Delaware Library Association Bulletin
WINTER, 1974
VOLUME 28, No. 3
DELAWARE LIBRARY ASSOlCATION BULLETIN
Judy Matz, Editor
DLA, President, Irene Larrimore, received the following response to her "Interest-Inquiry" published in the Fall issue of the DTA Bulletin. She has requested that it be printed in this issue to encourage further discussion and appropriate action on Bicentennial celebration.
Dear Irene Larrimore,
Two hundred years ago a small group of citizens banded together to fight for what they believed were their inalienable right so in keeping with the spirit of these men I think we could best observe the bicentennial by fighting for the rights of all people to have appropriate library materials and services o We should feel good as librarians, about the service we provide to "Middle America", but in the next year let's try to show concern for, and stand up for, the rights of less fortunate groups.
I am thinking in terms of trying to provide service to four distinct and yet over-lapping groups of people The first group is the hardest for me to define. It seems that we, as librarians, try to raise all our users to what we consider a "higher" level of intellect We provide books by Proust, Kafka and Tolstoi but neglect Mickey Spillane, Walt Disney's books and Mad magazine. Our token (if any) purchases of popular titles is such a small percentage of budgets devoted largely to materials for people with at least high school educations and educated interests. Where does a person turn who wants to read the National Inquirer or Penthouse magazine? Too often he does not turn to the public library because he has been conditioned to think that we don't serve his needs.
Another group much in need and deserving of library service is the migrants who help our agricultural communities every year. Without them the revenue of the state would suffer greatly but in spite of their contributions they are not considered as residents by library systems. Continually excluded from, basic public services such as libraries they
must truly feel like "men without a country.” We should take care of them, too!
Related to this service area is another which deals with the Spanish speaking communities. If they are not ignored and discriminated against in libraries, I don't know who is. A little time, a little energy and a little money and so much could be done. A story hour in Spanish, interesting Spanish language materials (not Don Quixote) and maybe even a brochure in Spanish explaining library service. But an effort must be made soon or we'll lose these people as library users forever, or don't we care?
And finally, what are we doing for the citizens of this country who are now behind bars, paying their debts toward society? Someday they will return to society and possibly we can help them study, learn and experience things which would keep them out of prison next time. What I am saying is basically this, let's celebrate the nations' birthday by remembering the values and ideals which were fought for them and defended for the past two hundred years. We who love freedom are all Americans no matter how educated, how permanently housed, how anglicized, or how guiltless; were all free men and deserve equal treatment by libraries.
I'd like to volunteer for anything that I can do to help improve these things and I look to you and the Delaware Library Association for leadership. Thanks for listening.
I remain,
Bill Morgan
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A NEW CASTLE COUNTY LIBRARY DEPARTMENT No. 74-262
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the people of New Castle County to provide library services in New Castle County through a unified county library system;
THE COUNTY OF NEW CASTLE HEREBY ORDAINS:
Section 1. The New Castle County Library Department is hereby created, headed by a County librarian who shall be a graduate of an accredited school of library science and shall have demonstrated administration experience in some phase of library service. The County Librarian shall be appointed by the County Executive, with the advice and consent of County Council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive. The Department shall perform the following functions:
1. Administer a unified countywide library system which offers every resident of said County, and the residents
of other counties, free and equal access to service and resources, and guidance in their use.
2. Administer any contractual library agreements or any library agreements authorized by County Council, and any library property assigned or transferred to New Castle County.
3. To receive, accept, administer and expend, according to the County budget, any monies, materials or other
aid granted, appropriated or otherwise provided by local, state or federal governments, or by any source, public or private, in accordance with the terms thereof, for the purposes provided in this Ordinance.
