An unidentified man is pictured on October 24,1952, on the grand central staircase at the new Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South. The feeling of spaciousness was accentuated by the use of bowed stainless steel balustrades and fine grained birch handrails. The staircase would be altered in future library remodeling, removing the pictured railings and covering the steps with carpeting. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-14)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stairways--Tacoma;

The grand staircase in the 1952 addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. The stairs appear to hang unsupported from the adjoining walls creating an open feeling to the 1950's modern architecture. Reinforced concrete construction provided more options for interior spaces. Silas E. Nelsen was the architect for the addition. Ordered by Standard Iron and Wire Works Inc.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stairways--Tacoma; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

This close-up of the main entrance to the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch shows the display windows on either side of the glass doors and the pierced concrete trellis on the third floor. An exhibit of old and new furniture fills the window on the right and a sign in the left display window reads: "Books are Basic."

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma;

A view in from the deck on the third floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch shows the administrative area with desks, file cabinets, typewriters, table, chair and counter. The main telephone switchboard is the taller, dark object near the center of the photograph. The library was furnished with all new blonde casework.

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

The addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main branch is shown at night aglow from interior lights which reflect off the wet pavement of Tacoma Avenue. The building was designed by the Silas E. Nelsen firm of architects.

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

The board room in the 1952 addition to the Tacoma Public Library has a door onto an upper balcony. The door as well as the wall on that side of the room is glass. The buildings on the other side of Tacoma Avenue South can be seen clearly with the Bargain Spot and Gensco, Inc., signs visible. The Hartman Apartments were above Gensco.

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

This is the children's area on the second floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch as it appeared just before its dedication on November 2, 1952. A large fireplace is seen near the center of the photograph. Doors to the right of the fireplace led to the Handforth Gallery. Doors to the right led to the Story Hour room and a second fireplace. The open area is filled with tables and chairs with shelving for books around the walls.

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

A view of the front elevation of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch from the southeast with a small section of the Carnegie Library building visable on the far left The addition is a three-story building on the northwest corner of South 11th Street and Tacoma Avenue designed by the Silas E. Nelsen firm of architects.

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

An angular view from the corner of South 11th Street and Tacoma Avenue of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main branch. The International design was executed with a cantilevered marquee and roof, and a stone and glass fascade. Design by the Silas E. Nelsen firm of architects. BU-11795

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

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;

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;

The main branch of the Tacoma Public Library had a Fine Arts department, headed by Miss Carol Gander, on the library's second floor located adjacent to the Handforth Gallery. The books, magazines, pictures and record collection were to be developed to include painting, sculpture, interior decorating and flower arrangement. A listening room was also housed in this department with three turntables with earphones for individual listening for people to listen to phonograph records before borrowing them. Lucille Herian was the first assistant in the fine arts department and Mrs. F.L. Newnham worked as assistant between both the fine arts department and the business and technology departments. (TNT, 11/1/1952, p.C-6) BU-11797

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

The main entrance of the Tacoma Public Library's new addition separated the receiving counter on the left from the charging counter on the right. BU-11803

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

The main floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch showing the receiving counter on the left and the charging counter on the right of the Tacoma Avenue entry. A public bulletin board is seen near the receiving counter.

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

Several administrative offices were located on the third floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch. This office has been furnished with a blond wood desk, book shelves and a side chair.

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

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;

An independent work station is shown in what is believed to be the Order Department in the new addition to Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch. Reference books are shelved behind the wooden desk that has a telephone, calendar, pen in its holder, a folding clock and possibly a radio. An Underwood typewriter sits to the side. The new addition would open officially on November 2, 1952, when more than 4,000 people attended dedication ceremonies.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Desks; Typewriters--1950-1960; Telephones;

The order department was located on the second floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch. A woman believed to be Phyllis Brown is looking at the "Shelf List" which was kept in a non-public card catalog in the order department. Other workers are seen at desks working to maintain the smooth flow of orders being placed, books arriving at this central location, being cataloged and prepared to be distributed to all library locations. BU-11804

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; Office furniture; Card catalogs--Tacoma;

A view of the main floor of the addition to Tacoma Public Library's main branch featuring the ceiling and lighting above the periodical section. Shelving, tables, chairs and desks are arranged around the concrete support columns. Lighting was supplied by the Condon Company, Inc. Note: white lines due to film deterioration.

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

The third floor of the Tacoma Public Library's main branch provided an open office area with two blond-finish desks provided by Stationer's, Inc., including Hoosier desks, Gunlock chairs and two work tables. Office equipment includes standard typewriters, an adding machine and a safe. Against the divider on the right is the library's main switchboard.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Office furniture; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma; Safes; Stationers, Inc. (Tacoma);

The basement of the addition to Tacoma Public Library's main branch provided shelf area for the library's stacks where books not frequently accessed were maintained.

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