Evening star., 1934-10-14
NEED OF LIBRARIES
. DECLARED URGENT
Trustees Reveal Increase in
Service Fails to Keep
I Up With Demand.
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(ContinVed From First Page.)
the central library could be built in
sections, with the costs spread over two
Or four years. The trustees are pro-
posing for 1896 an appropriation of
Sol 300 for the preparation of plans
and specifications, including the en-
ployment of consulting experts in
library planning
Book Fund Reduced.
"The library's regular annual book
appropriation has been reduced
from S54 500 to which it had been in
creased for 1881, 1882 and 1898 to
$4,000 for 1884 and 1885," DR.. Bower
man states in his report, which ac-
companies that of the trustees. This
reduction took place while the library
circulation and demands for relatively
expensive books on current affairs
have been increasing enormously.
The library'S book appropriation
should now be 100000 annually, that
sum to be increased as new agencies
are established, DR.. BoWerman de-
clareS.
In commenting on the omission of
the item for the repair of library
buildings from the appropriation act,
DR.. Bowerman states that the library
buildings are still further deteriorating
and hazardous electric wiring condi-
tions are becoming worse for lack of
q sufficient repair fund.
In reviewing the progress of the
year, DR.. Bowerman says that "in-
creased growth marked the service
rendered by the library's schools di-
vision to the elementary and Junior
high schools, public, private and
parochial. The record shows a circu
lation to pupils for home reading of
524,4l4 volumes, an increase of 49,O99.
Collections were sent on request to
class rooms in 1873 school buildings.
Advisory Service Cited.
Through the central information
desk and specialized departments
much advisory work was done for
furloughed Government workers." DR..
BoWerma1 reports. The advisory
service co-operated with the Federal
Emergency Relief Administration BY
providing the regional Office with sets
of books for the use of case workers
in training"
Through the sociology division "a
of the 10 white parent teacher as
sociationS worked out study courses
or took up other book problems: book
collections were supplied to 19 of the
% study groups organized by the
District of Columbia organization,
and 10 colored parent-teacher aSso-
Citations received assistance This di-
s vision also worked with the groups
promoting nursery schools, the Coun-
Gil of Social Agencies, the Social Hy-
giene Society, the Council on Adult
Education and the Americanization
School.
The art division of the library and
the art division of the District Fed
Grafton of Women's Clubs co-oCerated
in staging State art contest in which
the nine branches and subbranches
of the library were used.
Hospital service, including both cir
culation and advisory service to the
patients of George Washington Uni
versity Hospital, was continued
through the extension division in CO.
operation with the Women's Board
of the hospital.
~ Reference Service Aided Survey.
The reference department cooper
ated with William A. Roberts, peo-
pies counsel, in supply material for
the survey Of the District govern
ment and the photography on the
subject prepared by his Office.
In the central reference room OATS
questions involving more or less re-
search, and 1862 telephone calls were
answered.
At the Mount Pleasant branch
405.170 volumes were circulated and
6,861 borrowers registered; at North
eastern a circulation of 248,112, and
a registration of 1885, at Southeast
ern 212,982 books in circulation and
5,588 registered and at Takoma a
circulation of 1865 volumes and
2,179 persons registered.
Minor Branches Discussed.
The total circulation at the five sub
branches was 330,661 volumes; dis
tributed as follows: Chevy Chase,
93,578. Woodbridge, 90,772: Tenley 62.-
471; Eastern High School, 80 .3o3, and
Conduit road, 23,537. The loss of
circulation at Conduit road was di-
rectly attributable to the building