Galena Park Library Narratives from 1948 and 1949

GALENA PARK 19Ц8 CIRCUIA TION Mrs о Cliff Bell, custodian 6,675 On Jaauary 8, Mrs. L. D. Dare asked for information about obtaining a branch library for Galena Park instead of bookmobile service. Space for the branch would be available •in a new community building to be completed soon. It was suggested that she contact Commissioner Hugh May, as the county budget had not been set. Fir. May assured her that the County Library would provide the books. In March the county librarian and Mary Taylor met with a group of citizens of Galena Park to discuss a branch library. As the reqiest for the library came in January, it was too late to be included in the budget. The county library could provide the books, but the community would have to provide everything else. Present at the meeting were: Mrs. L.D. Dare Lorraine Pittman, an employee of Sheffield Steel * Mrs. С. H. Brightwell Earl Middleton, grocer J.M. Melton Mr. Stafford June 10th, Mr. Carl Brinkley, Park Commissioner, sent a truck to the Central Library for the books for the Galena Park Branch. On June 22 the branch opened with 1776 books. The furniture was donated by Sheffield Steel through the influence of Lorraine Pitman, an employee. The library was open three hours a day, five days a week. The city employed Mrs. Cliff Bell, a former custodian at Galena Park Branch, before it had been replaced by bookmobile service. In June 106 readers obtained borrower’s cards, and Ц01 books were checked out of the library for home use. 1 9h9 CIRCULATION Mrs. Cliff Bell, custodian 12,519 The budget as approved included the salary of a custodian for Galena Park for three hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, beginning March 1. The use of the library justified more hours open, and the City Council agreed to pay the custodian for three hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mrs. Cliff Bell resigned as custodian September 1, to return to the Galena Park school system, and Mrs. W. A. Becker was employed to succeed her. The first anniversary of the branch was celebrated with an Open House, and a story hour for children on June 28. Mrs. Dorothy Hagler, of the staff, told the stories. The anniversary observance could not be scheduled on the exact date of the opening •