Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1927-01-26
CITY USES AND
APPRECIATES ITS
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Many Volumes at Dispos-
al of Citizens Wishing
to Increase knowledge

Progressiveness as found in this
city is nowhere more effectively de-
nonstrated than by the i: Centre
City Library.
In California there arc IL cities
having larger populations. Yet in
the entire state there are but IS lib
raries having more than 20.0O0
books. And FL Centre s public lib
rary is one of them.
With a total of approximately
$4,000 volumes and pamphlets, the
public library offers service OF Il
type which is not equalled in many
cities Of decidedly larger popula-
ton.
Among those who are familiar
with Libraries, the collection Of
books found in the city library is
the source Of frequent comment.
Strangers coming to FL Centre cx-
press their surprise and apprecia ia
ton of the library facilities found
here. And in this case when they
refer to library facilities they mean
books.
For the fact that the city library
is becoming decidedly small for the
demands made upon its space is rea-
liked by all its patrons The books
crowd the building; and night after
night, the eager readers crowd the
building. Tables which comfortably
accommodate four readers must hold
five or more. The library IS popu-
lar place.
Most libraries Of the state con-
tanning the same number Of volumes
have buildings valued at $50, 900 to
$4,000. The FL Centre library has
a reading room seating capacity of
only so. An interesting side light
on the popularity of the library
and the place it fills in the life of
the community was the number Of
readers there on Christmas eve-a
night when aceordin gto generally
accepted ideas, such places as ibrar-
les are stunned.
Circulation Increases
Miss Agnes Ferris, city librarian.
decided TO keep count and see how
many patrons would appear. The
presence Of ~ readers, almost q
"eapacity house proved the i'm
portance OF the library in the life
Of the town.
Circulation during the last fiscal
year showed an increase of over
6.O00 more than the year before.
The average circulation per capita
was seven volumes, based on the
population Of the city. According
10 library statistics for the United
States, an average circulation o.
four volumes per capita is eonsid-
cred very good.
FL Centre uses its library.
In addition to its % 600 volumes.
the library has l $50 mounted prlnts
and so maps. 1t subseribes regular
~ to over 100 periodicals. 1t has
q juvenile room where the young
sters can read their own books, CON-
fortably seated at small chairs and
tables. Story hours are conducted
on Saturday mornings. Then talk
about the library being popular!
The youngsters begin TO flock by
the Press office long before the ap-
pointed hour.
Members Of the city library board
II the present time are A. w. Swan
,on. president; J. d. Foss, A. II.
Keller, c. L. Childers and Ross I.
H1kcox. Board members and Miss
Agnes Ferris, who for n number OF
years has proven herself an excel
lent manager On a budget which has
diminished rather than increased
with the needs, are TO be eompli-
mented on the library.
For after all il is not the walls
that make n library. II is the
books. FL Centre 9 library is re
markable for the comprehensive and
well balanced selection Of its books
Splendid nonfietion is available.
The best Of the late publications.
both in fiction and otherwise, are
found ON the hlr, VS. shelves.
El Centre appreciates its libraray!