Harvard Classics gift and National Library Week

April 4, 1960 Dear Member of HERMOSA BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: During our February general meeting, you learned from our Librarians that the books they would most appreciate having added to our Hermosa Beach Library as a gift from the Friends of the Library were the Harvard Classics. We did not then have enough in our treasury to make this gift but voted that it be done by May 1. Your Board has decided that the gift can be made during the week of April 3 - 10 which is National Library Week. We can all feel a sense of real accomplishment when we review the six months our organization has been in existence. Besides this set of the Harvard Classics, many volumes have been donated to our library through the Friends of the Library. Bookplates have been imprinted to be placed on the fly leaf of a donated book. Volumes need not be new, but they should be in excellent condition and are acceptable subject to approval by Mrs. Dorothy Olney, our Head Librarian. It is gratifying to notice that in the recently compiled Community Opinion Survey, the need for a new and modern library facility in Hermosa Beach placed high on the list of desired improvements. For the benefit of those who did not attend our organizational meeting, our general meeting, or the Council workshop on January 12 at which Mr. John Henderson, County Librarian, addressed the audience, may we review the method by which a new library may be obtained for our town. This is the same way Manhattan Beach obtained their beautiful and modern library and is the method by which they will soon begin their new branch library. The County is very eager to see Hermosa Beach obtain a new library and is most anxious to cooperate with us. We must realize, however, that with the population explosion in Los Angeles County and the tremendous demand on the County Library building budget, it will be necessary for us to demonstrate a civic eagerness to match that of the County. Mr. Henderson pointed out that the present and potential growth of Hermosa Beach has outdated the original library plans drawn up some years ago. Our library must be large enough to begin with, since our geographical size does not suggest a future branch library. Mr. Henderson feels the proposed site at Valley Drive and Pier Avenue is very good. A Library is within our grasp, but it must be built with municipal funds. Then -- within a period of four or five years, the County Library will re-purchase the Library from the City of Hermosa Beach. In other words, the money will be re-funded to the city within that short space of time. If sufficient funds were available, our Library could be begun as soon as the City has the plans reworked and approved by the County. The personnel and books would be provided, as now, by the County. As members of a group which has formed solely for the purpose of encouraging interest in our local Library, each of us should do his best to obtain all information possible on this subject and evaluate not only the end, but the means to the end most carefully. In this way, when we have a decision to make, we can make it knowing that we are doing what is best for our community. If you have an ideas for making our Library more pleasant or interesting, please don't keep it a secret. Speak with one of the Librarians or one of the officers of the Friends of the Library. Our group will be in charge of a round display table at our local Library which will feature books of special interest to tie in with holidays, local happenings, etc. Mrs. Shu Miho will be the first Chairman of this special display table. Drop in to admire her handiwork. Encourage your friends to join with your Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library. Most of all USE YOUR LIBRARY CARD, and if the book isn't there, request it! Sincerely, Helen Tracy, President (Mrs. Russell F. Tracy)

April 4, 1960
Dear Member of
HERMOSA BEACH FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY:
During our February general meeting, you learned from our Librarians that the
books they would most appreciate having added to our Hermosa Beach Library as
a gift from the Friends of the Library were the Harvard Classics.
then have enough in our treasury to make this gift but voted that it be done by May 1.
Your Board has decided that the gift can be made during the week of April 3 - 10
which is National Library Week.
We can all feel a sense of real accomplishment when we review the six months our
organization has been in existence. Besides this set of the Harvard Classics, many
volumes have been donated to our library through the Friends of the Library. Book-
plates have been imprinted to be placed on the fly leaf of a donated book. Volumes
need not be new, but they should be in excellent condition and are acceptable sub-
ject to approval by Mrs. Dorothy Olney, our Head Librarian.
It is gratifying to notice that in the recently compiled Community Opinion Survey,
the need for a new and modern library facility in Hermosa Beach placed high on the
list of desired improvements. For the benefit of those who did not attend our or-
ganizational meeting, our general meeting, or the Council workshop on January 12
at which Mr. John Henderson, County Librarian, addressed the audience, may we
review the method by which a new library may be obtained for our town. This is
the same way Manhattan Beach obtained their beautiful and modern library and is
the method by which they will soon begin their new branch library.
The County is very eager to see Hermosa Beach obtain a new library and is most
anxious to cooperate with us. We must realize, however, that with the population
explosion in Los Angeles County and the tremendous demand on the County Library
building budget, it will be necessary for us to demonstrate a civic eagerness to
match that of the County. Mr. Henderson pointed out that the present and poten-
tial growth of Hermosa Beach has outdated the original library plans drawn up some
years ago. Our library must be large enough to begin with, since our geographical
size does not suggest a future branch library. Mr. Henderson feels the proposed
site at Valley Drive and Pier Avenue is very good.
A Library is within our grasp, but it must be built with municipal funds. Then --
within a period of four or five years, the County Library will re-purchase the
Library from the City of Hermosa Beach. In other words, the money will be re-
funded to the city within that short space of time. If sufficient funds were avail-
able, our Library could be begun as soon as the City has the plans reworked and
approved by the County. The personnel and books would be provided, as now, by
As members of a group which has formed solely for the purpose of encouraging
it knowing that we are doing what is best for our community.
If you have an ideas for making our Library more pleasant or interesting, please
don't keep it a secret. Speak with one of the Librarians or one of the officers of
the Friends of the Library. Our group will be in charge of a round display table
at our local Library which will feature books of special interest to tie in with
holidays, local happenings, etc. Mrs. Shu Miho will be the first Chairman of this
special display table. Drop in to admire her handiwork. Encourage your friends
to join with your Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library. Most of all USE YOUR
LIBRARY CARD, and if the book isn't there, request it!
Sincerely,
Velen Tracypresident
Mrs. Russell F. Tracy)