Staff Newsreel Vol.I, No. 8

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Staff Newsreel

LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Vol.I, No.8     June 1936

VITAL QUESTIONS DISCUSSED AT COUNCIL MEETING
The June 9th meeting of the Los Angeles County Employees' Association Council was held for the purpose of considering accomplishments of the Association, recent developments and policies for the future.

Early in the meeting it was announced that the pay out restoration of 2.5 per cent for full time employees, effective July 1st, is but another step toward complete restoration of pay cuts. The Board of Directors of the Association is following closely the work of reclassifying the pay schedule which is now underway and President Fazel expects that the scheme when completely revamped will raise the pay
standards of county employees to a level somewhat comparable to that of business.

County Treasurer Howard Byram received a round of applause when he announced that more than $4,000,000 of retirement fund money now invested has an average yield of 4 3/4 per cent. The condition of the fund is satisfactory, but he stated that the retirement plan is being revised so that county pensions will be more equitable and adequate in the future. As no final draft has been made, the meeting was thrown open for discussion of many changes which seemed advisable. Most delegates believed the present age limit of 70 to be too old, and the 35 year old delegates from the Sheriff's Office felt 36 to be the ideal age. Changes suggested were that employees who resign from the county service should receive back the exact amount of money which they have paid in, but that the interest accrued should be retained in the general retiremont fund. Also it was generally believed that the minimum term of service preceding retirement should be increased from 10 years, the present ruling, to 20 years or more. As the discussion was concluded, Mr. Jenkins of General Hospital reminded the group that the Retirement Association and the County Employees' Association are two distinct organizations, although often considered to be one association. Mr. Byram predicted that when the retirement scheme has been redrafted it will be found necessary for both employees and the Board of Supervisors to contribute larger amounts each month, if an
adequate pension is to be provided. It is probable that a graduated scale of $4 and up per month will be worked out to make it possible for employees in the higher salary brackets to make larger payments than at present is possible, so that they may have a pension income commensurate with their former salary rating.


Without doubt, the most important business of the evening was presented by Deputy Assessor Hartman in his brilliant, concise analysis of the Single Tax amendment measure which comes before the voters in November. Warning that many will vote for the Single Tax bill just to get rid of the Sales Tax measure which is tied with the proposition, he urged everyone to study the measure and begin at once educating the public to a true understanding of the bill. According to figures compiled by the Assessor's Office, the adoption of the Single Tax bill would bankrupt both county and state. Soon, it was stated, county employees would be

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receiving paper warrants backed with a promise instead of cash. The amendment proposes repeal of the sales tax, repeal of the 5 per cent exemption on improvements on homes which are homesteaded, and does away with existing charter limitations. Further, it may invalidate the 3 per cent gas tax, liquor tax and bank tax. If the measure passes, the speaker concluded, within 5 years the state rate upon land would
be $25 per $100, the educational system would fall, and all government be in jeopardy as no other financial basis is provided by the bill. Inform yourself now, Mr. Hartman urged, regarding the measure, and be ready to supply accurate, intelligent comment upon every possible occasion, if you wish to see this measure defeated.

Evelyn Cooper, chairman, Marion Clune, Gertrude Hopkins and Ruth Husby were the delegates who represented the Library at the meeting. They wi11 gladly attempt to answer requests for additional information regarding the discussion of Retirement Fund changes or Single Tax dangers.
- Evelyn Cooper

COUNTY LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Miss Vogleson reports that the Library Advisory Committee has now been formally organized with Mr. Alfred E. Hart of tho 1st Supervisorial District as President and Mrs. J. L. Criswell of the 5th District as Secretary. Mrs. Criswell was an active member of the Whitnall Committee which recently published a report based on a study for the simplification of loca1 government. Members of the Standing Committees were
named by President Hart as follows, with the County Librarian as an ex-officio member of all committees:

Planning: Mrs. Criswell, Mrs. Ainsley, Mr. Conant
Housing: Mr. Hart, Mr. Conant, Mr. Findley
Finance: Mr. Findley, Mrs. Ansley, Mr. Hart

The regular meetings will be held at the Office of the Library at 3:30 P.M. on the first Friday of each month.

GOOD NEWS - MORE MONEY FOR BOOKS!
In the 1936-37 Preliminary Budget for the Library recently adopted by the Board of Supervisors, the Book Fund has been practically doubled, being raised from $26,000 to $50,000.

Although this sum is far short of the $90,000 Book Fund enjoyed in 1931-32, it will help resuscitate the "invalid". As this good news percolates among branch patrons, some of them might like to send a note of appreciation to their district member of the Board of Supervisors.

