^/% A^^^ 7^^: 5?:^r ■:^.-t^:-. '^' C3 L8 1921 LIBRARIES of Los Angeles ^Vicinity edited by Ralph L. Power LIBRARY UKiv -;ty of ^ ri \ LIBRARIES OF LOS ANGELES AND VICINITY Edited by RALPH L. POWER Sometime: Librarian at Boston University Editor of Special Libraries Magazine Author of Boston 's Special Libraries UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PRESS LOS ANGELES Copyright 1921 Ralph L. Power Preface upon returning to Los Angeles, after an absence covering a period of years, it seemed to the writer that the library facilities of the city and county had in- creased to such an extent that a brief survey or sketch might meet a demand for certain information. Accordingly "Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity" came into existence in much the same way that Boston's Special Libraries was written some five years ago al- though this volume was compiled during the rush of the opening of college year. Perhaps ''Some Libraries of Los Angeles and Vici- nity" might be a better caption for certain restrictions have been necessary in the selection of material includ- eci herewith. From the public libraries of the county five have been chosen, more or less arbitrarily perhaps, and from the total number of high school libraries not more than a half of those in Los Angeles are sketched. Unfortunately no mention has been made in the text of the Monk Library of Arizoniana at the Southwest Museum where Miss Cora Hatch is librarian. This collection of 14,000 volumes, dealing exclusively of literature of Arizona, is open from 1 to 5 daily at 4699 Marmion Way. 2 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity- It has not been possible to include all of the private collections. W. A. Clark, Jr., founder of the Phil- harmonic Orchestra, has a splendid collection in his West Adams Street home; Henry W. O'Melveny, the well known attorney, has a small library of rare vol- umes; S. T. Clover, Editor of "The Saturday Night," has a working collection of unusual books in his Ar- cadia home; L. E. Behymer, at his West Adams Street residence, has built up a wonderful collection relating to tne drama; I am told that Judd Rush, the lawyer, has made a special hobby of collecting; and I. B. Dock- weiler and associates have gathered together a splendid collection of legal works in their offices. The Los Angeles newspapers all maintain a morgue or depository for all sorts of information. This ver- tical file data, covering world wide subjects, is a vast mine of information on all topics and, in addition, each paper usually has a small compact working collection. In various organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce and other associations for the betterment of the city, there are collections of varing sizes for sta- tistical and other uses which will probably in time de- velop into collections of considerable size. New situations are arising almost daily. As this volume goes to press one reads that a comprehensive plan for installing a system of libraries and reading rooms in the Baptist churches in the Los Angeles Dis- trict has been outlined. And again, that a gigantic com- munity library for the Hollywood moving picture in- dustry will soon be under way. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 3 Because of the very general nature of some collec- tions, a few libraries have been purposely omitted in- cluding the Y. M. C. A. library; the collection at the Soldiers Home in Sawtelle; the L. A. Railroad library of Division Two; the Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital library, the Neighborhood Settlement Library and the Los Angeles Free Methodist Seminary library. The. library of the Historical Society of Southern California, in the Los Angeles Museum of History, Scence and Art in Exposition Park, is to form the his- torical portion of the Museum's library. The collec- tion of the Southern California Academy of Natural Sciences, of which Dr. F. C. Clark is president, is also being merged with the museum library. According to the announcement of Director William A. Bryan ar- rangements have just been completed to make this material available to the public daily during museum hours. The material from which these descriptions were taken is believed to be authentic and accurate but naturally the volume will not be perfect. It ought, however, to pave the way for a thorough and complete indexing of the city and county library resources within the next year or so. As a pioneer work there will be errors and omissions in "Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity." But if these are called to the attention of the editor he will gladly acknowledge the material and file for future use. Ralph L. Power. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, November 1, 192L Table of Contents Public Libraries Alhambra Public Library 7 Long Beach Library 9 Los Angeles City Library 11 Los Angeles County Library 13 Pasadena Public Library 15 Pomona Public Library 17 College and University Libraries California Institute of Technology 18 Occidental College 19 Pomona College 21 Southern Branch, University of California 24 University of Southern California 26 School Libraries Los Angeles City School Library 29 Los Angeles High School Libraries 31 County Teachers' Library 13 Scientific Libraries Barlow Medical Library 36 Chamber of Mines and Oil Library 36 Charles Thompson Orinthological Library 36 Mount Wilson Solar Observatory Library 37 Southern California Edison Co. Library 39 University of Southern California College of Dentistry — 28 Libraries of Societies California Society of Sons of the Revolution 42 California Society of Colonial Wars 42 Historical Society of Southern California 41 Los Angeles Masonic Library 42 6 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity Foreign Language Libraries Czecho Slovak 43 Danish 43 Italian 42 Japanese 44 Mexican 44 Polish 43 Business Libraries Barker Brothers 44- Bullocks 45 First National Bank 46 Los Angeles Trust and Savings Company 46 Los Angeles Railway 48 Pacific Mutual Home Office 48 Security Loan and Trust Company 47 Religious Libraries Krotona Theosophical Institute 48 Los Angeles Lodge Theosophical Society 50 Metaphysical Library SO Law Libraries District Court of Appeal — Second District SO Southwestern University School of Law 51 United States Circuit Court 51 University of Southern California College of Law 28 Moving Picture Studio Libraries Lasky 51 Realart Famous Players Metro S3 Universal 53 Private Collections Lucian N. Brunswig 54 Henry E. Huntington 55 Walter Lindley 60 Orra E. Monnette 61 Appendix List of School Librarians 63 Index of Librarians 64 Libraries of Los Angeles AND Vicinity ALHAMBRA PUBLIC LIBRARY The ordinance for a public library in Alhambra was passed September 4th, 1906. Five library trustees were appointed on November 13th and in December they met and oranized with A. C. Weeks as president and L. D. Van Arnam as secretary. A room in the high school building was furnished for temporary use. On April 27, 1907 $10,000 was voted at the bond election for library purposes; $6000 for a site and $4000 for equipment. The price of a building was to be raised by popular subscription. Nothing more was done about the library building for several years and in 1910 the library was moved from the high school to a one story brick building which had been erected and rented for the use of the library for a year. At the end of that time it was planned to erect a permanent building on the lot owned by the library. In December 1910 occured the death of the Librarian, Miss Hafford. Miss Nell M. Welter took charge of the library until the appointment of Mrs. Mary Pierce Smith. In 1911, Miss Agnes McMillan was appointed as- 8 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity sistant and the library was opened to the pub- lic from 9 A.M. to 9 p.m. At an election in April 1911, the proposition to bond the city for ^45,000 for purpose of purchasing a site for a library and park failed to carry. The bond issue was again brought up in 1912 asking ^50,000. for a library and was suc- cessful. The plan for a building, costing about $45,- 000., was prepared by Frederick L. Roehrig. The building, completed in 1915, is a large, attractive con- crete building with the classic style of architecture. It contains thirteen rooms and has about 2561 square feet of reading room space. The structure is sur- rounded by a beautiful lawn with an Italian garden in the rear and occupies nearly an entire city block. An open air stage which is an attractive feature of the grounds can be used for pageants and civic enter- tainments. An auditorium is located in the basement ot the building for public meetings in which the library is interested. Open air reading rooms furnished witlj wicker chairs and tables give an added attraction to the library. The building is so planned that additions or enlargements may easily be made. It is well lighted with French windows across the front and higher windows on sides and back. The loan desk is situated opposite the main entrance and from it gen- eral supervision of the library is a comparatively easy matter. On the resignation of Mrs, Mary Smith in 1918, Mrs. Theodora R. Brewitt, formerly principal of the library school of Los Angeles public library, Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 9 became librarian. The growth of the library has been extremely rapid. In the past two years the circulation increased 36 per cent and the number of new patrons added annually has been more than one hundred per cent. The library at Main and Fourth Streets is open every day from 9 to 9 and on Sunday from 2 to 5 P.M. for reading. LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY In the few years that have passed since the estab- lishment of the Long Beach Public Library the in- stitution has grown from small dimensions to o'lC of the largest libraries in cities the size of Long Beach. In 1895 the Woman's Club of Long Beach estab- lished a small library in a little one story building on Ocean Avenue, This was continued until 1901 when the city took over the collection of books and estab- lished a public library in the City Hall. Miss Victoria Ellis became librarian in 1903. At that time there were 1500 volumes in the library most of which were paper bound. The use and growth of the library increased so steadily that it became necessary to have a separate building. In 1907 Andrew Carnegie gave $30,000 for a building to which the city added $15,000, In May of 1909 the library was moved into the building which it now occupies. Situated in Lincoln 10 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity Park on Ocean Avenue, it is surrounded by trees and beautiful wide lawns. The location is ideal and the