Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Sheraden Branch CLP.20170801.003
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections
- Title
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Sheraden Branch
- Collection Number
- CLP.20170801.003
- Extent
- 1 Linear Feet 2 boxes of textual materials including architectural and technical drawings, newspaper clippings, and photographic materials.
- Date
- 1956-1988
- Publisher
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Archives and Special Collections
- Address
- 4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
info@carnegielibrary.org
URL: http://www.carnegielibrary.org/
Content Description
This collection consists of reports and correspondence created by the staff of the Sheraden Branch and the administration of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The bulk of the reports are monthly circulation reports organized by year. Additional reports include annual reports from 1970 through 1988; a 1969 feasibility report or renovation assessment of the Temple Theatre Building conducted by Bertrand J. Marlier, architect; incident reports; and, a budget proposal for the years 1986 through 1988. The correspondence included in the collection is primarily concerned with possible sites for the relocation of the Sheraden Branch and renovation/construction efforts. Additional correspondence includes hours of operation, staffing concerns, circulation numbers, security concerns, and a variety of daily business operations.
Arrangement
The records are arranged in two series: reports and correspondence. The first series has been further arranged into three subseries: monthly circulation reports, annual reports, and miscellaneous reports. The first subseries in series one, monthly circulation reports has been arranged by year, and the reports inside each folder are arranged chronologically either in descending or ascending order (these reports were accessioned in this order, and have not been rearranged for consistency). The second subseries has also been arranged chronologically. Subseries three, miscellaneous reports, has been re-foldered, but the arrangement of the reports has been left as originally accessioned by the archive. The second series, correspondence, has been arranged into two subseries: individual correspondence and correspondence: relocations, renovations, and equipment. Individual correspondence has been re-foldered and the folders have been renamed, but not re-arranged. Two folders belonging to Claire Pyle were combined into a single folder. The second subseries, correspondence: relocations, renovations, and equipment, have been arranged chronologically, however materials in the folders have been left in the order they were received in. There doesn't seem to be any particular order to these items, other than their grouping by project.
Biographical / Historical
After American Avenue Elementary was demolished in 1958 the American Avenue Branch moved from the school to the main floor of the Sheraden School; and the branch was renamed the Sheraden Branch. The branch shared space with the school library, and initially opened to the public only after school hours. During the school year the branch hours were Monday through Thursday 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The branch was beholden to district hours and emergencies that occasionally closed the branch. Teachers' strikes and janitors' strikes occasionally threatened to close the branch; one example was a brief closure of the branch from January 3rd through January 9th in 1971. The branch staff were generally concerned that the library remained a school library, and never really became a public library. Additionally, discipline problems with local youth plagued the branch and ultimately discouraged community use in the branch. In 1969 through 1971 there were efforts to locate a new space for the branch. Two locations were considered: 1) The Temple Theatre; and, 2) Greenway School. Neither location was approved. In 1979 the city began discussing the construction of a new building to house the library and a community center. On March 23, 1981 the branch opened to the public in its new building with an official dedication ceremony of the Sheraden Branch Library/Sheraden Community Building, located at 720 Sherwood Avenue, on April 21st. The library became a full branch with expanded hours of operation from the nineteen hours a week it operated in the Sheraden School, to thirty-five hours a week in its new building. New programs were also launched with the opening of the branch including: "Who done it?" reading club, a weekly preschool story-time, and a children's film series. The Sheraden Branch was finally operating as a full branch.
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, Sheraden Branch and transferred to the William R. Oliver Special Collections Room.
Accruals
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Sheraden Branch sends new materials to the Oliver Room on an irregular schedule.
Preferred Citation
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Sheraden Branch, William R. Oliver Special Collections, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh