Since early autumn there’s been a new man at the helm of the Des Peres Branch Library, Dale F. Poertner of 3007 Allen Drive. And as always with a new helmsman, some new ideas are beginning to appear.
Mr. Poertner is a native St. Louisan, a graduate of St. Louis University, and since 1965 has been part of the St. Louis Library system in one capacity or another. He received his Master’s degree in library science from Louisiana State University on a scholarship from the St. Louis library.
When asked what his chief aims were for the Branch, he replied that he wished it to act and be regarded as a resource for the neighborhood as well as the school. He pointed out that the patrons are about half adult and half juvenile and that he wishes for a higher participation by both groups.
Everybody who has been in the library or driven by the corner of Des Peres and Kingsbury lately is aware of the new look the recently installed patio and plantings have given to that corner of the neighborhood.
Mr. Poertner says that his next exterior project is to find a way to have the outside west wall painted in “super-graphics” of some sort (a project for Street Revival?). When and if that is done, all the drivers on Des Peres will have something besides the Tot Lot to stare at!
The new look of the interior is also impressive. Stacks and departments have been rearranged in ways that make the big room seem brighter and more spacious. One change has been to move the juvenile department to the front of the room. Another has given added sparkle to the new book display.
With its dropped ceilings, soft lighting, and clean walls, it is now a most attractive room, yet strong and sturdy enough for the kind of traffic it sees daily.
Working under Mr. Poertner now are three full-time people: Mrs. Walker Long, in charge of children’s work and Robert Barber and Bob Bridges, generalists.
The next series of film showings will start in February, on Tuesday evenings, right after the library closes at 5:30. As in the past, admission will be by tickets (free) distributed in advance. Collections of records, posters, and framed prints continue to be available for patrons to check out.
Altogether, this is a corner of the neighborhood in which we can take real pride.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1971.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1971_12.pdf, printed page 4.