library is a block from the center of town, on the main street, a short distance from the beach. On the main floor the loan desk is directly opposite the entrance and on the right is the reference de- partment. Stairs on either side of the entrance lead to the second floor, the larger part of which is the periodical room. This is a large well lighted read- ing room which is usually well filled with readers. On this floor also are the cataloging department and art gallery, where frequent exhibitions attract many visitors. In the basement, which may be entered either from the main floor or the street, is the juvenile de- partment. The Alamitos Library Association in 1910 donated a building valued at $2100 and a branch of the Long Beach Public Library was established there. There are two branches now in operation. One is open two days each week, the other three. Miss Ellis resigned in 1914. She was succeeded by Miss Zaidee Brown, organizing agent of the Massa- chusetts Free Library Commission, who has con- tinued as librarian since that time. The library has received a number of collections of books from private libraries. Some of these are the medical library of Dr. A. E. Gresham of seventy five volumes, the general library of the Reverend Pease of ninety eight volumes, and the co-operative law library. To form the latter forty or fifty attorneys of Long Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 11 Beach contributed books from their private libraries, some of them giving as many as two hundred volumes. These volumes were marked "loaned to the Long Beach Public Library." In 1917 the historical material of the city was col- lected in the library for an exhibit. It was obtained by sending a circular letter to all who had lived in Long Beach twenty vears asking them to lend any pictures they might have of the city or its early resi- dents. Much of this material was given to the library to be kept there and so became the nucleus of a local history collection. The library, located at Pacific Park, is open daily from 9 to 9 and on Sundays from 2 to 9 p.m. LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY The Los Angeles Public Library, established in 1872, has a splendid history of progress and achievement in spite of almost unsurmountable difficulties. It is at present located in the Metropolitan Build- ing, Broadway and Fifth Streets, where it occupies the seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth floors. The hours are from 9 to 9 and Sundays from 1 to 9 p.m. The library is rather well known for special col- lections including Californian and Latin-American lit- erature in which it is second only to the splendid Ban- croft collection at the University of California in Ber- keley. The works on genealogy and town history are 12 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity especially complete and a good working collection of 4,000 volumes is especially strong in town and county history for New England and Virginia. Other speciahies of considerable interest include material on Pacific Coast voyages including a collec- tion containing accounts of all the early voyages to the Pacific, both North and South, and data on overland journeys prior to 1855. The city library system includes 191 distributing agencies which include 8 Carnegie branches, 8 rented branches, 5 playground libraries, 18 sub-branches, a club library and 150 deposit stations in factories, de- partment stores, drug stores, homes and settlements. Mr. Everett R. Perry is librarian and the staff now numbers nearly 200 people. For years the Public Library has occupied rented quarters. At a recent bond election, however, the people came to the front solidly for the library and voted two mil- lion dollars for a new building. Just now the question of location is causing considerable investigation and thought but it is hoped the site will be speedily se- lected and the new building ready within two and a half years when the present lease runs out. The library has maintained a training class since 1892 which within recent years has developed into a full fledged library school. As such it offers a pro- gram of a year for properly qualified students wish- ing to study library economy and college credit is allowed for work in its classes. There are 430,000 books, of which 240,000 are in Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 13 the main library. The periodical department provides more than 900 different magazines and 192 news- papers. 3000 separate copies of the 900 periodicals are supplied throughout the system. LOS ANGELES COUNTY FREE LIBRARY Located in the Broadway Annex to the Hall of Records at 204 North Broadway, the County Free Library maintains supervision over its 325 distribut- ing stations. These branch libraries cover the entire county from the ocean to the highest mountain tops. The books may be found in buildings given over en- tirely to library use, in club houses, schools, stores and in post offices. The main collection is housed in three sections or- ganized and maintained at the central library office. The first division, known as the community section, contains works of general interest, cultural rather than technical volumes. No texts are to be found in this section. Then there is the County Teachers' Library. This branch of the service has grown to include 11,000 voulmes for the exclusive use of teachers for reference and circulating. Not only is the professional aspect of teaching emphasized in the collection but there al- so may be found works on travel, literature and the like. The school service section is the result of state 14 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity legislation and through its work various schools throughout the county are supplied with books, maps and charts. Schools pool their meagre library fund to the county library for administration and books are purchased for all contributing schools. Volumes are then circulated from school to school and in this man- ner each institution receives a service that it would not be possible to enjoy otherwise. The Los Angeles County Library enjoys the dis- tinction of being the largest county library in the state. There are approximately 170,000 volumes which have been added since the collection first came into being in January 1913. Last year there was a circulation of nearly 800,000 books exclusive of schools. The school collection numbers 116,000 volumes. Under the provisions of the county free library law the county free library is established by the county board of supervisors and is supported by a county tax which cannot exceed ten cents on the hundred dollars of assessed valuation on all territory that is out- side of towns or cities already having public libraries. The average tax payer with an assessed valuation of three or four thousand dollars will pay in county li- brarv taxes less than the cost of an inexpensive book or magazine and for that small tax will have access O to all the books and magazines desired. The county system operates its own delivery system but in addition books may be sent by express or par- cel post and the library pays delivery charges each way. Some distributing stations are located a hundred Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 15 miles from a railroad and in some instances even thirty miles from a wagon road. County librarians believe that wherever people go books can follow. The popularity and far reaching benefits of the county library may be better visualized when we say that there were over 40,000 individual borrowers last year. The library serves about 165,000 people ac- cording to the 1920 census. The main library is open daily from 8:30 to 5 ex- cept Saturday afternoons during July and August. Since its inception the library has been under the supervision of Miss Celia Gleason, the librarian. Miss Helen Vogleson is assistant librarian. PASADENA PUBLIC LIBRARY In 1882 a society was formed called the Pasadena Li- brary and Village Improvement Society, and on December 26th of the same year the library was in- corporated. It was a subscription library, each per- son paying twenty five cents a month to draw books. To obtain funds shares were sold at $5.00 each, and a sum of $50,000 was thus raised. The first library was housed in a wooden building, about 22x40 feet, two stories high. The collection con- sisted of 329 volumes, and was under the care of Mrs. S. E. Merritt, the librarian. In 1886 the collection was considerably broadened with 1700 volumes, bought and donated, on the 16 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity shelves. The Hbrary building was considered in ade- quate, however, and the Board went about to find a new home. A lot was purchased on Colorado Street for $170. At the end of a year, the land boom having swept Pasadena, the lot was sold for the sum of $10, 000. With this money another lot was purchased on Dayton Street, for $1496 and the old building moved. Still the library board struggled against cramped quarters and sought to obtain a larger building. The matter was brought up before the citizens of Pasadena, and lots Vv'ere offered for the library building. The one which was the most favorable in location was a lot offered bv Charles Legge, on the corner of Ray- mond Avenue and Walnut Street, 100x150 feet. The lot was given on the condition that the building cost not less than $25,000. and should be built and com- pleted not later than January 1, 1888, and be free from any financial incumbrances. The trustees still had a fund left from the sale of the Colorado Street property, and bravely decided to start with this, hoping to obtain the necessary funds to complete the building during its construction. A subscription list was started (1887), representing the purchase of shares in library corporation stock, which amounted to $6,935. After many difficulties in 1890, on September 9th an attractive brown stone building having cost $25,000, was opened with Mrs. Merritt continuing as librarian. On the resignation of Mrs. Merritt, Miss Nellie M. Russ was made librarian and served as such for Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 17 twenty years. In 1919, upon the resignation of the librarian,Miss Jeannette Drake, of the Los Angeles Public Library, was made librarian. A gift of one thousand photographs of the treasures contained in the Boston Museum of Art was given to the Hbrary by Baldwin Coolidge. These consist of photographs of oil and water color paintings, statues, engravings, etchings, furniture, ceramics, textiles, and classical antiques from Rome, Greece, Japan and and India. These photographs are being mounted and classified, and form a valuable part of the picture collection. The bound volumes now number approx- imately 80,000. The library, at Raymond Avenue and Walnut Street, is open daily from 9 to 9 and Sundays from 2 to 5 P.M. POMONA PUBLIC LIBRARY The Pomona Library Association was organized in 1887 with about 1,000 volumes in the library, which was in the new First National Bank building. The library was mainly supported by the annual flower festivals, the fees being scarcely sufficient for current expenses. The library and the reading room annex was open every day and evening. Land to the value of ^2100 was given by citizens of the locality upon which a building costing $15,729 was built in 1902. The contract for the building did 18 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity not include book stacks, delivery desk and so forth. $15,000 of the money was from Andrew Carnegie. The building is of the Romanesque style. In 1905 Miss Sarah M. Jacobus was elected librarian, succeeding Miss Mabel Prentiss. In 1905 the total number of volumes were 11,413 and the total number of registered card holders 3907. On January 1910 work was begun on alterations and additions to the library building. The library began a collection of local history and a Shakespeare collection. Exhibits of California stories, Southern stories and Indian stories were made. Talks on the use of the library was given to teachers and classes from school. Club meetings were held in the assembly room. Advertising the library in street cars and school visits have quickened the interest in the library. The new story hour has proven very popular. The library, on North Main Street is open daily from 9 to 9 and Sundavs from 2 to 5 p.m. