From the Archives ... A Chapter Program on Public Relations, 1950

With SLA celebrating its centennial in 2009, the Southern California Chapter will periodically feature historical material from its rich archives.


From the original photo caption: The head table at a meeting of the Special Libraries Association, Southern California Chapter, which took place May 26, 1950 in Los Angeles and was keyed to the theme of Public Relations. Edward F. Baumer (standing, third from left), Director of Information and Research, Prudential Insurance Company, Western Home Office in Los Angeles, addressed S.L.A. on "What's Ahead in Public Relations?"

Others standing, from left to right: Guy Marion, Manager, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Research Department, and one of SLA's original "Founding Fathers"; Harold Hamill, City Librarian, Los Angeles Public Library, and Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the American Library Association; and, Dr. Robert Dockson, Economist, Prudential.

Seated left to right: Mrs. Baumer; Sherry Taylor, Librarian, Prudential and newly-elected Director of Public Relations of SLA's Southern California Chapter; Kathleen Edwards, Librarian, Farmers Insurance Group and the new Chapter President; Constance Martois, Librarian, Municipal Reference Library and immediate Past President; Mrs. Dockson; Margaret Cressaty, Librarian, College of Osteopathic Surgeons and Physicians and SLA Member-at-Large; and, Mrs. Marion.