1910 Library, Waterville, Maine

A real photo post card.

Waterville Public Library Website

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1909 Davenport Free Library BATH NY

The Bath Library Association was first formed in 1869 by Guy H. McMaster, Reuben E. Robie, William B. Ruggles, Charles F. Kingsley, Robert S. May, Samuel P. Seeley, Augustus F. Barnes, William E. Bonham, Jacob W. Velie, James W. Black, A. J. McCall, William W. Allen, William E. Bonhan and John F. Little.

The facility was opened in the court house in 1870. The reading material consisted of 394 books, of which 63 were donated. Then during a time of financial difficulty, the “Relief of the Bath Library” act was passed in the State legislature. Monies collected by the town and village board through fines and penalties for violation of laws were designated for library use. These funds were used to purchase additional reading material.

The lot on which both the old and new library buildings are now situated was purchased by John Magee in 1828. Mr. Magee cleared the property and build a large brick house for his family. It was surrounded by spacious lawns and gardens. The point where the fountain is located was at the time occupied by a blacksmith shop. [SOURCE] [LIB01726]

1917 Public Library, Adams, Massachusetts

The Adams Free Library, located on Park Street at McKinley Square, was built in 1897 as a Civil War Memorial. Its cornerstone was laid by President William McKinley, who also placed a time capsule under it, containing items of the day. [SOURCE]

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c1920's The Lithgow Library, AUGUSTA ME

The Lithgow Public Library was completed in 1896, with stained glass windows produced by Phipps, Slocum and Co. of Boston. Six of the transom windows portray historic sites of Augusta: Plymouth Trading House, Fort Western, Town Meeting House, Kennebec Bridge, South Parish Meeting House, and Cony Female Academy. The remaining 32 windows depict the marks of printers who flourished during the 15th-17th centuries. [SOURCE] [LIB1699]

1979 Merle Kelce Library, University of TAMPA FL

"Main facade of the library shows modified Moorish motif that compliments the distinctive architecture of Henry B. Plant Hall."

The University of Tampa's library opened Oct. 19, 1969, and was originally named in honor of the late St. Louis industrialist, Merl Kelce, whose donation made the construction possible. It was re-named the Macdonald-Kelce Library in 1999 because of the generosity of the Macdonald Family Foundation whose contribution will transform the facility into a state-of-the-art information resource center. The Macdonald-Kelce Library is part of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium. [SOURCE]

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Library, Wilson Castle, Proctor VT

"Library showing original furniture, hand painted ceilings, Tiffany gas lighting fixtures."

From the 1880’s until 1939, the castle was bought & sold 4 times. In 1939, a radio engineer named Herbert Lee Wilson, came to Vermont. He was a pioneer in the AM radio field and built radio stations all over the world. He was looking for a new location to build another station and a summer home for his family. He bought the castle & installed radio station WEWE in the old stable, which remains in operation. [SOURCE] [LIB1671]

Fountain, Congressional Library, WASHINGTON DC

Library of Congress: Court of Neptune Fountain in Washington, D.C.by Roland Hinton Perry, Edward Pierce Casey, J L Smithmeyer, Paul J Pelz. Bronze, Granite by Roland Hinton Perry (Sculptor), Edward Pierce Casey, J L Smithmeyer (Architect), Paul J Pelz (Architect). [SOURCE]

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First Day of Issue: Library of Congress 1982

"A national treasure filled with the spiritual and traditional wealth of our nation."

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Catalog Room, Entrance to reading Room, NEW YORK Public Library

"A good Booke is the precious life blood of a master spirit, imbalm'd and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life."

Photograph by Scott McKiernan, 1986

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1937 Library, Illinois State Normal University NORMAL IL

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Amazon item: Stereoview (L): Fell Gate and buildings of the Illinois State Normal University Normal Ill.

2008 Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy MA

"Libraries... those temples of learning, those granite-and-marble monuments..." Susan Allen Toth

This card was sent by one of my postcrossing friends, Bonnie from Pittsburgh. Thanks Bonnie!

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Public Library, LONG BEACH CA

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The Long Beach Public Library traces it beginning to 1895 when a library was named for Mrs. Garland Ferguson, who donated 250 books to help start it. [SOURCE]

Don L. Love Memorial Library, University of Nebraska, LINCOLN NE

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The Don L. Love Memorial Library is the main library in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln library system. Located on the southern edge of City Campus, it is bounded by two lovely botanical areas, Love Garden and Cather Garden. [SOURCE]

Public Library, VENTURA CA

Manufactured by Longshaw Card Co., Los Angeles CA - Send this postcard!

[CA1561]

1909 Public Library, INDIANAPOLIS IN

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This post card was posted on 30 October 1909.

