Introduction

The Vermont Square Branch Library is a branch library of the Los Angeles Public Library System. It is located in the South Central region of Los Angeles, California. It was the first Carnegie library to be built in Los Angeles, according to the now-defunct newspaper Southwest Wave (“City’s Oldest Library,” 1983). Its rich history spans decades, tying closely to the history of the Los Angeles Public Library System. Hence, to comprehend the history of this once-popular branch library, one must first study the origins and early history of the Los Angeles Public Library System. In this study, therefore, we will first discuss the Los Angeles Public Library System, how it started branch libraries (such as the Vermont Square Branch), and its reasons for doing so. We will also analyze the Vermont Square Branch Library's at its height, during its first four decades, while it was a popular community library (and before it started to go into decline in the late 1950s); the surrounding community's key role during that era; and the library staff and leaders who oversaw both its development and operations during those decades. Therefore, this library study will help readers to understand the history and importance behind the Vermont Square Branch Library.

The Los Angeles Public Library System and the Creation of Branches

The Los Angeles Public Library System is one of the oldest library systems in the United States of America. According to the Los Angeles Times, it began in 1872 with the creation of the Los Angeles Library in Downey Block (it used to cost 5¢ to use it but was made available to the public in 1891) (“Interesting Library Facts,” 1899). According to Gracy, Hansen, and Irvin (1999), during that time, Los Angeles was just a 17,000 square foot “provincial outpost with less than 6,000 people” (p. 313). The system was named the Los Angeles Library Association and headed by the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Public Library. However, the Ordinance of 1878 changed it to the Los Angeles Public Library, departments were created, and the Library Board of Regents was established. The following year, the post of City Librarian was established. In 1889, the city’s charter created the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library (who was now appointed by the Mayor). In addition, the library was moved to City Hall from Downey Block. In 1891, the Library School of the Los Angeles Public Library opened in 1891 (“Interesting Library Facts,”1899; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 31-6, pp. 77-8). Then, in 1897, the library’s first branch was established “in the form of a reading room and delivery station on Castelar Street,” according to the Los Angeles Times (“Interesting Library Facts,” 1899, p.10). Two years later, in 1899, the Macy Street Reading Room was opened as a branch. In 1900, stations were being opened, such as Boyle Heights; many soon began to be converted into branches due to the process of supply and demand. Los Angeles, too, began growing at an alarming rate; hence, the city began annexing surrounding towns and counties. Many towns that had already-established libraries, such as Eagle Rock and Hollywood, were being annexed by Los Angeles; hence, their libraries were incorporated into the Los Angeles Public Library system (“Interesting Library Facts,” 1899; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 70, 71-73).

Due to the library system’s rapid growth, it was deemed necessary to become organized and appoint a head of the newly-created Branches Department in 1906. This was made possible through the use of Carnegie’s funds. Hence, Helen T. Kennedy was appointed as head of the branches and Betsey Foye of sub-branches in 1913. Also, the Vermont Square Branch was built that year. It was the first branch housed in a new building with a permanent collection and equipment (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 74-5). In 1919, the Inter-Library Loan Department was organized under Blanche Herzog. A year later, the Work With Children Department was established; also, a new budget plan was developed. In 1924, the Branches Department was reorganized into 3 divisions: larger branches, second group branches, and sub-branches; each division had a leader. A year later, the sub-branches division was abolished (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 74-6). Around the same time, stations were either rapidly being converted into branches or being discontinued. In 1925, the library system was officially “supported by [an] annual appropriation of 7¢ on each hundred dollars of…city taxes” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1934, p. 3; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 64, 75; “Interesting Library Facts,” 1899). In 1926, due to overflowed collections, the Central Library (known today as the Richard J. Riordan Central Library) was built and became the Branches’ Headquarters (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 61-2, 64-5; Chuck, 2002). One year later, the Library Board was given its present name: the Board of Library Commissioners of the Los Angeles Public Library.

In 1928, under Annabelle Learned, the Branches Department created the Stations division. Later, in 1933, a change took place where all branch heads were given a new title: the Department Librarian in Charge of Branches. Hence, by this time, the public library system was finally organized (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 71, 75). As the decades went by, more branches, stations, and departments were created; new positions opened up; and, by 1950, the Los Angeles Public Library was shaped to what it is today- one of the largest public library system in the United States with over 30 branch libraries, which includes the Vermont Square Branch (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 75-8; Los Angeles Public Library, 1950).

The Vermont Square Branch: Origins, Pt. I

Beginning Years (1880s-1913)

In a letter to the editor of the Los Angeles Times, Jack Smith, brothers Arthur and Jevne Rohman (1983) wrote about how the land for the Vermont Square Branch was acquired in the late 1880s. They stated that their grandparents, Lewis Eugene and Ida S. Shepherd, sold their businesses and acquired the acreage which “is now bounded by Vernon Avenue, 48th Street, Vermont and Normandie Avenues.” Lewis, who was the president of the Southwest Land Company, “subdivided the acreage and gave “parcels of land to [Los Angeles] County for a park. The county thus chose the site of Vermont Square Park to build the first Carnegie Building in the city (pp. 1-2).

In 1910, Andrew Carnegie approached the Los Angeles Library Board of Directors and proposed that they build six Carnegie libraries in the city. He decided to donate $210,000 (roughly $2 million in modern currency) with only one provision: that a tenth of the fund and future upkeeps be provided by the city, which they agreed upon, according to the Los Angeles Times (“Library Contract Let,” 1912; "Library Assured," 1912). Hence, construction began in June of 1912, while Everett Perry was the City Librarian, and ended on February 12, 1913, as reported by the Los Angeles Times (“Library Contract Let,” 1912; “First Local Carnegie Library,” 1913).

A great collection of books and materials were ordered for the brand-new library by Miss Helen T. Kennedy, who was the supervisor of the branch libraries at the time. She ordered over 2,000 new books (non-fiction, religious, cultural, and children’s) and periodicals, though the library’s shelves were able to hold 16,000 volumes. Caroline M. Brittan, who was hired as the first librarian, and her assistant Veva Hart (along with two helpers from the Central Library) began setting up the new library. They, along with the rest of those in the library system, were no doubt anticipating the opening of the Vermont Square Branch (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, pp. 1-3; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 1).

The Vermont Square Branch: Origins, Pt. II

A New Library (1913-Great Depression)

The Vermont Square Branch Library officially opened at 6:00 PM on March 1, 1913 with a private black-tie event in the library’s auditorium (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1; Los Angeles Public Library, 1988, p. 2). Hundreds of important people showed up for the ceremony. Speeches were given by the Henry Newmark, President of the Los Angeles Library Board of Directors; Everett R. Perry, the City Librarian at the time; and H.H. McCallum, the president of the Vermont Square Improvement Association. The rest of the Library Board members as well as the library’s new staff members were present to celebrate the opening of the new library (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1.).

On Monday March 17, 1913, at 9 AM, the library opened up for public use. The community seemed to enjoy the new library. By the end of the month, over 1,000 people were registered library-card holders. Also, the library’s collection had totaled 2,285 and its circulation was 3,769. At the end of the fiscal year, in July, the library’s book collection increased to 4,008, circulation reached nearly 6,000, and over 2,000 people were library-card holders. Hence, the new library was a success among the community’s masses and became the most popular library in the city (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1).

During the library’s first year, there were only two staff members working: Miss Brittan and her assistant, Veva Hart (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1). According to a report, in the early 1900s, an average head librarian’s salary was $150/month; hence, this is what Brittan may have been earning (Hansen et al., 1997, p. 341). The library was opened weekdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 9 PM, and Sundays from 2 PM to 6 PM. By 1915, there were library pages and aides working in the library; also, the first children’s librarian, Clara E. Perdum, was added to the staff (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1). In 1916, Brittan left the library and was succeeded by Elizabeth C. Riddell, who took over as head librarian. In 1919, Riddell left the library and Veva Hart took over as head. In 1920, she transferred to the Lincoln Heights Branch and was succeeded by Emilie Jackson. At the end of 1920, Jackson transferred to a new library and Jessie Cavanagh was appointed as head librarian. In July of 1929, she transferred to the Felipe de Neve Branch and was replaced by Helen Spotts, Vermont Square’s most famous librarian to date (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 1.).

In the late 1920s and 1930s, there were many staff changes that occurred in the library. Many library assistants and senior librarians were coming and going. Staff members such as Lulah Meyers Lloyd, Oak Amidon, and Bess Markson were taking positions as head librarians in other branches. Others were retiring or died of old age, such as Mary Gertrude Hart. However, this frequent change of staff was not detrimental, but helped the library rise to prominence (due to the well-known people who were being hired) (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 2).

In the meanwhile, the Vermont Square Branch was a major community center. The Vermont Square Improvement Association took pride in the library and held meetings in its auditorium. Dr. Dennett, a pastor at the local church, actively worked with the library to provide services for youths. The library began adding new services and machinery, such as a motion picture projector, to draw in more children and adults. Hence, clubs and other programs were started, in which those in the community actively participated in (more information will later be provided) (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, pp. 2-3).

