B.F. Jones Memorial Library: Forged in Steel

Terri Bogolea Gallagher

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CONTENTS

List of Illustrations 3

Abstract 4

Introduction 5

Library History Literature 6

A Library is Born in Aliquippa’s Steel Town 7

Snapshot 12

The Jones Family Founder and Steel in Aliquippa 16

B.F. Jones Memorial Library – Researched then Built 19

The Architecture 24

The Carnegie Connect 32

The Unveiling 35

Library Today 38

Conclusion 39

Appendices 41

Bibliography 52

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ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure

1. Postcard of B.F. Jones Memorial Library 8

2. Aliquippa, Pa., Franklin Avenue 14

3. Postcard of Jones and Laughlin Aliquippa Works 15

4. Construction begins at B.F. Jones Memorial Library 21

5 . Robert Aitken’s Bronze Sculpture: B.F. Jones 26

6. Interior, Circulation Desk Circa 1930 27

7. Interior Adult Reading Room 28

8. Benjamin Franklin Jones Portrait 29

9. Elisabeth Horne Portrait 30

10. Story Room 31

11. Original Floor Plan 35

Tables:

Appendix I: Library Expenditures 41

Appendix II: Statistics for 100 Libraries 42

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ABSTRACT

This library science historical study examines the establishment of the B.F. Jones

Memorial Library, a Pennsylvania public library in the 1929 steel mill town of Aliquippa. The

study is in part the story of the birth and gift of a single mill-town library, but it is part of the

larger story of the philanthropy of the times and of small-town, early twentieth-century

experience. The author considers the creation of this library in context of its philanthropic

founding as a non-Carnegie library, the library’s architecture as a National Historic Place and its

detailed planning and cost of approximately $465,000 for the time period. The setting is the

close of the 1920s era, in a factory-built town, occupied largely by immigrants and first

generation Americans, perched on the precipice of Black Friday’s Crash and the Great

Depression. Also considered are the library’s relationship to the steel industry and a study of the

key figures involved. The author hopes this Ohio River steel-town’s library story will stoke the

furnace of further historical analysis of other village library stories and, especially, of the

treasures within their walls.

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When I was little, we couldn’t see the stars in the night-time sky because the furnaces of the mill turned the darkness into a red glow.

We went to school across from the mill. The smokestacks towered above us and the smoke billowed out in great puffy clouds of red, orange and yellow, but mostly the color of rust. Everything _ houses, hedges, old cars _ was a rusty, red color. Everything but the little bits of graphite and they glinted like silver in the dust. At recess, when the wind whirled these sharp, shiny metal pieces around, we girls would crouch so that our skirts touched the ground and kept our bare legs from being stung.

Anna Egan Smucker, No Star Nights

Three little girls stood outside the library. They were about ten years old and had been peeking in the windows. They were filled with questions about the new building. They wanted to know when the library would open. One declared she was going to come to the library every day once it opened.

William Moreland to Elisabeth Horne, letter

INTRODUCTION

In February 1929, B.F. Jones Memorial Library, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, opened to the

public in its sculpted stone, bronze, ornamental wrought iron and curlicue plaster splendor.1 This

western Pennsylvania public library, which rose on main street in the factory-built steel mill

town, is an example of twentieth-century philanthropy, a sample of non-Carnegie library

experience in Carnegie home country and a model of library planning, classical architecture and

fine art detail of the day. The library was gifted to Aliquippa by Elisabeth McMasters Jones

Horne, daughter of Benjamin Franklin Jones, co-founder of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company,

one of the world’s top steel producers for nearly a century.2 Horne spared no dimes in building

the library in Aliquippa, spending approximately $465,000 to memorialize her father in a time

when the Great Depression’s bread lines lurked only spare months away and the town’s

1The researcher would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the staff of the B.F. Jones Memorial Library, especially Library Director Mary Elizabeth Colombo and District Consultant Rebecca Long for help and free access to the library’s archives and Donald Inman for his expertise on Jones and Laughlin Steel and access to the Beaver County Industrial Museum materials. Anna Egan Smucker, No Star Nights (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1989). 1. William Moreland to Elisabeth Horne, letter, December 17, 1929. Nearly three years of almost weekly correspondences between Moreland and Horne concerning the library’s construction are in the B. F. Jones Memorial Library archives. “Our New Library Open to Use Today,” Aliquippa Gazette (Aliquippa, PA), February 5, 1929.2 David H. Wollman and Donald R. Inman, Portraits in Steel (Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press) 1999, 1.

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steelworkers—many immigrants— labored “the long turns” in hard-scrabble conditions for a

new life.3

LIBRARY HISTORY LITERATURE

In many ways, Aliquippa’s library story echoes the creation of many small town libraries

of the early twentieth century in the time preceding and following the Depression years. Library

literature unveils that “ladies of the club” were often the impetus behind the creation of the early

twentieth-century library. In her historical account of the creation of the Winterville Public

Library of North Carolina, Heather Anderson credits the survival of the public libraries to

wealthy benefactors and the modern public system to women’s clubs.4

During this time, libraries were funded by philanthropists often for combating social

vices of the era and founders became convinced that the public library was an excellent place for

“the promotion of good manners and morals,” according to Goedeken.5 Donors—whether club

ladies or corporate kingpins—also had the ability to influence the library’s mission and content.

Libraries were key in creating community identity and culture across social, cultural, and ethnic

groups.6 The creation of a library was also often seen as a reflection of the town’s progress.7

Literature by Elizabeth Hubbard also maintains that monied donors and community support were the

foundations of public library development in the early twentieth century.8 Libraries were born of

private philanthropic initiative and towns across the nation prospered from the library spread.

3 Account officer to Elisabeth Horne, Library Statement, Itemized Disbursements, letter, August 6, 1929. Long turns are double shifts.4 Heather Anderson, History of the Winterville Library. North Carolina Libraries Online. 65, (Spring-Summer 2007); 6-11. http://www.nclaonline.org/NCL/ncl/NCL_65_1-2_Spring- Summer2007.pdf]5 Edward Goedeken, The Literature of American Library History, 2003-2005. Libraries & the Cultural Record, 43 (4). 447. doi: 10.1353/lac.0.00386 Suzanne Stauffer, In Their Own Image: the Public Library Collection as a Reflection of its donors. Libraries and the Cultural Record. 42 (2007) 387-388, Academic Search Complete.7 Daniel Ring, “Men of Energy and Snap: The Origins and Early Years of the Billings Public Library,’ Libraries of Culture, 36 no. 3 (Summer 2001) 397. 8 Elizabeth Hubbard, “Library service to unions: A Historical overview.’ Library Trends, 51 no. 1 (2002). 5.

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According to Hubbard’s study, wealthy men provided what tax revenues could not in the

founding of libraries.9

When examining the literature about library growth for this era and the decades around it,

it became evident that library expansion occurred across the United States. Goedeken cited that

Charles Seavey’s research showed that during the Great Depression, new libraries were founded

in almost every state.10 His research allows that during hard times, resources were mined to

create libraries where they never existed before.11 Libraries took on the role of social agency and

political activist during this period and the ALA worked diligently against the anti-tax movement

to enable libraries to keep doors open.12 Luyt poignantly describes the time: “It was a time when

Americans starved to death in their homes and unemployment figures skyrocketed to around one

quarter of the population.”13 The proliferation of the American Public Library in what Seavey

described as the “teeth of the Great Depression,” demonstrated the importance of the institution

here in America.14

A LIBRARY IS BORN IN ALIQUIPPA’S STEEL TOWN

Aliquippa’s public library story was painted in the national pattern, especially for small,

northern industrial towns, but was also brush stroked with individuality in architecture and

planning that would make it remarkable both in its time and today. Both “ladies of the club” and

a wealthy benefactress had a part in creating the B. F. Jones Memorial Library, a facility that

9 Hubbard, “Library Service’, 10.10 Goedeken, “The Literature of American Library History,” 447.11 Goedeken, “The Literature of American Library History,” 448.12 Brendon Luyt, “The ALA, Public Libraries and the Great Depression. Library History. 23 (2007) 85.doi: 10.1179/174581607x205626.13 Luyt, “The ALA, Public Libraries, 85.14 Charles Seavey. “The American public library during the Great Depression,” 52 no. 8/9 (2003) 375. Proquest Research.

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would be touted in national magazines and draw 9,000 people to the mill town streets for its

opening in 1929.15

Figure 1: Postcard B.F. Jones Memorial Library. Used by permission, Mark Delvecchio Private Collection.

However, the opulent B.F. Jones Memorial Library was not the first effort at forming a

library in the industrial river town, today called Aliquippa (and known as Woodlawn until 1928).

In 1921, through the work of the Woman’s Club of Woodlawn and a house-to house canvass

collecting $2,791 and change in donations, the first town library was born.16 The Woodlawn

Woman’s Club’s stated mission was to be ‘both civic and literary.” The library was the club’s

literary effort; a well-baby clinic and Christmas for the poor in the mill town were the primary

civic missions of the 29 members.17

The public library opened in a room in the town’s municipal building, atop the fire

department. It was so well-received with its donated, borrowed, and bought texts, including some

in Polish, Italian, and Hungarian for the vale’s large immigrant population, the library expanded

15 “Over 9.000 Visit New Library During Dedication Event, Aliquippa Gazette, February 5, 1929. 16 Woman’s Club of Woodlawn, meeting minutes, 1920; Historical Images Project, B.F. Jones Public Library, http://www.bfjoneslibrary.org/libraryinfo.htm17 Woodlawn Gazette, “Story of Woodlawn,’ Franklin Publishing (1924) 9; part of the B.F. Jones Memorial Library Pennsylvania Collection.

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to two rooms within two months.18 The borough provided utilities, furniture, and janitorial

services. The council was asked by the club for more support. They committed to an annual

contribution in 1921 and the council still appropriates an amount of support to this day.19

By 1926, the library had outgrown the stacks and charge desk in the borough space too.

The ladies of the club began sleuthing out a new home.20 The Woman’s Club members were

considering a project remodeling a house on Franklin Avenue in town, owned by the Woodlawn

Land Company, a Jones and Laughlin subsidiary. Mill Officer William Moreland heard about the

quest. Moreland had an idea. He asked Tom Girdler, mill superintendent, for a week to look for a

benefactor to build a new library for Aliquippa.21

Moreland was the long-time private secretary of the by-then deceased B.F. Jones, co-

founder of Jones and Laughlin and nationally-known industrialist. From his secretarial duties,

Moreland had risen to vice-president in the business that shipped its steel on the rails along and

on the rushing current of the Ohio to all corners of the earth.22 Besides his mill duties, Moreland

had become a liaison between the Jones family—or merely “the family” as many called the

Joneses—and the company and others.23 Moreland promptly wrote to Elisabeth Horne, one of the

founder’s daughters, about the town library’s dilemma.24 Horne replied that she would be

interested in exploring the need and planned a trip to Aliquippa.25

18 Woman’s Club of Woodlawn, monthly report, Feb. 8, 192119 “Council Asked to Levy Tax For Library,” Woodlawn Gazette, March 8, 1921; B.F. Jones Memorial Library Annual Reports, through 2009.20William Moreland, Typed Account, Library History for Himmelwright’s Retirement, June 22, 1950.21 Moreland, Account of Meeting Woodland Land Company, 192622 Wollman and Inman, Portraits, 85.23 Wollman and Inman, Portraits, 93.24 William Moreland to Elisabeth Horne, letter, April 10, 1926. Nearly three years of correspondences concerning the library are located in the B.F. Jones Memorial Library archives. 25 Horne to Moreland, letter, April 14, 1926; Moreland noted that Horne also replied in telegram that day, “I think favorably of your proposition; will write.’’