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY The library of California Tech contains 10,000 bound volumes and many periodicals and proceed- ings, relating particularly to chemistry, physics and astronomy. In addition to the general library the Chemistry Departmental Library in the Gates Chemistry Build- ing contains a good working collection of books and Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 19 journals on chemistry, both American and Foreign. The Physics Departmental Library which will be hou- sed in the new Norman Bridge Physics Building is be- ing added to very materially and will be a very good collection of books and periodicals on Physics, Mathe- matics and Mathematical Physics. The library quarters are located in one of the build- ings on East California Street, Pasadena, and the hours during the college year are from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Miss Frances L. Spining is librarian and the schedule of library hours is announced each college term. OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE LIBRARY In February 1887, articles of incorporation were drawn for the Occidental University of Los Angeles and September, 1888, the first college building was located in Boyle Heights and opened to the students. However, the term university was too pretentious for such a small institution and in 1892 the name was changed to Occidental College. At this time there were six students in the college and twenty-nine in the preparatory department. The college boasted a small library known as the Cameron Library which was lo- cated in the main building. The building was destroyed by fire in 1896 and the college forced to move. A site in Highland Park was chosen and the first building completed in 1898. 20 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 1904 was an important date in the history of the college library for in that year Charles M. Stimson gave the new library building to the college and the people of Highland Park. This was said to be one of the most beautiful library buildings on the coast and was built at a cost of $20,000. On the main floor were the reading and reference rooms, the stack room and the librarian's office while the lower floor was occupied by the college departments of biology and geology. The new building not only housed the college li- brary but the Stimson Branch of the Los Angeles Pub- lic Library with some 1200 volumes. Miss Anna C. Latimer was the librarian in 1906 and in 1907 Miss Frances R. Foote was appointed to the position. From 1909 Dr. G. F. Cook has been librarian. By 1908 the library numbered 7,000 volumes and received regularly 60 periodicals. The college library had grown to such an extent that it was necessary to move the Stimson Branch to other quarters. This was done in March, 1908 and the college library left in possession of the Stimson building. 1914 was a memorable date for Occidental for it marked the leaving of the old campus and moving to the present site near Eagle Rock. The most important event in the history oi the li- brary came in 1916 when Mr. David B. and Mrs. Mary H. Gamble of Pasadena endowed the library with $50,000 the income of which is devoted to pur- chase of books for the library. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 21 Occidental College Library now has about IS. 000 volumes on the shelves, many of which are reference works of importance. An important feature of the library is the special collection of books and manuscripts on Mexico and Latin America. The Cleland collection, now being catalogued bv Miss Fales, numbers between 300 and 350 books, most of which are works on Latin Amer- ica. The Doheny collection, given by Mrs. E. L. Doheny of Los Angeles, comprises chiefly typed and written manuscripts. These manuscripts are the written cor- respondence between the Doheny Foundation and Mexican authorities concerning the investigations car- ried on in Mexico by the Foundation. The library, now located in Fowler Hall at the Eagle Rock Campus, maintains a schedule according to the college year. POMONA COLLEGE LIBRARY The beginning of this library dates from the estab- lishment of the college in 1888, when a small collection was gathered and housed in an alcove off the hall of the first college building. Miss Spalding, who acted as the first librarian, gathered together about two hundred books from friends in Carleton and brought them with her to the college, this forming the nucleus of the collection. Many personal appeals for special 22 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity books were made to friends of the college and the col- lection soon outgrew the quarters. In 1891 the library was moved to a room which had been prepared for it in Holmes Hall where, with the aid of the Claremont book club, it was further developed for the use not only of the students but the residents of Claremont. This club still continues to donate a number of books to the library each year. In 1897 Mr. C. M. Pratt first made his annual do- nation of five hundred dollars for books. In 1899 the library was moved to Pearsons Hall of Science where a safer and more convenient place had been provided. This soon became inadequate, however, and plans were made to provide a building. An appeal was made for some Carnegie funds which resulted in the offer of ^25,000, with the stipulation that the college was to raise an equal amount for endownment. But, as this seemed inadequate, a further appeal was made by the president, and ^40,000 was promised under the same conditions. Mr. Franklin P. Burnham of Los Angeles was chosen as architect and the corner stone was laid Feb- ruary 22, 1907. The building when completed cost . $10,000 more than the original sum, and is of rein- forced concrete throughout. The building is situated in the center of a park and is to be at the end of the quadrangle when this is completed. It faces east and broad steps lead up to a high portico supported by massive columns. The spacious entrance hall is open to the ceiling of Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 23 the second floor with a gallery around the upper floor. The charging desk is on either side facing the door and divided in the middle by an aisle which leads to the rear of the building and the open stacks. To the right of the entrance [?■ the general reading and period- ical room with a fireplace in the center of the North wall and to the left is the reference room with a fire- place in the south wall. Stairs lead from both sides of the entrance and meet above the front door and end in front of the exhibition cases which extend around three sides of the gallery. Two class rooms are locat- ed on the north side of the second floor and the li- brarian's offices and a scientific periodical room on the south side. In the rear over the stacks, are sem- inary rooms which of late, because of the growth of the library, have been used for books. In the base- ment is located the magazine room and law library. The library has had a steady growth during the last ten years. During this period the endowment fund has increased from W,000 to $123,809.98 of which $51,840.12 is the book fund endowment. The in- crease in the fund has come from various persons who have given sums for the different departments. In 1910 there were 13,675 bound volumes and on June 1, 1920, 35,314 beside 24,098 pamphlets. In 1913 the library was made a depository for Unit- ed States government documents and for the publi- cations of Carnegie Institute at Washington. In 1914 the Mason collection of California literature was pre- 24 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity sented to the college with provisions for purchasing other volumes along this line. In 1919 the Viola Minor Westergaard memorial col- lection of books in fine arts was presented to the li- brary. This collection was placed in Rembrandt Hall, the art building, and is constantly being enlarged by the donors. This is also used for reference only. Other collections are the Cook-Baker Library, the zoology section of which is housed in Pearsons Hall of Science, and the botany section in Harwood Hall, and the Astronomical library in the F. P. Brackett observa- tory. Another important recent addition to the reference collection is the Victor S. Clark collection of photo- stat cards containing the translation of articles appear- ing in German newspapers during the war. The library employs two librarians, Victor E. Mar- riott, librarian, and Marion J. Ewing, assistant and student assistants. This system was started in 1913 with the plan to give each student, in addition to desk work, some department for which he was to be re- sponsible. The college library is open daily and evenings dur- ing the college year on regular schedule. SOUTHERN BRANCH, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA The Librarv of the State Normal School was estab- Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 25 lished in 1881 and its growth kept pace with that of the institution. On July 21, 1919, the State Normal became the property of the University of California and at that time the Board of Regents assumed