Staff Newsreel Vol. III, No. 2

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Staff Newsreel

Published by LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF ASSOCIATION
Vol.III, No.2                                      December 1937

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Editorial Committee

Mary McCament, Chairman
Olive Ryder, Advisor and President Staff Association
Hope Blunt
Charlotte Himoe
Doris Soder

Reporters
Janet Williams, Branches
Nellie O'Neill, Reference
Barbara Bronson, Catalog
Carol Nelson, Workroom
Donald Hughes, Transp. & Equip.

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CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, SOUTHERN DISTRICT
The Southern District of the California Library Association held its annual meeting in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Saturday, November 20th. A feature of the afternoon session was a talk on "American Literature of Tomorrow" by Dr. Frank C. Baxter. Eleanor Wilson McAdoo also spoke most interestingly of her new book, the life of her famous father. Other noted guests were Mrs. Conrad Buff, author of children's books; Mr. Charles Saunders, author of many books on California; Miss Mabel Gillis, State Librarian; Dr. Eric T. Bell, writer of treatises on mathematics; Mrs. Agnes Atkinson, author of children's books; Mrs. Bess Garner, director of Padua Hills Theatre; Miss Grace Henley, of the Pasadena Library Board and Lewis D. Johnson, who had made a charming etching of the Pasadena Library, reproduced on the menu cards.

The morning session was a business meeting, at which a number of very informative committee reports were heard. Mrs. Gladys Kennedy, Librarian at Santa Paula, District Chairman, presided. Members of our staff attending were Mrs. Clinton from Wilmar, Mrs. Jamieson, from Torrance, Mrs. Robinson from Claremont, Miss Rees from San Dimas, Mrs. Gross from San Fernando, Mrs. Samson from Temple City, Miss Berg from Rosemead, Miss Glass from Olive View, Mrs. Jenks from Willowbrook. Representatives from Central were Eleanor Stephens, Olive Ryder, Rebecca MacNair, Jeanne Johnson, Helen O'Conor, Violet Tapper, Gertrude Hopkins, Margaret Walkington, Mabel Hoge, Melissa Cassy, Ruth Putnam and Josephine Herrmann.

PROFESSIONAL LIBRARIANS' FORUM
Members of the staff who have been attending the Professional Librarians' Forum held monthly at the Los Angeles Public Library, report the gatherings are as enjoyable and stimulating as advance notices promised.

The programs have included a talk by Mrs. Mary Blair Wallace, well known lecturer on the adolescent and his problems; a delightful lecture by Dr. Frank C. Baxter of U.S.C. on the literature of humor, in which the robust, affirmative humorists of an earlier day were contrasted with the tired, tolerant wits of the nineteen thirties; a survey of recent library news by Mrs. Mary Duncan Carter, Director of the U.S.C. School of Library Service; and a discussion of books appropriate for Christmas gifts by Miss Helen Haines.

Dates for the remaining three Forum sessions are: Friday, January 14; Wednesday, February 9; and Thursday, March 10. Single admissions are thirty-five cents.

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INTERESTING RADIO PROGRAMS SCHEDULED
As a project in publicity given in the course on Organization and Administration of Libraries, Mary Duncan Carter, Director of the U.S.C. School of Library Service is conducting a series of broadcasts on Tuesdays, 3:30 to 3:45 over Station KRKD.

The purpose is to promote the use of libraries and to familiarize students with methods of writing radio scripts and producing them on the air. The series has taken the form of a Library Treasure Hunt. Libraries supply the necessary information and students write the radio continuity in dramatized form and take part in the production. Mrs. Carter acts as narrator and commentator. December programs are
as follows: December 14 - Library treasure hunt: Business information. December 21 - Books for Christmas. December 28 - Turning over a new leaf in reading.

REMEMBER, KRKD, Tuesdays, 3:30 to 3:45 p.m.


PACIFIC SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE ON ADULT EDUCATION
Meeting with a mutual interest, a group of librarians and adult education leaders gathered on the campus of U.C.L.A. November 12 and 15 to discuss their problems. Miss Cornelia D. Plaister, Librarian of San Diego Public Library presided at the Library Section. Margaret Walkington served as secretary.

