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. 1921. Ole B. Lien, pioneer pharmacist on Tacoma Avenue since 1894, and partner Harry B. Selvig opened this drug store in 1901 in the 1888 Greer Building. The Queen Anne-style structure was designed by architects Farrell & Darmer and built by contractor H. M. Matheson. It was torn down in 1951 to make way for a modern addition to the Tacoma Public Library. B8252.
Posed in front of the Carnegie Building (then the Tacoma Free Public Library) on October 18, 1922, are members of the Guard Team from Everett of the Women's Benefit Association of the Maccabees. This was the ladies' auxiliary of the fraternal insurance group. The Everett team was part of the 17 lodges who had sent some 300 delegates to the Women's Benefit Association of the Maccabees of Western Washington's one-day convention. The gathering was held at Fraternity Hall, 1111-17 Tacoma Avenue South, which was near the library. G24.1-010 (TNT 10-18-22, p. 1-article on convention)
Women's Benefit Association of the Maccabees; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Flags--United States; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;
As his last official act on January 26, 1924, Tacoma City Librarian John Boynton Kaiser passed the keys of the Carnegie Library to his successor Miss Jacqueline Noel. Mr. Kaiser, who had served in the post for the past 10 years, had accepted the position of librarian at the University of Iowa. Miss Noel would hold the position until her retirement in 1947. At that time the City Librarian served as the chief administrator and director of the library. (TNT 1/26/1924, pg. 1) G39.1-079
Kaiser, John Boynton; Noel, Jacqueline; Public libraries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Librarians; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees;
On January 25, 1888, the Sheet Metal Workers Union was organized in Toledo, Ohio as the Tin, Sheet-Iron and Cornice Workers Association. Current members of the union posed in front of the Tacoma Public Library (now known as the Carnegie Building) in May of 1925. They were participants in the Sheet Metal Workers' Convention being hosted by Tacoma. The men were dressed in suits, ties and a variety of hats. The sign by the entry door of the library stated that this building is the "Tacoma Free Public Library" open "Weekdays 9 a.m-9 p.m., Sundays 2-9 p.m." G38.1-035
Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Sheet Metal Workers (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1920-1930;
