1953-02-26 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 02/26/1953
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Louisa V. Conrad, John C. Birmingham, Russell Brown, Saul J.
Cagan, and Philip Rowe
Board members absent: W. Lincoln Boyden, Jr., Dorothy Cook, Lawrence E. Foster, and Carl
Zeilon
Others present:
Recorder: Marion A. Brown
Beverly, February 26, 1953
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the Library on Thursday, February
26, at 7:30 P.M. with Mrs. Conrad, Acting Chairman, presiding. Present were Messrs Birmingham,
Cagan, Rowe and Brown.
The records of the meeting of January 29 were read and approved. No Finance Committee
report could be given because the budget for the year had not year been granted by the City
Govemment.
Mr. Rowe reported that on Beverly's Annual Boy Scout "City Government Day" one of the
Library pages, David Grant was the Scout Mayor for the day. He with Mayor Wilkinson, Mr. Rowe
and Mr. Russell Brown made a visit to the Library. The Mayor sounded very encouraging in wanting
to make improvements as to the lighting and painting of the Main Floor of the Building. Mr. Rowe
felt that possibly some repair work might be forthcoming.
Motion was made and seconded that Mr. Arthur Hathaway be given a 30 day emergency
appointment as janitor at the Main Library (Note - Due to Mr. Hathaway's application for City
Retirement which came through on February 28, the Retirement Board would not cancel his
application. As he could not be considered, Mr. John Harding, another applicant, started emergency
work March 2.)
It was suggested that Mr. Cagan look into the matter of procuring signs as to the opening
hours of both Main Library and the Farms Branch. He was to report at the next meeting. Also, it was
suggested that the bicycle rack in the front of the building be repaired and painted by the janitors.
The Committee on Circulation recommended the purchase of 352 new titles and the
acceptance of two gifts. Voted that this be approved.
The Librarian's report giving a summary of circulation and registration was presented and
placed on file. The increase in circulation of 2624 over the same period in 1952 was heard with much
interest.
The Board accepted with deep appreciation and thanks a check for $200 left in the will of
Miss Edith Haskell, to be used only for the purchase of Children's books for the Main Library. It was
leer for Mrs. Conrad to send a letter of thanks.
Voted: to give the Guild of Beve~y Artists permission to use the hall for their Annual
Exhibition during May 11 through May 16hh.
It was voted to take Miss Anitra Kline on the Staff as First Assistant to the Librarian, at a
salary of $2678.00. She is to begin work as soon as she is released from her present position. It was
voted that Mrs. Louise Cutler continue the cataloging.
Voted that for the reception of Miss Marjorie Stanton any expense for the caterer over and
above contributions toward the gilt and the party, be taken care of from the unrestricted portion of
the Trust Funds.
Voted: that a special notice explaining that an organization meeting be sent to the Board
Members, because Thursday for some members was not satisfactory, the next meeting would be at
7:30 on Friday, March 20. The meeting was then adjourned until that evening in hopes that the Board
would organize at that time.
Marion A. Brown
Clerk