TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Historical/Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Arrangement

Administrative Information

Access Points

Guide to the Queens Borough Public Library Records
1858-1952
Control # Q-1

Finding Aid prepared by: Falco, Nicholas

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770

Historical/Biographical Note

The Queens Borough Public Library presently consists of a Central Building located on Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, and some sixty branches throughout Queens. As the name implies, this Library System serves the Borough of Queens and is one of three systems which serve New York City, the other two being the New York Public Library System serving the Boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, and Staten Island, and the Brooklyn Public Library System serving the Borough of Brooklyn.

Officially, the present Queens Borough Public Library can be traced back to the closing decade of the nineteenth century when the Long Island City Public Library was formed -the first public library to be formed in what is now the Borough of Queens. Intellectually, and in other similar aspects, the Library can, no doubt, look back for its roots to various small clubs and organizations such as the Everett Debating Society which, among other topics, discussed the possibility of forming a public library for Jamaica Village. Formation of public libraries, presence of intellectual men in the community and other factors played their role in Queens as, indeed, these same forces played their roles throughout most communities in the United States.

The Long Island City Public Library was officially charted by the New York State Board of Regents on March 19, 1896. At about the same time, the germs for further public libraries were gradually beginning to spread. In 1897, the famous piano manufacturing concern of Steinway and sons donated their library which they maintained for their employees to the Long Island City Public Library and the Steinway Branch was formed. During this period, political changes were occurring throughout the New York City area changes which were to witness the consolidation of individual towns and villages (such as Long Island City) into one political unit, namely, New York City consisting of the present five boroughs. And so it was that on January 1, 1898, Long Island City ceased to be a municipality and became part of the Borough of Queens. Thus, the Long Island City Public Library could theoretically at least, offer library service to the whole borough. It was felt necessary to reflect this change in a more appropriate name and in a new charter, and so, on July 3, 1899, the Board of Trustees of the library partitioned the Board of Regents of the State of New York to change the library’s name from Long Island City Public Library to the Public Library of the Borough of Queens. Accordingly, a new charter was granted on December 21, 1899 under the name, Queens Borough Library. On April 17, 1907, (See Annual Report of the Library) by act of the State Legislature, this library became an Independent corporation known as The Queens Borough Public Library.

As these events were taking place, a number of libraries which had begun under private auspices soon began to see the advantages (such as guaranteed public monies) of consolidating with the newly formed Queens System and becoming branches of it. Thus, for example, the heretofore independent libraries located at Hollis and Queens Village became affiliated with the Queens System as branches. Truly then did the Queens Borough Library begin to fulfill the role suggested by its name. By 1910, there was hardly any major area in the borough which did not have a branch library of its own. Below is a brief recapitulation showing the dates at which various branches were opened by the system.

By the time the Long Island City Public Library had been re-charted as the Queens Borough Library (Dec 21, 1899), it itself had two branches, the Steinway and Astoria branches and even a sub-branch, the Astral branch. It should also be borne in mind that many of the earlier branches were, as indicated previously, originally under private auspices and private control.

The following also includes the creators sketches of libraries documented in these records.

The Flushing Library Association was organized and incorporated in 1858 by several leading individuals of the town of Flushing such as Edward L. Murray and Bradford Prince. The library which the Association provided was open to all members who paid a small annual fee. Volunteer librarians comprised the staff during these early years. In 1884, the president of the Association, Mr. William Elliman, called a meeting of the Association's Board of Directors and Trustees at which it was decided to transfer the books in the Library to the Boys Club of Flushing upon the condition that the library be open to the general public. The move proved successful and eventually a larger building was purchased. In 1899, Miss Louise G. Hinsdale, a trained librarian was placed in charge of the library. During this period, the library experienced many of the vagaries of similar privately run libraries, especially the lack of adequate financial resources. In 1902 the inevitable occurred. The library which the Association had operated was taken over by the Queens Borough Library System and became known as the Flushing Branch. The Association itself continued for several more years, however, until it too passed away from the scene.

The Steinway Free Circulating Library was organized through the efforts of the great piano manufacturing firm of Steinway and Sons located in Long Island City. The Library opened its doors to the public on January 2, 1890 with a collection of some 100 books. By 1892, due almost exclusively to donations by Mr. William Steinway, the library had grown to the point where there were some 3500 volumes in the collection. A good portion of these books were in the German language since many of the users of the were of German origin. The first librarian at the Steinway Library was Mrs. VonPoser. She made it a practice to insist that all persons entering the library sign a Visitors' Registration, a practice which may have originated early but then discontinued. During the early part of 1892 the library was moved to larger quarters.

