THE QUESTION MARK
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Published by the Boston Fublic Library Professional Staff Association
Vol. HI January 1948 No. 1
EDITOR'S CORNER
Yfe wish to call the attention of all
to the notice concerning absentee ballots
which appe-rs on the last page of this
issue. The B.P.L.P.S.A. is intended to
be and ought to be a group that repre-
sents all of us. We cannot have the
officers we wish to represent us unless
we exercise our right to vote for the
candidate of our choice. Not everyone,
we realize, will be able to attend the
business meeting on January 23 at 9 A.M.
All of us, however, will be able to re-
quest, mark, and return an absentee
ballot. Anyone not expecting to attend
the meeting should exercise this right
and thereby have a voice in the affairs
of the Association.
As we go to press (how imposing that
sounds) the news reaches us that the
theatre party formed to attend the per-
formance of Ibsen's Doll's House bids
fair to be a howling success. Our entire
block of tickets has been sold at a
profit of over fifty-five dollars to the
treasury. This is pleasant enough in
itself, but with the number of congenial
people gathered together that the sale of
this number of tickets represents, the
evening cannot but be an entertaining
one. The Program Committee is to be
congratulated on its success. Staff
entertainment and a chance to get better
acquainted with our colleagues is one of
the aims of the B.P.L.P.S.A, and a not
unimportant aim at that. From the social
point of view as well as the financial,
we are glad to see that this party prom-
:s3s to be a success.
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Laura Abate, Reference Division Office.
Julie C. Chittenden, West End Branch
Library.
Mrs. Norma Eisengrein, Codman Branoh
Library.
Earle A. Rankin, Music Department.
Mary T. Crowe, Mattapan Branch Library.
Veronica M. Flattich, Book Stack
Service.
Jean E. Watson, Mr. Connolly's Office.
Mrs. Arline B. Pilot, Roslindale
Branch Library.
William J. Garvey, Office of Records,
Files, and Statistics.
Resignations and Retirements
Mrs. Margaret Lynch, Mr. Connolly's
Office.
Carlotta M. Vitali, Music Department.
L. Edward Sissman, Office of Records,
Files, and Statistics.
Mrs. Mary Wat kins Dietrichson, Business
Branch Librarian, retired at the end of
the year.
Staff Babies
Florence Newsome Adams, formerly a
member of the General Reference Depart-
ment, has a baby girl, born sometime in
December and named Janet.
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Myers announce
the birth of a baby girl, Constance Alice,
born on December 27, 1947.
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Dufault announce
the birth of a baby girl, Suzanne, born
on November 9, 1947.
Engagements
Margaret E. Wright, Mt. Bowdoin Branch
Library, to John W. Haverty.
Gussene Guveyan, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division,
to John N. Hatzik, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Frances W. McGonagle, Book Selection
Deoartment, Circulation Division, to
William P. Kelley, Jr.
Library Visitor
Mr. John Metcalfe recently visited
this library among others on his tour of
the libraries in this country. He is
Chairman of the Libraries Section of the
Second General Conference of UNESCO re-
cently held in Mexico City and comes
from Sydney, Australia, where he is
librarian of the Mitchell Library.
RECENT MATERIAL OF PROFESSIONAL
INTEREST
Two allied publications are worthy of
note this month. Both have special sig-
nificance to members of the library pro-
fession in New England. The first is
Sidney Ditzion's ARSENALS OF A DEMOCRATIC
CULTURE. (A.L.A., 1947). This is a so-
cial history of the American public
library movement in New England and the
middle states from 1850-1890. A very
readable account. The bibliography and
notes are extensive and of great value.
The second is a Ph.D. thesis (Univ. of
Chicago, 1944) by Jesse H. Shera entitled
FOUNDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY: THE
ORIGINS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT
IN NEW ENGLAND, 1629-1855. A very ex-
haustive and scholarly treatment. While
it is available at present only in
typescript through inter-library loan
channels, steps are being taken to see
if some sort of reproduction cannot be
obtained for the Staff Library,
Those who like to keep up to date on
events at the Library of Congress will
be interested in the informal INFORMATION
BULLETIN (Staff Library) published by
that institution. In the main it seems
to be the work of Mr. Evans and is pre-
pared for the staff at L.C, Notable for
its comments on L.C. publications, per-
sonnel appointments, distinguished visi-
tors, and summaries of reports and L.C.
activities .
The WILSON LIBRARY BULLETIN (Dec,
1947) carries a series of articles de-
scribing and evaluating the Great Books
program which has been so well received
in many large cities. Those who are not
familiar with the scope and purpose of
the project should place this issue at
the head of their required reading.
C, L. K.
REPORT ON SURVEY OF STAFF LIBRARY
Each full time member of the staff re-
ceived a questionnaire regarding the se-
lection of books for the Staff Library.
286 were checked and returned. As would
be expected, the majority indicated a
desire for recent books of fiction and
non -fiction. Then, in order of prefer-
ence came the following classes:
Literature
Biography
History and travel
Philosophy, psychology and
religion
Sociology, home and family
Art
Sports and hobbies
Science and useful arts
Education
A surprisingly large number of requests
was made for books in the fields of
music, hobbies, handicrafts and home-
making - subjects not represented in the
Staff Library at this time. Some of the
other suggestions, arranged according to
the number of calls for each, are listed
below:
Starred titles
Current literature in foreign
languages
Psychiatry
Marriage
Translations of foreign novels
Home planning, building, and
decoration
Economics
Drama
Gardening
New books pertaining to materi-
al needed for library exam-
inations
More copies of books used for
courses
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Many requests were made for specific
titles. A large number of these are on
order, and some are already in the
library. This would indicate that some
staff members are not familiar with the
resources of the Staff Library.
Another type of suggestion concerned
new types of materials for the library>
e.g. current magazines, newspapers, and
recordings. Of these, the greatest num-
ber of requests was for current maga-
zines.
Still another type of suggestion con-
cerned library processes and methods.
These include: getting new books while
they are still new, having a longer loan
period and more publicity for the
library. Many urged glass doors for the
locked case containing starred books.
We're hapny to report that these have
been installed.
In general, the results of this survey
recommend the policy which has been fol-
lowed by the Book Recommendation Commit-
tee in regard to the purchase of books,
i.e., recent fiction including starred
titles, recent non-fiction covering all
classes listed on the questionnaire, and
any older books in which there appears to
be sufficient interest.
The Committee is grateful to fellow
staff members for the manner in which
the questionnaire was received. AH
suggestions have been thoughtfully
studied and will be entrusted to the
Staff Library Book Recommendation Com-
mittee of 1948 for appropriate action.
Respectfully submitted,
(signed) Geraldine Altman
Chairman, Staff Library Book
Recommendation Committee.
B.P.L.P.S.A. BUSINESS MEETINGS
The results of the recent poll taken
to determine the most convenient time on
which to hold the Association business
197
19
23
26
1
266
meetings are as follows:
(1) Friday morning, at 9:00
(2) Friday evening, at 7:30
8:00
(3) Other times
(4) No preference
Eleanor Halligan,
Secretary
Readers of the Question Mark will be
pleased to know that a book, "The
Watercolor Drawings of Thomas Rowlandson"
has just been published by the Watson-
Guptill Publications Inc. The commentary
was written by Arthur W. Heintzelman,
N.A., Keeper of Prints, and there are
fifty fine reproductions from the Albert
H. Wiggin Collection in the Boston Public
Library. AH of the original drawings
used in the book were exhibited in the
Wiggin Gallery during the month of Decem-
ber, and may now be seen upon request in
the Print Department.
The Massachusetts Library Association
Bulletin for January 1948 contains an
article by Mrs. Irene H. Tuttle which
gives the background of the Conference
on State Aid for Libraries in Massachu-
setts and outlines the work of the com-
mittees .
Muriel C. Figenbaum, First Assistant,
Print Department. is among those artists
exhibiting at the 2nd Biennial National
Exhibition of Prints at the Print Club
of Albany. She has also exhibited at
the Library of Congress in Washington
and at the National Academy in New York
in the Annual Exhibitions of the Society
of American Etchers. She is one of the
charter members of the Boston Printmakersf .
an organization which has recently held
its initial meetings in the Wiggin
Gallery.
I
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A.L.A. MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Miss Ruth Cannell, Circulation Division
Office, has succeeded Mr. Bradford Hill
as the Boston representative on the
A.L.A. Membership Committee. She will
be glad to assist members of the staff
who are joining the A.L.A. for the first
time, and also present members who may
wish to renew their memberships.
THE KEEPER OF PRINTS
It will be of greatest interest to the
staff that our Keeper of Prints, Arthur
W. Heintzelman, N.A., has been honored
by the French Government by being awarded
the medal of Chevalier de la Legion
d'Honneur. This distinction was bestowed
upon him on January 1, 1948 by the French
Consul, Monsieur Albert Chambon at the
French Consulate in Boston in the pres-
ence of invited French and American
guests .
Mr. Heintzelman lived for many year3
in France during which time he became
prominent among the graphic artists, and
held numerous exhibitions in museums and
private galleries. He had the distinc-
tion of having his exhibition at the
Galerie Marcel Guiot in 1926 inaugurated
by Mr. Miron Herrick, American Ambassador
to France, the Ministre des Beaux -Arts,
Paul Leon, and Jean-Louis Forain, a great
French artist and one of the Immortals
of the Institute do France. His work
was reviewed favorably by such prominent
critics as Gaston Varenne, Andre" Blum,
Clement-Janin and Robert Rey, Conserva-
teur du Musee du Luxembourg and profes-
seur a l'Ecole du Louvre. Monsieur Rey
wrote the text in a volume concerning
the etched work of Mr. Heintzelman, pub-
lished by the Crafton Collection, Inc.,
of New Yrok.
Mr. Heintzelman is a Societaire ofthe
Societe* Nationale des Beaux Arts, the
Societe Gravure Originale en Noir and
Les Graveurs Francais. He was active
while in France in Promoting exchange
exhibitions in the graphic arts between
France and America, most notable of which
was the exchange exhibition between the
governmont of France and America, which
was held at the Bibliothbque Nationale
in Paris in 1927.
His work is represented in many pri-
vate and public collections in France
most notably at the Luxemburg Museum and
the Bibliotheque Nationale, and he ha3
been awarded several gold medals and
citations for the high standard of his
prints.
Mr. Campbell Dodgson, when Keeper of
Prints at the British Museum,wrote in the
foreword of the complete catalog of
"Arthur Wm. Heintzelman, Aquafortiste,"
published in Paris:
"That the catalogue of the work of an
American etcher, a catalogue 30 thorough
and complete, so sumptuously illustrated,
should appear in Paris, is a phenomenon
which one may heedlessly take for granted,
but which, if one reflects upon it, seems
to call for explanation. The French do
not readily pay such tributes to the
artists of oth^r nations..."
Many examples from Mr. Heintzelman 's
brush, crayon, and needle are in the
museums and private collections hero and
abroad. His artistic career began at an
early ago in Providence. Four yoar3 were
spent at the Rhode Island School of
Design from which institution he was
awarded the Providence Art Club Scholar-
ship, Trustees' Postgraduate Scholarship
and the Alumni Travelling Scholarship.
Two yoars of study in the capitals of
Europe followed. Upon his return he
specialized in portrait painting and
taught for nine years, acting as head of
the Fine Art3 Department of the Detroit
School of Design and later as a member
of the faculty of tho Rhode Island School
of Design. In 1916 he entered the field
of etching and drypoint. In 1921 Mr.
Heintzelman took up his residence in
Franco, returning to this country in 1936.
Mr. heintzelman is a National Academ-
ician who has v/on many important awards
for his artistic work as well as numer-
ous purchase prizes and honorable mentions.
He is represented in the Metropolitan
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Museum, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston Public Library, British Museum,
Victoria and Albert Museum, «, and the
principal galleries throughout the United
States and Europe.
JOHN COTTON DANA PUBLICITY AWARD
SCPAPBOOKS TO BE 01? DISPLAY IN STAFF
LIBRARY
At a recent meeting of the Executive
Board of the B.P.L.P.S.A. it suggested
and approved that the Association borrow
from A. L. A. Public Relations Headquarters
the publicity scrapbooks which received
the John Cotton Dana Awards at the 1947
A.L.A. Conference in San Francisco.
Because of the varied nature of the
publicity represented in the albums, in-
cluding all kinds of community activi-
ties, announcements, reading lists, radio
publicity, etc., and because they repre-
sent the country's outstanding library
publicity, it was felt that they would be
of considerable interest to members of
the staff, especially those in the
branches .
Permission has been secured for housing
them in the Staff Library for the dura-
tion of the loan.
Announcement will be made later as to
when they will be available from A.L.A.
Headquarters.
ELECTION COMMITTEE
The following members of the staff will
serve on the Election Committee to reg-
ister voters and act as tellers at the
annual meeting of the Association on
Friday, January 23:
Edna G. Peck, Chairman
Henry Barry
Irene T. Bixler
EleanoraN. Chaplik
Beatrice Coleman
Mildred Francis
Madalene D. Holt
Thomas J. Manning
REQUEST FOR STAFF FILM SHOTINOS
Copy of Letter to the Director
Dear Mr. Lord:
Since announcement of the Library's
recent purchase of films for eventual
circulation, there has been widespread
interest on the part of members of the
staff in this new activity of the
Library.
Because of this interest it was pro-
posed at the last meeting of the Execu-
tive Board of the Staff Association that
arrangements be made for showings of
those films to members of the staff as
they are received.
It was suggested that the showings
might be held during the two lunch
periods since many of the films are of
short duration. It was further suggested
that, insofar as possible, the showings
be planned to coincide with the various
staff meetings so that as many Branch
Librarians and Assistants as possible
would have an opportunity to view them.
Since these individuals in particular
will eventually be expected to be able
to suggest appropriate films to their
borrowers they will thus have an oppor-
tunity to develop an intelligent and in-
formed interest in the Library's holdings
in this field.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
Louisa S. Metcalf, President
STATEMENT CONCERNING PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION
Prior to the coming election of offi-
cers of the Association, the Executive
Board wishes to remind the membership of
the two proposed amendments to the con-
stitution which will appear as referenda
on the ballot, (l) the creation of a new
officer to be known as a Corresponding
Secretary (2) placing dues on membership.
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As these amendments were proposed by
the Constitution Committee at the sugges-
tion of the Executive Board, it is the
belief of the Board that members of the
Association will be interested to know
for what reasons the Board considered it
advisable to recommend presenting the
amendments for consideration.
DUES
At the November business meeting, when
the question of dues was discussed, there
was apparently sincere doubt in the minds
of some members as to the necessity and
purpose of levying dues on membership.
It was apparently felt by some that such
proceeds would be used largely for re-
freshments and incidental expanses at
social meetings. However, it was the be-
lief of the Board that dues would give
the Association greater independence of
action as well as extend to each member
a fuller share in the responsibilities of
the organization.
It was considered that expenses toward
which dues might be applied include:
1. Stationery
2. Stock for QUESTION MARK, notices,
questionnaires, etc.
It was felt highly desirable that,
if finances permitted, each member
should receive a copy of the
QUESTION MARK.
(At present both stock and sta-
tionery are supplied by the
Administration)
3. Fostage, for correspondence, send-
ing the QUESTION MARK to retired
members, and exchanges with other
library associations.
4. Stencils and other services.
5. Expenses in connection with social
meetings, including possible pay-
ment of entertainment and travel-
ing expenses of speakers, and re-
freshments and decorations,
6. The establishment of a scholarship
under the sponsorship of the
Association.
7. The expenses of an official repre-
sentative of the Association at
the meetings of professional or-
ganizations, such as A.L.A. and
M.L.A.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
Because cf the heavy demands upon the
Secretary at the present time it was
believed that with the creation of this
new office the burden of the Secretary
would be shared by delegating to the
Corresponding Secretary the correspond-
ence of the Association.
In addition, it was suggested that it
would then be possible to develop much
fuller exchange not only with the Asso-
ciations of the major libraries of the
country but also local libraries, where-
by at the beginning of each term of of-
fice the Corresponding Secretary would
ascertain the officers of the Associa-
tions, and establish relations which
would be of value in possible concerted
action on matters of professional inter-
est.
(Signed) Louisa Metcalf
President
The editor again wishes to remind mem-
bers of the staff that contributions to
the recently inaugurated column
Suggestions for Improvement of Service
to the Public and "Things Done" in the"
Departments and Branches are always
we 1 c ome .
Since we're not omniscen't; please don't
wait so modestly for us to' ferret out
these interesting activities.
Reports from members of the staff and
the public of the lively discussion
groups held at ■■ ■. Washington Village
have led us to ask Mrs. Eleanora Chaplik
to tell us of her work with groups in
that Branch Library, Watch for her arti-
cle in the next issue of the QUESTION
MARK.
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ORCHIDS TO THE "YOUNGER SET11 1
Remember? Last year — in 1947— the
Christmas tea that was sponsored by mem-
bers of the "Younger Set"? Or, should I
say, will you ever forget it?
Smiling, gracious hostesses pouring tea
and coffee; more eager, hospitable hosts
and hostesses passing trays laden with
such a variety of delicious cakes and
cookies that to choose was almost agony;
decorations that heralded the Christmas
season, with mistletoe hanging from the
center of the ceiling and somehow becom-
ing the center of attraction (to say
nothing of the shy little piece which
dared not enter the room but hung from
the entrance door with the result that
all males who hesitated on the threshold
were "taken unawares"); and the genuine
spirit of good comradeship which pre-
vailed as staff members came and went
from three to five o'clock on that
Monday — December 21.
Happy memory! But, what of the future?
•Tis laden with possibilities—f or other
groups (young, middle-aged, old, it mat-
ters not) to volunteer to sponsor teas.
There's Valentine's day, for instance,
or Leap Year, "coming one in four" — oh,
well, we can dream, can't we?
IMPORTANT NOTICE
To Members of the Association t
Your attention is called to changes in
voting procedure effective in the forth-
coming election of officers of the
B.P.L.P.S.A.
1. VOTING
Balloting will immediately precede
the annual business meeting on Friday,
January 23. The polls will open prompt-
ly at 9 a.m. and will remain open until
9:30 a.m. at which time all returns will
be collected and the tellers will begin
their count. No ballots (including ab-
sentee ballots) will be eligible for con-
sideration after that time. While the
regular business of the meeting is being
conducted the Election Committee will
complete its count. Announcement of elec-
tion results will be made at the close of
the meeting.
2. ABSENTEE BALLOTING
Those members of the staff who will
bo unable to attend the annual meeting to
vote in person are reminded of the pro-
visions made for absentee balloting in the
revised By-laws of the Association, the
section of which is reprinted here:
(Section 2. Elections
a. Officers shall be elected by bal-
lot at the January meeting.
b. Members of the Association who
will not attend the January meet-
ing of the Association may vote
for the nominees of their choice
by mail, ballots to be obtained
by request. An absentee ballot
shall be inclosed in a sealed
envelope on which the name of the
voter shall nowhere appear. The
envelope containing the ballot
shall be inclosed in another en-
velope addressed to the Secretary
of the B.P.L.P.S.A. and shall boar
the name of the voter. The sealed,
unmarked envelope containing the
ba Hot shall be handed by the
Secretary to the ballot counters
at the January meeting if the
voter is not present.^
It is urged that absentee ballots be re-
quested well in advance of the meeting
from the Secretary, Eleanor Halligan,
Statistical Department. Marked ballots
should be returned to her by 5 p.m.,
January 22. No ballots received later
than 9:30 a.m. January 23 will be eligible
for consideration.
The Question Mark is being recognized
by its colleagues we are pleased to note.
The Information Bulletin published by the
Library of Congress quotes at length our
notice of Mr. Clapp's speech at the
Swamps cott meeting of the M.L.A. Now that
others notice us. we feel that we are real-
ly of age.
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THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Fublic Library-
Professional Staff Association
Editor; Sarah W. Flannery
Volume III
Number 2
February 1948
EDITOR'S CORNER
Apropos of the open letter to the
Director in the Ootober 1947 issue of the
Question Mark advocating in-service
training for members of the B.P.L. staff,
we should like to call attention to an
article appearing on pp. 177-178 of the
February 1 issue of the Library Journal.
This article outlines a "Four Year Plan"
for progress which is being formulated by
the A.L.A. in honor of its 75th anniver-
sary. One of the goals they hope to at-
tain is "an adequate number of forward
looking professional librarians eager and
competent to perform ... public service
As one of the means of reaching this
end "in-service training and education
for all librarians with emphasis on the
function of the library in relation to
the problems of our time," is advocated.
The need for continued education to fit
librarians to cope with the many pressing
problems that beset the world today is
here fully recognized. If libraries are
to hold a position of intellectual lead-
ership in the community and to keep a
place as guardians and illuminators of
the minds of men, we who operate librar-
ies must be prepared to meet the chal-
lenge. We cannot afford to sit back
smugly content in our possession of a
library school or other degree and feel
that this is sufficient. Our own educa-
tion must be a living thing, feeding and
refreshing itself all the time with new
knowledge and new ideas. In-service
training is, of course, tut one way that
this can be accomplished. It is, however,
a good one. The plan outlined by Miss
Metcalf and the Executive Board is broad
in scope and well worth consideration.
The adoption of some such scheme would be
of great value to the Library and to the
citizens of Boston.
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Carolyn N. McCandliss, Director's
Office.
Frank J. Seegraber, Business Branch,
formerly employed in the General Refer-
ence Department.
John I. Keneavy, Book Stack Service.
Married
June A. Rogerson, Business Branch, to
Dr. Lyman C. "*ynne, December 22, 1947.
Kay Moran, Memorial Branch Library, to
Stephen Roomian, Saturday, February 7,
1948.
Staff Babies
To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Fletcher, a son,
William, January 15, 1948.
To Mr. and Mrs. Eamon McDonough, a
daughter, Alison, February 3, 1948.
To Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Miller (Dorothy
Coombs), a daughter, Josephine, February
17, 1948.
To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Lynch,
(Margaret Carr) a son, Joseph Michael, Jr.,
February 22, 1948.
Resignations
Eva J. Anttonen, resigned from position
as Children's Librarian to remain in the
Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin, Mexico City,
where she has been since April 1946.
Estelle Rholl, West Roxbury Branch
Library.
Frederick Zeserson, Business Branch,
on military leave of absence since
October 1942.
Robert Dixon, Fine Arts Department, to
work in the library of the Naval War
College, Newport, Rhode Island.
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Deaths
James C. McGillicuddy, February 3,
1948.
James W. Kenney, comptroller, emeritus,
February 6, 1948
Attending Library School
Miss Mildred Adelson, Jamaica Plain
Branch Library, is attending Simmons
College for the second semester.
Article by Member of Staff
Zoltan Haraszti, Keeper of Rare Books -
John Adams and Rousseau, published in the
February 1948 issue of the Atlantic
Monthly.
Poems by Member of Staff
Bessie L. Doherty, Branch Issue Depart-
ment - The Pearl of Great Price, pub-
lished in the December 1947 issue of the
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE JOURNAL; Such as Ye
Have — Give, in the February 1948 issue
of the same publication.
HYDE PARK
Each week the Hyde Park Tribune presents
a corsage to an outstanding personality
in the community. During Christmas week
Miss Gertrude E. M. Leufgren, first as-
sistant at the Hyde Park Branch Library,
was presented with a corsage in recogni-
tion of her completion of thirty-five
years of service at the Hyde Park Branch
Library.
MISS M1RGARET H. REID
On January 31, Margaret H. Reid, for
forty years Branch Librarian at the Mt.
Pleasant Branch Library, retired.
Throughout the years spent at the library,
Miss Reid has won friendship and esteem
among all groups in the neighborhood.
Her last week at the library was a mani-
festation of this, when children and
grown-ups joined to express their affec-
tion in many pleasing ways.
Schools in the district honored her at
teas, and she was the recipient of many
gifts and flowers. As a climax to the
week's festivities in her honor, her
staff took her to dinner at the Ritz-
Carlton Hotel where they, too, presented
her with a gift. The patrons of Mt,
Pleasant Branch Library along with her
staff wish her happy years ahead and it
is with regret that they say "farewell"
to her.
*
On Saturday, February 14, a committee
representing the Branch Librarians enter-
tained Miss Reid at a luncheon at "The
Towne House". At the conclusion of the
luncheon she was presented with a bill-
fold containing a sum of money and an
attractive volume in which were inscribed
the good wishes of her fellow librarians.
She has since been the recipient of a
beautiful necklace and a book containing
further good wishes from her friends in
the Central Library.
JAMES C. MCGILLICUDDY
It was with a deep sense of shock that
members of the staff learned of the sud-
den death on February 3 of James C.
McGillicuddy of the Book Stack Service.
Mr. McGillicuddy was a graduate of
Boston College Law School in the class of
1938 and at the time of his death was en-
rolled at Simmons College School of
Library Science. He had been a member of
the Library staff since May 27, 1932 and
was a favorite not only with his col-
leagues but also with the public whom we
have more than once heard compliment him
on his courtesy and helpfulness with
their problems.
He served with the Army from April 1943
to November 1945 as a corporal in the
404th Fighter Squadron, 371st Bomber
Group, and performed overseas duty in
England, France and Germany.
Mr. McGillicuddy is survived by his
wife, the former Elizabeth Coleman of the
Registration Department, end by four sons.
To Mrs. McGillicuddy we extend our deep-
est sympathy.
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JAMES W. KENNEY
Funeral services for James W. Kenney,
of 12 Water house Street, West Somerville,
former Somerville alderman and comptrol-
ler, emeritus, of the Boston Public
Library, who died after a short illness
on Friday February 6, while vacationing
at Tampa, Florida, were held Wednesday
February 11, at 9 a.m. when a solemn high
mass of requiem was celebrated at the
Immaculate Conception Church, Somerville.
Mr. Kenney leaves his wife, Mrs.
Augusta Kenney; a daughter, Miss Marie E.
Kenney, head of the science department at
Somerville High School; two sons, Paul
and James L., and two brothers, retired
Captain William G. Kenney of the
Somerville police and Frank Kenney.
Since we announced that Leonard Burkat,
formerly first assistant in the Music
Department, had been appointed Librarian,
Berkshire Music Center, his friends have
been worried about his welfare. We even
heard the rumor that a St. Bernard was
about to be dispatched to rescue him from
the Lenox snows. We hasten to assure
everyone of Mr. Burkat fs safety. He is
in Boston for the winter, with the or-
chestra, and the worst he has to contend
with are the ruts in Huntington Avenue.
The following are the members of the
delegation from the B.P.L.P.S.A. appoint-
ed to represent the Association at Jimmy
McGillicuddy's funeral.
