Evening star., 1952-07-20
District Library
Seeks Plan Fund
For Extension
Budget Estimate
Is ST. Million Over
This Years Outlay

plan money for major extension
of the 50-year-old Central Library
Building on Mt. Vernon Square al
part of its $2.672, 400 budget esti-
mate for next fiscal year.
The ibrary's spending proposal
released by the Commissioners last
night, is more than $1.1 million
higher than this years appropria-
tion: This is largely because of re-
quests for new permanent improv-
ments.
These include construction OF
new branch buildings for Ana
costa and Woodbridge, the sites
plans and specifications for new
branches at Congress Heights,
Fairfax Village and Tenley. The
library also asks for a second book
mobile.
$4,000 For New Wing.
A $4,000 outlay is proposed for
an additional wing on the new
Cleveland Park Branch. The
$335,000 appropriated for this
building did not provide for meet
ing rooms which had been planned
as part of the branch. Actually
only $55,000 in new money will be
needed, since an unobligated bal
ance Of $4,000 remains in the
building fund.
In all. the capital outlay items
sought for next year total $780,
400. Several represent expansion
of activities which the library has
included for years in budget re-
quests. This years budget carries
no capital outlay.
The library increased its re-
quest for operating expenses from
this years $1,515,000 to 81, ,592, 900
for the year beginning next
July 1. -..s
The $160,O00 requested for plans
and specifications for extension
of the Central Library is based
on a tentative estimated cost for
the project itself of $3.5 to 81
million.
Would Serve Indefinitely.
The work would add some 140,-
900 square feet of space with a
four-floor extension, or 10000
square feet with five floors. It
would be expected to serve the
Ibrary's needs almost indefinitely.
Extension Of the old outgrown
building would enable the library
to bring its administrative and
processing departments together
with other activities under one
roof. ,
Feasibility Of the extension was
indicated by a survey for which
Congress appropriated $500.
Librarian Harry N. Peterson sug-
gested the expansion after appro-
priating authorities questioned
the practically of continuing
with the proposed new central
library at 499 Pennsylvania ave-
nue. NV.
Construction on this building
began in 1910. ceased with Pearl
Harbor, and then was continued
as an Office building. Some Ii
brary activities moved there in
1916.
Would Cost More.
Rernodeling and completing the
building as central library. how
ever, would cost a few million dol
lars more than the work proposed
on Mt. Vernon square, library
officials say.
Meanwhile the library asks $46.-
500 for next fiscal year to COM
plete renovation of the basement
of the old central library. Another
$4,000 is sought for other re-
modelling.
Branch plans for next fiscal year
include the opening Of units at
Congress Heights and Fairfax Viii
lage. The budget estimates carries
funds for rented quarters to be
used pending establishment Of
permanent quarters.
Site money for the two branches
Is estimated at $35. 900 each. For
the Tenley branch. the site of the
Janney School is recommended as
ideal, but a second choice is the
Northeast corner of Wisconsin
avenue and Grant road, which
would take $85. 1000.
$38,4OO For Planning.
The estimate carries $38, 400 for
plans and specifications for the
three branches. This is based on
estimated construction costs Of
$320,000 each.
The requested branch construc-
tion at Anacostia and Woodbridge,
costing $550,000 would replace
facilities now in rented quarters
In the areas.
For another bookmobile, the
library asks $12,5 500. This is needed
to take library service to areas
which now lack it and to increase
service in those where the popula-
tion has increased markedly.
It also would be used in protest.
ing locations before further plans
are made for new branch build
ingS.
Other requests in the budget
estimate include staff and equip
ment for the contemplated new
branches and bookmobile.
Among increased expenses noted
by the library is that for cards
The approximate overall increase
was estimated at 68 per cent since
July, 1948.
Howard Doctor Touring