Page 1. "Hale Memorial Merriam Park Branch," A sketch and description of the library are presented on the first page. Similar in size to the Hamline library it would be different in design. The library would have a collection of about 23,000 volumes. Page 2. "Travel Week At The Library," A library program in conjunction with the Travel Bureau of the First National Bank could make a dream come true. A movie-tea program was be presented by experienced Saint Paul travelers who will shared their own slides and movies. "They Had Their Troubles, Too," Two selected curses to bring down on those who damage or steal a book from your library. "An Expression Of Public Spirit," The Library Director conveyed his gratitude to those who donated books and funds. Organizations that donated include : Merriam Park Study Class, Northwest Airways, Ramsey County Sunday School Association. Page 3. "Library Hours," The Library Director presented his view on hours of operation. The director wanted the library open every day in the year except Christmas and the Fourth of July and every evening until 10:00 o'clock. Perhaps dormitories were to be assembled in the attic of the library for use by the Director and staff? "Exhibits At The Library." The Exhibition Room hosted traveling exhibits from the St. Paul Institute. Attendance from January to June was 13,402. The Children's Book exhibit brought between 2,000 to 3,000 to the exhibit. . Page 4. "Old Friends," The Circulation Room at Central Library maintained a shelf of favorite authors that included William Ware, Georg Moritz Ebers and Jane Austen. "For Music-Lovers and Musicians," The Fine Arts Room housed scores for mixed church choirs, a large collection of sheet music, instruction for books for piano and violin. A valuable collection of old hymn books was also present. It is possible that some of these old hymn book survive to this present day.
Page 1. "The Catalog Room," A black and white photograph showed a scene that many library patrons knew little about. This very busy room was the Catalog Room. Thousands of catalog cards were produced for catalogs in the Central library and the branches as well. Much work was done before books could leave the room and be placed on the shelves. Page 2. "Children's Book Fair !!" With the direction of the staff from Children's Room, the book fair was launched. Many children's books from a variety of nations were displayed. "The Readers' Aid Desk," This desk was mentioned in the previous issue of the Beacon. Staff in this room offered assistance to all patrons. The Useful File, was located in the room. This was a card file of many subjects, authors, titles, and hard to find information. The file grew as time went on. There was also a file for short stories, plays, dialogues, movies and more. Page 3. "The High School Desk," One more desk in an already busy room. This desk would assist junior and senior high students find materials listed on their required reading lists. Should a book with a required essay be out, the staff would check their files and find it in another book. The staff were prepared to assist the student with any homework assignment. Page 4. "Keeping Up the Gift Habit," The director acknowledged those gifts given after the book drive ended. "The Library Conference," The North Central Library Conference was held at the Hotel Lowry, in Saint Paul. Representatives from six states participated. They were Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota and Minnesota. The convention was opened to the public for a fee of one dollar.
Page 1. "Mrs. Jennie T. Jennings, Librarian," The black and white photograph is that of Mrs. J.T. Jennings, Director of the Library. It was Mrs. Jennings who brought the library through the darkest period of the Great Depression. Page 2. "The New Librarian," Mrs. Jennings joined the library in June, 1917. In September, 1919 she was appointed Assistant Librarian. "Flag Day Celebration At Hamline Branch," The dedication of the flag and staff took place on June 14th, 1931. Listed were those in attendance. Page 3. "Wanted! -- Directories," An explanation of the exchange system among libraries of their city directories. The directories were of much utilized by staff and patrons. "In This Period Of Special Need," The American Librarian Association issued a statement that in the present economic depression the demand for library service had increased. "More Summer Gifts," New names join the list of the faithful who donated materials. Page 4. "Our Public Library," An article by Irving C. Pearce, Commissioner of Education. Mr. Pearce wrote of the necessity of the public library as the University of the Masses. "Book Circulation Increases 94,731 During First Half of 1931," Circulation was 718,621, and increase of 94,731. It was a fifteen percent increase without a corresponding increase in staff.
Page 1. "Mrs. Helen J. McCaine, Librarian," The black and white photograph is that of Mrs. Helen J. McCaine, Librarian 1882-1913. "Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration," An Open House commemorated the founding of the Saint Paul Public Library. Page 2. "Donors Of Half A Century Ago," The list included two Civil War generals, two railroad builders. It was a who was who list of Minnesota Citizens. "Donors Of To-Day And To-Morrow," Donors were encouraged to provide settlements in their wills for the library. Page 3. "Homes Of The St. Paul Public Library," A brief description of each location is presented. "Reading A Necessity," Remarks by George H. Locke, Librarian, Toronto Public Library. Page 4. Photographs of the five locations of the library. Page 5." Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration," A description of the festivities to be held at the Central Library and branch locations. "Givers Of Many Gifts," The first installment recognizing individuals and organizations for their special donations. Page 6," Library Budget Decreased," Budget cut for 1933 was to be $27,929. "What Your Library Does For You," A look at 11 departments and the services they provide on a daily basis.
