LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE II

The second and major suggestion for the improvement of service in Widener Library entails a certain amount of architectural adjustment. At the present time the cramped space of the Delivery Room and the small size of the delivery desk result in an inordinate amount of confusion and delay; there is rarely enough room to sit down, and the crowds that mill around the desk interfere with those who are trying either to file slips or withdraw books. These present difficulties could be eliminated by breaking down the wall between the present Bibliographical Reference Room and the Delivery Working Room, making one room of the two. The entire delivery desk could then be moved back and lengthened to twice its present size.

These shifts would provide an enlarged room with not only ample space in the front half to install benches for as many as thirty weary students, but also space in the rear half for the files, shelves and other paraphernalia necessary for the operation of the delivery system. Such a remodeling would have many beneficial results: a larger delivery desk would speed up operations during rush hours; moving the delivery desk nearer the stacks would permit an additional increase in speed; students would have a great deal more space to sit down, which would decrease the confusion now prevalent in active periods; and finally, the center of activity would be moved away from the reference desks, thereby aiding those intent on consulting the various assistants.

Nevertheless, before the suggested remodeling can be effected, funds must be acquired to finance the project and space must be found to store the books now located in the Bibliographical Reference Room. There is no reason why the University's unrestricted funds could not be used for this purpose, since the sum required would be less than three per cent of the money already provided to make up the annual Library deficit. The question of space is a more serious problem, but the ultimate solution lies in the re-allocation of shelves in the General Reading Room and the removal of the Bibliographies to that place. The proposed remodelling would effect an immediate increase in efficiency and since such an increase would be to the direct advantage of the entire University, no effort should be spared on the part of the Library's officials to find the requisite space and funds.