Evening star., 1935-10-11
Larger Library Staff Is Urged
To Increase Hours of Seruice
Big Gains in Circulation Cited in An
nual Reports of President of Board
of Trustees and Librarian.

An increase in the staff Of the Pub
lie Library to permit longer hours OF
service by the major agencies Is asked
by the Board of Library Trustees and
the librarian in the annual report
submitted to the District Commis-
sioners this morning by Theodore w.
Noyes, president of the board.
Since 1880 use Of the library has
increased so per cent in the number
Of volumes circulated for home use
and 81 per cent in the number OF
registered borrowers, Mr.. Noyes states
while the staff has increased only Is
per cent. fact which clearly shows
the widening breach between the
demands on the library and the per-
sonnel and equipment wherewith to
met those demands"
1T Is impossible to give adequate
service on the present appropria-
tions; substantial reinforcements are
essential" Mr.. Noyes continues. 1.-The
trustees are, therefore, recommend
ing in the estimates for 1887 addi-
tional sums of personnel to strengthen
the library service, to do away with
the discreditable closing Of the CEN
tral library and major branches at
l pm. one day each week, and to
make the subbranches at Chevy
Chase and Woodbridge into full
fedged branches by extending the
hours open to the public from 80 to
81 a week.
"The service at these subbranches
has now reached proportions which
justify such expansion and the citi-
zens Of the communities are keen
not only for more service but new
branch buildings. Unfortunately, il
will not be possible in the interest
Of the sections of the city which are
entirely without library facilities to
erect new buildings in Chevy Chase
and Woodbridge at this time"
Petworth and Anacostia are cited
as two sections without library facili.
ties, and the trustees are recon-
mending in the estimates for 1881
funds for the erection Of a building
for the Petworth section on lanc
available at the Roosevelt Mcfar-
land High School campus, and for 6
site and plans for a branch at Ana.
costa. Branches for both these Sec
tions are long overdue" Mr.. Noyes
adds.
Books and Repairs Needed.
Another major need which the
trustees feel requires urgent and i'm
mediate correction is for a larger book
fund" Mr. Noyes continues. ITO keer
abreast of the new books and to re-
place books worn out by the wear and
tear of a circulation amounting to
2,723,623 volumes year make neces-
sary substantial fund. The reduced
funds Of 1884 and 1885 have resulted
in the deterioration Of the basic stock
at all Of the agencies serving the
public"
The District Engineering Depart
ment has made detailed studies of the
condition Of the library buildings dur
ing both Of the last two years, Mr.
Noyes declares, and indicated urgent
repairs. THE amount required to
complete these repairs, which become
more costly the longer they are post
poned, is now estimated to be $40, 900
Some of these may be taken care OF
as w. P. A. projects, but the majority
Of them require too large percentage
Of materials to be eligible for grants.
Report of Librarian to Trustees.
THE past year was one of con-
tinued progress, with better and more
diversified service to more people ir
spite of straitened financial support
for staff, for books and for all Other
maintenance expenses" according tc
the report of DR.. George F. Bowerman
librarian to the trustees. which i:
made a part of the trustees report tc
the Compissioners.
The increase in the home circula-
tion Of books was l00,7l volumes over
the previous year, or 2,723, ,623 volumes
In addition, 154,274 mounted pictures
were circulated, making a total OF
2,877 1857 pieces. An analysis of the
circulation shows further drop in
the percentage of fiction circulated to
ATS per cent.
The book collection was increased
to 473,l volumes, with gross addi-
tions of 40,451, which, after deducting
books worn out or withdrawn to the
number of 23,58l, gave net increase
of 1870 volumes. These additions
were altogether insufficient to give the
best service to readers.
Georgetown Branch Completed.
The outstanding feature of tn,
lbrary's prospects for an expanding
service, according to DR.. Bowerman
was the erection of the beautiful anc
well-planned Georgetown Branch Ii
brary building. "The appropriation o.
| $4,000 for the fiscal year 1886 for tht
original stocking of the branch ane
funds for a staff comparable with
those Of the two other major branches
| Mount Pleasant and Northeastern
make provision to meet the large de-
mands that are sure to come from {
community that has long been eagerl!
| waiting and working for its branch
library"
1T is gratifying to record that th'
trustees of the 60-year-old Peabod!
Library of Georgetown have agreed Il
turn over their collection of books II
help build up the Georgetown branch
book stock" DR.. Bowerman continues
1.-The agreement with the Peabod!
trustees provides for the transfer o.
their librarian to have charge of thu
Peabody room in the new branch anc
of the development of a collection oi
i materials, books, pictures. museum
articles, etc., on Georgetown history
The agreement further provides that
the Peabody trustees shall contro
their endowment funds and shall ust
the income for the development o.
this feature, but not for any phase o!
the usual maintenance Of the branch
library"
Music Division Established.
Special satisfaction is taken at thu
establishment of q music division ir
| the central library in charge of 9