Many interesting speakers kept the conference ablaze with ideas. Dr. Hubert Phillips of Fresno State College emphasized the need of adult education through libraries.

Miss Olive Ryder, Reference librarian, presented the relation of the Los Angeles County Library service to adult education. She spoke of the difficulties the Central staff finds in serving patrons at long distances and indirectly through branch con-tacts. She pointed out that this Library serves clubs and discussion groups by asking branch librarians to contact such groups and to forward the names and their
special interests to us each club year.

A display prepared by Miss Walkington was designed to show our work in this connec-tion.

Quoted from the display: "The Los Angeles County Public Library participates in adult education by helping clubs and study groups; stimulating individual reading. Clubs and study groups are helped by permitting meetings in libraries, reviewing books for the groups, supplying books needed for study. Individuals are aided by the Library; filling their requests promptly, exhibiting significant books, distri-buting reading lists."

Miss Eleanor Stephens and Miss Tapper also attended the meeting.

ELECTION RETURNS
The results of the County Employees election were as follows:

President - Harry Hunt
First Vice President - George Morgan
Second Vice President - Ruth Barr

Both amendments to increase dues were defeated.

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LOS ANGELES BOOK FAIR
The Book Fair, prepared by the Los Angeles Public Library, which many of our staff visited during Book Week, November 15 to 20, had "Book Ownership" as its theme. This idea was developed through attractive displays on fine printing, fine binding, gift books, literature for children, early manuscripts and a miniature "Home Reference Library," as well as by brief talks given each afternoon and evening on special book subjects.

The informal arrangement of many of the exhibits offered a friendly invitation to visitors to handle the books and sample their contents, and the lectures by such per-suasive bibliophiles, authors and collectors as Ernest Dawson, Paul Jordan Smith, Lawrence Clark Powell, and Dr. Elmer Belt made book collecting seem the pleasantest of hobbies.

The high point of this year's Book Fair, however, was the exhibit of D.H. Lawrence's manuscripts, loaned by Frieda Lawrence. These manuscripts ranged from the three poems which were Lawrence's first published work, to his last review, and included his famous novel "The Rainbow."

ECHOES FROM OUR "OPEN HOUSE"
Perhaps the failure to mention the name of KGER as the radio station over which our Anniversary program was broadcast from the Hearing Room of the Board of Supervisors on November 5th, substantiates the charge that librarians are seldom expert as news reporters. We are really deeply indebted to Mr. Merwin Dobyns, Manager of KGER and to Beldon Gilbert in charge of the Hall of Records studio and we offer an apology to them for our failure to acknowledge in the report of the broadcast given in the November Staff Newsreel our appreciation of their generous help and interest.

Helen 0'Conor

Congratulatory Greetings
From over five hundred callers who came to see our new quarters on November 5th, and from friends far and wide beautiful bouquets, baskets of flowers and messages of congratulations and best wishes for another twenty-five years were received.

Among those who sent greetings by telegram or by letter were: Mr. Harrison W. Craver, President, American Library Association and Librarian, Engineering Societies Library, New York City; Mr. Carl Milam, Executive Secretary, American Library Association, Chicago; Miss Mabel Gillis, Librarian, California State Library, Sacremento; Mr. Milton J . Ferguson, Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library; Dr. Louis Wilson, Dean of Graduate Library School, University of Chicago; Carleton B. Joeckel, Professor of Library Science, University of Chicago; Miss Edna Sanderson, Vice-director, Columbia University Library School; and Miss Jeanette M. Drake, formerly librarian, Pasadena Public Library.

Mr. Ferguson was Librarian of the California State Library, prior to going to Brooklyn, and Mr. Craver was Miss Vogleson's chief when she was a branch librarian in Pittsburgh.  The kind words of these friends and the generous approval spoken over KGER by the members of the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Roger Jessup, Chairman of the Board, Mr. John Anson Ford, Chairman of the Library Supervisorial Committee, Mr. Gordon McDonough, Mr. Leland M. Ford and Mr. Herbert C. Legg; also by Mr. Alfred E. Hart, Chairman, Los Angeles County Library Advisory Committee and Mr. Robert Person, menber of California Citizens Library Council, were heart warming and gave the Staff a genuine thrill.

