Evening star., 1941-10-12
Trustees Urge
Completion Of
New Library
Annual Report
Cites Need for
Added Facilities


A mat obligation" of the Public
Library trustees is TO push compile
ton of the proposed new Central
Library, Theodore w. Noyes, presl-
dent of the board, yesterday told
the Commissioners in submitting
the 1941 annual report of the trus-
tees to the city heads.
In his letter of tranSmittal, Mr..
Noyes expressed the satisfaction OF
the trustees that the contract has
been let for the first unit Of the
structure, on Pennsylvania avenue
NV. between the Ford Building and
the old National Guard Armory.
He paid tribute to several men,
bers of Congress, District and other
officials. and many Washington or
ganizations for their interest in the
library.
Added Personnel Needed.
The report on library activities
for the past year and needs for the
future was prepared by Miss Clara
w. Herbert, public librarian. In
creased population makes necessary
additional personnel in the Wood
ridge and Chevy Chase branches,
she said, as we'll as additional space
for the Tenleytown subbranch,
Conduit Road and Takoma
branches.
Branches in Brookland Benning
and Anacostia, Miss Herbert said,
are the greatest need Of the chill
dren Of Washington.
Both Mr.. Noyes and Miss Herbert
referred to the role the Libraries are
playing in supplying information
needed for national defense.
Mr. Moves in part said:
The statistics of the public use
Of the library show the number of
borrowers registered during the year
as 61.972, an increase Of 1881 over
the preceding year bringing the
number of cards in force during the
registration period of three years
to 1864.
"a loss in home use Of books
amounted to 06 per cent, the num-
Der of volumes being 3,190,583. as
against 3.383o27 of the previous
year. Since similar losses are being
experienced in libraries throughout
the country they are thought TO be
due in large measure to the increase
in employment and IN the unrest
brought about by national condi-
tlons. In Washington the loss has
been offset by a marked increase in
reference and advisory service and
heavy demands for material in all
subjects dealing with national de-
fense. 1t is evident that people are
turning to the library in ever in
creasing numbers and with more
and more serious purpose.
Recognize Obligations.
THE trustees recognize the serious
and special obligations placed upon
the library to meet the requirements
of national defense. 1t is at such
times of national crisis that the
library may render its most essential
service, diffusing necessary Novl-
edge. supplementing with printed
material the training of workers
in new types of work, assisting in
the maintenance OF morale. A
special opportunity for constructive
work was afforded by the arrival
in Washington of thousands of new
Government employees who come to
the library in ever increasing num-
bers for required information and
helpful reading.
"A major obligation resting upon
the trustees is to cooperate vigor-
ously with other forces in the push
ing to completion of the new central
library. 1t was a matter of great
satisfaction. therefore, that the year
saw the contract let for the first
unit of the new building on July
II, l941, with completion date OF
November 8. 1912.
Both the Building Committee
and the trustees as a body spent
time and thought in considering
and approving the librarians expert
recommendation for planning of
the first unit and for arrangements
looking toward its maximum use.
The library's building program was
further advanced by the opening of
the new Southwestern branch on
January 6, 1941 The good response
of the community to the opportuni-
ties afforded by the new branch has
been noted with much satisfaction.
Thanks Members of Congress.
"The trustees have been mindful
of their responsibility to sustain the
librarian in interpreting the library
and its needs to committees of Con-
gress, the Commissioners. citizens
associations and interested groups
and individuals.
The sympathetic interest and
helpfulness of Representative Mahon
and Senator Overton, chairmen,
and of members of the House and
Senate Subcommittee of the Com
mittees on Appropriations are keen
ly appreciated by the trustees. Es-
pecially are they gratified by the
continued interest in the develop
ment of the library service of Rep
resentatlve Ross A. Collins and of
other members of our national leg
tSee LIBRARY, Page A-14)
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