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PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT - COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL SIMPLIFICATION
This long looked for Report of the Committee of Forty appointed by the Board of Supervisors when Mayor Shaw was Chairman of the Board, is now available. Copies of the full report are on file at all of our large branches and a Resume has been sent to every branch. Those branches which have not received a copy of the full report may obtain one upon request, or it can be had as a "short time" loan. Every citizen
in the County should study this Report and the branch librarians should not hesitate to ask for it.

Quoting from the Report - "The objectives of this study are to discover means of effecting economies in local government and to increase efficiency."

A statement relating to our County Library appears as follows: "Libraries. Conclusion: That the present law and practice effecting library administration offers excellent pattern and foundation for centralizing library and other administrations." The County Librarian feels that such a recommendation could never have resulted without the hearty co-operation and loyalty of a11 members of the staff.

BOOK REVIEW ROUND TABLE
Children's favorite stories were featured on the program of the Book Review Meeting for Branch Librarians held June 10th in the State Building. Mrs. Alice Lewis, first assistant of the Children's Division, spoke on "Some Stories That Never Grow Old", reviewing books well-loved by children. After her talk, a pageant "It happened in a Bookshop", written by Mrs. Betty Ridley, librarian of Culvor City Branch, was staged by Miss Nolte with the assistance of Central staff members.

A row of huge book covers, designed by Martha Williams and Hope Blunt, made the setting for the bookshop in which a Bookseller waited expectantly for customers. When a Mother brought her Little Boy into the shop, such familiar characters as Alice in Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Heidi, Joan of Arc, a Puritan Maid and a Pirate popped out in a most diverting manner from behind their book jackets and tempted the Little Boy to become acquainted with them and their adventures.

Following the play, Mrs. Lewis explained the work that the Division of Work with Children carries on with the schools of the County. Miss Vogleson then introduced Mr. J.M. Lowery of the County Auditor's Office, who described the program offered by the School of Government of the University of Southern California during its Eighth Annual Institute of Government, June 15-19.

This Book Review Meeting, the last to be held until Fall, was attended by 84 branch librarians and assistants, a record number. Together with the May 27th meeting, at which Mrs. O'Nei11 of the Reference Division reviewed a group of important books on vocational guidance, it climaxed a successful series of meetings under the direction of Miss Stephens, Head of the Branches Division. Indeed, the response of the branch librarians and their assistants was so enthusiastic this year (the total attendance for 13 meetings was 757, or an average attendance of 58) that they overflowed the corner of tho School Division which serves as "auditorium" for Central Headquarters, and meeting places had to be found in the Hall of Records, the City Hall, the State Building and the Broadway Temple Building.

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A CALL TO LIBRARIANS
The Rehabilitation Chairman of the Women's Overseas Service League solicits our help in locating all women who saw service in the World War, between August 1914 and January 1, 1920.

If you will make an announcement at meetings you attend, asking any woman who did overseas service to send a postal card c/o Mrs. Grace Tucker Green, 44 South Harvard Ave., Los Angeles; giving name, address, telephone number, branch of overseas service, where stationed, dates of service and name at time of enlistment, it wi11 be appreciated.

THE C. L. A. DISTRICTS CF.ANGE THEIR NAMES
The Districts of the C.L.A., formerly called by numbers, have adopted more colorful and appropriate names, descriptive of the regions they represent. Our own Sixth District is now the Southern District, while the new names of the other Districts are: First - Golden Gate; Second - Third - Portola; Fourth - Sequoia; Fifth - Golden Empire;  Seventh - Rodwood; Eighth --Ninth - Mount Shasta.

MARDI GRAS TO AID WELFARE FUND
While County Employees are happily considering their heightened financial prospects, Bert Creighton, chairman of the County Employees' Welfare Committee, wishes to announce that 50� of one's July wealth might well be spent at the County Mardi Gras, which will open at one o'clock, July 18th, at the Breakfast Club in Griffith Park. After the barbecue which is the big free feature of the afternoon (meats have been contributed) swimming, fortune-telling, departmental racing with unlicensed booking, and even the lowly horse-shoe game may be enjoyed. The committee is providing an excellent orchestra for informal dances in the afternoon and evening.

Every one is urged to sell tickets to his friends when the sale opens, so that the Mardi Gras may be a grand success. All money goes to the County Employees' Welfare
Fund.

AN INVITATION TO TEA
The Pasadena Library Club is entertaining Miss Doris Hoit at tea on Sunday, June 21st, from four to seven, at the home of Miss Jeannette M. Drake, 3919 E. California Street. This pleasant occasion will give members and friends of the Club an opportunity to meet the new librarian of Pasadena Public Library.

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AT "CENTRAL"

Staff Changes
Margaret Walkington is being congratulated on her promotion from junior to senior classification, and Mary McCament on recieving a permanent junior appointment. Mrs. McCament has been assigned to the Order Division and Miss Walkington to the Branches Division. Mrs. Britt has been transferred to the Reference Division and Mr. Hewitson has taken over Mrs. Britt's work with documents in the Order Division.

