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July-August-September 2001 Monster Book Sale 2001 - Update A Banner Year - 1952 Spotlight on Little Walnut Creek
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A Banner Year - 1952
In 1944, Ms. Wilcox left Austin Library system and Mary Rice was chosen to replace her. It proved to be the right choice as she began to steer us into the future. Mary Rice's first innovation was a bookmobile. The Recreation Department worked with the Red Cross, Austin Little Theatre, Austin Junior League, Girl Scouts and the Teachers' Association. The bookmobile opened in Hyde Park and the first day 200 books were checked out. It was open once a week for three hours, but it wasn't long before they were stopping at Baily Playground, Palms, and West Austin, supplying book of all descriptions to all ages in the neighborhoods. At the end of 1945, 9000 books had been circulated. The end of the war and gasoline rationing gave hope of greater numbers in the future. In a short time they had gained 168 new patrons and 1266 books were circulated in one month. Palm school proved to be the most popular site, especially with the children, and Baily and Shipe were popular with adults. Other sites were closed and East Austin was opened. Upon examination, having a bookmobile parked next to a school proved to be the most satisfactory. In 1952, Ms. Rice approached the board for air-conditioning of the building and the project was discussed and by the end of the year completed. A room for teenagers was also in the works. In October of the same year, a new $7,000 bookmobile was purchased and the city decided to assume all responsibility for public library service in Travis County as well as Austin. Earlier on, Carver Branch had been opened in East Austin. But in 1952, it was officially designated as George Washington Carver Branch Library when the system was desegregated. In July of 1952, Mary Rice and Eleanor Harris went to New York to attend the meeting of the American Library Association. While there, they attended a luncheon given by the Friends of the Library. One thousand people were present. The main speaker was Norman Cousins, editor of The Saturday Review, and Eleanor Roosevelt who also spoke to the group. Mrs. Roosevelt's topic was "Books are Basic for Better International Relations." Ms. Rice's enthusiasm and delight jumps off the pages of the report she gave to the directors that month - and on the 18th of November a meeting as called in the auditorium for the express purpose of organizing the Friends of the Austin Public Library. The purpose of the group would be to enlarge the numbers of Austin citizens who would take a profound interest in the Library's activities and promote its welfare generally. The first meeting was held November 18, 1952. Dues were set at $1.00, and by January of 1953, one hundred fifteen members had joined. By March of 1953, when they met to discuss the Constitution, 300 members were enrolled and the Friends of the Austin Public Library was well underway. Phyllis Todaro
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