Delaware
Librayr
association
Bulletin
SPRING 1974
DELAWARE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BULLETIN
Spring, 1974
Volume 27, No.4
Judy Matz, Editor
DELAWARE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OFFICERS 1974-75
President ............. .................... Mrs . ' Irene Larrimore
. .
Vice President ........... • , ..... , .. . .. " .. Mrs . Jane Hukill.
Secretary .. , ............... , .. r , ••••••••••• Mr . Walter Lyfeld
. .
Treasurer .............. ' ... ' ,~, ......... r •••• ,.Mr. David Burdash
ImmediatePastPres'iderit.- .... , .- . .- ........ Mrs . Gleria Rabinowitz
ALA CouncilQr. , ........ , . . .... . ... , ...... Mrs. Myrtice Wickham ·
MARLF Representative ............ ".' ....... Mrs. Jean Trumbore
COMMITTEE . CHAIRMAN .
Historian .... . .. , ... ,." .. , , .... , ... . .... Mr. William Calhoon
Membership .......................... ' , .... Mrs. Barbara May
Library Development ............... , ...... Mrs. Billie Jean Ouellette
Scholarships and Awards .......... . .. • . , .. MissNorma Jean LYnch
Intellectual FreedQm ...... , ... . .......... Mr. Robert H. Marshall
Program and Hospitality ........... , ..... ,Mrs. Jane Hukill
Finance ... . ............................ , . Mr. David Burdash
, ' . ';.:
Publications and Publicity ............... Miss Judy Matz
PUBLIC LIBRARY DIVISION
President ....... .- ......•............. . .... Mr. Jeremiah E. Greene, Jr . .
Vice President .. .. ....................... Mr. Benedict Prestianni
Secretary e " •••• .- • , " . -" ••••• e' •• . " - ••• : ' , • ' . ' " . " . ", • . VAC","NT
. ,
Treasurer .-............... ' .......... ' ..... . Mrs. Carolyn Huff
ON LEAVING OFFICE
"To promote library service and 1ibrarianship in the state of
Delaware" is one of the objectives of the Delaware Library Association
' as outlined in this organization's Constitution. A poll of the 200
members of our organization would most probably yield as many methods
of facilitating this goal. We are seeking new ideas, fresh approaches
to problems, new light on issues discussed before and still pertinent.
t In the past year several new ideas have come to the fore and have
been pursued with very interesting results. One ·of these was undertaken
by an Ad Hoc Committee on Library Co-operation formed this fall.
The work of this committee has yielded a published directory of all
libraries in the state with brief information on hours, lending policies.,
reference, etc. Two avenues are being explored by the Committee on
Library Development, which is in the process of formulating a proposal
for a program to be submitted to the Delaware Humanities Forum. Focusing
attention on the issue of "An informed citizeney--what resources
are available to ,achieve this?", the format of the program is a panel
discussion with interaction between the audience and panel, composed of
representatives from the media, 1ibraries~ government, and humanists
from local institutions. The second project initiated by this committee
is a program for a state-wide educational program, directed toward the
goal of informing Delawareans of their library facilities, resources,
and services. Sources for funding this program are presently being explored.
An Ad Hoc Committee is currently studying the viability of
forming an academic division within DLA.
There are limitless possibilities for achieving the stated and implicit
goals of the DLA. We would like to explore as many as practical.
We believe that the membership is in accord with this idea; however, the
officers and committee members need your input. Inform us because we
are ready togo.
- Gloria Rabinowitz,
DLA President, 1973-74
Media Mall, Bookhaven, Delaware
The operative and enabling principle of a democratic society and
representative government is the marketplace of ideas. Libraries are
important outlets in that marketplace. A walk thro~gh the Media Mall
in Bookhaven, Delaware might be ins-tructive .
The first store we come to is the -supermarket. Here -we can obtain
all the most essential goods, especially food and everyday popular items.