con- trol of the grounds, buildings and equipment. Since that date the institution has been known as the South- ern Branch of the University of California. The Hbrary is housed in an ivy-covered brick build- ing on the Vermont Avenue Campus containing a reading room accomodating four hundred readers, a stack room with shelving capacity of fifty thousand volumes, a juvenile room, a magazine room, a reception room, one for the librarian's use and a number of class roms. The library has two distinct collections, one for the use of the college students and one for the training school. The latter for the most part contains sup- plementary texts and is in reality a branch of the library proper. Owing to the crowded conditions in the library, this collection was moved to the training school quarters during the past year. The present collection of the library consists of 31,- 000 volumes and 8000 pamphlets as well as about 6500 bound volumes of literary and educational journ- als. The library is especially rich in literature per- taining to psychology and the science of teaching. A special classification has been devised for these two classes. There has been a change in the character of the books purchased since the library has come under the Board of Regents. During the past year the 26 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity number of additions to the library was3348 volumes. During the summer session of the University of California, the regular collection of the library is aug- mented by loans from the State Library and from the Library of the University of California. Library hours of the Southern Branch are made in accordance with the regular school program and are posted from time to time. The present librarian is Miss Elizabeth H. Fargo. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIBRARY. The Library of the University of Southern Calif- ornia was organized at the time of the founding of the University in 1880, and up to 1901 the librarian in charge was usually a student or professor who gave part time to the library. In 1901 Mrs. Lorretta May Crowell was appointed librarian and gave full time to the library work. In 1904 Miss Sara K. Miller be- came librarian, but she also took special work in college courses. In 1908 Miss Charlotte M. Brown became librarian and has since then devoted her en- tire time to the library. The library which is in reality the liberal arts col- lection is housed in the Old College at 3Sth Street and University Place. The library remained in this building when the administration offices were moved Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 27 to the new building but it is the plan of the University to have the next building to be constructed on the campus the library building at a cost of at least $250,- 000.00. The reference room contains the general reference books, the bound magazines, and a selected list of current periodicals. The stack room opens off the reference room and contains the circulating books. There are also four large study rooms, on the main floor, connecting with the main stack room through a ' c o hallway. In these rooms are shelved the reserve collection of about 4,000 volumes selected by the var- ious professors as outside reading in connection with their various courses, and the bound magazines most in demand for outside reading. Nearly 5,000 volumes are reserved at this time of year. All officers, students and graduates of the Univer- sity have free access to the library and may take books for home use. The library has both open and closed shelves, the majority of the circulating books being upon the closed shelves. All closed shelves are open to the members of the faculty and, upon recommendation of their major professor, to students doing advanced research work. The library contains 31,000 bound volumes and 20, 000 pamphlets. There are a few small special collections but of no great extent, the most important of these being a collection of books on the Life and times of Mary, Queen of Scots, presented to the library by Judge Blackstock of Los Angeles. In the collection 28 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity are several rare editions, the most significant of which is George Buchanan's 'Detection of the act of Mary Queen of Scots' translated from the latin and published in London two hundred years ago. The staff is composed of the librarian and five regu- lar assistants ,and during the school year there are about twenty student assistants who work ten hours each week. The library is also a depository of the Los Angeles Public Librarv and books as needed are brought from the public library for the use of the students. Inter- library loans are carried on in the state through the Los Angeles County library. The library is open five days in the week from 8 a.m. to 5 P.M. and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition the library of the College of Dentistrv. established in 1892 has a collection of 5,000 volumes in dental science and allied subjects as well as \'olumes upon medical science. This collection is open to students of the institution and to all ethical members of the dental profession in the state of California for reference only. These books are at 102 East Sixth Street under the direction of the librarian, Dr. J. End- elman. The College of Law library was established in 1897 and contains 8,500 volumes strictly related to the pro- fession. These are in the Tajo Building at First and Broadway. A nucleus for a Commerce Collection is also under way at the present time. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 29 LOS ANGELES CITY SCHOOL LIBRARY In 1891 the City School Library established as the School Department of Public Library began to organize and grow but not until 1906 did it separate from the Public Library. Since 1906 the library has been housed at 419 South Olive Street, first starting with one room until now the entire building is de- voted to the elementary school service. Miss Char- lotte Casev was librarian until 1920, when Miss Jas- mine Britton became head of the staff of five. The purpose of the City School Library is to make its resources promptly available and widely used, so that all teachers in the Los Angeles system will find it indispensable to the best work with the children. More and more care and time are given to improving the service to the individual teacher and filling re- quests for special books, music and visual aids as rapidly as possible. Increasing numbers of questions are being telephoned directly from schools about ref- erence questions. The book collection in 1906 was about 16,000 vol- umes and the collection has grown to 250,000 volumes in 1920 — these are not separate titles however, as many duplicates are bought, in some cases one hun- dred copies of the same book. One hundred and sixty- eight schools are served with deliveries being made every two weeks by a truck. About 25 schools a day can be reached. Books are loaned in four ways: First, there are 30 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity- books which may be kept for the school year. Second, there are books and magazines which are of recent date or much demanded and can be kept two weeks to a month. Third, there are sets of books, not more than twenty-five to a teacher, which may be kept as long as they are in use. Fourth, there are sets of books which are much in demand and can be kept one month. The Hbrary shows an excellent increase an d a healthy rate of growth. The total circulation of books for the year 1919-1920 was 98,372, an increase of 27, 092, over the previous year of 1918-19. It adds about 25,000 volumes every year, at the same time about 5,000 books are worn out, making an increase of 20,- 000 to the entire collection. According to the average daily attendance of children in the schools, the library book fund permits a yearly expenditure of only a- bout 9 cents a pupil. In addition to this large collection of books, the library also circulates phonograph records, patterns, pictures, lantern slides, charts, sterographs, maps, globes, and exhibits of products such as cotton, silk, cocoa, wheat, and other food products. One of the newest and most active departments in the library is that of visual education. It stimulates an interest in geography, history and nature study through the use of pictures, sterographs, and motion pictures. This work has grown greatly during the year. In ad- dition the library recommends firms where suitable lantern slides and films can be obtained at a small cost. The two stereoptican machines are circulated Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 3 1 most of the time and it is necessary to reserve them ahead of time. The work with the evening schools and Americani- zation is very popular. Much time is given to compar- ing the same selection as interpreted by different artists and on various instruments so that only the best are added to the collection. The work with the evening schools and Americani- zation work has grown until now larger and more attractive quarters have been assigned. Individual teachers avail themselves of the evening school sup- plies, printing press and pictures for making charts. Their work is very far reaching with the foreigners in spite of the difficulties of insufficient equipment. The library is open daily 9 to 5 and 9 to 12 on Sat- urdays. LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIES There are in Los Angeles ten high schools maintain- ing libraries with trained librarians. As the limits of the city are extensive, a few of the high schools are not near the center of population proper, as Van Nuys, San Pedro and Gardena. Besides these are five high schools in the city limits giving service to outlying communities but with no trained head: Lo- mita, Wilmington, Owensmouth, Torrance and San Fernando. No comparison is possible between the 32 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity large high school libraries in figures with the smaller ones but all have the same purpose of service. Each library has its own peculiarity in size, age and stage of development. The newest Library is in the Van Nuys High School, organized in 1919 in a corner of a study room in the small school. Miss Jean Doan is librarian, Saint Andrews Street, Van Nuys. The oldest library is that of Los Angeles High School, which began thirty or forty years ago with a collection occupying a locked glass case. Only by slow advance has it become the library it is today. Its history is in many ways typical of the older high school libraries. In 1890 it is said that a small room "was used for a recitation room, a study room, a li- brary, physics and chemistry laboratories, and the principal's office. The books were moved to a