In July of 1897 the Steinway Firm entered into negotiations with the Long Island City Public Library to turn their library over to the latter organization and thus become a public library receiving public funds. This was duly done and the Steinway Library then became a branch of the Long Island City Public Library. About this time, Miss Jesse Hume was appointed librarian. In 1899 the Long Island City Public Library was changed to the Public Library of the Borough of Queens; Steinway, of course, continued on as a branch of the Queens System. A few of the records herein described reflect on the period when the library had passed into the Queens System, that is, they post date 1897.

The Hollis Subscription Library was organized in 1896 and was supported by voluntary contributions. Among the early trustees were A.S. Plimpton and William Nagel. In the summer of 1897, the trustees applied to the University of the State of New York for a charter of incorporation as an institution of the University, and this charter was duly granted. In keeping with the trend of similar small libraries in Queens which were begun under private auspices, the Hollis Library on January 1, 1901 became a branch of the Queens Borough Public Library System. A few of the records herein described reflect on the period when the library had passed Into control of the Queens System, that is, they post date 1901.

The Far Rockaway Branch opened its doors to the public on August 19, 1904. Unlike such Branches as Flushing or Hollis, for example, which originally had come about as libraries chartered through the efforts of private individuals, and then merged into the Queens System, the Far Rockaway library never experienced such a beginning. From its inception, it was a branch of the Queens Borough Public Library.

The records in Central Library Records are those which reflect not on one particular branch of the Queens System, or on a small library privately organized at first and then later joined to Queens, but rather they reflect on and are the records of the Queens System during its early period when it was just starting to assume the stance of a large library system. A very minor amount of these records belong to the period near the turn of the century when the Queens System was still known as the Long Island City Public Library. It should be pointed out that the term "Central Library Records" is rather a broad one. The term is used, however, simply because of the lack of any appreciable quantity of records from any one department. Nevertheless, the following different divisions or departments, may be distinguished: Board of Trustees, Chief Librarian's Office, Accounting or Financial Department. A miscellaneous section has also been included.

It should be noted that the original charter and amended charter are found in the Miscellaneous Records—Non Textual Sub-Group. Typed copies of these two charters have been placed in Board of Trustees-General Correspondence File.

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Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of material composed primarily of bound volumes of one type or another, such as scrapbooks and accession books. Though it is a comparatively small collection, it is an interesting and important one in that it sheds some light on the early history of the beginnings of the public library movement in the New York City area.

The reader is reminded that there are many non-manuscript items in the Long Island History Division which reflect upon the history of the Queens Borough Public Library. These books may be located through the card catalog.

Because the records in this Sub-Group are not too voluminous and do not portray the activities of any single branch or division to any great depth, they have been gathered together herein and arranged according to type of record as follows.

Letter-Press Books These Letter-press books consist of copies of letters or other correspondence sent out. Only on very rare occasions will correspondence received be inserted in any of these volumes. As a copy of a letter was made, it was inserted into the letter book. Therefore, with very few exceptions, these letters are arranged in chronological order. Many of the letters are rather difficult to read in that they are faded due to the type of paper on which they were written.

Some of the letter books are quite full, others less so. For example, the letter book for the Seaside Branch contains about 600 letters. Most of the letters in these volumes were written by the branch librarian, with an occasional one written by an assistant. In the main, they are addressed to the Chief Librarian. Occasionally, some are written to fellow branch librarians or to patrons of the branch. These latter usually deal with such matters as over due books or book donations to the branch. On rarer occasions, correspondence is addressed to others, for instance, to the Department of Health regarding books which have been "exposed to contagious diseases”. All volumes have a name index.

Below follows a listing of the branches for which we have letter books: Bayside Branch: Jul 27, 1906-Sep 29, 1919, Broadway Branch: Jul 30, 1906-Aug 20, 1913, Jamaica Branch: Jan 15, 1903-Oct 28, 1916, Queens-Hollis Branch: May 26, 1906-Apr, 1920, Seaside Branch: Jul 10, 190S-Jul 23, 1919.

Accession Books An accession book primarily, is a book in which is kept the official record of each volume added to a library. Depending on such factors as the size of a library, for example, some accessions books are more detailed than others. Though the term as it was generally used in the profession did not come into use until sometime in the late 19th century, it may be said that any listing or any book in which were recorded new acquisitions to a library were, in reality, accession books though perhaps, never called such.

Accession books in the Queens Borough Public Library System, as well as in most other large systems, gradually went out of use sometime during the late 1920s. As library collections grew in size and complexity, the usefulness of these books became limited. Much of the information recorded in them (publisher, name, for instance) gradually began to be placed on the, heretofore, simple and uncomplicated catalog card. Also, the shelf list record, another tool developed by librarians gradually took the place of the accession book.

The accession books in this series have the following labeled columns in them: Number, Author; Title; Place and Publisher: Year: Pages: Size; Binding; Source; Cost; Class; Book; Volume: Remarks. As a volume was received into a library, it was given an accession number and entered into the accession book. All entries therefore are arranged in numerical order, and since a given number of books were accessioned at any one time, it can also be said, then, that the accession book is arranged in chronological order.