Our appreciation is also extended to Mr. Frank Tobey who prepared the broadcast con-tinuity and to Mr. Kenyon Scudder of the County Probation Department who kindly loaned his electric victrola.

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Mr. Donald Findley and Mr. Charles M. Conant, members of the Library Advisory Com-mittee expressed keen regret that they were unable to attend and participate in the program. Mr. Conant is still confined to his home because of injuries received from being struck by an automobile nearly a year ago.

Happily Landed
Mrs. J. L. Criswell, Secretary of our Citizen's Library Advisory Committee, who, with Mr. Criswell, journeyed to Mexico City by train and from there by airplane over Guate-mala has returned to Los Angeles. Mrs. Criswell expected to listen in on the radio to our Library Program but they were in the mountains far from such modern things as a radio.

Impressions
The festive Open House of November 5th celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Library and the occupancy of the new quarters occasioned a gala day...Altogether about fifty persons were present at the Reference Division's impromptu "radio party" to hear the broadcast from the Board of Supervisors' office...Throughout the day old friends and new among librarians from County Library Branches and other libraries, teachers, County employees, and representatives of the publishing houses and the press arrived continuously...One man remarked that the third floor office was one of the most spacious and had one of the best desk layouts he had ever seen...Four hundred and twelve visitors were received in the Reference Division...The day with its many visitors and nice things they said made us more aware than ever before of the place the County Library holds and the service it renders to the community...

The Catalog Division was delighted at the interest shown by the Branch Librarians in seeing how the books went through. But once they saw a truck of brand new titles, they were deaf to any further explanation of cataloging procedure...The visits of so many of the former members of the staff in the afternoon was one of the greatest pleasures of the day, and the fact that a number of them brought along the "library babies" only added to that pleasure...Most of the professional librarians...asked for samples of the work done on the Elliot-Fisher Addresser.

Decorated with the newest posters made under the supervision of Hope Blunt, the Child-rens and Brunches Divisions shared the pleasure of greeting many old friends...Perhaps the guest who took the most unusual route to our doors was Mrs. MacRae. She was rout-ed from bed before six in the morning and told that there would be a plane from Avalon in a very few minutes...The various departments, the staff room and the Librarian's office, filled with baskets and vases of flowers, increased the excitement and pleasure of having come out of all the chaos, grime, and noise of getting settled into this roomy, comfortable and businesslike bee-hive of library activities...The day was really a staff-warming as much as a house warming...

Of chief interest in the School Division was the map showing schools served by the County Library...We were able, for once, to have as many visitors as cared to come, and we could talk to them with the clearest of consciences; no half-hearted conversa-tions with one eye on our desks...We were impressed by the fact that our informal observance of this occasion will always have the advantage over later and more im-pressive anniversaries because it could be dedicated to the living Who witnessed our beginnings and our growth...

It was a tired, excited and happy group that met in the staff room to honor our Librarian, and watch her cut the anniversary cake presented by the Heads of Divisions... The Reference Division was proud of Miss Ryder's masterly scheme of cake cutting and is one pamphlet the richer, "How to cut large cakes to the best advantage."


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HIGH SPOTS OF A LIBRARIAN'S VACATION TRIP As so many members of the Staff seem interested to hear about my trip, I shall give a brief resume in the Newsreel as the shortest way around. Most of you know that I started East by train, November 5th, at the end of our "open house" day and 25th anniversary of the Library. My trail continued East as far as New York City and South to Tampa, Florida whence it turned West and homeward. If need be, I might give a report on train equipment, dining car and pullman service of a number of different steam railroads. 

In Chicago, besides visiting a brother at Evanston, only a few steps from Miss Ida F. Wright's Public Library, the high spot there was a view of Malvina Hoffman's bronzes in the Hall of Man, at the Field Museum. You may find the story of their casting in her fascinating book, "Heads and Tales." At Philadelphia, I visited another brother and was fortunate in hearing Leopold Stokowski conduct the Philadel-phia. Orchestra in a marvelous concert.

