ca. 1978. Northwest Room staff, Tacoma Public Library. Mila Liwanag, Linda Hipp, Roy Ketcheson and Ethel Dobiash (l-r) posed for a group portrait in the renovated Northwest Room located in the old Carnegie Annex (Library) ca. 1978. Mr. Ketcheson and Ms. Hipp had been hired for a federally funded sorting and indexing project of old photographs, glass plates and negatives. Most of these had been taken by two well-known local photographers: Marvin D. Boland and Chapin Bowen. There were about 100,000 items including numerous wide-angle and panorama pictures of old Tacoma and early residents. (TNT 3-07-76 -article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Liwanag, Mila; Hipp, Linda; Ketcheson, Roy; Dobiash, Ethel;

ca. 1978. Northwest Room staff, Tacoma Public Library. From L-R are: Ethel Dobiash, Mila Liwanag, Linda Hipp and Roy Ketcheson. Seated is Jean Ross. They are posed before some of the more than 8000 books, pamphlets and government reports on the Pacific Northwest that are housed in the renovated Northwest Room located in the Carnegie Annex (Library). Access to the Northwest Room is through a hallway from the business, science and technology area of the Main Library's first floor. The Carnegie Annex was closed to the public in 1952 when the new Main Library was completed. Only the Fireside Room and auditorium have been used until the Northwest Room was opened. (TNT 5-23-73 -article; TNT 2-20-75-article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Dobiash, Ethel; Liwanag, Mila; Hipp, Linda; Ketcheson, Roy; Ross, Jean;

ca. 1975. Sadie Uglow in Fine Arts Dept, Tacoma Public Library. The Fine Arts Department was located on the second floor of the Main Library. Each department had large signs clearly defining its specialty. After retiring from Tacoma Public, Miss Uglow would become the librarian for the Tacoma Art Museum.

Uglow, Sadie; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;

John Boynton Kaiser, City Librarian, and Susie E. Taylor, a stenographer, sit at a work table in the City Librarian's office in the Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South. As City Librarian, Mr. Kaiser was head of the Tacoma library staff from 1914 to 1924; the Library did not have a director at that time. During that time, for one year he was literary editor of the Tacoma Daily Ledger, signing his work "Diogenes." When the United States entered the first World War, he applied for war service, and served as a librarian at several army bases. He also amassed a large collection of posters, books and pamphlets published during the war. This space is still used for offices by the Library's Northwest Room staff. TPL-2876

Public libraries--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Librarians; Kaiser, John Boynton; Taylor, Susie;

An unidentified young woman, dressed in a flowered calf-length frock, exits the Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Ave So., in July, 1954. Book in hand, she has pushed open the glass door leading to the small foyer. There is an arrangement of music sheets and scales with a stringed instrument in the side display window. The new main library building had opened in 1952. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

On November 2, 1952, Architect Silas E. Nelsen addressed a crowd estimated at 4,000 or more at Sunday dedication ceremonies for the new Tacoma Public Library at 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. He presented the building to the City of Tacoma and Mayor John Anderson (obscured by microphone) who in turn gave the keys to the building to TPL Board President Thomas J. Porro. After the dedication ceremony concluded, the crowd was invited to stay and tour the facility.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nelsen, Silas E.; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dedication of the new Main Library. The Tacoma Public Library had rare Sunday hours on November 2, 1952, as the new addition to the Main Library was officially dedicated. More than 4,000 visitors were crammed in the new structure to view ceremonies and later tour the building. Architect Silas E. Nelsen (seated, second from left) presented the building to the city and Mayor John Anderson (seated center, third from left) in turn gave the keys to the building to Tacoma Public Library Board President Thomas J. Porro (seated, extreme right). Dr. Henry Schmitz, president of the University of Washington, was the principal speaker. He is seated next to Mayor Anderson. Rabbi Bernard D. Rosenberg (far right, second row) of Temple Beth Israel gave the invocation while Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the College of Puget Sound, gave the benediction. Dr. Thompson is standing next to Rabbi Rosenberg. Also pictured above was Library director Howard M. Rowe (standing, extreme left.) (TNT 11-2-52, A-1-article; TNT 11-3-52, A-1-article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Schmitz, Henry; Porro, Thomas J.; Rowe, Howard M.; Rosenberg, Bernard D.; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Nelsen, Silas E.;

