Evening star., 1924-12-04
HIGH PRAISE GIVEN
DR.. G..F. BOWERMAN
Public Library Trustees and
Staff Tender Reception
in His Honor.

To celebrate his 20 years Of service
as librarian of the Public Library, Dr.
George +. Browerman was rendered a
reception last night at the library by
the trustees and the staff. during
which the guest of honor was highly
praised by several speakers.
Justice Wendell p. Stafford, mem
her Of the board of trustees. IN witty
'sik declared the only excuse the
trustees had for keeping Dr. Bower
man for 30 years was that I'VE don t
know OF any better librarian III the
United States" They were so well
pieased, said Justice Stafford, that
they were going to try him for an
other 20 years
DR.. II. II. b. Meyer. president of
the American Library Association, eX-
tended the greetings of his associa-
ton. and reported that having worked
with DIR. Bowerman on committees he
could say that the guest of the eve
ming was always 'indefatlgable in
Gathering facts" and peculiarly able
IN his manner of presenting them.
Librarinn's Work Praised.
Resolutions from the District Of
Columbia Library Association, pre-
Sented by the president, NJ. .. Prire,
recorded ITS cordial recognition of the
great and important part he has
played in developing library service
I'm Washington and in placing it on
the secure foundation where it stands
today
DIR. Bowerman's sound scholar
ship said the resolutions, and pro-
fessional attainments, coupled with a
houndless energy and genuine spirit
Of friendly cooperation have been
placed unreservedly at the disposal
OF all librarians in rle District
Of Columbia, resulting in an ele-
walton OF library service, and library
ideals for which his grateful col
ieagues are indeed glad TO express
appreciation. Librarians and libra
rianship national and local, have been
nriched by him."
District Commissioner James f.
oyster, in a letter read by Trustee
John L. Laruer. declared; During his
Sojourn with US Dr. Bowermau has
more than met every requirement of
personal relationship and civic duty,
and as one of the Commissioners who
have intimately noted his devoted and
active interest not only in the library
but matters of general concern, /
heartily join in felicitatins him upon
his place in the personal and public
esteem of its fellow citizens"
stars Appreciation Given.
Miss Mabel Perry. speaking for tho
library staff, extended "heartiast CON
-ratulations' and declared Dr. Bow
erman had always held to the idea
that library should he place
where all seekers after truth can
find all sides of every question"
Theodore w. Noyes, president of
the board of trustees, who presided
during tho evening, said DR.. Bower
man had set a very high standard of
library development and that his
ideals were lofty. Dr. Bower
man had labored "in season and out
Of season." said Mr.. Noyes. to raise
he standards OF service of the library
up to his ideals. and would no doubt
go ahead, inspired by the occasion. to
surmount all difficulties and take
care OF admittedly "unmet needs"
Co-operation of all was hespoken by
the president of the board to make
pr Bowerman's second 90 years as
successful and as highly beneficial to
the community as his first"
In his response, DR.. Bowerman eX-
pressed appreciation for the testi-
n'onials Of esteem ard friendship, but
said that he wished to enlarge the
scope Of praise to include the Dis
rrict Commissioners. library trustees,
the library staff, his professional col
leagues in other local libraries and
associations, and the best reading
public any public librarian every
had"
sees Wider Popular Appeal.
.T+. therefore," said DR. Bowerman.
the past 90 years merit this recogni-
ton II is because of this happy cUm-
bfDation and not because of any one
mans work. DR. Bowermau pre-
dicted that some day the library
would be as universally used by the
puhlic as the postal service. He eX
pressed the wish that "in the next 20
Years & proportionately smaller share
of time and nervous energy might be
spent in securing appropriations TO
keep the library going, and corre-
SDondingly larger share to real edu
cational work.
President and Mrs. Coolidge sent TO
the reception beautiful roses, carna-
ous and ferns from the White House
ronservatorics. Other decorations for
The reception also included q large
hasket of flowers from the boys at
Waiter Reed Hospital. which is
-nrved with books from the Public
Library. The basket container had
been made by the wounded men of
the hospital.
Mrs. Iymon B. Swcrmstedt and Mrs
Marie Manning Gasch represented the
trustees, and a committee, headed by
Miss Clara Herbert, represented the
library staff in planning the recep-
tiop.
Mrs. Bowerman. all members of the
bSard Of trustees. Miss Grace b. Fin
rey and Miss Clara Herbert of the