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Title: Colored Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library
Author: Library, Louisville Free Public
Language: English
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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
When you see a book think of the
Public Library
SUMMARY OF WORK
in the
COLORED BRANCHES
of the
LOUISVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
For Fiscal Year Ending August 31, 1916
Western Eastern TOTAL
Colored Colored
Branch Branch
Circulation--adult 17 821 9 289 27 110
juvenile 18 597 18 282 36 879
------ ------ ------
36 418 27 571 63 989
Class room collections 37 303
Stations 3 841
--------
Total circulation through all agencies 105 133
Borrowers registered 632 270 902
Cards in force 4 025 1 298 5 323
Borrowers registered since opening 8 254 1 298 9 552
Reference topics looked up 3 493 1 484 4 977
Persons assisted in reference work
since opening 29 501 3 476 32 977
Pictures loaned 1 942 805 2 747
Books added 1 484 875 2 359
Total books in library 11 269 3 850 15 119
Current periodicals and newspapers received 142
Meetings held in libraries during the year 498
Attendance at meetings 11 628
Following clubs meet regularly in the buildings:
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
Jefferson County Teachers Association
Ministerial Alliance
Parent-Teachers Association
Girls Club
Mothers Congress
Story hour
[Illustration: 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, 69 by 120 feet, at Tenth and
Chestnut Streets. On this site was erected a Carnegie building which
was occupied: October 29, 1908.
[Illustration: 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 the 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 $4,228.68
----------
Building construction 30,935.33
Furniture 1,746.63 32,681.96
----------
Books, pamphlets and periodicals 10,500.00
----------
Total $47,410.64
[Illustration: 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 “L” 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 20,524.31
----------
Books, pamphlets and periodicals 4,500.00
----------
Total $31,024.31
[Illustration: 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 17,838
1906-07 30,419
1907-08 35,910
1908-09 50,386
1909-10 58,870
1910-11 65,175
1911-12 73,462
1912-13 72,222
1913-14 85,995
1914-15 104,771
--------
Total 595,048
[Illustration: 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 months’ 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, Evansville, 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.
[Illustration: 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
Fisk Club
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.
[Illustration: 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:
“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. MEYZEEK, _Principal_
Colored Normal School
“Words cannot measure the benefits we receive from our Library. It
has given both old and young a new world to live in.”
JOSEPH S. COTTER, _Principal_
S. Coleridge Taylor Colored School
“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
“We 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
“The 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
“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
“The Colored Branch Library in Louisville has been the harbinger of
countless blessings to our colored citizens.”
REV. JESSE B. COLBERT, _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. HARRIS, _Pastor_
Plymouth Congregational Church
“The Public Library has been of more value to the community than we
can possibly express.”
DR. W. H. SHEPPARD,
Former Missionary to Africa
“The Colored Library in Louisville as a public institution is not
only profitable but indispensable to our people.”
DR. P. R. PETERS, _Editor_
The Colored Herald
“The Library since its establishment has proven to be the most
valuable asset of the community.”
LEE L. BROWN, _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. C. 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. STEWARD, _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.”
DR. 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, _Pastor_
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 President
BENNETT H. YOUNG Vice President
W. H. BARTHOLOMEW Secretary
LOUISVILLE TRUST COMPANY Treasurer
THOMAS A. BARKER
CHARLES R. HEMPHILL
HARDIN H. HERR
EDGAR Y. MULLINS
EDWARD J. O’BRIEN
PHILIP OSSMANN
EDWARD L. POWELL
JOSHUA D. POWERS
J. MORRISON RAY
WM. THALHEIMER
GEORGE T. SETTLE, Librarian
COLORED BRANCHES
THOMAS F. BLUE, Branch Librarian
ELIZABETH I. FINNEY
JANE J. SIMPSON
RACHAEL D. HARRIS
LILLIE S. EDWARDS
ELNORA MCINTYRE, Substitute
LIZZIE B. EVANS, Substitute
LOCATION AND HOURS
WESTERN COLORED BRANCH
Tenth and Chestnut Streets
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays and holidays 2 to 9 p.m.
EASTERN COLORED BRANCH
Lampton and Hancock Streets
Hours: 2 to 9 p.m. daily including
Sundays and holidays
Libraries closed all day Fourth of July and Christmas
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