Patricia Shannon, an assistant in the reference division of the Tacoma Public Library, is looking for the answer to a question from someone who called the library's telephone reference service. This photograph appeared on October 31, 1952 in a special section in the News Tribune devoted to the "new" Main Branch Library which had its grand opening on November 2nd. Even in 1952, the library believed that "Your library is as near as your telephone." (TNT 10-31-1952, C-4)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Telephones; Books; Shannon, Patricia;

ca. 1952. Mrs. Constance Piccioni and Mrs. Charlotte Rafto, assistants in the Acquisitions Department, Catalog section of the Tacoma Public Library, are busy at work in this 1952 photograph. Each has her own desk, complete with typewriter. Facing them are rows of card catalogues. Charlotte (Mrs. John) Rafto was a graduate of the University of Wyoming and had obtained her library degree from Pratt Institute. She had previous library experience with Cornell University as a document cataloguer and with Harvard law library as an English law cataloguer. (TNT 8-21-1952, A-12-small article on new Tacoma librarians including information on Mrs. Rafto)

Piccioni, Constance; Rafto, Charlotte; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Typewriters;

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;

ca. 1952. Mrs. Patricia Reed, a clerical worker in the Order Department, examines several cumulative book indexes in this circa 1952 photograph. The Order Department was located on the second floor of the new Tacoma Public Library building located at 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. Books and other materials would be ordered for the Main library and its other branches and once received, would be catalogued and delivered to the designated locations. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-6)

Reed, Patricia; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books;

Father Time Has a New Face. Mrs. Betty Overland, clerk in the Fine Arts department of the Tacoma Public Library, stands on a ladder next to a wall clock placed high above book stacks. This photograph was included in a special section of the October 31, 1952 News Tribune filled with articles and photographs of the new Main Library. The clock shown above was embedded in the wall with stainless steel rectangles and triangles appearing as its "numerals." It, and other clocks, was an example of modern features now prevalent throughout the new structure. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-2)

Overland, Betty; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Clocks & watches; Books;

ca. 1952. Arlys Olson, a clerical worker in the Order Department, kneels next to the Official Seal of the Tacoma Public Library which was located in the floor at the main entrance to the building. The date 1894 refers to the year the City of Tacoma took over financing the library.

Olson, Arlys; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Seals (Insignia)

Agnes Martin, a clerical worker in the General Reference Department, looks over a hanging row of newspapers at the new Tacoma Public Library Main location in late 1952. Each paper was in its plainly marked niche. Four patrons are enjoying reading in the Newspaper area on the first floor, sitting at spacious tables with backstops that were designed to prevent personal belongings from falling to the floor. The area's new bright lighting was highly praised by readers. The smoking lounge is directly in the rear, next to the staircase. This room was set aside for people to relax and read while smoking. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-13)

Martin, Agnes; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Newspapers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reading--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;

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;

A view of the children's area on the second floor in the new addition to Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch. A huge stone fireplace is seen against the far wall. Special reading tables with slanted tops and benches have been added for children. The librarian's desk is seen on the left. Ordered by Hendricksen & Kent, plastering contractor. Zonolite acoustical plastic ceilings, crack-free and fireproof, were installed by the Tacoma firm of Hendricksen & Kent; "sound controlled" for patrons' reading pleasure. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-4- Advertisement)

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

Architect Silas E. Nelsen is flanked by the contractors involved in building the new Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. Silas E. Nelsen was so eager to have the building just right that he even drove to the stone quarries at Wilkeson to oversee the choice of stone for the exterior and fireplaces. L-R, William O. Proby of Seattle, lighting; B.H. Raymond of Tacoma, electrical contractor; Silas E. Nelsen, architect; Robert C. Wing and F.R. Worthen, Lakewood consulting engineers. (TNT, 11/1/1952, p.C-4)

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

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.;

ca. 1952. Librarian Elfriede Gudelius displays one of the many bound volumes of the Tacoma News Tribune stored in the basement of the Tacoma Public Library's new Main Library. The library kept copies of the News Tribune, Daily Ledger and Tacoma Times on rows of metal shelving. The volumes could be retrieved for use by patrons and/or staff.

