RAMSEY COUNTY: SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:

An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Government Records

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Saint Paul Public Library.
	Title:	Records.
	Dates:	1865-2012.
	Language:	Materials in English.
	Abstract:	Records (undated, 1865-2012) including annual report files, compiled printed materials, library headlines scripts, directors' correspondence, council and board meeting minutes, property files, subject files, published records and reports, scrapbooks, photographs, and files concerning the branch libraries and the bookmobile. Also includes records concerning the children's room (Skinner Room) and youth services; files of the Youth Services Division Head, Della McGregor; and files of Library Directors Jennie Jennings, Perrie Jones, Webster Wheelock, and others.
	Quantity:	25.25 cubic feet (26 boxes).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

The Saint Paul Public Library system started as a reading room in the Young Men's Christian Association in 1856. It was established as a free public library by the city council on September 7, 1882 and housed in the old Market Hall on Seventh Street until a fire in 1915 destroyed the entire building. The new Central Library, which was already under construction in 1914, opened in 1917 and included the James J. Hill Reference Library. The library expanded in the next decades, opening multiple branches and forming the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library to stimulate use and support of the library in 1945. The Central Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and underwent a major renovation from 2000 to 2002.

Return to top

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Saint Paul Public Library. Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 2018-36

Processing Information:

Processed by: Perry Schussler and Charles Rodgers, November-December 2017

Catalog ID number: 990089302130104294

Return to top

DETAILED DESCRIPTION


Location
147.F.3.1B	Annual report files:
		Files contain copies of annual reports as well as source information used to compile the reports, from different library departments and branches. May include information such as circulation statistics, yearly acquisitions, budget information, library patron statistics, and other information.
		Chronological set, 1913-1999:
			1913-1931.
Location
147.F.3.2F			1932-1942.
Location
147.F.3.3B			1943-1953.
Location
147.F.3.4F			1954-1963.
Location
147.F.3.5B			1962-1979.
Location
147.F.3.6F			1980-1999.
		Alphabetical set, 1894-1985:
			Alphabetical by department, division, or collecting area. Each folder spans multiple years; not all years in each range may be included.
			Building and Maintenance, 1925-1961. 2 folders.
			Business Office, 1978-1983.
			Catalog Division, 1942-1956.
			Central Library Annual Reports Excerpts, 1894-1911.
			Circulation, 1955-1959, 1978-1983. 2 folders.
			Collection Office, 1982-1985.
			Data Processing, 1978-1982.
			Document Collection, 1955-1977.
			Extension Services, 1914-1936.
			Fine Arts Division, 1919-1959. 2 folders.
			Government Publications Office, 1978-1985.
			Industrial Arts Room, 1929-1939.
			Interlibrary Loan Department, 1978-1985.
			Music Room, 1940-1958. 2 folders.
			Public Services, 1981-1984.
			Reference Division, 1946, 1953-1974.
			School Services, 1950-1965.
			Science and Industry, 1958-1985.
			Social Science Department, 1918-1919, 1941-1965.
			Technical Services, 1980-1984.
			Technology, 1940-1957.
			Video Communication Center, 1978-1985.
			Volunteer Coordinator, 1982-1985.


Location
147.F.3.7B	Compiled Printed Materials:
		Publications, 1905-1922:
			Examples of publications printed by the library.
			Miscellaneous, volume 1, circa 1905-1921.
			Bookmark Lists, volume 2, circa 1915.
				Lists of books by topic.
			Lists of Books, volume 3, 1918-1922.
		Record of Printing, volumes 4 - 5, 1922-1932. 2 folders.


		Library Headlines Scripts, 1941-1943. 6 volumes.
			Scripts of a weekly book review show written by the library which was broadcast on WLB, later KUOM, radio, operated by the University of Minnesota.


Location
147.F.3.8F	Directors' Correspondence:
		All files are in very rough chronological order by director, and may contain such files as: correspondence, news clippings, photographs, files related to hospital and school borrowing programs, annual reports, print and semi-print material, celebration planning documents, various library campaign materials, and other related records.
		Webster Wheelock, 1922-1931. 12 folders.
		Jennie T. Jennings, circa 1930-1941:
			52 folders.
Location
147.F.3.9B			26 folders and 1 volume.
		Perrie Jones, circa 1919-1955 (bulk 1940-1955):
			46 folders and 2 volumes.
Location
147.F.3.10F			8 folders.
		Miscellaneous Director Files, 1883-1972. 23 folders:
			Library statistics, 1883-1936.
			Johnston - Library Director, 1916-1920.
			Electus Litchfield - Letters to Jenny T. Jennings, 1936.
			Helen McCaine Memorial Committee, 1922-1924. 2 folders.
			Helen McCaine, Director - House of Hope, undated.
			Helen McCaine photographs, undated.
			Library Board of Directors, 1882-1914.
			Power Plant 1919 article, 1919.
			Library advisory board, 1920-1922.
			Intellectual Freedom, circa 1945-1955.
				Includes letters, news clippings, and informational flyers.
			50th Anniversary documents, 1967. 10 folders.
			Five year plan, 1972.
		Carnegie Library files, 1903, 1921. 2 folders.


