On the evening of Tuesday,April the 18th, two of the windows of the DES PERES BRANCH LIBRARY were broken out by young people gathered in front of the LIBRARY. Tuesdays have been the days for Film showings at the LIBRARY during this spring. Because of the popularity of the Films and the premium of space for the showing of the movies, the LIBRARY STAFF was forced to limit attendance to those young adults who held St. Louis Public Library cards, as well as by giving out tickets for the Film showings. This requirement ensured that the Films were viewed by those who wanted and appreciated them. Unfortunately, those who had not secured tickets, or even Library cards, expressed their displeasure with rocks and bricks. That is why a portion of the LIBRARY is windowed in board instead of glass. These disturbances have also forced the LIBRARY STAFF to discontinue the Spring Film Series.
Admission to any future Film Series will still need to be restricted in order to eliminate overcrowding and rowdyism inside the building, but rowdyism and vandalism outside the building cannot be controlled by the LIBRARY STAFF. The STAFF feels that any future Film Series will have to be partially manned by neighborhood adults in order to ensure everyone’s enjoyment of the movies. If this type of community aid is forthcoming, perhaps the Film Series for this summer can be revived,
Originally published in The Paper, May 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_05.pdf, printed page 2.