C. L. Higgins
Sally W. Flannery
Evelyn Mar den
Charles Murphy
PHILLIPS BROOKS BRANCH
The Phillips Brooks Branch Library is
Readville's only theatre. In its second
year of film programs, it is regularly
running moving pictures for younger
card-holders and parents, for junior high
school students, and for adults. When
it has shown films three times in one day
with extra amounts of book selection and
charging in between, and subsequently has
quizzed its younger patrons on the con-
tent and significance of what they have
seen, it knows it has become more than
just a library.
The schedule has included a variety of
films, about which one boy earnestly re-
marked, "You know, Miss ... , these pic-
tures are very educationsl - for children,
as well as adults."
V. H.
DISCUSSION GROUP - A VENTURE IN ADULT
EDUCATION
The Old Colony Book Club, a study and
discussion group which meets on alternate
Wednesday evenings at Washington Village
Branch Library, is now commencing its
third successful year. Started in 1946
under the sponsorship of Mrs. Helen
Hirson, it is at present guided by Mrs.
Eleanora Chaplik, first assistant at the
Branch Library.
In a cosy corner of the children's
room, with an atmosphere of ease and in-
formality, an average attendance of fif-
teen persons of various ages and back-
grounds gathers for discussion of books
they are reading. After a two hour ses-
sion refreshments are served and the
group relaxes in social conversation.
In the autumn the main topic for the
year is chosen and bibliographies are
prepared by the discussion leader. Last
year the topic was "Exploring the United
States regionally via contemporary lit-
erature", which gave occasion for many
rousing moments and which the partici-
pants felt increased their understanding
and tolerance of the various facets of
our common national life. Social prob-
lems and the environment of the individ-
ual greatly interest the Old Colony Book
Club so the main part of the book pro-
gram this year is devoted to the
"Immigrant in America." One book is
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chosen for discussion at each meeting and
the entire discussion time is devoted to
it.
Current events are also popular and
give rise to some interesting extempora-
neous discussions. However, the more
usual practice is to set aside alternate
meetings for discussion of a particular
subject of current interest. Material on
the topic is collected in the library and
all who attend are expected to have read
some of it beforehand. Also this year,
inspired by the leader's enthusiasm for
Great Books after hearing Dr. Barr at the
Swampscott meeting of the M.L.A., the
group agreed to a program of reading
along those lines. "Madame Bovary",
"Main Street" and "The return of the
native", all having the common denomina-
tor of a highly romantic, discontented
woman in an unsuitable milieu were chosen
for study. Some members found them rath-
er rough going at first. It has, however,
been a source of delight and gratifica-
tion to see that after a provocative dis-
cussion, those who had given up or been
confused tried again and have later re-
ported that the books meant much more to
them. The group has come to the appre-
ciation that classics, instead of being
esoteric are something that can be read
from the heart and out of personal ex-
perience.
In addition to all this, the women have
a side line of their own - the men scorn
it - and are reading the books on the
Massachusetts Adult Reading Frogram on
Family Life.
The Book Club means different things to
different members. An outstanding member
said that he was now willing to reed
women authors. Whereas before he reso-
lutely shied away (benighted attitude)
from them, he now admits they can write J
A woman with three children said she
never would have read as much if it had
not been for the regular meetings.
Another was enchanted to discover that
she could express herself among and share
her ideas with a group of strangers. To
a little English war bride, the meetings
are bright, warm contacts which she has
sorely missed in her present environment.
All are learning to read more effective-
ly, speak more precisely, listen more
under standingly.
E. N. C.
wanted: your old magazines
Don't throw away your copies of
Coronet, Fortune, Holiday, and Life}
The Fine Arts Department begs them for
its picture collections. Come up and see
what good use we could make of theml
MOVIES ON YOUR LUNCH HOUR!
During the month of Marrh a series of
Wednesday noon showings of educational
films will be presented in the Lecture
Hall. They are intended primarily for
members of the staff, but the public is
also invited. There will be two perform-
ances each Wednesday noon to accommodate
both early and late lunchers.
The first showing will be at 12:15 and
the repeat performance at 1:15
Titles are:
Instruments of the Orchestra
• • 9 • 0
Crafts of the Fire
.DO Oil •ooo*«*»«oa<
Cyprus is an Island 34 min.
Man - One Family 17 min.
Great Circle
Both ,
The River
14 min.
31 min.
20 min.
10 min.
March 3
March 10
March 24
March 31
COMMITTEES
Special Committee on Fersonnel Rating
Eleanor DiGiannantonio, Business Branch,
George Ear ley, General Reference De-
partment.
Helen Hirson, West Roxbury Branch
Library.
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Betty Preer, Memorial Branch Library.
Aaron Starr, Book Purchasing Department.
Ruth Wall, Mt. Bowdoin Branch Library.
Charles Gillis, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Circulation Division,
Chairman.
Women's House Committee
Mary V. Doyle, Young People's Room.
Marie McCarthy, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Circulation Division
Katherine Macauley, Cataloging and
Classification Department, Reference
Division.
Lydia Palladino, Open Shelf Department.
Anna L. Manning, Teachers Department,
Chairman.
Constitution Committee
Grace M. Marvin, Book Purchasing De-
partment.
Nura Globus, Test End Branch Library.
William Ear ley, Business Branch.
Leonard J. Macmillan, Book Purchasing
Department, Chairman.
NEW ADDITIONS TO THE ST^FF LIBRARY
Dewhurst, J. Frederick. America's needs
and resources.
Hoagland, Kathleen. 100 years of Irish
poetry.
Kelly, John. All souls' night.
Look. Santa Fe trail.
Lynd, Robert and Lynd, Helen. Middletown,
Putnam, Samuel. Paris was our mistress.
White, Llewellyn. Peoples speaking to
peoples.
Whitehead, Alfred N. Essays in science
and philosophy.
NON-FICTION MISSING FROM THE STAFF
LIBRARY 1947
American Library Association. A.L.A.
catalog rules; 1941 (Copies M, 0, S.)
Cather, Willa S. Not under forty.
Crum, Bartley C. Behind the silken cur-
tain.
Dewey, Melvil. Abridged decimal classi-
fication and relativ index; 3d ed.
(Copy L)
Doubledey, William E. A primer of
librarianship.
Early, Eleanor. And this is Boston!
Fraser, W. H. , and others. Revised
elementary French grammar. (Copy C)
Hills, E. C. and Ford, J. D. M. First
Spanish course. (Copy B)
Mann, Margaret, Introduction to cata-
loging and the classification of books.
2d ed. (Copy G)
Meissner, Albert L. A German grammar
for schools and colleges. (Copy E)
Merrill, William Stetson. Code for
classifiers; 2d ed. 1939 (Copy A)
Northrop, Filmer S. C. The meeting of
east and west.
Robert, Grace. The Borzoi book of bal-
lets .
Sabatier, Paul. Life of St. Francis of
Assisi.
Shores, Louis. Basic reference books.
2d ed. (Copy M)
Starrett, Vincent. Books alive.
Stillman, Clark, and Gode, Alexander.
Spanish at sight. (Copy A)
U. S. Library of Congress. Classifica-
tion Division.
Classification. Class P. PJ-Fm.
Supplement.
Wain, Nora. The house of exile.
Wyer, James Ingersoll. Reference work.
(Copy A.)
Yank, the army weekly.
Yank - the GI story of the war.
WILL YOU KINDLY CHECK YOUR BOOK SHELVES
TO SEE IF ANY OF THE ABOVE BOOKS HAVE
STRAYED ON TO THEM AND BEEN FORGOTTEN.
PLEASE RETURN ANY OF THEM OR ALL OF THEM
TO THE STAFF LIBRARY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU.
BOOKS ABROAD
The current issue of Books Abroad
(Winter 1948) carries an excellent pro-
posal about "Our books abroad and what
they might do for us" by E. L. Tinker,
See particularly the checklist of thirty-
two books published since World War I
that, in the opinion of some fifteen
critics and writers, best portray the
normal, decent life of the United States.
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THE SOAP BOX
To the Editor:
Mr. Milton Lord, at a recent meeting,
discussed various aspects of the marking
system. I should like to submit these
further suggestions.
(1) If the multiple rating system is
favored, the supervisor should be
the logical person to check, after
the department head has graded the
individual.
(2) That all members of the bibliothecal
staff meet to discuss with the su-
pervisor problems which have arisen*
This will give all members of the
staff the opportunity to become ac-
quainted with the supervisor and
have the benefit of experience reac-
tions at periodic intervals.
(3) That when openings and vacancies are
available, the location of the de-
partment or branch should be named
and that persons interested in apply
ing for these positions be permitted
to have personal interviews.
(Mrs.) Evelyn Green.
Jamaica Plain Branch
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BOSTON
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C LIBRARY
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION
ARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
Editor: Sarah_W. Flannery
Vo lume III
Number 3
March 1948
EDITOR'S COMER
The Director's letter concerning the
Library's film program which appears in
these pages prompts us to point out the
announcement in last month's Question
Mark of the noonday showing of films for
members of the staff. A visit to the
Lecture Hall is indeed a pleasant way to
pass some of our lunch-hour time.
The Director's suggestion in his reply
to Miss Metcalf's letter on in-service
training has its answer in the appoint-
ment of a oommittee to study the subject
whose members are announced in this is-
sue. Further training is a subject in
which we are all interested and we feel
sure that whatever suggestions any of us
may wish to make will be welcomed by the
committee. We are in a position it
seems whereby with a little thought and
effort we might pioneer new developments
in Library training of value to the pro-
fession as a whole.
A Library as distinguished as is ours,
in a city renowned for its educational
opportunities should be able to produce
from within its staff new and useful
developments in library training and
education. The possibilities challenge
the exercise of our ingenuity. Many
members of the Association must have
ideas as to what is needed and desirable.
Let us hand on our ideas to the committee
and help to get a good program started.
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Concetta M. Cangemi, Registration De-
partment .
Mrs. Mary L. Sands, Fine Arts Depart-
ment.
Dorothy B. Graham, Statistical Depart-
ment.
Mrs. Alice S. Meguerdichian, Business
Branch.
Jane M. Moyer, Business Branch.
Mrs. Elizabeth FitzSimmons Scannell,
formerly on the Business Branch staff,
is now working part-time in the Catalog-
ing and Classification Department, Refer-
ence Division.
Mrs. Bertha B. Feldman, Charlestown
Branch.
Florence S. Cooper, Allston Branch.
Alida 0. Venamee, Information Office.
Thomas P. Carras, Book Purchasing De-
partment.
Resignations
Virginia Leahy, Book Stack Service.
Genevieve Mroz, Book Stack Service.
Roger L. Dufault, Book Purchasing De-
partment, to accept another position in
private business.
Mrs. Myra Provo, Cataloging and Class-
ification Department, Reference Division.
Harold M. Cerr, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division,
following a military leave of absence,
to teach at St. Michael's College,
Vermont .
Robert Heiles, Book Purchasing Depart-
ment, moved to New York.
Carolyn N. McCandliss, Trustees' Office,
to return to home in Michigan to be
married.
Mrs. Katherine Kiely Catani, Roslindale
Branch .
Marriages
Gus6ene Guveyan, Cataloging and Class-
ification Department, Reference Division,
to John Hatzik, March 14, 1948.
Babies
To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Canavan, a girl,
Sheila, March 18, 1948. Mrs. Canavan was
Mary Hart, formerly of the Circulation
Division Office.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert L. Smith, a
boy, Carl, March 27, 1948. Mrs. Smith
was Mary E. Quinn, who worked in the Book
Stack Service.
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Visitor
B. V. Gharpure, Curator of the Lord
Reay Maharashtra Industrial Museum,
Poona, India, visited the Library re-
cently.
NEPONSET BRANCH NOTES
Dn her first visit to the Branch, Miss
Ellen Peterson was entertained by the
staff at a "Green Tea". The table was
covered with a shamrock cloth. The
green candles in the brass holders har-
monized with the various green candies,
cakes, and ice cream. Coffee and sand-
wiches garnished with all green relishes
.v-.ie a very pretty setting. This ell
t nded very nicely with our pretty
r;i"-een rest room. Mrs. Lillian Perry and
"iss Helen Connell poured. Entertain-
ment was furnished by Miss Anna Gallivan
and Miss Connell.
We hope that Miss Peterson will soon
he back with us to stay and then we will
all be very happy.
The Staff.
LINES FROM A PATRON
OF CODMAN SQUARE BRANCH
FOR A CITY LIBRARIAN
I know you in a semi-sort of way,
As you know me. In May and in
November
I haunt your library from day to
day;
And once I wrote some lines that
you remember!
Sometimes I wonder, as you stamp
my books,
About you all I What other things
you do,
And where you go each night; what
unglimpsed nooks,
What other tasks and dreams spell
life for you.
Frances C. Hamlet.
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C0W1ENTARY ON THE LIBRARY LIGHTING
Seen in the Periodical Room on a snowy
day... all lights' burning... a man reading
a bound volume with a flashlight focussed
steadily on the pages.
Scavenger hunters from the Dorchester
YMCA know how to follow a clue. With
two directions: get the smallest book
in the library and a red hair, they had
but one destination, the Codman Sq\jare
Branch* While the smallest book in the
library, the next smallest book in the
library, the next smallest book in the
library, etc. were being found for thens
Mrs. Eisengrein pulled hairs from her
titian head and distributed them.
It is only fair to add that the girls
were very shy about asking Mrs.
Eisengrein to part with her hair one by
one, and properly prized her personal
contribution to "Community Service."
P.W.
THE SOAP BOX
Supported by the taxpayers of the City
of Boston, the Public Library must justi-
fy their sacrifices by rendering maximu;.
service to all residents. Among these,
there are many whose reading is limited
or naturally attracted to the mother
tongue of immediate or more remote ances-
tors of foreign birth or whose broad
literary interest leads them to read
languages other than English.
Would it, then, not make our service
more helpful to these groups of readers
if the lists of non-English books avail-
able were revised and issued more fre-
quently than in the past? No bibliog-
raphy can ever be quite complete, for
there are accessions between compilation
and issuance, but unlisted withdrawals
probably cause even more disappointment,
whether due to the books' being missing
from the shelves or to the wearing out
of books no longer in print.
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To the Romanzi e Novelle at the North
End Branch there have been additions
since publication in 1937 - and many
books there listed have been literally
read to pieces but cannot be duplicated.
The Polish list of 1940 can hardly have
had additions, though use - or users -
may have subtracted some volumes. The
French list of 1936 must certainly have
been added to; Spain, Central and South
America cannot have ceased literary pro-
duction on publication of the Spanish
bibliography of 1919, and the Italian
list of almost half a century ago cries
aloud for help. Does not the grateful
appreciation with which such moderniza-
tion would be welcomed suggest en obli-
gation as well as an opportunity to
serve our public more efficiently?
G. S. Herrick
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
This column represents an experiment
which will survive or perish according
to its reception. Its purpose will be
to relate informally some of the day-to-
day activities which have been the con-
cern of your officers during the past
month. Very often we have found that
news of interesting developments seldom
reaches the attention of the membership
in adequate detail. Sometimes routine
announcements lack the impact they might
have. Accordingly, we will try here to
gather up some loose ends, point up im-
portant activities and in general survey
the events of the month just past.
A special committee is being organized
to study the possibility of conducting
some advanced form of in-service train-
ing for the membership. This will con-
tinue the work begun last year. The
pertinent correspondence on this point
is reproduced elsewhere in this issue.
We are hopeful that this special com-
mittee can offer a concrete program which
will be well above the level of library
school courses or their equivalent. A
great deal of work is involved and if
you have ideas in the matter, please
forward them to Miss Louisa Metcalf ,
Open Shelf Department. The full commit-
tee will be announced in the next issue.
Miss Anna Manning, Chairman of the
Women's House Committee reported that
the mice in the women's quarters were
becoming very frisky. We dispatched a
weighty letter to the Personnel Office
regarding this menace and can now assure
the membership that vigorous repressive
measures are underway. Let us hope the
wee ones cooperate. If not, perhaps we
might ask some of our lady veterans to
put into practice the arts of booby-
trapping and camouflage they so labor-
iously studied only a few years ago.
The Director has made available, on a
loan basis, the following office equip-
ment for the use of the officers of the
Association: a steel filing case, a
typewriter, and a typewriter stand.
This equipment has been placed in the
Conference Room. We have extended to
Mr. Lord the thanks of the Association
for his graciousnecs in this matter, and
feel sure that the membership will be
pleased to hear about these arrangements,
Many of us are extremely interested in
the letter appearing in the Soap Box
department of this issue concerning for-
eign language reading lists. Many have
long felt the need for such lists. We
expect that members will want to comment,
and hope that those with foreign language
background or training will take an
active interest.
We had a pleasant talk with Mr. Lord
and Mrs. Wright a few weeks ago concern-
ing the since completed poll on Multiple
Rating. The meeting arose out of the
letter sent to Mr. Lord which is repro-
duced elsewhere in this issue together
with the Director's reply. The poll
incidentally seemed to bear out the rec-
ommendation of the Executive Board in
the matter.
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It was particularly gratifying to note
the very high percentage of ballots re-
turned. This bespeaks a deep interest on
the part of the membership in Association
activity. The Special Committee on
Personnel Rating, 1948 is working hard to
maintain the excellent standard set by
its predecessor. Mr. Gillis, chairman,
urges that everyone reread at this time
the Report (two parts) issued by the 1947
Special Committee.
Mr. Gillis tells us that his group is
now prepared to begin the work of re-
ceiving and collating all comments on the
rating of personnel just completed. May
we urge everyone who offers comments to
do so in written form. This is the only
way the Special Committee can do its work
in an orderly manner. A member wishing
to offer several comments is asked to
write each comment on a separate sheet.
Please keep in mind that this mechanism
provides all members with an opportunity
for expression in a thoroughly democratic
fashion. Use it, and use it wisely. The
Special Committee can be of service only
to the extent that balanced, mature com-
ments issue from the membership. More
about this next month.
We are hopeful that by the time this
reaches your eye, there will have ap-
peared an official announcement about a
projected activity in connection with
CARE. The Executive Board of the
Association felt that participation in
the CARE program presented an oppor-
tunity of doing something eminently prac-
tical. Of this activity it can be stated
here that the program will last only for
a brief period, that such offerings as
are made by the membership are to be en-
tirely voluntary, that there can be no
obligation on the part of any individual
to contribute. The proceeds will be used
to furnish CARE packages for the fam-
ilies of needy librarians residing in the
British Isles and those areas of conti-
nental Europe serviced by C A R E. The
beneficiaries of this Association activ-
ity will be people recommended as worthy
by reliable agencies. The Trustees of
the Library have made an exception to the
rule in this matter, and have authorized
the Association to proceed with the ac-
tivity and to receive donations for this
purpose. The Executive Board of the
Association understands that all of us
have many calls on our income, not the
least of which is the HCL. But if you
can offer, let us say, the price of a
package of cigarettes or a movie just
once a month, the Association can help
some librarian overseas whose family may
well be destitute.
Our life lately seems to have consisted
mainly in writing letters. One of these
queried the Director regarding the pos-
sibility of granting the Executive Board
standing permission to name an official
delegation to attend the last rites of
an Association member, active or retired.
The Director replied in effect that while
he appreciated the verious factors in-
volved, it did not seem wise to concur in
this matter. However, it was made clear
that the Association need not ever face
a situation where such a delegation could
not be appointed. Even on shortest no-
tice, avenues have been made available
whereby the Association may officially
pay its respects to its departed.
The following correspondence concern-
ing the Association's activity in the
matter of multiple rating is reproduced
here for the information of the member-
ship. The results of the poll, herein
referred to, have been announced by cir-
cular dated March 4, 1948, and are also
noted elsewhere in this issue of the
Question Mark.
26 February 1948
Mr. Milton E. Lord, Director
Boston Public Library
Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Lord:
It has come to the attention of the
Executive Board that the Trustees might
welcome a communication from the Board
to the effect that application of mul-
tiple rating to the personnel evaluation
system now in use in this Library be
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def erred for another year, if in the
opinion of the Board it was felt that
such a statement would represent the
majority opinion among the membership.
Pending tabulation of the results of a
poll upon this point, the Board does feel
that the current trend if opinion among
the membership as expressed in personal
interviews and in the show of hands re-
garding multiple rating at the recent
staff meetings justifies the Board in
recommending to the Trustees that mul-
tiple rating be not used in the forth-
coming rating of personnel.
The Executive Board wishes to point
out that the principle of multiple rat-
ing as mentioned in the Report of the
Special Committee to Study Personnel
Rating, 1947, was not subjected to
scrutiny by the Special Committee, nor
were any recommendations in the matter
made in its Report. The principle was
mentioned in the Report only as one of
the many suggestions received. The Board
feels that until such time as the prin-
ciple of multiple rating as it might be
applied in any of its forms to the situ-
ation in this Library has undergone full
and thorough study, it should not be
used. The Executive Board so recommends.
The Board is most appreciative of the
attitude of the Trustees and of your own
in seeking expressions of opinion among
the membership. 1,fould you be kind enough
to assure the Trustees that the Associa-
tion will bend every effort to insure
complete cooperation.
In accordance with Association policy
of keeping the membership fully informed
it is proposed to publish this communi-
cation together with such reply as you
might care to make in the next issue of
the Question Mark.
Very truly yours,
(signed) Charles L. Higgins
President
5 March 1948
Dear Mr. Higgins:
I wish to acknowledge your letter
of February 26th with its recommendation
on the part of the Executive Board of
the Boston Public Library Professional
Staff Association that the principle of
multiple rating should not be used in
the rating procedure of the Library until
there has been an opportunity for it to
be subjected to full and thorough study,
I have now also your communication
under date of March 3rd 1948, in which
you notify me that the Executive Board
of the Association has subsequently car-
ried out a poll of its members as to
whether they ere in favor of multiple
rating for the forthcoming rating of
personnel, and that the results of this
poll showed 196 ballots in opposition
and 132 ballots in favor of doing so at
the present time.
I shall report these two communica-
tions to the Trustees of the Library,
and ask their confirmation of the deci-
sion which has already been taken by me
to postpone the application of the prin-
ciple of multiple rating until there has
been an opportunity for further study of
it.
I wish to express to you and your
associates my warm appreciation of the
expeditious handling of this matter in
making available promptly a responsible
statement by an authoritative body of
the library staff.
Yours sincerely,
(signed) Milton E. Lord
Director
To
Mr. Charles L. Higgins
President
Professional Staff Association
of the Boston Public Library
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Announcement is hereby made of the re-
sults of the poll recently completed by
the Special Committee on Personnel Rating
of this Association.
Question:
Results :
The Vote:
Are you in favor of multiple
rating for the forthcoming
rating of personnel?
Number of ballots
distributed 383
Number of ballots
returned 331
YES 132
NO 196
Blank ballots 3
The following communications from the
Director, it will be recognized, have
already been published as annexes to the
Annual Report of the President, 1947.
They are reproduced in this issue in or-
der that they may thus reach the atten-
tion of every member and in order that
they mey become a part of the Question
Mark file.
16 January 1948
Dear Miss Metcalf:
I have received with much interest the
final report of the Special Committee
appointed by the Professional Staff
Association to study the personnel rat-
ing procedure of the Library.
"lith nearly all of the recommendations
of the Committee I am in substantial
agreement. A rating manual has already
been drawn up. The principle of multi-
ple rating will be adopted. An attempt
will be made to work out an assignment
of relative weightings for the several
groups of qualities listed on the rating
form, particularly with reference to
specific appointments to be made. The
use of percentages on the rating form
will be discontinued, although there
will nevertheless apparently have to be
worked out some method of numerical
statement of relative standings in eval-
uating personal qualities in connection
with the promotional process at the time
of making titular appointments. Finally
there will be tried out the suggestion
made by the Special Committee of the ap-
pointment by either the Director of the
Library or the Staff Association of a
committee following each rating period
to receive and organize comments concern-
ing it from the members of the library
staff.
It has been particularly interesting
to note thpt a comparison between the
revised rating forms already drawn up by
the administrative authorities of the
Library and the revised form as drawn up
by the Committee of the Staff Association
reveals substantial agreement on approx-
imately 75 percent of the points under
examination. I am confident that agree-
ment can be reached to an appreciable
extent upon the remaining points as wel1.
In this connection much help will un-
doubtedly be found in the interesting
body of comments gathered from members
of the library staff and now transmitted
upon the recommendation of the Special
Committee to the administrative author-
ities of the Library.
The next step will be to arrive at a
final revision of the rating form in the
light of the many helpful suggestions
which have been received. This will be
taken in hand forthwith, and shortly
there will be carried through the second
series of ratings.
To the Special Committee I wish to
offer warm thanks for its sympathetic
approach to its task and for the thor-
oughness and diligence with which it has
accomplished its work. It has made a
distinctive contribution to the work of
the Library.
Yours sincerely,
(signed) Milton E. Lord
Director
To
Miss Louisa S. Metcalf
President, Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
-7-
16 January 1948
Dear Miss Metcalf:
Following receipt of the report of the
Association's Special Committee on Con-
cession Planning the following action has
been taken by the Administrative author-
ities of the Library,
Further investigation of the legal as-
pects of the proposal has been carried on
with the Law Department of the City of
Boston. Thereafter an inquiry was under-
taken to ascertain whether specific in-
dividual concessionaires would be able
and willing to meet the several legal re-
quirements as to (l) token payments for
rent, water, electricity, etc., (2) wage
payments to their employees, (3) liabil-
ity and other insurance, and (4) other
miscellaneous matters. Two concession-
aires were found who stated that they
would be able and willing to meet all of
these requirements and still be able to
provide food and drink at attractive
price levels.
The investigation of another aspeot of
the proposal has not been so successful.
That has to do with the provision of
adequate space for setting up such a con-
cession. To date the only space which
has been proposed has been in the present
Somen's Lunchroom. A careful survey of
this area has indicated that its extent
is not sufficient to provide space for
both a concession and the present use
made of it. The alternative seems to be
only to find space elsewhere for the con-
cession. Such a possibility will have
consideration in working out the final
allocation of such space as is shortly to
be put to new uses in connection with the
reallocation of departmental spaces noiv
under consideration.
It is earnestly hoped that arrangements
can be made for providing food and drink
for the members of the library staff at
as early a date as possible.
Yours sincerely,
(signed) Milton E. Lord
Director
To
Miss Louisa S. Metcalf
President, Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
16 January 1948
Dear Miss Metcalf:
In reply to your letter of today I wish
to state that an attempt will be made
shortly to effect arrangements whereby
the members of the library staff may have
an opportunity to view the films acquired
by the Library in connection with its new
film program.
At the moment the program is pretty
much in the stage of preliminary acqui-
sitions only. There is still to be
worked out a formal procedure for (l) the
regular showing of them as part of the
Library's own programs and for (2) the
lending of them for group programs out-
side of the Library.
