New patterns of library information services and renewed support to continuing adult education are emerging in the St. Louis Public Library system, through the marshalling of its resources for improved public service, says Paxton P. Price, librarian and executive director, in the library’s annual report released recently. Although the library loaned 40,000 fewer books last year, circulation figures still surpass those of last year in larger cities such as Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. A decline was noted in children’ book loans, but adult borrowing increased three percent, and in-house use of the collection measured at the Main Library rose 37%.
Among significant developments described in the report for the fiscal period ended March 30 are the launching of the library’s “Live and Learn” program supporting adult continuing education, which provides guidance by forty trained librarians to adults engaged in self-learning activities.
Additionally, the St. Louis library is now the only one in the nation to administer the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests, through which persons may earn college credit.
Three facilities – Julia Davis, Machacek and Meachum branches – were moved last year to provide larger quarters and bring library services within reach of wider residential populations in the city. Renovation of Carpenter Branch was begun.
A new night telephone service, additional telephone lines and staff were added to handle mushrooming use, of the library’s various telephone reference services, including’ “ready reference,” legislative and travel hot lines. Among other new services reported by the librarian are monthly publication of the Index to St. Louis Newspapers; installation of the New York Times Information Bank terminal at the Main Library, and in the branches, new audio-visual materials and equipment, with emphasis on, consumer and other informational needs through free public programs. The library is now “on-line” with a computer. terminal to a centralized bibliographic data bank for quick access to cataloging information.
Because of steadily eroding income and waning city population, the library’s board of directors adopted a reduced budget for the present fiscal year which is sufficient to continue present public services and extend tax income as far into the future as possible.
Federal grants of more than $140,000 have enabled the St. Louis Public Library to begin several major projects, thus further conserving local tax revenues.
Originally published in The Paper, September 1975.
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Original source: SD_Times1975_09.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