Gudelius, Elfriede; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Newspapers--Tacoma; Bookstacks--Tacoma;

ca. 1952. Books in the 700's are being placed in the wooden book shelves at the new Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South, in preparation for its November 1952 opening. Two unidentified employees are busy sorting items in the garden and art field from a nearby cart. Books, magazines, newspaper and other items had to be transported from the old Carnegie building to the new Main Library building next door.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books;

ca. 1952. Two unidentified library employees are transporting books the old-fashioned way--by hand, as they help in getting the new Tacoma Public Library Main building ready for opening in 1952. Library materials were moved from the old Carnegie building to the new facility next door while the interior was still under construction.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books;

ca. 1952. It appears that this library employee did not pay heed to the warning sign above, "Low Ceiling Wotcher Noggin," as he is grasping his forehead albeit with a smile. Both he and a female employee were lugging heavy reference tomes from the old Carnegie building to the new Tacoma Public Library Main branch. The new facility would open in November of 1952.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Books; Signs (Notices);

Northbound view of Tacoma Avenue South in the fall of 1952, showing newly completed Main Branch of the Tacoma Public Library and older Carnegie Library with impressive dome. The library's third-floor deck overlooks the Charles Geiger Building (formerly housing the Lein & Selig drugstore). It appears to now have the Sunshine Apartments on the top floors. Leeder's Grocery, Tacoma Meats, City Dye Works, the Carpenters Building and on the So. 8th St. block, Central School, are lined up on the same side of the street as the new library. The Geiger Building and businesses adjacent to it would be demolished later in the decade for the construction of the new County-City Building. The Main Library would be extensively remodeled in the late 1980's.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Charles Geiger Building (Tacoma); Central School (Tacoma); Carpenters Building (Tacoma); City Dye Works (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

A close-up view exterior of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library shows the smooth stone surface with the name of the library and the seal of the City of Tacoma along the top.

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

This photograph of the west side of Tacoma Avenue South looking north from South 12th Street was taken in October of 1952 shortly after the completion of the new Tacoma Public Library Main Branch building, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S. The "new" County/City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South had not yet been built. Further north on the left are: Tacoma Meats at 1020, Holland Furnace Company at 1016, City Dye Works at 1014, the Carpenters Building at 1012 1/2, and the tower of Central School in the close distance. On the east side of the street are: Tacoma Supply House at 1125, M & M Electric at 1119 1/2, the Horse Shoe Tavern at 1117, the Ozark Tavern at 1107, and Allen's Sport Shop at 957. A good selection of old model automobiles is parked along the street. TPL-9288

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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 man and a young girl approximately two-years old sit on a bench built into a large stone fireplace surround built of stone. The fireplace was included in the children's library on the second story of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library built in 1952. The fireplace was removed during the complete remodeling of the building in 1987. Ordered by Ann E. (Mrs. Thomas J.) Porro, Tacoma Public Library.

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

ca. 1952. Much effort was put forth by employees of the Tacoma Public Library to get the new Main Library ready for service in 1952. Books and other materials were being moved from the old Carnegie building to the new facility. Pictured above are librarian Elfriede Gudelius and three unidentified staff members who are placing items on metal shelving in the basement. Older newspapers, magazines and reference materials were kept there for retrieval by staff for inquiring patrons.

Gudelius, Elfriede; Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Newspapers--Tacoma; Bookstacks--Tacoma;