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A part-time resident of Sewickley Heights in nearby Allegheny County, Horne made a

visit to her family’s and Aliquippa’s steel kingdom, a town hemmed by the river and the

sentinel-like Pennsylvania hills.26 At this juncture in 1926, Horne’s brother, B.F. Jones Jr. was

manning the company helm (he would pass away in 1928 before the library opened).27

On the visit, Librarian Susan Himmelwright explained to Horne that the current library

could no longer accommodate the needs of the community, which was home to 27,000 people,

mostly mill families and a large immigrant population.28 Escorted on her walk-about by a cadre

of Moreland, B.F. Jones III, F.E. Fieger, Granville Lewis and Architect Brandon Smith, Horne

was captivated by the idea of a memorial for her father and a gift to the town that his vision built.

That day, Horne informed Himmelwright of her intentions.29 The wheels of a many-car

locomotive began churning. With her deep Jones and Laughlin Company ties, Horne had access

to experts in finance, business, planning, and law. Research was gathered about building a public

library. It was to be a building of cost and culture, perhaps beyond the imagination of many of

those sharing rooming houses in the Aliquippa mill’s residential plans and those who came to the

library to find texts in their native tongue and translations to their new one.

Horne’s father’s right hand man, Moreland, would become Horne’s own point man for

the library project. On Nov. 5, 1926, representatives of Elisabeth Horne were present at an

informal meeting of the Borough Council.30 The announcement was that the Mrs. Horne wished

to gift the town with a library. The building was to be located on the town’s main street, Franklin

Avenue, and cost projections were $200,000. (This amount would more than double by the time

the library checked its first book out to a patron).31 The proposal stated the library would be 26 Moreland, Typed Account Library History, June 22, 195027 “Benjamin Franklin Jones, Jr. Steel Leader Expires,’ Pittsburgh Post Gazette, January 2, 1928., 28 1930 United States Census29 Moreland, Typed Account Library History, June 22, 195030 Woodlawn meeting minutes, November 5, 1926.31 Horne, Disbursements, Aug. 6, 1930

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deeded to the borough without condition except as to maintenance. Representatives to the agog

council were told the library would hold 25,000 to 40,000 volumes when completed, separate

rooms for adults and children, and that plans were to make the library “one of the most beautiful

and complete buildings of its size in the country.”32

In a letter to the burgess and members of Woodlawn council dated Nov. 9, 1926, written

from Pittsburgh, PA, Horne followed with a formal offer stating she was interested in “the

general progress and advancement” of the Borough of Woodlawn and that the current library was

inadequate for the usage, “garnering more usage than libraries of its size throughout the state.”33

Horne offered that it would be a personal privilege to purchase a plot of ground on

Franklin Avenue and, erect a library building (she supplied a detailed plan and Architect

Brandon Smith’s watercolor of the proposed building with the offer letter) subject to minor

alterations needed upon construction.34 Upon completion, the deed would then be conferred to

the Borough of Woodlawn as a free gift. The conditions were the property would be known as

the B.F. Jones Memorial Library of Woodlawn in perpetuity. The library was to be a free, public

and non-sectarian library.35

The letter also delineated the library’s administration for operation. It is evident that the

mill administration would be involved, as it was in almost all aspects of the town living at this

time period. A memo with the first suggested board would be issued from company

headquarters.36 According to Horne’s provisions, the library and property were to be

administered by a nine member board, one to be appointed by the mill president, two council

members including the president of council and other member chosen by council, two school

32 Horne to Woodlawn Borough Council, letter, November 5, 192633 Horne to Woodlawn Borough Council, letter, November 9, 192634 Horne, November 9, 1926.35 Horne, November 9, 1926.36 F.R. Fieger to R.J. Wysor, Jones and Laughlin Interdepartment Correspondence, July 26, 1926.

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district representatives including the superintendent of schools, president of the women’s club

and three residents at large appointed by the board members. Addendums were even made for

board vacancies. Codicils for mill ownership transfers and Jones family retraction from the

company were covered in her offer. Without mill advisement, Horne would be the assignee or in

the case of her death, other B.F. Jones offspring and, at their absence, the closest kin. Horne’s

detailed offer was not out of character. Horne and entourage demonstrated such attention to

detail and planning throughout the next three years of the library project.37

On Nov. 15, 1926, Ordinance 301 of Woodlawn Borough, formally accepted Horne’s

offer of a public library.38 (On Jan. 26, 1928, Ordinance 365, again accepted the offer _ the

library was already in progress _ with identical terms except for term change of B.F. Jones

Memorial Library of Aliquippa because of the town’s name change from Woodlawn.39 )

The B.F. Jones Memorial Library was coming to Aliquippa.

SNAPSHOT OF THE TOWN

To understand the impact a library could make to the town of Woodlawn and later

Aliquippa, it is imperative to look at the town’s history, progress and composition. About 19

miles north of Pittsburgh, Woodlawn’s early history dates back to pre-Revolutionary times. The

fertile river bottom land area was at the convergence of Shawnee, Iroquois and Delaware country

and was used for trade purposes. The name Aliquippa, which became the official town moniker

during the library’s erection and stands today, is derived from an Iroquois queen of that name

whose name also christened the town rail station.40. The area has the claim of visits by LaSalle in

1659, frontiersman Christopher Gist and a twenty-year-old George Washington. Development

37 Horne, Nov. 9, 1926; B.F. Jones Memorial Library Bylaws, Nov. 16, 192638 Woodlawn Borough Ordinance 301, Volume 3, Page 290, Nov. 15, 192639 Aliquippa Borough Ordinance, 365, January 26, 1928.40 Woodlawn Gazette, Story of Woodlawn, 1924.

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was slow for the area in the frontier years. Until the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad built a

station in 1877, the area remained primarily farm land, much of it owned by John MacDonald

and his sons.41 The rail company leased a woodland area between the railroad and river and

named it Aliquippa Park, an amusement park of “rollercoasters, razzle dazzle shows and other

concessionaires and a bathing beach.”42 The whistle stop park flourished for 25 years but with

little settlement growth. The town’s true boom didn’t come until after 1905.

In 1905, the steel industry came to town as Jones and Laughlin purchased the McDonald

Tract and several other farms on the river plain beneath the surrounding rolling hills. Here, Jones

and Laughlin would build a steel mill that in decades later would extend to more than six-miles,

700 acres of factory and employee 11,000 workers.43 Two years after Jones and Laughlin came

to town, the borough would be organized on Dec. 5 1907.44 In the following two decades, the

population would explode; street cars, busy stores, restaurants and taverns would grow as jobs

and steel production rose like the smoke that permanently billowed and huffed over the town. In

1929, Jones and Laughlin profits would reach 20.8 million as the Depression hit $18 million of

deficits would accumulate.45

By the 1930 census, right after the library’s opening, the town snapshot showed a total

population of 27,116 including 15, 241 males and 11,875 females, 24,716 whites and 2562

negroes. Of the over 27, 000 residents, nearly 20,000 were immigrants or had immigrant

parents.46 During this time period, nearly every worker in the town worked in steel, a Jones and

41 Woodlawn Gazette, Story of Woodlawn, 1924.42 Tom M. Girdler., “Bootstraps,” New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. 1943. 167. Girdler was the superintendent of J&L Aliquippa works, where he worked from 1914 to 1930. Bootstraps is his autobiography.43 “Welcome to the Aliquippa Works, pamphlet Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, 1979.44 Woodlawn Gazette, Story of Woodlawn, 192445“Business: Family’s Fourth,” Time Magazine, April 13, 1936. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,756010-2,00.html#ixzz12TSETlYd.

46 1930 United States Census.

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Laughlin-owned business or organization, or a service that catered to the workers like the Greek

restaurants or taverns along Franklin Avenue and neighborhood streets.47 Aliquippa was not the

only local town with a bloodline of molten steel. More than 40 percent of Beaver County’s total

population was employed in the steel industry.48

Families were growing in Aliquippa when Horne came to visit. In the decade from school

year 1919-1920 to school year 1928-1929, student enrollment rose in Aliquippa from 2,292

students to 6,611.49 In addition, night school for the large foreign-speaking population was a

need. In 1923, 196 men and women attended the Americanization night schools at the Logstown

school and 68 at the Jones school.50

Figure 2: Aliquippa, Pa. Used by permission, Don Inman Collection, Beaver County Industrial Museum.

Mill Superintendent Tom Girdler in his autobiography, Bootstraps describes the town in

the decade surrounding the library’s building: “There were thirteen major groups. The Italians

had their hill; the Serbs, another. There were many Slavic people. There were many Negroes.”51

47 Charles Rumford Walker, “Steel: the Diary of a Furnace Worker,” Atlantic Monthly Press. Reprinted with preface and afterword, edited by Kenneth J. Kobus, Warrendale, PA: Iron and Steel Society, 1999.48 1930 United States Census49 H.R. Vanderslice, “The All-Year School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, The Elementary School Journal (1930). 576.50 Woodlawn Gazette, Story, 1924.51 Girdler, Bootstraps, 172

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Girdler relayed a conversation with William Latimer Jones at the time of his hiring. W.L. was

the nephew of B.F. Jones and an officer for Jones and Laughlin.52 A quiet, soft-spoken man,

according to Girdler, they discussed the deplorable conditions of many other industrial towns.

W.L. Jones said:

Around our Aliquippa Works, we have a blank page. We’ve bought the land. When the plant is fully built the men who work there will constitute with their families, the population of a good-sized town. We want to make it the best possible place for a steelworker to raise a family. 53

Figure 3: Postcard of the mill. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

THE JONES FAMILY FOUNDER AND STEEL IN ALIQUIPPA

William Latimer Jones’ idealistic attitude and the Jones’ family philosophy of civic duty

were learned at the knee of founder B.F. Jones. The patriarch offered major support to

52 Wollman and Inman, Portraits, 57.53 Girdler, Bootstraps, 166

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Pittsburgh hospitals—Allegheny General, Passavant, and Mercy— the arts and education

including Boston’s Bibliophile Society, and scientific manufacturing research.54 From the

humble roots of a canal clerk, he became the chairman of the National Republican Party twice,

met with presidents, and was the president of the National Steel Association for 18 years.55

Such civic obligation, in addition to daughterly admiration, may have induced Elisabeth

Horne to build a library in memory of her father and gift the town.56 The Joneses traditionally

“had feelings for the people” and were open to company funds improving the community from

building pools to helping the local Boy Scouts troop.57

B.F. Jones is credited with unveiling the sliding pay scale in Pittsburgh industry. His steel

companies while not a stranger to labor unrest were managed without the tragedies of Carnegie’s

Homestead-Pinkerton clash.58 Jones was said to know the names of his workers and their family

members’ names; when one of the workers bedecked smokestacks at his mill with a royal-

appearing crest, Jones ordered the insignia altered to hats. He was a purveyor of democracy and

as one business acquaintance of 60 years called Jones: “kindness personified.”59

Jones himself would not live to see the Aliquippa Works emerge from the riverbank (he

died three years earlier) but it was his vision of a large site where easy river access was available,

54 “History of Allegheny County, Genealogy and History” Volume 1 (Unigraphic.) 1889. 233-236 ; W.T. Mossman, Biographical Sketch of B.F. Jones, Jones and Laughlin Steel, n.d. 4-5. 55 “Canal Clerk to Steel Magnate,” Pittsburgh Press, Jan. 21, 1931.56 “Full text addresses from Library Opening,’ Woodlawn Gazette, Feb. 5, 192957Girdler, “Bootstraps,’ 175.58 Wollman and Inman, Portraits, 15.59 Butler, Joseph, “Recollection of Men and Events: An Autobiography,’” ( Putnam and Sons: New York.) 1927. 336-337

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in addition to rail, which brought steel to Aliquippa.60 Of Welsh, English, and Scots stock and

Presbyterian, Jones was a devoted husband to Mary McMasters, their children, siblings, and

nephews and other family members.61

His governance was viewed as paternalistic, most likely as in a kind but just father but

the steel mill’s role gathered a more dictatorial side as the years progressed and the founder’s

rule faded. The company owned the mercantile, the land, the banks, influenced politics and

news, laid out the town’s housing plans and sold the homes. “But, paternalistic, as it undoubtedly

was, when I recall how well we realized the vision of The Family, I am proud to have a part in

the making of Aliquippa.62 A new American town was born and it was a good town, although

born out of a boom.”63

As the library building was coming to fruition, the Jones family, due to the aging of

family members and none to take the reins, was losing its operational role but not its financial

role at Jones and Laughlin, especially with the death of Benjamin Franklin Jones Jr., in 1928.