People 'of all ages can shop here. Even children can obtain -all kinds of
food. The -check-out clerk makes no attempt to protect them from buying
unhealthy food such as sweets . Contr ol of the -child's diet is the parents'
responsibility. People who do not know enough about nutrition 'are allowed
to buy high cholestrol and other unhealthy foods. Even the sloppiest
people can obtain food and other substances, which, if not used properly,
can make -them and everything they touch filthy dirty. Fortunately, in
order to ,accomodate people who wish to avoid dirt, filth, and smut, a full
line -of laundry and detergent products and other cleaning agents is
stocked. The name of this supermarket where everyone can obtain food for
thought is the Public Library.
The next store we come to is a farmers' market. Like the supermarket,
the emphasis is on food, butall :.kinds of other wares are also displayed.
Most of the merchants are farmers . Farmers are those people who cultivate
things and make them grow. Their products are new and fresh. They are
often still ripening. The farmers feel t hat if their products are not
properly cared for they become rotten. They don't want any bad apples.
In order to have good fruit, farmers use all kinds of special equipment
and machines to plant good seeds and nurture them to mature fruit. In
order for the seeds to grow, all elements of nature must be utilized; the
sun and light, the water, and the soil, dirt and fertilizing manure. One
farmer thought ' that his food woul d be cleaner and more sanitary, hence
healthier, if he used only sunlight and water. But life dosen't work that
way. The -seeds never germinated, never grew, never became mature plants.
This farmer was called the School-' Media Center.
The next store is a large department store. All the best products
from all manufacturers are av.~ lable here. In order to assure that it
always has th~ best products, it mai nt ains a special incentive program for
its employees encouraging resear ch and invention called Achievement
Foundation. Its customers come in and browse in every department, but
usually choose one department in which t hey spend most of their time ,and
make most of their purchases . It i s qui te apparent that this department
store's products are quite superior to those of its competitor who does
not have ,a viable Achievement Foundation program. This department store
is the Academic Library.
There 'are many other shops of diversified character in Media Mall.
There ~ are ' several factory outlets, antique ~ shops, a ,post office, and various
specialty shops. The factory oulets have found that it is often
useful to ,share 'and exchange informat i on to save money in research. Sometimes
their competitors gain vital information, but as often they receive
'vital information that gives them a competitive 'edge over the factory
outlets that do not exchange information. The antique shops exchange
,information and catalogues and help each other because many of their items
are unique ,and they need access t o information about the unique items in
other " shops. The Post Office's unique services are, of course, vital in
helping all the 'stores communicate with each other and with all those 'outside
the Mall having information, materials, and services they need. This
vital support service together with the service of the ,other government :
agencies housed with it make it an indispensible partner in the marketplace
'of ideas. In the 'same ,way, all the specialty shops found that sharing info~
tion with others in their specialty and providing information about
their specialties to the general public was in their interest. MOst of
these 'shops are housed in the Spectal Library wing of the Mall.
i In short, all occupants of Media Mall benefit by participating in the
marketplace ·of ideas. And they need each. other' s support. All around
the mall, throughout Bookhaven, indeed throughout the ' entire ' state ~ of
Delaware, the 'storms have done ,much damage. Other merchants in the
marketplace 'of ideas in Delaware have been toppled by the 'storms. Inthe
last five years in this state: an underground newspaper has been suppress'
ed, all issuesponfiscated, and its editor arrested by ,the State Police for
/.~ ;,
blasphemy; many bookstores and newsstands have been harassed and their
merchandise 'confiscated by Wilmington and Dover police; one Wilmington
movie theater was closed and another forced to limit its advertising due
to police harrassment; state laws have been passed making the distribution
of "obscene" materials illegal with the distributors liable to ,arrest
prior to ,the ,material being declared "obscene" ina judiciary hearing.
Librarians are not exempt from persecution; state laws have been passed
making the distribution of materials "harmful to minors" illegal. Librarians
are ,specifically exempted from prosecution; a state law has been
passed making "obscene" materials 'a nuisance ,actionable by civil suit. A
judgement can be ,rendered confiscating all equipment from the building
where ,the "nuisance" was found and ,closing the building. The ,winds of the
storm 'are blowing stronger 'and c loser to home .. Can the 'walls of Media
Mall withstand them? Bookstores, newsstands ,and movie theaters in the
mall itself have already suffered damag e ~ Perhaps 'all the ,stores in the
Mall need to review their 'architect ure to det ermine if its walls are
oable -to provide -their share ·of support for the whole and make 'sure that
Bookhaven remains a viable place t o live and work e
- Robert H. Marshall
INSTANT LIBRARIES
Mr. Frederic Glazer, Director of the West Virginia State Library ,
was the featured speaker at the recent DLA Spring meeting held on April
27, 1974 at Brandywine College. Mr. Glazer inspired the audience with
his program, "Library Image and Instant Libraries." He cited geographic
isolation, poverty, and the traditionally stodgy library atmosphere as
chief deterrents to getting library service to the ten million Americans
currently unserved.