The Cret Building, located on St. Clair Street and extending from Meridian to Pennsylvania Streets, was built on land donated by James Whitcomb Riley. The construction was completed in October, 1917.

Designed by Paul Cret and built in the Greek Doric style, it was considered architecturally to be one of the most outstanding library structures in the United States. The exterior is fittingly of Indiana limestone built on a base of Vermont marble, with carved stone cornices adding to its beauty. A broad expanse of steps leads up to the entrance, which is framed with impressive Greek columns. [SOURCE]

Public Library, NEW BEDFORD MA

This line card also shows the Whaleman's Statue.

The main library has significant historical holdings including the third largest collection worldwide of American Whaling materials, early 19th century Quaker materials, and an extensive genealogy collection.

[LIB1554] Send this postcard!

Clements Library, University of Michigan, ANN ARBOR MI

"The Clements Library was a gift to the University from Regents Clements. It houses the finest collection of books and manuscripts on American History in the World."

Located on the central campus of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the William L. Clements Library houses original resources for the study of American history and culture from the fifteenth to the early twentieth century. Its mission is to collect and preserve primary source materials, to make them available for research, and to create an environment that supports and encourages scholarly investigation of our nation's past. [SOURCE]

In 1922, noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn (1869-1942) designed the Clements Library in the Italian Renaissance style, based on Vignola's casino for the Villa Farnese, ca.1587, in Caprarola, Italy. [SOURCE]

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Goshen Memorial Library, GOSHEN NY

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Website for the Goshen Public Library

Roswell P Flower Memorial Library WATERTOWN NY

"The structure is in the Grecian style of architecture, having many Roman features adapted to modern requirements. It is massive and dignified, and characteristic of the man in whose memory it is built, and whose generosity can never be forgotten by the citizens of Watertown. The work has been developed under the watchful care of Mr. A. F. Lansing, who added to professional enthusiasm the interest of a private citizen. Mr. Lansing is a resident of Watertown, one whose family has been identified with the development of the city, to which development this generous donation of Mrs. Taylor contributes the most important civic example." [SOURCE]
Send a VINTAGE POSTCARD from WATERTOWN NY Library!
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1911 Historical Library Building, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

"The 1883 Michigan Library, which came down during World War I to make way for the present General Library at Ann Arbor, had certain resemblances to the red brick Gothic Memorial Hall at Harvard, which Van Brunt designed. The great stone library at Cornell, with its separate tower, long the focus of alumni nostalgia "far above Cayuga's waters," was designed by a local architect named Miller and reflected the influence of the well-known American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who derived much of the inspiration for his style from early Romanesque. But when the time arrived for the erection of a library for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, the influence of the much-admired architecture of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago was in the ascendant, and the straight lines of the classic orders, with flat roofs, domes, and colonnades were the order of the day for every large public building then contemplated." [SOURCE]
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Wisconsin State Historical Library Building. Memorial Volume, 1901. Exercises, Description, Accounts, Brief History etc.

1912 The Public Library, LEOMINSTER MA

In 1763, a Social Library began. The interest was keen as approximately 100 books were collected from a population of only 743. The pleasure of books and conversation being among the few entertainments of the time, many different organizations sprouted across the community. In 1848 all these societies came together to form the Public Library. Money to build the facility was raised by the women of Leominster, and the first librarian, Francis Tinker, was appointed in 1856. [SOURCE]

Website for the Leominster Public Library
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Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Library, HYDE PARK NY

Very nice undated black & white real photo post card. Numbered R-3.

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1913 North Terraced Entrance, State Historical Library, U of W, MADISON WI

Published by A. Bishop, Racine, Wisconson, card no. A621.

Wisconsin Historical Society website.

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Public Library, MILFORD CT

February 1, 1639, is the date the area then known as "Wepawaug" was purchased from Ansantawae, chief sachem of the Paugusset Tribe. Settlers began arriving shortly thereafter and began to build the town known as Milford. [SOURCE]

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Presidential Libraries: Lyndon B. Johnson 2005

This is an August 4th 2005 first day of issue with a Presidential Libraries stamp honoring the Presidential Library of Lyndon B. Johnson.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Postal Service honored our Presidential Libraries with a commemorative postage stamp to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955. “The U.S. Postal Service is proud to conduct these First-Day-of-Issue dedication ceremonies at all of the nation's Presidential Libraries and Museums. These are truly national treasures,” said Postmaster General John E. Potter. “The new stamp will help honor the libraries' unique role in preserving and extending access to Presidential materials while recounting the lives and times of many of our nation's Presidents.” [SOURCE]

1937 Public Library, LYNN MA

A wonderful vintage "linen" post card published by Curt Teich, no. 5A-H456.
[LIB01372] Send this postcard!