study room and were cataloged and cared for by the Head of the English Department." In 1903 a trained librarian was appointed and the following year the books appeared upon open shelves and the old seats and desks gave way to tables and chairs. In the course of time the need for a work- room was met and the library proper expanded into three adjoining rooms. These had become overcrowd- ed and the furniture worn when in 1917 the school moved to a new building. There the library occupies a large beautiful room in the center of the building. The north side of the room is almost wholly taken by Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 33 casement windows. New furniture and equipment were generously provided in keeping with the new chapter in the development of the library. Adjoining the main room at one end are three smaller ones, a good sized workroom with shelving for books in pro- cess and for files of unbound magazines, an office and a store room. The library, in the school building at 4900 Country Club Drive, is open from 8 to 4:30 Mondays to Fridays inclusive. Miss Marjorie Van Deusen is the librarian. The Lincoln High School has a library of unusual charm into which the books were moved in 1916, after the usual probation in a class room. The irregular shape of the room, two large rooms joining in an L, the many French windows on the east and south, the plants and ferns in window boxes, the round tables, the subdued coloring of the old oak furniture, and the pictures all help to create an unusual and delightful library atmosphere. The plan of the building allows the great convenience of a librarian's office close to the delivery desk and therefore to the place of great- est activity. The library is open daily at 3625 North Broadway and Miss Ella S. Morgan is librarian. Polytechnic advanced from one small room to two and finally to the drawing room on the roof. "The room is large and pleasant, being lOOfeet by 100 feet and well lighted with windows on two sides and sky- lights. Its location on the fourth floor however is a drawback. The long flights of stairs and the distance 34 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity from the English and History Departments which are in another building make it difficult for both teachers and pupils. The library is open daily under the direction of Mrs. Edith W. Locklin librarian, at 400 West Washington Street. Franklin and Jefferson High Schools look for more desirable rooms and furniture when the erection of an additional unit in each group of buildings pro- vides a carefully planned library. In all the libraries the books are on open shelves to which the pupils may go freely. The books are large- ly limited to library use with the privilege of borrow- ing for home use overnight. Books of fiction and gen- eral literature may usually be borrowed for a week or two. In most of the libraries pupils may come direct- ly to the library at the beginning of the study period. They sign attendance slips which are collected and sent to the study hall in which the pupils are register- ed. The library is very popular in all the schools and the problem is not so much to attract the pupils as to find room for them. At Franklin Miss Viola E. Stevens is librarian and the school is located at Fifty-fourth Street and Irving- ton Place. Miss Linnie Marsh is librarian at Jeffer- son, 3720 Hooper Avenue. The three largest High Schools boast of 10,000 vol- umes and the others (with the exception of Van Nuys) range from 2400 to 5400 volumes. Franklin and Jef- Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 35 ferson as still young schools have relatively small collections, about 2500 volumes. Each school has its specialty: San Pedro, because of its location at a sea-port has a large collection in navigation, sea-life, shells, shipbuilding and commerce. Gardena has a valuable collection of about 500 books on agriculture and a large collection of the publications of the United States Department of Agriculture and of the Experiment Stations, all carefully classified and cataloged. Jefferson is a vocational school, and at mechanics, agriculture and home economics are dominant in the collection. In connection with these subjects a large use is made of government bulletins; farmers bulletins and California agricultural publication are cataloged by subject, filed and bound yearly. The Los Angeles High School Is of the more class- ical type. The library has an unusually fine collect- ion in history, civics, economics, and sociology. Many books have been bought for junior college courses. Polytechnic has a especially good group of electrical, mechanical and scientific works, which are always in demand. Franklin has a large collection of farmers' bulletins and other pamphlets; each covered separately; cata- loged and prepared for circulation. 36 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity BARLOW MEDICAL LIBRARY The Barlow Medical Library at 742 North Broad- way contains over 5,000 volumes for medical reference open to the general public daily except on bank holi- days. Mrs. Allen D. Fellows is librarian. The collection was established in 1907 by the Medical Library As- sociation and is housed in its own building, now the property of the state. CHAMBER OF MINES AND OIL LIBRARY The library of the Los Angeles Chamber of Mines and Oil is located in the Wilcox Building at Second and Spring Streets where it is open only to members of the Chamber from 9 to 5 daily. The collection was established in 1906 and contains 2,000 volumes relating especially to mining and oil. CHARLES THOMPSON ORINTHOLOGICAL LIBRARY, SOUTHWEST MUSEUM This collection was given to the Museum in 1911 and contains an exceptional library of ornithology. It is arranged primarily for reference and is open to bird students and to members of the Audubon Society. The library is at 4699 Marmion Way and there are over 3,000 volumes. ' Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 17 MOUNT WILSON SOLAR OBSERVATORY LIBRARY, PASADENA Few people realize perhaps, that one of the largest observatories in the world is located on Mount Wilson. It forms a part of the Carnegie Institute of Washing- ton, founded in 1902 by Mr. Carnegie, and up to 1913, had received from him a total endowment of $22,000,- 000 for the purpose of furthering scientific research in all fields. The observatory was established here in 1904. Only the actual work of making observations is done on the mountain. All other work is carried on at their Pasadena quarters which are located on Santa Barbara street. They consist of a group of four buildings, an office building, physical laboratory, instrument shop, and a machine and optical shop. The library is housed in the office building, keeping the books easily ac- cessible to the staff of workers. This building, built in 1913, is of two stories of white concrete, with a roof of Spanish tile, and is very attractive in the set- ting of green vines. The library has a room, 24.5 by 36.5 feet in size, on the main floor, which forms a wing to the building, giving excellent lighting. The indescribable atmosphere cast by orderly rows of books upon their surround- ings, is felt with especial potency in this room, with its walls lined from floor to ceiling with dignified vol- umes. In a place of honor, facing the entrance door, is an excellent copy in oils of Collier's portrait of Sir 38 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity William Hugglns, made when he was President of the Royal Society. There have been but two librarians since the li- brary was established, Miss Jessie Haines, afterwards Mrs. Longacre and the present librarian. Miss Eliza- beth Connor. When the library moved to its new quarters in 1913, h numbered 3,310 volumes; it totals at present 6,200, with 800 housed at the observatory at Mount Wilson. This collection is devoted almost entirely to technical works in astronomy and physics, although other branches of science are represented, notably mathe- matics, chemistry and geology. The books are divided into four groups, general works, periodicals, observa- tory publications, and pamphlets. The general works are of wide range, including works of authority of all countries and of all periods in which records of scien- tific research have been made. One sees with interest an ancient tome published in Spain in the seventeenth century standing side by side with Einstein's Relativ- ity. Periodicals form the bulk of the collection, in- cluding complete bound files of scientific magazines, some general in character, such as Nature, and Science, while others are highly specialized such as Astronom- ische nachrichtin, Zeitschrift fur instrumenkunde, Bul- letin astronomique, and Die Annalen der Physik. An example of the interesting volumes found in the library is in this group, a set of the Philosophical transactions of the Royal society of London, complete from 1660 — some of them in their original leather bindings. A smaller but important class consists of the publi- Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 39 cations of observatories, representing 122 institutions all over the world, "varying with the importance and size of the observatory from thin pamphlets to the 80 volumes of the Harvard Annals." These volumes are shelved by themselves and arranged alphabetiaclly by the name of the observatory. LIBRARY OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY, LOS ANGELES The library of the Southern California Edison com- pany had its beginning about 1910. All the available magazines as a nucleus for a library were collected from the employees. From this small beginning it has grown to be an important factor in the work oi the company's employees. The library is located on the third floor of the Edi- son Building at third and Broadway, in an attractive room with numerous windows, light walls and ceilings and comfortable chairs. The collection of books num- bers about 2200 volumes, of which 450 are bound magazines and 800 miscellaneous and government pamphlets. About 60 magazines are received regularly and most of these are bound. The majority of the books and periodicals deal with electrical engineering but many other subjects are represented: mechanical and civil engineer-mathematics, chemistry, physics, hydraulics, irrigation, refrigeration, general and per- 40 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity sonal efficiency, business finance, public utilities, re- ports of societies, etc. A small collection of music used by the Edison orchestra is also filed in the li- brary. In addition there is a deposit from the Pub- lic Library of one hundred volumes, chiefly of fiction and travel. The catalog is composed mainly of cards indexing magazine articles which are not indexed