Carnegie Free Library
Carnegie Free Library

Carnegie Free Library

The picture shows the Carnegie Library, which was the precursor of today's Public Library. Actually, El Paso Public Library is the oldest public library in Texas. It was founded by the teacher Mary Irene Stanton in 1894, when she donated her personal collection for a boy's Reading Club, to help her students. The books were placed in a room in the Sheldon building. The room became so popular that adults asked for the privileges of reading Stanton's books and the membership was extended to all, including women. The first library association was formed in 1896 consisting of Stanton as librarian and other women. In the same year the reading room was moved to City Hall. In 1899 it became open to the public. By 1900, the library had more than 1,500 books on the shelves and the first trained librarian was hired. With the financial support of the Carnegie Foundation of the philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, a separate building was built in 1904, the Carnegie Library. Mauran, Russell and Garden, architects from St. Louis, designed the library. It was a one-story structure with half a basement and was built on the block then known as Buckler Square, later renamed Carnegie Square. One of the most important forces in the development in the El Paso Public Library has to be the tenure of Maud Durlin Sullivan, who came to the library in 1908. Sullivan built a huge collection of books, musical scores and art prints, acquired books written in Spanish, developed a usable system of access and exhibited art in the library. Sullivan served as librarian until her death in 1943. In 1954 a new library building opened at the same site.

Área: Central / Downtown

Colección: Stansel Postcard Collection

Fuente: University of Texas at El Paso Library - Special Collections Department

ID de referencia: PH049-1-1-017

Cargado por: El Paso Museum of History

Comentarios

Hacer un comentario
Gracias por su comentario

Reportar esta entrada

Elige la razón más importante para este reporte

Tu nombre

Tu correo electrónico

Detalle opcional

Gracias por su reporte

Más sobre la misma comunidad-colección

Harry A. Carpenter

Harry Alexander Carpenter Carpenter appears in the city ...

"Return To Our El Paso Roots Homecoming" 2019 Reunion

Former students and descendants of Douglass School, El Paso's ...

1969 El Paso Lodge No. 130 *TROST & TROST

El Paso Lodge # 130 A.F. & A.M. circa 1969 temple, designed by ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Resiliencia: Exhibición al 3 de Agosto

On August 3, 2019, a mass shooting at the Wal-Mart #2201 in East ...

Tracks Across the Desert Exhibition

The railroad boom of the 19th century ushered in a new and ...

Tracks Across the Desert Exhibition

The railroad boom of the 19th century ushered in a new and ...

Growing up El Paso Skating

Five year old girl skating downtown circa 1943. Image ...

A Horse Named Babe

"I used to ride around the desert with Babe, no water and no ...

According Player El Paso

Else Larsen plays the Accordion circa 1935. The Accordion was ...

Five EP Masons Get Orders of Commandery

‘Five EP Masons Get Orders Of Commandery’⁣ ⁣ ...

La Cate Class of 1972

84 Graduates prior to Graduation Ceremony at Liberty Hall May ...

Class of 1972 Cathedral IRISH

Graduation Day May 24, 1972 at St. Patrick Cathedral. Prior to ...

Graduates de La Cate clase de 1972

10 Year Reunion Cathedral High class of 1972 . All in Suits., ...

EPMH Mojiganga in Dia De Los Muertos Parade

2019 DDLM parade Image Description: In this color ...

Low & Slow: Lowrider Culture On The Border

In El Paso, Texas or Chuco, Tejas, the Lowrider is more than a ...

home.search_collection