Some librarians made fuller use of the Accession Book than others and it will be noted that in some books virtually all columns have been utilized, while in others, such columns as Year of Publication, Number of pages and others have not been filled in. A typical page in which all columns have been filled in and utilized would read as follows: Number -1487 (entered Feb 23, 1902), Author -F. Starr, Title -American Indians, Place and Publisher -Boston-Heath Co., Year -1901, Pages -242, Size -D (17.5 -20 centimeters), Binding -cl (cloth, muslin), Source -Baker and Taylor -45cents, Cost -40 cents (After discount), Class -j970.1, Book -S79 (actually part of the class or coll number of the volume involved), Vol. - (usually used only if a certain title consisted of a set of 2 volumes or more), Remarks -Mar 25 “ W. No 2094 (probably used in this instance to indicate date in which book was withdrawn from library. Remark column was meant to indicate any re-binding sale, loss, exchange, withdrawal or any change or disposition.)

As mentioned previously very few entries were as complete as the above. Astoria, 4 volumes, #5001-#21188, (Oct 17, 1904-May 25, 1915), Broadway, 1 volume, #5000, (May 9, 1906­Aug 20, 1909), Corona 2 volumes, -#6363, (Feb 16, 1911­May 25, 1915), Jamaica, 4 volumes, -#1-#20000, (Jun 1, 1906­ca. Jan, 1923), Ozone Park 2 volumes, -#1-#2000, (Aug 15, 1900­Dec, 1902), Poppenhusen 3 volumes, -#1-#15000, (Jun 1903­May 17, 1915), Queens Village 2 volumes, -#5609, (Feb 27, 1901­May 29, 1915), Seaside, 2 volumes, -#9358. (Jan 8, 1908-May 29, 1915), Whitestone, 2 volumes, -#5947, (May 23, 1907­May 23, 1915)

Scrapbooks were maintained by various divisions within the Central Building usually as a means of recording some of the activities in which these divisions performed. Though most of these volumes are not labeled as to the office or division which compiled them or as to specific activity they were meant to portray, their contents usually make this obvious. Whenever, this is the case, we have indicated the pertinent or likely division or office. A few scrapbooks deal with the Queens Library generally. The following 16 volumes are available:

General Scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering all aspects of the Queens Library System. Clippings are from various newspapers and are dated 1929-1930. Besides clippings, this scrapbook also contains a copy of the invitation to dedication ceremonies held on Nov 1, 1929 on the occasion of the opening of the Central Building on Parsons Boulevard in Jamaica, plus a copy of the seating arrangement at a dinner sponsored by the United Staff Associations of the Public Libraries of the City of New York.

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering all aspects of the Queens Library System. Clippings are from various news papers and are dated ca 1899-1907

This scrapbook is devoted to the official record of publications issued by the Library and consists of 1 copy of each of these publications. It is subdivided into various sections such as Administration, Cataloging Dept. initiations, pamphlet collection, Staff Association. Earliest publication is dated 1910, the latest around 1934.

Scrapbook, consisting largely of newspaper clippings. Devoted primarily to the Library's struggle to obtain larger financial appropriations. Lesser portions of this volume are devoted to general news of various branch libraries, as well as to corner-stone laying ceremonies and subsequent dedication ceremonies for the Central Bldg on Parsons Boulevard in Jamaica. This portion of the scrapbook contains besides newspaper clippings, copies of various invitations sent for the ceremony, as well as a copy of an official gold medallion issued for the occasion. Clippings are from various newspapers and are dated 1922-1932, the vast majority being for the period, 1927-1930.

Administration Office Scrapbook consisting of photographs, tear sheets from various reports and samples of various forms used in the library system. Some of these latter include samples of time sheets, work reports and work application forms. Photographs illustrate such things as the layout of the Chief Librarian's Office and the Board Room. ca. 1911-1913

Children's Division Scrapbook consisting largely of photographs. Also, several book lists samples of various forms used by the Division, and newspaper clippings. Photographs illustrate story-telling hours, bookmobile service to children, and similar activities. Scrapbook compiled ca. 1949-1950. Many of the photographs, however, illustrate scenes dating back to the 1910s or 1920s.

Scrapbook titled “The Junior Press". Consists of news paper clippings, many of which, are copies of "On the Junior Book Shelf" Columns of the "Long Island Press". These columns were written by various childrens1 librarians and discussed various books which could be had at the libraries in Queens, ca 1934

This scrapbook consists entirely of photographs plus samples of reading lists prepared for the various elementary grades. Brief commentaries describe the activities pictured in the photographs. Probably compiled 1913. Some of the photographs picture scenes somewhat earlier

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering all aspects of the Queens Library System. Most clippings are dated 1927.