Next came a motor trip to New York with a niece at the wheel. Leaving the Quaker City at 7 a.m. we stopped for breakfast in Princeton, New Jersey, circuited the University Campus, passed over the beautiful George Washington Bridge into New York City and entered the gates of Columbia University shortly before noon. My objective here was to see the new Library and the elegant quarters of the Columbia University
Library School, the descendant of the Library School which I had attended at Albany.
 
While driving leisurely down Riverside Drive we came to the Metropolitan Art Museum, and stopped to see the famous Barnard statue Two natures of man and the American room of colonial furniture. To look over a whole museum is always very tiresome to me, and so I pick and choose what I wish to see. Of course, one could spend days and days in New York City, so again I had to single out a few things. Among these
wore Rockefeller Center; a boat trip to Staten Island to see again the building skyline of New York City as one comes into the Harbor and passes the Statue of Liberty; and last but by no means the least entertaining was the George M. Cohan play, "I'd rather be right."

From the fascinating "streets of New York" I went to Baltimore and although I was not on a "postman's holiday" I stopped purposely to see an almost perfect municipal public library building. It was also a pleasure to find here two persons who were my assistants when I was branch librarian in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Miss Pauline McCauley, now Head of the Circulation Department at Baltimore, and Miss Mary Wilkinson, in charge of Work with Children. I also saw Miss Bess McCrea, known to many librarians in Los Angeles and, of course, Dr. Joseph Wheeler, the Librarian, who was a former Assistant Librarian at the Los Angeles Public Library.
 
My next stop was at the Seat of Government, Washington, D.C. Here I spent nearly four days and had beautiful, clear, snappy weather. (Fall is a good time of year to visit Southern cities). Through the courtesy of Congressman Charles J. Colden, who helped us to secure a government document depository, located at the Torrance Library for the 17th Congressional District, I received visiting cards to the Senate and the House of Representatives. The latter had adjourned and but a few Senators were on hand debating the Anti-lynch law. Among those present, I noticed Mrs. Dixie Bibbs Graves, who succeeded Senator Black when he became a Supreme Court Justice. From the Capitol I went to the Supreme Court Building, and found the Court in Session. Two cases were presented and no one seemed to be asleep. In fact, four of the Justices kept one of the lawyers very much awake with their questions.

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That evening, through the kindness of Miss Clara Herbert, Assistant Librarian at the Washington Public Library, I had the pleasure of hearing a most delightful program of chamber music in the Music  Auditorium of the Library of Congress. The instruments used on this occasion were all precious Stradivari belonging to the Library of Congress. They included two violins, a viola and violincello.

Three other shrines in Washington, which I visited, were the Ford Theater, Arlington and Mount Vernon. At the Ford Theater, which has now become a Lincoln Museum, I found the Curator very eager to secure a letter which I have from Mary Rutledge Saunders, a sister of Ann Rutledge, the sweetheart of Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Saunders, who lived at Sisquoc, wrote the letter to me, when I used to be in the Santa Barbara County Library, and I asked her to tell me what she thought of Babcock's book "Soul of Ann Rutledge."

Another high spot in Washington appeared when I was permitted to have a preview of a special exhibit of famous paintings being brought together in the Corcoran Gallery from many art galleries. The collection consists of portraits of the signers of the Constitution of the United States and is a feature of its 150th Anniversary. The exhibit fills four rooms and includes portraits of near relatives of the signers.
It is a marvelous collection and made one feel that the "fathers of our country" were persons of character and intellectual leadership.

Another interesting experience in Washington occurred when I discovered that Mr. and Mrs. Otto Zahn were stopping at my hotel. They had just returned from a trip abroad and were perhaps more surprised to see me than I to see them. Mrs. Zahn, is a member of the Los Angeles City Library Board of Commissioners.

