Thomas J. Porro, president of the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees, addresses the crowd on the occasion of groundbreaking for the new central building at the Main Library. The March 20, 1951, event began at 4 p.m. and included speeches by Mr. Porro, Mayor John Anderson, and Silas E. Nelsen, library architect. In attendance were members of the city council, library board of trustees, library employees and building contractors. Behind the speaker's podium was an oversized billboard expressing how the library's resources could be used by patrons of all ages and interests. The public service message is a timeless one which still resonates in today's culture. The new portion of the Main Library, built with a concrete frame with Walker-cut stone facing, would be officially dedicated on November 2, 1952. (TNT 3-18-1951, A-6-article on new library)

Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Porro, Thomas J.; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mayor John Anderson lifts the first shovel of dirt during the ground breaking for the new main branch of the Tacoma Public Library. Assisting Mayor Anderson is Library Board president Thomas J. Porro with Library director Howard M. Rowe observing. ALBUM 14. (TNT 3-21-1951, p. 1-alt. photo)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Porro, Thomas J.; Rowe, Howard M.; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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. 1954. An elevated view of what may be the basement of the Tacoma Public Library was taken possibly in the summer of 1954. There are rows of shelving, most filled with books and manuals. This may be the reference section of the basement. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

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

Patrons peruse periodical racks and shelves of books on the spacious reading room on the main floor of the New Tacoma Public Library Main Branch. Recessed "egg crate" style florescent lights reflect off the modern vinyl floor tile. The vinyl plastic floor was durable, lustrous and easy to maintain throughout the buildilng. (TNT 10-31-1952, C-13-alt. photo)

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

The addition to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch provided one floor below street level for book stacks, two floors for service and work areas, and administration offices on the third floor. The addition provided much-needed space since Tacoma had outgrown the Carnegie Library built in 1903. The facing of Walker-cut stone consisted of random ashlar on the horizontal lines and large slabs covering the central tower that housed the ventilating system mechanism. TPL-6565

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

The grand staircase at the new Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, Silas E. Nelson, Architect. Photographed prior to library's November 1952 opening. Ordered by Standard Iron and Wire Works Inc.

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

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);

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;

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);

• Large postcard commemorating the renovation and expansion of the Main Library. circa 1990.
• Printed on front: The Tacoma Public Library

Current location of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch. Printed on front: Carnegie Public Library and Court House -- Tacoma, Wash.

Current location of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch. Printed on front: Public Library and Court House, Tacoma, Washington.

Current location of Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch. Shown is the Carnegie Library exterior and interior.