EAD

Descriptive Summary

Historical/Biographical Note

Scope and Content Note

Administrative Information

Access Points

Inventory

Guide to the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association Records
1949-1967
Control # Q-4

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


Descriptive Summary
	Creator	Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association
	Title	Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association Records,
	Dates:	1949-1967
	Abstract:	The records of the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association can be said to be rather fragmentary when one considers that it was in operation for almost half a century. The decade best represented is the 1960s, said era accounting for probably three fourths of the collection.
	Extent:	3 boxes, 1.5 cubic feet
	Identification:	Q-4
	Location:	The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library.

Historical/Biographical Note

The Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association was officially organized on April 8, 1923. The Association was open to all employees of the Library in every category of work. A handbook which it published stated that the Association had as its major aim, the staff's “economic, .. professional and, even, social needs.”

Over the course of years, the Staff Association undertook to explore a number of topics it felt was in the interest of its members. Among them was the possibility of a 35 hour week instead of a 40 hour working week, promotional opportunities, and the like. Holding various social activities, such as dinners and dances, was also a function.

Since the two other public library systems in the City, that is, the Brooklyn Public Library and the New York Public Library, had similar staff associations, the three units combined to form one organization called The United Staff Association of the Public Libraries of the City of New York. Several officers of the Queens Staff Association served as officers of the larger group as well. When the New York Public Library Association decided to disband, the United Staff Association disbanded as well since its existence depended on all 3 units being members• The United Staff Association officially disbanded in June 1963.

In the early 1960s, serious interest started to develop among many members in the Queens system, as well as the other two libraries in organizing a union. It was understood that when and if a union was formed, the Staff Association would have to cease as a representative unit for the staff. In 1967 a vote was held, and local 1231 of District Council 37 was officially formed for Queens Borough Public Library employees wanting to join. At that time or very shortly thereafter the Staff Association ceased to function.

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Scope and Content Note

The records of the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association can be said to be rather fragmentary when one considers that it was in operation for almost half a century. The decade best represented is the 1960s, said era accounting for probably three fourths of the collection.

Essentially, the records described herein appear to be those maintained by half a dozen officers, more, specifically, Robert Schmidt, Davis Erhardt, Mary Rooney Erhardt, Charlotte Pettes, Theodore Doehner and one or two others. Most of the above were president of the Association at one time or another. It is these records, then, which have come down to us, and apparently there was no one central file where each succeeding incumbent could or would add to the files maintained by previous occupants of any particular office. Often, nevertheless, the files maintained by one individual would contain part of the files of a predecessor. Because it has been difficult to ascertain with exactness the individuals who maintained particular files, and also because the nature of the collection does not give this aspect any particular significance, the collection is not arranged by the name of any particular officer. Rather it is a combination subject and chronological arrangement, basically.

Apart from some printed items such as handbooks or constitutions, this collection is composed of loose documents, mainly memoranda and letters either holograph or mimeographed. The only bound items are three volumes containing the early minutes of the organization.

The records of the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association number about 350 items.

It should be pointed out that in a very few instances, the collection contains some items which appear to have been part of the records of the United Staff Association rather than that of Queens. If this is so, it is because some of the Queens members were elected officers as well of the larger body, and, therefore, their papers would very likely contain some items more properly the records of this larger encompassing body.

A great portion of the collection is concerned with two problems which the Staff Association undertook to explore. One of these was a 35 hour week rather than one of 40 hours, while the other was to try to upgrade the salary scale. The files which follow reflect on this effort.

Thirty-Five Hour Work Week By far the largest file in this collection, it contains chiefly rough notes and memoranda with occasional letter and some printed material. The vast majority of these are dated 196l and 1962, with a very few a year or two earlier or later.

Besides the few letters dealing with the subject and involving management, there are at least 50 other letters or notes written by staff members of the Library to Robert Schmidt, Chairman of the Staff Association at the time, urging that the Library adopt the 35 hour week. Most of these consist merely of a line or two. There are also about 20 to 30 proposed staff schedules indicating how staff would be assigned, if and when the new hours went into effect.

Memoranda involve the chief librarian, staff association officers, various committee people and others. There are also several petition slips signed by staff members and addressed to the chief librarian supporting the appeal for the 35 hour week. The printed materials consist of news paper clippings and one or two reports issued by govern mental agencies.