The staff is happy to welcome Dorothea K. Smith from the Santa Ana Public Library. As a result of the recent civil service examination she has received an appointment in the Branches Division as junior assistant. We are also glad to have Frances Fuller back after her year at Berkeley attending the University of California.

Successful Research
Martie Barlow, who is taking a course at U.S.C. on "Personality and Leadership" had to write a paper on Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Interior. Finding that the facts she wanted were not available in magazines or books, she wrote directly to Mr. Ickes explaining her predicament. She received just the information needed and was pleasantly surprised to receive also an autographed photograph of the Secretary. 

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Miss Eleanor Stephens spoke recently before the Woman's Club of Bellflower on the topic "Peace and Education".

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Mrs. Alice H. Billings has been appointed Head of the the Catalog Department of the Pasadena Public Library succeeding Miss Hortense Berry who has resigned. Mrs. Billings, who has been unduly blessed with leisure since she left the Catalog Division last January, is looking forward with zest to her new responsibilites. 

Here and There with the Vacationists
Donald Hughes spent his vacation in San Francisco where he admired the new bridges, took numerous pictures, and had a good time sight-seeing; Bertha Neher enjoyed a week in May at her home in Pomona; Melrose Halgren sends colorful postcards from Miami, Florida, with brief, but glowing descriptions of her honeymoon travels; Dolly Hallock is spending part of her vacation in Monterey, while Margaret Short has just returned from a pleasant week at Laguna. Tilda Nelso went by train to Pullman, Washington, where her husband has been attending Washington State College. They will motor back to Los Angeles, stopping at points of interest along the way. Last week-end Dr. and Mrs. Bolenbaugh left for a motor trip to Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco and the Russian River, while Evelyn hastings and her family are driving north to Clear Lake. Genevieve Stevens, who has just returned from her vacation in Texas, visited the Centennial Exposition at Dallas while there. She is enthusiastic about the Fair, where she saw "As You Like It" at the Globe Theater, the Ford Building and other exhibits. One of the unusual features Genevieve enjoyed was the Black Forest, modeled on the famous forest of Germany. This was a combination of cafe, skating rink and dance floor. After exhibitions of ice skating, a huge dance floor was rolled out over the ice, and the diners danced until the next schedule performance of the skaters. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the two field emphasized in most of the exhibits, Genevieve reports. 

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We are going to miss the visits of Louise Ainley since she and her husband have gone to Missouri to live.

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The members of the staff sympathize deeply with Miss Tomlinson on the recent loss of her mother.

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Dedication of Torrance Library
By the first of July the Torrance Library will be installed in its new quarters. The formal dedication of the attractive building will be held June 27th, at which time the City Hall and the Civic Auditorium will also be officially given to the community. Leo Carrillo is to be the Master of Ceremonies. Members of the Library staff are invited to attend.

Mrs. Jamieson, librarian of Torrance Branch, and Miss Vogleson were very busy one day last week selecting the special furnishings for the reading rooms, staff room and kitchenette.

Better Branch Library Buildings
Due to the accomplishments of Compton, El Monte and Torrance in securing fine new municipally owned library buildings, officials from several other communities have recently been in conference with the County Librarian in an effort to devise plans whereby they too may secure better libra-ry buildings. 

Out of the 25 municipalities which our Library is serving, ten now have city owned buildings. All of these have been secured within the last ten years with the exception of Inglewood which was rebuilt two years ago.

Young Visitors
El Monte Library was host to a group of about thirty second-graders recently. It was the first visit to the library for most of the children, and it was interesting, Mrs. Robinson reports, to see how they instinctively found the "Easy Book" shelf and surrounded it.

Radio Broadcast
Mrs. Bernice Wallace, assistant at Inglewood Branch, reviewed a group of books over KFAC, June 18th, on a program sponsored by the Literature Department of the Federation of Women's Clubs. 

Model Patrons
Some much appreciated gifts have been received by Burbank Library from its patrons, among them flowers for the library garden and a piece of pottery and an afghan for the staff room. A number of people each contributed a square for the afghan.  The Needlework Section of the Woman's Club also spent one day making squares.

Art Displays at Burbank
Two interesting exhibits were held this month in the Burbank Library, - one of the pastels done by art students in the Night School of Burbank High School; the other of P.T.A. Prize Posters from the elemen-tary schools.

San Fernando Goes Spanish
Mrs. Gross of San Fernando Branch reports that the local library plans to take part in the Fiesta to be held in the Valley and at the Mission June 27tha dn 28th. With the staff in Spanish costume and the build-ing gayly decorated, the library will re-flect the spirit of the occasion. 

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Mrs. Mary Havener, librarian of the Bell Branch Library is on leave of absence due to the serious illness of her sister at Colfax, Illinois. During her absence, Mrs. Mower, her assistant, is serving as acting-librarian. 