There should be little difficulty in
making adequate arrangements for the mem-
bers of the library staff to view these
films.
(signed)
Yours sinccrely
Milton E. Lord
Director
To
Miss Louisa S. Metcalf
President, Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
16 Januery 1948
Dear Miss Metcalf:
Your communication of October 30, 1947
concerning an expansion of the Library's
in-service trailing programs has had
careful and considered attention.
In setting up its present in-service
training program the Library did so in
the belief that it would itself act
-8-
profitably in this direction only to a
limited extent. The purpose of this
program has been simply to provide an
elementary working-knowledge of basic
library techniques for individuals with-
out this basic knowledge at the time of
entrance into the employ of the Library.
To do more would pose a considerable
further problem.
It would therefore be particularly
gratifying to the Library, as well as
being of very great help, if the Profes-
sional Staff Association would itself un-
dertake a project which would (l) survey
the situation for need for further pro-
grams of training of the sort specified
in your letter of October 30, 1947, (2)
canvass the existing offerings already
available in this respect in the form of
courses outside of the Library, insti-
tutes, summer schools, library meetings,
etc., etc., and finally, in the light of
these findings, (3) sponsor in the name
of the Association itself a specific pro-
gram or programs to such further extent
as may be needed and desirable.
To have such leadership assumed by the
Association would bring increased
strength to the Library and to the Asso-
ciation as well. The Library would, of
course, gladly aid in every way it prop-
erly could in furtherance of such a de-
sirable end.
Yours sincerely,
(signed) Milton E. Lord
Director
To
Miss Louisa S. Metcalf
President, Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
Overheard at a lecture by Lincoln
Kirstein at the Museum of Fine Arts:
First Lady: What were you telling me
about him when we came in?
Second Lady: Oh — his father gave the
city a lovely library--
one of our southern
branches- -for the newsboys
and the people of the neighborhood.
P. McF.
*
COMMITTEES
Special Committee on In-Service Training
Louisa Metcalf, Chairman
Bradford Hill
Dorothy Nourse
Robert Roper
Ruth Williamson
Men's House Committee
Charles Murphy, Chairman
Harry Fletcher
William DiRosario
Sidney Weinberg
Leonard Kant or
Membership
Edward X. Casey, Chairman
Catherine MacDonald
Alberta Renzaglia
Program
Beatrice M. Flanagan, Chairman
Frank Bruno
Mary Daly
Pauline Eaton
B. J. O'Neil
Dorothy Becker
Evelyn Levy
Evelyn Marden
Staff Library
Edna Peck, Chairman
Geraldine Altman
Ollie Partridge
Alice Waters
Harry Andrews
Publications
Sarah W. Flannery, Chairman
Mary Daly
Lois Shoemaker
Pauline Winnick
-9-
Bridie O'Connell, who has left us to
be married, was entertained at two nice
parties before her departure. On
February 18 Mrs. "fright gave a dinner in
her honor at which she was presented
with a silver-handled salad fork and
spoon, and on Thursday evening February
26 about forty of her friends gathered
together to wish her happiness at a
shower. Bridie, long a favorite with
her colleagues, left the following day
for New York. It is hard to realize
that her resignation comes after twenty
years of service, she having worked in
the library from the time she was in
high school. During the war she served
as a first lieutenant in the Marine
Corps and can tell some mighty fine
stories of the war as it was fought on
the Quant ico front. Our best wishes for
ev^ry happiness go to Bridie.
On March 5, 1948 a well-attended
shower was given to Miss Gussene Guveyan
of the Cataloging and Classification De-
partment, Reference Division, in the
Women's Lounge, from 5-7. Miss Guveyan
was most pleasantly surprised and re-
ceived many lovely gifts.
The lounge was appropriately decorated
for the occasion and refreshments were
served. Miss Guveyan became Mrs. John
Hatzik on March 14, 1948 and was a very
beautiful bride.
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LIBRARY'
PROF
SIGNAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION
ARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library-
Professional Staff Association
Editor : Sarah W. Flannery
Volume III
Number 4
April 1948
EDITORS CORNER
The regular Spring meeting of the
B.P.L.F.S.A. will be held on Friday morn-
ing, May 21, 1948 c This is one of the
three scheduled business meetings pro-
vided for in the Constitution, Everyone
who can arrange to be present is urged to
do so.
We are extremely proud of our new cover
with its picture of the approach to the
Library. We think it adds an air of dis-
tinction to the Question Mark and wish to
thank Miss Muriel Figenbaum of the Print
Department to whom we are indebted for
the design and its execution. We were
unable to tell you about it last month as
we did not expect to have the cover until
this month's issue, but Miss Figenbaum
surprised us as we were going to press by
being a month ahead of schedule.
Dixon Wecter has an article entitled
"Can metaphysics save the world?" appear-
ing in the April 10 issue of the Saturday
Review of Literature which is well worth
our consideration. It contains some
thought-provoking comments on the limita-
tions of the Great Books Program which
all of us who are interested in fostering
such a program should bear in mind. In
the same connection Henry Seidel Canby's
editorial in the April 24th issue of the
same magazine should be mentioned. He
briefly points up the pertinence of what
Mr. Wecter has to say and stresses the
importance in this materialistic age of
restoring the "pipe lines" to our store
of culture. (While we are no advocate of
a return to the golden age of the past,
yet we feel that in this age of confusion
an acquaintance with and appreciation of
the milestones in human thought may well
give courage and hope.)
**********
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Mrs Selma Zimmerman, Roslindale Branch.
Mary C. O'Brien, Book Stack Service.
Alice R. Nuttall, Cataloging and
Classification Department, Circulation
Division. Formerly part-time at Hyde
Park Branch.
Mrs Jenny L. Malchman, Reference Divi-
sion Office.
Mary L. Mowles, Dorchester Branch.
Formerly in part-time service of the
Library.
Tyyne M. Saari, North End Branch.
Annette L. Shapiro, Personnel Office.
Transfers
Ruth M. Gomes, from Dorchester Branch
to Washington Village Branch.
Ruth F. Nagle, from Hyde Park Branch to
Cataloging and Classification Department,
Reference Division.
Resignations
Kathryn J. Bennett, Book Stack Service.
Elizabeth J. Lindop, Book Stack
Service.
Jane K. Potter, Fine Arts Department,
to live in New York.
Louise Dyring, Business Branch, to re-
turn to school.
Patricia L. Keegan, Information Office.
Mildred R. Adelson of Jamaica Plain
Branch and Simmons College Library School
had a rewarding week of field work in New
York at the Nathan Strauss Branch which
serves a public under twenty-one years of
age and the 135th Street Branch which
houses the famed Schomberg Collection of
Negro literature. She was able to in-
clude, too, a day on the Bookmobile cov-
ering New Dorp, Staten Island,
-2-
Marie Pineo added to her experience at
the Mattapan Branch a week of Simmons
field work at the Boys' and Girls'
Library, Toronto, Ontario.
LIBRARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
Mildred R. Adelson, Assistant, Jamaica
Plain Branch. Joseph H. Center Scholar-
ship,
Roger P. Bristol, Probationary Assist-
ant, Cataloging and Classification De-
partment, Reference Division. Daniel
Sharp Ford Trust Scholarship.
Esther J. Leonard, Assistant, Teachers'
Department, Francis Skinner Scholarship.
Anne L. Moore, Assistant, Open Shelf
Department. Daniel Treadwell Scholarship!
**********
RECENT PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE
The April issue of the Wilson Library
Bulletin contains an interesting article
on "Long life to the library history
round table", by Stanley Pargellis, in
which the advantages derived if librar-
ians become more conscious of library
history are pointed out. An interesting
sidelight is that there are no less than
seventy-four librarians listed in the
Di ctionary of American Biography.
The same number of the Bulletin devotes
several articles to present library serv-
ice in foreign countries, from Great
Britain to New Zealand.
Of general interest are two items in
the Library Journal, April 1, 1948,
Grace W. Estes describes library-sponsored
radio programs about books in an article
entitled "People are almost sure to
listen in," pp. 532-535. A brief summary
of a reading-trend survey, "Reading for
Pleasure on Wane," indicates shifted
emphasis in the reading interests of the
public. Statistics are given to show
the extent and direction of change.
**********
SALARIES
For those of you who have not already
seen it, the ALA Bulletin for March 1948
has a table showing "Revised minimum
salary schedules" which were adopted by
the ALA Council January 31, 1948. The
schedules are based upon currently spi-
raling living costs, and supersede all
previous schedules.
Here are the facts which most pertain
to the BPL:
Basic minimum salary for ALA (as of March
1948) and BPL (as of January 1, 1947):
lowest pro-
fessional
Min. — Max.
ALA $2800—3280
BPL $1850—2100
♦lowest sub-
professional
Min. — Max.
12160—2400
•$1500—2000
* BPL uses term unclassified.
The new scale of ALA was arrived at by
adding to the basic lowest professional
rate of $2100 of the previously existing
ALA salary schedule a 33 l/2 per cent
cost-of-living adjustment.
It should be pointed out that the BPL
schedule has a fluctuating minimum due
to its system of equivalences for such
things as languages, library school
courses, etc. However, such equivalences
would normally probably not amount to
more than :„;300-350 or so.
The ALA Board on Personnel Administra-
tion which recommended the new salary
schedule points out that "these standards
have been developed with the full reali-
zation that any salary schedule to be
adequately understood must be considered
in relation to the number of work-months
per year, hours of work per week, number
of holidays allowed with pay, provisions
for sick leave..." The ALA schedules
are based on a 12 months work-year which
includes not less than 26 working days
of vacation exclusive of holidays for
professional staff, a work-week of not
more than 40 hours, sick leave with pay
-3-
of not less than 26 working days. The
Board recommends that "despite the pres-
sure to increase entering salaries to
fill vacancies libraries should make
salary adjustments only through the de-
velopment of new pay plans.. .which will
provide equitable adjustments for all
grades of positions." The Board empha-
sizes that this is a national salary
statement which must be adjusted accord-
ing to regional and local variations.
It is well to compare the library annual
salary scale with the similar annual min-
imum of $2400 (for 9- or 10- months) set
up by the National Education Association
as a national standard for entering
teachers.
**********
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
There has been considerable favorable
comment on the Theatre Party planned for
Friday evening, April 30. This is writ-
ten of course some time prior to that
date and will not appear until after the
occasion. The comment, however, together
with the active interest shown leads one
to believe that some such function as
this might well be placed on a seasonal
basis. All credit to the Program Com-
mittee, ably led by Miss Flanagan, and
to Mr. Frank Bruno who handled the ticket
distribution.
The "younger" element will be interest-
ed to know that the Program Committee is
inquiring into the possibility of a
"moonlight sail" with all the trimmings
sometime in June or a social evening with
dancing on dry land during the same month
Either project sounds promising. "Pops"
is still a possibility. After having
told the Program Committee that no
tickets had been put aside for our use
this season, the management very recent-
ly discovered that a block of tickets
was available after all. Possibly by the
time this issue sees the light of day,
arrangements for one or more of these
events will have been completed.
Miss Hayes, Treasurer, reports an ex-
cellent return from the collection of
dues inaugurated this year. This is en-
couraging in that it demonstrates an
essential unity among the membership and
in addition provides a modest financial
cushion against occasional needs. In
this connection, Mr. Casey of the Member-
ship Committee would like to hear from
anyone who has not received the new mem-
bership cards.
Mr. McDonough reports that his Special
Committee on C A R E has made an excel-
lent beginning. There has been a very
favorable reception accorded the idea
throughout the membership. CARE it-
self has given instant cooperation and
has provided posters and literature. By
the time this issue reaches you eight
packages will have been dispatched. We
hope soon to be in a position to publish
the names of those librarians receiving
packages and possibly to print such
acknowledgments as may be received.
The program is now one month old. Be
as generous as your means permit. But
for the accident of geography the present
situation might well have been reversed.
The Special Committee on In-service--
Training has inaugurated its study.
Theirs is a particularly difficult task
but one which may richly benefit the
membership. The group, headed by Miss
Metcalf, has adopted a wide horizon and
if the present line of thought can be
carried through to its intended objective,
the Special Committee will probably pre-
sent some recommendations which will
pleasantly surprise the membership.
The Director writes that a Staff Manual
for this Library which has been in prep-
aration for some time is now nearing com-
pletion. Mr. Lord expresses the hope
thet it may be available on or about May
1. Those members of the Association who
are unfamiliar with this type of publica-
tion should visit the Staff Library and
-4-
examine such manuals as are available
there. Particularly noteworthy is the
Enoch Pratt manual and the one recently
issued by the Milwaukee Public Library.
The mice seem to be under control.
Members of the Association who plan to
go to the SLA meeting in Washington or
to the ALA. Convention in Atlantic City
are invited to notify the Editor of the
Question Mark. We v/ould like to print
the names of members vho plan to attend.
And if you would like to make up a party
of congenial souls for either occasion,
such a listing of names may help. We
hope that the Association will have a
goodly representation at both meetings.
The Executive Board plans to ask cer-
tain members to attend specific sessions
and to prepare a digest of the proceed-
ings for presentation to the Board.
Eventual publication of such digests in
the Question Mark is currently envisaged.
We hope that proximity has not blinded
the membership to the work of the
Conference on State Aid for Libraries in
Massachusetts. Excellent summaries of
the work of the Conference are available
in the mimeographed proceedings which are
distributed periodically. The efforts of
the Conference may well have a direct
bearing upon the future of library work
in this State for many years to come.
Mr. Gillis, Branch Catalog Department,
of the Special Committee on Personnel
Rating, advises that comments on and sug-
gestions about the recent rating of per-
sonnel should be forwarded to him at once.
The Special Committee will soon begin its
study and calls attention to the fact that
concrete suggestions from the membership
should provide the direction the study
should take.
**********
THE SOAP BOX
It is very gratifying to learn that
the Trustees have once again voted ALA
Conference grants for the coming conven-
tion et Atlantic City. It is good to
have a Board of Trustees who recognize
the need for professional activity and
intellectual stimulus outside of the
library unit, and who are ready to en-
courage its librarians to seek this.
Last year there were offered five sim-
ilar grants of $100,00 each, and the
Conference was held in California. The
question arises: xvould it not be more
beneficial to the Library as a whole, and
proportionately fairer to those applying
for grants, if there viere to be more
grants of lesser amounts, thus enabling
a larger number of staff members to go to
Atlantic City? Presumably those members
applying for grants have already made
tentative plans which involve some con-
templated financial outlay. Could not
amounts be granted towards defraying ex-
penses, say 10 grants of $50 or 7 grants
of §75, to which recipients could add as
the necessity would demand?
It has been stated to me that perhaps
one reason for deciding on five grants
of $100,00 is that were the amounts of
the grants reduced, such action might
cause some feeling that those attending
this year's conference are being dis-
criminated against, in comparison with
recipients of the grants last year.
However, considered from the angle of
distance, a $100,00 grant to go to Los
Angeles covers a considerably smaller
proportion of the total expenses than the
same amount for Atlantic City. We feel
that no one would object to receiving a
smaller grant for a trip to Atlantic City
than for a journey to Los Angeles and
would recognize the fairness of scaling
the grants according to the distance
travelled. In this way more people could
attend when the conventions were nearer
home j and the Library would benefit in
having a greater number of its staff at-
tend the Conventions,
-5-
Dear Soap Box Editor:
We know that you are always open to
suggestions; so, here's one!
We suggest that a new column be added
to the Question Mark; that the column be
called Heard and Overheard; and that con-
tributions to it may be made without sig-
natures or initials.
Below is a suggested "first edition" of
the column.
SIGNED:
SOME WHO HAVE
HEARD AND OVERHEARD
Heard and Overheard
How did we ever live without a five-
day week? A vote of thanks to those who
made it possiblel
Staff members have appreciated the
Trustees giving of their valuable time
for attendance at recent library
functions.
It certainly was a happy thought that
prompted the Administration to provide
an attractive Women's Lounge with com-
fortable chairs. It makes an ideal set-
ting for small showers, teas, and similar
parties.
Why is it that the Library rarely makes
the Boston daily papers? Such affairs as
were recently held at the North End and
South End Branch Libraries were a credit
to the City of Boston and its Library
Department.
Members of the public, young and old,
ft&fs expressed gratitude for the oppor-
tunity of seeing excellent libra ry-o\vned
films in branch library programs and
central lunch hour showings. (The staff,
tool)
The Buildings Department deserves a
hearty "Thank You" for the grand job it
did this winter of keeping the platform
and steps in front of and on the sides
of Central Library cleared of snow and
ice.
Why not 5 scholarships and 4 ALA
grants?
It would seem more appropriate, because
of the geographic location of Atlantic
City, if the grants for the ALA Conven-
tion could have been spread out to num-
ber 10 grants at $50.00 each instead of
5 grants at $100.00 each.
Sunny days are here again,
have been washed.
The windows
Here's the $64 question: When are ap-
pointments to be made to fill the ever-
increasing number of vacancies in titular
positions? There were many qualified
individuals before personnel rating
sheets were introduced, and there were
vacancies then, tooj Postponement of
appointments puts the skids under morale,
and down, down, down it goes I
President's Notes is an excellent
addition to The~Quostion Mark.
Congratulations, Mr. HigginsJ
******* ** *
OF THE AND SOAP
To an Annonymous Letter Writer:
Your two suggestions have been received
and have received due consideration.
Referring to the clocks in the Women's
Lunch room and Lounge, we have been in-
formed that it will be possible to in-
stall electric clocks in the two rooms
by the fall of 1948, when the Library
-6-
vn.ll probably be on A. C. Meanwhile,
your Committee will try to keep the
clocks turned back to somewhere near the
right time.
As for the Soap problem — this should
not be a problem at all. There is plenty
of soap at present, and we promise to see
that there will be enough at all times.
Keep your suggestions coming. But
don't bother to write letters. You know
your Committee and just speak to any of
us.
Anna L. Manning
Chairman, Women's House Committee
**********
To celebrate the marriage of Irene T.
Bixler, Mrs. Joseph Lyons since April
29th, the Information Office and a few
intimate friends from the Library gave
her a shower in the lounge, Monday, April
26th. Decorated by the office members,
the tea table's central feature was the
present. This silver wrapped package
disclosed a set of Rogers Brothers silver
in the new Remembrance pattern. The
kitchen shower which followed the tea
gave Irene a domestic collection of
strainers, knives, holders, measuring
cups, and spices and added an amusing
touch to the party.
A former member of the staff, Patricia
L. Keegan, attended and was greeted with
open arms and presented with a corsage.
**********
BRANCH NOTES
At the Codman Square Branch Library
when a child succeeds in filling his
library card without paying a single
fine, his name is printed on an arrow
which hits the outer ring of a large
target. As a child fills one unstarred
card after another, he earns his place
in the inner rings. The ultimate aim is
the bull's eye, reserved for those who
will have filled four cards without once
enriching the fine fund.
A previous device, using patchwork
quilt squares for names of ever-prompt
borrowers, worked so well that this was
a "natural" for Codman Square boys and
girls.
Spring was celebrated early this year
at the Dorchester Branch Library. A
miniature tulip garden with a realistic
Dutch windmill in the background was
made in the corner of the Children's
Room. The tulip garden is a growing
proposition. Every time a child fills a
card a tulip with the name of the child
on it is planted in the garden. This
colorful exhibit was photographed by the
Traveler photographer and appeared in
that paper on April 13, 1948.
The East Boston Branch Library twice a
week during the fall, winter, and spring
as part of its visual educational pro-
gram has offered educational movies to
every child who is a library borrower.
Tickets to the seating capacity of one
hundred eighty are given to the children
when they charge their books, a different
color for each show. A guard of honor,
patrons with "outstanding good behavior,"
acted as ushers and helped with disci-
pline. The many children pouring over
the posted lists of guard members proved
that it is a coveted privilege to help
with the movies. Each Thursday at seven,
the teen-age patrons and Fridays at four,
the elementary children lined up, ticket
in hand, in the children's room before
filing to the lecture hall.
During the part year there have been
many types and kinds of movies borrowed
from many sources. The most popular
film, from a poll taken in March, was
"Treasure Island," a cut end adapted
Hollywood film. "Tom Sawyer" and "David
Copperfield", our film favorites, stimu-
lated new interest in the classics.
Through pictures the audiences have
studied such important industries as
lumbering in "Trees and Homes", oil in
"A New Frontier", and railroads in "Main
Line U. S. A." The magic film carpet has
taken children to China, South America,
-7-
Mexico, Poland and Alaska. Under guid-
ance of a knowing naturalist, animals in
the National Parks have been hunted with
a camera. "Music in America", "Telephone!
Hour", filmed from the popular radio
program, and the "House I Live in", with
its message of brotherhood, were three
musical movies. The gay marionettes of
"Party Line" and Disney's seven dwarfs in
"Scourge of the Mosquito" were effective
media for educational lessens.
Various techniques in presenting an
educational film have developed. Each
film must be previewed for content, for
physical condition and suitability.
Whenever possible concrete objects are
used to attract the attention. For the
film on aluminum, the staff coffee pot,
cup, and pan demonstrated some used of
this metal. Colorful plastics, a by-
product of coal, introduced the "Magic of
Coal." Souvenirs of Alaska and Mexico
created immediate interest. The contents
of the pictures are outlined briefly and
the audience told what to notice. Some-
times this is done by true-false ques-
tions, often by a brief quiz. At the end
of the picture a brief check is made.
This serves also to keep the audience
seated when the lights go on and prevents
after-movie noise and confusion. Then a
film breaks or there are other complica-
tions, impromptu stories or book talks
are used to fill the delays. A book quiz
is also a happy solution to an emergency.
Many are the problems and perplexities
of library movies as each show has its
story and unexpected complication. Al-
though movies are a constant challenge to
the ingenuity, they are a decidely worth-
while and vital part of the library pro-
gram.
The East Boston Branch held its third
Open House from seven to ten o'clock on
Wednesday, March 31st. To make the com-
munity aware of the many functions and
activities of the library, exhibits of
the various types of work were on display
in the adult and children's rooms.
Statistical posters around the adult room
graphically depicted the book collection,
number of books circulated, amount and
number of fines, school work, etc. Other
displays demonstrated the processes of
book preparation and mending. A hint of
the activities of the children's depart-
ment was given by case and table displays
of "Miss Hickory", "Robin Hood", circus
clowns, and the Mexican village. Posters
advertising the movies, story hour, a
summer reading club, and the library
clubs were also on exhibition.
The branch librerian, at the program
held in the lecture hall, reported on the
use of the community gifts, the moving
picture projector, and electric phono-
graph. She strted that 5,743 boys and
girls had attended the library movies
between October and March 31st. Of these
2,973 attended the Thursday evening teen-
age shows and 2,770 the Friday afternoon
performances. Mr. Lord and Mr. Masterson
spoke on the Friends of the Library. The
meeting was then turned over to Mr. Albert
West, President Pro Tern of the Friends of
the East Boston Branch Library. A con-
stitution was adopted and officers were
elected.
In the social hour which followed punch
and cookies were served in the children's
room. Miss Catherine Flannery and Miss
Christiana Jordan (Branch Librarians,
Orient Heights and Jeffries Point) pre-
sided at the punch bowls.
"The Family Reading Club" at Jamaica
Plain Branch Library meets to discuss
books and topics of interest to our pa-
trons. So much interest has been aroused
that it was decided to hold monthly meet-
ings, followed by discussions.
The first meeting, of a trial nature,
was the direct result of the keen inter-
est shown by patrons in discussing the
books they had been reading. These pa-
trons were very much interested to think
question-and-answer sessions would follow
the book talks.
The first review, conducted by Mrs.
Evelyn F. Green, and dedicated to
Brotherhood Week, brought thirty men and
women despite the severe weather and
travel conditions. Invitations had been
issued announcing the topic, date, place,
and a request to bring their library-
cards.
The neighborhood served by the Jamaica
Plain Branch is composed of people of
varying ancestries. "Brotherhood Week"
had the aim of bringing not only educa-
tional benefits, but also the understand-
ing of the common American heritage to
these men and women of diversified cul-
tural backgrounds.
The next review, Thursday, March 25th,
was conducted by Mrs. Irene H. Tuttle,
who spoke on the "Home-Making Merry-Go-
Round". All of our guests were most keen
in their appreciation, and voiced the
fact that they did not realize there vrere
so many up-to-date books on this diversi-
fied subject. The field was large, cook-
ing, home decoration, flower arrangement,
dressmaking, etc. Many books have cir-
culated from this review, and the inter-
est still lives.
April 26, the meeting was conducted by
Miss Rebecca E. Willis, Branch Librarian,
and was on gardens and included the
larger gardens on farms, plus such biog-
raphies as the two by David G. Fairchild,
The world grows around my door and The
world was my garden; also, Ray Stannard
Baker's I am an American.
One more book review is to be conducted
in May by Mrs. Evelyn Green. Her subject
will be biography.
We are anticipating continuing these
reviews in the fall.
Rebecca E. Willis
A modern poetry group is being initiated
at the Mattapan Branch Library under the
leadership of Cid Corman, poet. Its be-
ginning meetings have attracted a nucleus
of interested adults.
Mr. Corman received the Avery Hopwood
Award at the University of Michigan.
Previously, while studying for his degree
in literature at Tufts College, he was a
part-time assistant at the Mattapan
and Business Branches and in the Open
Shelf Department. At present, he is
studying with John Ciprdi.
The group -- which will be limited to
approximately fifteen participants —
meets Wednesday evenings, from 7:30 to 9
o'clock.
Some seventy-five citizens of the
Readviile community gathered in the local
chapel on Tuesday evening, April 27th, to
pay tribute to Mrs. Edith H. Bailey, re-
cently retired Branch Librarian of the
Phillips Brooks Branch Library, 12
Hamilton Street, Readviile. Music was
furnished by a group of students from the
Roslindale High School. Letters were
read from former residents who had been
the recipients of Mrs. Bailey's kindness
during their stay in the community. High
tribute was given to Mrs. Bailey for her
untiring efforts to give unstintingly of
her time and wide experience to those
seeking help from the library. During
her sixteen years with the Phillips
Brooks Branch she made a host of friends
in the community. Their appreciation
found expression when she was presented
with a beautiful wrist watch on behalf of
the community. Refreshments brought a
very pleasant occasion to a happy ending.
The best wishes of the staff are with
Mrs. Bailey in these days of her very
active inactivity.
On Tuesday, April 27, South End Branch
celebrated its 70th year of library ser-
vice to the community. A distinguished
group of neighbors and friends gathered
for the Open House Day program at 4
o'clock. Miss Kingman, Branch Librarian,
as mistress of ceremonies, welcomed the
assembled guests and introduced the
speakers.
