152 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1964 



INFORMATION AND EDUCATION 



The major activity of the information-education department was the 

 continuation of signing and relabeling. During the year a total of 

 457 animal identification labels were completed; since the program 

 began in October 1962, a total of eight buildings and units of the Zoo 

 have been relabeled — the puma house, main bear dens, short bear line 

 and ring cages, elephant house, reptile house, lion house, beaver valley, 

 and all outdoor hoofed stock. Also produced were 221 supporting 

 informational signs (safety signs, building signs, directional maps, 

 etc.) and 131 other visual information projects such as maps, charts, 

 and graphs. Four scale models were produced in conjunction with 

 the renovation plans for the Zoo. The mechanical department as- 

 sisted in framing and erecting the information signs on cages and 

 exhibits throughout the Park. 



Additional department activities during the year included dissemi- 

 nation of animal information by telephone and correspondence, 

 library maintenance, and five special guided tours for groups of handi- 

 capped children, visiting schools and colleges, and foreign guests. 

 Two such groups of interest were delegates of the Foreign Museum 

 Professionals, sponsored by the American Association of Museums in 

 cooperation with the Department of State, and children from the 

 United Cerebral Palsy of Northern Virginia. 



To study educational programs, labeling-exhibit techniques, and 



children's zoos, the zoologist visited zoos, aquariums, and museums in 



Texas (Dallas and Fort Worth), Arizona (Tucson), and California 



(San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco), from October 27 to 



November 13. From May 20 to May 28, the zoologist toured zoos 



and museums in Atlanta, Ga., and Tampa and Miami, Fla., for the 



same purpose. 



SAFETY SUBCOMMITTEE 



The National Zoological Park's safety subcommittee consists of 

 Lt. John R. Wolfe, chairman; Capt. C. E. Brink, police division; 

 F. M. Dellar, administration office; Bert J. Barker, animal depart- 

 ment; Reily Straw, maintenance and construction; John Monday, 

 grounds department; and Mrs. W. M. Holden, secretary. Monthly 

 meetings were held to suggest, discuss, and make recommendations to 

 the director on safety improvements. 



The safety subcommittee is constantly on the alert for dangei-s that 

 might arise due to the construction program. Three contractors are 

 working on separate projects at the present time. Committee mem- 



