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Booklet, Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library
Booklet, Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library American Liberty League. 400dpi TIFF G4 page images Digital Library Services, University of Kentucky Libraries Lexington, Kentucky LFP_rblue_03_03_01_image_02_prob These pages may freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Booklet, Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library American Liberty League. Louisville Free Public Library Louisville, Ky unknown Is Part of the Reverend Thomas F. Blue Papers, ca. 1905-1935 housed at the Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville, KY. This electronic text file was created by Optical Character Recognition (OCR). No corrections have been made to the OCR-ed text and no editing has been done to the content of the original document. Encoding has been done through an automated process using the recommendations for Level 1 of the TEI in Libraries Guidelines. Digital page images are linked to the text file. Colored Branches OF THE Louisville Free Public Library An illustrated description of the buildings together with some interesting figures concerning their cost, equipment and use. Issued to mark the Tenth Anniversary of the opening of the first free public library in America exclusively for colored readers. LOUISVILLE, KY 1915 SUMMARY OF WORK in the COLORED BRANCHES of the LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY For Fiscal Year Ending August 31, 1916 Western Colored Branch Eastern Colored Branch TOTAL C i rculat i on-adult juvenile 17 821 18 597 9 289 18 282 27 110 36 879 Class room collections Stations 36 418 27 571 63 989 37 303 3 841 Total circulation through all agencies 105 133 Total circulation through all agencies 105 133 Borrowers registered Cards in force Borrowers registered since opening Reference topics looked up Persons assisted in reference work since opening Pictures loaned Books added Total books in library 632 4 025 8 254 3 493 29 501 1 942 1 484 11 269 Current periodicals and newspapers received Meetings held in libraries during the year Attendance at meetings Following clubs meet regularly in the buildings 270 1 298 1 298 1 484 3 476 805 875 3 850 902 5 323 9 552 4 977 32 977 2 747 2 359 15 119 142 498 11 628 Bannecker Reading Circle Fisk Club Dorcas Literary Club Artisans Club Girls Dramatic Club Normal School Gymnastic Class Physical Culture Club Wilberforce Club Y • W • C • A • Douglass Debating Club Athletic Association Jeffer son County Teachers Association Ministerial AllianCQ , Parent-Teachers Association Girls Club Mothers Congress Story hour s I Staff Colored Branches Colored Branches Louisville Free Public Library In organizing the public library for Louisville it was planned to have separate buildings for colored readers. The system consists of the Main library, eight branches, 230 class room collections in 35 school buildings and 62 stations, a total of 301 centers for the circulation of books for home use. This includes two branches, 52 class room collections in 13 school buildings and 6 stations, a total of 60 centers for colored readers. The total circulation of books for the year was 1,045,077. Of this number 104,771 volumes were used by colored readers. History. After the opening of the Main library, the colored branch came next. It was opened on September 23, 1905 in temporary quarters in a residence on Chestnut Street between Tenth and Eleventh. This was the first free public library in America exclusively for colored readers and it marked an epoch in the development of the race. At the same time the Library Board purchased a corner lot, G9 by 120 feet, at Tenth and Chestnut Streets. On this site was erected a Carnegie building which was occupied October 29, 1908. Western Colored Branch The Western Colored Branch building is 77 feet long and 45 feet wide and is built of brick and stone with tile roof. The building has a main floor and basement. On the main floor near (he entrance is the delivery desk and back of it are large tables for reading and reference. To the left on entering is a newspaper alcove, the librarian's office and the special room for children. To the right on entering is the magazine alcove, a study room and the special room for adults. The basement floor contains a large lecture room, two class rooms and supply and boiler rooms. The building is heated throughout by hot water. The furniture and shelving are beautiful in design and finish, and provision is made for free access to all the books. The arrangement is one of convenience and comfort for those who wish to read or study or to get a book for home use. Cost of Building and Equipment Site $3,105.00 Improving grounds 1,123.68 $4,228.6S Building construction 30,935.33 Furniture 1,746.63 32,681.90 Books, pamphlets and periodicals 10,500.00 Total $47,410.64 Eastern Colored Branch The work at the first colored branch library proved so successful that a second Carnegie building was erected in the eastern part of the city. This is known as the Eastern