Thursday, December 18, 2008

Library, RANGELEY LAKE MAINE

The Library building was dedicated on August 12, 1909. [SOURCE: History]

[LIB1926]

1905 The Library of Columbia University NEW YORK CITY

[LIB1925]

Published by Souvenir Post Card Co. New York. Printed in Germany.

Baker Memorial Library, Dartmouth College, NH

"Baker Memorial Library at Dartmouth College is one of the most noteworthy architectural works in New Hampshire. The design of the building suggests Independence Hall in Philadelphia combined with the graceful spire characteristic of early New Hampshire churches."

Dartmouth College Library

1928 - Baker Library opens. Designed by Jens Frederick Larson, the building is funded by a gift of George Fisher Baker and named in memory of his uncle, Fisher Ames Baker, Class of 1859. The collection numbers 240,000 volumes; the building will accommodate 500,000 volumes. The move from Wilson Hall, and from storage in the basement of New Hampshire Hall, is accomplished at the rate of 15,000 volumes per day. [SOURCE: History of the Dartmouth College Library] [Wikipedia Article]

The James Blackstone Memorial Library, Branford, Connecticut

The James Blackstone Memorial Library was given to Branford by Timothy B. Blackstone in memory of his father, who was born in Branford in 1793.

Architect Solon S. Beman of Chicago, in making plans for the building, chose the Ionic columns in the portico, the marble doorways, and the egg and dart molding in evidence everywhere, which are taken from the Erechtheum on the Acropolis in Athens. For additional information on the building itself, read "Description of Branford Library Building" written by the architect and an article on the library's bronze doors. [SOURCE: The History of the James Blackstone Memorial Library]

There is a great collection of postcards and photos of this library that have been posted by the library staff. Some wonderful shots of interior details. If you are interested in library architecture, excellent material. You can view the collection on Fickr click here. Thanks to
Jason Neely, Reference Librarian
James Blackstone Memorial Library

[LIB1923]


1906 Public Library, NEWARK NJ

Newark Public Library


Detail of the entrance to the library.

[LIB1922]

Ciudad Universitaria Biblioteca MEXICO

[LIB1921]

Muldrow Ccoper Library, Clemson University SC

"The multi-million-dollar library is located in the geographical center of the campus and is the academic heart of the university. Completed in 1966, the facility houses the James F. Byrnes collection, the South Carolina collections, and over 3,000 rare books and documents. The library honors the late Robert M. Cooper, who served as president of the Clemson Board of Trustees."

Clemson Libraries

[LIB1920]

Thursday, December 11, 2008

1907 Library Soldiers Home SANDUSKY OHIO

Published by A. Spies.

[LIB1918]







The Jones Library, AMHERST MA

" This library, made possible by the benefaction of Samuel Minot Jones, is located at the center and is easy of access to the visitor. Its collection of the works of Robert Frost is one of the most complete in the country and its Emily Dickinson collection is also outstanding."

[LIB1917]

1958 Library MILWAUKEE WI

View from the Court of Honor looking east on Wisconsin Ave., showing the Library and Museum Building in the foreground.

[LIB1916]

Library of the New Britain Institute NEW BRITAIN CT

Published by H.C. Leighton Co., Portland Maine, original vintage postcard c1905 printed in Germany. No. 869.

[LIB1915]

Available as an 8x10 print!

Friday, December 5, 2008

1906 Public Library JOLIET ILLINOIS


Published by Raphael Tuck & Sons' Post Card Series no. 2246

[LIB1914]

The Joliet Public Library had its beginnings in 1876 with 750 volumes in its collection. Donations came from the Historical Society of Will County and the Joliet Literary and Musical Society. The collection contained a careful selection of the best of the literature then available in English. It included 76 volumes of history, 115 fiction titles, 96 volumes of biography, and a representation of the arts, classics, sciences, and religion.

Today, the main body of the collection -- which includes over 300,000 books and 400 magazine subscriptions -- is housed in the historical 1903 Daniel H. Burnham-designed building in the heart of Joliet City Center. In the past, this building not only provided Library facilities for the City, but also, from time-to-time, housed the City's Municipal Offices, the Joliet School Board, and the Prairie Area Library System (formerly Heritage Trail). In 1991, architects skillfully blended old with new to add on a 49,000 square-foot addition that more than doubled the size of the Library that now takes up half a city block. [SOURCE]

1945 Free Library CHELMSFORD ENGLAND UK

Shows a U.S. Army postmark. Published by The Photochrom Co., London and Tunbridge Wells, England.

