Evening star., 1937-09-12
PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOON TO PRISONS
Books Are Sent for Use in
lorton and to District
Jail.

hAFeV&&t NdAlo 0O l4Ob ely q pi lSOl
make for inmates of the local .jails al
lang as the Public Library maintains
IT. financial health, according to Miss
Clara w Herbert. acting librarian
Miss Herbert could not deny the
physical limitations of four good walls
but spoke warmly yesterday of the
hslpfulness of equally good books.
s"Yes, she said, I'VE have been send
ing books for many years to the Ii
brary at the Lorton Reformatory as
well as a lot Of good advice on library
organization. We also started SINH
lar service at the District Jail about
two years ago"
THE skilled book selection service of
the children's department of the Ii
hIary has been made available for
some years to the National Training
Schools for both boys and girls, to the
Juvenile Court, to the child-caring di-
vision of the Board of Public Welfare
and all kinds of youth organizations
and homes.
1.-THE choosing of books for delin-
ouent and, in many cases, retarded
children is an extremely difficult prob
lem" adding, "and that is by no means
al"
u. S. Agencies Served.
eTo be a little less penal about the
whole thing. Miss Herbert settled back
in her chair and reeled off an imposing
list of Federal Offices that demand the
library service, including the Farm
Credit Administration, Suburban Re-
settlement, Federal Housing, Rural Re-
settlement, Federal Power, Works
Progress and Farm Relief Administra-
tions, the Patent ONCE. the Federal
Power Commission, the Home Owners
Loan Corp, the Bureau of Public
Roads, the Naval Research Labora-
tory, the Forest Service, the Civilian
Conservation Corps and many others.
I'VE also serve the various de-
partments of the District government
and great many independent agen-
cies such SIS the United States Cham
Der Of Commerce, the National Geo.
graphic and the American Fedora
ton of Labor
THE acting librarian also pointed
out that in addition TO service in
the George Washington and Mount
Alto Hospitals, the library served as
an aid in the Interpretation of local
history.
when the Jacobs committee was
studying the fiscal relations problem
of the District" she explained, ma
terial on District-Federal relations
was made available to its members
by the Washingtoniana-a collection
OF books, pamphlets and maps per-
tanning to the District constantly used
oy such agencies as the National
Capital Park and Planning Commits
sion and the District Commissioners
Office"
Actually, Miss Herbert said, teach
ers and pupils are among the chief
beneficiaries of the library service.
During the last year the schools divi-
sion sent 3,406 collections into 1920
class rooms.
we help out in everything from
business to gardening" she laughed.
mot to mention aiding local artists
TO become recognized through exhibits
OF their work in the library branches
/ certainly hope We will be able not
only to maintain these services. but
to expand them in the coming year.
Music appreciation hours became so
popular. Miss Herbert said, that indi-
vlouals using the music division or
ganized a club to Cooperate with the
chief of the division in giving a series
OF talks under the caption Evenings
With the Victrola." This division
works with the Federation of Music
Clubs, the National Symphony Or
chestra, the Department of Arricul-
ture Orchestra, number of amateur
orchestras which depend almost en-
tireiy on the library for music, with
churches, choral societies, dancing
schools. teachers and many unafil-
lated individuals.
Gives Advisory Service.
Equipped with collection OF books
on a wide range of social subjects.
most of which are currently discussed
in political, economic and educa tional
helds, and under the supervision Of
former social worker, the sociology
division Of the library maintains con-
tact with and gives advisory service to
most of the educational organizations
and Government bureaus in the city,
she explained.
Naturally its cooperation with
parent-teacher groups is very close"
she said, "as is its relation to the
teaching corps Of the public and pri-
vate schools. teachers colleges and
SPECIAL schools. The Federal Office of
Education and the National Education
Association also use its services"
In fact, Miss Herbert found it hard
to- find cultural or practical activity
in Washington which the library does
not serve.
III Just can't think of any" she con-
clpded.