The Wartime Information Desk of the Los Angeles Public Library

Los Angeles Times May 15, 1942

Los Angeles Public Library 1941-1942 annual report

Within two weeks of the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Los Angeles Public Library opened their Wartime Information Desk, centrally located in the lobby off of Fifth Street. The desk would "disseminate information on national defense" and anything pertaining to World War II. Its earliest name, according to the Los Angeles Times was the Citizens' Bureau of Information. The library had thought about providing a similar service for a few months but Municipal Reference librarian (stationed at City Hall) Josephine Hollingsworth convinced Althea Warren that, after December 7, 1941, they was receiving far too many reference questions to keep up with. Ms. Warren put the Wartime Information Desk in the hands of principal librarian Margaret Gabriel Hickman who had been the head of the foreign language department since 1928. The 1942 library annual report lists an organizational chart that mentions that Wartime Information Desk personnel were taken from other library departments. Staffing the desk was supplemented by Work Project Administration (WPA) and National Youth Administration (NYA) workers.

Los Angeles Daily News December 17, 1941

The Wartime Information Desk averaged 300 questions a day with another 100 arriving via letters received weekly. Throughout much of 1942 and into 1943 the library had a frequent column called "War Queries" in the Los Angeles Daily News answering some of the questions. These included queries about military service, defense jobs, Victory Garden information, and V-mail.

Los Angeles Daily News December 19, 1941

Los Angeles Daily News, December 1942

The desk was ended in October 1943 because the public by then was better educated on the workings of the war (specifically rationing, the draft, and housing), and the efforts turned towards veteran's vocational training. The clipping files, pamphlets and indexes from the Wartime Information Desk were deposited with the Sociology Department (are they still there?).

Get Thee to the Library (Before Its Too Late): Burbank Central Library

If you’ve never visited the Burbank Central Library, now is the time– its days are likely numbered. The mid-century modern gem designed by architect Eugene Fickes, opened to the public July 25, 1963 and still looks grand today.

Plans have been announced for the revitalization of the Burbank Civic Center. This plan would replace the current library with a residential development and build a new library across the street. Two in-person meetings to discuss the development will be held in the Burbank Central Library’s auditorium on Wednesday, December 7, 2022: 3pm-4:30pm and 7pm-8:30pm (a virtual meeting will take place Tuesday, December 13 from 5pm-6:30pm).

Valley Times, March 5, 1962

 Burbank Public Library blueprint (1st floor)

Burbank Public Library blueprint (2nd floor)

According to a history of the Burbank Public Library, despite opening to the public in July, the formal dedication of the library took place in November 1963 because of delays in furniture deliveries, landscaping and construction of the porches. Eugene Fickes was also responsible for the interior decoration of the library, including the furniture and fixtures. Photos on Burbank in Focus show off the impressive results. I wish I could live inside this library!!

Burbank Central Library lounge area, 1963

Burbank Central Library children's area, 1963

Two views of the Burbank Central Library audiovisual room, 1963

Burbank Central Library circulation desk (note the display case in the background), 1963

Burbank Central Library reference desk, 1963

Two exterior views of the Burbank Central Library, 1963

Burbank City Librarian Edward Caswell Perry (from 1952-1968) seen on dedication day, November 17, 1963 [Mr. Perry's father, Everett Robbins Perry, 

was Los Angeles City Librarian from 1911-1933]

The Library as Silent Film Star

 

Lois Wilson in The Lost Romance (1921) (still photo + detail)

A week after posting about the Cahuenga Library's possible starring role in a silent movie (The Lost Romance, 1921) and the surprise co-star of the film (actress Mayme Kelso, younger sister of Los Angeles City Librarian Tessa Kelso), I found a definite match. And the film was available on Kanopy, free with your library card!

Louis Calhern and Claire Windsor at the circulation desk of the Cahuenga Library in The Blot (1921)

Directed by actress/screenwriter/director Lois Weber, the 1921 silent film The Blot, stars the interior of the Cahuenga branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. The film’s human star, Claire Windsor, works in the library where she is courted by co-star Louis Calhern. Her father is a poorly paid college professor, who is seen teaching at the nearby Los Angeles City College campus (when it was the Southern Branch of the University of California aka UCLA). Although the exteriors of the library were shot elsewhere, the interiors are definitely from the Cahuenga Library.