Instant carousel libraries are answering these problems in the
small communities of West Virginia. They are attractive, low in cost,
quick to build and maintenance - free. The standard single library
unit is an eight sided figure, large enough for six thousand volumes
with completely movable furnishings. A professional librarian is sent
to each locat'ion before opening to determine the character and needs
of the community. A telephone network links each of these small libraries
to the other facilities in the state.
Slides of the building procedure and some very well chosen tunes
enhanced Mr. Glazer's lively presentation and delighted DLA members.
PLD PLANS FOR BICENTENNIAL
The Public Library Division of DLA will formulate a committee of
librarians to work with other state organizations on Bicentennial plans
for Delaware. Anyone interested in part.icipating is encouraged to contact
Jerry Greene at the Wilmington Institute Library (656-3131).
COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES
The principal concerns of the committee have been maintenance of
services relating to library functions at the state level and the
action proposed by members of the General Assembly to reorganize the
public library system in Delaware. As of this writing, legislation
(H. B. 644) to establish county library systems and reduce the state
agency to an ,administrative office is pending. The committee takes
the position that Delaware should have a Division of Libraries directed
by a librarian professionally qualified and experienced regardless of
the type of system to emerge from the legislation. The 'committee will
continue to work to re-establish a State Agency administered by a professional
staff.
The state crisis has overshadowed far-reaching national concerns.
However, all library related programs excepting public library construction
(LSCA II) were funded for Fiscal Year 1974 and funds impounded in
Fiscal 1973 were released. Both House and Senate appropriation bills
for Fiscal 1975 provide for consolidation of certain programs and the
Administration has announced support for ·a "Library Partnership Act" but
has not released details of the proposal. The Senate has passed a resolution
calling fora White House Conference on Library and Information
Services for 1976 0 Support for this legislation, which is now under
consideration, is needed.
- Helen Ho Bennett, Chairman
DIVISION OF LIBRARIES
The Division of Libraries is presently in the process of moving.
The Division will take up new residence in the ETV Building, Delaware
State College Campus and will reopen on MOnday, May 13, 1974. All
librarians have been invited to visit the new quarters after this date.
CONCEPI'S OF ,b1n..AWARE
Concepts of Delaware by Dr. Randall L. Broyles (Universal Publishing
Associates, c. 1974) is in the process of publication. This
new resource is a conceptual approach to the political, economic,
social, educational and historical heritage 'of the state. Wide coverage
of all aspects of the state make it a particularly valuable addition
to available materials on Delaware .
Book Specifications
Typeface--------12 point century school book
Page Size-------5 ~ x 8~" 350 pages
Paper' Stock-----70 pound Ivory Text
Cover-----------#76 Basic Binders Board
covered with #1 blue linen
Binding---------Case
Teacher Guide (Optional)
Reinforcement for the teacher suggest how to
use transparencies and, in general, is written
to help the teacher make the subject
interesting and meaningful.
Prepublication Price:
$ 8.25
Prepublication Price:
$ 3.25
8 Overhead Transparencies (Optional)
(Size: 8 1/2" x 10 1/4", .003 polyester film)
These transpanencies are especially designed Prepublication Price:
to supplement this text. They are in full $49.50
color and enable the teacher to hold class
interest and to stimulate student participation.*
* A minimum order of, 250 sets State-wide will be needed to produce this
option.
Because of the special nature of this work, orders must be placed
before publication. Interested libraries should place their orders by
June 1, 1974. There will be only one printing with any additional copies
reserved for those who have placed an original order. Orders should be
directed to:
Universal Publishing Associates
308 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, Florida 33405
Telephone: (305) 655-4025
Delaware Library Association