Rumblings of dissent and unionization were roiling at the furnaces. The town was referred to as

“Little Siberia;” not Girdler’s utopian steel town, for the company’s control and the large eastern

European population who had witnessed repression before.64 Pro-union organizers concurred.

Aliquippa is a dark town. Even Bill Foster’s organizers couldn’t get near it back in 1919. Company and city police barred the roads and watched the railroad stations. When strangers couldn’t account for their time, they were hustled to jail overnight and then out of town.65

60 “Canal Clerk,” Pittsburgh Press, 193161 Genealogical Chart, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation Archives, MSP33, John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh PA; Copy of Will of Benjamin Franklin Jones,St. B.F. Jones Memorial Library archives.62 Girdler, Bootstraps, 166.63 Girdler, Bootstraps, 169.64 James Green, “Democracy Comes to Little Siberia: Steelworkers Organize in Aliquippa, PA 1933-37, Historical Collections and Labor Archives, Penn State, 1993.65 Eric Leif Davin, “Blue Collar Democracy: Class War and Political Revolution in Western Pennsylvania, 1932-1937, University of Pittsburgh, 269.

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One of the most vivid historical accounts of mill life from the time period is from the

1922 inside account of Charles Rumford Walker, a World War I vet and Yale graduate. In 1919,

Walker arrived in Aliquippa, which in his published account he named the fictional town Bouton

to protect identities, and went straight to work at Jones and Laughlin to learn out about the steel

trade. In later years, Walker admitted his story was about the Aliquippa Works. Walker

portrayed the life in the town from getting a job and starting as the lowest worker in the Pit to the

relationships between ethnic groups, “the mill Hunkies” to the hell of working the “long turn.”

He called the administration at Aliquippa fair for the most part but the long “turns’ and dangers

in the mill a challenge.66

This is the town that Elizabeth Horne would tour with William Moreland to decide if

Aliquippa needed a library and if the town was the site to memorialize her father. Her gesture of

a public library gift was not unusual in an industrial town. Historically, labor had a strong

connection with public library history. Workers have long been viewed as the foremost recipient

of the benefits of the public library.67 Library development has targeted workers for both

educational purposes as well as in the area of “social control.”68 Public libraries have mentored

and advocated for organized labor, as well as been sources of worker outreach, programs and

joint services. Libraries have focused on laborers as both the individual and the work force. In

the early 1900s, the education movement in labor was a focus for libraries which evolved toward

union issues.69 It has long been perpetuated that libraries could have an equitable effect on class

disparity and act as oil on water by offering literacy and knowledge to cure labor unrest.70

Documentation cannot confirm that this was Horne’s intention—to still ripples of labor—but the 66 Walker, “Steel: The Diary,” 1922.67 Ann Sparanese, “Service to the Labor Community: A Public Library Perspective. Library Trends. 51(2002) 19, Library Literature and Information Full Text. 68 Sparanese, Service to the Labor Community, 23.69 Sparanese, Service to the Labor Community, 20.70 Sparanese, “Service to the Labor Community”, 23.

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gift most probably influenced the climate and the sentimentality between Aliquippa and the

Jones family.

B.F. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY IS RESEARCHED AND BUILT

The Jones family members were proponents of the adage, “Rome was not built in a day.”

Extensive investigation and planning went into Elisabeth Horne’s public library gift.

Architect Smith and Liaison Moreland were charged with creating a library of beauty and

use that did not smack of paternalism.71 A.O. Wilson Company of Pittsburgh was chosen as

general contractor. Maitland Wilson, son of the company’s founder, would be well-appreciated

for his efforts in making the building a reality that Horne would present him with a watch for his

work.72 Moreland approached the building of the library with the detail of a scholarly researcher:

he gathered his own library of resources about libraries including Bostwick’s The American

Library, library budget literature, library equipment company brochures, and a 100-library

analysis of libraries across the United States.73 Moreland would study how libraries in all areas of

the country were financed, how much they would cost to build, numbers or employees and even

how they were insured and their relationship to schools.74

An architect was selected by Horne: Brandon Smith of the Pittsburgh firm of

Bartholomew and Smith who had toured Aliquippa with Horne on her visit. Smith was chosen,

not by competition as many library architects were chosen of the time for library projects but by

reputation as “the ablest great house planner” Pittsburgh had ever known.75 Like Moreland,

Smith was expected to do his homework. Brandon Smith is known for designing the Edgeworth

71 Smith, Original Voided Description of Library, n.d.72Account Officer, Library Statement, Aug. 6, 1929; Paid Receipt, Hardy and Hayes Company, Pittsburgh, January 21, 1929. 73 B.F. Jones Memorial Library Archives, a file contains a list and many of the items and books Moreland used for his research.74 “Statistics of 100 Libraries,’ Compiled by S.E. Weber, Charleston, WV, pre-1926.75 Abigail A. Van Slyck, “Free to All, Carnegie Libraries and American Culture 1890-1920,” (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1998) 82.

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Country Club House and Sewickley Heights homes of Benjamin Franklin Jones, William

Latimer Jones, Rhea Beck and other wealthy Pittsburgh socialites; he had a reputation as an

“eclectic for blending classical elements and the use of light and airiness for function.”76

Scouting visits were made by Horne’s brigade to other libraries to glean input to the

Aliquippa project. Stops included public libraries in: Gary Indiana, April 23, 1926; Kenosha,

Wisconsin, April 24, 1926; Milwaukee, Wisconsin April 24, 1926; Erie, May 13, 1926;

Williamsport, PA, May 14, 1926; Johnstown, May 15, 1926.77

After the information was gathered, Moreland continued to oversee the building of the

library with intensity of a new parent. Weekly reports and photos were sent to Horne so she had

a handle on the progress as she traveled between residences and vacation spots from Park

Avenue, Palm Beach to Deep Creek, Maryland.78 At the arrival of a telegram, Moreland was

available to board a train to New York to consult on the profile of the bronze cast of his former

boss, Benjamin Franklin Jones, or offer opinion on a library problem for Horne.79

The physical work on the memorial library began in 1927. Lots were conveyed from

Woodlawn Land Company to Horne: lots 293, 295, 297, 299 in addition to lots 281, 283, 285,

287, 281, 299 were marked for the building of the library on Franklin Avenue. The building was

staked out by Architect Smith and A.O. Wilson.80 A ground breaking ceremony was conducted

on July 18, 1927. The cornerstone was laid in November. Work would continue for the next year

and a half. Horne would be apprised of projects through Moreland but signed the check herself

through the Union Trust Company account assigned specifically for the library.81

76 Don Miller, “Sewickley Heights House Makes A Dramatic Comeback, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, January 29, 1995; Joyce Gannon,“Million Dollar Millstones,” Pittsburgh Post Gazette, May 5, 1996;77 Statistics for 100 Libraries, Weber, pre-192678 Moreland to Horne, letter, December 23, 1929, weekly photos mentioned79 Moreland to Horne, telegram, March 26, 1928.Mo80 Moreland to Horne, letter, July 18, 1927 81 Checkbook and Ledger, B.F. Jones Memorial Library archives.

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Figure 4: The library is built across from company houses. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

The work remained steady for the building of the library as laborers, craftsmen, artists

and consultants frequented the site, perched on a rise across from a line of company-built

residences. Family businesses provided some of the wares. Steel was provided by Jones and

Laughlin. Interior decor items were provided by the Joseph Horne Company, owned by Elisabeth

Horne’s in-laws. (Horne married, had children with and divorced the son of the Pittsburgh

department store owner, Joseph Horne. She remained an heir to the Horne fortune.)82

The only minor glitches were a drainage reroute and a delay in some of the stone arriving

but for the most part, planning and detail led to a fluid project. The original projection of costs

rose but correspondences reveal that Horne’s plan to make the library the best overruled most

cost considerations. That is not to imply free spending; Moreland, Horne, Smith, and accountants

kept track of dollars. Correspondences debated contractor or artist choice. The choice of the

82 Copy of Will of Joseph Horne, B.F. Jones Memorial Library, 1893.

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renowned Oscar Bach was such a case for discussion on the wrought iron work.83 A few local

tradesmen applied for subcontracting work.

Skilled stonecutters, carvers, casters and plasterers, who were more artists than tradesmen,

were required for much of the exterior and interior decorative work on the library. Final costs for

the building, property and contents are estimated at $465,000. Horne earmarked $17,000 for

books; a Robert Aitken bronze statue of B.F. Jones Memorial alone cost $27,500.84 (See

Appendix A for cost breakdown.)

In addition, Jones and Laughlin donated a technical book collection valued at $5,000 and

Horne’s siblings donated miscellaneous items from a refrigerator and subscriptions of Harper’s

and Godey’s to accent pillows. At the time of the library opening, newspapers and publications

estimated the library’s cost at $465,000 to a half million dollars. Librarian Susan

Himmelwright, interviewed several times, was not specific on the dollar amount in initial press

coverage.85

Himmelwright, who would serve as the head librarian at B.F. Jones Memorial Library

through its birth until 1950, was involved heavily in the collection process for the new library

and was well respected by Moreland, Horne, the Jones and Laughlin corporate offices, and

colleagues in librarianship.86 According to the visitor’s records of the ALA archives,

Himmelwright journeyed to the ALA office in 1929. Documentation only tracks the visit not its

purpose; however, Himmelwright was a researcher too. The ALA also has possession of

suggested reading quotations and lists from B.F. Jones Memorial Library about the time of

construction.87 Himmelwright was adamant in insisting on ALA standards and membership for 83 Moreland to Horne, letter, May 18, 1928.84 Accountant to Horne, Disbursements, Aug. 6, 1929; Additional typed account expenses, B.F. Jones Memorial Library Archives.85 Muswigan, Marie. “Beautiful Aliquippa Library Shrine to Steel Man’s Memory,” Pittsburgh Press, Feb. 1, 1929.86 Himmelwright to ALA and Himmelwright to Borough Council, letters,87 ALA Library, University of Ililinois at Urbana Series 85/7/6 and 29/5/2 visitor’s log.

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the library as well as supplying Smith’s plans for the library and project information to ALA.

She served on Commonwealth Libraries state planning committee in the early 1930s with a

group of other “eminent librarians.”88

From the start, Susan Himmelwright is recommended strongly to remain head librarian due

to her professionalism.89 The start-up collection for B.F. Jones would include 7, 151 books

transferred from the Woodlawn borough facility in addition to the books purchased with Horne’s

$15,000 and the technical collection donated by Jones and Laughlin. The Carnegie Institute was

consulted on collection choices.90 In 1929, the library would register 8,737 borrowers. In

Himmelwright’s 1937 report, when analyzing the books borrowed for the year, she broke down

by classification books circulated from most to least: fiction led, followed by books for little

children, sociology, useful arts, travel, science, literature, history, biography, fine arts,

pamphlets, religion, philosophy, philology, general, and periodicals. Books from the technical

collection and foreign titles were still important to the circulation numbers in the 1930s at the

Aliquippa library.91

By this time, the library had also opened two school book stations in the town’s schools.

Himmelwright through her programming stresses an alliance with Aliquippa schools. In 1928,

high school students were placed in a formal training program to become library aides.in the new

library. Students visited the library for regular school programming. Mother Goose story time

was popular when the library opened. In 1930, when Horne delivered a story hour, more than

300 school children attended. The benefactress was delighted.92 Himmelwright, who would

remain head librarian until 1950, is a visible library advocate, even authoring several library 88 Pennsylvania,State Planning Committee,Commonwealth Libraries, Preliminary report, 38, http://www.ebooksread.com89 Moreland, Library History, 195090 Moreland to Horne, letter, September 28, 1929.91 B.F. Jones Memorial Library annual report s1934-1937.92 Horne to Moreland, letter, 1930.