During World War I, the Vermont Square Library was the hub of patriotic activity. The Red Cross organized its drives there and held meetings in the auditorium. The branch organized book drives for camp libraries, receptions for local-area drafted soldiers, and food drives. Groups such as the Women’s Council for Defense, the Home Guards, and the War Saving Stamps Societies used the library’s auditorium to hold their meetings, organize demonstrations, and conduct relief work. Other groups were still using the auditorium, however, to hold their meetings, such as the Boy Scouts and the Southwest Realty Board. Also, neither war nor the Great Depression prevented the library’s circulation from descending; in fact, circulation reached an all-time high during that entire era, reaching well over 400,000 in the early 1930s (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 3). Hence, it is evident that the library continued to be a popular community center even during troubled times.

-Exterior shot of the Vermont Square Branch Library
In 1931, the library threw a party to celebrate its 18th anniversary. All members of the community were invited to attend. Alice Ames Winter, a librarian from Boston, was the speaker of the evening. In addition, Frances Harmon-Zahn, a member of the Library Board, and City Librarian Althea Warren also gave brief speeches. The celebration was a huge success and community members sent letters of appreciation to the library for it. Thus, the community continued to show its strong support towards the branch library during the Great Depression era (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 6).

However, not all was well during that time. For instance, in March of 1933, an earthquake hit Southern California and the library got damaged; however, the following summer, it was repaired and the interior was redecorated (new light fixtures and paint) (Los Angeles Public Library, 1996, p. 2). Also, the library’s funds were reduced from $5,700 to $2,237. Were it not for their rental collection, the library may not have stayed afloat during the Depression. However, with the start of the 2nd World War encroaching, the hard times began to diminish and the library’s book fund mounted back to its near pre-depression level (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, pp. 5-6; Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 6).

The Vermont Square Branch: Origins, Pt. III

The Library during World War II (1939-1945)

Three years before the outbreak of the 2nd World War, in 1936, the library’s circulation was in decline. Vermont Square Library dropped from 2nd to 8th place on the branch circulation list. However, in 1939, it mounted to 2nd place and went back to 1st in 1940. Yet, during the 1940s, that number kept on fluctuating due to World War II (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 2). Also, the war was the reason for the many negative changes in the library. For instance, there was a 35% drop in the amount of cardholders. Many adults began training for new wartime jobs instead of coming to the library; hence, there were losses in adult circulation. Due to problems such as gasoline rationing, it was difficult for people to make frequent trips to the library. Therefore, the amount of books that could be checked out on a library card was raised from five to ten to make it easier for patrons (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, pp. 2-3.).

On July 17, 1940, the Board of Library Commissioners held a conference at the Vermont Branch in order to look over its building. They also discussed the library’s problems with the head librarian and tried to find solutions to them, yet to no avail. In addition, the library was having a difficult time securing necessary funds in the spring of 1941 due to a charter amendment (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, pp. 4-5). Thus, the staff campaigned anywhere they could- P.T.A. meetings, local churches, women’s and businessmen’s clubs- and wrote letters to officials and city voters. However, their campaigning was unsuccessful and taught them a lot about the community and its leaders. They also learned a lesson: to make group contacts instead of individual ones in order to “gain new borrowers and extend the library’s field of service” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 4).

Unlike the first war, World War II had a major effect on the library’s hours. From December 10, 1941 to May 1, 1942, the library was closed during the evenings (as a wartime measure). The library’s regular hours were from 9 AM to 5PM the first two weeks of the month and closed at 6 PM the last two weeks. The branch was open on Sundays from 2 PM to 6 PM. In 1943, the branch’s hours were changed from 1 PM to 9 PM. During 1942 to 1945, all of the branch libraries were closed during the last two weeks of August for staff vacations. This thus occurred because it was nearly impossible to obtain vacation substitutes during the war (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 3).

However, just like during World War I, the Vermont Library was the center of wartime activity. The library was selected as an air raid shelter and a Red Cross casualty center. War drafts were conducted there, and district air raid wardens held meetings in the auditorium. The United States Service Organization (U.S.O.) also held its meetings there for the Southwest District. In addition, the library was accredited as a Civilian County Defense Information Center. Rallies, book and food drives, and relief work all took place at the branch during this time. However, just like during the previous war, these things did not prevent regular groups such as the Girl Scouts (and even the Board of Library Commissioners) from holding their own meetings at the library (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 3). Also, it during this time, on March 1, 1943, the library observed its 30th anniversary, with newspapers covering the event. Scrapbooks were made with photographs depicting the library’s change over the past three decades. Hence, even though it was a somber time due to the war, people showed support towards the library and commemorated that special event (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 5).

During the 2nd World War, Helen Spotts continued to be the head librarian at the Vermont Square Library. She had been in that position since 1929, according to the Southwest Wave newsletter (“Know Your Southwest,” 1930). She was extremely well-liked by the community and was a social leader. She publicized the library through many avenues- posters, letters, activities, etc.-and drew up plans for the branch. She served on many different committees and integrated the library’s services with local programs. In addition, she attended many different conferences. For instance, in 1945, she attended the University of Chicago’s Graduate Library Institute’s “The Library in the Community” conference (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 5). Spotts used such meetings to gain information on how to improve the library, especially in the community. In 1943, Manual Arts High School, a local school that had a partnership with the library, awarded her with a lifetime membership in their Parent Teacher Association for her outstanding achievements in the community. Spotts, with her incredible leadership skills, was thus arguably the best librarian in the history of the Vermont Square Branch Library (p. 5).

The Vermont Square Branch: Origins, Finale

Postwar & End of the First 40 Years (1945-1953)

With the 3 roughest decades in human history behind it (World War I, Great Depression, and World War II) the Vermont Square Branch went back to “normal times.” By the end of World War II, the library’s now over-flowed book collection was ranked one of the highest in Los Angeles. A survey conducted by the Los Angeles Public Library Survey Committee displayed the library’s rankings: #1 in labor materials and U.S. history; #2 for health, geography, economy, and religion; #3 in science, technology, reference books, education, and European reconstruction; #4 for photography; and #6 for literature and nutrition (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 7). With such numbers, therefore, the library was getting back on track after enduring through tough times.

The library was also in talks about developing into a regional branch. Helen Spotts greatly anticipated this and centered her planning around this objective. However, it did not occur until February 1, 1949, nearly three years after her departure from the library. Thus, from 1949 to 1979, the Vermont Square Branch Library was the regional branch of the public library’s Central Region (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, pp. 5, 8; Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 2; Los Angeles Public Library, 1988, p. 2).

By 1949/1950, however, the library was seeing rapid changes in its circulation. There was a sharp decline in “reading for pleasure” and the community’s educational level was slightly below the city’s average (Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 2). In addition, the library’s collection dropped from over 400,000 pre-war to 186,114 by the end of the decade. During the 1950/51 fiscal year, it dropped to 152, 926. It climbed up to 165,059 by 1952, but dropped again to 141,934 in 1953 (p. 12). Another disappointing figure was the number of registrations for library cards. The number fell from 11,176 by 1949 and kept descending, dropping to 8,891 in 1953. The branch went from being #1 in circulation in 1930 to #8 in 1950. That ranking kept plummeting, for a report stated that its rank was #23 by the end of that decade (pp. 3, 12). With these figures, it was evident that the library was losing its popularity. Therefore, according to a current librarian at Vermont Square Branch, it may have been factors such as the advent of television in households, movies, and American parents working longer hours that began putting the library on a fast-track to declination, a trend that still continues to this day (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

As mentioned, the library was the headquarters of the Central Region. The first regional branch meetings were held in its auditorium on January 22, 1951. Its second annual meeting was held in the same place on February 19, 1952. However, by 1953, the library was hurting financially and its staff had been reduced; therefore, the new Baldwin Hills Branch was used as the temporary regional headquarters until October 11, 1949 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d.; Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 3).

The first 40 years of the Vermont Square Branch Library thus capped off with a grand celebration on March 17th, 1953 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1953, pp. 1-5). The newspaper Southwest Wave published a story on its front page chronicling the branch’s history. The branch also exhibited special displays on its history. Furthermore, the Board of Library Commissioners held a special meeting at the library and a reception was held honoring the patrons who have used the library since its 1913 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 8). Hence, there was no better way that the Vermont Square Library could have celebrated its 40th anniversary.

During the post-war years, a change in staff once again occurred. In 1945, the beloved Helen Spotts was transferred to the Hollywood Branch. Her replacement, Eleanora Crowder, led the library until 1946, when she transferred to the West Los Angeles Branch. Gertrude Bergman was brought in as head librarian in 1946 and stayed until her transference to the Pico Branch in 1949 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 5). That year, history was made at the Vermont Square Regional Library. The first African-American librarian in Californian history, Miriam Matthews, was chosen as head librarian, which was reported by the Los Angeles Times (La Ganga, 1983). Though faced with financial difficulties and a declining circulation, she ensured that the library was a cultural center in the community and succeeded. She may have not been as celebrated as Miss Spotts; however, Matthews have been noted for her intelligence and her community activities. She served as the library’s leader until 1959, when she decided to retire from the librarian profession (La Ganga, 1983; Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, pp. 5, 8; Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 11).

-Miriam Matthews, California's first African-American librarian

Designs, Designers & Architects of the Library

The 8,000 square feet Vermont Square Branch Library is a T-shaped, one-story building that was designed in an Italian Renaissance-style fashion and “Prairie style proportions” (National Park Service, 1987, p. 6; Los Angeles Cultural affairs Department, 1993, p. 4; Los Angeles Public Library, 1996, p. 2). The library's building dimensions measures 85' x 57' (Los Angeles Public Library, 1928, p. 13). Its foundation is raised and it has a red-tile roof supported by expansive, stained overhanging eaves. The building’s façade, which is symmetrical, is “divided into three sections with its center portion protruding slightly” (National Park Service, 1987, p. 6). The center portion is “faced with terra cotta blocks with geometric patterns” that are “reminiscent of Classical motifs.” The library’s short staircase leads up to the entrance which “has a Palladian transom above (p. 6). The entrance is located on a midway that is halfway up the stairs, and the staircase’s top half is located inside the building (p. 6).