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings covering all aspects of the Queens Library System. Most clippings are dated 1928.

Two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings titled "Scrapbook For Soldiers". These volumes deal almost exclusively with the Library's efforts to increase budgetary appropriations. 1919 and 1929 are the dates of most of the clippings.

Scrapbook of newspaper clippings (many un-mounted) covering all aspects of the Queens Library system, 1939.

Scrapbook contains some un-mounted newspaper clippings and several book marks issued by the library in conjunction with films being shown at neighborhood theaters, 1930s. The overwhelming number of pages in this volume has been left unused.

Scrapbook titled "Queens Borough Public Library Work for Children" contains text and photographs about programs for children at the library, 1914-1920.

Office of Publicity and Promotion Two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings. The cover of this volume informs the reader that the clippings appeared in newspapers between January and June 1934, and "if purchased at advertising rates, this space would have cost $4,111.25". Clippings are from various papers such as the "Long Island Press", "New York American", and "Brooklyn Eagle", and relate to the different activities associated with the Library. Evidently compiled by the Office of Publicity and Promotion as a record of its accomplishment in planting newsworthy stories.

Circulation Books There is only one item in this series, namely a Record of Circulation kept by Jamaica branch. The record is divided into the categories of “General Public" (presumably adult circulation), and "Pupils" (presumably juvenile circulation). The volume consists solely of numerical statistics. There are no indications as to the types of books which were circulated. Occasionally, one finds brief comments such as "Absent -Ill". Statistics were kept on a day to day basis.

The following is a description of Flushing Library Association Records.

General Correspondence Received This correspondence consists of letters, memoranda, reports and similar items addressed to the Association or the various directors of the Association (the major portion addressed either to the presidents or secretaries), or accumulated by them in the course of their functioning. Though a large portion of this material is for the period 1898-1900, items dating back to the very earliest days of the Association’s founding are also included. This correspondence is divided into the following nine broad subjects or categories.

Legal Papers A large portion of the documents in this file consists of legal agreements or copies of legal agreements. Documents of fundamental importance such as a copy of the "Act to Incorporate The Flushing Library Association" (1867);a copy of the "Recommendations made to the Flushing Village Association by the Free Library Committee..."(1896); the Certificate of Registry issued to the Association by the Public Libraries Department of the University of the State of New York (1896); and notice that at a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Flushing Library Association held December 20, 1901, "it was unanimously resolved that the Board ... bring about to enter into arrangements to transfer the Flushing Free Library to the control of the Queens Borough Library Board...” are included. Most of the letters in this file are in support of the legal documents and many provide the rational for most of the steps taken by the Association which eventually led to consolidation with the Queens System. In general, then, the items in this file deal largely with basic policy matters (except financial matters), 1864, 1869, 1880, 1887, 1895-1896, 1898-1905, 1919, undated

Board Minutes and Committee Reports Brief or condensed minutes of the Board of Directors, as well as several reports of committees formed by the Association are found in this file. Also, included are some supporting letters regarding the committee reports; results concerning elections of Association directors and a draft of a report of the Associations’ president for the year, 1900. Dates are 1879-1884, 1899-1901.

Treasurer’s Reports issued by the Treasurer of the Association. Several were issued by a temporary treasurer and are, therefore, not as complete as the others, 1894-1902

Financial Matters Besides letters, this file also contains a number of bills and about 100 cancelled checks or receipts, as well as several lists indicating subscribers to funds set up to help purchase books for the library. The earliest of these lists is dated 1858, the year when the Association was formed, and is the earliest dated item in this collection. Other topics covered include other donations made to the library, property assessments, supplies needed and library building rental, 1858, 1874, 1879, 1884-1885, 1892, 1894-1895, 1897-1904, undated.

Branch Librarian Reports Reports which the branch librarian had to submit to the Association’s directors. For the most part, they are restricted solely to the citation of statistics regarding the number of books circulated and the amount of fines collected. The majority of these reports (especially for the latter years) were issued on a monthly basis. The earlier dated ones give only the most minimal information and quite often consist of simply a sentence or two. All are signed by librarian, Eleanor Vanderhoef with the exception of one signed by H. Swenson. The reports from February 1899 on are signed by librarian, Louise G. Hinsdale. They carry more detail and statistics are supplemented with commentary, and other matters are also discussed, 1892-1893, 1896-1901.

