Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13

CTGHSllRs VI 0o,OtI
volumes was recorded.
The year has been particularly busy
with advisory work with adults in chill
dren's reading" DR.. Bowerman said.
Requests have come from all parts of
the country for printed lists made by
this department. These requests are
from schools, libraries, other organiza-
tons and individuals. Many special
lists were made for Washington parents
and others for individual children and
for special needs.
THE greatest library need of the
children of Washington, other than
sorely needed branches in thickly popu-
lated neighborhoods not now served by
branches, is book wagon to 60 to out
lying neighborhoods, where children are
entirely without books in the Summer,
when they have most time to read. At
a relatively slight expense so outlying
communities could be thus served" the
report stated.
The fine arts division circulated 1884,
624 mounted pictures and 1865 books
on art. In the art room 15,021 pic
lures were consulted for reference pur-
poses. A growth of interest in modern
art caused the subject to be featured
during the year by an exhibit, an an
notated pamphlet and short list in
the library bulletin.
Through the pedagogy room excel
various welfare associations and to par
ents and teachers. The library also
maintained biography and fiction read
ing rooms under the direction of COM
petent advisers. a readers adviser in
history at the central building and an
experienced adviser on the staff of the
Mount Pleasant branch.
Book lists were prepared by the ref
erence department on the subjects OF
the lectures given under the auspices
of the Community Institute of Wash
ington. and a revised edition of the list
on cotemporary artists was published
in conjunction with the Corcoran Gal
lery of Art for its biennial exhibition
of American artists. A series of book
talks was given in the auditorium Of
the Mount Pleasant branch by members
of the library staff and guest speak
ers. Exhibits we're arranged for the
Ideals Homes exhibit. the National
Congress of Parents and Teachers and
the biennial convention of the Workers
Education Bureau.
Book Funds Needed.
ION account of an inadequate book
fund, many worthwhile titles pub
1ished during the year could not be pur-
chased" DR.. Bowerman stated. I'm
recent years the increase in the book
appropriation has not kept pace with
the growth of the library system and
the demands of the readers. This de-
ficiency in its book supply is a source
the library service, limiting its useful
ness The book collection of the
library now numbers 336,S26 volumes,
Of which 30,373 we're added during the
year-26,235 by purchase, $3.50 by gifts
or exchange and 17S by binding Among
the important gifts of the year were
Isl volumes from The Evening Star,
461 volumes from the National Edu-
cation Association and 259 volumes
from Miss Mary Brickenstein.
The new two-tone binding materials
now on the market we're utilized TO
bind 1850 volumes of the 5,l23 bound
in the library. while $3.50 were sent to
an outside firm. The library's bind
ing fund is again too small to bind all
of the books that need rebinding ana
to bind them so promptly as to keep
them out of use the minimum time"
DR. Bowerman said. During the past
year there was an unavoidable delay
in letting the contract for binding of
books by an outside binder, resulting
in the withholding from use of a large
number of books. required for school
work.
"The cramped condition of the CEN
trail library, as 1t becomes more and
more congested, with books, staff and
readers, makes for delay In nearly every
process and service" the report con-
tinued. Lacking suficient and con-
Venient space for storage, wherever
there is the slightest delay, as in the
case of the binding contract, 1t means
that books must be handled over and
over, with resulting delays and lowered
efficiency of service"
Pointing out the lack of branches as
another factor limiting the library's
service, Dr. Bowerman declared: Many
hiliIdiNU
what till recently we're vacant fields,
and in sections far distant from any
branch library. When persons living
remote from any library do register as
library users. it is usually because OF
some emergency, since they live too far
away for the regular use of the library.
This condition, OF course. weighs most
heavily on children, though 1t means
that the library practically does not
exist for large portion OF the COM
nunity.
Library Staff.
Through the operation of the per-
sonnet classification legislation, the
library is more and more drawing into
its employ persons of high academic
and professional qualifications who
see the librarys opportunities for
sound educational work, and are tnere-
fore constantly increasing and lmprov-
trustees report.
Though now more adequately paid,
and of superior ability, the library force
does not increase in numbers as rapidly
as does the work. The library is con-
stantly striving to give better, more In.
telligent, more expert service at every
point" DR.. Bowerman said, land the
public demands and appreciates SUCH
improved service. A steady increase In
volume and improved quality requires
a constant enlargement OF STAN. The
central library has always been under
staff. Every new agency has been
started of with staff too small to do
the work that came to 1t as soon as
It was opened, with the result that
emergency demands for aid are con-
stantly being made on the central
library starr
The most important event of the
year from the viewpoint of the library
staff was the annual meeting OF the
American Library Association in Wash
ington during the week Of May 1913.
The meetings of the Adult Education
Institute which preceded the conference
were held in the central building OF
the Public Library, May 10-1l. The
librarian served as chairman of the
local committee, which also numbered
several other members of the library
staff, in addition to representatives from
other libraries of the District, Mary
land and Virginia Members CT the
library board likewise participated in
the library's entertainment activities,
notably Vice President Wendell p. Stat
ford, who reflected great credit on the
library and charmed the membership
of the association by his welcoming
address.
S6l9,116 Estimates for 1881.
vrha astir,atee submitted nv the IL