Salary Appeals The next largest file concerns the Staff Association’s attempt to up-grade a number of job categories in the library. This file concerns itself, by and large, with clerks rather than other job titles and makes mention of the other two public library systems as well. More specifically, the file contains several classifications appeals submitted by some members of the United Staff Association to the Career and Salary Plan Classifications Appeals Board; some copies of a mimeographed publication titled United Staff Association Factors on Classification Appeals For Clerical Employees: several letters; a very large chart titled Salary Statistics for Large Public Libraries for 1958; a few mimeographed letters from the Queens Borough Public Library's Chief Librarian to the City’s Director of the City Budget; a number of job descriptions; some salary statistics; and some notes from staff volunteers wishing to offer their services for the appeal. Items are dated ca. 1958-1959.

Minutes of Meetings Minutes, though covering quite a few years, are by no means complete. This is especially true for the latter years. One group of minutes are contained in three bound Volumes covering the period from Apr 8, 1923 to Aug 31, 1953. A latter group are loose minutes for the years 1961 to 1966, and it is doubtful if these are complete. With but few exceptions (especially in the later grouping), it would seem that the majority of minutes are for meetings of the executive board and not general membership meetings.

Over and above the preceding minutes, there are also some minutes of meetings of the Executive Board of the United Staff Association. These are carbon copies for the most part and cover the period of about 1957 to 1963 with one for a 1966 meeting.

The remainder of the collection is divided into two series, Miscellaneous Chronological File; and Printed Material.

Miscellaneous Chronological File Numbering only about 125 items but covering the years 1961 to 1967 (a very few items somewhat earlier;, this file consists mainly of letters and memoranda. Several subjects are covered in varying degrees, though none in any real depth. These subjects include, for example, voting procedures for the staff association; library budget requests; religious holidays; and the Louis J. Bailey Scholarships. This file is divided as follows:

1961-1962 Included is a printed letter from the Library's Board of Trustees to the Director of the City Budget; list of officers nominated; and a copy of a Washington, D.C. Newsletter regarding the Comprehensive Bill to Amend Library Services Act, ca. 20 items.

1963 Included is a lengthy letter from the Library’s Board of Trustees to the Director of the City Budget; letter from the Chief Librarian regarding the Association's re quest to place the Library "under the pro visions of Executive Order No. 49 (establishing) the Staff Association as bargaining agent”; and a very lengthy response from the Chief Librarian (mimeographed) responding to some questions put before him by the Association regarding alleged injustices, ca. 20 items.

1964-1965 Included are about 40 postcards from various Association members checking off topics of greatest concern to them (35 hour week, higher pay, etc.); listing of officers elected; a ballot for election of officers; and some thank you notes from staff members, ca. 55 items.

1966-1967 Included is some correspondence regarding scholarship committee, and a carbon copy of the Association^ financial statement, ca. 8 items.

Miscellaneous Early Dates or Undated Included is a printed copy of the United Staff Association Constitution in booklet form marked "Office Pile11; two copies of the Mayor’s "Executive Order 49 on the Conduct of Labor Relations...", dated 1958; printed booklet containing by-laws of the United Staff Association revised and amended. These are all dated earlier than 1961 or undated, ca. 10 items.

Printed Material This file has been divided into the following:

Constitution Several copies of the constitution of the UNITED STAFF ASSOCIATION. Undated. It consists of 7 pages in booklet form. Also undated is a carbon typescript of a constitution which may have been perhaps a draft of that of the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association.

Handbook Several copies of the handbook Issued by the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association. It consists of 7 unnumbered pages in booklet form.

Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association News Various issues of the "Staff Association News” issued by the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association between Jun 30, 1961 and Jul 1965. Also one issue dated Winter-Spring, 1949, 1950. All told, 13 issues.

United Staff Association Newsletter Various Issues of the "Newsletter. issued by the United Staff Association less than a dozen in quantity.

Letterheads Samples of letter size, memoranda size and envelopes of both the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association, and the United Staff Association. Several duplicates have been retained. One or two blank sheets also included, these, evidently being some other types of notepaper in use.

Miscellaneous Copy of broadside urging membership in the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association; several blank membership cards; small blank cards with red ribbon attached (probably used for identification at a party); and ticket used for serving "one cocktail1. at one of the Association^ party. Though undated, these were probably used in the very early 1960s.

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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 Staff Association 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.