In 1815 a "Social Library" formed, that was then chartered by the Legislature in 1818. In 1819 the collection totalled an overwhelming 205 volumes, which were transferred to the Natural History Society in 1850. In 1855 the Library Association took over the books and incorporated 2000 volumes. On April 14, 1862, the volumes were transferred to the city for a Free Public Library. And August 20, 1862, an ordinance was passed for the establishment of the Library, which was located at the corner of Market and Tremont Streets. [SOURCE]

1912 Public Library, LAWRENCE MA

A lovely early 20th century vintage post card.

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Send this postcard!

Free Library, RUTLAND VERMONT VT

Published for Edward Wells, Dumont, NJ by the Collotype Co., Elizabeth NJ and NY

Rutland Library Website

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General 1929 Washington's Library Chair, MOUNT VERNON VA

"This chair was General Washington's Library Chair at Mount Vernon and was presented by him to Alexandria Lodge when he was made Master of the Lodge at its institution in 1788 and was in constant use for the ensuing 118 years. Now kept in a glass case, and used only on special occasions."

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Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, West Branch, Iowa

A Mike Roberts Color chrome postcard, c1960's.

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1959 Public Library, Oelwein, Iowa

In 1909, a library association was formed in Oelwein with $1.00 memberships. In 1911, the Free Public Library of Oelwein was formed when the city took over ownership and Mayor J.F. Cole appointed a board of trustees. The library was open on the second floor of city hall, six days a week from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Miss Pearl Schneider was the first librarian at a salary of $30 per month. [SOURCE] [LIB0016]

1903 Newberry Library, CHICAGO IL

The Library was founded as a public library by a bequest of Walter Loomis Newberry, a businessman and prominent citizen, who had been an active book collector, founder of the Young Men's Library Association, and president of the Chicago Historical Society before his death in 1868. When he drew up his will, Mr. Newberry created a codicil should his daughters die without issue. Since Chicago had no public library at the time, he determined that in such an instance a public library should be established in the northern section of the city. [SOURCE] [LIB0003]

The Free Public Library, TRENTON NJ

The main branch of the Trenton Public Library is home to Trentoniana, an enormous local history and genealogy collection. Trentoniana's holdings include photographs, manuscripts, scrapbooks, trade cards, postcards, diaries and maps that help researchers explore the rich history of Trenton, New Jersey.
Trentoniana's collection includes the most extensive representation of Trenton histories, books, monographs, serials, scrapbooks, periodicals, pamphlets, etc. A significant portion of this collection consists of local newspapers (most on microfilm) printed in Trenton from 1777 to the present. Several indexes to parts of the collection are available. [SOURCE]
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Copley Square, Showing Public Library, BOSTON MA

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"This is architecturally considered one of the finest municipal squares in the country, if not in the world. The Copley Plaza Hotel is and has been for twenty years New England's distinctive society hotel. The Boston Public Library is designed after the style of the Italian Renaissance and the interior is of such great beauty that visitors come from all parts of the world to admire it."

1906 Congressional Library, WASHINGTON DC

A very nice 100+ year-old vintage postcard published by I. Stern, no. 509. This post card is addressed to J. Stanley Davis, Sea Girt, New Jersey.

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The Library of Congress is much more than books. Over the years, the Library has recorded and compiled many field recordings.

Library, The Historical Society of York County, YORK PA

This chrome post card shows the museum and library located at 250 East Market Street. "Built in 1959, the building houses a museum, library, and meeting hall."

The Library offers one of the region's best genealogical research facilities. The many documents, books and photographs unlock the past for researchers.

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Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, HYDE PARK, NY

"The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library was erected to keep the vast number of papers and records of President Roosevelt together and to exhibit the gifts presented to him."

Built by Philadelphia contractor John McShain, the facility was constructed on 16 acres (65,000 m²) of land in Hyde Park, New York, donated by the President and his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt. The library resulted from the President's decision that a separate facility was needed to house the vast quantity of historical papers, books, and memorabilia he had accumulated during a lifetime of public service and private collecting. [SOURCE: Wikipedia]

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1977 Trinity College Library, CAMBRIDGE UK

"The interior of the library, 1676-95, by Sir Christopher Wren."

Sir Christopher Wren (20 October 1632 – 25 February 1723) was a 17th century English designer, astronomer, geometer, and one of the greatest English architects of his time. Wren designed 53 London churches, including St Paul's Cathedral, as well as many secular buildings of note. He was a founder of the Royal Society (president 1680–82), and his scientific work was highly regarded by Sir Isaac Newton and Blaise Pascal. [Wikipedia]

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