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columns in the local Evening Times.93 Himmelwright was also very conscious of the connection

between the company, Horne, and the library’s success.94 Throughout this process and years, she

balances the politics of the position. Other than collection and staff, Himmelwright’s role with

the building of the library included furniture consultation with Moreland.

THE ARCHITECTURE

A 19-year veteran of the Jones and Laughlin Tin Mill—a section of the Jones and Laughlin

plant— visited the library before it was open to the public. He was part of a work crew putting

the final touches— light replacement, weather tighting—on the building before the doors were

opened. Moreland wrote that the man was “carried away” by the beauty of the building. He

relayed to Horne that the tin mill worker said that no one could imagine the building’s beauty

unless they saw the inside of the building in person.95 Besides the social significance of the

library, the architectural design, engineering, and accoutrements that remain impressive today at

the Aliquippa Library and were the key to its selection as a National Historic Place.96

The architecture and design of B.F. Jones Memorial Library is primarily credited to the

classical and sometimes offbeat vision of Brandon Smith, along with a splash of color

consultation by New York Color Architect Nora Thorpe.

The lines of the library are classical. The T-shaped Library is built of Indian limestone

structure of restrained Italian Renaissance Design.97 A one-story structure approximately 132 by

72 feet with a full basement, the building showcases four ionic columns supporting recessed

colonnades on the façade of each of two wings of the library. Each wing also boasts three thirty-

93 Himmelwright newspaper columns, Evening Times, 1945.94 Himmelwright to Jones and Laughlin offices, letters, 1927-192995 Moreland to Horne, letter, January 29, 192996 National Historic Place Listing for B.F. Jones Memorial Library, Department of the Interior, http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/pa/Beaver/state.html97 Brandon Smith, Description of Architecture, n.d. B.F. Jones Memorial Library archives.

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pane window, as do the building sides.98 Entablatures showcase detailed spiral carving. A two-

flight stairway approaches the main entry_ a double doorway of bronze, wrought iron and

glass.99 The ornamental gutter-eave or cheneau is detailed cast bronze. Below the cheneau, the

words- Philosophy, Biology, Astronomy, Fiction, History, Science, Painting, Music Sculpture,

Drama, Poetry and Romance are carved and beckon to those who enter to learning. Library

buildings themselves—as Rayward and Jenkins discussed concerning libraries during times of

war, revolution and social change—infer substance, physical presence, solidity, permanence and

continuity.100 A library building is often housed to “evoke awe, even reverence.”101 The authors

referred to the library as symbolic of stability and organizational identity.102 With the B.F. Jones

Memorial Library, Smith achieved this aim from threshold to exits.

Inside the library, the entry walls are finished in Kasota stone, a limestone quarried in

Minnesota while the floor is travertine imported from Italy; the ornate foyer ceiling is an Italian

reproduction.103 A bronze statue of B. F. Jones himself, cast by New York artist, Robert Aitken,

sits on a foundation of Vermont marble. The commissioned statue of the steel magnate cost

$27,500 at the time of its creation.104

98 Smith, Description, n.d.99 National Historic Place Application, 1978100 W. Boyd Rayward and Christine Jenkins, “Libraries in Times of War, Revolution and Social Change,” Library Trends. 55 (Winter 2007) 362, Academic Search Complete.101 Rayward and Jenkins, “Libraries in Times of War” 363.102 Rayward and Jenkins, Library in Times of War,” 363.103 Smith, Description, n.d.104 Addendum to Horne Library Expenditure Statement, June 1940

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Figure 5: Bronze Statue of B.F. Jones. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

Aitken’s dossier includes an award winning memorial sculpture to writer Bret Harte, a

monument to Admiral Dewey, a sculpture of architect Cass Gilbert, and pediment sculpture at

the main entrance of the Supreme Count Building (in which the author included his own

likeness).105

Near the sculpture, the stairwell extends to the basement and what was used as the

exhibition room and lobby on the lower floor. The stairs have a bronze stair rail and center

panels modeled by the president of the General Bronze Company; this company furnished the

bronze work and the owner wanted something of his own creation in the memorial building.

Bronze door frames, birds, flower, book, and torch motifs are showcased as ornamental work.106

105 David Bernard Dearinger, “Painting and Sculpture in the National Academy of Design,” (New York; Hudson Hills Press, 2004). 10.106 National Historic Register Application, 1978.

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Figure 6: The Circulation Desk 1930. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

The lobby spotlights another rare work of art: screens made of hand wrought iron with

bronze medallions by Oscar Bach, named in Smith’s description as one of the leading wrought

iron craftsmen in the United States of the time.107 Medallions on one side of the screen depict the

iron and steel industry; the other side portrays the world of a child. Wall medallions of imported

Italian marble are also highlighted in the lobby. Light showers the lobby from a Smith trademark

skylight high above the circulation desk. The ceiling is ornamental plaster created by the skilled

workman of the Joseph Horne Company; colors are chosen by Nora Thorpe.108

107 Smith, Description, n.d.108 Smith, Description, n.d.; Nora Thorpe, letter, n.d. Nora Thorpe of New York.was the ‘color architect” on the project.

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Figure 7: Adult Reading Room. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

The adult reading room features Renaissance style ornamental plaster and travertine marble

floors. Walls are constructed of manufactured stone made in the Pittsburgh area.109 The room

focal point is a portrait of Benjamin Franklin Jones by Theobald Chartran painted in 1892 and

presented as a gift to the library by his daughter-in-law, Mrs. B.F Jones Jr. Chartran was a

French academic painter of celebrated Americans and also painted Senator Matthew Quay,

another western Pennsylvania famous figure, and millionaire Charles Schwab110

109 Smith, Description, n.d. 110 “Senator Quay Painting,’ New York Times, May 31, 1902

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Figure 8: B.F. Jones Portrait. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

The reference room of the library features cast stone, Cretan, which is carved after casting

by artists and was first popularized during the Norman Renaissance.111 The Junior Reading Room

of the library received special attention by the architect because of Horne’s interest in children.112

Faux plaster beams are painted to look like gum wood, and polychrome terracota copies of the

Andrea della Robbia Bambino works found in the Foundling Hospital of Florence are

represented.113 A polychrome terra cotta fountain is also highlighted. A plaster frieze above

Bach’s wrought iron screen exemplifies music, tragedy and comedy.

111 National Historic Places Application, 1978112 Brandon Smith, Unofficial Original Version General Description, n.d. 113 National Historic Places Application, 1978

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Figure 9: Elisabeth Horne. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

Another key point of the room is Elisabeth Horne’s portrait by Alfred Hoen, Dutch painter

who painted society portraits in American and France. A map of Fairyland imported from

England is also showcased. The doorway between the room and the children’s story room

features an ornate frieze of the world of a child. 114

The story hour room, which today is the library director’s office, contains a series of leaded

glass windows illustrating nursery rhymes. The stained glass was leaded by Henry Hunt of

Pittsburgh, a premier glass artist of city churches, at the cost of $675. The Miss Muffet window

even sports the intricate spider in stained glass work. The fireplace is built of Cretan and Norman

lines; the floor is tiled with insect patterns.115

114 Smith, description, n.d.115 Library architectural biography, B.F. Jones Memorial Library, current

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Figure 10: Children’s Story Room. Used by permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

The architectural detail of the library continued in the basement of the library with Doric

styles, glazed terracotta and an alcove with statuary and gum wood attributes, the only wood

décor in the building. A large exhibition room to accommodate crowds, staffroom, kitchen, work

room, furnace room, fan room, and elevator completed the building and provided ample work

space for employees and preparation of collection materials. The ventilation system was

designed to cleanse the outside air before pumping it through the rooms of the library. Outside, a

fenced garden added more beauty and sculpture for library visitors. Smith’s designs were lauded

by The National Historic Register review as a blend of form and function.

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Smith himself praised the workers:

In its construction, there was an unusual spirit amongst the workmen, each trying to put his best into his part of the work. When it was finished and they came to see the work of their hands, the plasterers, the painters, the stone masons – each felt they had never done so good a job as this.116

THE CARNEGIE CONNECT

Documents do not draw a direct link between the Carnegie movement and the erection of

the B.F. Jones Memorial Library. However, for this time period, just following the Carnegie

national library campaign, and this period in western Pennsylvania steel history, it would be

impossible to claim that there was no connection by the Jones family and the company to

Carnegie and his movement.

The elder B.F. Jones knew Andrew Carnegie when he was a boy. Carnegie worked as a

telegram runner when a lad. B.F. Jones, already a steel leader in the smoky city, was the recipient

of young Carnegie’s deliveries. Carnegie claimed that he learned Morse code so he could take

Jones his messages because of the generous 25 cent tip.117 In addition, both men were steel

barons based in the city of Pittsburgh. Both had Presbyterian roots in the town where the three

rivers met. They had neighboring summer homes, both today confusingly labeled Braemar, in

Cresson, PA118 In the past two decades, Jones’ Queen Anne mansion has become the target of a

preservation crusade. For years, the Jones abode was mistakenly thought to have been the

Carnegie home by locals; next door, the smaller, still-inhabited Carnegie cottage site was

probably the true Braemar. However, both buildings utilize the name today. When Carnegie

wrote Triumphant Democracy, a signed copy was kept in the Jones family library of B.F. Jones.

116 Smith, letter, n.d.117 Wollman and Inman, Portraits in Steel, 29.118 Patricia Lowry, “Industrialist Benjamin Franklin Jones’ Summer Cottage Dodges the Wrecking Ball as another emerges from the Shadows,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 31, 2010.

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It is on the shelves in the director’s office of the B.F. Jones Library today, inscribed “To my

friend Benjamin Franklin Jones with genuine respect and admiration, Andrew Carnegie.”119

In matters of librarianship, documentation of the connection is not so forthcoming but

merits exploration. The Carnegie campaign exemplified what such wealth could accomplish for

librarianship; the Joneses did this on an individual scale. Library history in the early twentieth

century and library philanthropy cannot be examined, even for non-Carnegie libraries, without a

look at the Carnegie story. Perusal of the scads of studies of the Carnegie effort— when Steel

King Carnegie girded the construction bills of new libraries from America’s metropolises to

whistle stops— is integral to understanding the times and precedent set. In 1919, of the 3500

public libraries in the nation, Carnegie cash had built more than half.120 Preeminent Carnegie

historian and architectural expert Abigail Van Slyck penned the influence of the Carnegie library

program reached far beyond the 1,679 Carnegie-built American public libraries themselves.

Carnegie’s philosophy, writings, and beliefs spurred other philanthropists to found and support

libraries, at the local level.121 The industrialist’s discovery of how this could be done more

adeptly—especially in library design and architecture—was embraced by public library founders

and builders to come.122 The Carnegie model redefined the role of the public library and its

adaptation as information deliverer; this too, concluded Van Slyck, served to ground the

philosophy of librarianship of the future.123 Van Slyck stated that Carnegie’s gauntlet was picked

up and wielded by others; Carnegie gloried in the imitation.124 One could not help but think the

Jones project would create such sentiment.

119 Andrew Carnegie, Triumphant Democracy, Inscription, dated: January 18, 1894, New York. 120 T. Jones, Carnegie Libraries across America: Public legacy, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1997, 3. 121 VanSlyck, “Free for All,” 216-217122 Van Slyck, “Free for All,’ 218.123 Van Slyck, “Free for All,’ 219.124 Van Slyck, “Free for All,’ 218.

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In 1969, library historian George Bobinski wrote that historians had not evaluated

Carnegie’s library gifts in-depth for their significance to library development.125 He compared

references to Carnegie’s philanthropy as that of noble benefactor to egotist and many roles in

between. In Bobinski’s work, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Director Ralph Munn’s concept is

presented: Carnegie prodded library development and promoted the library movement but also

constructed small town libraries with a dearth of services and little support.126 This does not seem

to be the case with Horne in the few years that she lived following the erection of the library. She

remained ever-present with communications and even a few visits for tea and storytime.127

Bobinski also highlighted the opinions of European William Munthe who coveted for Europe the

American Carnegie movement with its stacks for all classes and a library in nearly every town,

great and small.128 Bobinski himself stated that Carnegie validated the library as an institution,

spurred on other library benefactors and rooted the tenet of local government responsibility for

public libraries.

