Somewhere in this stack of books must be the answer! Kenneth Morrison intently examines one of the many reference sources found in the Tacoma Public Library's new Main Library. Awaiting his perusal are copies of Granger's Index to Poetry, Columbia Encyclopedia, Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, Information Please Almanac, Index to Children's Poetry, Dictionary of Phrase and Fable and Twentieth Century Authors. Kenneth was looking for a quotation needed for school work. Students were urged to ask for assistance from library staff if they needed help with tough questions. The Main Library was dedicated on November 2, 1952 and provided residents with a much larger building and expanded collection of books. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-12)

Morrison, Kenneth; Books; Reading--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. Eileen Jennings and Mrs. Eugene Leddy peruse the new Fine Arts department of the Tacoma Public Library in the winter of 1952. Shelves are loaded with a large selection of books. The Fine Arts department was a new addition to the library with Miss Carol Gander, formerly head of the Albuquerque Public Library reference department, in charge. The $1,250,000 library had just been dedicated on Sunday, November 2, 1952, with nearly 4000 in attendance.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books; Jennings, Eileen; Leddy, Eugene--Family;

Five men in the Children's Department at the new Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave. So., October of 1952. They are the contractors involved in building the new library. Seated from left to right are architect Silas E. Nelsen and electrical contractor B.H. Raymond. Standing from left to right are Lakewood consulting engineers F.R. Worthen and Robert C. Wing with lighting contractor William O. Proby at far right. The room was well lit with Panelux lighting fixtures designed for soft reading illumination and filled with furniture built for small children. Note the fireplace in the background. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-6-Ad.)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nelsen, Silas E.; Proby, William O.; Raymond, Burt H.; Wing, Robert C.; Worthen, F.R.;

Lucille Herian, first assistant in the Fine Arts department of the Tacoma Public Library, gazes at a bust of Thomas S. Handforth, after whom the Handforth Gallery is named. A selection of his work is displayed on the gallery's walls. Many local artists continue to have their work exhibited in the Handforth Gallery which is still at the Tacoma Public Library, although moved from its second floor location. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-3)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Thomas S. Handforth Gallery (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1950-1960; Herian, Lucille; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Sculpture;

A close-up view of the Seal of the City of Tacoma that was placed on the south side of the upper floor of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library shows the sun rising behind Mount Rainier and the City Waterway leading to the industry of Tacoma.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Seals;

A view of the Order Department in the new addition to Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch where clerks added the names of incoming copies of books to the "Shelf List". Book shelves line the walls, two large desks with typewriters are on the left, with one in the center, and a smaller desk on the right. Overhead egg-crate light fixtures are seen against the ceiling. Ordered by Hendricksen & Kent.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Avenue entrance of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main branch is an invisible wall of glass with two sets of double glass doors at the center. Charging and receiving counters are seen on either side with magazine racks off the central entry that extends to the back wall. BU-11796

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Doors & doorways;

A second fireplace was located in the Story-Hour room in the north-east corner of the second floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. It was back-to-back with a larger fireplace that faced into the children's area on the second story. Goodyear vinyl tile provided an attractive appearance and required no waxing.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Fireplaces--Tacoma;

The addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch was a three-story, modern building with expansive use of plate glass windows designed by the Silas E. Nelsen firm of architects. Nelsen maintained an on-site office behind the library. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on March 20, 1951, and razing of the Lien & Selvig Drug Store and the old apartment building which stood on the corner had already been started as of that date. (TNT, 3/9/1952, p.A-10) BU-11814

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

This is the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch as it appeared just before its dedication on November 2, 1952. The building was designed by the Silas E. Nelsen firm of architects. Silas Nelsen was a major architect in Tacoma for over 50 years. Besides the Main Branch libary, he was the architect for 150 homes, 15 churches, four branch libraries, the City Light building, and most of the buildings on the campus of the University of Puget Sound. The Main Branch Library was remodeled between 1987 and April of 1990.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Dedication of new Main Library. Tacoma Mayor John Anderson addresses an overflowing crowd of more than 4,000 at the grand opening of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library. The library opened its doors on Sunday, November 2, 1952, for two hours so that visitors might be able to tour the various departments, all of which would be open and staffed. It had overgrown the old library building (now called the Carnegie Building) and the new $1,250,000 structure would provide more space for employees and room for more books. Several other dignitaries would be present for the dedication including principal speaker University of Washington president Dr. Henry Schmitz, College of Puget Sound president R. Franklin Thompson, Temple Beth Israel Rabbi Bernard D. Rosenberg, architect of the project Silas E. Nelsen, and Library Board president Thomas J. Porro. (TNT 11-2-52, A-1 article; TNT 11-3-52, A-1 article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The main floor of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch provided several tables and chairs for reading near the periodicals area. The Tacoma Avenue entrance is seen along the left beyond the periodicals.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tables; Chairs;

The children's area of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch featured a large fireplace in the rear, several tables and chairs for reading and a separate card catalog. A circulation desk is seen on the right. Miss Dorothy Hairgrove headed the children's department at this time.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tables; Chairs; Card catalogs--Tacoma; Fireplaces--Tacoma;

Several administrative offices were located on the third floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch. Windows in the walls of the offices provided natural light during the day. A small table and four chairs are seen in this workroom.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Office furniture;