My next stop was at the quaint old city of Charleston, South Carolina, where I spent nearly a day. Because my paternal grandfather was of Huguenot ancestry which settled here, I was particularly interested in the ancient Huguenot Church that still stands. As a souvenir of the place I brought home a very nice old brass door knocker which I'd be glad to have you try someday.

By this time I was beginning to think of turning homeward, but as I still wanted to see something of Florida I went on to Jacksonville, and took a bus ride. This took me to Tampa via St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, and Orlando, right through the citrus growing belt.  It was a very interesting trip and I see no reason why California should ever feel worried about the attractions of Florida. Returning to Jacksonville I took a train to New Orleans and reached home November 29th, too late for Thanks-giving but in time to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Some might call this an illustration of rapid transit. For me it offered a very diverting vacation.

Helen E. Vogleson


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AN EVENING WITH AUTHORS AND TEACHERS

On November 18th, the Central Library was the scene of one of the annual Teachers' Institute meetings, a reception for teachers and authors arranged by the County Librarian and the County Superintendent of Schools. Teachers and guests for the evening arrived from 6:30 to 7 o'clock, and were greeted on the fifth floor by the hostesses for the evening: Eleanor Stephens, Olive Ryder, Rebecca MacNair, Claire
Nolte, Alice Lewis, Agnes Sycour, Nina Britt, Nellie O'Neill, Helen O'Conor, Violet Tapper, Margaret Walkington, Kathryne Cornwell, Catherine Greening, Hilda Collins and Evelyn Hastings. Elizabeth Buttress, Tilda Nelson, James Cobb, Harry Devereaux and Jack Gleason also assisted.

In the Teachers' Library books on special subjects, of professional interest to teachers, were displayed together with unit-of-work outlines and picture monographs which attracted much interest. Teachers also browsed among the book shelves and examined the pamphlet files.

The School Section exhibited photographs of children at work on various activities in the County Schools, together with books supplied by the County Library for these activities. There were also other posters of authors' photographs. Two exhibits prepared by the Branches Division were on the third floor, one on Adult Education and one called Give Yourself Background.

In the absence of the Librarian, Miss Stephens acted as Chairman. Mrs. Sycour served as Secretary. The meeting was held in the Office on the third floor, which had been converted into an auditorium for the occasion. Mr. A.R. Clifton, Superintendent of Los Angeles County Schools, and Miss Mabel R. Gillis, California State Librarian, were introduced and spoke briefly. After Miss Ryder, Reference librairian, had explained our services to teachers, Miss Nolte presented the six authors who were the special guests of the evening.

Mrs. Lillian Holmes Strack, author of Swords and Iris told in a very entertaining manner how her book received its title. Mr. W.W. Robinson and Mrs. Irene Robinson, authors of many well-known animal books for children, described how they do their research for the books, and how Mrs. Robinson draws the animal illustrations from living models. Mrs. Clarence A. Marcy, science teacher at Belmont High School and
author of Indian's Garden and Padre's Garden mentioned several incidents which show what criticism an author encounters if his scientific or historical facts are incorrect or are disputed. Miss Margaret Cameron, author of El Pueblo told of the respected return of her manuscript with rejection slips from the publishers until she finally tried a local publisher with success. Mrs. Ana Begue Packman, author of
Leather Dollars, gave credit to an elderly Spanish grandmother as the real author of her book, telling her listeners that she merely wrote in English the narratives that had been told to her. She also gave a vivid picture of what was considered the proper education of young women in early California days.

One hundred and fifty-one teachers registered for credit, and six guests, in addition to the above mentioned members of the County Library Staff, attended. Punch and wafers served from the Staff Room by Mrs. Britt added to the informality of the even-ing. Many teachers who had never before visited the library expressed surprise and pleasure at its resources.

VISITORS FROM THE EAST
Miss Carey, Executive Secretary of the Nebraska Library Commission, spent October 4th visiting the Branches Division. Another distinguished visitor was Miss Marian Humble of the American Association for Adult Education. Miss Humble visited the Library on October 25 and was much impressed with the opportunities of rural 'residents in this county for book service.