Libraries were not gifted by Carnegie without the promise of the town’s ongoing fiscal

support.129 Elisabeth Horne’s gift too came with the agreement that ongoing support would

come from the council and town coffers.130 However, it is not documented whether this stemmed

from belief that the mill dollars would always pour into the town till or the Carnegie philosophy

of communities standing on their own feet.

While the well-known Smith’s drawings and design with unique touches could not be

mistaken for copies of Carnegie architect’s renderings or plans, the overall floor plan did adopt

125 George Bobinski, Carnegie libraries: their history and impact on American public library development. Chicago: American Library Association.1969, 183126 Bobinski, Carnegie Libraries, 186.127 Moreland to Horne, April 2, 1929. Correspondence continued until Horne’s death Jan. 10, 1932. 128 Bobinski, Carnegie Libraries, 185.129 Bobinski, Carnegie Libraries, 191.130 Horne to Woodlawn Borough Council, letter, 1926.

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some of the Carnegie features. In the twentieth century, newly built public libraries were often

Carnegie-influenced plans of symmetrical buildings, marked by trends of the modern time riven

with classical and Renaissance detailing.131 Open plans, children and adult reading areas with

central delivery desk for oversight were the preferred blueprint. Many of these early twentieth

century buildings and their architecture endure today and now symbolize libraries to the

American people.

Figure 11 : Original Floor Plans. Used with permission of B.F. Jones Memorial Library.

THE UNVEILING

The Carnegie style may have even insinuated itself into the well-planned and orchestrated

unveiling of the library also. Memoranda from the Jones and Laughlin Company and mill

archives sent Librarian Himmelwright copies of the Homestead and Southside Carnegie opening

programs to be used for reference in creating the B.F. Jones publication for the grand gala. In

addition, a Carnegie Art program sported typeface preferred by Horne. The company tracked

131 Van Slyck, Free for All, 218; George Axelrod, The Colonial revival in America ( New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1985) 94.

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down the Philadelphia printer used at the Carnegie event and informed Himmelwright of Horne’s

choice.

After that, the library opening became B.F. Jones original.

The debut of the library included a private showing by invitation only and then the grand

opening event. Himmelwright was responsible for invitation lists, guided by Horne and

Moreland. The program, preserved in the state library and B.F. Jones Library archives,

delineated event speakers: Willis King, mill officer and nephew of the founder, Mill

Superintendent Girdler, Borough Solicitor W.D. Craig and William D. Evans, general counsel

for Jones and Laughlin Company.132

King, Jones’ relation who joined the Jones and Laughlin and Company in 1869, was the

first speaker for the day and reviewed Jones’s heritage, career and family. He remarked on

Jones’ dedication to the best things: social, domestic, and national. King agreed the memorial

library lived up to Jones’ “high ideals and lofty aims.”133 Craig accepted the gift of the library

from Horne whose comment was that she hoped the community’s joy in receiving it could only

equal her joy in giving the library.134 William D. Evans commented on the importance of libraries

and the hope they offer the young. He also made disparaging comment on the fleeting fashion of

fiction or the “fiction problem,” a common social commentary for the day.135 Girdler welcomed

the crowd and complimented the library. The Rev. Clarence Edward Macartney of Pittsburgh, a

prominent Presbyterian minister, delivered the invocation and blessing.

A flag-raising and the “B.F. Jones March,” specially written for the occasion and played

by the Harding High Marching Band, were part of the ceremony. The headlines of the Aliquippa

132 B.F. Jones Memorial Library Dedication Program, 133 Full Text Addresses, Aliquippa Gazette, February 5, 1929134 Full Text Addresses, Aliquippa Gazette, February 5, 1929135 Full Text Addresses, Aliquippa Gazette, February 5, 1929; Ring, Men of Energy, 406.

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Gazette front page on February 5, 1929 proclaimed over 9,000 attended the opening events. The

opening of the library garnered above-the-fold- coverage and headlines in Pittsburgh Sun

Telegraph, Pittsburgh Press, Evening Times, and Aliquippa Gazette as February dawned.

Architectural attributes and master art works were main subjects of the newsprint.

Western Pennsylvania readers were not the only ones regaled with the success story of

the mill-town library; the opening of the doors of the B.F. Jones Library also earned national

press coverage. Library Journal in July 1929 devoted a two-spread article to the library opening

authored by Susan Himmelwright.136 The librarian focused on the building’s design and

planning but peppered real-life stories of visiting children, one who wondered if the story room

chimney was where Santa arrived. The details of the unveiled B.F. Memorial Library were also

featured in Carnegie Magazine, which Moreland forwarded to Horne.137 Horne was affronted

because her portrait by Hoen was featured without her permission by the Carnegie

publication.138

The Quotarian, the national publication of the Quota Club, also published a story about

the library scribed by Himmelwright that year. The story included physical description and a

peek at library usage: During National Book Week, more than 1200 Aliquippa tykes

participated in the Mother Goose story program.139 Company publication for Yawman and Erbe

Manufacturing, Library Equipment also featured B.F. Jones on its cover and an inside two page

spread announcing that the company products were used at the library and estimating building

costs at one half million dollars.140

136 Susan Himmelwright, “Aliquippa’s Beautiful New Library,” Library Journal, July 1929, 591-592.137 Carnegie Magazine, “B.F. Jones Memorial Library,’ March 1929., 138 Moreland to Horne, letter, March 29, 1929.139 Himmelwright, Susan, “Individuals in Quota,” The Quotarian, circa 1930p. 11.12140 Library Equipment, Beautiful Aliquippa Library –Shrine to Steel Man’s memory, March 1929, 3

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In 1932, the library again caught the nation’s eye when it was showcased in June 1932 in

Architectural Forum. The premise of the story was that libraries should combine the aesthetic

and functional. The article featured photos of thirteen national libraries besides B. F. Jones

Memorial Library including: the Folger Shakespeare Library, Haishe Memorial Library, San

Pedro Park Branch Library, Alexander Sanger Branch Library, Greenwich Public Library,

Richmond Public Library, West Toledo Branch Library, Winchester Public Library, Dunbar

Branch Library, Palos Verdes Public Library, and Bexley Public Library.141

THE LIBRARY TODAY

Following much of the hoopla of the library opening, Moreland expressed that he was

instituting a hands-off approach with the library to give Himmelwright and the staff the freedom

to run the library as it should be.142 That has been happening for 80 years. Today, a mill worker

from the 1930s may look at the exterior of B.F. Jones Memorial Library and think that little

changed in those decades. Patrons still go in and out of the brass doors on a daily basis. Children

attend several storytime activities each week.

But a glance down the Franklin Avenue to the Wye near the plant tunnel reveals the town

has undergone vast change to include empty storefronts, abandoned buildings and empty lots.

Girls in the Aliquippa schoolyard no longer avoid mill dust. Smoke does not billow. Stacks and

mill buildings are gone. A barren moonscape—interrupted by a new jail and drywall plant—

stand where thousands came, tin lunch pails in hand, to work the long turn.

In a stroke of what could be labeled prophecy, William D. Evans, counsel for

Jones and Laughlin steel, addressed the opening ceremonies of the B.F. Jones Library,

141 Edward Tilton, Library Planning and Design, Architectural Forum ,(56 no 6 June 1932) 573-604.142 Moreland to Horne, letter, March 29, 1929.

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that long, long after these great mills and factories are stilled and abandoned, even long after this beautiful structure has crumbled and passed away, the priceless treasure which it contains will live on, because they are the embodiment of everlasting truth. 143

The stilled mills came sooner than everyone in Aliquippa hoped. In 1984, the Jones and

Laughlin name ended with a merger of LTV Steel. That business would enter receivership in

1986.144 The town of 27,000 is now 11,000. Foreign born residents amount to only 342; about

881 speak a language other than in the home.145

Inside, the library, though, the works of Bach, Hoen, Hunt, Chartran, and countless stone

and plaster artisans still awe the patrons. Horne’s oil overlooks the Young Adult area; Oscar

Bach’s gates open to a computer kiosk.146 A recent flood has changed the basement, a brightly lit

children’s area has emerged, splashed in color. One must wonder what Nora Thorpe would add

from her palette. Foyer and fountain are now preschool area and the lecture room is a children’s

library.

The library serves as a district headquarters. On the library home page, library employee

Cindy Murphy has scribed in a Historic Images project.

The collapse of the American steel industry has changed the face of this area. Most of the Aliquippa Works has now been torn down and the Aliquippa area, like many other American rust-belt towns and cities, continues to struggle for a new identity. Yet, there remains a great sense of pride and historical interest by the area residents.147

Like Himmelwright, Murphy and her co-workers believe the B.F. Jones Memorial

Library is part of that pride as well as part of the hope for the town’s future.

CONCLUSION143 Full Text of Addresses, Aliquippa Gazette, February 5, 1929.144 Wollman and Inman. Portraits, 285. 288.145 United States Census 2000.146 Computers made possible by a Gates Foundation Grant.147 Cindy Murphy, Aliquippa Historic Images Projects, http://www.bfjoneslibrary.org/aboutaliquippa.htm

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This analysis of the establishment of the B. F. Jones Memorial Library in Aliquippa is a

window to a small town library’s history, architecture, philanthropy, and industrial heritage as

the 1920s came to a close. Philanthropy made resources available that town coffers were not

capable of funding, especially when financial disaster loomed. A library’s history is often woven

closely with the town’s history. A library gave dreams to girls in the school yard and veterans of

the tin mill. Labor and public libraries are bound with ties. Architectural treasures and priceless

art works are tucked in the libraries of small villages and vales across the land if one cares to

look.

The archives at B.F. Jones Memorial Library still hold much of the town’s story and the

steel industry’s story to be examined. More than 400 letters from B.F. Jones final years,

telegrams from the White House, a local history photo collection and oral town history await

exploration.

In a history of the Erie Public library, Adam Blahut quoted Peter Dobkin Hall’s sentiment

that the more fundamental an institution is to a town, the less likely society is to examine it.148

Change is long overdue for library history. The author hopes this Ohio River steel-town’s library

story will stoke the furnace of further historical analysis of this library and other village library

stories and, especially, the treasures within their walls.

148 Adam Blahut, A Study of the Founding of the Erie Public Library, 2005, 79.

40

Appendix I:

Table 1: Financial Statement of Library Expenditures 149 ________________________________________

Service Company Disbursement

General Building Contract A&S Wilson Company $299,072.23 Architect's Commission Brandon Smith $21,076.95 Furniture and Equipment Remington Rand *Furniture and Equipment Yawman and Erbe Manufacturing *Furniture and Equipment Art Metal Construction Company $15,725.93 * combined Books $15,000.00 Decorating Interior Joseph Horne Company *Decorating Interior Norah Thorpe Advisory $10,968.79 * combined Wrought Iron Screens Oscar Bach $6,750 Lighting Fixtures Beaux Arts $5,620 Shrubbery Ezra Stiles $1,048.63 Wrought Iron Fence Moore Metal Manufacturing $680 Leaded Glass Window Henry Hunt $620.00 Marble Benches C. Francini $605 Miscellaneous heating, lighting, janitor $537.47 Insurance $514 Watch for Maitland Wilson Hardy and Hays $204 Electrical Work W.P.Klein $203.00 Marble Discs Wall Medallions Iron City Marble $147.60 Dedication expenses Invitations, Decorations $141.70 Chelsea Clock Hardy and Hays Company $135 Toys for Children's Room Kaufmann's $113.15 Water Meter Woodlawn Water Company $80 Electric Light Bulbs Jones and Laughlin Steel $73.57 Portrait handling J.J. Gillespie Company $47.75 Waxing linoleum C.B. Townsend $33.16 U.S. Flag A. Mamaux & Son $20.00 _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Total $379,418.09 150

149 Accountant to Horne, Disbursements, May 19 to Aug. 6, 1929; Additional typed account expenses, B.F. Jones Memorial Library Archives.150 The chart does not include the prior expenditures of the land parcels (valued by some at about $50,000); the cost of the Aitken bronze statue of B.F. Jones, $27,500; additional book fund from Horne, $2,000; forwarded bank balance, 2335.92; Alfred Hoen portrait of Horne, $3,500; picture frame, $500 and other contributions of the Jones family and friends. These additions bring initial outlay to more than $465,000 for the building at debut.