Colored Branch, and was opened with appropriate exercises January 28, 1914. The building is well adapted for library and social center uses. It occupies a site 75 by 150 feet at Lampton and Hancock Streets. The site cost $5000 of which amount $1000 was raised by colored citizens. The building is 60 by 80 feet, built of brick, concrete and stone with tile roof, and has a main floor and basement. The first floor contains the library room accommodating 10,000 volumes, the librarian's office, and an auditorium to seat 350 people. The basement has three class rooms for club use, a playroom, 37 by 40 feet, cloak room, boiler room, etc. An experimental garden is under cultivation in the "I/1 of the building and arrangements are under way to equip a playground 60 by 75 feet in the rear. Cost of Building and Equipment Site $5,000.00 Improving grounds 1,000.00 $6,000.00 Building construction 19,250.81 Furniture 1,273.50 Books, pamphlets and periodicals 20,524.31 4,500.00 $31,024.31 Total Interior Western Colored Branch Books in the Libraries. The libraries contain 13,655 volumes; Western 10,554, Eastern 3,101, and receive 137 current periodicals and newspapers, all of which are for free use. New books are being added constantly and readers are urged to make suggestions for additions which they feel are needed and should be added to the library. Registration. Since the opening 8,958 persons have registered as borrowers and there are now 4,866 cards in force. This number however does not represent all who use the libraries. There are numerous readers daily using books at the tables and there are school room collections which are used by the school children. Circulation. Since the opening of the libraries 595,048 volumes have been drawn for home use. The following table of circulation by years is interesting: Year Volumes 1905- 06 1906- 07 1907- 08 1908- 09 1909- 10 1910- 11 1911- 12 1912- 13 1913- 14 1914- 15 17,838 30,419 35,910 50,386 58,870 65,175 73,462 72,222 85,995 104,771 Total 595,048 Interior Eastern Colored Branch Reference Work. A large amount of reference work is done with the pupils and teachers of high schools and graded schools. Since the opening of the libraries 27,968 persons have been assisted in reference work by the librarians. It is impossible to keep an accurate account of the questions asked and information given. Apprentice Class. The library conducts annually an apprentice class for those who desire to enter library service. An examination is held in June to enter a class which begins work in September. In preparing for service apprentices are given three month's work under the direction of the branch librarian, heads of departments and chief librarian. The course has been taken by twelve persons, four of whom came from other cities, Houston, Evans-ville, Memphis and Cincinnati, preparing for service in colored branches in these cities. Arrangements are being made to admit three young women from other cities to take the apprentice work with this year's class. Educational Center. Close co-operation with teachers is sought in work with the schools. The libraries not only help pupils during the school life but enable them to continue studies after leaving school. Story Hour Social Center. Aside from circulating books and doing reference work, the libraries encourage and assist in all efforts to the advancement of our citizens to a social betterment. The people are made to feel that the libraries belong to them and that they may be used for anything that makes for the public welfare. During a single month forty meetings have been held in the buildings. The following clubs and reading circles meet regularly: Artisan's Club Banneker Reading Circle Bena Mowya Club Big Sisters' Committee Douglass Debating Club Douglass Glee Club FiskClub Girls' Club Girls' Gymnastic Club I. K. B. Club Jefferson County Teachers' Institute Mu-So-Lit Reading Club Normal Alumni Normal School Gymnastic Class Parent Teachers' Association Story Hour Sunday School Training Class Wilberforce Club Y. W. C. A. Douglass Debating Club Meetings in the Libraries. The Story Hour is the children's delight and is held weekly under the direction of a trained storyteller. In addition to the pleasure that the stories give, new experiences are brought to the children, their imagination is enlarged and an interest is created in books and reading. A story telling contest is held annually and prizes are given to the children who can best reproduce a story told during the year. The Douglass Debating Club is composed of high school boys and meets weekly under the direction of the branch librarian. The purpose of the club is to acquaint its members with parliamentary usages, to keep before them the great current questions and to train them to speak in public. Public debates are given occasionally and a prize contest is held annually. Following are some of the subjects debated: "That the right of suffrage should be extended to women." "That the influence of women has contributed more to civilization than that of men." "That the North American Indian has had greater opportunity for