[LIB1913]

1930 Harrison Memorial Library CARMEL CA



"You should see the inside of this library." From Mother

The Harrison Memorial Library on Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Street was designed by Maybeck and built by M.J. Murphy under Maybeck's supervision in 1928. Charles Greene also submitted a proposed design for the library. Maybeck's design reflects the character of the California Mission style so dominant in this region. There are a few images of the exterior of the Harrison Memorial Library here. [SOURCE]



[LIB1912]






A contemporary view.


Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The Library, Union College, SCHENECTADY NY

Since its founding in 1795, the Union College library has been housed in various places on campus. Throughout the nineteenth century, its resources were supplemented by those of a number of College literary societies, whose materials were eventually were incorporated into the general library collection. From 1903 until 1961 when the current building was completed, the central library was located in the Nott Memorial. In the summer of 1961, the books were transferred to what is now known as Schaffer Library. The building has recently been transformed with the completion of a major expansion and renovation project. [SOURCE] [LIB1912] Union College Website

A beautiful night photograph taken by vanstermonster,
found on FLICKR. [SOURCE]




Ridgway Library, PHILADELPHIA PA

Built in 1878 as the fourth home of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Ridgway Library was the last great example of Greek Revival architecture in the country. The structure, designed by Addison Hutton, is listed on the City of Philadelphia Historic Commission’s Register of Historic Places. For more than twenty years, the Ridgway was vacant, except for a city recreation center located in the basement. [SOURCE PDF] [LIB1911]

Carnegie Library, GUTHRIE OKLAHOMA

A very nice white-border card published by E.C. Kropp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Guthrie Public Library Website

[LIB1910]

A more "modern" view of the library.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

1908 New Public Library GREELEY COLORADO

Addressed to Miss Isabelle Hamilton, Cripple Creek, Colorado.

[LIB1909]

Monday, December 1, 2008

Main Library Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, SAN SIMEON CA

View of the South end of The Main Library in La Casa Grande. Exquisite works of art are displayed along walls and shelves of the ornate cabinets. The ceiling is from a 16th century Spanish castle.

[LIB1908]

1906 Vassar Library, POUGHKEEPSIE NY

[LIB1907]

1966 Buffalo and Erie County Public Library BUFFALO NY

Located on Lafayette Square, with Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the foreground.

[LIB1906]

1912 Public Library MADISON WISCONSIN

[LIB1905]




1923 Public Library, OGUNQUIT MAINE

[LIB1904]





Bixby Memorial Library, FRANCESTOWN NH

The village of Francestown is a rural community located in the beautiful Monadnock Region of southern New Hampshire. Established in 1772, the population (as of the 2000 census) is 1,480. [SOURCE]

[LIB/HR0071]

This item is available for purchase as an 8X10 premium postcard print. Click here!

Memorial Library, Rockland, Massachusetts

[LIB0077]

Made in Germany for J. J. Estes, druggist, Rockland Massachusetts.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

City Library, STOCKTON CALIFORNIA

Renamed Cesar Chavez Central Library.

[LIB1903]

1906 Carnegie Library, GREEN BAY WISCONSIN

[LIB1902]

Entrance Arches, Boston Public Library MA

This 'Phostint' card published by Detroit Publishing shows the Bela L. Pratt bronze statues of "Art and Science."

[LIB1901]

Carnegie Library, SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA

On Wednesday, April 23, 1902, California's first Carnegie library opened in San Diego. It was a beautiful building and an outstanding example of the Classical Revival style. [SOURCE]
[LIB1900]

Public Library, LAKELAND FLORIDA



A view of the library on a "linen" type card popular in the 1940s.

Public Library, MILAN OHIO

A c1960s view of the public library, the "first small Carnegie library." Located on the south side of the Village Square, Ohio Rte. 113. Published by the Milan Ledger.


A recent view of the Library, from the website of the Milan-Berlin Township Public Library.
[LIB1898]

Monday, November 17, 2008

1960 Mason Library GREAT BARRINGTON MA

Great Barrington Public Libraries Website
View from a postcard postmarked at Sandisfield MA on 9 August 1960.

[LIB1896]

A contemporary image from the Great Barrington Public Libraries website.