Personnel Matters This correspondence deals solely with appointments or resignations to the Board of Directors of the Association and to librarian positions. 1879, 1882, 1884-1886, 1892, 1895, 1898-1901, undated

Book Collection All correspondence in this file relates to the purchase or donations of books for the library. 1874, 1881, 1885, 1898-1900, 1910 (1910 correspondence pertains to donation by the Association to the Queens System)

University of the State of New York The University of the State of New York, through various of its subdivisions, was the responsible agency by which such requests as the allocation of public monies, for instance were channeled. The letters in this file are usually from William R. Eastman, Inspector of the Public Libraries Division of the University and deal with such topics as book lists, clarification of the use to which public monies could be put to, and granting of circulation certificate. Also included are copies of several brief annual reports which the Association was required to submit to the University. 1895-1901, undated

Miscellaneous For the most part, the correspondence in this file deals with library routines. For example, there are several letters from the librarian calling the Association’s attention to such facts as "the lamp hanging in the front of the room is without oil", or that a number of individuals have books overdue, or similar details. Also included is some correspondence relating to the renting out of certain Association owned property to local organizations. 1874, 1884-1886, 1890-1892, 1894-1895, 1899-1901 1903, undated 1908-1910

Miscellaneous Several volumes and clippings as follows. Minutes Volume, Minutes of meeting held by the Board of Directors (occasionally, the terms, Board of Trustees or Board of Manager’s are used on an interchangeable basis, apparently) of the Association. In several instances, newspaper clippings pertinent to the discussions have been tipped into the volumes. Though, as indicated, these minutes are those of meetings of the Board of Directors, other minutes represent those recorded at general meetings open to the general membership, Jun 13, 1881- Nov 7, 1892, Jan 4, 1894-Mar 23, 1910.

Accession Book In this volume are listed the books acquired by the library for the periods, Nov 1892-Apr 1893 and Apr 1896-Nov 1898.

Borrowers’ Register This volume is arranged numerically by number assigned to each individual registering. All told, there are 5642 names entered. A copy of the pledge which each person had to read and agree to before being registered is inserted in the register and reads as follows: “I hereby agree, as a resident of Flushing over ten years of age, to pay promptly any fines due to me for over detention of books, or for injuries of any kind, beyond reasonable wear, to any book, while it is charged to me.”

The first entry was recorded on Mar 1, 1899, the last on Dec 30, 1905. The only information found in the register is the name and address of each person.

Cutter List The Cutter List or Book is simply a listing in which is found beginning syllable or syllables of most family names. Next to each name is a number. This number is used by librarians when cataloging books. This particular Cutter Book was used at the Flushing Library.

Newspaper Clippings, mainly from the "Flushing Journal". All are concerned with library news of one kind or another. All clippings are mounted. 1899-1901, undated

The following is a description of the Steinway Free Circulating Library Records.

Miscellaneous Volumes Pertaining to Book Collection Accession Book In these volumes are listed the books acquired by the library, Jul 20, 1897-May 23, 1915, 3 volumes.

Book Catalog Arranged alphabetically by author or title. That is a particular book will be listed twice under both headings, for instance, Pelham. by Edward Lytton Bulwer will be found listed under the letter P and the letter B. All books are in German, undated, probably ca. 1895, 2 volumes.

Periodical Checking Book Note books used to keep a record of periodicals received. Many of the periodicals listed are in German, 1889-1897, 3 volumes.

Attendance Record The function of this record actually was to indicate the number of books used on any given day and would be com parable to what today would commonly be called a Circulation Statistical Record. Purpose was to indicate the number of books borrowed, or, at least consulted on any given day. Statistics are divided as to whether readers were male or female. Occasionally, the day’s weather is also recorded, that is "cold and clear", "fair", etc. Dec 1889-Jan 1893, 3 volumes.

Record of Discards and Financial Record This particular volume is in poor condition and a large section of it has been lost. Because of this fact, the library to which it belonged has not been easy to determine. Most probably, however, it was used by Steinway.

A double use was made of this liber. One portion was used to maintain a record of all volumes discarded or withdrawn from the library. The entries in this section cover the period from about Mar, 1898 to April 1907. The other portion was used to record small financial transactions such as disbursements made for postage and receipts taken in from book fines. This portion covers the period of Mar 1909 to Jul 1915.

Miscellaneous Volumes Pertaining to Library Patrons Visitor Registration Books Tiny note-book type volumes used to record visitors to the library on a daily basis. There is no indication that they were used for any other purpose. All in poor condition, ca. 1890-1895. 1878-1879?, 11 volumes

Membership Register (A) Registers in which names of persons applying for membership in the library were listed. The address of each applicant is given, as well as the name and address of the guarantor", the person who guaranteed that the applicant was a trust worthy individual. Undated, probably early 1890s, 2 volumes

Membership Register (B) Slightly different from the above. Simply the applicants name is listed and the number (library card number?) assigned to him. The majority of names are those of juveniles. Oct 12, 1893-Oct 23, 1904 2 volumes

Fine Book Record of fines which patrons had to pay to the library, presumably for keeping books overdue. For the most part, fines are recorded not according to borrower’s name, but, rather according to borrower’s number. 1890-1895 1 volume

The following is a description of the Hollis Subscription Library Records.

