Somerville High School - Radiator Yearbook (Somerville, MA)

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12 SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR To the Readers of the Radiator:— The editor-in-chief of the Raihatou has asked for something about the library and its new build- ing. This is an opportunity of reaching the high school citizens of Somerville which is very wel- come to the trustees and librarian. Somerville, for various reasons, is one of the best reading populations in Xew England, and the circulation of books from its public library is third in rank according to the statistics of 11)11: being exceeded in Xew England only by Boston and Springfield. It is probable that the figures of this year will show Somerville in the lead of Springfield, and in second place. Reside the number of books loaned outside the building there is a vast amount of reference work, consisting of answers to questions and assistance given to persons studying various subjects. This assist- ance. to be rendered quickly, accurately, and in the most helpful manner, must be given by courte- ous. well-educated, and technically experienced library assistants. The trustees have, during the last year, put into operation a ‘ Scheme of Service” bv which en- trance to and promotions within the staff depend upon ability, which has been demonstrated by rank in school work, in examinations by the library, and in work actually performed with the public. All positions are now filled in this manner. The object is. of course, to give the citizens of Somer- ville. who support the library, the services of the most competent persons to be obtained. A system of apprenticeship is a part of the Scheme of Service.” Apprentices must be graduates of the high school, of high standing, and must give three months without compensation toward the learning of the technical details of the pro- fession. They then begin at a salary of $300 a year, which is at least equal to $9.50 a week in Boston. There are annual increases of $00. up to $(»00 a year, and higher positions which are more than equal to $21 a week in Boston. The time called for by the schedule is KH hours per week, and the vacation allowance is one week during the winter and three weeks during the summer. Attendance at special courses in library schools or colleges is encouraged, and every effort made by the trustees to render the work pleasant. dignified, and satisfying to the staff, and increas- ingly efficient and courteous to the public. They feel that library work has now grown to be a profession worthy of the serious attention of young women who are interested in the people and in the learning of the world, and particularly in making books useful, comforting, and inspiring to the citizens, both children and adults, of Som- erville. And it is their intention to keep the institution abreast of the best experience and methods in library work, and to foster professional spirit and ability - in the assistants. To do all of this work many books, much apparatus of catalogues and indexes to make their contents available, and modern accommodations for the users of the library are necessary. This meant a new building, which, through the good will of the present mayor and city government, and of Mr. Carnegie, the city is soon to enjoy. The new building will have space for about 200.000 volumes, of which 50,000 will be shelved in a beautifully light and magnificent book room. 70x120 feet, with seats for 180 persons. It will be arranged with tables and book cases alternating on what is known as the alcove plan, so that a person may find the books on a particular subject conveniently arranged for examination at a com- fortable table in a comfortable chair. This collec- tion will contain the latest, and most used, and most valuable books on all subjects. In the children's room, which is 70x35 feet, with one hundred scats, there will be eight or ten thousand especially selected books suitable for children, and covering all subjects. 'Hie remainder of the books now in the library will be shelved in a storage stack, to which, from time to time, will be retired books as they become obsolete. 'I bis stack, howeyer. will be so closely related both to the adult and children’s rooms that any book in it may be had in a very few moments. Suitable accommodations arc also provided for the great amount of clerical work necessary in hand- ling the library’s new books and the various proc- esses connected with keeping 100,000 volumes in circulation and in good repair. The exterior of the building will be of light Persian gray brick, with trimmings of terra cotta and of Deer Island granite, and the roof of green