Lois Weber Productions logo appearing on The Blot (1921)

Ms. Weber was known for filming on location instead of on a set. From 1918 until 1925 Lois Weber's movie studio was located at 4634 Santa Monica Blvd, less than two blocks from the library. Note the similarities between the Lois Weber Productions logo that appears on the credits of The Blot and the Cahuenga Library "light of learning" plaque over the Santa Monica Blvd entrance.....

Cahuenga Library, Santa Monica Blvd entrance doorway (detail). Photo by Tiffney Sanford

Celebrating Mr. Cobb on National Library Workers Day

From 1925 until 1950 the Los Angeles County Public Library relied on one man who oversaw all aspects of the library’s physical locations– James E. Cobb.

A skilled carpenter and cabinetmaker, Mr. Cobb was initially hired as chauffeur to Helen Vogleson (County Librarian) and served as her assistant for property and maintenance issues. An anecdotal story for the library’s 50th anniversary recalled that, during his time as chauffeur, Mr. Cobb would repair shelves and furniture while he waited for Ms. Vogleson to conduct her business in the branches.

A 1937 report from the library’s Division of Equipment and Property (later known as the Property and Transportation Division), headed by James E. Cobb, gave a snapshot of the heavy workload placed upon his shoulders by that time. The division was broken down into four sections –Transportation, Property, Workshop, and Shipping– that handled 221 locations spread out across 3500 square miles. Overseen by Mr. Cobb, the department employed 8 full-time employees.

Los Angeles County Free Library book delivery trucks in front of Hall of Records,

Los Angeles, California [1929] LA County Library Digital Collections

Let's break down the work completed by each of these divisions. The Transportation Division consisted of four vehicles and drivers who delivered books and/or staff on a daily basis to library locations scattered across Los Angeles County. The Property Department was in charge of keeping track of all library inventory--books, furniture, buildings, etc. Anything over $2 in value was noted on its own card (including description, cost, location and “particulars concerning its purchase”). The Shipping Department, in addition to shipping, also embossed the library’s books and handled the materials deaccessioned by librarians.

The Workshop, consisting solely of Mr. Cobb in the beginning and later added three more men, was a marvel unto itself. Tables and chairs were refinished, signs were relettered, clocks were repaired, floors buffed, linoleum laid, lights repaired, walls painted, locks smithed, and plumbing plumbed. The workshop, alternately known as the Library Shop, also built furniture needed by the library that included shelving, book trucks, display cases, dictionary stands, bike racks and more. According to a couple of sources, Mr. Cobb repurposed one of the library’s delivery trucks– building and installing shelving– creating a bookmobile.

The Library Shop as seen in the 1951-52 Los Angeles County Public Library Annual Report

Illness forced Mr. Cobb to retire in late 1950 and the staff newsletter sang his praises. He was lauded for his attention to detail, time and project management skills (which he learned from his previous employment as a clerk with the Southern Pacific Railroad), as well as his warmth, humor and  impressive gardening skills.

Just as libraries are more than books, libraries employ more than librarians. There might also be clerks, delivery drivers, IT specialists, social workers, publicists, and other astounding people who wear many hats like Mr. James E. Cobb.

Libraries in Southern California Named After Women

Women's History Month seems like a fitting time to look at some of the local libraries named after women. In addition to the libraries listed below, the 7 1/2 Los Angeles Public Library branches named after women can be found here. More photos of all of these libraries can be found on Instagram.

AC Bilbrew Library

The AC Bilbrew branch of the Los Angeles County Library was dedicated in 1974. The architect, Vincent J. Proby, also designed the beautiful, colorful glass feature in the lobby.

I can't say enough good things about this library. The staff is friendly, the collection is unique, and don't miss that cloth lion in the children's section (near the patio). The Black Resource Center and the art (part of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance art collection) are incredible--worth the drive from all over Southern California.

Madame AC Bilbrew was a radio personality, musician, composer and more. She deserves much more recognition, as does her namesake library.

Brewitt Neighborhood Library

The Brewitt Neighborhood Library, a branch of the Long Beach Public Library, was named after former Long Beach City Librarian Theodora R. Brewitt in 1955. There is an excellent branch history (and coloring book page!) online at: longbeach.gov/library/news/brewitt-anniversary/ Before her career at Long Beach (she started with LBPL in 1921, and was City Librarian from 1922 to 1950), Theodora Brewitt headed the Los Angeles Public Library training class, and worked at the Alhambra Public Library. She was an early adopter of adding films and vinyl records to libraries.