The library’s two wings are divided horizontally by “two different facing materials” (National Park Service, 1987, p. 6). The exterior walls below the window sills of the library are covered by cream-colored glazed brick covers. The windows are long and vertical, and “located high up the walls.” They are grouped in 5’s on “either side of the entry, the sides, and at the rear” (p. 6). Between the windows are terra cotta panels, which harmonize with the entry’s decorative border. Also, the central arch is “recessed within a decorative arch” and “a cornice of terra cotta forms a cornice around the entire building” (Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, 1993, p. 4; National Park Service, 1987, p. 6).

The library’s original charging desk is still found on the main floor. The reading room, with its coffered ceiling, features a row of large octagonal columns running down its center. To top it off, the library’s outdoor reading room, located on its northwest side, is located above the large community auditorium (National Park Service, 1987, p. 6).

The beautiful branch library was built by prominent architectural team Hunt & Burns (National Park Service, 1987, pp. 2, 6; Los Angeles Public Library, 1928, p. 13). The entire cost for the construction of the branch was $38,466 (about $350,000 today) (Los Angeles Public Library, 1928, p. 13). The style that was used was typical of those that were adopted by the Carnegie Corporation. With its exquisiteness, the Vermont Square Branch Library is considered to be an architectural masterpiece (Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, 1993, p. 4; National Park Service, 1987, p. 2).

The Community Surrounding the Vermont Square Branch

The Vermont Square Branch was built on the corner of 48th Street and Budlong Avenue in South- Central Los Angeles. During the library’s early years, the area was filled with nice, little affordable bungalows that housed young couples with growing families. Baby buggies could always be found parked in the main entrance of the library. The neighborhood schools were crowded and there were no playgrounds in the district; children had few distractions then (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 5).

There were already five public elementary schools in the area when the library was built: Normandie, Fifty-Second Street, Menlo, Western Avenue and Santa Barbara Schools. Not too long after, junior high schools were established; hence, the John Muir and James A. Foshay Junior High Schools were constructed. The high school that was already established was Manual Arts High School, which later became in connection with the library. The instruction of school classes were established along with clubs for students, which prospered “until they had served their purpose” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 5).Whenever children’s work became a tax burden on a library and its collection, another branch would open up in the area. In addition to the Vermont Branch, the Angeles Mesa and John Muir Branches were built and grew; they thus relieved the pressure off of the Vermont Branch’s children’s room (p. 5).

In the 1930s, many other libraries began to be built in Los Angeles. The Henry Thoreau Branch was opened across the street from the Santa Barbara School and later took over service of Foshay High School. Meanwhile, the John Muir Branch had taken over John Muir Junior High School. Hence, with these factors and the community’s gradual changes, the Vermont Branch was “reduced from the head of the branch list in children’s circulation” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 5-6). They were also convinced that the library’s future solely depended upon their providing services to adults. After all, the community’s children had grown up and the neighborhood was made up of either older adults or foreigners. Thus, by the late 1930s, the children’s room was no longer filled and their schools had “lost in enrollment.” The community’s change, therefore, was seen as a negative to the library branch (p. 6).

During the 1940s, the Exposition Park area, where the Vermont Square and Junipero library branches are located, had the smallest population increase in the city. From 1940 to 1946, the area increased only by 1.08%. From 1946 to 1948, that percentage increased to 4.2%. In 1940, the population, according to the U.S. Census was 76, 542; in 1946 it was 76,542. According to the Los Angeles City Census, the area’s population in 1946 was 77,355. In 1948, the Regional Planning Commission estimated that the area’s population was 78,752. While the area had slow growth, other surrounding areas were experiencing population booms, such as Reseda- which had experienced a 260.5% increase between 1940 and 1948 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 1).

By the end of the 1940s, the Exposition Park area had lost much of its “community feeling” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 1). The area was now an older middle class neighborhood with mainly clerics and salespeople as residents. The population of West Vermont Avenue saw no change; however, East Vermont Avenue had become a multicultural working-class neighborhood with a large elderly population. Children only made up 8.3% of the population and the youth population had been rapidly declining. The education level of the area’s residents was slightly above the city’s average, with 10.5 being the average number of school years completed by adults over age 24 (the city’s was 9.88) (p. 1).

A survey completed by the Los Angeles Public Library in 1948 revealed that residents in the Exposition area utilized the Vermont Square Branch the most out of all the local area branches (i.e. John Muir Branch). It showed that the 76% of adult and 92% of child patrons lived within the Exposition area; 24% adult and 8% child patrons lived in either South Vermont or outside the Southwest area. However, since there were no barriers in the region except on the city’s western side, library cardholders who lived outside the Southwest region could use any library they pleased (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, pp. 1-2).

From 1949 to 1953, the Exposition Park area underwent vast changes. The area’s borders grew and were now bounded by Main Street, Arlington Avenue, Exposition Boulevard and Slauson Avenue. The playgrounds, bowling greens, and tennis courts in Exposition Park were eradicated and the park was redeveloped. Many homes and businesses were torn down to create off-street parking facilities for the new Coliseum, which was to be opened in 1960. The Southwest Health Center moved from an aging building on Vernon Avenue to new facilities on 38th Street (Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, p. 1). Also, plans to remodel the outmoded University Police Stations were being drawn up. Old buildings had been or were in the process of being replaced, new schools such as St. Cecilia’s were built, and the brand-new Harbor Freeway cut through the community. Many homes were razed to make way for apartment buildings. Bus lines replaced street car lines, many existing roads have been widened, and new roads were built. Therefore, the Exposition area was undergoing modernization in the late 1940s/1950s (Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, pp. 1-2).

By 1950, the community’s population was cut by nearly 5,000 and population growth was still slow. However, by the middle of the decade, Exposition Park became the 2nd fastest growing community in Los Angeles after the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles Public Library, 1959, pp. 1-2). Schools in the area were becoming so over-populated that many were operating on half-day schedules. Exposition Park also began changing from an upper middle-class Caucasian to an ethnic working-class community. Younger families were on the rise again; however, these families had low economic and educational levels (pp. 1-2). Thus, these changes that had occurred paved the way for the modern Exposition Park community we see today.

Programs & Services of the Vermont Square Branch: Then and Now

From its founding in 1913, the Vermont Square Branch Library has always been a community center. It programs and services were established to benefit the people in the surrounding locale, especially youths (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 2). Below is a list of the services the library established in its early years. Some of these still exist to this very day.

Clubs:

Girls’ Dramatic Club: a club that was established in 1913 and had a membership between 50 and 60 young girls. They used to put together events such as flower shows. It was discontinued in 1914 due to the library’s small staff (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 2).

Reading Clubs: clubs such as the Bookworm Reading Club (1934), which was featured in the Southwest Wave, were formed to encourage reading among youths in the community (“Library Club,” 1934). The library also had adult reading clubs such as the Southwest Book Review Club (1930), according to the Southwest Wave; they held their meetings in the library’s auditorium (“Book Club,” 1930). The youth book clubs were discontinued in the late 1960s/early 1970s, after youth interest in the library began to wane. However, though youth reading clubs are no longer a part of the library, there is an adult reading club that exists today. Also, reading programs such as Read To Me L.A. exist today to help boost child literacy rates (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

The Girls’ and Boys’ Wood-Craft League: a club established by the library in 1920 to foster youths’ interests in arts and crafts. It is unknown when it was discontinued; however, there is no mention of it in reports after the late 1930s (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 3; Vermont Square Branch Library, n.d., p. 11).

The Monday Night Forum: according to the Southwest Wave, this group was established in 1935 (“Monday Night Forum,” 1935). They held discussions in the auditorium every Monday at 7 PM and discussed topics such as ‘Americanization’ (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 3; “Schools’ Official in Library,” 1939). This group is no longer in existence today (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

-Children's room at Vermont Square Branch Library

Programs, Services, and Entertainment:

Story Hour: began immediately after the library was founded and was a popular activity (Los Angeles Public Library, 1920, p. 2). It went into decline in the early 1990s due to youths’ waned interest in the library; however, it was revived in the early 2000s and continues to be a service offered by the library (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Book Week: The Southwest Wave reported that Book Week was established by all branches in November of 1933 (“Book Week Programs,” 1933). Children were to read a certain amount of books and vote which one was the best. Whoever voted would have their entry published in a local newspaper. According to the Southwest Wave, Book Week was reestablished in 1941 following a financial crisis during the Great Depression and held long after (“Libraries Hold Book Week,” 1941). However, due to today’s economic downturn, it is no longer held today (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

School Visits: these first began in April of 1929, when students from Manual Arts High School visited the library for a field trip (Vermont Square Branch Library, n.d., p. 16). The library continues this tradition with Manual Arts down to this day (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Book Fairs: the first book fair was held in November of 1930 and continued to be an integral part of Book Week; it was often advertised in the Southwest Wave("Libraries Observe Book Week,” 1942; Vermont Square Branch Library, n.d., p. 17). However, due to budgetary issues and lack of youth interest, they are no longer held by the library (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Lecture series: a weekly program in which the Vermont Square Branch would invite a guest speaker come to discuss world current events or a topic of concern in the community. For instance, according to the Southwest Wave, journalist Sam Evans was selected to give a series of lectures for a week at the library in October of 1940 (“Interest Shown,” 1940). Though the branch no longer holds its own lecture series, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles does (the “ALOUD Lecture Series”), according to its website (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Vacation Reading Contest: this was established by the library in the summer of 1926 (Vermont Square Branch Library, n.d., p. 12). Each summer, children had to read a minimum of 10 books to participate and receive school credit. The school that had the largest amount of readers received a banner as a prize, according to the Southwest Wave(“Vermont Square Library,” 1933; “Vermont Square Library,” 1934). Due to waned interest in reading, the library no longer holds such contests (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Music Week: according to the Southwest Wave, the library used to hold a weekly series of classical music concerts every summer at either Vermont Square Park or the Central Library (“Library Offers Free Concerts,” 1934). Today, it no longer exists; however, in lieu, the library hosts the event “Paid Performers,” in which musicians and magicians put on shows for youths every summer (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Piano recitals: beginning in 1913, the library’s auditorium was used by music teachers to conduct piano recitals. This was discontinued in 1933 due to the library’s piano declined condition (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 2; Vermont Square Branch Library, n.d., p. 4).