		Bookmobile and Book stations files, 1905-1985:
			Arranged in chronological order.
			Extension services - store front libraries, 1905-1923.
			Book stations' information, circa 1914-1950. 3 folders.
			Institutional library stations and book stops, circa 1920s.
			Bookmobile service to Ramsey County, 1928-1929.
			Bookmobile correspondence, circa 1930s-1940.
			Bookmobile publicity, circa 1930s-1990s.
			Bookmobile service to Ramsey County, 1939-1941.
			Bookmobile stations, 1948-1949.
			Bookmobile stops, 1950-1990.
			Bookmobile, 1970-1985.


Location
147.F.4.1B	Council and Board Meeting Minutes, 1900-1975:
		Arranged in chronological order.
		Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, 1900-1914. 3 volumes.
		Library Advisory Board Meeting Minutes, 1915-1951. 2 volumes.
		Library Council Meeting Minutes:
			1918-1923, 1942-1950. 1 volume.
			1951-1975. 4 folders.
				[0.2 cubic feet empty]


Location
147.F.4.2F	Property files, 1889-circa 2006:
		Arranged alphabetically by property name. Includes correspondence, specifications, drawings, legal drawings, histories and related records.
		Central Library Specification by Electus Litchfield, 1914. 1 volume.
		Central Library construction, 1915.
		Hale Henry Estate correspondence, wills, clippings, 1926-1948.
		Kellogg Boulevard library property, 1919-1936.
		Market Hall library, 1889-1901.
		Old Market House lease, 1915.
		Old Market House property, 1915.
		Saint Francis Hotel lease, 1915-1934.
		Saint Francis Hotel library, 1926-1953.
		Saint Francis Hotel lease, 1943-1944.
		West Seventh building site, 1940s.
		West Seventh possible outline, 1941.
		West Seventh and Victoria proposed branch library, 1942.
		West Seventh property, circa 2006.


	Branch Libraries, undated, 1920-2003:
		Arranged alphabetically by branch. Includes histories, photos, news clippings, correspondence, reports, building drawings, and related records.
		Ford Parkway, 1951-1974.
		Hamline Library, undated, 1920-1990s. 11 folders.
		Hayden Heights, 1939-1995. 3 folders.
		Highland Library, 1954-1993.
		Lexington Library, 1958-1985. 6 folders.
			1958-1970. 3 folders.
Location
147.F.4.3B			1963-1985. 3 folders.
		Merriam Park, 1930-1993. 5 folders.
		Rice Street, 1930s-2002. 5 folders.
		Riverview, 1920s-1980s. 3 folders.
		Saint Anthony, 1930s-2001. 3 folders.
		Saint Clair, 1953.
		Sun Ray, 1960s-1990s.
		Town Square, 1987-1995.


