Evening star., 1936-08-25
BUDGET
is SET AT S697,9b2.
$50, 1000 Increase Asked by
F.! Board to Care for In.
F.: creased Service.
BY DON s. WARREN.

book circulation and Jump OF more
than 70 per cent In registered book
borrowers since 1880, as against an
enlargement of the library stan OF
only 20 per cent, the Board OF Ii
brary Trustees has informed the
Commissioners the needs Of the Free
Public Library for the next fiscal year
Will be $697 1862.
THE 1898 library estimates, re-
leased today. were cut to the lowest
point possible in justice to the serv-
ice." the board stated in justifying
It's requests, which were reduced In
compliance with instructions issued
by the Commissioners to all depart
ments for strict economy.
Continuation Of the library con-
struction program also is sought. The
estimates provide $4,000 for COM
pletion of the new Petworth Branch
Library, to be started this year at
Kansas and Iowa avenues, and $27,500
for replacement of the old building
used by the Conduit Road Sub
branch Library. The board also seeks
$f5,500 for the purchase Of a site and
the drafting of plans for a new branch
In Anacostia.
Altogether, the board proposes ap-
Preparations amounting to $3.50, 1922, or
"a per cent more than the total for
tie present fiscal year.
5000 Use Libraries Daily.
In presenting estimates for addi-
tions to the staff, the library trustees
called the attention Of the Commis-
sioners to the following facts:
THAT the library operates through
u buildings. II of which serve the
public, with about 5000 persons using
these buildings daily.
THAT in the central building and
i've major branches the service is
open to the public IL hours day for
g. days a week with half day on
the sixth).
t'That the population of Washing
ton has grown from 486, 1863 in 1880
to an estimated $4,000 in 1885, and
that this growth is reflected in Ii
brary use by an increase in the num-
ber of registered borrowers of 72.6 per
cent, and in the circulation of books
Of 10 per cent.
THAT no increases in the staff
have been granted for the years 1888.
1884, 1895, 1887. and IN 1886 only
one, exclusive of the staff for the new
Georgetown Branch, opened in Oc-
tober, 1885.
THAT the aid given by w. P. A.
and N. Y. A. National Youth Admin
tstration) employees does not assist
in handling the large growth in serv-
ice since they are not trained for
public service and are not allowed to
be used for work regularly performed;
also, they require much time-consum-
ing supervision. They have been rea-
sonably helpful in building main
tenance and some special binding work
that could not otherwise be at
tempted.
THAT the vacation season has been
increased by II days, which reduces
the total working time of the stan
by the equivalent of eight persons
annually Also it is important to con-
form to the standard hours of service
and not depend upon overtime work.
Per Capita Outlay Small.
"That the per capita expenditure
for operation is 79 cents (based on
the population of 594,000) as against
81 per capita considered by the Ameri-
can Library Association the mini
mum for only reasonably good library
service.
THAT the District Commissioners
recognize the need of additional per-
sonnel to the extent of forwarding an
increase of $3.50 in the estimates
for 1887, but these items were lost in
the Budget Bureau or Congress. With
each year the demands on the library
are greater; therefore substantial ad-
ditions are imperative now"
For personnel the board requests
e404,127 as against $352.02o for this
year, an increase of IA per cent. Forty
seven additional workers are sought,
at a cost of $51, ,567.
Four additional library assistants
and four Junior messengers are sought
to meet the increasing demands for
public service; one junior librarian Is
asked for school services, six addi-
tional workers for technical depart
ments, two for general strengthening
of administrative departments, five for
the custodial service, five to permit
the opening of the Central Library "a
hours week and 20 additional work.
ers to staff the new Petworth Branch
n .ds Ia 81 Cd Ynd q
months of the fiscal year 1888.
In order to establish standard hours
Of labor for the system, employment
Of two junior laborers Is requested. at
Q cost of $2,160.
New Books Needed.
The board proposes an increase
from 100000 to 100000 for books and
periodicals, the increase being needed
to stock the new Petworth Branch.
The item also would allow the acqui-
sition of music records and sounding
recordings. This is new program.
For binding the board asks $4,000.
an increase of $4,000 over this year;
and for maintenance, including need
ed repairs and alterations of build
1ngs, $48,875, an increase Of $21.1 Its.
For the rent of suitable quarters for
the Chevy Chase and Woodbridge
branch libraries the board asks
$4,000, an increase Of $3.50, which
would restore the rental rates to levels
existing prior to the economy legisla-
ton. This is In line with the policy
Of the District government.
Explaining the need for the new
branch library for the Anacostia Sec
ton, the trustees told the Commis-
sioners:
This branch will serve Anacostia,
Congress Heights, Randle Highlands
and Good Hope. The population with
in mile radius Of a proper location
Is estimated at 20,344 (1e30 census)
and is rapidly growing. There are 10
public schools and two parochial
schools in the territory to be served;
also the personnel of st. Elizabeth's
Hospital and the flying fields. The
section is cut off from other library