1953-04-16 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date: 04/16/1953
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Philip Rowe, John C. Birmingham, Russell P. Brown, W. Lincoln
Boyden, Jr., Saul J. Cagart, Louisa V. Conrad, Dorothy Cook, and Carl Zeilon
Board members absent: Lawrence E. Foster
Others present:
Recorder: Marion A. Brown
Beverly April 16, 1953
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at the Library on Thursday April 16
at 7:30 P.M. with Mrs. Conrad, Mrs. Cook and Messrs. Birmingham, Boyden, Brown, Cagan, Rowe
and Zeilon in attendance.
The Secretary's records of the last meeting were read and approved.
The final adoption of the change in By-laws was approved as was the report of the Finance
Committee giving expenditures to date.
Mr. Rowe reported for the Administration Committee that a curtain for the skylight in the
Lecture Hall should be replaced. It was voted to install a blackout shade above the oval glass
enclosure of the skylight and the work be given to the Beverly Shade Shoppe at the terms and the
price of $98 stated by Mr. Stapleton. This amount to be taken from Maintenance, Repairs, Etc.
Mr. Birmingham reported that he had had a request from the Galvins on Dane Street to
inspect the fence between their home and the Library as it is badly in need of repair. This matter was
taken under advisement.
The Committee on Circulation recommended the purchase of 405 new titles and the
acceptance of 12 gifts. This was approved.
The Librarian' s report giving a summary of circulation and registration was read and placed
on file.
Mrs. Conrad reported on the Deposit Station at North Beverly and Ryal Side as well as the
Farms Branch. The R. S. Deposit was satisfactory. There is to be a change of ownership. Mr. Robert
Dennis is to take charge on May 1. This change may prove of greater satisfaction. The N.B. Deposit
needs attention. A change might prove beneficial. It was suggested that some rules and regulations
be sent to the deposits thusly:
Books will be given out while store is open, Sundays excepted.
Fines should be collected on overdue books.
Books must be changed once a month.
Books shall be charged by or under the direction of proprietor.
Records shall be kept accurately.
Area provided for books shall be kept dean and in order.
Mrs. Conrad' s report on the Farms Branch was very satisfactory, except for the matter of the
janitors work and hours. This matter is to be taken care of by Mr. Birmingham and Mr. Rowe. It was
agreed that the power lawn mower should not be transported back and forth, henceforth not be used
at the Farms Branch.
It was voted that Mrs. Conrad be authorized to have the opening in the fence, near the flag
pole at the Farms Branch filled in with matching link, the money to be taken from Maintenance.
Mr. Boyden reported that new hardware was the cheapest solution to the problem of the
Winter St. doors of the Main Library. It was voted to write to the Mayor for permission to purchase
the new hardware, including the necessary carpentry for the approximate cost of $60.
Mr. Cagan reported that he had received estimates for signs from the Salem Sign Co. It was
voted to have these made by the Salem Sign Co. as per sketches and estimates submitted, and charged
to Maintenance.
It was voted to give an increase of $90, the remainder of the Assistant Librarian's salary, to
Mrs. Gertrude MacManus, promoting her to Senior Assistant and increasing her duties.
Voted: that resolutions for Mr. Thomas F. Delaney be put in the records and sent to his
family.
Voted to adjourn.
Adjourned
Marion A. Brown, Clerk
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THOMAS F. DELANEY
A RESOLUTION
In the death of Thomas F. Delaney of Beverly, the Board of Public Library Trustees of
Beverly has lost the service of one whose efforts for twenty eight years have been unsparingly
given in the interest of the Library and its personnel.
Mr. Delaney took office as a member of the Board of the Public Library Trustees in July,
1924 and served continuously from that date to the date of his death. For over twelve years he
served as Chairman of the Board and was also Chairman of the Committee of Administration since
1941. In 1949 he was appointed Chairman of the Commission for Repairs to the Beverly Farms
Library.
In his work with the Board of Trustees he was thorough, painstaking, conscientious and
fearless. He took the problems of the Board beyond the walls of the meeting room and as a result
of his careful, independent studies he made himself an effective force in the deliberations of the
group
His sterling character, his capacity for hard work, his unstinted effort won him the respect
of all who came in contact with him.
It is with a sense of deep personal loss that we, the members of the Beverly Public Library
Board of Trustees resolve to place this memorial upon the records and to send a copy to the
members of his family.
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