Exhibits: the branch library would display special exhibits of artwork, crafts, and related works for the community’s youth. For instance, according to the Southwest Wave, the library displayed the Handicrafts Exhibit, which consisted of arts and crafts created by youths, in July of 1933 (“Vermont Square Library,” 1933). This has thus been a facet of the library for decades, and it continues down to this day (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Speech Classes: an article in the Southwest Wave stated that in 1944, the library began offering youths courses on public speaking and building self-confidence (“Speaking Classes Offered,” 1944). These courses are no longer available today by the branch. However, there are other classes that the library does provide (i.e. needlepoint, computer literacy) today (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Organizations:

Friends of the Vermont Library: an organization that was created by the library during World War I to encourage wealthy benefactors to donate funds to the branch (Los Angeles Public Library, 1949, p. 4). It was put on hiatus in 2006 due to the recession; however, the library hopes that it will soon return once the economic climate turns around (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2006).

Holiday:

Easter Egg Hunt: a few days before Easter, the Vermont Branch would host this special event for families in the library’s park. They began to be held sometime in the 1930s but were discontinued in the early 1990s due to budget issues in the library (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010).

Andrew Carnegie: Key Historical Figure in the Library's Early History

Andrew Carnegie is an important historical figure known for his philanthropy, especially to libraries. According to Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography and Carnegie’s autobiography, this Scottish businessman was born in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, on November 25, 1835 to William, a hand loom weaver, and Margaret Morrison Carnegie (Botta, 1900; Carnegie, 1920, pp. 1, 379). Steam loom weaving (by machine) soon began replacing the work of hand loom weaving; thus, the father could no longer find work. Thus, they were forced to immigrate to the United States in order for William to gain employment. The family thus left Scotland in 1848 (by borrowing money) and settled in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, according to both Britannica Encyclopedia and Carnegie’s autobiography (“Andrew Carnegie, “ 1911; Carnegie, 1920, pp. 12, 34, 55). William ultimately found a job in a cotton mill; however, he later returned to hand weaving, thus selling his hand-made linens. Meanwhile, Andrew was earning $2.50 per week as a telegraph messenger boy for the Pittsburgh division of the Ohio Telegraph Company (Botta, 1900; Carnegie, 1920, pp. 34-5, 62). One of the benefits of his job was that he was granted free admission to the neighborhood theatre; hence, he grew to appreciate classic literature (Carnegie, 1920, p. 48). Hence, this may have been the foundation for his love of libraries.

Due to his hard work, Carnegie was promoted and became an operator at work. His boss, Col. James Anderson, owned the Free Libraries in Western Pennsylvania and opened it up to his workers every Saturday afternoon. Carnegie soon began to develop a passion for libraries. It was then that he realized that the most productive way to spend money was to build libraries for communities (Carnegie, 1920, p. 47). Hence, by reading books, Carnegie began to develop intellectually, and his intelligence went noticed by others (Carnegie, 1920, p. 47).

One person who saw intelligence and promise in Carnegie was Thomas A. Scott of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He gave Carnegie a job as a secretary in the company and became his mentor, teaching him about both management and cost control (“Andrew Carnegie, 1911; Carnegie, 1920, p. 63; Nasaw, 2007, pp. 54-9, 64-5). He encouraged Carnegie to invest money in the oil, rail, and steel industries, which Carnegie began doing in 1855 (Nasaw, 2007, 59–60, 85–88, 102–104, 107). In 1859, Carnegie was promoted to superintendent of the line’s western division. He was hard-working and “made several improvements in the service” (“Andrew Carnegie,” 1911). After the Civil War, Carnegie began amassing wealth by introducing sleeping-cars for railways and purchasing Storey Farm on Oil Creek (in 1864). Soon afterward, he turned his attention to developing iron and steel industries in Pittsburgh. In the 1880s, he founded Keystone Bridge Works and the Edgar Thomas steel-rail mill, and brought Homestead steel works. By 1888, he was an incredibly wealthy man- owning a coal plant, a 425-mile long railroad, iron fields, steamships, and various steel companies such as the Carnegie Steel Company (1892). In 1901, Carnegie’s companies were merged and incorporated into the United States Steel Corporation, a trust organized by J. Pierpont Morgan, and was brought out for $1 billion. That same year, Carnegie decided to retire from the steel business (“Andrew Carnegie,” 1911). Hi steel corporations were brought out for over $10 billion, in which Carnegie’s share was over $200 million (or over $5 billion in today’s currency) (“Andrew Carnegie,” 1911; Nasaw, 2007, “Introduction”).

Carnegie spent the last years of his life as a philanthropist and an advocate of both educational advancement and spelling reform. He began establishing “Carnegie libraries” in the U.K., in which the first opened in Dunfermlime, Scotland, in 1883. In 1885, the first Carnegie library in the U.S. was built in Pittsburgh. By 1908, Carnegie had donated over $100,000,000 to build nearly 3,000 libraries (such as the Vermont Square Branch Library) and fund educational institutions through-out the English-speaking world. He also set up pensions for American college professors in 1905, founded the Carnegie Hero Fund commissions in the U.S. and U.K. (1904-1905), and supported the arts (“Andrew Carnegie,” 1911; Botta, 1900).

According to the New York Times, after years of philanthropy, the financial tycoon died on August 11, 1919 in Lenox, Massachusetts. By that time, he had already given away over $370 million (about $4 billion today) of his wealth. After his death, his last $30 million (somewhere close to $275 million today) was divided up among pensioners, charities, foundations, family, and friends (“Andrew Carnegie Dies,” 1919). Carnegie not only left money behind, but a great legacy for the American people. This is why he is a representation of the “American Dream” and is now known as the “Captain of Industry” (“Andrew Carnegie,” 1911; PBS, 1996, para. 1).

The City Librarians

Four influential people have served as Los Angeles City Librarians during the Vermont Square Branch’s first 40 years, thus overseeing the library's development. These City Librarians were as follows:

Purd B. Wright (1910-1911):

Purd Wright served as City Librarian in Los Angeles at the time Andrew Carnegie was interested in Los Angeles as the base for his philanthropic library work. Carnegie proposed to Wright the $210,000 (about $2 million today) to build the branch libraries (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 57). Before coming to Los Angeles, he grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and served as a librarian for 14 years at the Free Public Library in the town of St. Joseph. Throughout his life, Wright had served on boards that pertain to libraries. For instance, he was a member of the Executive Board and the Council of the American Library Association. He was also a member of the American Library Institute, the Missouri Library Commission. He was also a former vice-president of the Missouri Historical Society (pp. 57-8). His goal was to always make sure that a library is a “distinct factor in [a] community,” such as what he had achieved with the St. Joseph Library (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 57).

Wright, who was known to be “practical in his work,” served as the City Librarian until March 31, 1911, when he resigned to serve as the City Librarian of Kansas City, Missouri (which he continued to administer well into his 70s). In his eight months as City Librarian, Wright had enacted multiple changes to the public library system, which had greatly developed under his leadership (pp. 57-9).

Everett Robbins Perry (1911-1933):

Everett Perry, who had served as City Librarian for 22 years, was the most prominent and influential out of all the City Librarians in Los Angeles’ history. Known for his integrity and thrift, Perry was well-liked among his contemporaries and was considered to be a man with good values and charm (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 65). Perry was born on October 5, 1876 in Worcester, Massachusetts (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 65). According to the Los Angeles Examiner, he was educated in schools in his hometown and earned his degrees from Harvard University (in 1903) and the New York State Library School (“E.R. Perry,” 1933; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 61). In 1911, he came to Los Angeles and became City Librarian that same year (“E.R. Perry,” 1933; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 61). Under his leadership, according to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Public Library’s volumes grew from 166,000 to over 1,400,000. In addition, the Los Angeles Public Library System expanded, with 48 branches and a main library (“Friends Mourn,” 1933).

During his time, the Vermont Square Library and other branches were built. In 1917, he became president of the California Library Association. In the 1920, he was vice-president of the American Library Association and ultimately became its president in 1930 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 64). Two years later, on October 30, 1933, Perry succumbed to death at the age of 57. Southern Californians mourned his death, for they had lost an exceptional community leader (“Friends Mourn,” 1933).