Mr. Masterson and Mr. Lord spoke on be-
half of the library administration. The
Girls' Choir of Holy Cross Cathedral gave
a number of songs, a capella, under the
direction of Miss Mary M. Herlihey.
Eminent members of the community took
this opportunity to express their
-9-
appreciation of the work done at South
End Branch. Interesting side-lights were
given on the history of Boston's South
End, and emphasis was laid upon the in-
fluence for good which this district's
many institutions carry throughout
Greater Ecston. Among the speakers were
Mrs. Robert A. Woods, widow of the found-
er of South End House; Mr. Joseph H.
Farren, the outstanding authority on the
history of the South End; Mrs. John J.
Cronan, who originated the library's pro-
gram of story-telling for children at
South End Branch; Mrs. Lucy Mitchell of
Robert Gould Shaw House; Miss Wilhelmina
Crosson, President of the League of Women
for Community Service; Mr. Douglas Kalsted,
Director of the South End Boys' Club;
Reverend William B. Foley, Administrator
of Holy Cross Cathedral; and Reverend
Michael F. Mcphelim, S.J., representing
the clergy of the Immaculate Conception
Church, concluded the program with a
blessing on the audience, the library,
and its activities.
Among the guests were Miss Clara L.
Maxwell, Branch Librarian Emeritus of
South End; Miss Marian Shumway, retired
member of the staff of the Director's
office; Mr. Allan Rohan Crite and his
mother, Mrs. Annamae Crite; Reverend Mr.
Roy B. Wintersteen, Pastor of the First
Church of Roxbury; Dr. Charles F.
Cogswell, probably the only surviving
member of one of Peary's earlier expedi-
tions to the Arctic, and Mrs. Cogswell;
Monsignor Augustine B. Dalton; and Miss
Teresa G. Sheridan, sister of the late
Miss Margaret Sheridan, Branch Librarian
Emeritus of South End, and the late Miss
Minnie Sheridan who was on the Central
Library staff.
Exhibits included the original record
of the Mercantile Library Association
which showed the legal transfer of the
8000 volumes from that Library to the
Library of the City of Boston, this being
the foundation of South End Branch; the
model of the proposed South End Housing
Project; paintings from the Children's
Art Center on Rutland Street; children's
books of long ago from the collection of
Miss Alice Pearse, lent through the
courtesy of Fellowes Athenaeum Branch
Library; old-fashioned dolls from the
private collection of Miss Grace Turner;
and pictures, newspapers clippings, etc.,
pertinent to the occasion.
At the conclusion of the program, re-
freshments were served to the guests by
the members of the staff.
North End Branch, in celebration of the
dedication pnd first public exhibition of
Miss Henrietta Macy's famous model of the
canal facade of the Palace of the Doges
in Venice, held a gala open house on
Tuesday evening, April 6. Excellent en-
tertainment was furnished by talented
young people and women of the district.
Miss Joan Marie Sandrelli, Carlos Faria,
and Pasquale Simbole beautifully rendered
several piano selections; an excellent
repertoire of songs was presented by the
Christopher Columbus High Girls' Glee
Club with Vanda Giglio as soloist; and
the Mothers' Club of the North End Union
delighted the audience with their dancing
of the Tarantella and other Italian folk
dances in native costume.
Miss Mary U. Nichols, Branch Librarian
at North End, welcomed over 300 people of
the district and staff members of the
Boston Public Library who were present to
hear the interesting talks given by Mr.
Masterson, Italian Consul-General Miraldi,
Miss Rose Di Pasquale, and Mr. Lord.
After the delightful concert and dedica-
tion addresses, refreshments were served
to climax an enjoyable evening.
**********
S?' V*
BOSTON P
PROFESSIONAL
'PI
U DL1
J
LIBRARY
AFF -ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library-
Professional Staff Association
Editor; Sarah W. Flannery
Volume III
Number 5
May 1948
EDITOR'S CORNER
The letter from "One who likes to '''York
in a Clean Library" calls for a clari-
fication of the editorial policy of this
paper. We wish to be open at all times
for expressions of opinion from members
of the staff. However, instances such
as the above are really complaints of
one department against another, and we
do not feel that the Question Mark is
the place for such criticisms to be aired.
They are the business of the Department
Heads concerned and can always be taken
up between them. If differences cannot
be ironed out on this basis we feel sure
that the Division Heads involved are
both willing and capable of solving the
difficulties. Therefore we wish to state
that the present editorial board of the
Question Mark is not publishing any more
items in which individual departments of
the Library are criticized.
While the matter is before us, we wish
to remark that we have never experienced
any "difficulty in receiving adequate
cleaning service." Our requests for such
have been met promptly and courteously.
We also feel that the maintenance staff
does an excellent job of keeping the
Library building clean (we have experi-
ence only in Central) especially when one
considers the magnitude of the task due
to the location of this Library, a public
building, in close proximity to two rail-
road stations and a railroad switch yard.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE, 1948
Sarah M. Usher, Chairman, Office of
Records, Files, and Statistics.
John M. Carroll, General Reference De-
partment.
B. Joseph O'Neil, Periodical and News-
paper Department.
Evelyn Levy, Brighton Branch.
Mary J. Obear, Uphams Corner Branch.
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Mrs Dorothy Bavicchi, Hyde Park Branch.
Mrs Mary T. Miller, Roslindale Branch.
Marion J. Manthorne, West End Branch.
Merie T. Cronin, TWest Roxbury Branch,
(formerly in the part-time service at
West Roxbury Branch).
Lucy E. Cassidy, Trustees Office.
Transfers
Mildred E. Francis, from the Branch
Issue Department to the Business Office.
Mary E. Lyons, from East Boston Branch
to the Information Office.
Returned from Military Leave
Ralph Sullivan, Book Stack Service.
Resignations
Joan J. Eickhoff, West End Branch, who
is moving to California.
Alida 0. Vanamee, Information Office.
Birth
Mr and Mrs Frank Bruno announce the
birth of a baby son, Stephen Paul Bruno,
born on April 3, 1948, their second child
and first son.
**********
LIBRARY VISITORS
Argentine delegation now studying
American library services and buildings.
Members of the party:
Sr. Don Leandro Reynes, Argentine con-
gressman and chairman of the joint con-
gressional committee on Library affairs.
Sr. J. Reynaldo Perrotto, assistant di-
rector of the Argentine Library of
Congress.
-*-
Sr. Oscar Nasjleti, Argentine lawyer and
advisor.
The party was accompanied by the
Argentine Consul.
**********
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
Toward the latter part of April, and
too late for inclusion in the Question
Mark of that month, the Vice-President
and the President received a very kind
invitation from the Director to attend a
reception tendered to the newly designat-
ed Trustee, the Honorable Frank J.
Donahue. During the course of a very
pleasant occasion there was opportunity
to greet Judge Donahue in the name of the
Association and to chat with the other
members of the Board.
There was a wondrous mix-up concerning
the original date for the Spring Meeting.
We trust that no one was inconvenienced
by the postponement and that those who
had planned to attend on the original
date found it possible to be present on
May 28.
The Association extends its best wishes
to The Reverend Robert H. Lord and Mr
Frank W. Buxton who were recently elected
President and Vice-President respectively
of the Board of Trustees for the coming
year.
The Special Committee on CARE is com-
pleting a busy month - the second under
the program authorized by the Executive
Board. The results of last month's ef-
forts were heartening. There will be a
special notice sent out early in June re-
porting the results of the activity dur-
ing May.
The success of this activity reflects
greatest credit on the membership. The
Special Committee has tried to avoid the
usual type of appeal believing that all
of us are sufficiently intelligent to
realize the urgency of the occasion. It
is a tribute to the membership that no
more was required than the provision of
the means whereby the activity could be
set in motion. The nickels and dimes
have mounted up in impressive fashion.
We were invited to attend the unveiling
of the portrait of Mr John Deferrari held
on Thursday morning, May 20, in the Abbey
Room. The ceremony was a striking one
and befitted the occasion in every re-
spect. The Abbey Room was magnificent,
presenting an appearance under its new
lighting which could be approached in few
public buildings.
As His Honor the Mayor said, Mr
Deferrari, by the establishment of the
Foundation, has joined the ranks of Boston's
immortals. The income of the Foundation
will provide the means whereby library
service to the citizens of Boston may be
immeasurably intensified.
In another section of the Question Mark
you will note the make-up of the Nominat-
ing Committee, 1948. Having in mind the
experience of the previous committee we
feel it necessary to remind all members
that their cooperation is requested.
All can appreciate a situation where an
individual finds it impossible to accept
a nomination. Educational commitments
or activity with other library groups are
among the several sound reasons for a
disinclination to assume leadership roles
in this Association. It might be re-
marked in passing however that not every-
one is so preoccupied.
The Nominating Committee will give much
time and thought to its work during the
next few months in order to secure a bal-
anced group of nominees. They deserve
cooperation.
**********
-3-
BRANCH NOTES
The Family Reading Club of the Jamaica
Plain Branch Library presented a book
talk entitled "Lives of Our Great" on
the evening of May 20th. Recent works
were grouped under the heading of
"Inspiration", "Biographical Fiction",
"Literary Lights", "Men of Destiny",
"Religious Inspiration", and "!5usical
Recollections". Some of the books in-
cluded in the discussion were Linduska's
"My Polio Past", Fast's "Citizen Tom
Paine", Winwar's "The Life of the Heart",
Stone's "Immortal Wife", Maritain's "We
Have Been Friends Together", and
Spalding's "Rise to Follow".
An audience of some thirty men and
women of the neighborhood found the re-
vie^v by Mrs Evelyn Green of great inter-
est and so provocative that they borrowed
many of the books later.
For the past month a display entitled
"Lives of Our Great" has been on view at
the branch in preparation for this re-
view, the last of the present series.
It is planned to continue them early next
fall.
On Thursday, the 20th of May, 180 girls
from the Christopher Columbus Catholic
High School came to the North End Branch
Library in three groups to hear a talk on
the Ducal Palace, and to see a Boston
Public Library Film - The Instruments of
an Orchestra.
A Doll's Story Hour for 100 little
girls and their dolls was held on Satur-
day, May 22nd. The dolls ranged from
limbless old favorites to plenty of
Sparkle Plenties, and a few beauties im-
ported from Italy.
Forty-seven members of a Spring Reading
Club, 37 girls and 10 boys, were taken to
a May Party at the Arnold Arboretum on
Saturday, May 29th. Picnic lunch, games, j
and a May Pole Dance formed the program.
The wide expanse of rolling green grass
made a memorable impression on the young-
sters from the North End - where the only
grass is in Copp's Hill Cemetery and the
traffic circle at Haymarket Square.
On the occasion of the moving of the
School Issue Department to its new loca-
tion at 400 Shawmut Avenue, a very
pleasant reunion of twenty-five past and
present members of the department, with
Beatrice M. Flanagan, its Chief, as guest
of honor, was held at the Clarinda Room
of the Hotel Myles Standi sh on the even-
ing of May 26. The group enjoyed an ex-
cellent dinner and an appropriate program,
and then presented Miss Flanagan with a
gift of luggage. Former staff members
and friends whom everyone was happy to see
included Emilia Lange, Seymore Anapolsky,
Myron Greenside, Mary Wilmot, Mrs Margaret
Shirar, Mrs Anne Sullivan Donovan, Mrs
Gladys T. Ecker, Mrs Teresa Dowd Corcoran,
Rosalyn Warner, Mrs Celeste LeVangie
Higgins, Barbara Altman, Bill Zimmer,
Arthur Cornelius, Evelyn Levy, Bella
Di Dio, Mrs Kathleen Landrey McCormick,
Georgia Nagle, Mrs Anna Scanlan, and Rose
Baravella. Greetings were received from
Pauline O'Melia, Phyllis Erickson,
Phyllis Adams, and Alfred Levine. The
committee chairman who planned the suc-
cessful evening was Florence Adelson,
also a former staff member, assisted by
May McDonald and Irene Wadsworth.
**********
GREAT BOOKS TRAINING PROGRAM
The first Great Books Training Program
for Greater Boston was completed on
Tuesday evening, June 2. The following
persons from the Boston Public Library
were among the 43 members of the group:
Marion Abbot
Ada Andelman
Roger Bristol
Mary Louise Gilman
Evelyn Green
Virginia Ha vi land
Helen Hirson
Muriel Javelin
Marion Kingman
Frances Lepie
Taimi Lilja
Dorothy Nourse
-4-
Mildred O'Connor
Claire Smith
Irene Tuttle
Adele Wynne
Two additional training courses are
being planned for September. If you are
interested in joining one of these
courses, please see Miss Dorothea Davis,
Circulation Division Office.
**********
The Adult Education Council of Greater
Boston now has its headquarters office in
the Boston Public Library. Muriel
Javelin is the Executive Secretary of
this organization.
**********
SPRING TEA
The afternoon of the unveiling of the
Deferrari portrait, May 20, was high-
lighted by a tea in the women's lounge
for members of the staff. Daniel
Webster's punch bowl graced one corner,
filled with delicious brew (though proba-
bly not to Webster's taste) and a seem-
ingly never-ending supply of delicious
cakes helped on the festive mood. Re-
ports are that everyone thoroughly en-
joyed himself. 'Specially Sammy Green!
**********
RECENT MATERIAL OF
PROFESSIONAL INTEREST
College and Research Libraries, vol.
IX, no. 1, January 1948, contains an
article by Harry N. M. Winton called
"Documents and publications of the United
Nations" which is a comprehensive exami-
nation of the various types of documents
put out by that body, both the processed
documents for their own use and the
printed documents which are for sale to
libraries.
In "Education for librarianship in the
Americas" Arthur E. Gropp surveys the
status of professional training in the
various Latin American countries. This
article appears in the Library Quarterly,
vol. XVIII, no. 2.
Of interest to those who work with or
hope to work with a record collection is
the article by Wm. J. Elliott: "Throw
away those discs" appearing in the
Library Journal, vol. LXXIII, no. 10, May
15, 1948, in which he discusses the ad-
vantages of magnetic recordings on wire
and on tape and their application in
libraries.
**********
THE SOAP BOX
To the Editor of the Question Mark:
I present herewith a leaflet, "Clean-
liness training and health education"
which has an article that seems pertinent
to library workers. "Each Plant Depart-
ment may need its individual cleanliness
standard" suggests an over-all study of
health and housekeeping. I believe that
certain departments heads of the Boston
Public Library experience difficulty in
receiving adequate cleaning service.
T'ould a regular plant housekeeping in-
spection be the answer?
ONE WHO LIKES TO vr0RK IN
A CLEAN LIBRARY
Ed. note:
The leaflet mentioned in the above
communication was published by the Clean-
liness Bureau of the Association of
American Soap and Glycerine Producers.
Briefly it suggests that separate clean-
liness standards be set up for different
departments in a plant and that monthly
inspections be made by a committee of
four which would award prizes to depart-
ments that scored high on the standards
set for them.
To the Executive Board:
The recent promotional examination in
German has caused some discussion among
various staff members who question
whether the knowledge of those certified
for having completed several years
German study in college is equivalent to
that required to translate clearly the
selections offered in the library exami-
nation. Disregarding the technical
-5-
library terminology included in the se-
lections, it is doubtful whether any col-
lege students not majoring in the subject
are ever confronted with German written
in such a difficult and obsolete syntax.
Modern college language courses are
constructed to give the student facility
in reading German publications in his own
field. There is a great difference both
in vocabulary and style between literary,
historical, scientific and journalistic
German. Presumably a literature major
would be fairly well equipped to trans-
late the archaic literary German of the
library exam, but a student accustomed
to read scientific German competently
would not. Since the library could not
feasibly examine each candidate on se-
lections from his specialized library
field, it would seem equitable to give
more general selections from standard
reference works or selections in modern
German from recent books and periodicals.
The promotional French examinations ap-
pear to have been constructed along these
lines, and the reading ability required
is more nearly equivalent to that gained
by several years of study in college.
The same policy adopted for the German
examination would allow all candidates
an opportunity to demonstrate a useful
working knowledge of German equivalent to
that possessed by those who have been
certified for college study of the
language.
Would it be feasible for the Board to
consider this matter further for sugges-
tions about possible modification of
future examinations?
To the Editor of the Question Mark:
To quote from the January 1, 1947,
Boston Public Library Classification of
Personnel and Staff Examinations in the
Professional Library Service
"^Advanced languages": "The
will test for each language
of an individual to read ord
as found in the common run o
eluding passages that are pr
nical or abound in technical
addition to translating into
, p. 11,
examination
the ability
inary prose
f books, ex-
imarily tech-
terms. In
English such
passages of prose, there will be as well
a testing of the ability of an individual
to read title pages of books in each
language."
We would like to point out, having
studied the German exams of the last few
years, that the passages selected for
translation are far from being "ordinary
prose as found in the common run of
books" and in some cases "abound in tech-
nical terms." Anyone having a general
knowledge of German would perhaps be able,
with a dictionary, to render a reasonably
intelligent "free" translation of such
passages. However, even for some of the
passages, much of the vocabulary is not
to be found in a Heath's Standard or
Cassell's New German Dictionary, partic-
ularly technical or bibliographical terms.
Nor can all of these latter terms be found
in editions of bibliographical phrases.
The paragraph quoted above mentions
nothing about periodical title pages,
one of which always appears in every
language exam, and with highly technical
phrases. One wonders if the "Historische
vierteljahrschrift und fur Lateinische
Philologie des Mittelalters" could be
called "ordinary prose." I'm certain
that none of the college courses in
German, for which certification has been
given, have included the specialized
knowledge necessary to translate the
technical phraseology appearing on title
pages of books and periodicals in German.
If a person who was brought up in Germany
for twenty-five years and more was unable
to translate the title-page selections of
two of the recent German exams, how can
one with three or so years of German be
expected to have such specialized know-
ledge?
STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDING A.L.A.
Mrs Ada Andelman
Richard G. Appel
Elizabeth Barry
Dorothy K. Becker
Roger P. Bristol
Alice M. Buckley
Margaret A. Calnan
Grace Chippendale
-6-
Anne F. Coleman
Beatrice Coleman
Helen A. Connell
Orlando C. Davis
Martha C. Engler
Beatrice M. Flanagan
Marjorie Gibbons
Fanny Goldstein
Elizabeth M. Gordon
Mrs Evelyn Green
Mrs Mary K. Harris
A. Virginia Haviland
Ruth Hayes
Charles Higgins
Muriel C. Javelin
Abraham H. Kalish
Marie R. Kennedy
Marion C. Kingman
Mrs Veronica Lehane
Evelyn Levy
Taimi E. Lilja
Catherine MacDonald
Margaret McGovern
Anna Manning
Mary Mannix
Mrs Evelyn C. Marden
Louisa Metcalf
Ruth Michelson
Margaret Morgan
Dorothy Nourse
Mildred O'Connor
Helen O'Leary
Edna G. Peck
Edward H. Redstone
Theodora B. Scoff
Minna Steinberg
Mary C. Toy
Ruth Williamson
Pauline Winnick
Julia Zaugg
STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDING S.L.A.
Richard G. Appel
John M. Carroll
Fanny Goldstein
Richard G. Hensley
Mildred O'Connor
Minna Steinberg
Julia Zaugg
**********
STATE AID
The National Plan for Public Library
Service (which I hope you have all read!)
makes this statement on reasons for state
aid:
"The state in general recognizes its
responsibility for all its citizens. It
has assumed increasing obligations
through financial aid for schools, roads,
agricultural extension, social security,
workmen's compensation, and other func-
tions of state concern. These grants are
based on a recognition of the need of
greater equality and uniformity in wel-
fare provisions, and for raising social
and educational standards. The arguments
for state responsibility in these gener-
ally accepted fields apply with equal
logic to state aid for libraries. The
library is potentially a great force in
public education; its possibilities have
scarcely touched the popular imagination
because of the inadequate support which
has become almost a traditional handicap.
Fundamental to such aid from the state is
the fact of great economic disparity be-
tween different sections of the state and
between urban and rural areas. Moreover,
the increasing trend of revenues away
from local to state treasuries intensi-
fies the need for state assistance."
Those of you who were at the State Aid
Conference at Simmons on June 2 heard a
little of what the Conference on State
Aid for Libraries in Massachusetts and
its committee are doing to bring about
state aid for Massachusetts, and learned
a few of the problems the Conference has
run up against. Unfortunately for you
who were not there, as far as we have
been able to discover, no plans have been
made to reproduce the talks given in the
morning session. Perhaps the Conference
itself or the Staff Association will ar-
range to have copies made of the speeches
since each talk contained interesting
facts and interpretations which are nec-
essary to a complete and intelligent
thinking about a problem that is vital to
each one of us.
-7-
A few of the facts coming out at the
Institute are:
1. There are now 16 states with a fair-
ly well delineated program of state
aid not in operation. There are 11
other states which have a definite
plan for state aid drawn up and/or have
requested (but not received) state aid
funds. In 8 more states there is a
committee at work considering the prob-
lem of state aid to libraries.
2. Massachusetts is unique in that
a) its dominant form of local govern-
ment is the town rather than the county
which is found in most of the U. S.;
b) virtually every town in Massachusetts
has library service, while in some
parts of the country there are large
areas with no access to a library at
all.
3. There are several forms which devel-
opment of larger units of library serv-
ice as a result of state aid may take.
It is proposed that the best type for
Massachusetts would be the voluntary
federation of several smaller libraries
of an area with a regional central li-
brary co-ordinating the area. A sug-
gested plan for the state includes
eleven possible regions,
4. State aid to regions may be in the
form of direct appropriations to in-
dividual libraries, or may be through
extended service offered by a regional
library to the area served, the appro-
priation being given to the regional
library.
5. Salaries of Massachusetts librarians
are very low, with great variations
even for similar positions in different
areas, and there is a great need for a
clearly defined salary policy.
The next job of the Conference is two-
fold. It must study and assimilate all
of the background data it has been gath-
ering in the past year with a view to
drawing up satisfactory legislation to
procure state aid for Massachusetts
libraries. And it must educate the leg-
islature, librarians and public of the
state in order to assure support of the
work of the Conference.
R. W.
**********
DEFERRARI PORTRAIT
On the ?.0th of May the portrait of Mr
John Deferrari, generous benefactor to
the Library, was unveiled. The painting
is the work of the well-known artist
Leopold Seyffert. At an impressive cere-
mony in the Abbey Room the Mayor, the
Trustees, and the Director publicly
thanked Mr Deferrari for his generosity.
**********
i . -* ■ *• V
fa mw f%\
_ i
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library-
Professional Staff Association
Editor: Sarah TTo Flannery
Volume III
Number 6
Summer 1948
EDITORS CORNER
The A,L.A. and S.L.A, conferences, re-
ports of which are presented in this issue,
were evidently most interesting and prof-
itable gatherings to those who attended.
Those of us who were not so fortunate are
awaiting full accounts of events. Several
of those who went have been kind enough to
write for the Question Mark stories ofvar-
ious aspects of the conventions, especially
those which are not likely to appear in
the A.L.A. Bulletin or in Special Libraries.
In the July 3 issue of the Saturday Re-
view of Literature Harrison Smith has an
editorial entitled "The Public Library
Looks Ahead" which, based on notes of the
convention, brings to the foreground the
aims and function of librarianship. It is
cheering to see in a periodical of national
circulation so clear an exposition of the
librarian's service to the community and
of the plight of the underpaid librarian.
It is also encouraging to note Mr. Smith's
remark on the obvious neoessity of Federal
and state aid to libraries. More articles
of this sort in magazines of general cir-
culation are what we librarians need to
make the publio conscious of our true place
in the community. 'Who will write us an
article for the Saturday Evening Post or
the Ladies Home Journal?
With summer here and vacations on every-
one's mind, the news is not so extensive
as usual, so the Question Mark too is
taking a vacation until early September.
To all of our friends we wish the best
vacation possible, and a summer free from
sunburn and poison ivy.
**********
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Elaine Zeitler, Cataloging and Classifi-
cation Department, Reference Division.
Vanda Bertazzoni, Science and Technology
Department •
Lucy II. Manzi, Cataloging and Classifi-
cation Department, Reference Division.
Jeanne M. Fitzgerald, Book Stack Service.
Rose L. LaConca, Book Stack Service.
Transferred
Victoria Venezia and Eileen T. Wilson,
from Book Stack Service to Book Purchasing
Department *
Resignations
Leona Nevler, Information Office.
Staff Members Traveling in Europe this
Summer
Jean Lamb, Rare Book Department.
Ruth Nagle, Cataloging and Classifica-
tion Department, Reference Division.
Mary Rea, Book Purchasing Department.
Marjorie Bouquet, Reference Division
Office.
Mary Daly, Statistical Department,
Marriage
Dorothy Ployer, Stock Room, to Timothy
Desmond, May 29, 1948,
**********
-2-
Library Visitors
A group from Milwaukee visited the Boston
Public Library June 23rd, Richard E.
Krug, Librarian of the Milwaukee Public
Library, the President of the Library Board
of Trustees, Mr. Elmer A. Krahn, and Mr*
Elmer Johnson, an architect.
Miss Gwen Elliott, Johannesburg Public
Library, South Africa, also visited us
this month,
SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
The 39th Annual Convention of the S.L.A,
was held in Washington from June 5th to
12th. For those with 030.00 to spare a
"post convention" tour was available to
offer another day' s activity,
While registering, I met Miss News come
of Suffolk University (Boston) who had
just finished reading proof on the first
issue of the Microcard Bulletin, to be
distributed at Atlantic City, What she
had to tell me about that project was
quite interesting and my convent ioiieering
was off on a fine professional note.
Scanning the Convention Program showed
that there was a surfeit of programs of
interest planned and reminded me of Miss
Savord' s article in the May- June Special
Libraries called "Seen from the Sidelines"
that touched on the problem of the rela-
tionship between the groups, and the Asso-
ciation itself. "Future Indicative" was
the theme of the Convention, "The Past"
was not neglected and a Sunday tour of
historic Washington followed by a program
at the National Art Gallery gave the past
its place in the program. On Monday the
SLAers began to survey "The Present", the
second portion of the program. It was also
styled a "Federal Institute", The Library
of Congress, the Library of the Department
of Agriculture, the Government Printing
Office, and the Army Medical Library pro-
gram were the four major "Uncle Sam's
Library Work Shops" explored. The G.P.O,
offered the most surprises, I believe.
The stream-lined activities, the ingenious
planning, the use of film to facilitate
correspondence, issuing their own checks,
are all innovations, to mention a few3
that have expedited service. The Jules
Verne atmosphere of the D. of A, Library
is well known, of course. Innumerable
other Federal agencies offered open house
to the Convention in connection with this
part of the program.