Accession Book In these volumes are listed the books acquired by the library, ca. Jan 1898-Apr 22, 1908 2 volumes

Book Catalog In all probability this volume was a Book Catalog, However, it differs from the usual Book Catalog in that the entries in it are arranged according to title and not according to author which is the more common method. The titles within a particular letter of the alphabet are arranged according to Dewey Decimal Number. There is also the possibility that this particular volume was one part of a Book Catalog (Title section); the other part (Author section) having been lost. Several loose sheets inserted in the volume. Undated, probably ca. 1900 1 volume

Statistics Record This volume was used to record the following statistics: Number of Books Circulated; Number of readers served in the Reading and Reference Rooms; Number of Individuals registered in the library; Miscellaneous statistics. Circulation statistics were kept by the type of subject matter involved, subjects corresponding roughly to the Dewey Classification. For example, separate recordings were made for Science books, Useful Arts, History, Fiction, etc. Service statistics in the Reading Room were maintained individually for male and female and adult and juvenile. Membership statistics were also divided into male and female and adult and juvenile. If a person were renewing membership in the library, this renewal was recorded as a separate statistic. Miscellaneous statistics referred in all instances except one, to clerical duties and were subdivided as follows: Due postal; Reserve postal; Books Mended; Books Covered; Visits (presumably to schools or organizations); Student Cards; Fines. As can be seen, and has been stated, these statistics except Visits, referred to clerical duties. The "Visits" column was never used and in September 1908 the column was changed to read “Cards in Tray”, probably referring to the number of catalog cards which had to be filed. Around February 1909 some of the circulation and some of the miscellaneous statistics were subdivided on the basis of whether pertaining to adult or juvenile books.

All statistics were maintained on a daily basis. January 1901 to December 1910. Several loose letters and papers inserted in this volume 1 volume.

Charter There is only one item in this series, and that is the PROVIOSNAL CHARTER of the Hollis Public Library dated Nov 4, 1897 and issued by the University of the State of New York. It measures approx. 20xl6w and is in rather poor condition.

The following is a description of the Far Rockaway Branch Records.

General Correspondence Letters Received File This file consists of correspondence addressed to the Branch Librarians and is arranged in chronological order. Correspondence consists, for the most part, of letters, though there are occasional reports, periodical lists and similar items. Most of the letters deal with library-routine and the majority are from the Chief Librarian Jun 1904 -Jun 1919, undated.

Letters Sent File This file consists of copies of the letters sent out by the branch librarian. The majority of these letters are addressed to the Chief Librarian and deal with library routine. All letters have been bound into a Letter-press volume. Arranged in chronological order. Volume contains an index. May 22, 1906-Aug 22, 1918 (virtually no letters for 1913-1914), 1 volume

The following is a description of the Central Library Records.

Board of Trustees -General Correspondence File This correspondence file consists, in the main of documents such as reports, contracts, affidavits and legal agreements, and is the file of the Board of Trustees. Among the items to be found herein are copies of the Provisional Charters issued by the University of the State of New York to the Hollis Public Library, the Richmond Hill Library and the Queens Free Library (this latter eventually became the Queens Village Branch and should not be confused with the Queens System). Also included are several reports issued by the Chief Librarian to the Board; copies of By Laws which were being developed during this period; copy of agreement between Steinway and Sons and the Long Island City Public Library; contracts between various architects and the Board for the planning of new library buildings; and copies of examinations issued to librarians for promotions to higher grades. All items are arranged in chronological order. 1896-1913; 1924, 1925, 1941, undated.

Chief Librarian's Office -General Correspondence File This file simply consists of copies of letters sent out by the Chief Librarian to various individuals. Letters are addressed to book publishers, library supply houses and others. Several letters are addressed to branch librarians. All letters bound in letter-press volumes. Many letters are very difficult to read. Oct 26, 1897-Feb 19, 1900 Oct 22, 1901-ca. Jan, 1902 2 volumes

Finance Department -Financial Records Account Journal or Account Book of the Queens System. All types of financial accounts including salary expenses and book fund expenses are included. As would be expected, accounts involving individual branches are subdivided according to branch name. Several sheets of loose working paper inserted into this book. Jan 1896-Feb 1906 1 volume

Requisitions Journal This particular journal today would probably be called and correspond to a "Cash Disbursements Journal". The names of various firms with which the Library dealt are listed followed by a listing of bill totals involved and voucher numbers. Unlike the Account Journal described above, there are no branch subdivisions, therefore impossible to determine what was expended in any one branch. Index included, ca. 1903-1907 1 volume

Miscellaneous Register of Attendance at the Library Institute held on April 27V 1929 and May 21, 1932. On April 27, 1929 and May 21, 1932 Library Institutes were held under the auspices of the Library Extension Division of the New York State Education Division. The first Institute were held at the Y.M.C.A. auditorium directly opposite the Queens Borough Public Library’s Central Building, while the second Institute was held in the Queens Central Building itself. These institutes were open to all librarians of the area who were interested in attending. As might be expected, the overwhelming majority of the entrants in this register were from the Queens Borough Public Library and from libraries in Nassau County.