development than the Afro-American." "That Lincoln was a greater American than Washington." "That the United States was justified in taking up arms against Mexico." "That Germany was justified in taking up arms against the Allies." "That the United States should interfere to stop the internal strife in Mexico." Popularity of the Library ■The following expressions are selected from letters written by patrons of the Colored Branches: 44 Next to the Public School, I regard the Public Library as the most important educational institution in the city for our people." W. B. Matthews, Principal Central Colored High School "The influence of the Public Library has been constantly and definitely noted in the elevation of the tastes and the enlargement of the capacities of our people." A. E. Mbyzbbk, Principal Colored Normal School 44Words cannot measure the benefits wo receive from our Library. It has given both old and young a new world to live in." Joseth S. Cotter, Principal S. Coleridge Taylor Colored Schoo "For information, the dissemination of intelligence and the consequent advancement of general culture for the colored people of Louisville, the Public Library outranks any other single agency." G. M. McClellan, Principal Paul Dunbar Colored School "The Public Library is the center for intellectual improvement and a positive force in the civic uplift for our people in Louisville." G. W. Jackson, Principal Lincoln Colored School "The Colored Branches are potent factors in making intelligent, cultured and useful citizens." Lucie N. DuValle, Principal Phyllis Wheatley Colored School 4 4We have found the Public Library exceedingly helpful alike to teachers and to pupils." William H. Perry, Principal Western Colored School "The Public Library gives educational advantages to the colored youth of the community which means a better citizenship." Bessie L. Allen, Probation Officer Juvenile Court. *4The tenth anniversary of the Colored Public Library we are ten years old in good thoughts and good books." D. Leroy Ferguson, Rector Church of Our Merciful Saviour 4'There are more colored people reading in Louisville now than in any time since the days of freedom. This opportunity has been given them by the Public Library." Rev. C. H. Parrish, President Kentucky Home Finding Society •4The Colored Branch Library in Louisville has been the harbinger of countless blessings to our colored citizens." Rev. Jesse B. Oolbebt, Presiding Elder A. M. E. Zion Church •'After ten years I can say that nothing has been instituted in our city in this same length of time which has meant as much for the general culture of our people as has the Public Library." C. B. Allen, Pastor Knox Presbyterian Church "No greater blessing has come to the colored people of Louisville in the form of an institution than the Public Library." E. G. Habbis, Pastor Plymouth Congregational Church "The Public Library has been of more value to the community than we can possibly express." Db. W. H. Sheppabd, Former Missionary to Africa "The Colored Library in Louisville as a public institution is not only profitable but indisponsable to our people." Db. P. R. Petebs, Editor The Colored Herald "The Library since its establishment has proven to be the most valuable asset of the community." Lee L. Bbown, Editor Louisville News "The two Colored Branch libraries have met a great need among our people in their general development." C. H. Bullock, Secretary Colored Y. M. O. A. "I have watched with interest the growth of the Public Library and its influence upon the people and I desire to state that it is in many ways exceedingly helpful and beneficial." Wm. H. Stewabd, President Louisville Negro Business Men's League " I regard the Public Library as incomparably the most important auxiliary in the city to the educational system for our people." Db. E. D. Whedbee, President Red Cross Association "The value of the Public Library as a factor in the race's uplift intellectually, morally and spiritually cannot be overestimated." J. R. Harvey, Pas'or Quinn's Chapel, A. M. E. Church "The Colored Branch Library has proven a decided advantage and an inspiration to the colored people of Louisville." W. J. Walls, Pastor Broadway A. M. E. Zion Church LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY board of trustees John H. Buschemeyer Bennett H. Young W. H. Bartholomew Louisville Trust Company President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Thomas A. Barker Edgar Y. Mullins Joshua D. Powers Charles R. Hemphill Edward J. O'Brien J. Morrison Ray Hardin H. Herr Philip Ossmann Edward L. Powell Wm. Thalheimer George T. Settle, Librarian COLORED BRANCHES Thomas F. Blue, Branch Librarian Elizabeth I. Finney Rachael D. Harris Jane J. Simpson Lillie S. Edwards Elnora McIntyre, Substitute Lizzie B. Evans, Substitute location and hours Western Colored Branch Eastern Colored Branch Tenth and Chestnut Streets Lampton and Hancock Streets Hours: Daily 10 a. m. to 9 p.m. Hours: 2 to 9 p.m. daily includ-Sundays and holidays 2 to 9 p.m. ing Sundays and holidays Libraries closed all day Fourth of July and Christmas