in the In- dustrial Arts or Engineering Indexes and is practically a subject index. All magazines containing articles in any wav connected with the work of the company are carefully analyzed by the librarian. There is an ad- ditional catalog of articles written by members of the company which have been printed in the Edison Cur- rent Topics or in technical magazines. Newspapers are regularly clipped for items of in- terest about the company or its members, about local bond issues, competing companies, general electrical or financial news, special weather news having a bear- ing on the maintenance or operation of the system, etc. These clippings are routed to various departments by the advertising agent and when returned are filed in the publicity department. The reference work is of importance and includes work with members of various clubs in the preparation of papers to read at meetings; research for special re- ports; compiling of bibliographies, etc. About two thirds of the patrons are those in the central office building, where the library is housed. The other third are located In construction camps, Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 41 power-houses, district offices, garages, shops, etc. and material is sent to them by mail. That the employees appreciate the library is shown by the fact that in the last two years the circulation and number of borrowers have tripled and reference work has greatly increased, the circulation at the end of 1920 being 4010. This increase has been brought about by a systematic advertising through articles in the house organ, by means of posters and letters and in every way possible to acquaint the employees in all branches of the company with the facilities of the li- brary. Miss Beth Pasko is now librarian. HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LIBRARY The library of this society is now housed in the Museum of History, Science and Art Building in Ex- position Park. The collection is not in active use but is open to members by appointment. There are over 2,000 vol- umes relating to California history; files of the pub- lications of the Historical Society of California and publications of the Historical Society of Southern Cal- ifornia. These are extremely valuable as source ma- terial of the history of Los Angeles and Southern Cal- ifornia. Dr. Rockwell D. Hunt, dean of the graduate school, at the LTniversity of Southern California, is president of the society. 42 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity CALIFORNIA SOCIETY SONS OF THE REVOLUTION LIBRARY The California Society of Sons of the Revolution and the California Society of Colonial Wars Library is located in the Broadway Central Building 424 South Broadway with Prof. Walter S. Herzog as librarian. There are nearly 6,000 volumes on genealogy and family history with rosters of Revolutionary and Co- lonial War periods. The collection is open to members from 1 to 6 p.m. daily. LOS ANGELES MASONIC LIBRARY The Los Angeles Masonic Library Association maintains a splendid and complete collection of Masonic literature in the Masonic Temple at Figueroa and Pico Streets. The library at present has 3,000 volumes and is the largest of its kind in the Southwest. It contains a valuable file of Grand Lodge reports from more than 8,000 Masonic jurisdictions in the United States. Mr. T. S. Southwick is in immediate charge of the library which is open to Masons only, daily from 9 a.m. to 10 P.M. except Sundays. ITALIAN 654 North Spring Street. This Italian newspaper office circulates magazines and books and newspapers. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 43 CZECHO SLOVAK 4120 South Park Avenue. A small collection of books brought together by various Czecho Slovak or- ganizations and kept at this address. The collection is free to members of the organization only and is open on two Saturday evenings a month. One particular group presented one hundred books to the Public Li- brary but other groups still maintain a small collect- ion at this place. DANISH 792 East 46th Street. A Danish church of which Mr. S. Marckham is pastor has a collection of books, about fifty in number which is open to the members of the church. POLISH 4410 Lima Street. Mr. Al Heutreux, librarian. The Polish Library Association established April 10, 1906. Annual income is received from monthly dues of ten cents charged for the use of the books. The library is open Thursday and Friday evenings to members only from 7 to 9, and on Sunday afternoons. There are 455 volumes of books and eight news- papers in the collection which is maintained by one 44 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity hundred and twenty-five members. Madame Modjeska donated her collection to this library when she was living in Arden. MEXICAN Mexican Exposition Centro Hispano Americano de I,os Angeles. 1924 South Figueroa. Mr. Ramos cus- todian. A collection recently started, is open to mem- bers of the society, and entrance is gained only by card. JAPANESE 936 Wall Street. A collection of about six hundred volumes, eight magazines and four newspapers com- prise the library of the Japanese Christian Institute. The institution was established six years ago and the book collection has been built up by the young people's society, the members paying twenty five cents a month for its support and growth. BARKER BROTHERS LIBRARY Nearly all of the large department stores in Los Angeles have an educational department, or conduct part-time classes for the benefit of their employees. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 45 The library plays an important part in this educational work. The larger stores have libraries of their own which is supplemented by books borrowed from the public library. Among those having such libraries are Barker Brother's, Robinson's, The Broadway, Ham- burgers, Jacoby's, and the Ville de Paris. Barker Brothers have their own collection of tech- nical books with a librarian in charge. The purpose of the library is to furnish information for the different departments of the store and to make more efficient salesmen. The library is in an attractive room near the administrative offices of the firm. Two branches are maintained; one in the garage, and another in the warehouse. By this means all employees of the firm are reached. The library relies on the public library for fiction, biography, and travel. Books are sent from the public library once a week. The library is open every day from 8:0 a.m. untill 5:30 p.m. It is against the policy of the firm to charge fines but so far, little trouble with losses or overdues has been had. The circulation for the first three months of 1920 averaged about 1550 per month. \ BULLOCK'S DEPARTMENT STORE LIBRARY The library in Bullocks Department Store at Seventh and Broadway is not a library in the book sense of the word. It is rather a clipping and filing 46 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity bureau, and was organized in June 1920 as a part ot the research office. The library is a member of the Retail Research Association which has offices in Lon- don, Paris, Germany and New York City. Trade journals on every possible subject which a department store might be interested in, millinery, fur- niture, styles, and so forth are secured and circulated to the heads of the different departments. These journals and the daily, weekly, and monthly reports of the Retail Research Association are carefully clipp- ed and filed. Anything that shows the trend of the market is es- pecially valuable — for instance a drop in the price of cotton. Weekly monetary reports are made, Babson's reports are carefully checked, clipped, and circulated. The news is of value only if secured ahead of time, as in cases of styles, hence much of the material is ephe- meral in character. Miss Eva Faulk is librarian and the library Is lo- cated in the building at 724 Soutth Broadway. FIRST NATIONAL BANK LIBRARY The library of the First National Bank and the Los Angeles Trust and Savings Company Is In charge of Miss Alice Scheck, formerly of the Los Angeles Public Library, and has been In operation since the first of October, 1920. It was established for the use of officers an employees of th institutions. The li- brary works in connection with the advertising depart- Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 47 ment of the bank, which publishes daily, an article written by one of the bank officials, on topics of the day. This keeps the bank before the people without taking the form of advertising. Information for these articles is taken from the publications of eastern banks, government publications and magazine articles. The library susbscribes to a number of magazines pertaining to financial, agricultural, scientific and tech- nical subjects. These are circulated overnight to the officers of the bank. SECURITY LOAN AND TRUST CO. LIBRARY The reference library of the Security Loan and Trust Company has been in operation since January 1, 1921, and is in charge of Mrs. Vivian Gregory Smith, for- merly with the legislative department of the state li- brary. This library was established for the use of bank employees and to assist the research department of the institution. It consists entirely of government publications, magazines, pamphlets and clippings. The library furnishes reference material for the pub- licity department. Information is obtained from the library's resources and from material furnished by the public library of the city. Clippings on financial sub- jects are taken from eastern newspapers, fastened with steel pins to manilla folders and circulated for one hour. Trade journals and magazines are circulated over night. 