	Subject files, undated, 1881-2012:
		Arranged alphabetically by topic.
		Address given at Saint John's Church to Business Women's Club, January 1931.
		American Library Association, 1935-1941. 2 folders.
		Apprentice classes roster, 1918-1929.
		Art and music, 1943-1971.
		Branch division history, undated.
		Branch libraries historical information, 2004. 3 folders.
		Budget, 1932-1936. 3 folders.
		Budget estimates and requests, 1935-1937.
		Building expansion program, 1988. 2 folders.
		Buildings - maintenance reports, 1932.
		Carnovsky study comments by J. Archer Eggen, director of Libraries, 1960.
		Centennial anniversary celebration, 1982.
Location
147.F.4.4F		Central library evaluation and reorganization files, 1981-1989. 4 folders.
		Christmas party, 1935.
		Circulation statistics, 1920.
		Civil defense, 1963-1965.
		Civil service postings, 1929-1936.
		Civil service examination, 1936.
		Civil service documents - library, 1941-1942.
		Classes and meetings held at Central library, 1921.
		Community chest, 1935.
		Comprehensive plans, 1982, 1995. 3 folders.
		Construction summaries: Central, Arlington Hills, Hamline, Merriam Park, Riverview, Saint Anthony Park, undated.
		Cuneiform tablets, 1916-1955.
		Employees' service rating form, 1928.
		Exhibition room correspondence, 1941.
		Exhibits - Treasury Department, Public Works of Art project, 1934.
		Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) report, 1933.
		Fiftieth anniversary, 1932. 2 folders.
		Flyleaf - basic information, 1962.
			The Flyleaf was a staff publication.
		Focus group meetings, 1993.
		For want of a library, 1960-1964.
		Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, 1949-1984.
		Goals / objectives, 1979-1982. 2 folders.
		Guidance services - occupational and vocational, 1939-1942.
		Holiday hours, 1930.
		Letters to staff, 1940s. 5 folders.
		Libraries in defense areas and State Library Agencies Act, 1941.
		Library Advisory Board, 1914-1936. 3 folders.
		Library building program, 1929.
		Library fire, 1915.
			Fire occurred April 27, 1915, destroyed the entire collection and hurt seven people.
		Library history, undated, circa 1900-1997. 9 folders.
		Library plan task force, 1993.
		Library reports, 1932-1936.
		Minnesota Library Association (MLA), 1934-1942. 3 folders.
Location
147.F.4.5B		Organizational charts, 1981-1982.
		Outreach, 1917, 1937-1942. 3 folders.
			Topics include business survey, Hispanic/cultural, "shut-in service."
		Periodicals and newspapers, 1936.
		Publicity, 1942. 2 folders.
		Ramsey County Library, 1940-1942.
		Reference work examples, 1942.
		Reorganization, 1985.
		Republican National Convention (RNC), 2008.
		Reserve requests, 1936.
		Saint Paul Library Association subscription record book, 1881-1882.
		Saint Paul Library Association extracts from annual reports, 1865-1870.
		Saint Paul Library Association subscription book (photostat), 1881.
		Saint Paul Public Library staff association, 1978.
		Saint Paul Public Library task force, 2002.
		School division, undated, circa 1918-1920. 2 folders.
		Services to schools 1920-1927.
		Shout it Out: Central Library Reopens, 2012.
		Shut-in service correspondence, 1939-1940.
		Social science, undated.
		Staff roster and positions, 1935.
		Statistics, 1957-1959.
		Strategic planning files, 1982-1992. 6 folders.
		Strike of 1976, 1976.
		Summer camps and reading stations, 1921-1961. 3 folders.
		Talking book, 1936.
		Technology collection, undated.
		Telephone directories, 1936.
		Twin City Catalogers Round Table, 1928.
		Twin City Library Club, 1935-1936. 2 folders.
		Unions (Trade) - library service, collection development, 1917-1926.
		Women's City Club, 1936.