The brick and steel library, designed by Francis J. Heusel, features large windows that let in a lot of natural light. Newspaper articles at the time of its opening described the large front windows, likening the library's ambiance to that of an expensive store (I'm guessing the beached mahogany furniture helped that assessment).

The staff is incredibly helpful.

Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library

The Ruth Bach Branch of the Long Beach Public Library was named in honor of Long Beach's first female councilmember. Mrs. Bach was community oriented and active in many clubs and committees before she died in 1956 at the age of 50. [Interesting tidbit: Her son, Richard Bach, wrote the bestsellers Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah.] The Long Beach Public Library has created a history of the Bach Branch, including a coloring page. https://www.longbeach.gov/library/news/bach-feature/

The library, designed by Louis Shoall Miller, opened in February 1958 and photos taken at the time look like they're straight out of Sunset magazine. When it was built, it was the largest branch in the Long Beach system. The library is still a mid-century beauty with large windows/walls of glass. I love the park setting, and when I was there, the place was buzzing with kids finding books to take home. Don't miss their Long Beach local history section, lots of unique items.

Gardena Mayme Dear Library

Mayme Dear was a library volunteer, Library Council member, and president of the Gardena Friends of the Library. Her interest in libraries was lifelong. She worked in her high school library growing up in Ohio, and after graduation worked at the Youngstown and Mahoning County Library (the building is still there). According to a family history, her intention was to major in library science but Youngstown University didn't offer that degree--she settled on a liberal arts degree instead. Following her death in 1990, community members asked that the library be named in her honor. This Los Angeles County Library was renamed the Gardena Mayme Dear Library in May 1992. Family members, including her eldest son Don Dear (former mayor of Gardena), were in attendance. A portrait of Mayme Dear by artist Betty Donahue hangs on a wall at the library.

Two more works of art grace the library. A 1964 mosaic by Livio Napoliltani, offering an interpretation of the evolution of man's culture, graces the front of the library. A beautiful and serene garden designed by Japanese landscape designer Paul Takuma Tono, was built by Gardena Valley Gardener's Association in 1964. The award-winning garden can be enjoyed on three sides from within the library. The staff is very helpful and the collection contained materials I haven't found at other libraries.

Mayme Dear [February 1990] as the first patron to use the new automated system. 

Image from library's scrapbook, photographer unknown.

Billie Jean King Main Library

The Long Beach Public Library named their new main location after tennis legend Billie Jean King, who was born and raised in Long Beach (and learned to play tennis on it's public tennis courts). The longtime advocate for gender equality is also the author of nine books, available at her namesake library.

The large glass, steel and wood structure was dedicated September 21, 2019. The library definitely feels huge when you walk in, thanks to high ceilings, light colors, and minimal bookcases on the first floor near the staircase. Don't miss the nautical themed children's section and The Studio (an all-ages makerspace with 3D printers, a Cricut, sewing machine, letterpress and more). There is a lot to explore, including the Special Collections available to look at by appointment in the Miller Room. The restored Suzanne Miller WPA murals, although high up on the wall, are pretty impressive.

Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library

The Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, a branch of the Long Beach Public Library, was dedicated September 16, 2010. The library has sustainable features (including LEED and community garden) and I really appreciated the displays celebrating the businesses/buildings that were replaced by the library, as well as the history of the library (originally known as the North Library). You can't miss the refurbished spire from the Atlantic Theatre (1942-2014).

Claremont Helen Renwick Library

In 2019, the Claremont Library was renamed in honor of Helen Renwick, a local philanthropist who, in 1919, donated the land the library sits on. The current building, designed by architects Laurence Hutner Jr. and Richard Appel, was dedicated in 1975.

Ms. Renwick was the widow of a Davenport (IA) lumber mill owner who moved to Claremont following his death. In addition to donating the land for the library, she also funded buildings and donated land to Pomona College. Did I mention she also wrote poetry?

This branch has a great book collection, a robust Friends group and a shiny, modern public restroom. Shops, restaurants, a museum, and a Rhino Records store are all within walking distance.

There are more local libraries named after women that I hope to visit soon. Do you have a favorite one to share?