Evening star., 1936-12-20
ANACOST|A SEEKS
BRANCH LIBRARY
Feels Project Tops List With
Progress Made for Pet.
worth Structure.

With approval of the drawing of the
Petworth Branch Library by the Fine
Arts Commission last week and $780,
600, half the total cost, already in
current appropriations. residents Of
Anacostia feel more optimistic in their
efforts to, secure an appropriation in
the 1888 budget for ground for such
q structure in their community.
Several years ago, three branch
libraries were sought for the District.
At that time Georgetown headed the
list, with Petworth and Anacostia
following In that order. The George
town branch Is q reality. The Pet
worth branch Is now certainty.
This leaves Anacostia topping the list.
Havenner Backs Project.
DR.. George C. Havenner, member
Of the board and a former president
of the Anacostia Citizens Association,
relative to the Anscostia branch
said:
Although am no longer connected
with the association and, as a matter
of fact, do not live within its con-
fines, l still maintain an interest in
the community and particularly the
efforts that are being made to secure
a branch library there.
There are about 10000 people liv-
ing south Of the Anacostia River
that are In need Of such structure.
1t would serve not only residents of
Anacostia, but Hillcrest, Congress
Heights, Washington Highlands, Sum-
NIT Park, Bradbury Heights and
Randle Highlands" he finished.
At present the nearest branch Is
approximately 2 miles away, at
Seventh street and Pennsylvania
avenue southeast.
Heads List Of Needs.
With this thought in mind and
the known fight that has been waged
for years in Anacostia to secure
branch library there, Edwin Simensen,
president of the association, has listed
this as the most outstanding need in
AnacoStia.
Although I have inaugurated a
three-point program for the coming
year for the association" he an
nounced, 'this particular item is by
far the most urgent"
The two other items listed in the
program, which was designed by the
president in an effort to stimulate
more interest in the organization and
the community and make the MEM
bers "civic conscious" Is the deisola-
ton Of Anacostia Park and the be-
ginning of a series Of contests.
The second item in the program,
the deisolation Of Anacostia Park,
between the Eleventh street and the
Pennsylvania Avenue bridges and west
of the former bridge. To do this,
Simensen proposes pedestrian ap-
proaches at either end and the open
ing of Thirteenth and Sixteenth streets
southeast leading to and from the
school.
I'm reference to the foot approaches,
there are none" he said. IF proper
approaches to and from the park
were made in the form Of paved
sidewalks, the COW path that now
exists across the park would be elimi-
mated"
Offer Prize for Anthem.
The initial contest will be the
awarding of prize to the resident
who composes the best community
anthem. The second contest will be
an effort by Simensen to promote .
civic interest among the youngsters
so that they may take more pride
and enjoyment in Anacostia. In this
phase Of his contest the president
suggested q puppet show to be pre-
sented by the children Of schools
south of the Anacostia River. In this
way it would be staged by an entirely
"local" cast. 1t is planned to have
the event in the Anacostia Junior
Senior High School and q trophy
awarded the winning group. Other
contests from time to time will be
forthcoming, he announced.
A committee consisting Of Charles
Dealy, James Thompson, William H.
Benhoff, jr.. and George Tizard has
been appointed by Simensen to begin
preparations for the first Of these
contests.
Every effort will be made by the
association to fulfill the program as
outlined by SimenSen, but the princi-
pal objective sought and must"
item on the associations calendar y
the branch library. -.