On Wednesday the program turned to the
"Future", Here one had to be guided by
one's subject interest or specialty. Such
institutions as the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, the Brookings Insti-
tution, Dumbarton Oaks, and the National
Research Council offered a full program
for anyone interested in the Social
Sciences. The handling of United Nations
documents seemed to be the most commonly
discussed topic on the tours, L.C. plans
to do a great deal of analyzing currently
and is classing all the documents together.
The C.E.I. P. has worked out its own scheme
and plans to distribute it for constructrve
criticism shortly. The Microcard program
includes UN documents among its subscrip-
tions, by the way. On Thursday the groups
tool: over, Georgetown University enter-
tained the University and College group in
the morning. Recruiting was the topio
under discussion. Plans for stimulating
interest in library work as a career through
every level down to grammar school were
mentioned. In the afternoon Catholic Uni-
versity extended its hospitality to the
group and- Staff Manuals were discussed.
The panel and audience had many ideas to
exchange. A.L.A. activities were reported
on in this area. Friday offered more group
meetings, followed by a cruise on the
Potomac to Marshall Hall, a local "Norem-
bega11.
All the while, of course, there were
meetings of the convention in which your
dues were raised, old and new officers
greeted and plans for next year made, Mr.
H. W. Wilson was awarded a U.S. Cat., with
flashing eyes and bright gilt fur, in p]ace
of an Oscar, for his contributions to the
profession.
-3-
Lincoln Memorial is as lovely as ever at
night, Corcoran Art Gallery has its appeal,
although the National Art Gallery is in a
class by itself, the food at Hallfs was
fine, Folger is as lush and exclusive as
ever, the weather was beautiful - but
that's not Convention news*
**********
CATHOLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION MEETING
The 22nd annual conference of the Cath-
olic Library Association met at Atlantic
City, simultaneously with the American
Library Association.
The usual Library topics, such as Cata-
loging and classification, Recruiting for
librarianship, and Special libraries, were
discussed. Particular stress was placed
on elementary school libraries and work
with children by Mrs. N. J. Cartmell of
Queen's Borough Library, Miss Anna Kennedy
of the New York State Department of Educa-
tion and Miss Clara Kirch of the Newark
Free Public Library.
A paper on Eastern Catholic cultural
heritage was read by Rev. Adolph Hrdlicker.
Rev, Boniface Moll discussed western cul-
ture under the title The Great Book Pro-
gram. There have been many great books
lists, and while not all educators agree
on all of the titles to bo placed in this
category, there are many books which arc
rightly called great. And tho essential
point is that they be known and read.
At another session Rev, Harold Gardiner,
S.J., literary critic of America, analysed
Reading trends in America. Reports from
public libraries show that the majority
of their readers ask for books on psychol-
ogy and psychiatry. International prob-
lems come tenth on the list. Father Gard-
iner characterized the books issued by the
three leading book clubs as mostly medi-
ocre or poor. On the best seller lists,
the majority fade out after the second
month. But the general trend is for
thoughtful, serious reading for security
and peace - on something to offset the
fears and neuroses of our present times,
and it is the task of the libraries to
provide such material.
Dr. Luther Evans talked at the Wednes-
day luncheon and was highly entertaining.
He prefaced his remarks, to a group com-
posed largely of priests, brothers and
nuns, by telling them that his father was
a member of the Ku Klux Klan, and that all
his life he "had heard lots of stories
about Catholics".
Tho Catholic Library Association now has
1625 members, and the New England unit was
well represented.
The Conference ended with a trip to
Philadelphia, where libraries were visited
and luncheon served on the roof of the
Philadelphia Public Library.
**********
A.L.A. PERSONBEL INSTITUTE AND CLINIC -
Morale, the key to dynamic library ser-
vice, was the challenging theme of the
well-planned and ably-presented personnel
institute and clinic conducted by the
A.L.A, Board on Personnel Administration
during the recent conference. Both the
pre-conference institute, and the clinic,
which was held daily during the conference
consisted of five meetings each, in the
course of which the following problems in
staff relationships were touched upon: in
the institute, (1) morale in relation to
effective service and good personnel prac-
tice, (2) recruiting, selection and per-
sonnel utilization, (3) problems in salary
administration, (4) service ratings, and
(5) leadership and supervision^ in the
clinic, (l) democracy in management, (2)
training of supervisors, (3) staff orien-
tation and training, (4) approaches to
improved conditions: wage studies, classi-
fication surveys, staff representation,
grievance procedures, (5) esprit: the mark
of success in staff relations.
-4-
The keen interest in the discussions was
evidenced by the large attendance and the
lively audience participation at the meet-
ings, While some of the discussions in-
evitably verged on the obvious, the stand-
ards which emerged in the course of the
discussions were provocative of "soul
searching" on the part of those engaged in
supervision of any kind. Presented in the
form of panel discussions, continuity and
authority were lent to the sessions by the
capable leadership of Mr, Louis J, Kroeger,
a professional personnel consultant.
Young, personable, poised, and realistic
to his fingertips, Mr, Kroeger' s plain
common sense and obvious understanding of
people won the confidence of the audience,
and made the librarians assisting him in
the panels look to their professional
laurels.
As the writer unfortunately was not
present at the first four meetings of the
pre-conference institute, these jottings
are concerned only with the highlighs of
the final meeting of the institute and the
five meetings of the clinic. Morale,
which was the theme of the over-all pro-
gram, was implicit in the individual dis-
cussions. Broadly, anything in the em-
ployee's environment which does not come
up to his expectations was defined as a
deterrent to morale. Recognizing the im-
possibility of management to meet all em-
ployee expectations, the importance was
stressed of enlisting his cooperation and
bringing him around to accepting the view-
point of management in a given situation.
At the beginning level, staff orienta-
tion was emphasized as vital to providing
the new employee with a clear understand-
ing of the organization and its facilities,
its place in the community, and its major
policies and objectives, as well as an
understanding of working conditions, and
the rights, privileges, and obligations
of employees. Methods suggested for im-
plementing these objectives were: group
talks with a follow up, staff manaals and
bulletins, and leadership on the part of
the staff organization in welcoming the
new employee and stimulating in him desir-
able attitudes. It was urged that manage-
ment take the initiative in a program of
staff training (as distinguished from
orientation) directed toward improving
working habits, enriching generally the
background of the staff, and stimulating
them to raise their sights by keeping
abreast of new developments through semi-
nars, institutes, and leaves of absence
for professional study.
Essential to a well-functioning staff is
good supervision, and it was generally
agreed that both the professional schools
and libraries themselves are sadly remiss
in training supervisors. Emphasizing the
present inadequacies in this direction,
Mr, Wheeler, (author of Education for li-
brarianship) urged from the audience that
courses in supervision bo incorporated in
library school curricula. It was stressed
that, ideally, no supervisor should be ap-
pointed without first training him in a
proper understanding of his new responsi-
bilities, the job to be performed, the
policies of the institution, and improving
the morale and attitudes of his subordi-
nates. In order to select and train pro-
perly for supervision it was suggested
that an evaluation or rating scheme was
desirable, as well as a system of job
classification, since it is impractical to
train without specific objectives^
The following characteristics were con-
sidered essential qualifications for a
good supervisor: sympathy with staff, emo-
tional stability, fairness, teaching abil-
ity, willingness to delegate responsibil-
ity, ability to make decisions, capacity
for growth, a sense of humor, imagination
and flexibility, ability to develop staff,
a democratic attitude in sharing problems
with the staff, the ability to represent
management to the staff and vice versa,
ability to admit mistakes, capacity for
criticizing constructively and recognizing
accomplishment, and capacity for planning,
coordination, and direction.
Since making policy, and making it work
are inseparable, responsible employee par-
ticipation in management was considered
essential to the harmonious functioning
of the organization, impairing neither the
-5-
prestige nor the authority of management.
Mr. Kaiser, librarian of the Newark Public
Library, described democracy in management
as common sense in management, at the same
time criticizing the failure of staffs to
accept fully the responsibility of parti-
cipation (when it is encouraged) in prob-
lems affecting their welfare. It was
further urged that there should bo no se-
crets in management, and that employees
should be fully informed about all prob-
lems in which they are concerned. Mecha-
nisms suggested for achieving democracy
in management are: staff organization
participation, frequent staff meetings,
with the pattern of the administrator
meeting frequently with his immediate sub-
ordinates to be followed down the line, a
suggestion system honestly administered,
with follow up and recognition, an open
door policy, and a staff bulletin,
A full bibliography was prepared by Mr.
Kroeger for the institute, covering the
many topics under discussion, A copy of
this for anyone interested may be found
in the Open Shelf Department.
**********
POST-CONVENTION NOTE
To Bermuda by plane directly from the
A.L.A, Conference went Alice M, Buckley,
Elizabeth M, Gordon, Virginia Haviland,
Margaret A. Morgan. Our guess is that
they will miss neither Convention Hall nor
the Boardwalk in the lovely coral islands,
**********
VISITORS
Mr. Basil Hugh Thompson of the "Dorset
Daily Echo", Dorchester, England, and Mr.
Donald J, "Test visited the Codnan Square
Branch, Dorchester, They enjoyed learn-
ing of the Roman pavement at the Dorches-
ter High School for Girls, a present from
their Dorchester, and were introduced to
Mr. N. Winthrop Robinson, President of the
Dorchester Historical Society, who was
pleased at the opportunity to act as their
guide. .
**********
NEW BOOKS IN THE STAFF LIBRARY
Beard, Charles A, President Roosevelt and
the coming of the war. 1941.
Bellaman, Henry and Katherine, Paris
Mitchell of Kings Row.
Brink, Frederick W, This man and this
woman.
Buck, Pearl, Peony.
Capote, Truman, Other voices, other rooms.
Cecil, Lord David, Two quiet lives,
Churchill, Winston. The gathering storm.
Conklin, Groff, Treasury of science
fiction.
Cooper, Gordon, Your holiday in Britain.
Crankshaw, Edward. Russia and the
Russians.
Cross, Hilton. Complete stories of the
great operas.
Derieux, Mary and Isabelle Stevenson.
The complete book of interior decorating,
Feikma, Feike, Chokecherry tree,
Fitzgerald, F. Scott, This side of Para-
dise.
Farley, James A, Jim Farley's story.
Gilpatric, Guy, The canny Mr. Glencannon.
Goudge, Elizabeth, Pilgrim's Inn,
Harvin, Emily, The stubborn wood.
Hirshberg, Al, The Braves ... the pick
and the shovel,
Hitrec, Joseph G. Son of the moon.
Household, Geoffrey, Arabesque,
Kurd, Charles, Washington cavalcade,
Kaese, Harold, Boston Braves,
Lochner, Louis P., ed. and translator.
The Goebbels diaries.
Mason, F, van Wyck. Eagle in the sky.
Maynard, Theodore, A fire was lighted.
Menen, Aubrey, Prevalence of witches.
Miller, Mario That winter.
Ogrizek, Dori, France, Paris and the
Provinces.
Patman, Wright, Our American government,
Paton, Alan, Cry, the beloved country.
Rinehart, Mary R. Light in the window.
Rolland, Romain. Essays on music,
Shoen, Fulton J, Communism and the con-
science of the West,
Slater, Humphrey, The conspirator,
Steinbeck, John, A Russian journal,
Stewart, George, Fire,
Sugrue, Thomas, Stranger in the earth,
Sykes, Christopher, Four studies in
loyalty.
-6-
Toynbee, Arnold. Civilization on triai.
White, W» L, Lost boundaries, "*•-
Wilder, Thornton. The Ides of March,
Wood, Clement. Complete book of games.
World Almanac
Yerby, Prank, The golden hawk,
**********
MISS MARY SULUVAII HONORED
On Saturday afternoon, June 5th, the
former and present members of the staff of
Parker Hill Branch honored the Branch Li-
brarian, Miss Mary Sullivan at a surprise
luncheon at the Hotel Bellevue. About
thirty members responded, and twenty-one
were able to attend. Among those present
were:
Marguerite D, Iiahoney
Mary Ryan ■
Margaret Wood
Rita Desaulniers
Gertrude L. Bergen
Mary T. C. Mannix
Elizabeth M. Kernachan
Ellen M, Glavin
Catherine C. Kelly
Julia Manning
Beatrice G. Morrissey
Lillian M, Belzer
Margaret B, Lapan
Katherine Sullivan
Geraldine S, Herrick
Anne S, Donovan
Marie E. Murphy
Bradford M, Kill
Raymond E, Lundborn.
Despite the inclement weather, it was
an enjoyable afternoon and to many of
those present a sort of reunion. The table
was very prettily decorated with spring
flowers and gay place cards. The gift of
money, which was converted into silver,
was enclosed in a miniature treasure chest
lined with gold and attractively wrapped.
Miss Sullivan made a short speech of
acceptance in \yhich she paid tribute to
those who had worked under her for their
loyalty, sincerity and cooperation,
**********
Bradford M. Hill was elected vice presi-
dent of the Boston chapter. Special Li-
braries Association at the May meeting of
the Association. Our congratulations, Mr,
Hill.
**********
MORE ABOUT POPS
Since the Boston Pops has added to the
prestige and importance of the "East Bos-
ton Public Library" by its program publi-
city, members of the B.P„L.P.S.A. may be
interested in the following letter which
was written under a Boston Public Library
letterhead:
Written at:
East Boston Branch
276 Meridian Street
East Boston 28, Mass,
Mr. Lewis A, Carter,
Assistant Manager, Boston Symphony
Orchestra
Symphony Hall
Boston, Mass,
Dear Mr, Carter:
The Boston Public Library Professional
Staff Association was so pleased with our
night at pops that I have been asked to
make a reservation for next year, I am
writing early because many members were
disappointed that no tables were avail-
able, although I inquired early last Feb-
ruary. Please may we have 400 seats on
the floor and 200 dollar seats in the fiist
balcony for either Friday night May 7th
or Friday night May 14th? Thank you for
your courtesy in making this reservation.
Yours very truly,
(signed) Dorothy F, Nourse
Branch Librarian.
*******>!<**
The editor offers humble apologies to
those members of the staff who attended
the A.L.A, and S.L.A. conventions, whose
names did not appear on the list last
month. We just did not hear about you,
that is all. We are not attempting a
corrected list since we ©annot be sure
that it would be perfectly correct, and
we do not wish to leave anyone off the
list twice in a row!
**********
I
4
"
l
\-- -
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library
Professional Staff Association
Editor; Sarah 1?. Flannery
Volume III
Number 7
September-October 1948
EDITOR'S CORNER
Mr Kalish's letter in the "Soap Box"
in which he states that the B.P.LcP-S.A.
does not further the interests of the
Library Staff except in social matters
is a less than accurate interpretation
of the situation. The Massachusetts law
which states that a "labor organization"
is any kind of employee representation
plan... (Mass. Acts and Resolves. 19.58
en. 345) is a declaratory law on labor
relations which securer the right of em-
ployees to have organizations to deal
with employers and to further their in-
terests and groups all such organiza-
tions under the general term ,rlabor
organizations".
Mr Kalish's statement that all labor
organizations must file information with
the Massachusetts Department of Labor
and Industries is based on an interpre-
tation of the so-called Barnes bill,
passed by referendum vote November 5,
1946 and technically known as the
"Massachusetts Union Registration Law"
which mentions only labor unions as such,
and requires unions to file lists of
officers and the like. The law in no
way states that other types of labor or-
ganizations must file or that the union
type organization is the only one legal-
ly permitted to further employees ' in-
terests.
As Mr Kalish himself admits, the major-
ity of library employees do not prefer
the union type organization, but feel
that a staff organization such as the
P.P.L.P.S.A. which is broader in its
purposes than a union is more fitted to
the peculiar needs of a professional
group who are at the same time wage
earners. It does many things to further
the welfare of the Staff that are not
purely social. Its activity in person-
nel rating, its promotion of an Institute
for the educational advancement of the
Staff, and the publication of a Bulletin
to disseminate information of use to
library personnel can hardly be considered
social functions.
It is not our purpose here to discuss
the relative merits of unions and staff
groups organized along professional lines
such as the B.P.L.P.S.A. Both have their
virtues. The employees of the Boston
Public Library have overwhelmingly chosen
the latter "cype, and it has been a free
and considered choice. The act of 1938
recognizes the Staff's right to have such
an organization or, if it so wishes, a
union. For so large a group to elect the
present type there must be sound reasons.
S . 7.F.
**********
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Lorraine C. Faille, Mattapan Branch
(formerly part-time at Phillips Brooks
Branch).
Vanda P. Bertazzoni, Science and Tech-
nology Department (formerly part-time).
C°rol A. Connor, Fine Arts Department.
Rose L. LaConca, Book Stack Service.
Ralph 0. Silva, Fine Arts Department.
Elizabeth G. Todd, Teachers Department
(formerly part-time in Rare Book Depart-
ment ) .
Paul V. Moynihan, General Reference De-
partment (formerly part-time in Book
Stack Service).
Gerda J. Lewis, Rare Book Department.
Sydelle Singer, Reference Division
Office.
Donald L. Newman, Office of Records,
Files, and Statistics.
Isabella G. Pennampede, Information Of-
fice (formerly part-time).
Emily Knapp, Rare Book Department.
Jean Canavan, Book Stack Service.
Mary E. Raftery, Brighton Branch.
Katherine Weisman, Memorial Branch.
■2-
Jeanne C. Foret, Mattapan Branch.
David T. Sheehan, Book Stock Service
(formerly part-time in Statistical Depart-
ment ) .
Marion E. Flaherty, West Roxbury Branch
(formerly part-time).
Elinor E. Day, West End (formerly in
B.P.L. service; has been Librarian at
Boston University Genera'1. Collage).
Bernice M. Milgroom, Circulation Divi-
sion Office.
Julian L. Moynahan, Cataloging and
Classification Department, Reference Divi-
sion.
Catharine Carver, Rare Book Department.
Transfers
(to John W. Haverty, July 10, 1948.
Retirements
Mary T. Crore, from Mattapan Branch to
West Roxbury Branch.
Geraldine T. Beck, frcn Test Roxbury
Branch to Connolly Branch,,
Duilia Capobianco, from Connolly Branch
to East Boston Branch.
Helen Colgan, from East Boston Branch to
"fest End Branch.
Florence S. Cooper, from Allston Branch
to South End Branch.
Florence K. Goodman, from Codman Square
Branch to Connolly Branch.
Margaret v,h Haverty, from Mt. Bowdoin
Branch to Jamaica Plain Branch.
Helen L. Lambert, from South End Branch
to Uphams Corner Branch.
Mary G. Langton, from "Jest End Branch to
Memorial Branch.
Taimi E. Lilja, from Uphams Corner
Branch to Codman Square Branch.
Julia J. Miller, from East Boston Branch
to Mt. Bowdoin Branch,
Lizette Tanck, from Memorial Branch to
Dorchester Branch.
Marie J. Pineo, from Mattapan Branch to
Uphams Corner Branch.
Anne F. Coleman, from Brighton Branch to
East Boston Branch.
Ruth F. Keyes, from Faneuil Branch to
Washington Village Branch.
Marjorie A. McGee, from Washington Vil-
lage Branch to Memorial Branch.
M. Kathleen Roomlan, from Memorial
Branch to Mt. Pleasant Branch.
George C. Johnson, Fine Arts Department,
June 30, 1948.
Mary M. Sullivan, Branch Librarian,
Parker Hill Branch, July 31, 1948.
Resignations
Hfo
irriages
Margaret Wright, Jamaica Plain 3ranch,
Bruna Cedrone, Book Stack Service.
Mrs Katherine S. Jfarris, Scier.ce and
Technology Department.
Theodore D- Levir.o, Book Stack Service.
Claire M. Smiths Book Purchasing Depart-
ment,
Julie C. Chittenden, West End Branch.
F. Carolyn Doyle* Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division.
I. Edward Drucker, Business Office.
Elaine Zeitler, Cataloging end Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division.
Lucy E. Cassidy, Director's Office.
Genevieve Gushee, Rare Book Department.
Mary L. Robertson, Rare Book Department.
Elizabeth Burnett, Music Department.
Dorothy J. Vlamos, Dorchester Branch.
Ruth F. Nagle, Cataloging and Classifi-
cation Department, Reference Division.
■T* T^ "F T* ■!* T^ V "P ^ *T*
LIBRARY VISITORS
Abdel Moneim Omar, National Library,
Cairo, Egypt, visited the Boston Public
Library, August 23 , 1948, Mr Omar came
to the United States to attend the recent
conference at Lake Success on the UN
Library.
In July the Library was visited by a
librarian from Finland, Miss Eila Wirla
from a branch of the Municipal Library of
Helsinki.
Hazel Mews, Head of the Library and
Information Division of the South African
Council for Scientific and Industrial Re-
search, visited the library September 11..
1948.
**********
-3-
ALUMNAE TEA
On Sunday afternoon, October 3, Edith
Guerrier, Supervisor of Branch Libraries,
Emeritus, entertained at tea in her home
in Brighton. The following members of
the staff who are enjoying the title
Branch Librarian, Emeritus, answered
"present" when the roll was called:
Katie F. Albert, Mary E. Ames, Mrs Edith
H. Bailey, M. Florence Cufflin, Anne M.
Donovan, Carrie L. Morse, Margaret H.
Reid, Mary M. Sullivan, Geneva Watson;
also, Marion A. McCarthy, Chief of the
Book Preparation Department, Emeritus.
Those who sent regrets were: Alice M.
Jordan, Supervisor of Work with Children,
Emeritus, Branch Librarians, Emeritus,
put upon a permanent basis the arrangements
for the exchange of books and other library
materials between scholars, scientists,
libraries and other institutions of the
United States and those of all other coun-
tries of the world.
On September 15, Mr Lord flew to London
to attend the meeting of the International
Library Committee of the International
Federation of Library Associations of which
he is Vice-President.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S NOTE BOOK
For several months we have been weighing
Katharine F. Muldoon, Catherine S. Rogan, jthe advisability of recommending that the
Clara L. Maxwell, and Mrs Ada A. Association affiliate with the Staff Or-
Andelman, Supervisor in the Circulation ganizations Round Table of the American
Division. Library Association. Those members who
I attended the meeting of this group at
Miss Guerrier was assisted by Virginia | Atlantic City will testify that affilia-
Haviland, Firs Muriel C. Javelin, Mary U. jtion could benefit the PSA. If any mem-
Nichols, Dorothy F. Nourse, Edna G. Peck, .ber caree to comment on the subject, the
Mrs Gertrude Stoddard, and Sarah M. Usher
The refreshments resembled in variety
and daintiness those which have been
served at staff parties in the Lounge at
Central Library and included an Eighth
columns of the Question Mark will be
open.
The Special Committee on In-Service
Anniversary cake in honor of Miss Guerrier! Training has spent a staggering amount of
who was retired on September 30, 1940. itime preparing for the Institute on Public
Relations. Miss Metcalf and her group,
Colored slides of Bermuda taken by her i despite the difficulties and problems in-
on a recent trip were shown by Miss
Haviland. There was ample opportunity
for reminiscing of Branch Meeting daysj
discussing present activities; and shar-
ing plans for the future, which, it was
agreed, should include many such informal
get-togethers.
**********
NEWS OF THE DIRECTOR
Mr Lord was elected on June 24, 1948 to
":■ - the first president of the newly-
: . anded United States Book Exchange,
rr.corp orated , with headquarters in
Washington, D.C. It is the successor to
4 he American Book Center for War Devas-
^d Libraries, Incorporated. This or-
ganization has been brought into being to
herent in a pioneering effort, have con-
structed a program which will effectively
aid the Staff in "Interpreting the Library
Through Good Public "Relations"]"" The full
program appears on pages ll and 12.
And we know the membership will be happy
to learn that the Trustees of the Library
have voted a sum of $200,00 to the Asso-
ciation in order to defray partially the
expenses incident to the Institute. This
generous action will be deeply appreciated
by all members. The President has under-
taken to convey this thought to the
Trustees.
Because the Institute is to be conducted
in the latter part of October, Miss
Flanagan's Entertainment Committee has
-4-
decided to have the Fall social meeting in
November. Plans for this occasion are not
yet in final form, but will be published
within a short time.
Mr McDonough has kept us well posted on
the activities of the Special Committee on
CARE. His monthly reports reflect great
credit on the generous spirit of the mem-
bership particularly when it is realized
that all of us find it necessary to choose
carefully between worthy causes in these
days of inflated costs.
A six-month report on the activities of
this Special Committee will be prepared
for distribution shortly. At its next
meeting the Executive Board will review
the activities of the Special Committee
with a view to renewal or discontinuance
in accord with the original terms of au-
thorization.
virorous participation you may express
yourself effectively on current and future
problems of library policy. These prob-
lems have direct bearing upon the effec-
tiveness and scope of your work.
C . L. H.
*******:(:**
PIANO TECHNICIANS EXATUME RARE INSTRUMENT
It has been remarked occasionally that
the staff members of the Boston Public
Library do not seem to take as active an
interest in the affairs of local, regional
and national library associations as do
staff members of other large public librar-
ies. The rosters of the various commit-
ties of such organizations would seem to
bear out this contention. Boston is in
fact poorly represented especially when
consideration is given to the varied tal-
ents and aptitudes found on the Staff.
We realize that activity in these groups
is predicated on membership. And member-
ship fees in these times can amount to an
impressive sum if one were to join every
organization which catches one's interest
or is deserving of support.
The suggestion is therefore that when
renewal time arrives for the various or-
ganizations with which members are no'vv af-
filiated, consideration be given to the
possibility of adding or substituting mem-
bership in at least one of the library
associations. Membership and activity in
library groups is yearly assuming added
importance to every librarian. Through
During the convention of the American
Society of Piano Technicians, held in July
at the Copley Plaza Hotel, many members of
the organization visited the Music Depart-
ment to examine the Crehore Piano. This
piano, one of the first to be made in
America, dates from about 1800. The tech-
nicians were especially interested in the
internal action of this rare square model,
and in the course of their examination and
questioning, a discovery was made. In a
recess at the left-hand side of the cover,
is a lever which was previously thought to
be for the purpose of tightening the
strings as stated in Music Trades,
December 16, 1922. However, the members
of the Music Department, when pressed by
questions of the technicians, discovered
jjthat this lever was actually for raising
the dampers and acted as an early version
of our modern loud pedal.
The experts admired the excellent work-
manship of the instrument and the vignette
containing the name "Crehore" over the
five-octave keyboard of white ivory and
black walnut keys ranging from FF through
f2.
**********
JAMAICA PLAIN SENIOR BOOK REVIEWERS
The Jamaica Plain Senior Book Reviewers,
high school girls ranging from fourteen to
seventeen years of age, provide an inter-
esting example of the reading tastes and
capabilities of the adolescent. This
group met once a week throughout the sum-
mer at Jamaica Plain Branch to present
book reviews of their own preparation.
