Jeffers, Delbert Raymond, 1912-1952

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DELBERT RAYMOND JEFFERS born Nov. 7, 1912, Morrisonville, Illinois; son of Rev. Delphus Leaton Jeffers and Edith Adelle Echard; died June 29, 1951. Jeffers married Francis Bradley Wheeler, daughter of Mrs. Orie Walter Fowler of Chula Vista, California, and Orville Gould Wheeler, on June 15, 1937, at Stanford Memorial Chapel, Stanford University. They had two children, Joan and John. After receiving his graduate degree, Mr. Jeffers began his professional career at the University of Michigan Library and as a reference librarian, became head of the reference department at Ann Arbor Public Library. In 1941, he accepted the position of assistant professor of bibliography and library science at the University of Buffalo (1941-1942). During the Second World War, Jeffers served as a lieutenant commander with the U.S. Navy. In 1946, Jeffers was appointed City Librarian of Monterey, California. As city librarian, he was active in local community organizations and projects, and was instrumental in organizing education and library programs, including reading programs at the library, then located in the Carnegie library building at 425 Van Buren Street. Govenor Earl Warren recognized Jeffers as "one of the ten outstanding librarians in the state", appointing him to a commission for selecting a new state librarian. During his tenure, voters approved $350,000 to fund the building of a new library building, which was dedicated in June 1952. Jeffers' efforts resulted in the creation of several important features in the new Library building; the history room, the community meeting room and other program and service areas designed for the library. He was greatly involved in the planning and promotion of the modern library until his sudden death in June 1951.