41

Appendix II:

Table 2: Statistics of 100 Libraries, compiled by S.E. Weber, Charleston, WV; used by William Moreland.

42

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Albany, N.Y 113,344

City council levy- 2/5 mill

126,084,312 dollars

$2,000 fines $62,500 levy

3-Lib owned 1- School bldg 1- rented

quartersbldg.4 classrom, 1-

factory No Relation $150,000 34 72,041 $59,800 No InsuranceBd. Of Trustee's 10 life & 6 by mayor

Anderson, Ind. 29,767 City council levy- 5 cents $15,000

School bldgs., fire station, steel & wire

mill None $55,000 in 1904 5 Library 26,000 $40,00025%- to be increased

Bd. Of Lib. Trustee's & librarian

Atlanta, G.a 200,616

City council appropriation $95,110 levy

Lib. Owned bldgs. & rented bldgs. No Conection $206,000

34 full time & 8 part time 111,310 $269,875

insurance handled by city

comptrollerBoard of Trustee's

elected by city council

Baltimore, Md. 733,826

Annuity-$50,000, Ap.-$251,000, Invested funds-$10,000 Total-$311,000

25 in Lib. Owned bldgs., 1 in rented

quarters$600,000 main

bldg. 200 475,000 $950,000 Board of 9 Trustee's

Bethlehem, Pa. 50,358

Endowment, state law tax & city council levy-

1/2 mill $63,000,000

$1,047.50- endowment,

$30,00003 in school bldgs.

Planning to build one None

Schools use branches as

reference rooms, Lib. Pays janitor

9 full time & 1 half time 30,000 $25,000 80% on books

Board of 7 appointed by city council

Binghampton, N.Y 66,800

City council appropriation $104,501,192 $27,857 levy

School bldgs. Stores, city hosp., & factories

Send collections to schools from time-to-

time on request $150,00013 full time & 3

pages 54,694 $75,000$6,500 bldg.,

$17,500- booksBoard of Trustee's

appointed by mayor

Birmingham, Ala. 178,806

Private funds and city council levy

$10,000 private funds & $65,000

city appropriation

3- Carnegie bldgs., 3- city bldgs., 2- rented

quarters School bldgs. $650,000 40 75,839 $143,000Books- valuation

less 25%Director. Staff & lib.

Board app. City comm.

Boston, Mass. 748,060

Private funds and city council levy $1,714,104,300

$24,852 private funds & $828,567

levy9- Lib. Owned bldgs. &

9- city owned bldgs. None

$4,000,000 central & branches

600 including mech. & temp.

services 1,333,264 $3,500.00 None

Bd. Of Trus. 5 members app. By

mayor for 5 yr. term

Bridgeport, Conn. 143,555

Tax by law & city council levy- 3/4 mill $256,000,000 $115,068.69 6 in lib. Owned bldgs.

4 in schools far from branch lib.

Bldgs.$760,000 cost of

new bldg. 90 217,353

Bldg. - 3/4 cost, Books- 80 cents

per volume

Bd. Of 9 in groups of 3 for 3 yr. term- self-

perpetuating.

Brockton, Mass. 66,254 City council levy

$36,799.96 appropriation

2 in rented quarters in stores

In school buildings

Loan to H.S 100 classroom lib. In

grammar schools. $110,00010 at main bldg. & 2 at each branch 94,714 Not insured Board of 9 trustee's

Buffalo, N.Y 506,775

City council levy- 3/4 of 3/100 of 1% of total

taxed property $768,821,090$236,000

appropriation

5 in rented bldgs., 1 in H.S, 1 in city owned

bldg.1324 classroom

libraries $1,250,000130 full & part

time 455,818 $455,818Full blanket insurance

Bd. Of Dir. 5 elect. By lib.5 rep. city, 3- ex

offical

Cambridge, Mass. 109,694

Private funds and city council levy $152,261,600

$1,571.12- private funds & $71,390-

levy

City bldg., School bldg., 1 in rented

quarters None

School classes instructed in use of library by reference

librarian 27 127,246 $254,492 Total ins. -

$74,000 Board of Trustee's

43

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Cedar Rapids, Ia. 45,566

City council appropriation- 5 mills $51,634,000 $31,850 levy

145 classroom libraries, 2 rented

rooms, & 2 free rooms

Send classroom libraries to graded &

jr. high schools $100,000

11 staff, 2 part time extra help by

hour 56,101 $64,817

$85,000 bldg., $10,000- contents

5 Trustee's apointed by city comm.

Charleston, West Va. 43,000

Bd. Of education levy, 5 miles to Jy.l, 1927; after

3 mills $105,478,838 $49,227.50- levy1 classroom, 1 Jr. High Sch., 1 Negro branch

None, Other schools independent $400,000

9 and 1 janitor, 3 school librarians

37,960 sch. Lib., H.S. 2,000, Jr.

High sch. 1,500$35,000. Sch. Lib.,

$4,500$30,000 books &

furnitureLib. Bd. Appointed by

Board of Ed.

Charlotte, N.C. 46,338

City council appropriation

$4,600 - county comm. In school bldgs.

In school buildings 4 13,243

Board of Trustee's selected by city

council

Chattanooga, Tenn. 57,895

City council appropriation & county court & private funds $127,542,750

$1,300- private funds & $35,000-

levy

In school bldgs., 11 est. by city for use of

communitySupervise lib. Work

in one school $50,00014 full time & 14

part time. 78,89380% bldg. & 80%

books

Board of 9 Dir. Appointed by

mayor1 negro br. In negro H.S.- negro librarian

Chicago, Ill. 2,701,705

By law- 1 mill for main. & .02 mill for bldgs.

$1,788,665,379 at %50 $1,299,801.33

10 in H.S., 8 in Jr. high., 2 in pub. Bldgs.,

& 11 in rented quarters

77 deposits in stores managed

by owner of store

All lib. Of any size in pub. Schools under

pub. Library$2,000,000 cost

in 1897744 library & 23

janitors 1,380,799$450,000- bldg.,

$200,000Board of 9 directors appointed by mayor.

Cincinnati, Ohio 401,247

Levy by law- 27/100 miles

$1,060,000,000 county valuation

$20,000- private funds, $297,000-

levy

9 Carnegie bldgs., 4 in pub schls., 11 in rented quarters

In various pub. School buildings

$800,000 bldg. & site 250 680,000 $1,500,000

10% bldg. & 10% books. Board of Trustee's

Cleveland, Ohio 796,841 City council levy $2,180,901,630

Some in Carnegie bldgs. & several in

rented quarters $5,000,000 $1,074,981

No ins. On bldg., $613,000 on

books &

Bd. Of trustee's appointed by Bd. For 7

years

Dallas, Texas 158,956 City council levy- .015

$30,000 levy, $5,733.02- fines

In lib. Owned buildings.

Co-operate with grade schools- H. Schs. Independent

$500,000 bldg. & site

12 full time & 4 part time $150,000

$89,000- mostly on books

Board of Trustee's

Dayton, Ohio 152,559

City council & Bd. Of Ed. Levy- .000604 mills $326, 731, 830 $195,939 levy

2 in Carnegie bldgs., 8 in public schools.

Classroom libraries & bookwagon

Branches in 8 schools, 258

classroom lib.

$140,000 main bldg., $50,000

branches79, 30 pages, and

8 janitors 160,000 $240,00030% valuation of

bldg.Lib. Bd. Appointed by

Bd. Of Ed.

Denver, Col. 256,491

City council appropriation $400,000,000

$180,000 levy, $12,000 fines

8 in Carnegie bldgs., 1 community center, & 1

fire station

churches, stores, schools,

community centers

Furnish classroom libraries $600,000

130 including pages & janitors 260,000 $225,000

$320,500- bldg. & $118,300- books

Lib. Comm. Of 8 appointed by mayor

Des Moines, Ia. 140,910

city council levy- 2 1/3 mills $43,235,370 $90,000 levy

6 branches, 14 stations, 485 grade

lib., in 59 grade schools

37 full time & 8 part time 181,278

$10,000 on books in branches only Board of 5 Trustee's

Duluth, Minn. 98,917 city council levy $79,996,836

$64,848.60 levy, $5,773.34- fines &

private funds

2 in Carnegie buildings & 4 in school

buildings In public schoolsBranch lib. Part of

public library system

$77,126.68 main bldg., $50,000- 2

branches

26 full time, 4 janitors, 1 guard,

& 4 full time subs. 98,983 $152,478

$40,500- bldg. & $25,000-

equipment

Lib. Operates under mayor commisioner

form of gov.

44

East Orange, N.J. 50,710 state law $89,634,187

$60,000- city council appro.

2 in lib. Bd. Bldgs., 1 in sch bldg., & 1 in

rented bldg. In public schools

Grade school libraries under

public lib. $90,000 24 full time & 4

janitors 75,03280% co-

insurance

Board of trustee's appointed by mayor

for 5 yr. term

Elizabeth, N.J. 95,783city council

appropriation $126,000,000 $45,487- city

council appro.

1 in lib. Owned bldg., 1 sch. Bldg., & 1 in

study of church None No relation$250,000 main &

branch21 full time, 8 part time, & 2 janitors 90,000 $135,000

80%- co insurance

Elmira, N.Y. 45,393city council

appropriation$15,000- city

council appro. No relation $155,000 7 32,300 41,231

$100,000 - bldg. & fix. $26,000

booksboard of trustee's and

libararian

El Paso, Texas 77,560 levy by law- 3.7 miles $100,748,980

$37,304.28 levy & $1,315.71 fines

2 in stores free of rent & 1 in rented quarters Co-operate $150,000 14 31,763 $127,000

$75,000- bldg. & $46,000- books

Bd. Of 9- 3 appointed bt Cir. Court, 3 Bd. Of E.d., & 3 city council

Erie, Pa. 93,372 board of education levy $50,000 levy in school buildingsIn school buildings

managed by city library $120,000 20 85,000

$100,000- bldg. & equipment board of 7 members

Evansville, Ind. 85,264

libarary board, which is ind. Texting unit- 8 cents

in city & 4 cents in county $125,310,050

$108,303.99 levy by lib. Board

3 in library owned bldgs., & 1 in school

bldg.

in grade bldgs. Far from branch

lib.

school libraries managed by Bd. Of

Ed. $75,000 52 full time & 6

janitors 112,633 $112,633 $67,400

Bd. Of 9- 3 appointed bt Cir. Court, 3 Bd. Of E.d., & 3 city council

Fitchburg, Mass. 41,029

private funds and city council appropriation $57,237,450

$306.70 private funds & $14,705- city council appro.

In school buildings $103,200

6 full time & 4 part time 68,100 $681,000 None

12 trustee's appointed by mayor

Flint, Mich. 91,599 levy fines & penal fines $160,000,000

$60,149.24- levy, book fines & penal

fines

1 in field bldg. owned by park board & 6 in

school bldgs.

397 collections sent to 272 classrooms

library manages all lib. In schools $25,000 28 90,000 $65,000

library committee of city board education

Fort Worth, Texas 106,482 levy by law- .03 on $100 $152,000,000

$28,918.88 levy & $1,374.69 fines 1 rented quarters

8 in drug stores & in grade schs. In 7

wardsschool libraries part of pub. Sch. System

$200,000 site & $63,644 bldg.

9 full time & 4 part time 45,727 $62,438.79

Bldg.- 72%- $57,800 books &

27%- $21,900

board of trustee's of 13 elected by public

library assen.