The animated and enthusiastic discussions
provoked by these efforts showed how much
the young girls enjoy good reading, and
-5-
tended to disprove the widely held notion
that high-school students find literary-
masterpieces dull. Over ninety reviews
were presented by some twenty-four young
persons. They were able to exchange ideas
about books they read and to discover mu-
tual interests in that others shared the
same literary tastes, and thus were stim-
ulated to read much they might not other-
wise have discovered.
The Reviewers plan to hold a party in
the near future at which all the students
will be invited to present their points of
view and to make suggestions for the win-
ter program of reading and reviews. The
Library sponsors of these meetings are
pleased because they have profited greatly
by the opportunity thus offered of testing
their reader's reactions to books and thus
they have been assisted in their efforts
to promote better service and understand-
ing between the Library and the public.
E. G.
**********
$1000.00 to FORMER LIBRARY EMPLOYEE
Friends of James V. Grasso who worked in
South End Branch before the war, and who
is now a student at Harvard, will be
pleased to hear of his good fortune. He
was recently awarded the One thousand
dollar first prize award in the Tamiment
(Pa.) Social and Economic Institute essay
contest. Subject of his essay was: An
American Program for Peace in the Present
World Crisis. His essay listed two major
requirements which the United States must
fulfill if peace is to be achieved.
THE SOAP BOX
Several ideas concerning the training of
library v-orkers have occurred to me in the
past and I should like to take this occa-
sion to summarize them in relation to the
recent report concerning In-Service Train-
ing.
Stress has rightly been placed upon
courses whose object has been to help the
librarian make the best use of his tools.
So far as I have been able to discover,
however, no provision has been made to
show the library worker how best to help
the adult reader make the best possible
use of his community branch library. It
is true that this sort of approach has
been made for readers of school age, but
adults, and these include many veterans,
housewives, professional men and women,
and workers of all classes, have been
left to use their libraries as best they
could. A few evenings of informal dis-
cussions and talks should suffice to make
the hearers realize how much more they
can get from their library than they are
now getting. The talks could include
methods and sources for information con-
cerning various subjects. Frequently
there doesn't seem to be enough time al-
located to the work of teaching the pa-
trons of the library how to use the fa-
cilities at their disposal.
At times certain branches have given
book talks on various subjects. Most of
these book talks have been directed to
younger people, and only a comparatively
few to adults. A course under leaders
trained in dealing with the public might
be instituted to give library workers in
titular positions training in the best
methods of presenting such talks. Many
librarians in our system rate this kind
of activity very highly indeed. It is
this writer's opinion that a course of
this kind would be well attended. A
twofold gain would result from such a
course; those taking it would learn a
great deal about helping the public and
the patrons of the Library would in con-
sequence receive better service and un-
derstanding of the Library and its func-
tions.
Most business houses have made effi-
ciency studies for many years. Could not
a similar report be made on methods of
the various kinds of library work so
that library workers could gain a better
understanding of xvhe.t is expected of then
both in quantity and quality? This would
make possible a more equitable sharing of
responsibilities. The suggestion im-
plies, of course, that an authority in
the field be in charge of such a course
-6-
for library workers.
These proposals are merely suggestions
and offered in the hope that they prove
helpful and practical.
Mrs. Evelyn Green.
To the Editor of the Question Mark:
The 1947-48 Report of the Examining Com-
mittee contains the paragraph, "The Boston
Public Library Staff Association is an or-
ganization which includes in its member-
ship some 80f0 of the bibliothecal staff.
It is organized to further the interests
and welfare of the professional staff."
This statement is of special interest
since no mention is made in this section
of the Report regarding the Boston Public
Library Employees Union, Local 731 AFSCME.
It is not my intent to find fault with
the Examining Committee for this omission.
As busy people, they cannot be expected to
ferret out for themselves all pertinent
information. For the record, however, at
least so far as Library staff members are
concerned, I should like to point out that
while the BPLPSA is an entirely admirable
organization, it does not further the in-
terests and welfare of the professional
staff, except in social matters. The rea-
son for this can be found in Massachusetts
law. According to the General Laws of
this State, "The term 'labor organization'
means any organization of any kind, or any
agency or employee representation commit-
tee or plan, in which employees partici-
pate and which exists for the purpose in
whole or in part, of dealing with employ-
ers concerning grievances, labor disputes,
v/ages, rates of pay, hours of employment,
or conditions of work." Further Massachu-
setts law requires that all labor organi-
zations file various information with the
Massachusetts Department of Labor and
Industries. Local 731 files such infor-
mation. The BPLPSA does not.
In the early days of the war I happened
to be present when a delegate of Local 86,
AFSCME (bridge tenders) introduced a res-
olution in the Boston Central Labor Union
asking for the latter 's support to the
granting of a $100 cost of living bonus
to all Boston City employees. This was
the first public move for such a grant.
Subsequently, when local 731 was organized,
it cooperated with the 20 other unions of
Boston City employees in working for addi-
tional increases; so that now a total of
$700 has been added to the pay of most
City, including Library, employees. In
cooperation with the Massachusetts Federa-
tion of Labor and the sixty odd public
employee unions in the State, Local 731
worked to obtain the five day week and to
improve the retirement system. Last year
Local 731 introduced a bill for state aid
for libraries. Though this bill was
turned dorm, it did lead to the organiza-
tion of the Conference on State Aid for
Libraries in Massachusetts.
Despite this history of accomplishments,
I doubt if I am revealing a secret when I
say that only a small percentage of the
Library staff are members of the Union.
Up to now, at least, most staff members
have preferred to sit back comfortably as
free riders, while others paid the union
dues and did the work. What this attitude
of Library employees has meant in actual
practice is that bridge tenders, park em-
ployees, street cleaners, scrub women,
hospital attendants and other Boston City
employees who paid union dues etc, have
done more to raise Library standards than
Library employees themselves.
Of course, it has been argued that the
economic improvements mentioned above were
long overdue and would have come without
the Union. Such a contention appears as
sheer childishness to anybody at all ac-
quainted with the attitudes of government-
al bodies which continually shunt aside
the most just and necessary measures un-
less tremendous pressure is exerted. A
glance at the conditions of almost all the
other Massachusetts libraries as revealed
by the studies of the Conference on State
Aid for Libraries in Massachusetts should
help to emphasize this fact. In contrast
was the drive which culminated in the re-
cent $300 increase for Boston City em-
ployees. Here frequent conferences with
the City Council, Mayor, Governor, State
Legislature, hiring of a publicity agent,
newspaper advertising etc. were ail parts
of a picture which eventually got results.
Abraham A. Kalish
-7-
TO TFE B.P.L.
I think that I shall never see
A system as unjust as thee
■Where Subpros work and drudge all day
And lift their rheumy arms to pray
For Four weeks vacation!
A system that may in summer wear
Two shades of tan, now is that fair?
T7ere I a Pro, I'd go out west
But since I'm not I just request
PLEASE! I iFour *?eeks Vacation!
A Subpro
VACATION DISCRIMINATION
SUBPROFESSIONAL
PROFESSIONAL
7 I N o 0 o o O
0 00 OO O O
0 9 o o ooc o
-*t
JV ^ %3
-A A.
^V
Two weeks at a local.
One of the mob.
Four weeks at the Riviera.
One of the elite.
**********
A.L.A. AND ADULT EDUCATION
The American Library Association pre-
conference on adult education and the use
of films by libraries combined all the
best qualities of an institute in that it
had inspirational leaders who were ex-
perienced practitioners in the field as
well, spirited informal participation by
a large number of the librarians who at-
tended the meetings, and concrete demon-
strations and explanations of techniques.
A detailed account of each meeting will
probably be given in an A.L.A. Bulletin
but I should like to give an overall pic-
ture with some of the highlights of those
meetings. The conference was divided into
two parts: one, from Friday morning
through Saturday morning, on adult educa-
tion; the second, from Saturday aftprnoon
through Sunday afternoon, on films. This
division was, hoiirever, only superficial,
for throughout the meetings the keynote
was the seme: how can the public library
be most effective in opening the eyes, the
minds, the understanding of people to the
world in which we live.
Early in the conference, Mrs. Florence
S. Craig, Director of Adult Education at
the Cleveland Public Library, used the
phrase "Gutenberg hangover" to point out
the almost unconscious belief of people in
anything which appears in print and conse-
quently the need not only for the promotion
-8-
of reading but the ability to judge what
is read. Naturally these leaders in the
adult education field in the public
library felt that the library could play a
large part in fostering both. The means
they discussed were many. There was a
panel on service to labor in which our own
Mr Abraham Kalish participated. Another
session was on the efforts being made to
keep our ever-increasing older population
active and thinking citizens through clubs
like the "Live long and like it" club at
Cleveland. The planning and organization
of workshops for library personnel and
community institutes for club leaders
where a wide variety of subjects are cov-
ered and techniques are demonstrated were
presented. The kind of library programs
which will make a community more aware of
the international climate was vividly de-
scribed by the librarian of Indianapolis
who claimed it all started when her red-
haired temper got riled at hearing a radio
broadcaster say a goodly percentage of
American people did not know what U.N.
meant. All were presented and argued
about at the various meetings in the first
two days .
When the film workshop took over on
Saturday afternoon the theme of the meet-
ings didn't change; it was only that a
medium, relatively new to librarians,
which was to be used for the same purpose
as books and pamphlets, became the focus
of attention. This second half of the
conference was even more concrete in its
program than the first for, through the
cooperation of film companies, documentary
films were shown throughout as a back-
ground for discussion. Dr. Edgar Dale,
of the American Film Council, co\ild indi-
cate most effectively, by showing films,
the need for carefully planned introduc-
tions to the showing of films as well as
follow-up programs when films are to be
used as educational tools, be it for
adults and/' or childrenc The need for more
critical evaluation of films and especial-
ly of sponsored f i 1ms which, because they
are free, are often used regardless of
their value, could be demonstrated by the
showing of sample films accompanied by
the spontaneous comments of many of the
librarians who, having initiated film
services in their libraries, realize that
they individually cannot afford the time
to view and evaluate all the films which
are made any more than they can read all
the books which are published. A further
study of equipment and film resource
material with the need for evaluation and
setting up of standards there, presented
by Mr Otto Coelln of Business Screen,
helped the picture.
The most exciting session of the whole
pre- conference, however, was the dinner
Saturday evening at which Julien Bryan,
Producer and Director of International
Film Foundation, was the speaker. Mr
Bryan is a firm believer in the need for
international understanding and an ardent
advocate of the use of films to attain
that understanding. The words he spoke
that night blazed the way for the showing
of some of his films and the films he
showed to us gave added and deeper meaning
to those words. It was a perfect demon-
stration of an effective use of films for
education.
E. L.
**********
KNOW BOSTON AS AN ART CENTER
All interested are cordially invited to
a Fine Arts Discussion Group held every
Monday evening at 7:30 in the West
Gallery of the third floor, Central. Miss
Ella Munsterberg (sister of Miss
Munsterberg of the Rare Book Department)
characterized local art museums and gal-
leries September 13 at a meeting entitled
"Do you know what Boston offers you and
why?" Mr Heintzelman has spoken on the
exhibit of religious prints in the Wiggin
gallery, and Margery *r:iliiams (instructor
at Smith College) on the Berlin paintings.
Subjects discussed will include current
exhibitions, background material on col-
lections in our vicinity (such as archae-
ological, oriental, modern) and surveys
will be made of the importance of art in
our community (as in education, religion,
medicine, fashion and industry) and other
topics of interest to participants. We
heartily recommend that you do not miss
Langdon Warner's talk on oriental collec-
tions in this vicinity to be held in the
-9-
Lecture Hall early in December. He is a
leading scholar in the far eastern field,
and has written several entertaining books
on his expeditions and on Chinese and
Japanese art which you might like to read
before you come.
Another affair which should be of inter-
est to many, especially in the branches, is
a projected meeting to be held in conjunc-
tion with the Young People's Room on the
subject of the illustration of children's
books.
**********
NOTED IN PASSING
Does the recently transferred member of
the Staff of the South End Branch enjoy
her flying lessons at the Norwood Airport?
Happy ' landings anyway. . . .
An observer.
**********
SPECIAL LIBRARIES ASSOCIATION MEETING
The West End Branch was host to the
S.L.A. meeting September 27, 1948. Mr
Donald Clark, reporting on the June con-
ference of the Association held in
Washington, indicated that the organiza-
tion, now boasting 5,500 members, is sound-
ly established with a variety of functions
and activities, among which the informa-
tion clearing house for employers and em-
ployees continues to be important.
Miss Fanny Goldstein, after briefly re-
viewing the history of the West End Branch
Library, discussed the Judaica collection
for which the Branch is noted. This col-
lection of books, clipping, pamphlet > and
picture files provides not only for the
needs of Jewish pa;;rons but also includes
much material interpreting Jewish history
and culture for the layman. The Judaica
collection is orrr.rized to promote better
understanding between the Jew and the
Chriotian, and sin>e at ".east 50$ of serv-
ice through the collection is to non-Jews
there is a signal opportunity for this
purpose to be realised* By way of intro-
ducing the main speaker Miss Goldstein
emphasized that Christians must necessarily
know and understand the Jewish problem be-
fore a solution of it can be reached.
Mr Frank W. Buxton, member of the Board
of Trustees of the B.P.L., an ex-editor of
the Boston Herald, and a member of the
President's Anglo-British committee to in-
vestigate Palestine, presented an illumin-
ating discussion of various factors which
have led to the present dispute in
Palestine. He sketched the tortuous his-
tory of this small segment of the near
East, the succeeding eras of rule and mis-
rule by one conqueror after another and
the continual internecine disputes between
peoples of diverse origins and religious
beliefs. In the twentieth century
Palestine became an important pawn in pow-
er politics. The status of this interna-
tional stepchild was not settled by the
ambiguously worded Balfour Declaration of
1917, Mr Buxton outlined in some detail
the long series of attempts to find some
satisfactory settlement of the Palestine
situation since that time, describing the
various partition plans leading to the
establishment of the Jewish state, Israel.
In answer to questions from the floor Vr
Buxton noted the social and economic devel-
opments in Palestine during recent years
and gave his opinion of essential factors
in the Arab opposition. He also expressed
the belief that librarians can do much to
create an impartial point of view. A list
of books mentioned by ¥r Buxton as being
of particular value for an informed con-
sideration of the present situation in the
near East are:
Antcnius, George „ The Arab awakening.
Ziff , William B. Thi~"--pe cf Palestine.
Welles, Sumner. The Ihiited C:;ates and
the Near East*
Lo^rdermilk., Walter C. Palestine, land
of promise -
Osborn, Fairfield. Our plundered pJirnet.
R. M.
**********
" ""' ' T TEXTURE
OF PEOSE^glOM iL'TE: ~"3T
Dorothy II- Cooper discusses the accom-
plishment of a staff association organized
-10-
in 1935 at the University of Washington in
"They Sniffed at a Library Union," Library
Journal, August 1948, p. 1049-50.
A plan for a revised curriculum sequence
in the training of librarians is reviewed
by Inez W. Noyes and R. Webb Noyes in the
article "Sequential Library Training,"
Wilson Library Bulletin, September 1948,
p. 51-52. Also appearing in the same is-
sue of the Bulletin is a brief but perti-
nent consideration of the work of branch
librarians, "On Being a Branch Librarian,"
p. 58, 75.
In connection with the Institute on
Public Relations staff members will find
Thomas E. Barensf eld's article "I Am
Really Sold on Adult Education," Library
Journal, October 1, 1948, p. 1351-3, of
interest for suggestions concerning vari-
ous ways in which library service can
promote adult education.
L. S.
**********
GREAT BOOKS DISCUSSION GROUPS
Members of the staff will be interested
to know that within the library system
Great Books Discussion groups are forming
at the following libraries:
Central Library, Nov. 1 and Nov. 3, 7:30
-9:30 P.M.
Charlestown Branch, date to be announced.
Jamaica Plain Branch, Oct. 26, 8:00-10:00
P.M. (2nd meeting).
Mattapan Branch, Oct. 21, 8:00-10:00 P.M.
Mt. Bowdoin Branch, Oct. 11, 8:00-10:00
P.M.
Phillips Brooks Branch, Oct. 21, 7:30-
9:30 P.M. (3rd meeting).
West End Branch, Nov. 2, 7:30-9:30 P.M.
West Roxbury Branch, Oct. 21, 8:00-10:00
P.M.
Great Books Groups will also be held at
the following places:
Brimmer and May School, Oct. 18, 7:30-
9:30 P.M. (2nd meeting).
First Unitarian Church, Oct. 19, 7:30-
9:30 P.M.
Lincoln House, Around Nov. 1.
**********
The Cataloging and Classification
Department of the Reference Division gave
a surprise bridal shower for Miss Beverly
Gargin in the Stfff Lounge on October
seventh between five and seven o'clock.
Miss Gergin received many lovely gifts.
Refreshments were served immediately
following the shower.
Miss Gargin will be married to
Mr Charles Lambert on NoTember seventh
at St. Joseph's Church, East Boston.
A farewell luncheon was given by the
Office of trie Trustses to Miss Naomi-
Churchill Dick on September thirteenth*
Miss Dick has left the Library to go to
Germany, where she is to work in a civilian
capacity for the United States Department
of the Army,,
Cn September 3rd 19489 Miss Ellen S.Hecht,
a member of -che Accounting Department
resigned to accept a new position with
Government Service in Japan. The best of
good wishes and success, Ellen!
-
• >l
■ ■■• ■ I • ■ •■
. ;
(:/
-11-
THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
announces an Institute, October 28-29, 1948
INTERPRETING THE LIBRARY THROUGH GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS
Thur s day, October 28, at 9 :30_fj» nu
Introduction — Background and purpose
Charles L. Higgins, President of the Association
Milton E. Lord, Director of the Library
Kenneth R. Shaffer, Director, School of Library Science,
Simmons College
PUBLIC RELATIONS IS OUR JOB - Howard M. LeSourd, Dean, School
of Public Relations, Boston University
a. Dynamic role of public relations in building good
will and interpreting services offered.
b. Public relations, the interpretation of policy to
the public and interpretation of actual or
probable reactions of public back to management.
c. Suitable dramatization and interpretation of resulting
policies and programs to desired public.
Thursday, October 28, at 2 ;30 p.m.
Panel
Making Folicy and Making it Work - Ralph A. Ulveling,
Librarian, Detroit Fublic Library
Staff Relations — Key to Good Service - R. Russell Munn,
Librarian, Akron Public Library
Staff-Management Relations ~ Mutual Responsibilities
(Democracy in management} Proper function of a staff
organization)
John B, Kaiser, Director, Free Fublic Library, Newark
Thursday, October 28. at 8;00 p-.su
TELL THE PEOPLE
Building Public Relations Through
The Press - Staff Derby, Assistant City Editor s Christian Science
Monitor
The Radio - Professor Samuel B. Gould, Director. Division of Padio
and Speech, School of public Relations, Bo:; ben
University
-12-
Friday, October 29, at 9;30 a.m.
FUBLIC RET AT IONS IN ACTION
New Goals in Library Service
Fanel: The A.L.A. Four Year Goals
Fresiding, Karl Brovm, Editor, Library Journal
programs - Lowell A. Martin, /ssociate Dean, School
of Library Service, Columbia University
Resources - Sigrid Edge, Associate Frofessor, School
of Library Science, Simmons College
Personnel - Miriam V. D. Mathews, Supervisor of Adult
Services, New York Public Library
Film: New Chapters (The work of the London, Ontario, Public Library)
Friday, October 29, at 2:30 p-.nu
NOT BY BOOKS ALONE
Public Relations Through New Tools
Panel with Demonstration
Films and Recordings Programs - Karline Brown, Head,
Films and Recordings Center, Cincinnati Public Library
Science Advances Service: Micro-film, micro-cards, projected
books., wire and tape recordings
Dr Vernon D. Tate, Director of Libraries,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Professor William N» Locke, Head, Department of
Modern Languages, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology
FILM WORKSHOP
The Institute will be followed by a Film Workshop to be held on
Monday evenings, at eight o'clock, in the Lecture Hall, on November 1,
8, 15, and 22. The participants will include Dr Abraham Krasker,
Director, Division of Motion Pictures and Visual Aids, Boston
University; Miss Corinne Mead, Librarian, Winchester Public Library;
R. Newton Mahall, President, Boston Scientific Film Society; and
Gordon B. Halstead, former consultant to the International Film
Foundation, who has had long experience in conducting film forums
and film workshops for leaders of adult organizations under the
auspices of the American Library Association, the Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace, the National Planning Association, and
similar groups.
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boston public library
profes:
ORAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library-
Professional Staff Association
E'litor: Sarah W. Flannery
EDITOR'S CORNER
News of the purchase of the Boston
University buildings occupying the rest
of the block on which the Central Library
stands must bring a distinct thrill of
pleasure to all of us, especially those
working in the crowded conditions of
Central. For some time we have been
looking forward to the day when with a
modern library building we can use our
collections much more efficiently than
is at present possible. The fact that
the land for the new wing has been ac-
quired makes the dream of perfect quar-
ters much less of a dream and more some-
thing for which we may start planning,
and thus is a great boost to our morale.
In the meantime it may give some comfort
to those who, like the correspondent in
this month's Soap Box, see the need for
adequate rest quarters for members of the
Staff. At least we shall have them in
the new building. v'e hope, however, not
to be obliged to wait for that still
well-into-the-future date for the ful-
fillment of that aim. "re realize the
difficulty under present conditions, but
earnestly hope that some solution to the
problem may be found.
October and November have been busy
months for all of us. The branches have
been indulging in myriad interesting ac-
tivities such as we who sometimes feel as
though we never see out from behind the
busts in Bates Kail, find are revelations
of a type library work we were hardly
conscious of. rJhen pressed we admit we
knew it existed, but our imagination al-
ways placed it somewhere west of Denver.
There may be others around in an Ivory
Tower like us, so help us poor individu-
als and when anything unusual or inter-
esting occurs let the rest of the Library
know about it. The Institute and the
Film ^ork shop are reported fully here,
and to our mind no added comment is need-
ed on their value.
Volume III
Number 8
November 1948,
PERSONAL NOTES
New Staff Members
Marianne Morse, Music Department.
Doris L. Cross, Rare Book Department.
Charlotte A. Myers, '"'est End Branch.
Marguerite A. Connelly, Branch Issue
Department.
Gloria H. Shine, Dorchester 3ranch.
Charles D. Povah, Periodical and News-
paper Department.
Rita 0. Sullivan, Brighton Branch.
Frances L. Shine, Office of the Trustees.
Nancy L. Kent, Book Selection Department,
Circulation Division.
Mrs Anna L. Shanor, West End Branch.
Helen M. Maxwell, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division.
G. Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Cataloging and
Classification, Reference Division.
Doris N. French, School Issue Department.
Phyllis Hoffman, Office of the Trustees.
Sona Semerjian, Business Branch.
Barbara J. Feeley, Business Office.
Transfers
Ralph K. Sullivan, from Book Stack Serv-
ice to Business Branch.
Bette B. Preer, from School Issue De-
partment to Mt. Pleasant Branch.
Mary M. Roomian, from Mb. Pleasant
Branch to City Point Branch.
Marriages
Beverly Gargin, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference Division,
was married to Charles Lambert, November
7, 1948
Clarinda Laws on, Science and Technology
Department, was married to Lavrence
Kincaid Kirkman, November 20, 1948.
Resignations
Esther R. Smith, South End Branch.
Mary Raftery, Brighton Branch.
Marion J. Kanthorne, T,Test End Branch.
-2-
Edward X. Casey, Business Branch, to
accept a position in the Cataloging De-
partment of Brown University.
Bertha Feldman, Charlestown Branch.
William Earley, Business Branch, to
accept a position at Lever Brothers Co.,
to do library research work.
Retirement
William J. Ennis, Retired as Chief of
the Book Stack Service at the end of
October after 48 years in the Boston
Public Library. Full-time employment
began in the Newspaper Room where he
worked a number of years followed by
employment in the Patent Room. In 1935
he went to the Issue Department.
Staff Babies
Mr and Mrs Gerald F. Johnston announce
the birth of a son, Peter Ross Johnston,
on October 28th. Hazel Ross Johnston is
on a leave of absence from the Mt.
Pleasant Branch.
Mr and Mrs David D. Scannell, Jr., an-
nounce the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth
Rogers Scannell, on November 24th.
Elizabeth FitzSimmons Scannell, who
resigned recently from work in the Cata-
loging and Classification Department,
Reference Division, was formerly an
Assistant at the Business Branch.
**********
NOMINATIONS FOR STAFF ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1949
President
Mrs Geraldine Madden Altman, Jeffries
Point Branch
Mrs Sarah T%lsh Flannery, History De-
partment
Edna G. Peck, Book Selection Depart-
ment, Circulation Division
Vice-President
Frank P. Bruno, Science and Technol-
ogy Department (Patent Room)
Marjorie M. Gibbons, Washington Vil-
lage Branch
Mrs Dorothy Merrow Lovett, Kir stein
Business Branch
Corresponding Secretary
Barbara Gilson, History Department
Marie F. McCarthy, Cataloging and
Classification Department, Circu-
lation Division
Irene J. Wadsworth, School Issue De-
partment
Recording Secretary
Mary J. Brady, Cataloging and Classi-
fication Department, Reference
Division
Taimi E. Lilja, Codman Square Branch
Ruth Ricemen, Connolly Branch
Treasurer
Mrs Julia LaRocca Miller, Mfc. Bowdoin
Branch
Mrs Lydia A. Palladino, Open Shelf
Department
Aaron A. Starr, Book Purchasing De-
partment
Executive Board (Two to be Chosen)
Mary V. Doyle, Young People's Room
Charles L. Higgins, General Reference
Department
Mrs Helen Flashman Hirson, Test Rox-
bury Branch
Louisa S. ?Tetcalf, Open Shelf Depart-
ment
Frank J. Seegraber, Kirstein Business
Branch
Gladys R. 1PJhite, Mt. Pleasant Branch
Committee :
Sarah M. Usher,
Chairman
John M. Carroll
Evelyn Levy
Mary E. Obear
B. Joseph 0?Neil
**********
QUESTION: £64.00
Oh where, Oh where can that staff manual
be?
"re've heard it announced o'er and o'er.
"Je've searched high and low, waited
patiently —
A staff with no manual we deplore.
**********
-3-
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ASSOCIATION
PUBLIC RELATIONS INSTITUTE
"Interpreting the Library through Good
Public Relations" was the theme of the
institute sponsored by the Professional
Staff Association and held in the Lecture
Hall on October 28 and 29. The institute
was planned and arranged by the Special
Committee on In-Service Training with
Louisa S. Metcalf as Chairman, assisted
by the following members of the staff:
Bradford M. Hill, Dorothy F. Nourse,
Robert Roper, and Ruth I. Williamson.
