Bills, receipts, photos, emblem pins, rulers, train tickets, foreign money, Confederate money, playing cards — the contents of Milady's purse? Not at all! The above items are just a few of the "bookmarks" that have turned up in books returned to Norwood's Morrill Memorial Library in the past few months. And to cap it all, one hot day last July, as Mrs. Esther Hallet, of 108 Vernon Street, was checking the books on the return shelf, what do you think turned up between two pages' A raccoon tail from a Davy Crockett headpiece!
Well, it takes all kinds, but Mrs Hallet, the library's Circulation Librarian for the last eight years, has long since stopped being surprised at the odd things that turn up. Actually, though, the above list of Items left In books is not unusual, and now and then Mrs. Hallet and her assistants have a good laugh, as. for instance, the 'coon tail'
A recent trip to the library for the purpose of finding out "what makes it tick." as well as to borrow my monthly quota of books, disclosed many interesting facts.
MESSENGER INDEX
One recent addition to its files, in April 1955, to be exact, was that of an Index of The Norwood Messenger. Inaugurated for the benefit of the general public, this Index is under the supervision of the Reference Librarian and Readers' Consultant, it is located at the end of the public catalogue, in the lower right-hand corner and is accessible to everyone.
In this Index will be found these headings Biography, Business, Churches, Hospital, Municipal Planning. Public Health, Schools, and Sports; also included are items from nearby communities which might possibly be of use to local inquirers.
The addition of local news stories to the library's already vast fund of information Is extremely important, and this Norwood Messenger Index has already proved itself as very practical.
Also available, for use at the library only, Is a clipping file of Norwood news stories; this is part of the library's regular Information File.
RECENT OCCUPATION ANALYSIS
A librarian's work has many facets as I discovered when I talked with Miss Edna Phillips, Librarian at the Morrill Memorial Library Not the least of these is the use of statistics. With a good yearly gain in borrowers during the past few years, Miss Phillips was interested to find out, within a specific two-week period, the various occupations of newcomers to the Morrill' Memorial Library. Of 33 new borrowers in the Adult Department, 18 were homemakers, 14 were employed outside the home, or were students, and one was unemployed; a detailed breakdown showed an architect, three in business, the eighteen homemakers, one electrician, one nurseryman, three students. one professor, one unemployed, one technician, one engineer, one in insurance, and one laborer.
Miss Phillips commented that this analysis by occupation was not typical of a whole year inasmuch as these statistics concerned new borrowers in the summer; during the school year a greater number of them would be students. Another unusual fact shown by the above breakdown is that homemakers, while always prominent in such a list, do not usually predominate. Could be we have more time to read during the summer months! I know I do. it's my "most favorite" hot weather occupation Influence of TV on Reading Habits
It was early in July that 1 noticed a Question and Answer newspaper article on the "Influence of TV on Reading Habits of American Children " The answers were given by a reading expert, a teacher, and I read it with great interest. The interviewer's questions came to my mind while I was talking with Miss Phillips and she was gracious enough to discuss some of them with me.
She agreed that TV is an enormously important factor in influencing the reading habits of a child; and that it affects not only what he reads, but how much time he spends reading. We both agreed that many adults, as well as children, spend so much time watching television that it interferes with the amount of time ordinarily allowed for reading. But with reference to libraries, in particular, Miss Phillips did not feel that they have suffered to any great extent. In some cases, it is quite the opposite, that Is, there has been an increased stimulus to read due to various educational programs — scientific, nature, music, current events, and, of course, Davy Crockett!
Annual Report Commended
Miss Phillips' current claim to fame is her 1934 Annual Report which has been much sought after, following a commendatory note in the American Library Association Bulletin, published in Chicago. More than 50 Individual requests for It have been received at the Library from cities and towns all over the United States and Canada; In addition, the U. S. Government has requested 50 copies for use in the Philippines.
The Annual Report — this one entitled "How to Tell a Good Library" — is released to the public every February, after it has been presented to the trustees. Miss Phillips, who is also Secretary of the Massachusetts Library Association in addition to all her other duties, feels that her emphasis on one main idea may be possible for the interest it has aroused.
Personally, I found it very interesting It is a brief popular presentation of the ways in which the Morrill Memorial Library attempts to meet the readers' Interests and the manner in which it aims to be a "community-centered library." From my point of view, her efforts have succeeded — admirably.
For Instance, do you want a book on baseball by Mr. Wallop, or one on canoeing by Mr. Pulling? Your library has both! In addition to sharing book enthusiasms with individuals (and I know whereof I speak!) the librarian and her staff continually share book interests with groups. Second only to this personal interest on their part, are the interesting and appealing book exhibits in the Lobby; more of them anon. And there are the reading nooks, and occasional background music, too.
Then there are the standards of the American Library Association which our local library must meet. I low well are they met? What do the circulation statistics show? How does our own library measure up to the "recommended . . . superior library service?" These, and many other questions, are answered. No, it is not dull 'reading, quite the contrary!
Humor is present, too One young toddler, to quote the report, "enjoyed one of our nicest library dogs and queried, 'Can he read?' "
The Morrill Memorial Library also has a fine Record-Lending Service, and a strong Reference and Readers' Advisory Service.
Consider its service to the young people of our town: during 1954 there was a circulation gain of 1,480; there were new physical improvements made in the Junior Department, and over 3,000 books were sent in collections to public and parochial schools, an increase of over 500 from the previous year.
Our library in Norwood reaches out to serve our community In many ways — in neighborhood service; In help to the sick; in concern with town affairs. I didn't realize this, but it's true: Norwood is one of only 15 Massachusetts communities having public-library-administered hospital service, by a library staff member with weekly bedside visits and a permanent hospital book collection professionally chosen.
And last but not least, is the final section of this 1954 Annual Report which deals with the new media — audio-visual: dramatization of books by the use of lively exhibits, in talks and in story hours for children. Four art exhibits and a series of meetings on personal finance were among special activities in the Adult Department, including a one-man exhibition of photographs by Dr. Robert Davis of Winter Street. At 34 story hours the total attend- ■ ance was 819. And 2,678 recordings were loaned. One mother, according to the report, found records an especial boon when three of her children were all sick at the same time.
For the year 1954 the total circulation of the Morrill Memorial Library for books, records, and pictures, was 134,688, a gain of 5,630, over the previous year By its up-to-date program it is contributing to town life. It has a part in the professional field, and it is confidently looking towards an even brighter and more useful future.
Me? I'm already looking forward to the 1955 Annual Report!
By PEG WILLIAMS
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