1945-03-01 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 03/01/1945
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Thomas F. Delaney, John C. Birmingham, and William A. Rowe,
Board members absent: W. Lincoln Boyden, Jr., Thomas J. Casey, Robert O. Small, Louisa L.
Vaughan and B. Frederick Yoffa
Others present:
Recorder: Marjorie H. Stanton
March 1, 1945
A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on March 1, at 7:30 P.M., with Messrs
Delaney, Rowe and Birmingham in attendance.
Since this was not a quorum, all action taken was subject to ratification at the next meeting
of the Board.
The records of the last meeting were read and approved, after which Mr. Delaney presented
the report of the Finance Committee and explained the budget for the year.
Mr. Birmingham, who had been asked to look into the matter of establishing a Deposit Station
in Mr. Racow's store on Hale Street reported that he had talked with Mayor McLean about the
possibility of an additional appropriation for this purpose, and had found the Mayor ready to
cooperate if satisfactory arrangements could be made with Mr. Racow.
A letter was received from Mrs. Palmet asking if the Trustees would be willing, once again,
to pay the insurance on her car which is used for eartying books to shut-ins. Voted: that this be paid from Trust funds ($35)
A letter was also received from Mr. Francis Houghton of Knowlton Street, requesting
permission to use the Library land on winter street for a Victory Garden. This was granted, with the
understanding that Mr. Houghton would leave it in good condition at the end of the season.
Mr. Delaney reported that he had talked with Mr. Earl Gay about the possibility of
establishing a Deposit of books for recreational reading at the United Shoe Company, and that Mr.
Gay would give him a definite answer after further consideration of the matter.
A letter was received from the Commanding Officer at the Airport, in response to a letter
from the Trustees offering to put a collection of books at the Airport for use of the men there, stating
that at the present time none of the men could be spared to undertake the responsibility of caring for
such a collection. He was very gratified, however, for the offer, and would notify the Trustees if
there were any change in conditions.
Because two of the Trustees are in the Service and it has been difficult to get a quorum at
many of the meetings, Mr. Birmingham was asked to make a study of the By-laws and Amendments
of the Board of Trustees, and to suggest any changes that might seem desirable, especially that of
changing the number necessary for a quorum from four to three.
The Committee on Circulation reported the purchase of 404 titles since January first, and the
receipt of 27 gifts. This was approved.
The Librarian's report, giving a summary of the 1944 activities of the Library was read and
placed on file.
Voted: to adjourn
Marjorie H. Stanton
Librarian