The Committee was instructed to "keep
particularly in mind the need for in-
struction in current library problems,
such problems as bear directly upon the
welfare of a large metropolitan library."
The Committee realized that this first
institute would be of an experimental
nature and for this reason it endeavored
to discover a theme which would be of
general interest to the entire staff.
Thus, the discussions of the five ses-
sions stressed the importance of build-
ing through good service and adequately
publicizing this service. It is sug-
gested that if any of you wish to famil-
iarize yourselves further with the back-
ground planning of the institute, you re-
read the mimeographed report of the Com-
mittee to the Executive Board, dated 28
May 1948 which was sent out to all de-
partments and branch libraries.
The institute was attended by members
of the Library staff, students from the
Simmons College Library School, and li-
brarians from 53 neighboring libraries.
Following the introductory remarks by
Charles L. Higgins, President of the
Association, and Milton E. Lord, Director
of the Library, Kenneth R. Shaffer,
Director of Simmons College School of
Library Science, opened the discussion of
the first meeting by emphasizing the im-
portance of everyday public relations to
"sell" the library rather than chance
public relations "binges". He stressed
the need to justify, revaluate, end in-
terpret policies to a public with no
common denominator.
A recent public relations film, Make
it in Massachusetts, illustrated the
keynote address, "Public Relations is
your job", by Howard M. LeSourd, Dean of
the School of Public Relations, Boston
University. Dean LeSourd defined public
relations as both a social science using
scientific methods, and at the seme time
an art demanding a high degree of finesse
in human contacts. He stressed the im-
portance of public relations as a two-way
street with constant interchange of views
between the library and the public. Thus
conceived, public relations based on an
honest code of ethics, serve to inter-
pret both the strength and weakness of an
institutions
Keyes D. Fetcalf acted as moderator for
the afternoon panel on "Public Relations
begin at home". Participating in the
panel were three distinguished men in the
field of library administration, Ralph A.
Ulveling, Librarian of the Detroit Public
Library, R. Russell Munn, Librarian of
the Akron Public Library, and John B.
Kaiser, Director of the Newark Public
Library. Mr. Ulveling defined library
policy as a code of principles of guid-
ance for future action. This broad pol-
icy should be based on 1) the overall
objectives of the institution, 2) the
services to be rendered, 3) policies of
organization, and 4) the best develop-
ment of the staff. T'"hen policy conflicts
with an individual rule, policy should
always control. A liberal policy neans
more freedom of action, hence more work
for the staff, and as professional people
we should be ready to make decisions as
the need arises, always bearing in mind
the policy of the institution-, The li-
brary exists for the people, the trustees
exist to carry out their wish, the direc-
tor acts for the trustees. The director,
not the staff, should answer for the
failure of his institution to function
as it should. An individual's grovrth
and advancement should never be sacri-
ficed to benefit the institution. The
curtain of secrecy that often exists
around administrative procedures should
be removed; the staff should be kept in-
formed of new proposals under considera-
tion in order that their thinking may
grow as that of the administration grows.
Mr. Munn's talk was concerned with
staff relationships. "Happy is the chief
-4-
with good morale, for all the publicity
in the world is worthless with poor mo-
rale." Each member of the staff needs to
be given the feeling of "belonging" and
each individual job is important. Mr.
Munn warned against gossip and rumor,
favoritism, and condescension on the part
of the professional staff towards those
of non-professional levels.
Mr. Kaiser, talking on staff -management
relations, pointed out that the most
powerful tool man has devised for human
progress is the printed page, and that
the public library is the institution
that most powerfully puts across that
printed page. Democracy in administra-
tion must be all along the line. There
is an obligation to be competent on the
job, and have no chip on the shoulder.
Staff suggestions to the administration
must be willingly received, considered,
and answered. There must be mutual
staff -management participation in pro-
ducing high staff morale and good public
service. In telling of activities at the
Newark Library, Mr. Kaiser mentioned the
coffee and doughnuts that are served
after staff meetings. Perhaps Boston
should follow suit!
The Thursday evening session was con-
cerned with "telling the people" through
press and radio. Mr. Fettleton of the
Christian Science Monitor analyzed the
ingredients of a good news story and
urged every member of the staff to devel-
op a nose for news, for the day of news
stories spun out of thin air is over, and
the reporter must have facts which speak
for themselves. Professor Gould from
Boston University's School of Public
Relations outlined the wealth of possi-
bilities for professionally-produced li-
brary radio programs. A good program
must have entertainment value, broad ap-
peal, and continuity since it is not the
single program that counts, but the
series .
The panel Friday morning, presided
over by Karl Brown, Editor of the Library
Journal, was based on the A.L.A. Four
Year Goals. Sigrid Edge of Simmons Col-
lege, in her discussion of "Resources",
urged more discriminating book selection
which would serve to develop rather than
pander to public taste; more meaningful
arrangement of books to attract the at-
tention of readers; and the stocking of
paper editions of better books, and of
hard-to-get pamphlets, to sell to readers.
Mrs. Mildred V. D. Mathews, of the New
York Public Library, described a highly
successful program of in-service training
inaugurated a year ago for assistants,
readers' advisors, and children's librar-
ians in the Circulation Division of that
Library. Lowell A. Martin, Associate
Dean of the Columbia University School of
Librery Service, raised many provocative
questions concerning the implications of
the Four Year Goals. He suggested that
libraries need to move in a new direction,
^e can step up everything we ere doing
and do more of it, or go out and find
some new things to do, both of which
possibilities call for more money which
we obviously do not have; or, we can con-
centrate more on some of the things we
are doing at the expense of other things.
Perhaps, he posed; we should concentrate
most of our efforts on working with or-
ganized groups in the community.
The final program, entitled "Not by
Books Alone" was devoted to consideration
of public relations through the library's
use of audio-visual materials. Karline
Brown of the Cincinnati Public Library
described the films and recordings pro-
grams and the extensive library and com-
munity activities which her Library has
developed in the last two years. Dr.
Vernon D. Tate, Director of Libraries at
M.I.T., spoke on "Science advances Serv-
ice", telling of various methods of pho-
tographic reproduction increasingly being
employed by libraries, such as microfilm,
microcards and projected books, illustra-
ting his talk with demonstration of these
media. His colleague, Professor ""illiam
N, Locke of the Department of Modern
Languages, concluded the program with a
demonstration of the use of language re-
cordings and the wire recorder in teach-
ing foreign languages.
• The Institute brought forth many favor-
able letters from people who participated
in the programs, and from visiting li-
brarians. Mr. Munn wrote how much he
"enjoyed attending the splendid institute
on In-Service Training in Boston. It was
-5-
not only an exciting experience in itself
but was an example for other libraries to
follow — including my own."
Mr. Ulveling wrote: "I returned from
Bos-con with the greatest enthusiasm for
the Institute which you organized so Pbly
and staged so well. Hoy T tell you now
that I was quite flattered to have beon
invited to take part in such a program by
the Staff Association of a Library..."
Mr. Keyes Metcalf sent a note of con-
gratulation to the Association for having
run a "first class Institute."
Mr. Shaffer sent congratulations: "The
Institute reached a level of distinction
that we in Boston — that any other profes-
sional communities — do not often enjoy...
These activities of your Association are
the sort of thing that we in the School
should like to do, the kind of thing that
in our general professional associations
we perhaps strive for but never quite
reach."
Mr. Kaiser wrote that "it xvas a real
privilege to be allowed to shsre in the
proceedings with you... I have no doubt
but what you have set in motion an activ-
ity that many staff associations will be
following."
Mr. Harold ""ooster, Librarian of the
Newton Free Library expressed apprecia-
tion "for the opportunity to be present
at the Institute... It was a privilege
and a practical help. In our different
ways many of us are fighting for the same
ends and it is most helpful to draw
strength from our associates."
Mr. Ralph Nason, Editor of the M.L.A.
Bulletin sent congratulations on "the
fine Institute."
Miss Margaret Broderick of the
Worcester Free Public Library wrote that
"the program offered variety, stimulation
and encouragement to a degree and at a
professional level rarely achieved. Each
speaker v;hether visiting specialist or
member of your association showed a deep
sincerity, an interest, and an apprecia-
tion of the public library today and its
problems, goals and everyday activities."
Miss Gertrude R. Callahan of the Thomas
Crane Library in ;<iuincy: "I want to con-
gratulate you on the splendid program...
I want also to say how much I, personally,
appreciate the opportunity you have given
to those librarians who are not members
of the Boston Public Library staff. It
was a most generous offer."
FILM WORKSHOP
A Film ""orkshop of four sessions opened
on Monday, November 1st, as a practical
continuation of the Institute on Public
Relations sponsored by the BiP.L.P.S.A.
At the opening meeting Dr. Abraham
Krasker, Director of the Division of
Motion Pictures and Visual Aids, School
of Public Relations, Boston University,
outlined the "Basic Principles in the
Efficient Use of Aids." His talk was a
practical demonstration of how to present
a film and introduced the picture "New
""fays to Greater Education." This film
explained the values and uses of motion
pictures in the classroom.
The second session of the Workshop vras
a panel discussion with Dr. Krasker as
chairman. Miss Corinne Mead, Librarian
of the Winchester Public Library, a pio-
neer in library movies, described her ex-
periences with her Family Night, Teen-Age
and Children's groups. Mr. R, Newton
Maya 11, President of the Boston Scientif-
ic Film Society, spoke on reviewing and
presenting scientific films to all ages.
He suggested that libraries uculd take
over the forums of the Boston Scientific
Film Society now given up for lack of
personnel. Miss Muriel Jefferson of the
Children's Museum outlined the use of
films in classes visiting the Museum, for
special groups and the Saturday morning
auditorium, program at the Museum.
On November 15 Mr. Gordon B. Halstead,
Administrative Director of the Foundation
for Integrated Education, spoke on "Why
Film Forums" and suggested practical
techniques for successful discussions.
He emphasized the follov.'ing points:
select the film with care; select the re-
sources for the forum such as books and
the panel; have a panel of four lay
-6-
persons to outline the material of the
film for the audi*ice and "kick-off" the
discussion; select a subject specialist
to give expert information; preview the
film with the panel to learn objectives,
clarify issues and plan points to be dis-
cussed; the moderator should quickly in-
dicate the issues to the forum after the
film is shown and lead with the minimum
of talking; the forum discussion should
represent many views of the audience and
resemble the old New England town meet-
ing; the results of the forum should be
summed up and the sense of the meeting
given in resolutions; and books for fur-
ther study of the subject presented. He
then offered helpful demonstration of his
techniques by conducting a film forum on
the movie "One World or None" with the
panel consisting of Mr. M. Bernard Fox,
Director of the United Nations Associa-
tion of Massachusetts as subject special-
ist; Miss Edna Phillips, Librarian of the
Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood; and
Miss Dorothy P. Nourse, Librarian of the
East Boston Branch Library. After a
lively discussion the evening closed with
the neve film on the accomplishments of
the United Nations, "Highlights of the
United Nations Year."
At the last session held in Dr.
Krasker's Office at Boston University,
members of the Workshop visited the film
librery, repair-shipping room, photogra-
phy laboratory and projection-room. Dr.
Krasker spoke on audio-visual bibliogra-
phy. The group then learned how to make
simple and photographic lantern slides,
and the care and repair of film, and
operation of a projector were also dem-
onstrated.
**********
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
On another page of this issue you will
find a brief account of the Institute.
Until Miss Metcalf and her Special Com-
mittee have had opportunity to survey the
entire project in perspective no summary
report will be submitted. At the present
time it is anticipated that the report of
this Special Committee will be available
in late December.
It is appropriate to say here that the
Executive Board and the officers of the
Association feel very strongly that the
contribution of the Special Committee on
In-Service Training has been outstanding.
To this group and to its able Chairman,
Louisa S. Metoalf, the Association offers
its congratulations and appreciation.
Those members who have not yet done so
might well undertake to say as much in-
dividually to Miss Metcalf and the Spe-
cial Committee.
The Film Worksh
Special Committee
as an adjunct to
proved successful
as was anticipate
interest has been
the participants,
time, a report co
will be completed
membership.
op, conducted by the
on In-Service Training
the Institute, has
also. Registration,
d, has been low, but
high on the part of
At an appropriate
vering this activity
and submitted to the
The Program Committee faced stiff com-
petition from the Institute and Film
""'orkshop. Despite this, and a plague of
conflicting detes, the group staged a
very enjoyable social evening recently.
Among the guests were Mr Frank W. Buxton,
Mr Francis B. Masterson, and the
Honorable Abraham E. Pinanski, Trustees
of the Library, and Mr Milocn E. Lord,
Director of the Library.
The Entertainment Committee, Mrs
Elizabeth L. "bright, Chairmen, was re-
sponsible for the excellent reception
held during the Institute. In connection
with the social evening, the same group
provided some excellent cider and dough-
nuts.
-7-
Before this issue reaches you, there
ill have been published the Report cf
che Special Committee on Personnel Rating
on the results of the poll just completed,
This poll was authorized and conducted as
a result of many suggestions that the
Association go on record in this matter.
The surprising factor in the results
therefore was not the relatively close
division, but that about ninety (90) mem-
bers failed to vote. In this connection
it might be well to repeat a thought ex-
pressed at the November Business Pfeeting.
If this failure to vote is traceable to
personal neglect or to over-confidence
on one side or another, it is a practice
which, in the best interests of the Asso-
ciation, should be discontinued.
The Nominating Committee under Miss
Sarah M. Usher has presented a splendid
list of candidates for the forthcoming
election. In contrast to previous ex-
perience, there was no difficulty in
securing people willing to serve - a
point which perhaps lends emphasis to
the growth of the Association. The list
is reproduced elsewhere in this issue.
We trust that each member will make- it a
matter of personal business to vote in
the January election.
Particularly gratifying is the news
that, at latest count, our membership is
411. Although this represents nearly
complete coverage of those eligible, it
is hoped that those few still outside
will join us before the January election.
The Special Committee on CARE reports
disbursement of ;iil60.00 this month to
provide Christmas cheer for needy fami-
lies of librarians in less-fortunate
Europe. This activity has been very suc-
cessful and reflects the greatest of
credit upon each member. Mr Lord told us
that at a meeting of the Library Associa-
tion (British) in England which he re-
cently attended, he was pleasantly sur-
prised to find that our CARE packages
were on the agenda of that body. It
seems that CARE has designated the Li-
brary Association as one of the cooper-
ating agencies in Britain.
This issue of the Question M° rk carries
a special article on our work with CARE.
We recommend that you read the excerpts
from letters received from overseas in
order to understand just what our contri-
butions are doing,
**********
BRANCH LIBRARY NEWS
A Book Week Poster Contest, sponsored
by the Codman Square Branch and open to
three junior high schools in the area
served attracted forty-four entries by
more than thirty young artists.
Two prizes were awarded, one on the
basis of ability to convey the Book Week
slogan "Books Tell the Story", the other
on the basis of artistic merit. Six boys
and girls earned honorable mentions.
Posters were judged by Miss Elizabeth
M. Gordon, Deputy Supervisor, In Charge
of Work with Children, Miss Elizabeth P.
Ross, Branch Librarian, and Mr James
Parr, artist and faculty member of Vesper
George School of Art. The Boston Globe
and Christian Science Monitor covered
the event, as well as local papers.
A tea for teachers on Thursday, Novem-
ber 19, climaxed Codman Square's success-
ful celebration of Book Week.
P. W.
Throngs of happy children accepted the
invitation of the colored balloons on
the children's door of the East Boston
Branch Library to "Come to the fair"
during Book Week. Beloved animal char-
acters were featured in such exhibits as
"Horse Show", "Barnyard Friends", "Cat
and Dog Show". A large red and yellow
booth displaying new books, a magician
pulling books from his magic hat, the
"Home Center" and "Magic" were other ef-
fective exhibits based on the fair theme.
Each afternoon at four happy children
-8-
heard a special story hour, played book
games at the "Fun House", entered a book
contest or attended the library movies.
On Thursday, five boys from Central
Square Center entertained an audience of
one hundred eighty with music and eight
girls from Trinity House danced folk
dances. Blue ribbons were awarded to the
contest winners at the Saturday morning
story hour and the week's celebrations
closed with each child drawing a book
mark from the magic grab bag.
"Germany 1948", a timely and telling
exhibit of photographs opened in the
Adult Room of the East Boston Branch
Library on Monday, November 15. These
pictures, loaned by Mr. Laurence
"'voodbury, Head Worker at the Central
Square Center, were taken on his trip to
Germany this spring. Ruined buildings,
devastated cities, children at work and
at play, the Nuremberg trials and youth
leaders, graphically illustrate problems
of modern Germany.
The East Boston Branch Library held its
fourth annual Art Exhibit in the Adult
and Children's Rooms from October 18th
to November 13th. This exhibit of work
done in the schools of East Boston is of
great community interest because of its
size, scope, originality, color, imagi-
nation, and talent. To provide the
teachers of East Boston with a special
opportunity to view the exhibit, a tea
was given during Art Week on 'Wednesday
afternoon, November 3rd. More than
seventy-five guests came to see the ex-
hibit and were served tea and various
delicacies from the candle-lit table in
the office. Mrs Ada Andelman, Supervisor
in the Circulation Division, presided at
the tea table and Mrs Geraldine Altman,
Branch Librarian of Jeffries Point Li-
brary, assisted Miss Nourse and staff in
serving. Mr Casimir Shea, Head of the
Art Department of the Boston Schools,
end five of his supervisors were honored
guests.
In honor of Children's Book ""eek,
Faneuil Branch arranged a display of
children's books in the adult fiction
room for parents. There, a poster carry-
ing out the Book Week caption, "Books
tell the story" was displayed.
The Great Books Discussion Group of the
Jamfica Plain Branch has already had four
sessions. Our members are composed of
residents from the Jamaica Plain district
and also from other parts of the city.
The membership is heterogeneous and con-
sists of housewives, teachers, lawyers,
social service workers, accountants, an
engineering student, and a college stu-
dent. These people make a fascinating
picture and, as a cross-section group,
discuss with animation problems which
have vexed thinkers of all time. Our
prize member is a housewife, mother of
five children, who tells us that it is
no small task to get her household in
order so that she may partake of the wise
thinking of past masters.
Most of our members come faithfully to
each session; however, there are always
several new visitors who came because as
they say, "^e want to know how a Great
Book Discussion group is conducted."
And, we, the leaders, find that each
session proves to be a great pleasure to
us, as this human and intellectual com-
panionship takes place.
The evening is usually alive with dis-
cussion and even argument, and the two
hours alloted for this study hardly seem
to be enough. One of our members brought
in about twenty-five pamphlets dealing
with the Declaration of Independence;
these were issued to the various members
of our group who were able to use them
as background material for the first
lesson. One of our group (a social
worker) presented the branch with a
framed copy of the Declaration of
Independence and we have used it as a
background for a display entitled,
"Know Your Government". This has pleased
the members.
We feel that the Great Books discussion
group will have served a double purposo —
-9-
introducing great books to the general
public and continuing the feeling of
good-will for the library and understand-
ing its aims.
E. G-.
compositions which they had written at
home. The name "Scrapbook Club" is a
rather loose term, for it includes prac-
tically every child who comes to South
End Branch from those of pre-school age
through senior high school. They Pre all
interested in making friends beyond their
own boundaries.
On Tuesday evening, November 16th, the
Dorchester Chapter of the Parents' Feder-
ation met at the Mt. Bowdoin Branch Li-
brary to hear a talk on books for chil-
dren, presented by Miss Mildred Kaufman,
the Children's Librarian.
In honor of Children's Book "Jeek, Nov-
ember 15 to 20, a tea was held at the
Parker Kill Branch Library on Friday,
November 12, for the grammar school
teachers of the district and the Sisters
of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. It
provided occasion for the Sisters and
teachers of the section to meet the new
Librarian, Miss Mary A. Hackett.
The Children's Room was decorated for
the occasion with colored posters and
brightly jacketed books. The Auditorium
in which the tea was held was gay with
bright yellow posters, a large perfectly-
appointed tea table, and vases of yellow
chrysanthemums and dusty pink asters.
Assisting Miss Kackett were Miss Mannix,
Children's Librarian, who acted as host-
ess and introduced the teachers to the
Librarian, Miss Fernachan who presided
at the tea table, Miss Ryan and Miss
Murphy.
The Children's Scrapbook Club is now in1
full swing at South End Branch, assem-
bling material for a scrapbook to be sentj
to the children of the Benjamin Franklin i
Library in Mexico City where Miss Eva J.
Anttonen is the Children's Librarian.
Meetings are held at the Library every
Thursday at four o'clock, but activities
extend throughout the week. The children!
come into the Library at any time that is I
convenient to hand in pictures and clip- I
pings or to sit down and copy with pen
and ink, and their best penmanship, the
The children have already finished one
scrapbook, containing original composi-
tions, photographs of themselves, post
cards, drawings, and newspaper clippings,
and have sent it off to the Rinnie School,
Crossville, Tennessee. Miss Golden
Elmore, the principal, and the 104 pupils
of the school are now working on a scrap-
book for us.
Last summer, South End Branch Library
received a scrapbook from the Benjamin
Franklin Library. The Mexican children
included not only photographs of them-
selves, but also original drawings,
newspaper clippings, and a collection
of real Mexican pottery, curios, and
coins. Moreover, one of our girls has
begun a correspondence with one of Miss
Anttonen 's Mexican childrenc
M. C. E.
**********
Miss Flanagan and her staff welcomed
Mrs Ada Andelman and the Branch Librar-
ians when the group met at the new quar-
ters of the School Issue Deportment for
their monthly meeting, November 3rd.
After the business of the meeting was
transacted, the group had a chance to
observe the department at first hand and
to better understand its aims and the
work accomplished.
The high spot socially came at twelve
o'clock when a delicious catered lunch-
eon was served. Invitations had been
sent to the Branch Librarians Emeritus
since their interest in the department's
new quarters was very keen. Also in-
cluded were some of the personnel of the
Central Library who during a period of
years have contributed more or less in-
directly to the efficient workings of the
department. The occasion provided a
pleasant get-together for all.
-10-
Among those who joined the Branch Li-
brarians for luncheon at twelve were
Katie F. Albert, Branch Librarian Emeri-
tus, Elizabeth B. Boudreau, Ruth S.
Cannell, M. Florence Cufflin, Branch Li-
brarian Emeritus, Edith Guerrier, Super-
visor of Branch Libraries Emeritus,
Elizabeth M. Gordon, Mrs Grace B. Lough-
lin, Ethel M. Hazlewood, Mrs Muriel C.
Javelin, Mrs Rose C. Leavitt, Mary M.
McDonough, Clara L. Maxwell, Branch Li-
brarian Emeritus, Edna G. Peck, Margaret
H, Reid, Branch Librarian Emeritus, •
Katherine S. Rogan, Branch Librarian
Emeritus, Mary M. Sullivan, Branch Li-
brarian Emeritus, Sarah M. Usher, and
Mrs Elizabeth L. "'right.
Against a background of gay Halloween
decorations, doughnuts and coffee were
served to Elizabeth M. Gordon and the
Children's Librarians at the close of
their meeting on October 27th in the new
quarters of the School Issue Department.
The group was pleasantly surprised by
the unexpected arrival of Alice M.
Jordan, Supervisor of "fork with Children,
Emeritus, who had been uncertain as to
whether or not she could attend. Chil-
dren's Librarians who had served under
Miss Jordan enjoyed a chat with her and
new arrivals to the profession welcomed
the opportunity of meeting her. Many
compliments were received on the attrac-
tiveness of the new quarters.
**********
THE" SOAP BOX
We have heard rumors that the women's
lounge is shortly to be enlarged at the
expense of the adjoining little room with
the couch. Last spring a notice was cir-
culated inviting staff members who had
any objections to doing away with the
little room to voice these objections in
writing to the Personnel Office, We un-
derstand that only eight persons objected,
that these eight were called into con-
ference and it was put to these objectors
that since such a small minority of women
staff members were sufficiently dis-
tressed at the loss of the room to object,
the room would be confiscated inasmuch as
the majority must want it that way. we
wish to point out that such a conclusion
may not be accurate, since it is a well-
known fact that people may have the best
intentions to object to procedures, but
are not noted for doing anybhing con-
structive about objecting without a little
prodding.
We confess that we were very indignant
at the plan to do away with the little
room, but, and we likewise confess this
with shame, we did not voice any objec-
tion at the appointed time. Later we did
try, but were told it was too late. "re
suspect that there are a good many more
than eight who feel very strongly about
destroying the little room. In view of
the fact that people often have to be
prodded to do things they often want to
do, but just put off doing, we wonder if
more of you can't follow our example and
sit right down after reading this, and
write to the Personnel Office that you
object. Even if you merely say you ob-
ject and list one reason, it would give
the Office a fairer picture of the pro-
portion of the staff, and there are many
uttering dissatisfaction, who really feel
the need of a room in which to rest.
There is no one place in the entire
central building, except this small room
where women staff members can lie down.
And often is the time v,hen one has a
headache, or one's nerves are tense from
too long hours on a public desk, hours
which have to be too long because lack of
space or of staff demand that persons be
on a desk much longer than the two con-
tinuous hours held to be sufficient for
the normal worker. One needs a place
where one can relax even for just ten or
twenty minutes. And yet one is not ill
enough to go to the nurse and lie down in
the hospital. We are not quibbling about
the admirable plan to enlarge the lounge,
but we think some other place should be
found for a cot.
rre understand that the eight who ob-
jected were told that arrangements were
being made whereby anyone who merely
wanted to lie dovTi a few moments could
go to the nurse's quarters. But one can-
not relax when one is in a room separated
from others, who may be talking or being
-11-
treated medically, by only a flimsy
screen. And what if someone were ill and
needed to use the nurse's room for its
originally- intended purpose? Also, what
of the people who come in to see the
nurse for medical care and expect to be
able to talk of their needs in private.
The nurse's quarters are hardly large
enough to allow for such private conver-
sation if someone were resting on the
other side of the screen. If such an
arrangement were made, we would be will-
ing to wager that it would be a very
small minority of the staff who would
ask to use the nurse's cots for resting,
pimply because they would hesitate to ask
to use it. It is unfair to the nurse, to
the patient, and to the person trying to
find a place to rest.
There should be some room where the
women on the staff can have a little
privacy. Heaven knows, there is no pri-
vacy at all in the locker rooms, with a
thoroughfare right through to Book
Preparation and the Patent Room. There
is little enough privacy in the powder
room, with the door always open, and if
the door were closed there wouldn't be
room enough for all the people passing
in and out to do so. Many is the night
that one is schedviled to work till 6 p.m.
and has to be somewhere at 7 or so and
there isn't time to go home and back.