Location
147.F.4.6F	Published records and reports, undated, 1909-2011:
		Arranged chronologically.
		Guides, flyers, leaflets, reading lists:
			undated. 3 folders.
			1909-1926.
			1929-1957.
			1963-2005.
		Photographic collection cataloging manual, undated.
		Library cards (sample), circa 1910-1960.
		Notes on the History of the Saint Paul Public Library by Jennie T. Jennings, 1914-1921.
		Circulation rules, 1920s-1950s.
		Staff manuals:
			circa 1920.
			June 1941.
			Periodical binding, 1943.
			1943.
			Handling of mail, periodicals, exchanges, 1944.
			A Manual for Pages, 1950.
			1953, 1957. 2 folders.
			Tenure of Archer Eggen, 1970s.
		Library patron manual, 1924.
		Survey of the Needs of the Public Library, 1924.
		Outline of the Library Situation, 1925.
		The Library Beacon, 1929-1936. 1 volume.
Location
147.F.4.8F		The Library Beacon index for volumes 1-8, 1929-1936. 1 box.
Location
147.F.4.6F		Historical Background and Development of the Saint Paul Public Library by Rella Havens, 1930.
		Notes on the History of the Saint Paul Public Library: 1845-1882, circa 1936. 2 folders.
		Forms manual, 1940-circa 1950.
		Registration manual, 1940.
		Report of Progress, 1942.
		Book plates used in Catalog Division, 1945.
		Your Record Library scripts, 1950-1953.
			Scripts for a show, likely on the radio, that played music from the Saint Paul Public Library's phonograph (vinyl record) collection.
		Branch Services manuals, 1955.
		Registration manual, 1955.
		School Division manual, 1955.
		Staff manual (incomplete), circa 1955.
		Gift book plates, 1962.
		Branch Business staff publication, 1975-1978. 4 folders.
		The Market Place: Audio-Visual Newsletter, 1975-1976.
		The History and Development of the Carnegie Branch Library Buildings in Minneapolis and Saint Paul by Judith Sassaman, 1979.
		Saint Paul Public Library study by HBW Associates, 1980.
Location
147.F.4.7B		Information Services: Standards and Guidelines, 1980.
		Enduring Woman program, 1980.
		Citizens Task Force for the Library report, 1981.
		Report to the Saint Paul Public Library by Dober and Associates, 1981.
		An Era of Anticipation: The Saint Paul Public Library Service and Response to Change, 1981.
		Your Saint Paul Public Library: Positioning for Tomorrow, 1982.
		Saint Paul Public Library, 1882-1931: Origins and Early Librarians by Patricia Krezowski, 1984.
		Maintenance manual, 1984.
		Facility Program Circulation Center: Saint Paul Central Library, 1984.
		History of the Saint Paul Public Library's Collection of Sound Recordings, 1985.
		Merlin newsletter, 1986-1987.
			Contains news about software the library used called Merlin.
		Strategic plans, 1986-2004.
		Feasibility study report, 1988.
		Strategic Planning task Force report, November 1988.
		Positioning the Saint Paul Central Library for the Future, 1989.
		Staff Training and Development Program: Guidelines and Resources, 1989.
		Staff Training and Development Program: Needs Assessment and Evaluation Final Report, 1992.
		Seven Year Business Plan, 1995.
		Report of Hours study, June 1996.
		Automation Consulting Project: Technology Planning Report, 1996.
		Flexible Staffing Task Force Recommendations Report, 1997.
		Saint Paul Public Libraries: Residential Survey, 1999. 3 folders.
		Central Library Renovation: Schematic Design Report, 1999.
		Central Library Renovation: Project Manual, 2000. 1 volume.
		Saint Paul Public Libraries Facilities, March 2011.


Location
147.F.4.8F	Photographs, 1910-2002:
		Arranged in alphabetical order by topic.
		Bookmobile, 1917-1990s.
		Branch stations, 1917-1960.
		Central Library, 1910-2002.
		Children's Room / Youth Services:
			circa 1920s-1990s.
			1960s-1970s.
			Exhibits, 1929-1967.
			Girl Scouts, 1960.
		Events, 1939-2000.
		Library staff:
			undated (circa 1920s-1960s).
			1932-2005.
Location
112.H.2.8F-1		Library staff group photo, 1945. 1 oversize folder.
			Most staff are identified.
Location
147.F.4.8F		Music room, art room and film, 1930s-1950.
		Youth Services - Family Night at the Children's Museum, 1998. 1 photo album.
			[0.3 cubic feet empty]


Location
147.F.5.3B	Scrapbooks, 1930-1982:
		Book Campaign, February-April 1930. 1 volume.
			Documents the campaign to solicit book donations from the public for the library's collection, due to a stagnant purchasing budget from the city. Includes correspondence, printed programs, and newspaper clippings.
		50th Anniversary Celebration of the St. Paul Public Library, September-November 1932. 1 volume.
			Includes correspondence to and from invitees to the celebration, and news clippings.
Location
112.H.2.8F-1		50th Anniversary of the Saint Paul Public Library scrapbook, 1932. 1 volume.
		Central Library 50th Anniversary scrapbook, 1967.
		100th Anniversary scrapbook, 1982.


Location
112.H.2.8F-2	Register of book borrowers, 1914-1924. 1 volume.
		1914-1915 - contains a list of book borrowers. 1915-1924 - tracks users by sex and occupation, and tracks library attendance by day.