-Everett Perry

Perry had greatly contributed greatly to the city of Los Angeles and its public library system. According to the Los Angeles Times, he was known for his “fine vision and ability” and turning the city’s library system into one of the most outstanding ones in the United States (“Friends Mourn,” 1933). Perry had served on many library committees and raised the professional standards of librarianship (Los Angeles Public Library, 1934, p. 65). Also, he enacted many changes in the library system. For instance, in 1918, the library’s Training Class, which had turned into a Library School, was admitted into the Association of Library Schools. In 1926, it was then “accredited as a junior undergraduate college by the Board of Education for librarianship” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 62-4). In addition, the Central Library building was built in 1926 (p. 65). Perry had thus raised the status of the Los Angeles Public Library System. Hence, until his death, Perry kept working immensely, advocating on behalf of libraries and supporting the library system (Los Angeles Public Library, 1934, pp. 64-5). The city of Los Angeles and its library system, therefore, owes a lot to Everett Perry, according to the Los Angeles Examiner (“E.R. Perry,” 1933).

Althea Warren (1933-1947):

Althea Warren succeeded Everett Perry as City Librarian, serving for 14 years. According to her biography, she was known for her straightforwardness and her efficiency at problem-solving (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4). Warren was born to Lansing Warren and Emma Newhall Blodgett on December 29, 1857 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In her early childhood, her family moved to Waukegan, Illinois, where she was educated in public schools. She graduated from Waukegan High School in 1904 and enrolled at the University of Chicago. She received her Bachelor’s degree from there in 1908. Three years later, in 1911, she received graduated from the University of Wisconsin’s Library School (p. 4). Upon graduating, she landed her first job as a librarian at the Burr School Branch of the Chicago Public Library. She worked there from September 1911 to June 1912; afterward, she became a librarian for the Sears & Roebuck Company, working from June 1912 to July 1914. In August of 1914, she moved to San Diego, California. Warren worked as the reorganizer of the San Diego Public Library from January 1, 1915 to February 1, 1916, and as a librarian for ten years (p.4). In May of 1926, she relocated to Los Angeles and became First Assistant Librarian for the Los Angeles Public Library. She was later appointed Chief Assistant Librarian and became in charge of the library’s branches. She was very effective in her position, enacting different changes and developing the branch libraries (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 68-9). On November 8, 1933, she was elected as City Librarian by Mayor Shaw, which was reported by the Illustrated Daily News (“Woman Named,” 1933).

During her first year as City Librarian, she faced many difficulties. The budget had fallen, per capita income had been lowered from $1.00 to 75¢, and a heavily-drained book stock remained. However, over the years, she dealt with these issues in a swift and efficient manner. Therefore, under her leadership, the public library system’s budget was balanced by measures such as the reduction of staff salaries and personnel. In addition, Warren ensured that the library’s departments and branches cooperated together, and she enforced regional branch meetings. Hence, she aided in the professional advancement of the Los Angeles Public Library System (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 65-8).

Ever since she came to California in 1914, Warren, a bibliophile since childhood, had been actively involved with numerous library committees and worked on several different projects within them. She served as president of the California Library Association and many other committees. She was also a member of the following: the Executive Council for the American Library Association, American Library Association Committee of Fellowships and Scholarships (under the Carnegie Corporation of New York), and the American Library Institute (Los Angeles Public Library, 1933, p. 67-9). In addition, she had written articles for a variety of library journals and publications (p. 68). Warren continued to participate in the library field until her death in 1958 at the age of 101, according to the Los Angeles Times (“Obituary,” 1958). She thus has always been remembered for her hard work, passion, and strong leadership in the library community (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 65, 68; “Woman Named,” 1933).

Harold Louis Hamill (1947-1970):

Harold Hamill was Althea Warren’s successor as City Librarian and served for nearly 30 years. He was born to John E. Hamill and Minnie Bell on March 23, 1908 in Washington, D.C. Information on his early childhood and education is unknown. However, it is known that he graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree and from Columbia University’s Library School in 1935 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1, 3). According to the L.A.P.L. Broadcaster, after he finished his education, he moved to New York and held positions in several libraries (“Hail! Harold Louis Hamill,” n.d., para. 3). For instance, he was an Order Assistant at Mount Vernon Public Library from 1935 to 1938. His next job was as an assistant librarian at the Yonkers Public Library in 1939. Then from 1940 to 1941, he was a librarian at the Schenectady Public Library. In 1941, he transferred to the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland (para. 3). After working there for a few years, he became a librarian for the Kansas City Public Library in Missouri. Under his leadership, he “headed a citizens’ council,” secured “a one million tax for his library,” and brought a “$1.20 per capita appropriation for 1947” (para. 4). He also served as president of the Missouri and American Library Associations, and chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the ALA. It was also during that time that state aid was voted for libraries, according to the L.A.P.L. Broadcaster (“Hail! Harold Louis Hamill,” n.d., para. 4; Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4). In 1947, he moved to Los Angeles and was appointed City Librarian on October 1st of that year (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 5). He served as City librarian until 1970, when he resigned from his post after three decades. According to the newspaper El Pueblo, Hamill died on May 17, 1986, he died at the age of 78; he thus, left behind a great legacy in the library field (“Obituary,” 1986, p. 11).

While Hamill served as City Librarian, the Los Angeles Public Library expanded, with 52 community branch libraries and four bookmobiles. 28 new buildings were added to the library system, a $6.4 million building program was voted by voters, and inadequate library facilities were renovated. The amount of people who used the library also had reached its peak under his leadership. New services were added and library hours were elongated in order to meet each community’s needs. In addition, under Hamill, the Los Angeles Public Library System became one of the largest and most prominent library systems in the United States (Los Angeles Public Library, 1968, pp. 1-2). Therefore, he was a major contributor in turning the Los Angeles’ library system into an important institution in modern times.

Library Board Members: The First 40 Years, Part I

According to the Board of Library Commissioners’ page on the Los Angeles Public Library’s website, http://www.lapl.org/about/blc.html, the members of the Board of Library Commissioners (formerly known as the Board of Library Directors), along with the City librarian, oversee the entire operations of the Los Angeles Public Library System and its branches, including Vermont Square. It consists of a few members (usually 4-5), who are appointed by the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles (as was pointed out previously). They are given term limits; however, they may be reelected several times. Hence, there is no set amount of times a person can serve on the board; they can serve for life, provided they are continuously elected.

During the Vermont Square Branch’s first 40 years, 19 people have sat as members of the public library’s boards (Soter & Muench, 1993, p. 309). Many of these were influential and helped shaped either the history of the branch, its surrounding community, or the Southern California locale altogether . Hence, these were as follows:

Henry Myer Newmark (1909-1915):

Henry Newmark was a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library from 1909 to 1915; however, he served as its president beginning in 1910. He was born in Los Angeles, California in 1877. His father, Myer J. Newmark, served on the Library Board from 1899 to1900 (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 56; Soter & Muench, 1993, p. 309). Henry attended the local public schools and was a student at the University of California from 1894 to 1898. He briefly left Los Angeles after college but later returned to launch M.A. Newmark and Company, wholesale grocers. In 1904, he became a partner in the law firm Morgan & Newmark, in which they were manufacturer representatives. In 1915, Newmark resigned from the Library Board in order to work for the Christian Science Monitor in Boston, Massachusetts (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 56).

Josefa Hodgman Tolhurst (1910-1914):

Josefa Tolhurst was a member of the Board of Directors for four years, from February 8, 1910 to July 1, 1914. She was born to Edwin C. Hodgman and Laura S. Lewis on September 17, 1864 in St. Louis, Missouri. There exists no information on her early life; however, it is noted that she was educated in the city she was born in (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 5, 7, 10). She received her degree from Lindenwood Female College (now called Lindenwood University) in the nearby city of St. Charles. She moved to Los Angeles around 1884/85 and married Shelley Tolhurst, a dentist from St. Louis, shortly afterward. Throughout her life, she was prominent in both social and club life. She was also heavily interested in civic affairs (pp. 6, 10). She was a member of clubs such as the Friday Morning Club; other than the library’s board, she was on the Board of Freeholders in which she was elected to on June 5, 1923 (pp. 6, 9, 10). She helped frame the Charter of Los Angeles; however, since she left on a world cruise a couple of days before the Charter was signed, her name does not appear on the document. In 1938, Tolhurst resigned from both social and public activities (p. 9). She died on April 11, 1956 in Los Angeles and her death was reported in the Los Angeles Times (“Obituary 5,” 1956).

Dr. Joseph Sarsfield Glass (1911-1915):

Dr. Joseph Glass was on the Board of Directors from 1911 to 1915. He was a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church and more affiliated with Utah’s history than California’s. According to the Los Angeles Tidings, he was born in 1874 to James Sarsfield and Mary Edith Kelly on March 13, 1874 in Bushnell, Illinois (Dwyer, 1974). In his early childhood, his family moved to Sedalia, Missouri, where he was educated in parochial schools (Harper, 1913, p. 220). At the age of 13, his family relocated to Pasadena, California, and he attended St. Vincent’s College (now Loyola Marymount University) in Los Angeles. In 1891, at the age of 17, he decided to join the Vincentians, a Catholic order; hence, he enrolled at St. Mary’s Apostolic College and completed his novitiate at St. Mary of the Barrens, a Vincentian historical seminary in Perryville, Missouri. For his theology, he went to Rome and studied at the prestigious Angelicum seminary. He was appointed to the priesthood by Bishop George Montgomery at the Cathedral of St. Vibiana’s in Los Angeles on August 15, 1897. He was shortly appointed as a novice master in Perryville and, at 27 years old, named president of St. Vincent’s College. In the Pacific Southwest, Dr. Glass became well-known as a gifted speaker and administrator (Dwyer, 1974; Harper, 1913, pp. 220-1).