Inserted in this register are copies of the programs for both institutes, and a letter from Miss Marjorie Beal of the State Library Extension Division thanking the Queens Borough Public Library for helping to make the Institute a success. Letter dated May 6, 1929, 1 volume.

Register of Publicity Slides It is not clear as to the function of this register. No doubt, it was simply used to record the slides used during a particular occasion or event. Judging from the titles of the slides (E.g.-"The Public Library on Jackson Ave. has summer resort booklets"; "The public library will lend you books on the subject in which you are interested"). The slides were issued by the Publicity Dept in campaigns to promote reading interests. There are 305 slides listed. A note on the jacket of this volume reads "1914-1917".

Book List Miscellaneous volume titled Last Number of Books. Probably preparation work for compilation of book list on the subject, "Home and School Life"

Notebook A compilation titled Work With Children, Material on That Subject Collected by Louis J. Bailey 1906. Volume consists of about 20 or so sheets. Most pages are in typescript with only one or two in manuscript. Inserted are a number of pamphlets or other printed items as well as several pictures depicting children using various libraries. Evidently this compilation was prepared by Mr. Bailey (who later was to become the Library's director) to illustrate how other public libraries serviced children.

Leaflets Program of Exercises at the Dedication of the First Unit of the Central Library Building, Nov 1, 1929; Program of the Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner held by the Library in 1946; Leaflet titled "Our Yesterday" issued by the Library in 1946 listing one prominent book published each year, as well as some major event which took place then; and pamphlet describing the "Pioneer", the first bookmobile used by the Library. This latter item is undated, but is ca. 1929.

Report Typewritten report (about a dozen pages) issued by Librarian Jesse F. Hume signed by her and titled as being the Sixth Annual Report, 1901. The report is dated January 27, 1902. A few corrections in ink, presumably done at the time, are found on it.

Architectural Award First prize Award Certificate presented by the Queens Chamber of Commerce to the Library for excellence in design and civic value of Public Building. This document Is dated 1930 and no doubt was awarded for the Parsons Building.

Records in this Sub-group are non-textual items. Simply for the sake of convenience, we have also included herein some loose newspaper clippings.

Oil painting of Library's Book Bus, "The Pioneer” painted by Edmund Vincent Werhner, S.M. "The Pioneer" was built in 1930.

Framed photograph depicting Library Book Bus, "The Pioneer" and dignitaries Caption states: "President elect Franklin D. Roosevelt inspects the book bus at the Executive Mansion in Albany and becomes a member of the Queens Borough Public Library". Framed with this photograph is Roosevelt's membership card in the library system.

(Architect's Drawing?) of Queens Borough Public Library Administration Building on Parson's Boulevard, Jamaica signed R.F. Schirmer and J.W. Schmidt Architects, 1440 Broadway, New York City.

Framed photograph of George W. Pople, 1853-1939. Member of the Board of Trustees of QBPL for 26 years 1913-1939. President 1923, 1924 and 1933.

Small decorative square tile issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Borough of Queens. Five Queens structures deco rate the plate, Manufactured by the Kemper-Thomas Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio in 1948.

Ribbon bearing the official colors of the City (orange, white, blue). A note attached to this ribbon states that it was "used by the members of the Selective Draft Board on the day of registration…" Note dated Dec 23, 1940 and signed by A. Gibbs.

12 glass plates, (2 are blank, however) evidently used as photograph slides for publicity purposes. Each plate has a caption written across it such as “Manor Branch Library 1229 Jamaica Avenue. Open week days 9AM to 9PM­Free to all”. There are several cards attached to these slides with the caption "Moving Picture Slide" written on them. This suggests that these slides may have been used during a Movie program. Undated probably ca. 1920.

Commemorative key manufactured for dedication ceremonies in conjunction with the opening of the Queens Borough Public Library Central Building on Parson Boulevard Building dedicated by Mayor James J. Walker on Nov 1, 1929.

Commemorative trowel manufactured on the occasion of Corner Stone Laying ceremonies for the Glendale Branch Library of the Queens Borough Public Library. Stone laid by Theodore J. Groh, President, on May 25, 1935"

Commemorative trowel manufactured on the occasion of Corner Stone Laying ceremonies for the Woodhaven Branch Library of the Queens Borough Public Library. Stone laid July 7, 1923. Trowel made and presented by Anthony Moors.

Copper engraving plate used to print invitations to the dedication ceremonies held for the Central Library in 1929.