In a series of five chapters, published in the Industrial Post, the local newspaper of Bell and Maywood, Mrs. Havener has presented an intimate history of the town of Bell.  While young as cities go, Bell, located in the heart of the old Lugo rancho, has an interesting record of development and an unusual number of prominent California pioneers whose reminiscences furnished Mrs. Havener with interesting historical anecdotes.

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More Wedding Bells
At a dessert bridge on June 12th, Miss Janet Bentley, assistant at Maywood Branch for the past six years, announced her engagement to Mr. John R. Williams. No date has been set for the wedding. Miss Bentley received her degree from Whittier College on June 6th.

Miss Josephine Robins of Burbank Branch has been the honor guest at a staff shower and other showers recently. She was married to Mr. Robert L. Bailey at Amanda Chapel, Carthay Circle, on June 17th.

Vacation De Luxe
Mrs. Elizabeth Ripley, librarian of Burbank Branch, sails July 22 on the Matson Liner, "Mariposa" for a vacation trip to the Hawaiian Islands, Samoa, the Fiji Islands, New Zealand and Australia. We hereby appoint her traveling corre-spondent for the Newsreel.

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A week-end in May spent at Crater Lake was much enjoyed by Mrs. Hardman of Sher-man Branch and her husband.

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Mrs. McDowell, assistant at San Gabriel, plans a trip to Yosemite the week of June 21-28.

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Mrs. Scott, assistant at Woodcrest, was entertained on her birthday by a group of friends who surprised her with a dinner party and a shower of lovely gifts. 

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Mrs. Scott, assistant at Woodcrest, was entertained on her birthday by a group of friends who surprised her with a dinner party and a shower of lovely gifts.

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Mrs. Jenks, librarian of Willowbrook, and her daughter Helen, were visitors at the Avalon Branch Library one week-end in May. 

Prefers Catalina
Mrs. McRae came over from Avalon to attend the final Book Review Meeting of the year. She spent several days in the city and visited La Crescenta where she formerly lived. Life in town is very noisy and nerve-wracking, she finds, after the quiet of Catalina, and she is always glad to get home again after a few days here.

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The staff extends deep sympathy to Mrs. Esther Freeman of Ben Lomand on the recent death of her husband. 

The New Applicant
An amusing anecdote from an Illinois library is quoted n a recent number of the Wilson Bulletin:

"He wants to start" is a familiar greeting to librarians. So Aksel pushed his small pal to the front and confided, "The first time I didn't know how to write my name very good, but I tried my hardest and I got a card".

The young applicant wrote only "Kenneth" and so was told he must also write his last name. he looked very much puzzled, then suddenly smiled and said, "It just came to me how to do it," and carefully wrote "Kenneth Cat". If we insisted on a surname, very well - he wrote what he could spell, since he was resourceful and willing to please. 

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Biography of a Book

Though library books lead varied and eventful lives, they sometimes suffer an untimely end. This bit of philosophic comment is the resutl of contemplating the charge card for Steinbeck's "To a god unknown". The card is stamped Lost and Paid, and underneath is written this terse note: "Eaten by a goat".

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POSTCRIPTS
Office Ask-Me-Another

Due to its key position the Library Office often acts as an Information Bureau. Lately its resourcefulness has been tested by the following queries:

Where can I put in a complaint about the Board of Supervisors?

Stranger: Has someone been looking for me? I'm supposed to meet some friends here.

Jury women (gazing around): Is this the library with the murals?

Can you tell me how to put the cover on my portable-typewriter-case?

Where is there an eating place around here with a name that begins with "M" that has four letters?

I can't wait any longer for my son. Will you give him this note if he comes? He is nice looking, has dark hair and eyes, and wears a light suit. (Comment: We powdered our noses but he didn't come)

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A reporter with a friend in the insurance business turns in the following story:

Record in Insurance Office of House and Furnishings to be Insured
$60,000 house
6 Oriental rugs, 12 smaller ones
3 Banquet cloths, miscellaneous laces, embroideries, linens, etc.
3 Bedroom suites: Satinwood, tulipwood, solid walnut
Draperies, hand-blocked linens, imported Fortuny prints, etc.
3 Sets Minton china
Bric-a-brac: Italian marbles, French figurines, etc.
Antique living room and dining room furniture, Louis XVI chairs, mirrors, settees
Steinway grand piano; 4 radios
1 Book

(We can only gasp feebly: telephone book or cook book? - or perhaps, "Blue" book)

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Just before going to press this interesting item reached us in the branch library mail:

We have discovered at last a practical use for the reference required on our patrons' applications, writes a branch librarian. A man who owed $2.00 for a lost book for nearly a year, finally paid for it, "Because," he said, "I don't want that $2.00 coming in on my neighbor's tax bill after he was good enough to sign my card!"