In 1911, he became pastor at St. Vincent’s Chapel. That same year, he was elected to the Library Board by the Mayor of Los Angeles (Harper, 1913, p. 221). He spent six years planning the construction of a brand new church; however, in June 1915, he left California and became Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. Many years later, he returned to Los Angeles for his episcopal ordination at the Los Angeles Cathedral by Edward Hanna, the Archbishop of San Francisco (Dwyer, 1974).

In his 40s, Glass began recruiting for the diocesan clergy in Salt Lake City, where the majority of the populace were Mormons. He was also a pioneer of the Liturgical Revival in the church. In 1917, he embarked on a project to renew the interior of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, which eventually saw completion. During World War I, he was involved in the Catholic National War Council (now called the National Council of Catholic Bishops). From autumn of 1924 to New Years’ Day in 1925, he went on an extended tour of Europe, visiting places such as Rome (Dwyer, 1974).
Upon his return to the United States, he was diagnosed with cancer. He died on January 26, 1926 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Los Angeles. His death was reported in the Los Angeles Tidings, which was a bit ironic since he scarcely left a lasting influence on Southern California (Dwyer, 1974).

Professor Laird J. Stabler (1911-1914):

Laird Stabler was a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library from March 14, 1911 to January 4, 1914. He was a college professor, an industrialist chemist, and city official in his lifetime (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 2). He was born to Daniel Fletcher Stabler and Rachel Ann Le Sourd on August 27, 1863 in Bethany, Ohio. In his early years, he was educated in preparatory schools in his hometown. As an adult, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree at Ohio Wesleyan College, attending from 1879-1883. From 1883 to 1885, he attended graduate school at the University of Michigan and received his L.S. degree in Chemistry. He then went on to attend Purdue University from 1889 to 1890, and graduated with his Ph.C. (pp. 6-7). In 1890 and 1891, he took on post-graduate work at John Hopkins University. From 1891 to 1894, he occupied the Department Chair of Chemistry at Southwestern College in Kansas. In late 1894, he relocated to Los Angeles. He became head of the Los Angeles Board of Health from April 6 to December 7, 1909. In 1911, he joined the Board of Library Directors but stepped down nearly three years later (pg. 8). In 1915, he finished his education by ultimately receiving a Sc.D. at the University of Southern California. He later became the dean of the College of Pharmacy and Professor of Industrial Chemistry at the University of Southern California- positions he occupied for many years (pp. 7-8).

During his life, he conducted various research studies in the field of chemistry. For example, he conducted research for Los Angeles on sanitary disposal of sewage. Other studies he conducted: methods for bleaching dried fruits to meet official standards; a catalytic process for the manufacture of potassium permanganate for war needs during World War I; researched the development processes for the manufacture of artificial gas from California crude oil; method for purifying gas for domestic purposes; and a process for the disposal of the by-product’s carbon in form of briquets. Also, one of his biggest research methods involved finding methods to purify the sources of the water supply in Los Angeles. He continued to work on many different research projects and came up with ways to perfect them (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 3).

Stabler was also a member of various clubs and organizations in his lifetime. He was a member of the University Club, American Chemical Society, American Pharmacy Society, and American Association of Engineers. In addition, he belonged to the Kappa Beta, Phi Delta Chi, Phi Nu Delta, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and Phi Chi fraternities (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 6-7).

Stabler’s life came to an end on November 26, 1939 at the age of 74. He had lived a long life, devoted to research in the field of chemistry (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 3). Even though he never reached fame on the world-wide level like Madame Curie or Niels Bohr did, he otherwise did receive some form of recognition for his work in the Los Angeles Times (“Oldest Dean at S.C. Dies,” 1939).

Orra E. Monnette (1914-1936):

Orra Monnette became a member of the Board of Directors in 1914; however, he was its president from 1916-1936. He was the longest-running president in the Board’s history, being elected continually for 22 years. He had an excellent leadership style, a forceful personality, and an energetic advancement of civic interests that made him admirable to those in the community (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 60).

He was born in 1873 in Bucyrus, Ohio. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, a private college, in 1895. He studied law there, and was admitted to the bar a year after graduating, practicing law in both Bucyrus and Toledo, Ohio. In 1907, he moved to Los Angeles and entered into the banking industry. He became organizer and director president of several banks, such as the Citizens Trust & Savings Bank and Bank of America. He also served on several committees and director boards for banks, such as for the Bank of Italy National Trust and Savings Association (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 60).

He was a member of several different “civil, patriotic, cultural, and social organizations and clubs” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 60). He also served on both the state and national Chambers of Commerce. Furthermore, besides the Library Board, he served as a Commissioner on the Municipal Annexation Commission, the original City Planning Commission, and the Board of Freeholders (they created L.A.’s City Charter in 1925), in which he helped insured and protected the library’s interests. In 1930, Lincoln Memorial University, located in Tennessee, conferred upon him an honorary degree in order to honor his achievements. According to the Los Angeles Post, six years later, on February 23, 1936, he passed away due to an illness (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 60; "Monnette Succumbs,” 1936).

Frances M. Harmon (later Harmon-Zahn) (1914-1920; 1922-1947):

Frances Harmon (née Sproston; married twice) served on the Library Board of Commissioners from 1922 to 1947; she was also its first female leader, being elected to the post on July 29, 1936. Before that, she was a member of the now-defunct Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library (formerly Board of Trustees) from April 1914 to January 1920. When the current Library Board formed in February of 1922, she was appointed as a member of it by the city’s Mayor (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 1; Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, pp. 55-6).

She was born to John Sproston and Mary DuHammell on April 9, 1876 in Virginia City, Nevada and raised in San Francisco, California. She attended several private schools and later, San Francisco High School. She later moved to Canada and married Dr. Louis Harmon (in 1921, she married Otto J. Zahn); however, they soon returned to the United States in early 1896. In the latter part of that year, she and her husband moved to Los Angles, where she became the dean of the Science and Mathematics Department at the Marlborough School for a couple of years (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 4-6). She also served on the Board of Trustees of the California State Library from 1913 until 1922 (and was the only female member), when “the State Library Management became a function of the State Department of Finance” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 66).

During World War I, Harmon-Zahn was an active member of the community. She served on a plethora of organizations and committees, with titles such as “secretary,” “director,” and “chairman.” A few of these were: The War History Committee of Los Angeles County, Information and Library Service for the State Council of Defense, Women’s Committee of the State Council of Defense for California, State Federation of Women’s Clubs, and the Food Administration for California State Library Publicity. She also was a charter member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles City Planning Association (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1-2). For her astounding achievements, she was thus noted to be by historians “one of the Library Board’s most efficient members” and “one of Los Angeles’ most useful citizens” (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 66).

Herman C. Kaestner (1915-1918):

Herman Kaestner served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Public Library for a mere three years- from 1915 to 1918. Oddly, there exists no biography for Kaestner and the only mention of him in the Los Angeles Times is through a short obituary. Hence, the Times mentioned the following information about him: he was an employee for the Times for 29 years; he had four siblings; he was the husband of Irene Kaestner and had one child, a daughter, one granddaughter, and two great-grandchildren (“Obituary 4,” 1966). Judging by the article’s date of May 24, 1966, it is possible that Kaestner had died sometime around then. However, this is merely speculation; it is unknown as to why there is no mention of him in public records. Perhaps he was not as influential as the rest of the Library Board members listed in this study. Whatever the case may be, his life story largely remains a mystery.

Very Reverend Monsignor Francis Joseph Conaty (1915-1948):

Francis J. Conaty was appointed a member of both the Board of Directors and Board of Library Commissioners. He joined the former in September of 1915 and served for 33 years on both, being one of the longest-running board members in the public library’s history. He was also a director of the Board for several years. He was born to Francis and Nellie Linlanne Conaty on March 19, 1880 in Taunton, Massachusetts. He attended Taunton Grammar School and Taunton High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in June of 1902. After graduating, he attended the Grand Seminary in Quebec, Montréal, and later finished his education at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1, 4-7).

In October of 1906, he settled in Los Angeles and became the pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. He later became the pastor of the Cathedral Chapel on 8th and Valencia Streets. On April 23, 1926, he was appointed Papal Chamberlain and was bestowed with the dignified title of “Very Reverend Monsignor.” Conaty was involved in several different church activities throughout his life; as a staunch Republican, he was also involved in governmental matters. The exact date of his death is unknown; however, it is stated that the year of his death was 1950. Although he is pretty well-know, his legacy has always been overshadowed by his more famous uncle, Thomas P. Conaty, former Bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 4-8).

