taylor, a Library Trustee of many years standing and highly respected townsman, was presented to the Library, and placed, with appropriate ceremonies, in the Children's Room. During the Christmas season, the windows and outside shrubs were decorated with lights in his memory, through the kindness of Mrs. Taylor.
A revision of Library Regulations has been made, relative to the loan and use of books and material, bringing our practices up to date and reflecting modern trends in Library usage, thus enabling the fa- cilities to be used by a growing community to greater advantage. A new book-charging system is on order, which, when installed, will re- duce the time required to issue books to patrons, provide accurate records of all issues and permit the Librarian and staff to devote necessary time to functional duties.
Necessary repairs have been made to the interior of the Library and a new concrete front walk has been installed.
The Trustees attended meetings of the Merrimack Valley Library Association in Reading and the proposed Regional Library Association in Boston in an effort to determine if State Financial Aid might be available to our Library. To date, no such funds have been allocated and no further action has been taken by the State.
The growth of our community, and the increased use of our Library facilities by the children, forcibly points up the need of a separate facility for their use. The Trustees, with counsel from the Librarian and the State Library Extension Service, have made several reviews of our present space in the basement, none of which seems satisfactory tc date. Continued effort will be made during the coming year to find a solution to this pressing problem, as well as relieving crowded areas on the main floors.
The Trustees are very pleased to announce the certification of our Librarian, Mrs. Alice V. Day, as Professional Librarian by the Massachusetts Library Commissioners, as a result of competitive exam- inations in November 1961. This recognition required much preparation and study and reflects the quality of service which our staff offers its patrons.
134
The efforts and continued cooperation of the entire staff during the past year are much appreciated.
The Trustees respectfully request the following appropriation for the year 1962 in behalf of the J. V. Fletcher Library:
1. The sum of $10,976.20
2. The Receipts from Dog Licenses in 1961
John F. Sanders, Chairman Alice M. Howard Marian F. Winnek
Elizabeth C. Taylor
Alan W. Bell H. Arnold Wilder, Secretary
TRUSTEES OF J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
H. Arnold Wilder SECRETARY
REPORT OF MARY ATWOOD LECTURE FUND
The Mary Atwood Lecture Fund has provided the townspeople with two excellent programs in 1961.
April 5 Cleveland Grant presented "Land of Early Autumn", a wild- life film of the West and Alaska.
Arnold Moss presented "Roses and Drums" - a treasury of stories, poetry and legend with a background of four eventful American years, 1861 - 1865, on November 7.
As in the past, these programs are given to the Academy students in the afternoon and again in the evening to the general public and are free of charge.
Expenses for each Program are as follows:
The Cleveland Grant Lecture
$ 200.00
Gymnasium Rental 12.00
Parkhurst Press - Posters
14.00
Gertrude McGrath - Miscellaneous
5.40
$ 231.40
Arnold Moss Lecture
750.00
Parkhurst Press - Window Cards
20.00
$ 770.00
John F. Sanders, Chairman H. Arnold Wilder, Secretary Alan W. Bell Marian F. Winnek
Elizabeth C. Taylor Alice M. Howard
H. Arnold Wilder Secretary
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REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The busy year of 1961 has ended with more borrowers, increased circulation, longer opening hours and bigger problems.
With an increase in the Budget, we were able to remain open dur- ing the supper hours and on Wednesday afternoons, making a total of 242 hours per week, an increase of 6} hours.
We are replacing old book cards with new modern ones which has necessitated the hiring of additional clerical help. Miss Janet Nesmith, Miss Fay Lamson, Mrs. Marilyn Day and Mrs. Grace Forty are helping with this task. When completed, it should add to the ease of circulation procedures and give better service.
During the summer, a series of Story Hours was instituted, which was enjoyed by the children of the town. The series began with 17 present and ended with 34, which is sufficient testimony of the suc- cess of the venture.
The five public-spirited women who donated their time and talents to make it possible are: Miss Avis E. Day, who used as her topic, the Development and History of Well Known Games of Today, which the chil- dren enjoyed playing together; Mrs. Austin D. Fletcher, a lesson in Music Appreciation and Instruments of the Orchestra; Mrs. John McCallum, who delighted the children with beautiful colored slides of Sea Shells and identified shells brought in by the children; Mrs. Lawrence Smith, who told stories and Mrs. George Burke, who on two afternoons held them spellbound with her Fairy Tales. We are indeed grateful to each and every one who gave of their vacation time to bring delight and pleasure to so many children.
The Library continues to work closely with the Schools; collec - tions of books and pictures are loaned for schoolroom use only. Books on Reading Lists, not available at the Library, are borrowed from the Bookmobile and State. By full use of these facilities we feel we can meet most of the requirements of students, teachers and the general public.
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