Galveston, Texas 44,255

income from endowment only $57,000,000 $32,991.71

1 negro branch in negro H.S. None None $155,000 19 76,000 $80,000

Bldg.- $150,000, Books- $50,000, & Furn.-$80,000 Board of Directors

Gary, Ind. 55,378tax laid by library trustees $140,000,000

$77,000-gen. fund, $21,000 sites &

bldgs.

3 in lib. Owned bldgs., 2 in sch.bldgs., & 3 in

rented quartersin schools far from branches

H.S. lib. Controlled by board of ed.

$150,000 main bldg. & $90,000

branches 30 110,000

Bd. Trustees 2 appt. by Bd. Of Ed., 2 city

council, & 3 Cir. Judge

Grand Rapids, Mich. 137,634

tax laid by bd. Of library commission- 4/10 mill $231,273,164

$121,938.57- appropriation &

$58,272.38- fee's and fines

22 in school buildings & 1 in other building

51 in schs., 26 in institutions,

factories 8 shut-ins

lib. Bd. Controls branches in schools

$697,000- main bldg. & $40,520

branch69, 1 page, & 9

janitors 254,978 $251,932.75

Bd. Of Lib. Commissioners, 5

elected by people & Supt. Of Schs.

Houston, Texas 138,276 levy by law- 2 1/2 cents $205,256,660

$60,486.24 levy & $3,535.81 fines

3 in lib. Owned buildings.

18 in school buildings None $600,000

19 full time, 7 part time, & 4 pages 98,279

board of trustees- 9 members

Huntington, West Va. 50,177 board of education levy $129,885,747.14 $30,670.82 levy 2 in school buildings

2 in school buildings $382,500 5 30,521

Schools & lib. Bldgs. Covered by blanket form ins.

Committee apointed by board of education

Jacksonville, Fla. 91,558

city council appropriation $75,681,000 $35,000 levy

No funds, 1 sub-branch in co-operation with railroad company

In school buildings

school system has no libraries itself $50,000 17 73,000 $150,000

Bldg. 80% & Books 15%

9 men nominated by city commission

Jersey City, N.J. 298,103

levy by law- 1/3 mill mandatory additional

1/3 mill permitted $500,064,926 $204,212 levy

3 in lib. Owned bldgs,. 2 in school bldgs,. & 3

in rented quartersIn school buildings

maintained and operated by library $260,000

69 library service, 18 janitors 257,258 $31,756.27 80%

board of trustees appointed by mayor

45

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Houston, Texas 138,276 levy by law- 2 1/2 cents $205,256,660

$60,486.24 levy & $3,535.81 fines

3 in lib. Owned buildings.

18 in school buildings None $600,000

19 full time, 7 part time, & 4 pages 98,279

board of trustees- 9 members

Huntington, West Va. 50,177 board of education levy $129,885,747.14 $30,670.82 levy 2 in school buildings

2 in school buildings $382,500 5 30,521

Schools & lib. Bldgs. Covered by blanket form ins.

Committee apointed by board of education

Jacksonville, Fla. 91,558

city council appropriation $75,681,000 $35,000 levy

No funds, 1 sub-branch in co-operation with railroad company

In school buildings

school system has no libraries itself $50,000 17 73,000 $150,000

Bldg. 80% & Books 15%

9 men nominated by city commission

Jersey City, N.J. 298,103

levy by law- 1/3 mill mandatory additional

1/3 mill permitted $500,064,926 $204,212 levy

3 in lib. Owned bldgs,. 2 in school bldgs,. & 3

in rented quartersIn school buildings

maintained and operated by library $260,000

69 library service, 18 janitors 257,258 $31,756.27 80%

board of trustees appointed by mayor

Johnstown, Pa. 67,327

private funds donated by the Bethlehem Steel Co. $21,717.45 in school building

In school buildings cordial co-operation $82,153.14

7 librarians & 3 janitors 40,000 35000%

Bd. Of managers most of them officials of

Bethlehem Steel Co.

Kalamazoo, Mich. 48,487 levy by bd. Of education $78,017,820 $61,599.72

1 in lib. Owned building & 3 in school

buildings6 in school buildings

all libraries under direction of pub.

Library $100,00019 full time & 12

part time 80,000carried by bd. Of

ed.

Ad. By lib. Ap. By and responsible to bd. Of

ed.

Kansas City, Mo. 324,410 levy by bd. Of education $250,000

2 in lib. Owned buildings, 10 in

schools, & 2 In school buildings

85, 10 bindary, 30 part time & pages 390,000 25%

Committee of Bd. Of Ed. & librarian

Kenosha, Wis. 40,472 levy by law- 1 mill $58,000,000 $58,547.82- levy

4 in lib. Owned buildings & 1 in elem.

School bldg.In school buildings

Pub. Library has supervision over

school $150,000

15 full time, 5 even. Time, 2 janitors, & 7

pages 51,378 $65,000Bldg. fire-proof &

Books- 4%Bd. Of Directors app.

By city councilLawson McGee Library, 77,818

City council and Board of Education levy- 2 mill

minimum $111,000,000

$42,401.- city council levy &

$5,740- Board of 1 branch for negroes

9 deposits in factories & hospitals

Administers 17 elem. School

libraries $120,000 18 full time & 2

part time 42,000 $50,000Bldg.- 80% co-ins.

Books 75%Board of Library

trustees

Knoxville, Tenn. 77,818

City council and Board of Education levy $111,000,000 $39,750

3 in school buildings & 1 in rented quarters None

School lib. Under board of education $120,000 10 staff, 2 bldgs. 60,000 $110,000

Bldg. 50% & Books 50% Board of 5 Trustee's

Lincoln, Neb. 54,948 city council levy- .274 $102,151,000

$28,000- levy & $5,339.69- fines

1 in library owned building In 15 schools

$77,000 main & $10,000 branch 18 66,125 None

Board of Directors app. By mayor & city

council

Little Rock, Ark. 65,142

city council appropriation

$12,000 levy, $1,500 fines, & $1,500 rentals

1 in rented room for negroes

Lends to schools on requests of teachers $88,000

6 staff, 1 page, & 1 janitor 39,000 $41,000

Bldg.- $75,000 & Books- $25,000

9 citizens, mayor & 3 councilmen

46

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Louisville, Ky. 234,891

city council levy- not less then 2 cents nor more

than 4 cents $350,000,000

$121,733.42-levy, $12,500-county,

$33,000- rents & $-5,772.77- fines

8 Carnegies branches & 6 in High Schools

336 classroom collections in 112 schools in city &

co.

School Librarians members of pub.

Lib. Staff

$752,,743.70 main & $416,952

branches82 staff, 9 pages,

and 16 janitors 262,574 $500,000 80% on bldg. and

contents

Los Angeles,

Cal. 576,673 City Charter levy- 7 miles $257,173,054 $1,027,279 levyFew in school

buildings

Deposits in various parts of

the city

On requests of teachers to

supplement school libs.

$1,500,000 under construction 355 604,340 $600,000

Full on bldg. & books

Board of Library commissioners

Madison, Wis. 45,385 city council levy $125,000,000

$150,000- trust fund & $59,372.55-

levy

1 branch bldg. & 1 combined with a

school library In stores & factories

Equiped by Bd. Of Ed. & administered

by pub. Lib.$100,000 main & $20,000 branch 18 full time 65,276 $65,500

Bldg. 80% & Books 60%

Library Bd of 9 members- 8 app. By

mayor & supt. Of

Malden, Mass. 49,103

private funds & city council levy $59,322,550

$16,065- private funds & $25,000

levyWard room of fire

station

Deposits sent to 20 schools- changed 3

times yearly $225,000 19 staff & 2

janitors 78,645 $60,000 Bldg.- $144,000

& Books- $75,000

Incorporated body controlled by 9

trustees, mayor, Ch.Bd. Alderman &

Memphis, Tenn. 162,351

city council levy- 4 cents on $100 $240,000,000 $96,000 levy In rented quarters In public schools

Lib. Furnishes books & service, Bd. Of Ed.

Pays books losses $250,000 40 190,000 $400,000 Library Board

Milwaukee, Wis. 457,147

small endownment & city council levy $755,229,851

$1,151.55- endowment &

$266,443.75 levy &

2 in lib. Owned bldgs. & 4 in school bldgs., &

5 rented quar.

classroom collections

throughout citythrough classroom

collections $1,500,000 186 634,631 $951,000

Insurance carried only on books in

rented quar.Library board

nominated by mayor

Minneapolis, Minn. 380,582

levy by city charter- 1.35 mills $292,983,070

$384,476.22 levy & $25,373.78 misc. In schools

6 in Jr. Highs, 10 in grade schools, & 297 classroom

H.S. lib. Managed by Bd. Of Ed. All others

by pub. Lib. $400,000 210 426,576Bldg.- $150,000

& Books- $75,000Library board of 9

members

Muskegon, Mich. 43,000

private funds & Bd. Of Ed. Levy $60,000,000

$43,000 private funds & $15,500

levy6 in schools & 2 in

rented quarters

All school libraries administered by

pub. Lib. $250,000

22 staff, 12 pages, & 5

janitors 80,000 $200,000 Bldg. 80% & Books 80%

Librarian responsible to Bd. Of Ed.

Nashville, Tenn. 118,342 city council levy $128,352,715.17

$35,000- levy & fines

2 white branches, 1 negro in Carnegie

bldgs, & 1 in

Let teachers have small deposits where possible

$400,000 bldgs. & contents 17 110,631 $150,000

Very small % on books & furniture

Library board & librarian

Newark, N.J. 414,524 city council levy- 1/3 mill $676,000,000 $318,000 levy

4 branches deposits in 450 school rooms $600,000 150 320,000 $320,000

80% co- insurance

New Bedford,

Mass. 121,217bequests for books &

city council levy $27,728,748.30

$13,045- bequests, $60,000- levy &

$3,999- dog fund3 in library owned

buildings

200 school rooms supplied with

deposits $584,47534 staff & 8

janitors 190,000 $200,000

$108,000 on books and pictures

New Britain, Conn. 59,316

private funds & city council levy

$10,000 private funds & $32,000

levy 1 in school buildingIn school buildings

$150,000 entire property 14 85,000

Library com. Of 5 members- larger bd.

Of mgrs.

47

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

New Haven, Conn. 162,537

part of endowment & city council levy $305,049,384

4 in lib owned buildings & 1 in school

buildingIn school buildings $800,000

44 full time & 21 part time 180,000 $135,000

2/3 on bldg. & books

Board of directors app. By mayor

Newton, Mass. 46,054

private funds & city council levy

$4,517.53 private funds & $65,460

levy

2 in city owned buildings, 3 in school bldgs., & 4 in rented

quar.Deposits in some

school rooms 33 114,838contents of main bldg. $1,496.57

Board of Trustees of 5 members & librarian

Niagra Falls, N.Y. 50,760 city council levy $35,000 levy

8 in factories and schools & 1 in rented

quarters

Board voted to put room in each new grade school for $100,000

11 full time & 6 part time 60,000

Main- $7,000 & Branches- $4,000

Board of 5 members- 3 app. By mayor,

mayor & supt. Schs.

Oakland, Cal. 216,261

city council levy- .0762 rate $211,993,860

$600- endowment & $175,000- levy

4 in Carnegie Bldgs., 4 in school, & 9 in rented quarters

Deposits in 4 school bldgs. Under pub.

Library control$97,000 main &

$35,000 branches 119 140,771 $281,462Main- $50,000 & Books- $22,000

Board of 5 directors app. By mayor for term of 6 yrs. Each

Oklahoma City, Okla. 91,295

levy by city commissioners & Board

of Ed.118,872,512

dollars

$43,830- city levy & $6,000- Bd. Of Ed.

Levy

1 in city owned bldg., 5 in school bldgs., & 1

rented quar.In school buildings

5 H.S. lib. Under supv. Pub. Library &

20 grade schs. Borrow 150 bks. $64,800 20

51,758- main & 10,352

branches

Bldg., $50,000, fire- $10,000, tor. Books- $50,000

fire

Library board responsible to comm.

