Hermosa Library has Interesting Background — 1933–1934 report extract

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FIERMOSA REACH 314,
CALTFORNIA
PAMPHLET FILE
HERMOSA BEACH
Local history notes, from Annual Report 1933-34.
Hermosa Library has Interesting Background.
Hermosa Beach Library was organized by the Womants Club of this
city in 1912. Mrs. Mary Montgomery was mother of this 11brary-
chøld, and its first custodian; and it is agreed by, our ploneer
men and women that, because of her enthusiasm and untiring ef-
forts, we are indebted to her and those loyal members of her com-
mittee who helped her materialize her dream of a public 11brary
for Hermosa Beach twenty t wo Jears ago.
The first few books and magazines were housed in a small room
in the Ocean View school. At this time, Mrs. Montgomery and a
group of club women called on Miss Cecelia Gleason, then 11brar-
1an of the Los Angeles County Free Library, to arrange foe coun-
ty service of books. Miss Gleasom promised the books of the mem-
berg of the Woman's club wold agree to furnish the room, furniture
and 11brarian; she also promised, after the first year of success-
ful I1brary activity, to pay the librarian's salary as well.
As chairman of the library committee, Mrs. Montgomery solicited
from the business people and others interested in the project, do-
nations of labor and materials to build the furniture and shelv-
ing; and by a series of public and social entertainments of var-
lous kinds, money was obtained to pay for rent and lights. Mrs.
Montgomery donated her services as custodian for a year. The Mis-
sion furniture you see in the present library are the tables and
chairs, and even some of the shelving, built by those public
spirited and kindly gentlemen who so generously gave their labor,
and of their time and money, for the comfort and success of that
humble little library.
In 1913, the 11brary became a branch of the Los Angeles County

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free Library. Miss Gleason, true to her promise, housed the libra-
ry in new quarters in a room in the Walker building, then located
where the present Hermosa theatre and office building now stands.
She appointed Miss Alice K. Mewi111ams as the first 11brarian. The
11brary remained in the Walker building from December,1913, to Maj,
1914, and from this location it was moved to the tower room in the
then new municipal building on the pier. This room was given rent
free with 11ghts and heat furnished, by the city counc11. Because
of Its inaccessability, it was soon moved down stairs into the
north front room of the building. This location was more conven1-
ent and pleasant for library purposes. Here it remained and carried
on bravely for 14 years. In April, 1927, it was again moved, this
time across the pier to the south room or auditorium; which proved
a delightful location for It, with 1ts many large windows 100k1ng
out upon the beach and ocean, roomy and bright with sunshine, cos-
1ly furnished and well ventilated.
This little library locabed so uniuely in its corner of our
municipal pier, has the distinction of being the only library in
the United States situated on a pier; and there is but one other
in the world, and that one 1s in Venice, Italy, known to be so 1o-
cated.
When our library was young, it was opened but a few hours each
week; the, as it grew larger, a few hours each day. Every other
evening opening was soon found necessary to add to its schedule;
and then came that momentous day when we hung a new sign within
the door stating: "Library open dally from 1-9 P.M. Closed Sundays
and Holidays," for all of our little world to see.
Since 1923 many changes have taken place in our library staff,
routine, service and equipment. For a n umber of y ears its branch

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rating 1n size of Los Angeles County Free Library branches was
fourth, judged by ofroulation records. It 1s st111 considered by
?
our central office as one of its largest branches. We are now
known as the Hermose Beach Branch of the Los Angeles County Free
Public Library.
Today, residents and visitors of our city consider it a wor- collection
thy and efficient institution, offering to the public a of well
chosen, desirable books and magazines for the pleasure and benefit
of its patrons.
We believe in giving credit where credit is due, and we on its
branch staff, know to Miss Helen E. Vogelson, 11brarian of the Los
Angeles County Public Library, is due all praise and credit for the
development of this librays into the organisation it is today. Be-
cause of her wisdom, her wide experience in library work, and her
efficiency in organizing and standa dizing, we have a modern branch
library in our community, whose collection of some eight thousand
books and magaxines are commended by the majority of its patrons
for its completeness and ite wholesomeness. The average monthly cir
culation of books and magazines has increased from 1500 in 1920 to
5000, present monthly record. We receive each month about 200 vol-
nes, including fiction, non-fiction and juvenile books, and have
199 registered borrowers.
there have been seven librarians appointed since $he library's
?tion in 1912. The roster consists of Miss Mary Montgomery,
ar-mother and first custodian; Miss Alice K. McWilliams, first
brarian; Miss Mary Ransom; Mrs. Evelyn Morris; Miss Rachel
' substitute librarian for 3 months for Mrs. Evelyn Morris) ;
1 Rhein, present librarian.