4. To perform all other activities pertinent to its organizational function.
Section 2. There is hereby created a New Castle County Library Advisory Board consisting of thirteen members who shall serve without compensation. The County Executive, with the advice and consent of County Council shall appoint twelve members, the initial appointees to be two members from each councilmanic district, who shall serve for a term of three years provided that the terms of the original members shall be established in a manner that four shall expire each year. The County Executive, with the advice and consent of the County Council, shall appoint one member who shall be Chairman and who shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive. At no time shall there be more than a bare majority of members having the same political party affiliation. The New Castle County Library Advisory Board shall advise the New Castle County Library Department and recommend programs concerning local library needs and the implementation of an effective county library system.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
Adopted by County Council
of New Castle County
DLA BICENTENNIAL PREPARATION SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE ETHNIC SALUTE
In late November, a small group assembled at the Wilmington College library to consider informational possibilities for the Ethnic Salute, a portion of our DLA Bicentennial project. Present at this meeting were librarians and representatives from some Delaware ethnic communities. Mr. John Mickey, Executive Director of the Delaware Bicentennial Commission, addressed the group on the factors involved in a successful Bicentennial celebration.
Those present separated into four discussion units in order to do preliminary work on a questionnaire which would serve to gather information from various ethnic groups. Results of these groups have been reviewed by members of the Ethnic Salute Subcommittee.
This questionnaire has recently been completed and mailed to each organized ethnic group in the state. Information requested includes historical, cultural, and biographical aspects of each ethnic group, as well as current programs and goals. DLA plans to publish results of this survey, for distribution to Delaware citizens in time for the Bicentennial observance of Ethnic Salute Month, September, 1975.
Members of the Subcommittee on the Bicentennial Ethnic Salute are:
Nancy Gardner
Anna B. Hrynyshyn
Bob Marshall
Estelle Maier
Mary Lou Ponsell
Subcommittee members welcome questions, comments and suggestions.
DELAWARE HUMANITIES FORUM GRANT PROJECT
Last summer a grant of $1700.00 from the Delaware Humanities Forum was awarded to the Delaware Library Association through the efforts of Billie Jean Ouellette and Sylvia Short. The grant was to sponsor a program in each county on the public issue of libraries (the creation of county systems). After several false starts the project finally developed into 3 separate projects with Ernest Muro, University of Delaware Library, in charge of the New Castle program, Billie Jean Ouellette, Division of Libraries, in charge of the Kent County program, and Alyce Bower, Milford Public Library, in charge of the Sussex program. Sylvia Short, as a Humanities Council member, was an advisor.
Many hours of planning, writing, meetings, stuffing of envelopes, etc. have followed. Pete Ridgley of WTHD taped a show on Perspective with Irene Larrimore, Florence Gibson, Alyce Bower, Ronald Dodd, and Ruth Mitchell, which was aired on Sunday, February 2 and repeated on February 5 as advance publicity for the Sussex program on February 6 in Georgetown.
Brochures were mailed to all members of DLA to keep you informed of the programs in your counties. Some video taping is being done as well as recording on cassettes. Cassettes will be available to all public libraries for circulation to library patrons who may wish to hear the meetings. Contact Billie Jean Ouellette concerning these materials.
DIVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES TO INSTITUTIONS AND HANDICAPPED READERS
The Library for the Handicapped has recently set up a 200 volume deposit of "talking books" at the Newark Public Library for the convenience of blind and physically handicapped patrons in the area. A library card is being prepared to identify the patron as eligible to use talking books produced by the Library of Congress. Patrons will continue to receive books on a regular basis from the Library for the Handicapped in Dover, but will now be able to pick up a book locally when they run out of reading materials.
The Corbit-Callaway Library, the Milford Public Library, and the Seaford Public Library receive regular deposits of large print books as do nursing homes, hospitals, and schools around the state. Any other libraries having patrons who need special materials because of visual or motor impairments may also receive a deposit of talking books, large print, or braille books by contacting Billie Jean Ouellette.
Help your library patrons who can no longer use your print books and give them more years of reading pleasure.
During the past year Billie Jean Ouellette has also been assigned the responsibility of institutional library funding. 1974 grants were made to most of the state-supported institutions. Delaware State Hospital, Delaware Home and Hospital, Sterck School for the Hearing Impaired, Delaware Correctional Center, Governor Bacon Health Center (Youth Dept.) and the Hospital for the Mentally Retarded have new (or near new) attractive libraries, basic collections, current magazines, local newspapers, and part-time or full-time staff. If you haven't seen these libraries lately, you might be surprised at what LSCA funds have been doing over the years. Institutional management has also contributed
to the new look in some institutional libraries.