48 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity All material is catalogued, and classified according to the Dewey system of classification. LOS ANGELES RAILWAY LIBRARY This general collection with special emphasis on engineering subjects was established in 1914 and now has over a thousand volumes. Located in the L. A. Railway Building at Broadway and Eleventh Street, W. B. Rees is librarian. PACIFIC MUTUAL HOME OFFICE LIBRARY The library is in the Pacific Mutual Building at Olive and Sixth Streets where Miss D. B. Parker is librarian. There are several hundred volumes of a technical nature including life insurance, business economics and welfare subjects. KROTONA THEOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE One of the most interesting of the small special li- braries in Los Angeles is the library of the Krotona Institute of the Theosophical society. Krotona is beau- tifully located in the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains, overlooking Hollywood and the city of Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 49 Los Angeles. The library is housed in a small build- ing which forms one side of an open court, which is attractive with vines, flowers and a fountain. The outside windows open to an outdoor reading room, which affords a view of the mountains through the pepper and eucalyptus trees. The main reading room is homelike and attractive with a fireplace at one end while comfortable chairs and book-lined walls invite quiet study and reading. Mr. C. J. Van Fleet started the collection of books in 1912, with ten volumes. There are now about five thousand volumes in the library as gifts or permanent loans, since no money is provided for the financial support of the library. The most interesting features of the library are the special collections of books on theosophy, mysticism, philosophy, magic, occultism and comparative religion. The purpose of the library is to have on its shelves representative works on all philosophies, religions and progressive movements. There is little fiction but there is a collection of theosophical works in Braille type for the blind, which circulates by mail to a few subscribers. The Decimal classification has been used but it has been necessary to develop the classes 133, 134 and 212, extensively to accommodate the books in these special subjects. The building is located at the head of Vista Del Mar Avenue and is open daily from 2 to 8 p.m. 50 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity LOS ANGELES LODGE, THEOSOPHICAL ' SOCIETY LIBRARY This collection of a thousand volumes on theosophy and occultism is open to the general public from 12 to 5 P.M. daily except Sundays and holidays. Esatblished in 1894, the rooms are in Blanchard Hall at 233 South Broadway where Miss Abbie L. Wood is librarian. METAPHYSICAL LIBRARY This collection of 1500 volumes on metaphysics and allied subjects is open to the general public daily from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. in the Black Building at 357 South Hlli Street. Miss Eleanor M. Reesberg is librarian and the collection has been steady growing since its inception in 1902. DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL LIBRARY SECOND DISTRICT This library in the Pacific Finance Building at Olive and Sixth Streets was established in 1907. There are now over 12,000 volumes on legal matters open only to appellate judges and judges of the su- preme court. Mr. J. H. Crumrine is librarian. Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 51 SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW LIBRARY This is primarily a reference library for the students in the university quarters at 206 South Spring Streets. It was established in 1913 and while primarily a collection on legal works it is also strong in certain fields of business including accountancy. There are 1600 books and the quarters are open from 8:30 to 9 p.m. J. J. Schumacher is Secretary of the institution. UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT LIBRARY There are about 1500 volumes in this library locat- ed in the United States Attorney's office in the Federal Building at 305 North Spring Street. The district attorney, has supervision over the li- brary which was established in 1887 and contains the regular law sources of information open for reference to attorneys of the city. LASKY MOVING PICTURE COMPANY LIBRARY The Lasky Moving Picture Company maintains two libraries, one at the Realart studio, in charge of Mrs. Hopkins and the other at the Famous Players 52 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity studio, in charge of Mrs. McGaflfy. Both libraries are about the same size. A rough estimate of the number of volumes in each collection, was made at five to seven thousand. The collections were started and the librarian appointed about six years ago. From a handful of books, the collections have grown not only in number of books but in magazines and the development of the large picture files. The library is situated in a small room in the center of the activities of the "lot" and is easily accessible for the directors' and art managers' use. The whole problem of the librarian is one of search for pictures for the directors in making up sets. There are always many varied and interesting things to be sought for as ; a hand bill of an old theatre program from London, found in the private collection of a Los Angeles theatrical manager; a city map of Chattanoga Tenn., a facimile of Mr. Asquith's sig- nature, found in Margot Asquith's autobiography; a birds-eye view of Paris, obtained by using several photographs after the films, especially made in Paris could not be used; pictures of Holland scenery, found in several books, magazines and picture files; the Brit- ish cabinet in session found in London illustrated news; and which states' divorce laws would permit the ar- rangement of the plot of a certain scenario. The majority of the books are on art, architecture, travel and literature or any other books having good illustrations. Jungle scenes, period furniture and in- teriors of all kinds are especially desirable. Only a Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 53 few of the standard reference works are used but a great deal of material is found in illustrated books of fairy tales. Fiction is of little value and old fiction is soon weeded out along with any other material which has passed its time of usefulness. Sterescopes and picture post cards are little used and only as a last resort. METRO CORPORATION LIBRARY The Metro studio has a good picture collection which is well classified. During the past winter their research work was done by Mr. Schwankowiski, an artist and Mr. Garbutt, but the work is now in charge of Mr. Amos Meyer, one of the directors, assisted by a drafts- man. The library has 2000 volumes. UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIBRARY This "movie" library is located at Universal City with Mr. Leroy Armstrong as librarian. It was established in 1918 and contains a standard collection on travel, art and history so necessary to a literary of this type. A complete file of many illustrat- ed magazines are kept for the pictures which will be invaluable at a later years. 54 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity LUCIAN N. BRUNSWIG Mr. Lucian N. Brunswig, president of the Brunswig Drug Company, has collected throughout a lifetime an exceedingly interesting collection of some 6,000 volumes. More than fifty years ago Mr. Brunswig started his library by picking up rare and interesting volumes in the quaint old bookstalls of the Latin Quarter in Paris and later in the cities of Paris, Rome and Lon- don, as well as in various journeys throughout France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, Sweden and England. This interesting collection specializes on antique manuscripts. Of especial interest are three rather large volumes of approximately 800 pages each, in the handwriting of the Monks. In the Florentine Monasteries Mr. Brunswig has obtained some very antiquated works of hand painting — illustrated and written. A few of these have the wax seals and stamps of the Monasteries. Among the English works there are many old and rare volumes including William Penn's History of His Own Time written by himself. There is also a fine section devoted to ancient British volumes together with a good assortment of French, Italian and Span- ish works. An excellent collection of the complete editions in French of all the noted men of letters of France de- serves special mention. These include: Chateaubri- and, Balzac, Pierre Loti, A. Dumas (Pere), A. Du- Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 55 mas (Fils), Huysmans, Goncourt, Guizot, Thiers, Con- sulat and Empire, Lamartine, Barbey d'Aurevilly, Maupassant, Claude Farrere, de Tocqueville, de La- bouJaye, de Vigny, de Musset. Mr. Brunswig's library is housed in cozily furnish- ed quarters at his West Adams Street home. HENRY E. HUNTINGTON LIBRARY AND ART MUSEUM The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery at San Marino (post office San Gabriel) under the able direction of Dr. George Watson Cole, president of the Bibliographical Society of America, is one of the treasures of Southern California. The library of over 100,000 volumes is one of the greatest private collections of rare books in the world. When the material is all gathered in the beautiful building of Italian design, at present nearing comple- tion, it will be open under certan supervision to scholars and book lovers. Built upon the collections of many famous private libraries and certain American collections the value or rarity of the library cannot be estimated. A notable feature of the library is the elaboration and completeness of the cataloguing. This follows the method of the Church catalogue, compiled by Dr. Cole, and for early English literature in particular will give when completed a bibliographical record unequal- led in detail and authority. 56 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity The resources of the Huntington Library consist of English literature, and of Americana, it also pos- sesses several smaller but noteworthy collections. In the field of English Literature, the collection, as a whole, equally surpasses any other in this country and is an acknowledged rival of the greatest English collections. Bibliographically the date 1640 is important as it has been chosen to mark the second great division of English Printing, the first closing with the year 1500. Within the period 1475-1640 it has been estimated that some 25,000 books were printed in England. Of these this collection contains a surprising number and is the largest collection of this kind outside of Eng- land itself. These figures, however, give but an inadequate idea of the collection if nothing is said about the compara- tive qualities of the different collections. The Hunt- ington Collection takes a very high place in this re- spect. It is especially strong in poetry, drama, and romance, while the Huntington Shakespeare collection is acknowledged to be superior to that of the British Museum. It is believed we are slightly ahead of that institution in the number and rarity of English plays and masques. In early English poetry this collection is also unsurpassed. The collection is equally rich during the Common- wealth, Restoration, and later periods; and, in fact, fully illustrates English literary development from its Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 57 earliest sources to the present day. There are fine sets of first and important editions of practically every au- thor of importance from Chaucer to contemporary writers whose works are still being published. The works of no fewer than 175 English authors of the Victorian Period, and