Evening star., 1937-07-11

"HE cna0Ce query Oh SIldll
daughter, DO Libraries have
vacation times when schools
Il are out?" directed our foot
steps In search Of enlightenment along
this line at our nearest neighborhood
library, the Georgetown branch of the
Public Library, located at Wisconsin
avenue and R street.
Here, despite the fact that its in
terror is being painted green to match
the new Venetian blinds, found a COM
munity being served as vigorously as
II the nearby schools and colleges In
the community which it serves were
conducting their regular sessions.
In the reference section, presided
over by Miss Ellen Overlook, various
groups were busy. Here some $50
reference volumes and a large COL
lection of pamphlets, periodicals and
carefully classified clippings were be-
ing used by different groups. At one
table was a clergyman perusing matter
for series of sermons. At another,
a group of students from Georgetown
University's Foreign Service School
were engaged in research in prepara-
tion for the State Departments eX-
animation in September. Grouped
here and there were various final con-
testants in a puzzle contest seeking
encyclopedias set aside for them.
Library assistants, unless trapped into
1t, do not answer directly questions
pertaining to contests, but are un-
tiring in supplying sources for those
seeking answers.
There was also a stream of readers
with inquiries for information on such
subjects as trade unions, radio an
nouncing, Belgian neutrality, Great
Britain'S political changes, history of
stt-doWn strikes, SWitZerland'S ma
tional anthem and how to address a
foreign minister. Several parents also
interviewed Miss Overlook concerning
a choice of encyclopedias, genera
reference books and dictionaries for
children of various school ages, and
were introduced to several along each
line that they might, from their own
survey, make more intelligent and
better informed decision.
Recreation Room Busy.
One of the most interesting and
the busiest divisions of the Georgetown
Branch at all times Of the year, SUI. =
mer included, is its recreational read
ing room, first of its kind in any
Washington library. Since its install
lation with the opening of this branch
library in October, 1885, it has been
under direction of Miss Mary Linn
McCulloch, graduate of the Pittsburgh
Library School.
Originally planned for intermedi-
ate students coming down from the
supervision of children's room to pre-
vent their reading tastes running riot
IN the adult reading room. it now
serves because of its popularity, as d
reading room for all who feel so l.
clined. Its collection of books con-
Sists of all classes of fiction and non
fiction. While it does feature a
great deal of light fiction, representa-
tive books in every field are present
Hpon Its shelves. These are chosen
for reliability and charm of style as
we'll as for content value
Julian Duguid's Green Hill' and
Tiger Man" having to do with South
American adventure and travel have
been universal favorites since the
day they were first published.
Quite frankly Miss McCulloch said
"Our effort is, of course, to intrigue
the juvenile reader and the grown-up
too, into reading the most worthwhile
examples along the line of his or
her interest. The books on sports and
aviation are the best and the most
timely known to the publication world
and are seized upon with avidity not
only by our youthful reading public,
but by their elders as well. AS SUBJ