Library Board Members: The First 40 Years, Part II

Frank Hervey Pettingell was born to Nathanael Pettingell and Mary Anne Felch on January 2, 1868 in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He attended several public schools in his hometown. From his early youth up to November 1889, he worked as an engraver and designer of silver in Newburyport (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp 1-2). It was in 1889 when he moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and connected with the First National Bank of Colorado Springs until 1892. He also became a stocks and bonds businessman beginning in 1892. In 1894, he became a charter member of the Colorado Mining Stock Exchange in Denver; a year later, he became its vice-president and subsequently, its president. In December of 1912, he moved to Los Angeles and established a stock and bond business the following year (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4). In 1916 he was appointed as a member of the public library’s Board of Directors, serving for nine years and ultimately becoming its first vice-president. He also became president of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange in 1920. Over the next few years, Pettingell became active in many different genealogical, historical, civic, and patriotic institutions (p. 4). Historically, he would most likely come in second to Rufus B. von KleinSmid (whom we shall discuss later) for the amount of clubs and institutions he had been a member of. A list of these include: Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Sons of the American Revolution, New England Genealogical Society, Society of Old Plymouth Descendants, Knight Commander of California, Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, Order of Knights of the Golden Horseshoe, and the International Congress of Genealogy (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4).

In addition, he served as either president or vice-president of some, such as on the National Society Americans of Royal Descent and Society of Colonial Wars in the State of California. He died an honorable and much-revered man, by his contemporaries, on May 8, 1926 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4; Monnette, Hunnewell, & Whipple, 1926, p. 5).

Dr. Walter Lindley (1919-1921):

Walter Lindley was a famous surgeon and author, and served as a Library Board member for a mere two years. During his lifetime, he deeply contributed to the medical community in Southern California. He was born on January 13, 1852 in Monrovia, Indiana. He was educated at Minneapolis High School and the Philadelphia School of Anatomy, in which he graduated in 1869 and 1877, respectively (Harnagel, 1971, p. 303). He earned his M.D. degree from Long Island College Hospital in 1875 and worked as a resident physician at Eastern District Hospital in Brooklyn. He moved to Los Angeles in 1875 and finished his education by earning his LL.D at St. Vincent’s College (now known as Loyola Marymount University) (Harnagel, 1971, p. 303, 312; Harper, 1913; p. 347). In 1878, he opened the Los Angeles County Hospital and was its superintendent for eight years. That same year, he became the secretary of the Los Angeles County Medical Association (Harnagel, 1971, pp. 307, 310). In 1886, he founded the medical journal The California Practitioner and wrote a book entitled California of the South (pp. 309, 313, 315). He also served as vice-president of the National Council of Charities and Corrections as well as director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank for 20 years (pp. 312, 315).

In the 1880s and 1890s, he was busy in a variety of activities. For instance, he founded the Los Angeles Orphan’s Home in and became County Physician in 1880. He then served on the Los Angeles Board of Education from 1880 to 1881. In 1882, he became the president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association (Harnagel, 1971, pp. 308, 310). He co-founded the College of Medicine at USC in 1889 and was made president of the Board of Trustees for the Whittier State School. In 1897, he opened the California Hospital and became its secretary and medical director. In addition, he was a member of the California Club and Union League, and became president of the University Club (p. 312). In 1906, he was nominated by the Republican Party as a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles. He campaigned but came in third place in the ballots; hence, he decided to no longer pursue a political career, focusing on other endeavors (Harnagel, 1971, pp. 314-15).

In 1919, he was elected to the Los Angeles’ Board of Directors; however, his term was cut short due to his death. He died on January 22, 1922, when he was merely 42 years old, and was buried in the Old Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles (Harnagel, 1971, p. 306; Harper 313, p. 348: Los Angeles Public Library, n.d, p. 1). He thus was the only member of the Library Board to have died at a young age. Within his short life, however, he had made significant achievements in the field of both medicine and education, which he will always be remembered for in Southern California (Harnagel, 1971, p. 303).

Katherine Griswold Smith (1920-1938):

Katherine Smith (née Griswold) was a poet, city official, and a member of both the Board of Directors and Board of Library Commissioners, serving for fourteen years. She was born to Marcus Plemen Griswold and Catherine Anne Nostrand on August 25, 1865 in Horicon, Wisconsin. Nothing is known about her early life; however, it is known that she was educated at both Lawrence Preparatory School and College in Appleton, Wisconsin, where her family settled after her eighth year (Los Angeles Public Library, 1934, pp. 7-9). In 1886, she finished her schooling and married a miner named J. Wells Smith. Her and her husband made frequent trips to California and visited Los Angeles in 1888. From 1890-1900, the Smiths lived in Boulder, Colorado. Katherine soon became interested in club work, joining the Fortnightly Club in her city. In 1908, she also became a member of the Friday Morning Club, becoming a prominent member and active in the clubs’ social affairs (p. 10).

The Smiths maintained a winter home in Los Angeles and spent their summers either in Colorado or in their former Wisconsin home, travelling back and forth each year. However, they decided to permanently relocate to Los Angeles in 1910, and they became residents the following year. She became interested in poetry and drama, and joined the Amateur Players Group- in which she was a member for over 25 years (Los Angeles Public Library, 1934, pp. 3. 6, 9-10). During World War I (1914-1919), Smith worked in numerous activities. She was involved in the following activities: directing the Friday Morning Club’s branch of the Needlework Guild of America, relief work with the Near East Relief and The Fatherless Children of France, the American Red Cross, and the American Ambulance in Belgium. Post-war, she was elected as a member of the Library Board, aided with the planning of the Central Library in Los Angeles (which opened on July 15, 1926) and joined the Indian Defense League of California (pp. 9-10). Shortly before World War II, she stepped down from the Board and later joined both the California and American Library Associations. From the 1930s until her death in 1946, she wrote and published her poetry. She also maintained an “active interest in the affairs” of both associations as well as in Los Angeles (pp. 6, 8-10). She was thus well-liked in her community and was refered to as “a rare soul” by those who were familiar with her (p. 3).

Edgar Neill Martin (1926-1941):

Edgar Neill Martin was president of the Board of Library Commissioners from February 1936 to July 1936; however, he was a Board member for fourteen years. Little is known about his early life- except that he was born in Mississippi, had received his education from private schools (this thus suggesting that he was born into a rich Southern family), and worked for newspapers (Los Angeles Public Library, 1936, p. 66). In 1907, he came to Los Angeles and dabbled in several different interests, such as in legal, civic, business and the arts; he was also the founder and director of the now-famous Hollywood Bowl. He served as a member of several boards in Los Angeles: the Los Angeles Community Chest, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Braille Bible Fund, and the Civic Bureau of Music and Arts. He also was president of the Casa del Mar Club, and member of the Los Angeles Country Club and The Writers Club. The exact date and/or year of his death is unknown (p. 66).

Rufus Bernhard von KleinSmid (1936-1964):

Out of all the library board’s members in Los Angeles, Rufus B. von KleinSmid is the most celebrated and well-known. He accomplished many great things during his lifetime and was honored with medals and awards for those achievements, which were broadcasted in the Los Angeles Times (“Honor Due," 1931; “Von KleinSmid Receives Medal,” 1942). He was the longest-running member of the Library Board (for 28 years) and was involved in the most clubs and organizations. He was also one of the few board members who were prominent on the international level.

According to the Los Angeles Times, von KleinSmid was born in 1875 in Sandwich, Illinois (Main, 1964). His childhood home was the Von KleinSmid mansion, which was listed in 1985 as a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places' website. In his early years, he received private tutoring and later attended the prestigious Oberlin Academy. In 1897, at the age of 22, he was named superintendant of public schools for Illinois, a position he remained in for seven years. From 1905 to 1914, he was a professor of education and psychology at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and was noted for his work in criminal psychology. During that time, he became the founder and first president of the American Association of Criminology. He also became an educator at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees (Main, 1964). From 1914 to 1921, according to the Times, he served as president of the University of Arizona (“40 Relatives Fete,” 1963; Main, 1964). He resigned from that post and moved to Los Angeles, where he became president of the University of Southern California in 1921. He was elected to the library’s Board of Commissioners in 1936, where he served for twenty eight years (Main, 1964). In 1946, he became the chancellor of the University of Southern California, a post he held until the end of his life. He resigned from the Board, with much fanfare, on Wednesday March 3, 1964 in order to pay attention to his “other duties” and interests (Main, 1964; “Von KleinSmid Resigns,” 1964). On July 10, 1964, the death of Rufus B. von KleinSmid was proclaimed in major newspapers across Southern California, especially in the Los Angeles Times. Hundreds attended his funeral, from world leaders to university students. He therefore left a mark and legacy on the southern portion of the state, and some parts of the world, that still continues to be praised even down to this day (Main, 1964).

-Finn Haakon Frolich, Rufus B. Von KleinSmid (on the left) and The Trojan (USC mascot)
During his long lifetime, the philanthropic von KleinSmid was active in Southern California and contributed to its development the most out of all the Board members in history. Under his presidency, USC had a close association with the Vermont Square Branch Library, according to one of the current librarians (M. Jones, personal communication, April 6, 2010). The university flourished, or went through a “Golden Age” so to speak. According to the Times, it had expanded from 3 to 22 major structures and its assets tripled to $6, 651, 000. Its library volume grew from 29, 304 to over 142,000. Von KleinSmid founded five of its colleges, four schools (including the School of International relations), the annual Institute of World Affairs, and two major buildings that now bear his name. Enrollment at the university grew, from “less than 5,000 to more than 12, 000,” reaching over 18,000 at the time of his death. The faculty also grew, from 267 to close to 1,000 members (Main, 1964). He carefully supervised the university’s funds and endowment program at a time when many other schools were lacking in funds. He thus was a major contributor to USC’s growth and turned it into one of the best universities in the world (Main, 1964).