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR i r about time you gave some one else a chance. You just buckle down to business and get your pigskin and be satisfied. Just suppose some other fellow had always stood in your way all through college! Wouldn’t you hate him? Rut Dick Gordon is a man! He’s never flinched once; he’s just kept on plugging. Give him a chance ! ’ Fearful lest he should lose strength to stick to his resolve, he strode rapidly off in the direction of the campus. Half way there he was fortunate enough to meet Gordon crossing the campus. Putting two fingers between his lips, he gave a long, shrill whistle. Instantly Dick stopped and with a puzzled expression watched his captain's approach. I say, Dick, I’d like to have you report on the gridiron at three o’clock for practice. Report, captain? asked Dick with the same puzzled expression on his brow. Gradually it cleared away and left such an expression of amazed wonder that somehow Lilly felt that his sacrifice was more than worth while. Captain Lilly, surely you can’t mean that you are going to make me a regular? Exactly, Dick. From today you are Dart- mouth’s full-back. Lut----- but, why. Lilly Mercian, you are full- back yourself. 1 was. Dick: you are now. And. man. what- ever you do, play with all your might. Don’t let that Harvard team beat us! Lilly Mercian, you’re square! I’m going to play so well for old Dartmouth that this year will be the greatest in her history of football.” Silently their hands met in a strong clasp of perfect comradeship. Zhc .16o? Scouts of Hmevica Bp ill. Chester Milep, ’16 The Boy Scout movement has become uni- versal, and wherever organized its leaders are glad as we are to acknowledge the debt we all owe to Lieutenant - General Sir Robert S. S. Laden-Powell. who has done so much to make the movement of interest to boys of all nations. The I toy Scouts of America is a corporation consisting of some of our most prominent men. who gladly and freely give their time to help this movement that the boys may become good citizens and men of good character. In the various cities, towns, and villages the Boy Scouts are cared for by local councils. These councils are formed to keep the boys interested. In order that the work of the Loy Scouts throughout America may be uniform and intelli- gent the National Council has prepared an Official Handbook to furnish to the patrols of the Loy Scouts advice in practical methods. The aim of the Boy Scouts is to promote the ability in boys to do things for themselves and for others. It is called “Scoutcraft” and makes the boys observant and handy, or able to do things. Scoutcraft includes instruction in first aid. life saving, tracking, signaling, cycling, nature study, seamanship, campcraft. woodcraft, chivalry, patriotism, and other subjects. This is not work, but pleasure for the boys. All that is needed is the out-of-doors, and a competent leader. There have been all kinds of scouts, one being on the danger line of the army, or at the outpost. The army scout was the soldier who was chosen to go out on the skirmish line. I he pioneer was out on the edge of the wilderness guarding men. women, and children. Lut since then other kinds of scouts have been established. These are peace scouts, who learn to know how to live in the woods. W herever there have been heroes there have been scouts, and to be a scout means to be prepared to do the right thing, as the scout’s motto is Le Pre- pared. To be a good scout one should know something about the woods and the animals that inhabit them, as well as to how to care for one’s self when camping. He should know the difference between birds and the difference between bicycle tracks and those of other vehicles. There is another thing which a scout must know, and that is obedience. To be a good scout a boy must obey his patrol leader. He should so discipline himself that he need have no thought but to obey the orders of his officers. Other virtues of a scout are courtesy, loyalty, self- respect. but the most important virtue is that ;f honor. Honor is compared somewhat with self-respect. hen a scout says he will do it on his honor he is bound to do it. 'Flic honor of a scout is a [Continued on page 13.1

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SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL RADIATOR '3 tiles. The approach from the main entrance to tlie great hook room will he hy two flights of 1 lautc- ville marhlc stairs. The floors of all the public rooms will he constructed to insure the greatest possible quietness, both in the room itself and in the room below. The surfaces will be covered with cork carpet one-half inch thick, and cemented to the concrete and steel floor below. Every de- vice known to the best building practice and the best library experience for insuring quick service, quietness, light, and air will be installed. The contract calls for the completion of the building on July 15. 1913. Several months more will be required to move in file furniture and equipment, but it is expected that in little more than a year its doors will be thrown open for public use. Drew II. Hall. H fllbobern IRatb 3!3 ? JE. ID. m.f ’13 We drew around the cheery fire ()f blazing hickory tree. And all looked up at old Squire Drown With great expectancy. He'd promised us a thrilling talc Some quiet week-day night, And now he’d come to tell it us, Reside the glowing light. “It was a raid, a modern raid. With strong men in the lead, Who marked the field from end to end With death and ghastly deed. “Well armed were they with purpose strong To exterminate the folk Who dwelt within their vast domain And did their wrath provoke. “They chased them round from place to place, They murdered not a few; The panic-stricken creatures Knew scarcely what to do. “They tried, unarmed, to make escape, To wildly flee or hide, Alas, poor creatures, ’twas in vain, For them.—no change of tide. “The raiders gained right steadily In carnage, death, and woe; Soon o’er that bloody battle-field The plucky braves lay low. “Along the borders of their camps And blood-stained battle-field, Went heartless raiders in pursuit,— A step they would not yield. “The cruel feet of these mad men W ere stained with flowing gore, They murdered them from left to right l ill there were left no more. Behold this scene of bloody war! This scene of murderous fun! From first to last ’twas keen delight— They’d slaughtered every one. Then from the camp there sounded loud The raiders’ joyful cry: ‘Hurrah! Hurrah! we’ve slain them all’— (They’d swatted every fly).” Xlbe 3So£ Scouts of Hmerica [Continued from page 11.) sacred thing, and cannot be lightly set aside. There are other virtues of a scout. These arc: Faithfulness, cheerfulness, thoughtfulness, especi- ally to animals. The final and chief test of a scout is doing a good turn to somebody every day, quietly, and without boasting. A scout may wear all the badges manufactured, know campcraft. scout- craft, and woodcraft, but yet not be a real scout. A patrol is made up of eight boys and a scout- master. Xext to him is the patrol leader, and then the assistant patrol leader. The Roy Scout movement is now spreading throughout the world. Troops are now organized in cities, towns, and villages, thus making the organization increase. In England there are girl scouts as well as boys, and also in Germany, and it looks rather promising in America.