Yet, with the little room abolished,
there is no place at all where one can
change from one's work clothes, as is
sometimes necessary.
Let it be understood that we are not
opposed to enlarging the women's lounge —
it's a wonderful idea. On a rainy day
there isn't room for even a quarter of
the staff, and did you ever try to hold a
cup of tea without rubbing elbows at one
of the staff teas at, say, about 3:30 or
4 o'clock? *7e grant the lounge should
have been twice as large in the first
place, as should the lunch room and the
powder room. But none of these should be
enlarged at the expense of another much-
used and much-needed room. Enlarge the
staff lounge, yes, but find then, another
place for a couch or two where women
staff members may relax in privacy if
they so desire. Modern business realizes
the necessity to provide such facilities
for its employees, so why should not a
public institution the size of this feel
the same obligation to its
staff?
LAMENTATIONS OF A LO^LY SUBPRO
Once in a while
Will you try to give one little thought
to me
Though someone else may be
Nearer your heart (the Professional).
Once in a while will you think of
Your work that I did for you
YVhile you sailed the Mediterranean Blue
And dined ^l la carte.
In your four weeks vacation
Our cares are doubly increased
Yet we only have two weeks i 1 1
At this rate we'll soon be deceasedl
I know that I'd be contented with only
Four weeks vacation
In which I could roam the nation
Once in a while.
EARLY MORNING "OE
Each morning bright and early
As I plod that extra mile
To the side door of the building
I wonder all the while
This is supposed to save a man
At least that's vhat they say
But as I walk past bolted gates
He ' s in there anyway J 1 1
- Perplexed -
overheard at connolly branch
A little boy who had recently reported
his library card lost, appeared at the
registration desk one day to notify the
Library that he had found his old card.
"I wanted to tell you," he said "so you
wouldn't be worried about it."
-12-
REPQRTS ON CARE PACKAGES
The Staff Association is in receipt of
many interesting letters of thanks from
persons to whom our CARE packages were
sent. We are copying some of them, or
excerpts from them, below for your in-
formation.
"1. R.Flint. A.L.A.
268, VTest Park Drive ("'est)
Leeds, 8
Yorkshire, U.K. —
Oct. 3rd. 1948
To the Members
of the Professional Staff Association,
Boston P.L.
Dear Members,
My wife and I wish to tender our sin-
cere thanks to you for your kindness and
generosity in sending these gift parcels,
of which I am a grateful recipient. Our
baby is today 10 weeks old and is devel-
oping very nicely, but my wife has had to
undergo a minor operation this last week.
However, she is now recovering nicely,
and I am looking forward to having the
two of them home again very shortly.
You will no doubt be interested to
know more of the persons to whom your
parcels have been delivered. I am a
Branch Librarian in the Leeds Public
Libraries, being appointed to the Hunslet
Branch (built 1931) on completion of a
year at Leeds School of Librarianship.
In June this year I completed the first
five parts of the Fellowship of the Li-
brary Association, and am now commencing
my thesis, which forms part 6 of the
Final Examination. I would be very in-
terested to correspond with a member of
your staff on a professional level and
will certainly reply to any letter I re-
ceive.
Once more, please accept our sincere
thanks for your welcome gift.
Yours sincerely,
It. R. Flint.
20, Springfield Rd.,
King's Heath,
Birmingham, 14 ■*
Thurs. 30/9/48
The Secretary,
Professional Staff Association,
Boston Public Library
Dear Sir or Madam,
I must write and tell you how delight-
ed my wife and I were to receive a gift
parcel, (layette) from your Staff asso-
ciation. "re do appreciate very much the
kindness shown in sending this most use-
ful gift to us and we feel, more than
ever before, the close link that there is
between our two English speaking nations.
Te have also received the gift of an
eiderdown for the baby bed from friends
in the Netherlands, so it will be quite
an international baby that we have.
The baby, a daughter to be called
Rosemary Ann, arrived on Tuesday and so
did your lovely gift parcel* 1
Please convey my thanks to the members
of your association and my greetings to
them as fellow workers in the public
cause.
Please excuse this brief and poor ef-
fort at writing a letter but possibly you
know the state of mind that is peculiar
to a new Father like myself.
Again many thanks for the gift and
kindest regards to yourself.
Yours sincerely,
Ronald F. Smith
Senior Assistant
Stirchley Public Library
Rijswijk 28th Sept, 1948
Mr. Eamon McDonough
Dear Mr. McDonough,
With this letter I wish to express my
gratitude for the marvellous food parcel
-13-
I received a few days ago. I appreciate
this gift very much, not only because of
the delicious contents of the parcel, but
also because of the kind thoughts which
made it possible to send it to me. This
kindness is a sign, that in spite of all
the dark aspects of mankind, there is ex-
isting a Brotherhood of Man. We need
this cooperation so much in this trem-
bling and tottering xvorld of our days.
Dear Sir, will you please tell the mem-
bers of the Boston Public Library Profes-
sional Staff Ass., I am deeply touched by
their generosity and brotherly kindness?
You will be interested to know that I
am a colleague of yours, as I am an as-
sistant librarian at the Technical
University Library, Delft. My work is
to catalog the books and to take care of
the alphabetic catalog. I think you have
a dictionary catalog. This kind is not
"in vogue" in Holland. T7e have an alpha-
betic catalog, in which the books ere ar-
ranged on writers' names, and two subject
catalogs, one systematic and one alpha-
betic.
Except the books on technical sciences,
we have a large collection of books on
art, history, philosophy, social
sciences, law, etc. ...
... I shall always be pleased to give
any information ebout our library, you
should like to have. If you would be so
kind as to send me a picture of your li-
brary, I should be pleased.
Yours very sincerely,
Catharina de Goede de Koning
Emmastraat 19
Rijswijk Z.H.
Netherlands
ED. note: Miss de Koning encloses sever-
al pictures of her library.
ASSOCIATION OF ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS
(Section of the Library Association)
YORKSHIRE DIVISION
Honorary Secretary: CENTRAL LIBRARY
C.W.Taylor, F.L.A. SHEFFIELD 1
Cm :H
29th September, 1948
The Secretary,
Professional Staff Association,
Boston Public Library,
Copley Square,
Boston,
Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I was one of the fortunate few selected
by the Library Association, to receive a
layette. I received this yesterday, and
I am taking this early opportunity to
express my thanks to your Association for
their very generous gift. The contents
of the parcel, I can assure you, will be
greatly appreciated in these days of
coupons. Practically all the essential
things required by a baby demand coupons
and the allocation given for the purpose
barely covers the needs. Your present
will mean that the coupons allowed will
be used for the little additional luxu-
ries so beloved by mothers.
As you will notice from the letter
heading above, I am Secretary of the
Yorkshire Division of the Association of
Assistant Librarians and I shall be very
pleased at any time to receive details
of your activities and functions.
In closing, may I again express the
thanks of my wife and myself for your
very acceptable gift.
Yours sincerely,
C.,rT. Taylor
The Secretary, Professional Staff Assn.,
Boston Public Library, Copley Sq.
Boston, Mass., U.S.A. 24th October, 1948
Dear Sir,
It gives me the greatest pleasure to
acknowledge the receipt of one of your
Gift parcels, distributed by the Library
Association to the babies of library
workers in this country. f"e expected a
small "good-will" food parcel & were
overwhelmed ... by what we actually
-14-
received. The action ... of your Asso-
ciation in conceiving the idea of sending
such parcels was one of characteristic
generosity; the actual carrying out of
the project exceeded it. I should like
you to convey to the members of your or-
ganization the thanks & appreciation of
my wife and myself, & of my son & daugh-
ter; their appreciation, tho' less lucid,
was more physically immediate.
Perhaps your members would be interest-
ed in a few personal £ professional de-
tails of the recipients of their gift? I
em a Branch Librarian in St Pancras, one
of the 28 separate & independent Boroughs
that make up the Metropolitan area of
London. "Je have six Branches, all of
them small &, with one exception, in con-
verted premises, but no Central Library!
My Branch is a converted house in Camden
Town, one of the centres of working-class
London <*■ haunt of 'spivs', barrow-boys &
small criminals as well as being the one
time residence of the famous 'Camden
Town' group of English painters of whom
the most famous was W. R. Sickert.
Charles Dickens, H. G. "ells, Bernard
Shaw, Ellen Terry & many other famous
people have at times lived in the dis-
trict. In the library we issue about
2500 Adult & 300 Junior books a week; our
total book stock being about 15,000.
After my release from the Army I was
able to obtain a Government grant to
study full-time for a year for my Final
Library Examination which I passed in
June last. These grants correspond to
your 'G.I. Bill of Rights' & have been
generously administered by the Govern-
ment. I particularly remember during my
Library School year the envious stir
caused in the class by news of the estab-
lishment of the John Defarrari Foundation
with its most munificent donation to the
Boston Public Library. A historic event
in the life of one of the great historic
Public Libraries.
My wife, Margaret, was formerly a Li-
brarian & my daughter Ann, aged two, de-
spite discouragement appears to be going
the same way, certainly she has a passion
for books. Alastair, who is seven months,
is only interested in anything he can
chew.
I hope your mental picture of circum-
stances in this country if not too grim?
Perhaps some of your staff have visited
us? Despite restrictions of various
sorts & an inclination to monotony of
diet the whole population of this country
is better fed than ever before &, both
during 4 since the war, children & preg-
nant mothers have been the first charge
on our resources as far as the provision
of Health services & body-building foods-
milk, cod-liver oil, eggs etc. -is con-
cerned. The present generation of chil-
dren is a bonny one.
But we de repeat our warm thanks for
your supplement to baby's food, he's been
grovring very fat since we received it, &
would like to extend an invitation to any
of you who may visit England, on study or
vacation, to visit us. If we have moved,
the new address can always be supplied by
the Library Association
Cordial greeting & best wishes,
Edgar H. Seagroatt
94 Ladbroke Grove,
London, '". 11, England.
The Secretary, 29th Sept. 1948
Professional Staff Association
Boston P.L.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to express sincerest
thanks on behalf of my wife, baby daugh-
ter and myself for the wonderfully gen-
erous parcel of baby foods which we re-
ceived today at the instigation of your
association,, All the contents were so
good as to be only equalled by the kind
consideration which prompted you to
sponsor their presentation.
I have had previous personal experience
of the generosity and hospitality of the
M. American continent, having undergone
my aircrew training in the late war in
Canada, so this parcel is yet another
confirmation of these admirable (and
greatly appreciated) qualities.
Trusting that you will pass on my very
sincere appreciation to all the other
■15-
members of your association, I am,
Yours very sincerely,
F. R. Taylor, A.L.A.
152, Parklands Road
Royal Oak, ^.ythenshawe,
Manchester, Englend. — ■
Boston Public Library 8-10-48
Professional Staff Assoc/ October 8, 1948)
c/o Mr. Samon McDonough
Copley Square, Boston.
Dear Friends:
Your address was on the C.A.R.E. slip
sent me from Paris. I have this minute
received a CARE Colis, so write imme-
diately to express my unbounded gratitude
for this favour. I have not yet undone
the colis, I am so appreciative of your
bounty that I don't take time even to
peek inside I
We have plenty of certain things in
France with the exception of butter,
milk etc. We get oil instead of butter,
nut oil or sun flower (here in the south)
oil with which we cook. It is the price
of food that renders the purchasing of
the needful almost impossible, prices
increase daily with leaps and bounds.
You have also increased prices so it is
all the more generous of you to consider
us over here. If at any time I can do
anything for any one of you I shall be
most happy to be of any service at any
time.
With sincere thanks
Your Grateful
Mary L. Boswell
Gloria Mansions
125 Rue de France
Nice, A M, France. '
Helsinki
Aavasaksantie 9 A 2
Finland
M.K. Narhi
Mr Eamon McDonough;
That came as a gladdening surprise to
me to receive a great care-package in
these days. It was very very kind of you
to remember a Finnish colleague who has
now got into difficulties. Peing sick
already a year's time I'm unable to take
care of my family properly. In my family
there are 4 children, two boys, 8 and 3
years and two girls, 7 and 5 years.
ly wife is compelled to work for the liv-
ing of the family. She is a teacher at
the same school where two older of our
children go, ... Before I get ill I was
at the City Library of Helsinki, as the
first librarian. Besides I acted as the
secretary of the Library association of
Finland and as the secretary of the com-
mittee appointed to reform the Library
Law of Finland,
You'll understand that it was very hard
to me to leave all these employments that
had grown very dear to me. If I ever
shall have possibility to return to my
work, I'll communicate it to you. In
that case I should be very much obliged
if I could receive any insights about
your library, any book or presentation
about it - we have surely much to learn
about such a great library. ...
addition by wife after husband's operation;
30.10.1948
...You cannot imagine how glad I'm for
your kindness I Expressly for that sake
that it made my husband happy to think
that we'd got such a lot very very valu-
able things - and that from his colleagues.
He has of course been quite depressed be-
cause his incomes have grown decreased
and he's always fearing I have it too
hard now. But I'm very happy while think-
ing that we maybe some day shall get him
home again. The children are missing him
terribly and I much more.
"fe are vrondering here the helpfulness
of you Americans. v.re know quite well
that you cannot yourself imagine what a
such day when the postman brings an Amer-
ican Care-envelope, means here. It means
a Santa Claus for the whole family, a
Christmas day amidst the autumn. And one
has then a. little easier to believe that
the Good V.rill still exists, after all...
The wonder that quite unknown persons
care for us and help us, that gives
courage. God bless you. ...
<;■'■=' ',
a bra & r
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PR0FE5S10NA1
0
n 1TPPAPY
ON
THE QUESTION MARK
Published by the
Boston Public Library-
Professional Staff Association
Editor; Sarah"". Flannery
Volume III
Number 9
December 1948
EDITOR'S CORNER
Election time for the BPLPSA draws near
and with it the annual chance of the mem-
bers to actively express their interest
in the association, and, by voting for
the candidates of their choice, to help
shape its policies. Many of us who may
be unable to vote in person might be in-
clined to let the matter slide, forget-
ting the possibility of voting by absen-
tee ballot. Those who will be unable to
attend the election are urged to avail
themselves of the privilege they enjoy of
absentee voting, and not to let the op-
portunity pass of helping the best man to
win. Any information you may desire con-
cerning absentee ballots will be gladly
supplied by the secretary, Miss Dorothy
Shaw of the Periodical and Newspaper
Department .
Christmas this year seemed to bring out
the best artistic talents of many members
of the staff from what we observed in our
travels around the building. Many of the
displays of Christmas decorations were
distinguished both for originality and
beauty. They certainly gave a festive
air to the building.
Everyone seems to have enjoyed the
staff Christmas party held in the newly
enlarged and repainted women's lounge.
Many pleased comments were passed not
only on the refreshments which were up to
their usual high standard, but also on
the general air of festive camaraderie
that was in evidence.
We dropped in for a moment on the dance
held by the extra service personnel, and
to us it seemed like a very nice affair.
We are still puzzled, however, as to how
Santa Claus crashed the party. Rumor has
it that he left an engagement at a nearby
hotel on purpose to entertain the LibraryJjAmer
**********
PERSONAL NOTES
Ruth F. Keyes, Washington Village
Branch Library, was married on November
20, 1948 to Joseph L. Conroy.
Ruth I. Williamson, History Department,
was married on December 31, 1948 to Robert
W, Heiles, formerly of the Book Purchasing
Department. They will make their home on
Long Island.
Frank J. Seegraber, Kirstein Business
Branch, resigned to accept a position as
Reference Librarian at the Boston College
Library.
Matthew Muckensturm, Periodical and
Newspaper Department, ceased service on
November 26, 1948, after working in the
department since 1943. Mr. Muckensturm
had worked in the Shelf Department from
1889 to 1905.
Abraham H. Kalish, Circulation Division
Office, resigned to accept a position in
the Library of the State Department,
■Washington, D.C.
New citizenl To Mr. and Mrs. Francis
Scannell a second son, Joel. Mr. Scannell
formerly worked in the Boston Public Li-
brary and is now at the Detroit Public
Library.
**********
PRESIDENT'S NOTES
The membership will be pleased to learn
that we have recently affiliated with the
Staff Organizations Round Table of the
ican Library Association. Through
affiliation it is hoped that we may estab-
lish a closer contact with groups similar
to our own, and in this way be more aware
of problems and activities of such groups
-2-
in other institutions. We will attempt
also to make available through the Staff
Library a file of the bulletin of the
Round Table.
Mr McDonough of the CARE Committee
reports a disbursement of eighty ($80)
dollars in December for the purchase of
eight CARE packages. The continued
support of this activity reflects credit
upon the entire membership.
May we urge every member to cast a bal
lot in the annual election of the Asso-
ciation. It is of great importance that
this be done. The candidates presented
on the slate are of very high calibre,
and by their presence indicate a willing
ness to give their time and talent for
our benefit. The common good of the
Association, to say nothing of co\irtesy,
seems to indicate the necessity of voting.
A sample ballot, with the names of the
candidates, will soon be sent out by
Miss Shaw. We should like to mention
that three candidates have withdrawn
since the slate was made up, Marie
McCarthy, Aaron Starr, and Frank
Seegraber.
It has been brought to our attention
that organizations such as ours are
sometimes able to make arrangements with
local "blood-bank" authorities whereby
the members, by providing the "blood-
bank" with a stated number of units of
whole blood within a calendar year, are
in consequence guaranteed that they and
members of their immediate families will
be provided, free of charge, with any
transfusions required in the course of
medical treatment. In view of the fact
that the present fee for transfusions is
twenty-five dollars a pint, we wonder if
the membership feels that the question
is worth investigation. Those who have
information or opinion regarding this
matter are invited to communicate with
the Secretary, Miss Shaw.
It is regrettable that we must note
here the "disappearance" of an alarming
number of books from the Staff Library.
While the matter will probably be brought
to your attention through other channels,
we nonetheless note here that any member
who has become careless about charging
out items from the collection should have
regard for the very simple procedure now
in effect in this matter. If there be
members who now have in their possession
any items from the Staff Library which
have been removed without recourse to the
self-charging system, may we urge that
they return such books at their earliest
convenience. The present situation re-
flects adversely upon the Staff of the
Library as a professional group, and in-
directly upon the membership of this
Association.
The Valentine Party of the B.P.L.
Employees' Benefit Association, Inc., to
be held at the Sheraton on Thursday, 10
February 1949, gives promise of great
success. Reservations should be made
with Frank Bruno (Patent Room). The
charge for the entire evening, including
dinner, dancing, taxes and tips amounts
to $3.25 per person. You are invited to
bring a friend. Parties may reserve
tables.
This will be the last issue of the
Question Mark to appear under the present
administration. The writer would like to
convey his very humble thanks to the mem-
bership in choosing him to serve as
President for the past year. It was in-
deed an honor: one not soon to be for-
gotten.
To the very able chairmen of the sev-
eral standing and special committees, we
would like to pay particular tribute.
It is a pleasure to recall that in each
case the Association was fortunate in
enjoying the services of these able and
devoted people. To no less an extent are
we indebted to the scores of members who
worked so diligently on these committees.
Particular mention should be made of
-3-
the outstanding contributions of the
Secretary, Miss Dorothy Shaw, end the
Treasurer, Miss Ruth M. Hayes. These two
officers have distinguished themselves in
difficult fields.
Finally, to the Executive Board we wish
to express our pleasure in a fruitful and
pleasant association during the past year.
Such progress as may have been made under
the present administration can be traced
in large measure to the wise guidance
and generous support of the Executive
Board.
**********
RECENT ADDITIONS TO THE STAFF LIBRARY
American library directory, 1948.
Bean, Donald E.
Modular planning for college and small
university libraries.
Carnegie, Dale.
How to stop worrying and start living.
Conference on Reading. University of
Chicago.
Promoting personal and social develop-
ment through reading.
Cronin, Archibald J.
Shannon's way.
Douglas, Lloyd C.
The big fisherman,
Eisenhower, Dwight D.
Crusade in Europe.
Galvin, Hoyt R.
Films in public libraries.
Jennings, John Edward.
River to the west.
McDonald^ Gerald D.
Educational motion pictures and librar-
ies.
Mailer, Norman.
The naked and the dead.
Muchnic, Helen.
Introduction to Russian literature.
Muir, Percival Horace.
Book-collecting as a hobby,
Nunmaker , Frances B.
The library broadcasts.
Sandburgj Carl.
Remembrance Rock,,
Shaw, Irwin.
The young lions.
Sherwood, Robert E.
Roosevelt and Hopkins,
Skinner, Cornelia 0.
Family circle.
Unwin, Sir Stanley.
The truth about publishing.
Updike, Daniel B.
Updike: American printer and his
Merrymount Fress.
**********
NE^S OF THE BRANCH LIBRARIES
The lecture hall of the Connolly Branch
Library was the scene of a party for Girl
Scouts on December 6, when the Jamaica
Plain "'omen's Club presented a special
Scout Nighto There was an exhibit of
handcraft by local girl scouts and a
demonstration of Girl Scout activities.
Speakers of the evening were Miss Bass
and Mrs Henry Gomperts.
The annual Christmas party of the
Jamaica Plain Women's Club was held on
December 20 in the Lecture Hall of
Connolly Branch. Another Christmas ac-
tivity was the Christmas party which the
Club held for the children of the
Connolly district. An annual event, this
year's party was held in the assembly
hall of the Mary E. Curley School which
can accommodate a larger audience than
the Library's lecture hall. The party
which was held on December 22 from 2:30
to 5:00 P.M. was under the direction of
Miss Margaret A. Calnan, Branch Librar-
ian, and Miss Ruth Riceman, Children's
Librarian. The play "'Hansel and Gretel"
was presented by Edward Golden and his
Jamaica Plain little Theatre Group. An
orchestra provided musical background and
played for the singing of carols. Santa
Glaus was an honored guest and provided
candy and gifts for all the children.
Upon coming up from the lecture hall
after a film showing at the Connolly
Branch Library, the Children's Librarian
was approached by a little girl who had
been in the audience. Pointing to the
two cans of film the librarian was carry-
ing, she asked, "If you don;t need those
movies any more, May I have them?
-4-
On December 22 patrons who were in the
Fellowes Athenaeum Branch were delighted
to have an opportunity to greet Miss Mary
Ames whom they had known as their librar-
ian for many years, and Miss Gladys "'hite,
who was in charge at Fellowes Athenaeum
until last July. Both attended the staff
Christmas party that afternoon.
At the Hyde Park Library on Tuesday
afternoon, December 21, a big surprise
greeted the regular weekly story hour
group in "/eld Hall. A wandering hand
organ man, impersonated by Miss Ella M.
Adams of the library staff, played gay
tunes to the delight of the children.
The most important items of Miss Adam's
costume were a big brown sombrero and a
fierce mustache. No one guessed who the
music maker was.
At four o'clock 70 children gathered to
hear Christmas stories told by Miss
Jeannette Pepin, Children's Librarian.
After hearing the stories the children
sang Christmas carols and listened to
the eighty-year-old hand organ and the
old fashioned tunes. Then everyone was
delighted to have a picture taken of the
group.
(From the Hyde Park Tribune Dec, 22, 1948)
MEMO TO BEAUTY SEEKERS
At the South Boston Branch Library
Christmas luncheon for the staff it was
observed in the midst of chicken a la
king in patty shells, hot rolls, and a
rich dessert with whipped cream, that one
member of the staff was still careful to
watch her weight. She ate everything,
but took saccharin in her coffee.
A Branch Librarian, unable to procure a
copy of Dante's Inferno, sent a substi-
tute order card. The title requested was
The Boston Public Library. Could it be..
......? No, it couldn't I
NOTEWORTHY CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
South End Branch this Christmas dis-
played holiday decorations peculiarly
appropriate to the spirit of kindliness
and good will typical of the season.
Evergreens, thoroughly fire-proofed of
course, lent their own special charm to
the general effect.
On several past occasions, South End
has received gifts of beautiful flower
arrangements from one of the library's
patrons, Mr Joseph Kharibian, a profes-
sional floral designer. But the exhibit
which Mr Kharibian designed and arranged
for the Children's Room this Christmas
is the most splendid of them all. At
least four by seven feet in size, the
design represents the idea of Christmas
all over the world from the land of the
Eskimo to the land of the tropical palm.
A large figure of Santa Glaus surmounting
the globe, the sleigh and reindeer racing
against the sky, and a South Seas hut,
were part of the display, all against a
background of blue on which was written
in silver letters, "A merry Xmas to all
and to ail a good night"., and enclosed in
a frame of evergreen and cones from the
giant redwood trees of California.
The public as well as the staff of
South End have enjoyed Mr Kharibian' s
handiwork. But more than the display
itself, we, of the staff, value the
spirit in which it was given-. For this
is Mr Xharibian's method of expressing
his appreciation of what South End Branch
meant to him as a boy. And we of the
present staff, accept, as proxies, this
tribute to the staff members who inspired
it.
**********
RECENT LITERATURE OF
PROFEG SI ONAL INTEREST
H. Vail Deale makes some pertinent ob-
servations on that perennial subject,
esprit de corps or library morale in his
article- ""More Important than your Salary"
in the v,ilson Library Bulletin, December
1948, pp. 306-307.
-5-
The New England Deposit Library, de-
scribed briefly in the January 1949 issue
of B»PcL. News, is discussed in some de-
tail by Francis X. Doherty, formerly of
the General Reference Department, in his
article "The New England Deposit Library:
History and Development," Library
Quarterly, October, 1948. The author
also devotes some attention to similar
deposit libraries in other areas of the
United States and in Europe and includes
some analysis of the theory of the stor-
age library.
Those who are already thinking about
improved physical facilities for their
departments in the proposed new library
building will find some highly interest-
ing suggestions in a series of articles
in the Library Journal, December 15,
1948. Each describes some resourceful
solution to particular problems. Donald
E. Thompson in his article "Planned a
Building for Future Needs," pp. 1782-1789,
describes a college library designed to
meet the needs shown by a survey of en-
rollment and categories of usage; of
particular interest is the plan for a
flexible book stack, "yman Parker, "Few
Barriers in Building," pp. 1782-17P6,
demonstrates through a successive series
of plans the tailoring of physical plant
both for efficiency and attractiveness;
especially noteworthy is the ingenious
treatment of such problems as placement
of reference books for convenient access
and arrangement of facilities for col-
lections in allied subject fields. Other
modern improvements in architectural de-
sign and technical equipment incorporated
in plans for libraries of enhanced utili-
ty and beauty are described in the arti-
cles "Library First on Building Program"
by Charles M. Adams, pp. 1772-1775 and
"Pasadena Pioneers Building Planning" by
L. Herman Smith, pp. 1778-1781.
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