Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
TPL-4069
Date(s)
- 1892 (Creation)
Extent
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
ca. 1892. William Curtis Taylor, the first paid Librarian in Tacoma, in the Library when it was in the "Ball Block" building at 919-21 Broadway. Mr. Taylor was nearing 70 at the time but had the vigor of a much younger man. Born in Philadelphia and educated at the Pennsylvania Charter School, he came to Tacoma in November of 1889. A former photographer, he became librarian for the Public Library in 1892. He built up the library from 900 to over 5000 volumes by 1896 and had increased visits by Tacoma residents to 85,000. Mr. Taylor tirelessly spent time raising funding for the library and even contributed to the library's decoration himself. In 1893 the library moved to the (Old) City Hall as it had outgrown the Ball Block quarters. Due to charter amendments, Mr. Taylor was forced out of his job after four years in 1896. Despite efforts by many friends of the library, he was not re-appointed to the position by Mayor Fawcett. William Curtis Taylor died in Germantown, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1905. (Tacoma Daily Ledger, 4-22-1896-article)
Taylor, William Curtis; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1890-1900; Librarians; Books; Bookcases--Tacoma;