Queens County Flag given to the Queens Borough Public Library early in 1966. This flag is the official flag of the County. This particular one measures approximately 5 1/2 ft. long by 3 ft. wide. The Queens Borough flag was adopted by the Borough unofficially on June 3, 1913. It has three horizontal bars of equal dimensions, blue, white and blue, typifying the shield of Governor William Kieft who purchased what is now Queens Borough from the Indians. In the center of the flag Is a circle of wampum, symbolizing the Indian name for Long Island. Within the circle are a tulip, emblematic of the Dutch, and a red and white rose, representing the English houses of Lancaster and York. In the left-hand corner of the flag is a queen1s crown and the date, 1898, the first representing the queen, Catherine of Braganza, after whom the borough and county are named, and the second, the date of consolidation with the City of New York.

Box of several hundred newspaper clip pings (nearly all of which are mounted on paper) concerning the Queens Library System, 1909-1941 (most dated in 1930s)

Charter of the Long Island City public Library granted by the University of the State of New York. Signed by the Chancellor and Secretary of the University. The officers of the Library named in the Charter are Walter G. Prey, Frederick W. Bleckwenn, William H. Weeks, George E. Clay, and Winthrop Turney. Dated Mar 19, 1896.

Amendment to the Charter of the Long Island City Public Library changing the name of the Library to the Queens Borough Library after January 1, 1900. The number and manner of appointment of the Board of Trustees is also indicated. Signed by the Chancellor and Secretary of the University, (Anson Judd Upson and Melville Dewey). Dated Dec 21, 1899.

Framed book plate(?) used by the Union Hall Library of Jamaica. The number 141 is very faintly visible. This Library was probably a Private Subscription Library which existed In Jamaica in the 19th century. This item is oval in shape.

Two copper engraved plates used to print book plates for the Library. One has the heading, LONG ISLAND COLLECTION on top with a map of the Island, and the words, “The Gift Of” in smaller lettering. The other has the name of the Library on top with a depletion of an allegorical figure holding a lamp and the words, “The Gift Of”.

The above two were printed by the John Peterson and Son Company located at 15 Brattle Street, Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass. A very small a calling card or advertisement card Is Included. These plates were probably used in the 1920’s. In other words, one was used for books In the general collection, the other specifically for those In the Long Island Collection.

Rubber stamp with the words, "See Supp.” used in conjunction with some Indexing done by the Archives at Queens Library staff members on Dr. Herbert P. Seversmith’s COLONIAL FAMILIES ON LONG ISLAND. Accompanying this stamp is a note undated but probably late 1940’s or early 1950’s from Marguerite V. Doggett.

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Arrangement

The materials in this collection have been arranged into the following Sub-Groups and Series

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Queens Borough Public Library Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.

Access Restrictions

Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:

Archives at Queens Library

Queens Borough Public Library

89-11 Merrick Boulevard

Jamaica, NY 11432

Phone: (718) 990-0770.

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Access Points

Subject Organizations:

• Queens Borough Public Library

Subject Topics:

• Libraries

Subject Places:

• Jamaica (New York, N.Y.)

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Inventory

[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]

Records Arranged according to physical type (, )

Letter-Press Books (, )
Box - Folder: 4

Accession Books (, )

Astoria, Broadway, Corona (, )
Box - Folder: 1

Jamaica, Ozone Park, Poppenhusen (, )
Box - Folder: 2

Queens Village, Seaside, Whitestone (, )
Box - Folder: 3

Circulation Books (, )
Box - Folder: 3

Scrapbooks (, )

General (, )
Box - Folder: 5, 141os

Administration (, )
Box - Folder: 5

Children’s Division (, )
Box - Folder: 5

Office of Publicity and Promotion (, )
Box - Folder: 5

Flushing Library Association (, )

General Correspondence Received (, )
Box - Folder: 1, 2

Miscellaneous volumes (, )
Box - Folder: 7

Steinway Free Circulation Library (, )

Misc. Volumes Pertaining to Book Coll (, )
Box - Folder: 3, 6

Misc. Volumes Pertaining to Library Patrons (, )
Box - Folder: 6

Hollis Subscription Library Records (, )

Misc. Volumes Pertaining to Book Collection (, )
Box - Folder: 1

Charter (, )
Box - Folder: on top of 3 and 4

Far Rockaway Branch Records (, )

Letters Received File (, )
Box - Folder: 4

Letters Sent File (, )
Box - Folder: 4

Central Library Records (, )

Board of Trustees General Correspondence File (, )
Box - Folder: 3

Chief Librarians Office Gen. Correspondence File (, )
Box - Folder: 4

Finance Dept. Financial Records (, )
Box - Folder: 7

Miscellaneous (, )
Box - Folder: 7

Miscellaneous Records-Non-Textual (, )

Series Nos.1-4 (, )
Box - Folder: Oversized shelving

Nos.5-12, 16-18 (, )
Box - Folder: 215

No. 13 (, )
Box - Folder: 8

Nos.14-15 (, )
Box - Folder: Director’s Office

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