The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-23
ENS[EY LIBRARY
 IS TAKEN OVER  Now a Part of Central Pub
 lie Library TOTAL OF 3O,O00 BOOKS Consolidation of Central, Woodlawn and Ensley Libraries Makes the Institution Very Big One.
 Schools Inspected

The Ensley Free Public Labrary was formally taken over and made a part of the Birmingham Public Library yester- day. The formal transfer was made by Superintendent. J. H. Phillips, Dr. John l.. Parker, pr. k. P Hogan. members of the Birmingham Board of Education Su- perintendent N R. Baker of the western division of the Birmingham public schools and W. B. Bridge, one of the founders of the library and one of the retiring di- rectors.
 The transfer was made at the request of the local directors of the library and is incident to thei transfer of other public n- stitutions to the city of Birmingham by the absorption Of the suburban cities. The taking over of the institution was authorized by resolution at the last meeting of the City Council.
 Miss Thompson Librarian
 Miss Louise Thompson, who has been librarian at the Ensley library since its opening five years ago, was present in the office of the library at Ensey and assist cd in the formal transfer Miss Lila May Chapman, librarian at the central library in the city hall, was also on hand to assist in the formalty and advice with the off cials.
 Miss Thompson made most gratifying rerort of the interest that is being taken in the library by the people of Ensley and especially by the teachers and pupils in the schools. She reported something over $500 volumes besides magazines and other publications. All the books have been carefully catalogued and everything is in good shade to turn over to the main or ganization. Miss Thompson will continue in charge of the library and with the as- sistaUce of Miss Chapman will renew, compare and duplicate the registration lists of the central and branch institution. Woodlawn Library The public library at Woodlawn had previously been taken over by the city and made branch of the main institution.
 The consolidation of the various li braries in the general educational sys- tenn of the city and underline direct su- pervision of Dr. Phillips and the Board of Education will doubtless result in greater efficiency In that it is intended that ai tIt DOONs Ol dll tuS DIdICH IT. braries and the central library are to be placed at the disposal of the public. For instsnce,( books that may be desired by Ensley readers are not found in the Ensley division, while they may be found | in the central library and are made ac- | cessble by the consolidation of the sS s- tenn. In tEe three libraries, Birmingham, Woodlawn and Ensley, there are about 1 5000 books exclusive of government ra- ports, in the Central library. The members of the board and Dr. Phil | lips were very much pleased with the physical condition of the E,nsley library and the efficient manner in which it has been conducted by Miss Thompson and the local board of control
 w. B. Bridge, who was one of the origi- La organizers of the library, has always taken live personal interest in the insti- tuition and has done much to make it one of the best and most serviceable institu- tions of the kind in the district A few remaining details. of the transfer will be worked out by the officials during the next few days.
 Schools Inspected Incidentally while out on the trip Dr. Phillips and the members of the Board of Education inspected some of the schools in the western divson, including the Ensley High school.
 This latter school was begun before E,nsley was taken into Birmingham and is one of the big schools of the city. The building when completed will have cost $150,0NO and will be both handsome and convenient.
 Only part of the building has been com pleted and is being used by the school The enrolment is 250. Prof. R. S. Tid- well is principal. One of the interesting features of the school is the manual training and art department Some inl- proveemnts in arrangement of equipment were suggested in the latter division by the members of the board, and President Parker of the board donated three flowers each week 10 be used as drawing models The requisition was made by the teacher Miss May S. Clay, and MT. Parker grant ed the request most graciously.
 After a spin through Corey the Hemp hill school at West End was inspected This is also one of the big schools of the city with handsome building still un- completed. Principal H. P Burruss has charge of. more than $50 children there and they are rousing bunch of boys and girls.
 Much Detail Work
 The improvements that are needed and the little details that claim the attention of the board and the superintendent in the two schools viisted yesterday give but faint idea of the immense amount of responsibility that rests upon their shoul- ders in trying to answer all the prob lems that are presented in the entire city system of 5S schools.
 NO man in Birmingham can realize or appreciate the vast amount of detail work that comes before the Board Of Educa- tion and Superintendent Phillips" said President John l.. Parker
 An army of boys and girls are de- manding all the advantages that can be given them in their pursuit of an educa-, tion. There are questions of classroom space, ventilation. heat, sanitary and health problems, beside a hundred and one other detail matters that must be at tended to almost every day.
 "Birminghams public school system is large and complicated and it requires con- stant attention