Of pub. Property

Omaha, Neb. 191,601 city council levy $85,000- levy

1 in lib. Owned building, deposits in schools, & 1 rented

In school buildings

Grade school libraries under public library $125,000 32 160,000 $200,000

city carries own ins.

Board of directors app. By mayor

Parkersburg, West

Va. 20,050 Board of Ed. Levy $50,001,733 $7,500- levy

Classroom libraries in grade

schools

$60,000 bldg. & $25,000

equipment 4 21,500Bldg. 50% & Books 58%

Bd. Of Ed. Through supt. Of schools

Pawtucket, R.I 64,248 city council levy $126,049,270 $30,660- levy

In school buildings & 1 in ward room

Main library furnishes books &

schools the service $250,0009 staff & 4

janitors 46,808 $68,000 NoneBoard of trustees

elected by city council

Peoria, Ill. 76,121city council levy- 1.1

mills $41,284,423 $52,184.66 levy &

$3,034.22 misc. 1 Carnegie Branch

60 collections maintained in 19

schools

15 full time, 3 evening, & 3

janitors 141,789

Main & contents- $206,500 & branches-

Head lib. And assts. In each dept.

Pittsfield, Mass. 41,763

private funds & city council levy

$25,000 levy & $2,500 private

fundsIn school buildings Not co-ordinated $200,000 75,000 $100,000 Board of trustees

Portland, Ora. 258,288

private funds & county tax- .89 mill $350,000,000

$5,000 investments,

$14,000 fines, & $295,000 levy

7 in Carnegie bldgs., 4 bungalows, & 1 engine house

collections in 50 places,

bookwagon service

8 H.S. lib.- Pub. Lib. Furnishes books, Bd.

Of Ed. $500,000

120 lib., 6 clerks, and 6 office, staff, pages & janitors 413,000 $413,000

Bldgs.- $280,000 & Contents-

$149,250Board of directors and

lib.

Poughkeepsie, N.Y 35,000

private funds & city council levy

$137.60 private funds & $25,200

levy1 in rented quarters to be est. on Jan. 1, 1926 None No school librarians $150,000

7 full time & 1 part time 62,753

Bldg.- $77,500 & Books- $50,000

Board of trustees of 5 members app. By

mayor

48

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Pueblo, Col. 43,050 city council levy

$10,000 levy & $500 fines In school buildings $100,000

4 full time & 1 half time 40,000 City insures

Quincy, Ill. 35,978city council levy- .09 per

$100 $18,298,007 $16,000 levy $30,0006 staff, 1 page, &

1 janitor 46,000 $46,000Bldg.- $20,000 & Books- $15,000

Board of directors of 9 members app. By

mayor

Racine, Wis. 58,593 city council levy

$40,000 levy & $2,600 fines

2 in lib. Owned bldgs. & 3 in school buildings

In school buildings Co-operation only $50,000 20 63,000

Main bldg.- $50,000 & Main Books- $50,000

Board of directors of 9 members app. By

mayor

Richmond, Va. 171,667

private funds & city council levy

$250 private funds & $36,914 levy

Nergro branch in rented quarters

Informal co-ordination $120,000 24 30,000 $30,000

2/3 on bldg. and books

Ind. Dept. of city thru Richmond Pub. Lib.

Board

Rochester, N.Y. 295,750 city council levy

$197,639.42 levy, $8,051.74 fines & $1,710 state grant

Policy open 1 each year mostly in rented

quarters

1 in rented quar. & 10 in sch.

Bldgs. No official relation 45 158,263 $237,394.50 None

Librarian under lib. Bd. Of 7 members app. By

mayor

Sacramento, Cal. 65,908 city council levy

$90.00 private funds & $42,445.56

levy2 in school buildings &

1 in store None $130,000 17 113,325Librarian app. By city

mgr.

Saginaw, Mich. 61,903

private funds & Bd. Of Ed. Levy

$4,000 private funds & $42,000

levy In school buildings

All school lib. Operate partiallly or

wholly under 20 80,000 in 3 lib.Three commissioners

app. By Bd. Of Ed.

St. Joseph, Mo. 77,939 city charter levy

$55,000 levy & $5,000 fines & fees

2 in lib owned bldgs. & 2 in rented quarters In public schools No relation $250,000 29 102,000 $175,000

Main bldg.- 4% & Books- 24%

Board of 9 memebers app. By mayor for 3

years

East St. Louis, Ill. 66,767 city council levy $26,000,000 $23,000 levy 1 in H.S.

In public schools- 40 vols. Each to

112 rooms Very close $300,000 5 33,000 $30,000Bldg. 20% & Books 50%

Lib. Ed. App. By city council under state

law

St. Paul, Minn. 234,698 city council levy $176,928,017

$205,000 levy & $16,000 misc.

3 in lib. Owned bldgs., 17 school stations, & 1 in rented quarters

Classroom libraries in 87

schools

All libraries but H.S. Lib. Served by pub.

Lib. $130,00090 full time & 40

part time 339,117Librarian app. By com.

Of Ed.

Salt Lake City, Utah 118,110 city council levy $75,000 levy

2 in lib. Owned bldgs. & 1 in rented quarters

In school buildings

Public lib. Installs them $110,000 40 126,000 $126,000

Bldgs.- $50,500 & Books- $41,500 Board of Directors

San Antonio, Texas161,379city council levy- 2 cents

on $100

$3,000 private funds & $34,000

levy 2 in rent- free quarters

small cases of books in school

buildings No relation $70,00011 full time & 4

part time 69,000 $100,000Bldg.- $14,000 & Books- $15,000

Board of trustees of 15 members app. By

mayor

49

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

San Diego, Cal. 74,683

city council levy- 7.5 mills on $100 $114,000,000

$83,650 levy & fines

3 in lib. Owned bldgs., 5 in elem. Schools. &

in 3 rented quar.

classroom libraries in schools not having lib.

Lib. Bd. Supplies books, magazines, salary. Lib. Bd. Of Ed. Furnishes rest $60,000

39 full time & 22 part time 108,885 $129,000

Bldg. 25% & Books 10%

Board of trustees of 3 members app. By mayor for 4 years

San Francisco,

Cal. 506,676 city council levy $262,500 levy

In lib. Owned buildings & rented

quartersNo libraries in

school buildings $1,152,000 70 350,000 None

Board of trustees controller secretary &

librarian

Seattle, Wash. 315,312 city council levy- 1 mill $244,057,734

$283,847 levy & fines

8 in lib. Owned bldgs. & 1 in rented quarters

25 deposit stations

collections in 85

$1,998,567 central & branches 166 368,612 $427,382 None carried

Lib. Bd. Of 7 members, 1 app. Each

year by mayor

Sioux City, Ia. 71,227 city council levy- 2 mills $50,000 levy

In lib. Owned bldgs., school bldgs., & rented quarters $75,000 18 75,000 Bldg. 60%

Board of trustees of 5 members app. By

mayor & city council

Somerville, Mass. 93,091

private funds & city council levy- 71 cents on

$1,00099,311,000

dollars

$1,789.60 private funds & $75,470

levy3 in city owned

buildings None $222,900 41 117,123 $110,000 None Board of 9 trustees

Springfield, Ohio 60,840

Bd. Of Ed. Levy- 3/10 of a mill $100,000,000 $30,000 levy None yet

School extension lib. To visit schs. When branches are est. $100.00

7 full time & 3 part time 40,000

Board of trustees app. By Bd. Of Ed.

Stamford, Conn. 35,096 city council levy

$500 private funds & $25,000 levy

1 sub-station for juveniles & 2 for

adultsCo-operates with

H.S. library $120,000 10 48,000 Board of directors

Superior, Wis. 39,671 city council levy 47,000,000 $29,000 levy

1 in lib. Owned bldg., Books in 10 schools, &

5 rented quartersIn rented bldgs. &

schoolsCity library supplies

books & service $50,000 10 full time, 6 part time, & 2 janitors 54,000

Board of directors of 9 members, city comm.

& Supt. Of schools

Syracuse, N.Y 171,717 city council levy $261,000,000

$250 private funds & $100,000 levy

1 in city owned buildings, 1 or 2 school buildings In schools

Operate deposit stations in grade

schools $500,000 35 173,000 $175,000Co-ins. On bldg.

& Books 75%

Board of trustees acting through

librarian

Terre Haute, Ind. 66,083

Bd. Of Ed. Levy- 6 1/2 cents $89,000,000

$2,150 fines & $57,850 levy In school buildings

Under management of city library $80,000 28 80,000

Board of Ed.- Lib. Directly responsible to

Bd. Of Ed.

Toledo, Ohio 243,164

private funds & Bd. Of Ed. Levy $550,000,000

$1,560 private, $218,617 levy, $7,800 fines, & $2,500 interest

5 in Carnegie bldgs., 1 city bldg., 6 sch.

Bldgs., & 2 rented quarters In 40 schools

Grade school libraries under city

library Bldg. obsolete 150

213,325 & 10,000

documents $325,000

80% co-ins. On bldg. & full value

on books

Board of 7 members app. By Bd. Of Ed. For

7 yrs.

Troy, N.Y. 72,013private funds & city

council levy

$3,324.74 private funds & $16,000

levy1 sub-brach in school

building No connection10 staff & 2

janitors 52,181 $60,000Lib. Under board of

trustees

151

151 Statistics of 100 Libraries, compiled by S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va; this chart was used for visits and research by William Moreland and the B.F. Jones Memorial Library planners beginning in 1926.

50

Statistics of 100 Libraries Compiled By S.E. Weber, Charleston, W.Va. pre-1926

City PopulationSources of Revenue &

AmountValuation of City

PropertyAmount Realized &

Where fromProvision- Branch

LibrariesTravelling Libraries

Relation of City Library to School

LibrariesValue of Library

BuildingNumber of Library

EmployeesNumber of

Volume

Estimated Monetary Value of

Books% Insurance on

Building & BooksHow Library is

Managed

Utica, N.Y. 94,156private funds & city

council levy In library owned bldgs.In school buildings

Control deposits in grade schools

43 full time & 7 part time 104,901

80% on bldg. & books

Board of trustees self- perpetuating

Waltham, Mass. 30,915

private funds & city council levy $45,139,300

$332.40 private funds & $35,000

levy 2 in school buildings81 classrooom

collections

No connection Pub. Lib. Lends schs.

Books $184,000 11 staff & 2

janitors 73,000 $70,000 City carries insurance

Bd. Of trustees app. By mayor

Waterbury, Conn. 110,000

private funds, fines & city council levy

$15,000 private & $31,000 levy

2 in fire houses, Deposits in 225

classrooms, 1 rented None $60,000 17 staff, 18 part

time, & 2 janitors 125,000 No estimate

Librarian res. To board of 12 agents elected

by people

Wheeling, West Va. 56,208 Bd. Of Ed. Levy $851,480 $21,287 levy No branches $25,000 6 44,000 $45,000

Bldg.- $12,000 & Books- $12,500

Librarian responsible to Bd. Of Ed.

Williamsport, Pa. 36,198

private funds & city council levy- .2 mill $33,000,000

$10,497.19- private funds & $6,123.62

levy

4 in factories, 1 in townhall of nearby borough, 1 negro in

Y.W.C.A $150,000

7 staff, 2 part time, 2 janitors, 1

page, & 1 book collector 37,316 75,316

$25,000 blanket perpetual board of trustees

Winston- Salem,

N.C. 48,395 city council levy $16,415.25 levySend deposits to

grade schoolsSend deposits to

grade schs. $100,000 7 staff & 1 janitor 24,217 75% on both Board of 5 members

Worcester, Mass. 179,754

private funds& city council levy $237,022,555

$5,685.55 private funds & $125,000

levy 3 larger branches

31 deposits in factories & institutions

273 deposits in the school room $150,000

90 including janitors & part

time 277,298 $225,000 Bldg.- $150,000Board of 12 memebers elected by city council

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54