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NOTES AFIELD

Displays Attract
Mrs. Lathrop of Florence, who has arrang-ed several clever displays at her branch, has entertained her patrons with a Thanks-giving scene in the library window.  The scene is ingeniously planned to show not only the snow covered yard of a pilgrim house, but also the interior of the home.  Tiny furniture, manufactured by some of the boys, includes a spinning wheel and other typical pieces.  The one figure is a Pilgrim father dressed in a wide hat and an appropriate costume.  Of course, the children are attracted and one small child was heard to exclaim excitedly when he saw the pilgrim, "Oh, look, a cow boy!" 

Another educational display is an elabor-ate ant village at Lynwood with Mrs. Pen-gra, librarian, in charge. 

Wanderer Heard From
The latest report from Mrs. Wales, La Crescenta librarian, is that she is in Virgin Isles.  She stated that her in-terest in the islands has grown from what she has read.  She plans to return in January after a three months leave of absence. 

To Library School
Peggy Griffith, first assistant at Belve-dere, left November 29 for a year at the Riverside Library School.  Her successor has not yet been announced.


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Sherman Branch reports a very pleasant call from E. Louisa Riggs, children's librarian of the West Hollywood Branch of the Los Angeles City Library.


Name Changed

Margaret Mitchell, Walteria librarian, has recently added more identification to her name having put "Dowd" on the end.  Of course, there might be other reasons for changing one's name. 

Moved to New Quarters

The Saugus Branch housed in Bercaw's store from the year after its establishment until October 1st, 1937, was moved to an attract-ive library room in the new Saugus School building.

Quail Lake was also moved.  The tiny branch which has been operating successfully at Bailey's Ranch was transferred on October 8 to the Quail Lake School.

Nickname
When Rachel Ortiz signed her registration card at Sherman, Mrs. Hardman asked if she were ever called Ray.  She replied,"I read the Arkansas Bear to my mother, and she called me Horatio when I get funny."

Christmas International
An interesting demonstration of the univer-sal appeal of Christmas comes from Enter-prise Branch.  The Japanese children of Enterprise School designed and made their own Christmas cards; many decorated with madonnas, conventional in dress and attitude, but all having Japanese faces. 

Central to Branches
Friends of Mrs. Agnes Lokken at Central and Branch librarians who may remember her name on those necessary little notes from Central, will be interested to know that she is back in library work in earnest, having taken on herself the joys and "jitters" of a branch librarian at Altadena, where she has been acting librarian for a number of months. 

Mrs. Lucille Donica is another "Ex-central" having recently assumed the responsibility of Vernon branch.  After a short career at Central she served at Huntington Park from 1931 to 1935.

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The wet weather reminds the Registration Desk of the names of the following pa-trons: Ralph Rains, Daniel Mudd, Ernest Pond, Florentine Showers, Arah Thunder, William Sprinkle, May Rainie, Glen Rainwater. 

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"AT  CENTRAL"

Bride From Branches Division
Lois Wood of the Registration Desk be-came the bride of Mr. Sidney Smith at a quiet ceremony on November 10, at the home of the bride's father. The marriage vows were read by Rev. Smith, father of the bridegroom.  Lois wore an afternoon frock of turquoise blue and a corsage of gardenias. Following the ceremony, the couple left for a trip to San Francisco, Yosemite and other Northern points.  They visited relatives in Lodi. Previous to the wedding, Mrs. Smith was presented with an electric casserole by members of the Branches Division.

Liquid Gold
Staff members are rejoicing at the good fortune of Anna Tomlinson of the Catalog Division, who on November 21 received a telegram stating that oil had been dis-covered on land belonging to her and her brothers, near Jennings, Louisiana.  Miss Tomlinson has as yet made no definite plans, but she is looking forward to "do-ing some of the things I have always wanted to do!"

Recovery
We are glad to hear from Agnes Sycour of the return from the hospital of her hus-band and of his recovery and continued gain.

Virginia Hostutler is also on the recovery list, after unfortunately being forc-ed to spend most of an anticipated six day vacation over Thanksgiving in bed with the "flu". 