The other side of the coin is the Sussex Correctional Institue. While there are books, newspapers, and magazines there, books are not easily available to residents. They are housed in locked cabinets in the visiting room. Officer Cooper has recently been assigned to the library and is working hard at providing some library service each week. However, until better facilities are built, little can be done to improve the library situation there. New facilities for work-release inmates are now being considered. When these are provided, we hope for a room to be designated as the library. Renovations will also have to be made in the present building; this would indicate that materials might have to be provided in both buildings. Plans cannot be made until the SCI building projects become a reality.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Helen Barnett is interested in exploring possibilities of continuing education for librarians in Delaware. Very few opportunities for idea exchange and new professional information exist locally.
Which area of service present problems? What information do you need to help you improve your libraries? Please contact Helen with your ideas and suggestions on program content and format.
CHILDREN'S ILLUSTRATORS
A travelling exhibit of the works of contemporary illustrators of children's books is currently on exhibit at the Delaware Art Museum, 2301 Kentmere Parkway in Wilmington. This delightful show will remain at the museum through March 30, 1975.
NLW
Don't forget to celebrate National Library Week - April 13 - 19.
DANCE THEATRE FOR CHILDREN
Qwindo's Window, a foundation of dance theatre for children, has expressed interest in performing in cooperation with interested Delaware libraries. Programs involve original works for elementary aged children in areas of pantomine, dance and movement.
The Dance Foundation is especially interested in performing for disadvantaged and exceptional children or involvement with programs for migrant children.
Interested libraries should contact Anne Dunkin, Qwindo Foundation, Box 6333, Washington, D. C. 20015.
LECTURES ON VICTORIANA
Lectures and slide shows on Victorian domestic architecture may be appropriate for your library’s Bicentennial program.
Tom Carroll of Cape May, New Jersey, can provide a variety of presentations. Lecture fee is $35.00 plus transportation casts. For further information, contact Tom Carroll, The Mainstay, 24 Jackson St., Cape May, N.J. 08204.
INSTITUTE ON SERVICE TO MINORITIES
"Ethnicity and Librarianship," an institute funded by the U.S. Office of Education for school, public and college librarians, will take place at Queens College of the City University of New York next summer, July 7-25. The deadline for applications is April 15, 1975.
According to Dr. Morris A. Gelfand, Chairman of the Library Science Department at the college, the institute will deal with the selection and evaluation of library materials and services for all minority groups. Emphasis will be on the concept of ethnicity and the responsibility of librarians for developing library collections which clearly reflect the multi-ethnic composition of our society.
This institute is a followup of an institute held in 1972 at Queens College which concentrated on such groups as Asian-Americans, Blacks, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans and Puerto Ricans. In addition to these groups, the institute will include Polish Americans, Italian Americans, Jewish Americans and Irish Americans.
The institute is designed to contribute to the improvement of library service to children, young adults and adults with minority/ethnic orientation. It will attempt to identify materials which present a more positive view of minority groups and will invite authors, editors and publishers to discuss criteria for evaluation of available materials and goals for the production of better materials in this field.
Applications should be addressed to Professor David Cohen, Queens College Library Science Department, Flushing, New York 11267. Those librarians who themselves come from minority/ethnic groups and who have had some experience in working with minorities are urged to apply. Those completing the program satisfactorily will receive a certificate showing completion of nine graduate credits. All students or participants will be paid stipends of $75 per week plus a dependency allowance.
The goal of the institute will be the improvement in the ability of librarians, publishers, writers, editors and teachers to meet more effectively the recognized crucially important information needs of the minority population. The leaders of the institute will be Professor Cohen, Director, and Miss Lillian Lopez , Coordinator of Special Services, New York Public Library.
