1962-12-20 City of Beverly, Massachusetts
Public Meeting Minutes
Board: Library Trustees
Subcommittee:
Date:
Place: Beverly Public Library
Board members present: Louisa V. Conrad, Russell P. Brown, Anne P. Bryant, Saul J. Cagan,
Frank P. Hyde, Bruce Lancaster, Frederick H. Pierce, Carolyn F. StandIcy, and Thomas J.
Toomey
Board members absent:
Others present:
Recorder: Marion A. Brown
20 December, 1962 4 p.m.
Present at the regular meeting of the Trustees held at the Library on the above date were Mrs.
Conrad, presiding Mrs. Bryant, Miss StandIcy, Mr. Brown, Mr. Lancaster, Mr. Hyde and Mr. Pierce.
The records of the previous meeting were approved as read. The Finance sheets were studied and
accepted. Mrs. Conrad explained as m the Budget Meeting held with the Mayor. He was partially
agreeable to the presented budget and did agree to a new assistant and to the proposed page money;
also some of the other outlays. Also explained was the meeting with the Mayor and some of the
Aldermen held Thursday evening, Dec. 13, to discuss the needs of the library and some preliminary
plans. The article in the Beverly Times is herein enclosed. After long discussion of general
renovation, more stack space, future additional plans it was agreed that professional assistance was
needed and much study involved. Mrs. Conrad suggested that preliminary planning for the future,
either new building connecting with the present building, auditorium, space to house the bookmobile,
facilities for children. Mr. Brown suggested sending letter to Mayor and Aldermen requesting the sum
of $32,000. for such purpose as discussed. Letter enclosed.
Circulation reports were read and approved, as were the report of the Librarian.
VOTED to close all day Monday before Christmas and 6 o'elock New Years Eve.
By at least the March meeting, after all trustees have given much thought and study to the problems
of renovation and preliminary planning, a constructive program should be presented.
Adjourned 5 o'clock
Marion A. Brown
Clerk
December 28, 1962
To His Honor the Mayor
Thomas J. Wickers, Jr.
and the Board of Aldermen
City Hall
Beverly, Massachusetts
Dear Mayor Wickers and Gentlemen:
The Board of Trustees respect~dly submit a request for Thirty-two Thousand Dollars
($32,000.00) for various improvements and repairs to the main h~rary on Essex Street. These
improvements and repairs are in accordance with the recommendations in the Master Plan for Beverly
as prepared by the firm of Adams, Howard and Greeley.
The City has grown by leaps and bounds and our service to the public has increased in the
same way. We are asking for this sum so that we may make better use of the building and thus
improve our service to the public, especially in the field of reference so vital in the education of our
young people.
The present reference room seats only eight (8) people; was inadequate even when building
was built ~f~ years ago; and now needs relocation and enlarging. Preliminary planning calls for
location in the stack area on the main floor, for easy accessibility to all departments.
Two new tiers of stacks to house our growing collection of books and magazines.
New book elevator.
With a new reference room it will be necessary to move various departments around in the
building, thus we will need more furniture and shelving; especially if we more fully use the auditorium
and the other rooms on the third floor. It was recommended by the State Division of Library
Extension two years ago that we provide seats for 108 readers on the basis, of our population. We
e have only eighty-four. Most of the chairs are in extremely poor condition and need replacement.
It was a pleasure to meet with some of the Aldermen recently at the Library. We hope that this
request will meet with UC favorable action.
Sincerely yours
Louisa A. Conrad Chairman
Board of Trustees
Move To Renovate
Beverly's Library
As the issue was referred to a vote arid
By CLAYTON CRESSY Aldermen making the inspection trip last Passed to a second reading, Grimes said that
' - I' Li , night were: Denis I. Dragonas, John S. he wished to be recorded "no".
Beverlys 49 year-old Pub ~c brary .
one of the most attractive: and well kept Redly, Joseph P. McKay and Thomas
city - ovmed structures in the community, Bussone. 'Grimes also questioned Mayor Wickers on
and one which has experienced no majorMrs. Louisa Conmd, chairmanoftheboard whether or not he intended to appoim a
interior changes in over a score of years, oflrulees, conducted the tour along with commission to handle the proposed
has growing pains and 'Mayor Thomas J. Mis.s Carolyn A. Stalldie/, Russell P hnpmvements and alterations at the
Wickers, Jr., announced last night that beBrovm, Mrs, Anne Bryant and Librarian Beverly Public Library and was informed
definitely imend~ doing something aboutMarion A. Brown. that a commission. consisting oflrnstces of
the library, would be appointed to serve in
it. Plans for the new reference room and that capacity.
Meeting in special session at lie library installation ofnew "stacks" are included in
last night for a firsthand look at the the city's Master Plan and were outlined The librmy improvement funds are
building, the Mayor, library trustees and and reviewed by Mrs. Conrad. included in a $560,000 bond order which
four members of ffie Board of Alderraen The new "stacks", necessary construction covers the conversion of the present High
made a thorough inspection of ~e work and the creation of a new reference school to a Junior High school and major
premises. room, will cost an estimated $32,000, rapairs for other school buildings, plus
It was quite obvious that the city's chief according to figures submitted in the certain specific repairs to City Hall,
executive and ward representatives were Master PLan approximately a year ago. principal-, ly exterior work on windows,
library trustees) will be made in the very The present plan calls for the conversion of The board passed this order to a second
near future; that long range plans will he the main floor stack area into a reference reading, too, without opposition or forther
comment.
considered for major changes in the interior room raisin the ceilin
g g
and ~at the full Board of Alclennen will be in ~j~t room and converting the present
called in for a special session with Mayor small reference room into a file room or
Wickers to discuss the necessary financial research room.
arrangements for inclusion of the work in The sted stacks, which now extend upward
the 1963 budget. f~om the basemenl through the main floor
opening to the second floor, would he
Presently, the library trustees Informedexteaded up another two tiers which would
She in.spoc~n._g team of city officials, newgreatly increase the storage capacity, yet
"stacks" are needed to accommodate ~eallow for the expanded reference mom.
increased numba of books and raaSuines
and there is a definite need for a larger The stacks, now used, were constructed so
reference room. ~ years ago that similar types are not
Need forthe reference room was clearlyn°w available, but the h'tnry officials
evident lnst night when it was ncled that l S point. ed out that by re-inforcing the
high school studems were cro,.~Jed into the uPrights in the basanent and the' use of
small reference room designed tonew, light-weight steel slacks, the project
accommodateamaximumofeightpatsons. could be accomplished in a most
Beverly'spopulationexpiosionlspaffialbMembers of the Board of Aldermen and
to blame, plus the increased emphasis onMa or Wickers, after viewing the
educati and the demand for more u~rium, immediately
' :ibHi of
more reference work in conjunction witti
subjects being taught in the schools today.
Library
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