Location
147.F.4.9B	Children's Room / Youth Services Records:
		Also known as the Skinner Room.
		Annual reports, 1914-2003. 39 folders and 1 volume.
			In chronological order.
Location
147.F.4.10F		Publicity files, 1898-2002:
			Mainly news clippings concerning activities at the Children's Room / Skinner Room / Youth Services, some in scrapbooks, some in folders.
			Saint Paul Public Library Youth Services, 1898-2002. 1 volume.
				Includes newspaper articles (photocopies) scrapbook,
			Bird and Flower contest files, 1917, 1919.
			Scrapbooks, 1919-1925. 6 volumes.
			Files, 1932-1937. 3 folders.
			Scrapbook, 1939-1942.
			Files, 1939-1944. 2 folders.
			Scrapbooks, 1943-1960. 3 volumes, 1 folder.
			Skinner Room publicity, 1960.
			Press releases, 1924-1933.
			Children's Room Exhibits scrapbook, 1925-1950. 1 volume.
		Subject files:
			Arranged alphabetically by topic.
			Book exhibit articles, 1930.
			Book fair - children's, 1931-1939.
Location
147.F.5.1B			Brock, Emma L., undated.
				Minnesota author.
			Cochran Memorial Fund, Emilie, 1930-1941.
			Cochran Room, 1949.
			Contests, circa 1920-1950.
			Doll Day, 1939-1980.
			Doll story contest, 1940s.
			The Exploration of Minnesota 1600-1858, 1956. 1 volume.
			Files, 1917-1920.
			Founding documents and history, circa early 1900s.
			Gifts to the library, 1959-1962.
			History of the Children's Room, 1946-1948.
			Jemne Memorial, 1967-1970.
			Jemne puppet stage 60th anniversary, 2009.
			Kites, 1943.
			Library work with children, 1934-1945.
				Class lessons taught by Della McGregor.
			Manuals, 1951, 1955.
			Minnesota Authors, 1942.
			Mother Goose, 1932.
			Open House, 1949.
			Our Minnesota Authors, circa 1940s.
			Pamphlets and promotional materials, circa 1930-1993.
			Published records and reports, circa 1940-1958.
			Puppet research files, 1920-1944.
			Story hour materials, 1968-1977.
			Ramona statue documents and photos, 1995-1996.
			Reading club, undated.
			Reading pamphlets - other libraries, 1928.
Location
147.F.5.2F			Skinner room, 1938-1942.
			Skinner Doings, 1949-1951.
			Skinner Room files and correspondence, 1938-1996.
			Skinner Room pamphlets, printed materials, and publicity, circa 1938-1997.
			Skinner Room photos, 1939-1979.
			Storytelling workshop files, undated (circa 1950s).
			Summer reading program files, 1948-1976.
			Thanksgiving: Harvest home festivals of Thanksgiving in many lands, 1942. 1 volume.
			Weinzierl Memorial Collection, 1954.
			What should I read? A library bookshelf for boys and girls, 1939-1940. 1 volume.
		Della McGregor files:
			Arranged alphabetically by topic. Della McGregor worked for the Saint Paul Public Library for 47 years before retiring as the Chief of Youth Services in 1961. She opened one of the first library rooms specifically for children in the U.S., the Skinner Room, in the St. Paul Central library in 1939, and was influential in the creation of the field of children's library work.
			Articles published, 1927-1955.
			Biographical information and obituary, 1961-1978.
			Children's Room on the Move, 1947.
			Correspondence, 1938-1967.
			Fishing exhibit files, 1945.
			France trip files, 1961.
			Highlights of Trip to New York, Rochester, Baltimore and Chicago, 1946.
			History of Library Service to Children, 1882-1955.
			Library work with children, 1944.
			Louis XIV book research files, circa 1950-1965.
				Includes research files McGregor did for a book on Louis XIV that was never published.
			Minnesota Exploration and Fur Trade bibliography, circa 1960.
			Puppet theatre plans, trip to New York, 1946.
			Subject essays by Della McGregor, circa 1945-1964.
		Guest books:
			Contain lists of people who visited the Skinner room.
			1949-1962. 1 volume.
Location
147.F.5.3B			1948-1952. 2 volumes.
				[0.5 cubic feet empty]
Location
112.H.2 7B-2		Scrapbooks:
			Skinner Room, 1953. 1 volume.
				Contains mainly correspondence.
			Young Adults, 1968-1969. 1 volume.
				[0.4 cubic feet empty]

CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:: Librarians -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.; Libraries -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.; Public libraries -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.; Public libraries -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Administration.

Persons:: Jennings, Jennie T.; Jones, Perrie, 1886-1968.; McGregor, Della.; Wheelock, Webster, 1870-1931.

Organizations:: Saint Paul Public Library -- Catalogs.; Saint Paul Public Library. Friends.; Young Men's Christian Association (Saint Paul, Minn.)

Places:: Ramsey County (Minn.); Saint Paul (Minn.)

Document Types:: Photographs.; Scrapbooks.

Return to top

RAMSEY COUNTY: SAINT PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY:

OVERVIEW

HISTORICAL NOTE

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

CATALOG HEADINGS