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Guide to the Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association Records Addendum 1
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association | |
| Title | Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association Records Addendum 1, | |
| Dates: | 1942-1962 | |
| 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: | 1 box, .5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | Q-4a | |
| 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 new material measures somewhat less than one cubic foot. The Description on the next page will list the subject headings of the approximately three (3) dozen folders found. Most are not extensive at all, and though there are Items dated during the decades of the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, most seem to be for the period of the late 1950s to the very early 1960s.
Whenever justified, some brief description will be given to the Listing. Quite often, the subject, of course, gives the thrust of the contents. The List Is not In any order, alphabetical or otherwise.
Administrative Council Meetings
Annual Leave
Benevolent Groups
Branch Representatives
Budget (concerns the Library’s 1961-62 Budget, and three of the five Items in this file are copies of the budget submitted to Mayor Abraham D. Beame.)
Brooklyn Staff Association
Career and Salary
Checks -Time for Cashing (contains one memo dated Nov 2, 1959 stating that "The Library is not required by law to grant time".)
Christmas Party
Group Insurance
Historical Material (contains three items, one of which is a chronology of about twenty dates of importance or relevance to the Association's history).
Hourly Rate
Machines (contains one(l) memo regarding installation of food and beverage machines in the Staff room, and dated Feb 18, I960)
Clerical Promotions "(one of the few fairly extensive files. Most of the items herein are letters from clerks addressed to Miss Mary Rooney, chairman of the Staff Assoc. protesting the fact that they have not been reclassified. Dated 1961.)
Custodial Positions
Conference Committee
Education. New York State (contains two(2) Items, one of which Is a copy of An Act "To amend the education law In relation to development of reference and research library resources...”; the other a booklet titled Knowledge lie Power. Dated 1961
Exchange Program (contains one(l) leaflet describing the New York Library Association's Exchange-Visitor Program. Dated 1955.)
Good Friday
Elections
General Meeting,
Griffenhagen Career-Salary
Membership
National Library Week
New York City Employment Benefits (contains a leaflet titled Benefits and Advantages of Employment with The City of New York
New York Library Association Personnel Admin. Commission (contains a Preliminary Report basically concerned with librarian salaries).
Salaries (Many of the approximately fifteen(15) documents In this file are memorandum Issued by the Chief Librarian all, in one way or another, dealing with salary increase appeals. Also included Is a booklet Issued In 1953 by the New York Library Association titled Recommended Minimum Salary Schedule and a few letters addressed to the Staff Association Chairman from the Office of the Queens County Borough President., ca. 1953-1964
Social Committee (About twenty(20) Items consisting of some announcement for social events sponsored by the Association; memos outlining suggestions for social events; and carbon copies of a few letters, ca. 1954-1960)
Social Security Essentially letters and memorandum regarding staff eligibility for Social Security. The Staff Association had a Social Security Committee, and some of these memos emanated from them. Carbon copies of some letters sent to Congressmen also Included, as well as replies received from them by the committee. Ca. 25 Items, ca. 1958-1959
State Aid to Libraries This is a rather large file consisting of about 60 Items. Some of the letters in this file are addressed to the president of the United Staff Association and not to the Queens section Itself. The majority of Items are dated 1945 and concern themselves with proposals made by New York State for aiding libraries. This file also contains a copy of the Constitution of the United Staff Association of the Public Libraries of the City of New York published in 1942.
Stationery Small quantity of envelopes and sheets bearing letterhead of the United Staff Association of the Public Libraries of the City of New York.
Suggestions -Old About a dozen memos or letters containing suggestions from various staff members addressed to the Staff Association chairman. These are dated basically in 1960 with one or two a bit earlier.
SORT Included in this file is a "Survey of Staff Publications” Issued in 1955 by SORT (Staff Organization Round Table) and a copy of a newsletter dated 1959. One or two related items as well., Dated 1946,1955, 1959, 1960
Staff Association Copies of some dozen or so announcements Issued by the Association concerning such topics as the Christmas Party, nomination of officers and the like. Also Included are what appears to be attendance sheets of two or three meetings, ca. 1960-1961. Staff Handbook Issued by the Oklahoma City Libraries, 1959; Handbook Issued by the Brooklyn Public Library; Staff Association, und.; brochure Issued by United Staff Association of Public Libraries of the City of New York, undated.
Queens Newsletter and Announcements Copies of the "Queens Borough Public Library Staff Association News", dated 1959 and 1960. Also a typed list of Association officers and committee chairman, as well as some brief news notes, 1960.
Queens Section Letters to United Staff Association The one Item in this folder appears to be a hand written draft letter from the chairman of the Queens section. It is dated 1954 and contains several suggestions made to the USA group.
Reclassification (Children’s Librarian) A letter (at least one page of which is missing) from a children's librarian addressed to the Staff Association chairman urging the upgrading of children's librarians. 1961
Recruiting Draft of a memorandum sent to Library Director regarding suggestions or methods which could be used to attract more individuals to librarianship, 1961
Retired Employees This file contains some 20 to 25 cards containing f names and individuals of "Retired Members". There is also a list of names and addresses of trustees. File also contains one or two letters. Ca. 1954-1955. 1962. Some items probably a bit earlier.
Publicity A few printed booklets and announcements. ca. 1958-1960.
Parking A few memos or correspondence relative to a survey conducted in 1955 on parking facilities for staff members, ca. 1955-1956
Pensions Memorandum issued by Library Director on the subject of "Pension Reduction Plan"; carbon copies of a letter and memo regarding complaints made by two retired staff members on the subject of low pensions, 1960
Welfare Policies
Treasurer's Reports (includes some check stubs and bank statements).
"Thank you" Notes Received
Trustees
Harold W. Tucker
Unions (one or two clippings).
United Staff Association
United Staff Association -Appraisal
United Staff Association -Letters to Mayor Wagner and Board of Estimate
United Staff Association -Duties of Representative (consists of one memo)
United Staff Association -Constitution
Vacation
Miscellaneous
Minutes Book (Fairly large loose leaf volume containing the Minutes of the Executive Board Meetings of the United Staff Association, Queens Section, ca. 1954 to 1961).
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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 Addendum 1, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
A few years after this Collection was processed, more material was donated by a few of the members who had been active in the Association. After waiting some time to see If any additional materials might arrive, It was decided to process these as an Addendum to the Collection. Essentially what was written In the Introduction previously holds for this Addendum.
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 Staff Association
Subject Places:
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