DLA - CRLD NOMINEES
The newly formed College and Research Libraries Division of DLA has requested that their slate of nominees for 1975-76 be published for your convenience. The Nominating Committee included: Mrs. Margaret Wang, Chair; Mrs. Zona Lindsay, and Mary Lou Ponsell.
Nominees are the following:
PRESIDENT
Katherine Wood
Floyd Co Hardy
Daniel Coons
VICE PRESIDENT
Asa Pieratt
Paul Lawless
SECRETARY
Carolyn Adams
Mary Byrne
TREASURER
Jane DiCecco
Donna Pezdek
ALA REQUESTS DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS
GOAL AND OBJECTIVES of the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
The goal of the American Library Association is the PROMOTION OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS HIP TO ASSURE THE DELIVERY OF INFORMATION *
SERVICE TO ALL.
COMMENT: This brief goal statement incorporates the purpose of ALA as stated in Article II of the Constitution. Emphasis is on Service which includes delivery as well as access, to all people.
The Goal statement is followed by five objectives which are general guides to future decision-making and are intended to shape those decisions so as to maximize their contribution to the Goal of ALA. The Objectives are followed by enumeration of Courses of Action for implementation of Goal and Objectives. Recognizing the importance of each objective, the Committee on Planning has assigned no priority order. The Courses of Action are in alphagetical order for the same reason.
The following objectives are integral to the achievement of the
ALA Goal:
1. Provision of information services and resources for all the people of the United States of America in order to increase their opportunity to participate in society, to learn, to achieve self-fulfillment, to pursue careers, and to obtain information needed for research.
COMMENT: This objective emphasizes the broad concept of information services and resources. It is concerned with the user rather than types of libraries, and is intended to encompass service to all people regardless of geographic location, socio-economic** status, handicaps, and other limiting conditions.
2. Provision of leadership for interlibrary cooperation leading to a nation-wide information delivery system which equalizes access to information resources.
COMMENT: This objective further extends and emphasizes the concept of access by equalization of resources availability throughout the country. A nation-wide information system utilizing local commitment and development must be designed to insure that all client groups are served equally.
3. Cooperation to achieve increased access to library and information resources throughout the world.
COMMENT: International cooperation increases the access the people of the United States of America have to information resources.
(continued on back)
4. Support of intellectual freedom as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement and support of librarians, trustees, or libraries whose defense of these principles is challenged.
COMMENT: This objective encompasses a positive program in support of intellectual freedom, as well as its defense.
5. Development and support of library personnel through the affirmative action, education, personal welfare, and training.
COMMENT: Emphasis is placed on Personal welfare and affirmative action as well as on education and training. A wide range of impossible continuing education activities is implied. The objective also implies the adoption of policies to effect personal welfare and affirmative action.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES STATEMENT; COURSES OF ACTION
A. Coordinating with other appropriate organizations as their goals and activities relate to t hose of ALA, such as: governmental agencies; the information industry; international bodies; learned, professional, and scientific societies; mass media; publishers; social service agencies
B. Developing effective legislative programs at all levels of government to: Assure that laws on copyright, government documents, public information, communication technology and other concerns facilitate and extend library service
Provide appropriate statutory bases
C. Establishing guidelines and/or standards for:
Employment status and welfare of librarians
Equalization of service to users, regardless of socio-economic status, location, handicaps, and other conditions
Interlibrary cooperation
Organization of collections for access
Physical facilities and equipment
Professional education and training for library personnel
Scope and quality of collections and services
Utilization of emerging technologies
D. Evaluating of programs in terms of guidelines and stated objectives to assure accountability and to measure progress
E. Investigating and making facts known, providing testimony, filing griefs, and other appropriate legal actions
F. Mobilizing a vigorous public relations program in behalf of libraries and library services
G. Providing a vehicle for discussion and action on socially-sensitive issues related to library service
H. Sponsoring publications, conferences, orientation programs, workshops, and so forth
I. Stimulating and coordinating of research including but not limited to areas of development, organization and use of resources, networks, planning and evaluation, management freedom, and personnel
J. Strengthening and encouraging of ALA chapters to work effectively in accomplishment of ALA's Goal and Objectives.