Page 1."Hale Memorial Hamline Branch Library," A sketch and description of the long delayed Hamline Branch Library graced the cover of this issue. The library was built with a working fireplace that remains in use to this day. Page 2. "Two New Branch Buildings," After almost four years of legal negotiation contracts were signed and construction set to begin. The proposed Merriam Park Library could not be opened till completion of the Hamline Branch. "Gifts To The Library," The editor thanks those patrons for their continued support. "Special Gifts," Northwest Baptist Hospital Association presented 432 books to be used for Library service to hospitals. The Library began service to city hospitals in 1921. Page 3. "Chocolates Or Food," To assist the serious reader subject bibliographies were prepared by the American Library Association. "Reading With A Purpose," The titles of 50 booklets, each prepared by a specialist are listed. Each provided a balanced introduction to a particular topic. Page 4. "Travel Posters," These posters decorated the rooms of the library and are an example of posters as art. Posters were available for use by various groups who needed contact the office of the Librarian.
Page 1."The Circulation Room," A black and white photograph of a very busy room frozen in time. This was where library cards were issued, books checked out and returned. The card catalog was in this room as were open book shelves. A reference desk for high school students and the Reader's Aid desk were also squeezed in. As many as 2,619 books were circulated in one day. At times perhaps eighty people would be in this room. Page 2. "Summer Service In Ramsey County," A day in the life of the Ramsey County Book Truck. An average day would see the truck going to rural farms and businesses. Requested material included books on travel, auto repairs for the local garage, electric water pumps, cold pack canning and much more. A honk of the book truck's horn would alert people that the library had arrived. Page 3, "Getting A Library Card," It only took four minutes to do. Write your name and address on the form, give the names of two acquaintances who appear in the City Directory. No guarantors are required. "New Lists Of New Books," Each month the library would publish a single page leaflet listing new books on a variety of subjects. These included Aeronautics, Domestic Science, Interior Decoration and Furniture. "Precious Steins," A ditty about the Steins, Gertrude, Ep and Ein. Page 4. "How The Library Serves The Home-Maker," The library attempted to meet the needs of the housewife of the period. Books on food and cookery, financing of the home, health and hygiene, decorative crafts were but a few of the many topics addressed by the collection. Included were numerous periodical titles some of which are still published today. "Acknowledgments Again," The period of acknowledgement covered is from the end of June to the middle of August.
Page 1. "Business Service In The Public Library," The Social Science Room was the destination for people with any type of business question. Care was taken to build strong collection of materials as evidenced by the questions listed. Page 2. "Library Exhibit At The County Fair, August 17-18-19," A large map showed the various routes of the book truck, schools were denoted, libraries within stores were highlighted "German Books For German Reading." Forty-four volumes of German Literature were presented to the library. "Summer Gifts," Again acknowledgments to the faithful who donated books to the library. Page 3. "The School Division Works At Fever Heat, Prepares 1000 Libraries For Schools," Describes a function that many current library staff were unaware of. These collections were invaluable in supplying supplemental materials for class work. The efforts of this department were truly unique and vital to the citizens of Saint Paul. Page 4. A black and white photograph shows only a fraction of the 1,000 boxed books ready for transport.
A letter from Thomas J. Green, heating and ventilating engineer, regarding heating modifications to the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. Green itemizes the work he would perform, including the addition of radiators to the library, and offers a price quote on the work.
An estimate from Thomas J. Green, Heating and Ventilating Engineer, to change the heating in the Winona Public Library stack room, adding radiators and piping per the attached plan.
A letter from Warren Powers Laird, University of Pennsylvania, to Elmer E. Shephard, secretary of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Laird redirects the library's inquiry regarding an addition to the book stacks to his colleague, Edgar V. Seeler.
A letter from Fred S. Bell to B. D. Blair, president of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona Minnesota, to inform him of William Harris Laird's $5000 bequest to the library.
Letter from Fred S. Bell to Burr D. Blair, president of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, noting William Harris Laird's intention to furnish funds to enlarge the stack room of the Laird Library Building. Bell recommends the plans be drafted by Edgar V. Seeler of Philadelphia, one of the original architects of the library.
A letter to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library and to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Winona from William Harris Laird. The document outlines the details and fulfillment of Laird's February 6, 1897 proposition to build a library for the City of Winona. Laird formally transfers full ownership and possession of the library building to the City of Winona.
A note card sent by William Hayes expressing his appreciation to his friends for their sympathy in the loss of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes. Charlotte was instrumental in the creation and expansion of the Winona Free Public Library. Hayes would go on to donate to the library the "Light of Learning" Kenyon Cox mural painting in memory of his wife.
Letter from William Hayes, president of the Hayes-Lucas Lumber Company, to Burr D. Blair, secretary of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, acknowledging acceptance of his Kenyon Cox painting proposition. Hayes offered to donate the Cox mural painting in memory of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes.
A receipt issued by William Jay Whipple, publisher of the Winona Herald, Job Printer, Book Binder and Blank Book Manufacturer, to the Winona Library Association, Winona, Minnesota for 1000 book labels.
Letter noting the gift of bound issues of the Winona Republican to the Winona Free Public Library. The hand-written letter is from D. Sinclair and written to Fred S. Bell, President of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona Minnesota.
A circulation study report prepared by Jeannette Clarke, Head Librarian of the Winona Free Public Library, to Burr D. Blair, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the library. The report compares the total number of items in various subject areas to the circulation in order to determine the use per volume.