He was also involved in numerous clubs, state and national organizations, and associations. In addition to the public library’s board he served on the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. He was a proud member of various clubs, including the notable California Club. He was also involved in charitable works and donated a lot of money to the organizations in which he served (Main, 1964). Hence, for all of his wonderful achievements at both USC and in Southern California, he was honored at luncheons and bestowed with multiple awards and medals (such as by the National Institute of Social Sciences) by associations and national governments alike (“Honored,” 1964; Main, 1964; “Von KleinSmid Receives Medal,” 1942).


Reynold Edward Blight(1938-1948):

Reynold Blight was born to John Blight and Jane Pearee on May 19, 1879 in Torrington, Devon, England. He received his early education in public schools in his hometown. In 1896, his family immigrated to the United States and he became a naturalized citizen in 1903. In 1904, he settled in Los Angeles and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1910. From 1911 to 1915 he was a member of the Los Angeles City Board, and a Sunday Morning Lecturer for the Church of the People from 1908-1922. From 1913 to 1923 he became an instructor at Southwestern University in Texas, where he ultimately earned his LL.D. in 1927 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1-2). During the 1930s and 1940s, he was a member of various boards and institutions in California. For instance, from 1925 to 1926, he was the president of the Public School Protective League of California. From 1929 to 1931, he was a California State Franchise Tax commissioner. From 1931 to 1932, he was a member of the Judiciary Council Committee on Administration Justice (p. 1). In July of 1936, he was elected as a member of Los Angeles’ Board of Library Commissioners by the Mayor and served for ten years. Around that time, he was already a member of both the Los Angeles Board of Education and Citizens Library Council of the California Library Association (pp. 1-2). He also was a member of several prestigious clubs, lodges, and fraternities, including: the Masonic Grand Lodge of California, Societas Resicruciana of New Jersey College, Los Angeles Athletic X, Beta Alpha Psi, Quatour Coronati Lodge in London, and was a president of the Sojourners club (pp. 1-2).

Blight was also a journalist in who wrote a plethora of articles. He was the editor of the Liberal Review from 1918 to 1919, the Masonic Digest from 1921 to 1923, and New Age Magazine (in Washington) from 1923 to 1925 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pg. 1). He was also the author of several books and pamphlets. All of his works were published in both England and the United States (p. 2).

Library Board Members: The First 40 Years, Part III

Robert J. Bauer (1942-1961):

Robert Bauer was born to William S. Bauer and Catherine Shackelford on August 28, 1899 in Springfield, Ohio. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1918 and received his degree from Ohio Wesleyan University (where he was a member of the Phil Kappa Psi and Alpha Delta Sigma fraternities) in 1922. From 1922 to 1924, he worked as a salesman for Buckeye Incubator Company and was the manager of Continental Hatchery Company in Toledo from 1924 to 1928 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1-4). From 1927 to 1930, he was the assistant manager at the Better Business Bureau division in Detroit. He moved to Los Angeles in May of 1930 and became manager of the Better Business Bureau division in that city. While in California, he held several positions of honor in several different prominent boards and associations. For instance, in 1932, he served as a member on the California Governors Bread Commission (pp. 3-4). In 1937, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Traffic Association. From 1930 to 1940, he served as a member on the Board of Governors of the National Association of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. and was its Secretary of Treasury from 1934 to 1935. In 1939, he was its vice-president and ultimately became president in May of 1940, serving for two years. In 1940, he became the vice-president of the Economic Round Table of Los Angeles. That same year, he became a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners and served there until 1942, when he was elected to the Board of Library Commissioners (pp. 4-5). According to the Los Angeles Times, he resigned from the Board in 1961 and retired from the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles six years later. All that is known of his latter years is that he became a writer of handbooks for different bureaus; however, the year of his death remains unknown (“Retired Chief,” 1967).

Mary Ruth Belt (1948-1953):

Mary Belt (née Mary Smart) was a member of the Board of Library Commissioners, being appointed on March 9, 1948. She was born to John Gregory Smart and Esther Anne Cooper on May 10, 1893 in the state of Washington. It is unknown when her family moved to California; however, records show that she attended Los Angeles High School and graduated in 1912. She attended the University of California at Berkeley and graduated with honors in 1917. She then went on to attend graduate school at the University of Southern California from 1928 to 1930 (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1, 3). Over her lifetime, Belt was a social leader in Los Angeles and a board member or director of many cultural, social, and civic committees and organizations. Many of these were: Hospitality Commissioners of Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles County Museum Association, Historical Society of Southern California, Travelers Aid Society, Opera Guild of Southern California (which she co-founded), League of Women Voters, Association of American University Women, UCLA Art Council, Associated Friends of Occidental College, Citizens Advisory Commission for Music, California Centennial Celebration (in 1946), and Women’s University Club (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4). She was also a member of the Directors Board of the University of California at Los Angeles from 1941 to 1944 and founder of The Courier, the official publication of the California Medical Association. In addition, she founded several associations such as El Salon Español (1936) and was co-founder of Las Fiestas de las Americas and the World Affairs Council, according to the Times (Los Angeles Public Library, p. 4; “Mary Ruth Belt,” 1983).

According to the Los Angeles Times, Belt was active in society for almost 50 years of her life, spending most of her time raising fundraisers for organizations and libraries, as well as advocating on behalf of the Los Angeles public school system. She died, honored by historians and journalists alike, in February of 1983 in Los Angeles at the age of 92 (“Mary Ruth Belt,” 1983).

Edward Augustus Dickson (1948-1956):

Edward Dickson was a member of Los Angeles’ Board of Library Commissioners from July 28, 1948 until his death in 1956. He was an actor, archivist, and social leader in the Los Angeles community. He was born to William Dickson and Guria Iverson on August 29, 1879 in Shaboggan, Wisconsin. His family moved to California in 1889, when he was just ten years old. Nothing is known about his early life and education; however, he attended the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a degree in 1901 and earned an honorary LL.D at Moravian College in Pennsylvania (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1, 3). In 1907, he co-founded the Lincoln Roosevelt League and the University of California at Los Angeles in 1919. From 1919 to 1931, he was the owner and editor of the newspaper Los Angeles Evening Press (pp. 3, 5). During his lifetime, he was a chairman of a large variety of different leagues, organizations, and boards. For instance, he headed the Board of Regents of the University of California system and was a member from 1913 until 1956 (p. 5). Other institutions he led included: the Board of the Department of Water and Power’s Finance Committee, (member from 1940 to 1945), Western Federal Savings and Loan Association, and the Historical Society of Southern California. He was also a member of both the Los Angeles and California Chambers of Commerce, California Club, Downtown Businessmen’s Association, Board of Directors of the Central Investment Corporation (owners of the famed Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles), and the Community Development Board, which built the Coliseum and brought the Summer Olympics to Los Angeles in 1932 (pp. 5-7).

Dickson’s involvement in the community made him much revered among his contemporaries. Belt et al. (1956) had had nothing but kind words to describe their former colleague and friend. For instance, Belt refered to him as intelligent, having a “tremendous zest for life,” devoted to his interests and endeavors, and having a remarkable leadership style (p. 4). Thomas J. Cunningham, a graduate of UCLA and former judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, called him an unselfish man “of great vision” who had tremendous love for the University of California (p. 6). He was also known to be a book collector and lover, and he donated a large portion of his wealth to build up the UCLA Library (pp. 6-7). He died on March 9, 1956, two years before his term was to end on the Library Board. Up to this day, he is still known as “Mr. UCLA” (pp. 3, 6).

The Most Reverend Timothy Cardinal Manning (1948-1962):

Timothy Manning was a Roman Catholic bishop, community leader, and a member of the Board of Commissioners from 1948 to 1962. He was born on November 14, 1909 to Margaret Cronin Manning in Balingeary, Cork, Ireland. He attended the town’s National School and later, educational facilities operated by the Christian Brothers, a Catholic religious group. He was enrolled in Mungret College in Limerick, Ireland from 1923 to 1927, where he began preparing to enter into the priesthood. On October 15, 1928, he came to the United States and entered into St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, California, in which he attended from 1928 to 1934. On June 16, 1934 he was ordained as a Catholic Priest at St. Vibiana’s Cathedral in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., pp. 1, 3-4). Then, from 1935 to 1938, he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, and received a Doctorate degree in Canon Law. He soon after returned to Los Angeles and became a secretary to the Most Reverend John J. Cantwell, Archbishop of Los Angeles, from 1938-1946. On November 17, 1946, Manning became the Titular Bishop of Lesvi and Consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles. Two years later, on March 19, 1948, he was appointed Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Los Angeles Public Library, n.d., p. 4; Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 1989, p. 5).

In the summer of 1948, Manning was elected to the Library Board by the city’s Mayor. From 1953 to 1967, he was the pastor at St. Gregory’s, a church in downtown Los Angeles. On November 29, 1955, he was appointed as Vicar General for the archdiocese. In 1962, he resigned from the Library Board, focusing on his religious works. He was appointed to the Diocese of Fresno on October 24, 1967. In January of 1970, he was appointed as Chief Shepherd of the Church of Los Angeles, and ultimately became the Archbishop of Los Angeles (Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 1989, pp. 5-7).

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, according to the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, he staunchly advocated for reforms within the Catholic Church. He also retired from the post of archbishop in 1985 at the age of 75 (“Outgoing Manning," 1983). During the last years of his life, Manning was involved with activities in the Cursillo movement in Los Angeles. He died in 1989, leaving behind a staggering legacy in the Catholic religion (Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 1989, pp. 26, 29).