later are found recorded in the catalogue. Of these eighteen are represented by fifty or more titles. Collections of the First Editions of some three-hundred American authors are found on the shelves. Of the latter, three have more than one hundred titles, four have over seventy-five, and four others have more than fifty titles. It should be borne in mind that the quality of these collection is of great excellence. Not only are the more common first editions to be found but those also of great rarity, as well as many ephemeral and important pieces of the class known as "ana." Both English and American collections contain many pieces inscribed by their authors or of especial interest for other reasons. Many original manuscripts of these authors are also preserved here. The collection of American History is one of the finest in this country and covers rarieties from earliest editions of Columbus Letters to the "Stars and Stripes," of the late World War. It is especially strong in the earlier periods. Those of the discovery, exploration, and settlement of the New World are excellently rep- resented by original narratives. English Colonial His- tory and the Revolutionary Period are well covered with contemporary accounts and the Federal Develop- 58 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity ment of our own country is likewise represented. There are special collections on American Naval History, the War of 1812, and also an extensive collection of auto- graphic and photographic material, by the leading of- ficers, both Federal and Confederate, of the Civil War. The collection of Californian History, comprising some three hundred thousand or more volumes, may be mentioned in this connection. Many of these are unique or of the greatest rarity. The special collections in the Huntington library, while comparatively small, have been formed with great care and on that account are extremely valuable. They include Incunabula, Elizabethan Music, Bibles and Books of Hours, Book Illustration (engraving), Artie Discovery, Railroadiana, and Aeronautics (main- ly historical). Full justice to the library would not be done with- out mention of its numerous manuscripts of literary and historical importance. No adequate idea of these, however, can now be given; but when, later, they are properly catalogued and described they will be found to be of extraordinary interest. Such a library as this could not have been formed by one man in a life time except for the unusual op- portunities with which collectors have been favored during the last decade or two. As a matter of fact, Mr. Huntington has purchased over twenty collec- tions en bloc. Of these only a few of the most im- portant can here be mentioned. They are the libraries of E. Dwight Church, Frederick R. Halsey, The Earl Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 59 of Ellesmere, portions of the Duke of Devonshire's li- brary (including twenty-five works printed by Cax- ton and the Kemble-Devonshire collection of plays), and the American section of the Britwell Court library. With these as a splendid basis, Mr. Huntington has further made important selections from over a score of important libraries that have been dispersed at auction. Among these only a few can here be named. The libraries of Edward H. Crane, William H. Lam- bert, Henry F. DePuy, and Herman Le Roy Edgar contributed important volumes of Americana. The li- braries of Henry Ruth, Lord Rostyn, Sir Arthur John Brooks, and the Britwell Court Library have sent many treasures across the sea. The libraries of Thomas J. McKee, Henry W. Poor, Robert Hoe, Win- ston H. Hagen, Hershel V. Jones, and H. Burton For- man, sold in this country, have also enriched the col- lections of this library, as have also the libraries of Marsden J. Perry and Sir Francis Newdigate-Newde- gate which were broken up and sold privately. Dur- ing many years, the catalogues of numerous small, mixed and anonymous sales have been scanned for desirable items, and many purchases made from deal- ers' Lastly, Mr. Huntington's time and attention have been given dealers and others having books for sale and from them he has secured many pieces which have appreciatively enriched his bibliographical, literary, and historical treasures. 60 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity WALTER LINDLEY A very splendid collection of rare books as well as a comprehensive practical assemblage may be found in the private library of Dr. Walter Lindley at his home on South Figueroa Street. Dr. Lindley, throughout his career as a health official of the city and state, has made collecting his hobby and since 1873 he has been steadily adding to it. Dr. Lindley's collection includes a wonderful section of 10000 volumes devoted to the English drama from Marlowe to Ibsen. The Johnsonian works in another part of the library include the first edition of his dic- tionary in two volumes, Boswell's Life of Johnson in two volumes, a first edition of Rasellas and other rari- ties. A special feature is the Blake Collection, the finest in the city, and there are more than fifty items of books engravings and paintings. His George Borrow group is one of the most complete in America and contends with the works of Sir Richard F. Burton for the place of honor. It is interesting to note on the shelves a first edition of the life of Madame de Stael written by Abel Stevens father of Otheman Stevens, noted feature writer of to- day. An unusually complete Baconian section and an extensive Shakespearean collection are features of this collection that are complete and well chosen. Dr. Lindley has some splendid specimens of first editions Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 61 including several Goldsmiths and numerous others. In 1888 Dr. Lindley was author with Dr. J. P. Wid- ney of "California of the South," published by Apple- ton, which was immensely popular at that time and went through several editions. In connection with the work he commenced the collection of scrap books re- lating to various phases of Southern California de- velopment. While this material is not so complete for later years, the 35 volumes are rich in source material for industrial and commercial Southern Cal- ifornia covering a period of some thirty-five years. This unique private collection includes 4,000 vol- umes which makes it one of the largest as well as finest collection of its kind in Los Angeles. Dr. Lindley, who Is also a director of the Public Library has consist- ently built up the collection item by item and cata- logued each book personally. He is thus one of the most thoroughly posted men in his subject in this part of the country. ORRA E. MONNETTE The private collection of Mr, Orra E. Monnette, at his home on South Oxford Avenue, is the finest private genealogical and historical library west of Chicago. Mr. Monnette, president of the Citizens Trust and Savings Bank and president of the board of directors of the Public Library, has been a collector of rare ge- neological and historical books for some twenty years. 62 Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity This splendid collection contains somewhat over a thousand volumes on geneological topics, town and county history including many official and private rec- ords which have either been purchased or copied at considerable expense. Mr. Monnette's collection is unique In the number of rare and practically unobtainable works and the entire library represents an outlay of a good many thousand dollars. There are also various vertical file data and memo- randa gathered over this period of twenty years cover- ing more than a thousand families including price- less records gathered together for a projected volume on The First Settlers of Piscataway and Woodbridge, New Jersey which will be ready for press early in the new year. From the pen of Mr. Monnette have come various volumes on historical and geneological subjects, a num- ber of periodical articles showing considerable schol- arly research in his special field, various re-prInt ma- terial, and he has also done considerable editorial work as a hobby. In connection with these activities a comprehensive scrap book collection has come Into being covering press clippings on geneology from newspapers and magazines which could not be duplicated under any circumstances. This private collection is known as the most com- plete in this section of the country and it speaks much for Mr. Monnette's ability when we find him at once Libraries of Los Angeles and Vicinity 63 a leader in financial circles, in the front rank of li- brary trustees, and a recognized authority on geneology. SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, 192L* Berendo Intermediate School Helen F. Estill Boyle Heights Intermediate School Mrs. E. Gilmount Central Junior High School Mrs. Lillian Ford City School Library Jasmine Britton Franklin High School Viola Stevens Gardena High School Joanna L. Gaylord Hollywood High School Statie M. Weber Jefferson High School LInnie Marsh Lafayette Intermediate School Eloise Carwyle Lincoln High School Ella S. Morgan Los Angeles High School Marjorie Van Deusen Manual Arts High School Mabel S. Dunn McKinley Intermediate School Florence L. Hurst Polytechnic High School Mrs. Edith W. Locklin San Pedro High School Mabel Cory Sentous Intermediate School Mrs. E. Lawrence Thirtieth Street Intermediate School Stella Beckly Van Nuys High School Jean Doan Virgil Intermediate School Laura Smith *Prepared by the organization of school librarians in Los Angeles. Index of Librarians Armstrong, Leroy S3 Behymer, L. E. 2 Brewitt, Mrs. Theodora R. __ 8 Britton, Jasmine 29 Brown, Charlotte M. 26 Brown, Zaidee 10 Brunswig, Lucian N. 54 Bryan, William A. 3 Clark, W. A. Jr. 2 Clover, S. T. 2 Clark F. C. 3 Cole, George W. 55 Connor, Elizabeth 38 Cook, George F. 20 Crumrine, J. H. 50 Doan. Jean 32 Dockweiler, I. B. 2 Drake, Jeannette M. 17 Dunn Mabel S. 63 Ewing, Marion J. 24 Endelman, J. 28 Fargo, Elizabeth H. 26 Faulk, Eva 46 Fellows, Mrs. Allen D. 36 Gaylord, Joanna L. 63 Gleason, Celia 15 Hatch, Cora 1 Herzog, Walter S. 42 Heutreux, A. 43 Hopkins, Mrs. 51 Hunt, Rockwell D. 41 Jacobus, Sarah M. 18 Lindley, Walter 60 Locklin, Mrs. Edith W. 34 Markham, S. 43 Marriott, Victor E. 24 Marsh, Linnie 34 McGaffey, Mrs. Elizabeth 52 Meyer, Amos 53 Monnette, Orra E. 61 Morgan, Ella S. 33 O'Melveny, Henry W. 2 Parker, Miss D. B. 48 Pasko, Beth 41 Perry, Everett R. 12 Rees, W. B. 48 Reesberg, Eleanor M. 50 Russ, Judd 2 Scheck, Alice 46 Schumacher, J. J. 51 Smith, Mrs. Vivian G. 47 Spining, Frances H. 19 Southwick, T. S. 42 Stevens, Viola E. 34 Van Deusen, Marjorie 33 Vogleson, Helen IS Wood, Abble L. SO UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 886 274 o jV-J.. '7*b .Jl'-SWf