Travel South
Virginia Bolenbaugh and Doctor husband enjoyed a trip to San Diego over Armis-tice Day.  While there they visited the Zoo at Balboa Park, the Point Loma light-house, the Airport, and also drove on to Tia Juana.

Thanksgiving Celebrations
Irene Luchek spent the Thanksgiving week-end with her family and friends in San Diego. She reports a grand time and ad-mits doing some Christmas shopping across the border.

Eleanor Stephens entertained eleven of her relatives at Thanksgiving dinner. Some of her guests came from Riverside.

Helen O'Conor entertained her brother and new sister-in-law from San Francisco.  She also received a telephone call from her sister in New York.

Betty Campbell spent the day with her family in Redondo Beach.

Violet Tapper enjoyed the week end with her family at Hemet.  She reports a love-ly time, and commented on the beautiful Autumn scenery.

Louise Valesano of the Catalog Division enjoyed a brief vacation from November 24 to 27. Louise concentrated most of her holiday in preparing for Thanksgiving and in accomplishing her Christmas shopping. 

Kathryne Cornwell and Evelyn Hastings, both of the Children's Division, spent their Thanksgiving holidays at Death Valley with their respective families. 

We Appreciate


Barbara Bronson, of the House Committee, is responsible for the provision and ar-tistic arrangement of decorations for the Staff Room which have been calling forth much favorable comment.  The Thanksgiving basket of colorful fruits, vegetables and nuts was especially appreciated, for most of the grapes disappeared, apparently to serve as another kind of "interior decor-ation" then was intended.  If others of the staff have decorative materials which could occasionally be spared, the Comm-ittee would welcome their contributions.


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"AT  CENTRAL"

Call For Doctor Doolittle
Elizabeth Buttree's composure as a hos-tess was somewhat strained the other even-ing when she entertained Byron and Tilda Nelson, Harry and Florida McConnell and, very much in the center of attention, a pet monkey brought by Tilda. 

Elizabeth has a parrot and it was supposed that the two jungle creatures would be friendly. However, the parrot laughed and chuckled at the antics of the monkey until the little creature, evidently becoming annoyed at such lack of courtesy made a jump for the cage and clung there trying desperately to reach the poor bird.  Polly sent into hysterics and the combined screeches of the two almost brought the radio police to the door.  Sheer force finally loosened the hold of the monkey, and the rest of the evening was spent in soothing the nervous pets.

Give a Book
As in former years, the Children's Division is kept busy suggesting appro-priate titles for the younger generation, while the Order Division receives fre-quent calls for advice as to prices, ed-itions and reviews to guide in the choice of books to be used as gifts to adults.

Old Friend
Margaret Andrews, now of the State Library at Sacramento dropped in at Central re-cently to greet her old friends and form-er associates. She was in town to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with her family in Glendale.

We Give Up
Once in a while, when a special effort to obtain wanted material has called forth a commendation, we have permitted ourselves a little mental back-patting, but a recent request was completely baffling.  The gen-tleman wanted T.E. Lawrence's "The Mint", now valued at $500,000 per copy. So far, we have been forced to report, "Not Available!"

Adolph Menjou, Please Note
Theodore Hewitson brought distinction to the Library when he carried off second place in a "Best dressed man or woman" con-test recently sponsored by the County Employee.  Mr. Hewitson's prize included an oil portrait, ten dollar worth of dry cleaning, two tickets to the County Employee dance and a dinner at the Rosslyn Hotel to which the three winners and their respec-tive husbands and wives were all invited.

Clubs Hear Book Talks
Eleanor Stephens and Helen O'Conor talked before Woman's Clubs on current books dur-ing the past month.  Miss Stephens address-ed a group of twenty-two at the Inglewood Acres Woman's club on October 13.  Miss O'Conor, who was rewarded with an enthusi-astic write-up by the Montebello paper, discussed books at the Montebello Woman's club November 4.  She also talked to Velada, a teacher's club in Hollywood, October 14.  On October 24, Supervisor John Anson Ford interviewed Miss O'Conor about the Los Angeles County Public Library over his regular Sunday evening broadcast on KFAC.

