Widener Stack Users Get Travel Aid From New Guidance Maps

The Widener Circulation Department momentarily deserted its regular assignment last Friday to have a try at the growing problem of circulating readers. The result: a series of direction giving maps posted in the stacks bearing red stars and captions: "Here you are. It is 400 yards to Section X."

"The stacks are very complex and some of the studies are hidden behind bookcases so that it is impossible to give directions," explained Thomas J. O'Connell, chief of the Circulation Department.

Although the maps were posted in the stacks, they were not initiated by the Stack Department because, according to O'Connell, it lacked the necessary manpower.

The Stack Department and the Circulation Department are both under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Services and "there is a definite tie-in," O'Connell said. The Superintendent of Public Services is Phillip J. McNiff, who is Director of Lamont Library.

The Widener Map Room had no part in the project and Map Room officials were not available for comment.