Sunday, December 18, 2022

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?).

Friday, December 2, 2022

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]