Good Bowling
Jack Gleason, Maurice Casey, Paul Hoffman, Jimmy Cobb and Don Hughes, as members of the library bowling team, have been turn-ing in a good record.  As this is the first time since the initiation of the County Bowling League Tournament that the Library has entered a team, the contestants are entitled to feel pride in their record to date.  Only twice out of nine contests have the library players been completely outplayed.  Whe the tournament ends, the trophy cup will be presented at a banquet attended by all the contestants. 

Lunch Hour in the Shipping Room
The men who work at Central have been en-joying the use fo the furniture which they inherited when the women's Staff Room was redecorated.  The need for rest and relax-ation has been completely satisfied by the comfortable chairs provided. 

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"AT CENTRAL"

From Our Romantic Past
Those of us who have lived in Los Angeles only since her grown up days may find it difficult to picture the days of her infancy.  From a resident who has watched the growth of the "home town" for some fifty years come interesting reminiscences of the down-town district and the present site of the library.  Miss Clara Bosby-shell, an aunt of Mrs. Theodore Hewitson, came to Los Angeles as a child in 1886, and her memories share with newcomers a background which adds greatly to our a-ppreciation of the changes which the years have brought:

"South of First Street, shade trees, lawns and comfortable homes occupied the land.  Yards were filled with pepper trees, magnolias, palms and bananas.  Pampas grass was common and furnished decoration for many a front parlor.  Broadway, then Fort St., had terraced lawns and large ex-clusive homes between Second and Third St., and when the Laughlin Block, now housing Central Market, was built, business surely was moving out...Temple St. had the first cable car and it was great fun to ride out-side on the dummy, up and down the hills over which it travelled west from Spring St...Fort St. was also the street of churches, the First Presbyterian at Se-cond and Broadway, the United Presbyterian First Methodist and First Baptist between there and Sixth St...I played tennis on the McCrea courts at Broadway and Eighth. The high land bordering Ninth St. was a sightly location and mother once said to my father that it would make a beautiful residential district.  'Not in our time,' was his reply...There was a friendly atmosphere about Los Angeles as she grew up..."

Miss Bosbyshell adds that as she remem-bers, the present site of our Library was then occupied by the home of W.C. Furrey, the hardware merchant, with the beautiful old Hellman residence where the Broadway Department Store now stands. 

Mexican Interlude
Jeanne Johnson, Head of the Catalog Divi-sion, and Olive Ryder, Head of the Refer-ence Division, are leaving December 18 for a two weeks Christmas holiday in Mex-ico.  They are travelling by train with a party conducted by Miss Johnson's sister, Miss Edith Johnson, who is a professor of Spanish at the University Of Southern Cal-ifornia.  The party will make its head-quarters in Mexico City at the La Reforma Hotel, and will journey to points of in-terest from there.  Two other librarians included in the group are Mrs. Alice Billings, formerly of our own staff, and Miss Kate Steele of San Mateo Junior College Library.  Miss Ann Johnson will also be a member of the party. 

Shelf and Workroom Loses Member
Catherine Hallock, who is better known to her friends as Dolly, has resigned from the Shelf and Workroom Division to accept a position with the State Department of Employment, located on the sixth floor of the Chamber of Commerce Building.  Dolly began her new work on November 26, and re-ports that she finds it most congenial. She is much missed by firends here, who are wondering just who will now arrange all those parties and surprises which Dolly managed so capably.

And We Thank You
It is most gratifying to those who have contributed to the Newsreel throughout the past year to learn that a number of Branch librarians were so kind as to mention us in their annual reports. 

Mrs. MacRae of Avalon says, "before I close I want to tell you how much I appre-ciate 'Books and Notes' and the 'Staff Newsreel.'" Mrs. Havener of Bell seconds these sentiments and mentioned the Christ-mas cover design.  Mrs. Martin of Bell-flower says the Newsreel is "read and re-read" and Mrs. Freeman of Ben Lomand calls it "a great little paper which has made me feel better acquainted with the staff at Central."
May we deserve such gracious words.