The collection consists of seven series spanning the years 1902-2002. The first part of the collection contains records pertaining to annual and monthly reports and circulation statistics; it makes up the majority of the collection. The second part of the collection is made up of two series, and contains the records of the Advisory Board and records pertaining to Branch renovations, including meeting minutes, correspondence, legal documents, and architectural reports and schematics. The third part of the collection is also made up of three series, and contains historical and audio/visual materials. It includes books, correspondence, slides, audiotapes, films, photographs, newspaper articles, and a model of the renovated library.
Arrangement
The materials have been separated into seven series and arranged primarily by year or subject. Most of the collection has been arranged according to its original order, although materials similar in content have been combined where appropriate. Similarly, loose pictures and newspaper clippings previously located in the oversize scrapbook have been moved to their respective folders in the series Branch History & Memorabilia.
Biographical / Historical
The Homewood Branch of the Carnegie Library was dedicated on March 10, 1910, and officially opened for circulation on March 14, 1910. It was the ninth and last of the Carnegie branches to be built until 1964. Its budget exceeded that of any other branch, costing a total of $150,000. In 1902 the Homewood Board of Trade formed a Library Committee, which met with and convinced Andrew Carnegie to give back to the Homewood community by providing funding for a public library. Carnegie himself purchased the building site in 1903. All previous branches had been purchased by the city. The Committee petitioned Carnegie for a sum of $150,000 with which to build the branch in 1904. Carnegie refused until 1906, upon the agreement that the Committee would pay $15,000 annually for the expenses of general upkeep. At the time of its opening, the branch had a total collection of 20,000 volumes, of which 4,000 were children's books.
Throughout its existence, the Homewood Branch has focused on giving back to and working alongside the community. In 1954, the Homewood library became the first of the Carnegie branches to have a Teen-Age Room, which was governed by a Youth Council made up of local middle- and high school students. Similarly, the Homewood Branch was also the first of the branches to have organized African American poetry and historical clubs. Over the years it has worked with various community and cultural groups, including the YMCA, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), and the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s the Homewood Branch offered extensive inner-city services and community relations projects and programs. The Branch offered Swahili classes through CCAC, incorporated an African American book collection, hired an African storyteller, tutored local students through the Rockwell International Tutoring Program, and created a Toy Lending Library for parents of small children. The African American Collection includes the John E. Wideman Collection, which was dedicated during the Branch's 75th Anniversary celebrations in 1985. The Wideman Collection is made up of the works of African American authors of fiction, non-fiction, and career materials.
The Branch is also home to works of art. As part of the Public Works of Art Project in 1934, artist Marcella Comes painted two works for the Branch. One painting features characters from internationally known children's fiction, such as Arabian Nights, King Arthur, Pinocchio, and Alice in Wonderland; the other features characters from American literature for older children, including characters from the stories of Washington Irving, Louisa May Alcott, and Mark Twain. The paintings hang in the Boys and Girls Department of the Branch. Also housed in the library is a memorial mural dedicated to Roberto Clemente. It was added in 1975, and was painted by students of the Carnegie Institute Saturday art class.
The Homewood Branch has undergone extensive renovations. The first set of renovations took place between 1971 and 1974, and included the addition of a multimedia mezzanine and multiple safety measures. The Branch was the first of fourteen Carnegie branches to undergo renovations in 2003. Additions included an elevator, auditorium, meeting rooms, new restrooms, and the restoration of windows and skylights/ the multimedia mezzanine was replaced by the African American Collection.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
There are no use restrictions.
Custodial History
The materials were removed from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood Branch and transferred to the William R. Oliver Special Collections Room.
Accruals
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood Branch sends new materials to the Oliver Room on an irregular schedule.
Preferred Citation
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Homewood Branch, William R. Oliver Special Collections, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
