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;

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;

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.;

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;

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. 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)

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;

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. 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. 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;

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);

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;

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);

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;

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);

Patrons visiting the Tacoma Public Library's new Main branch were fortunate to be able to view collections of artwork in the Thomas S. Handforth Gallery. Mr. Handforth, a Guggenheim Fellow, left many pieces of his art to the library. The art gallery was named in his honor. View of Handforth Gallery with mounted artwork. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Thomas S. Handforth Gallery (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

Howard M. Rowe was the Tacoma Public Library Director at the time that the new Main library on South 11th and Tacoma Avenue South was built in the early 1950's. He is pictured working at his desk in this January, 1953, photograph. Mr. Rowe was appointed to replace Aubrey F. Andrews who had died in November of 1950 and assumed his new position in mid-January of 1951. He had been the chief librarian for the city-county library in Santa Barbara, California prior to his coming to Tacoma. His administrative offices were located on the third, and top, floor of the Main library. Besides having the boardroom nearby, there was a long, rectangular table in Mr. Rowe's office which was used for meetings with library personnel. Photograph ordered by General Electric. (TNT 1-12-51, p. 4-article on Mr. Rowe's arrival in Tacoma)

Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Rowe, Howard M.; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma)--Employees; General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

A Tacoma Public Library employee can barely be seen at the end of long stacks of books in the Main library's basement. Bright fluorescent lighting helps the worker find the necessary items. It appears that he may be shelving in the documents/reference section. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

The Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library had a very well equipped Fine Arts department in the 1950's. Patrons pictured in this January, 1953, photograph enjoy the department's resources on the library's second floor. Large plate glass windows in addition to numerous light fixtures help provide more-than-adequate lighting. The Main library on Tacoma Avenue South was dedicated in November, 1952. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

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 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);

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);

A well-dressed man in topcoat waits for his library book to be checked out to him in a January, 1953, photograph. The Tacoma Public Library employee is using a new charging machine in order to complete the transaction. There are books on the shelves beside her waiting for patrons to pick them up. Across from the charging area is the receiving department where returned books are discharged. The Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library had recently opened in their new location on Tacoma Avenue South. It was housed in a modern, three story building with extensive use of plate glass windows. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

View of the new Tacoma Public Library's main branch looking eastward towards Tacoma Avenue South. The library appears deserted on a January, 1953, evening although the building is still aglow with extensive lighting which reflects off the well-polished linoleum. The first floor is indicative of the spaciousness of the new facility; there is plenty of room for magazines, books, card catalogues and desks. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

The catalog department of the new Tacoma Public Library's Main branch, headed by Phyllis Brown, was located on the second floor. It was in a large, open room with plenty of shelving and room to move carts of books. As in other parts of the building, the room was air conditioned and well lighted. The Main library was dedicated in November, 1952. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

Both children and adults enjoyed visiting the new children's room at the Tacoma Public Library's Main branch in January, 1953. There were always plenty of books and magazines to read. The children's room was located on the second floor and was furnished with book shelves, rectangular and round tables, a card catalog, and chairs. The large fireplace was apparently for decorative purposes only; it was never used. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

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

When the new Main Branch of the Tacoma Public Library at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South was built in 1952 it offered more then just new shelves and fresh paint in its expanded building. One special new service for the Library's patrons was a separate, air conditioned smoking room located on the first floor by the check-out desk. There, seated on cushioned chairs, readers could light up cigarettes while enjoying the latest best sellers or the newest issue of the Tacoma News Tribune. In later years shelving was added to the room to hold part of the Library's reference collection including Chemical Abstracts. The smoking room was closed about 1979. (Photograph ordered by General Electric.)

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

Row upon row of books were stored in the basement stacks of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch. It was not imaginable at the time these shelves were installed that they would not provide enough space for the books with limited circulation but at the time the addition to the main library was remodeled in 1987 these shelves were modified to become rolling shelves to accommodate the growing collection of materials at the main library.

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