The office of director Howard M. Rowe at the Tacoma Public Library's main branch has room for a desk with side table for a telephone and dictating machine and a long conference table. A wall of doors is seen beyond the talble and another door is seen on the wall at the left. Mr. Rowe has carefully placed his briefcase under the desk. The furniture even includes a wooden trash basket. (TNT, 11/1/1952, p.C-4)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Office furniture; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Several patrons enjoy the spacious new quarters of the Tacoma Public Library's main branch at 11th and Tacoma Avenue South. Abundant lighting made reading and looking for books an easier task. View of book shelves make it apparent that there is plenty of room for additional reading material. Flooring is linoleum, sturdy enough to hold up to many years of foot travel. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Bookstacks--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1954. Directly below an enormous circular skylight is a matching circular stage. Both were located in the Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch circa 1954. This auditorium was located in the library's older Carnegie Building portion and was used for public and staff meetings. The skylight has since been beautifully restored and a focus point in what is now the library's Northwest Room which houses special collections including Northwest history, Genealogy, and a Rare Book Room.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Skylights--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Auditoriums--Tacoma; Chairs;

The American Institute of Steel Construction sponsored an exhibition in the Tacoma Public Library's Handforth Gallery on structural steel in architecture. Photographs and sculptures were on display in mid-May, 1958. View of portion of Handforth Gallery, bright fluorescent lighting was aided by the use of small spotlights further illuminating the photographs on the wall. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steel industry--Tacoma; Thomas S. Handforth Gallery (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma);

Current location of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch with the Armory and Courthouse in the background. Printed on front: Carnegie Library, Court House and State Armory, Tacoma, Wn.

• An early view of the Carnegie Building, part of the Tacoma Public Library's Main location. It now houses the library's Special Collections in the Northwest Room. circa 1914.
• Printed on front: Carnegie Library, Court House, State Armory and Central School, Tacoma, Wash.

• Tacoma's Carnegie Library, built in 1903, now home to the Northwest Room and Special Collections. circa 1906.
• Printed on front: Carnegie Library, Tacoma, Washington (Court House Tower Beyond)

Mrs. Joyce Ferguson, an employee at the Tacoma Public Library, was photographed in August of 1947 sitting behind the wheel of the library's new Plymouth wood panel station wagon. The new vehicle was purchased to be used to transport books and other library materials from one branch library to another. The library director, Aubrey F. Andrews, stated that any book in the library could be requested at any branch or station. If the book was not available at the local library, it would be secured and routed as soon as possible. The station wagon would also be used, as time permitted, to supply small collections of books to groups holding meetings or exhibits. (TNT 8-16-47, p. 2) TPL-217, TPL-9820

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Ferguson, Joyce; Plymouth automobile;

ca. 1951. Excavation work started soon after the late March, 1951, groundbreaking for the new Tacoma Public Library located at 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. Trucks are pictured above removing dirt and debris from the site. The original Main Library is directly next to the excavation site. It would be used for meetings and storage after the new library was completed in 1952 and not reopened for general library use until 1978.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Excavation--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1975. Sue Connolly in General Services Dept., Main Branch Tacoma Public Library. Mrs. Connolly later became part of the library's Quick Information telephone reference staff.

Connolly, Susan; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1975. Miss Elfriede Gudelius, Head of General Services Dept., Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library. Staff member Sue Connolly is seated on the left.

Gudelius, Elfriede; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Connolly, Susan; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1975. Librarian Clayton Kirking in Fine Arts Dept., Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library.

Kirking, Clayton; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1975. Librarian Sumi Takahasi in Business, Science and Technology Dept., Main Branch, Tacoma Public Library. At that time the Main Library was separated into various departments including General Services, Literature, Fine Arts and Business, Science & Technology.

Takahasi, Sumi; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Warmed by a roaring fire in the fireplace, several children enjoy a good book in the children's reading room at the original Carnegie building of the Tacoma Public Library. During Childrens' Book Week, November 15-20th 1920, the room would be the center of the final oral contest of the campaign to introduce youngsters to the classics. 20,000 children in Pierce County would be participating in the written and oral competition based on "My Favorite Library Book." The prizes were beautifully bound copies of children's classics. The goal was to introduce great literature into the home, replacing the mass produced "dime novels." The Carnegie building was built in 1903 with funds donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. It was designed by the New York architectural firm of Jardine, Kent and Jardine. BU-11,819, G39.1-076, TPL-3846 (TDL 10/31/1920, pg. E-9)

Public libraries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Reading--Tacoma--1920-1930; Books; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1952. Work is almost complete on the 1952 Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library. To the left is the Carnegie Library, a Renaissance structure built in 1903 from a design by Jardine, Kent and Jardine and with funds donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. To the right is the Main Library, built in 1952 from a design by Silas E. Nelsen. Construction is ongoing on the three floor structure. To the rear of the library soar the memorable spires of the Romanesque Pierce County Courthouse at 1012 So. "G" St. The building was built in 1892 along grandiose lines. It was demolished in 1959 to provide space for a parking lot for the new County City building. To the left of the Courthouse, you can glimpse the Tacoma Vocational School (now Bates), built in 1941 at 1101 Yakima Ave., and the Washington National Guard Armory, built in 1908 at 715 So. 11th St. The large building in the back and to the right of the library is the Central Lutheran Church at 1001 So. "G" St. The church, built in 1889 as the First Presbyterian Church, was demolished to make room for the County City building.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Central Lutheran Church (Tacoma);