January 3, 1951

Mr. Roger Deas
Research Secretary
Governor's Office
Sacramento, California

Dear Mr. Deas,

Confirming our recent telephone conversation, I would advise that the dedication ceremony Sunday January 7th is scheduled to start at 2:00 P.M.

The Governor has been listed for the principal address.

This new building has been erected from the 1945 Bond Issue. The site cost $385,000, and the building $1,375,000. This replaces the old library erected at 14th and Grove Streets fifty years ago. The new building reflects the modern sociological approach to public librarianship. As many books as possible are to be placed on the open shelves. Shelving (open and closed) makes provision for 600,000 books. The children will be cared for in the Boys and Girls Room which is on the ground floor and has its own entrance from Oak Street. A special feature is the teenage room located on the second floor. This not only will house the Youth Collection, but will be an activities center for young people. This is in accordance with practices recommended by the Governor's Mid-Century Conference on Children and Youth.

The public library movement grew out of the public school movement. The aims and objectives are the same as for the schools, to wit, an enlightened citizenship able to play its part in the affairs of a democracy.

The main library is a depository of books on all subjects and a reference center. It is also a place from which the twenty-two branches are serviced. Thus, through the branches, the library is brought to the public.

The library is also a bibliographic center, so that it is possible to have here a book on any subject printed in this country back to 1639. Through the indexes to periodical literature, magazine articles may be had back to about 1840.

This library is a complete depository for all state and federal documents, and we have received from the War Department a set of Military Maps covering all parts of the world. There are 30,000 such maps in the library.

The new main library should be (1) center of reference, research and bibliography (2) an agency of democratic development (3) a social welfare unit operating for the welfare of Children and teenagers. It is in all aspects an educational institution.

This, I believe, is the information you desire.

With kind regards, I remain

Very truly yours,

Peter T. Conmy
Librarian

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