This report from the Commissioner of Public Works consists primarily of tables and charts describing work done to city streets, alleys, sidewalks, sewers, bridges, tunnels, and other structures, along with city building and population statistics, charts outlining the organization of city departments and tax distribution, photographs of street paving, and a map of population density. Reports on street cleaning, building inspection, rainfall, and garbage disposal are included.
This report from the Commissioner of Public Works consists primarily of tables and charts describing work done to city streets, alleys, sidewalks, sewers, bridges, tunnels, and other structures, along with charts depicting departmental organization, maps of city streets, parkways, sewers, bridges, ward boundaries and land owned by railroad companies, an inventory of equipment, and lists of permits and ordinances. Reports on street cleaning, garbage disposal, surveys, rainfall, and population are included, along with the 32nd annual report of the St. Paul Workhouse.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1861-62, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1862-63, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1860-1861, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1863-64, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1864-65, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the city of St. Paul Common Council for 1865-66, including: City Government officers. The book primarily concerns correspondence and city resolutions.
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1868-April 1869. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1867-April 1868. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1869-April 1870. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1866-April 1867. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
The book Saint Paul Housing Project: A Plan for Slum Clearance and Low Cost Housing, details a proposal for slum clearance and the creation of low cost rental housing at the future site of the Mount Airy Homes development, an area now bordered by University Avenue to the South, Highway 35-E to the East, Pennsylvania Avenue to the North, and Jackson Street to the West. The Mount Airy Housing Project was spearheaded by the St. Paul City Planning Board, Mr. George Herrold, the City's Engineer and coordinator of the information presented in the book, and the individual members of the Citizens Housing Committee, the group that sponsored and approved the project. The Citizens Housing Committee, which included many of the community's leading citizens of the day, was charged with the goal of developing a space that would specifically address the affordable housing needs of future low-income populations, as well as the City's changing landscape. Two pages of introductory text describe the nature of the project, site selection and district selection, current real estate balance at the time, the development itself, outside housing influences, costs, and personnel. Twenty-one pages of printed maps of the City of St. Paul provide detail on census enumeration districts, relief cases, tuberculosis cases, delinquency rates, land values, comparative incomes, and comparative rent. The maps were all created in March 1934, however the information they depict ranges from 1928 to 1935. Four of the maps focus solely on the future Mount Airy development and feature plans for street layout and housing. The book also includes three pages of charts highlighting comparative conditions of blight, building permit and vacancy statistics, and land values for the past fifty years. A five-page section entitled Mount Airy Housing Project Property Listing, dated April 1934, provides detailed information on the ownership, value, and tax history of the properties located on the site before development.
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1870-April 1871. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period January 1877-January 1878. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period April 1871-April 1872. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period January 1875-January 1876. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period January 1874-January 1875. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, ordinances considered, licenses issued, and reports from various officers (such as the City Attorney and the Comptroller).
Proceedings of the Common Council for the period January 1876-January 1877. This book records the activities of the city council including meeting attendees, petitions, disbursements, trial actions, hunting licenses, and reports from various officers (such as the Health Officer).
Price, F. H. (Free Library of Philadelphia, Periodical Department, Middle City Station)
Date Created:
1935-01-23
Description:
This one cent postal card is a request for copies of "The Library Beacon" for July through December, 1934. January through June, 1935. This one cent postal card was the standard of quick, easy and inexpensive communication between libraries across the country.
Windsor, P. L. (Periodical Division, University of Illinois Library, Urbana, Illinois)
Date Created:
1935-02-15
Description:
The one cent postal card was the most cost effective way to communicate by mail. This was especially true in the period of the Great Depression when the library budget was cut to the bone. This one cent postal card is a request for copies of "The Library Beacon" Vol. 6, No.2 for 1934 to date. Penciled notation indicates that requested items were sent.
Lydenbert, H. M. (New York Public Library, New York, New York)
Date Created:
1935-04-01
Description:
Request is written on letter head stationery of the New York Public Library. It describes a request for copies of the "The Library Beacon." The text of a reply from the Saint Paul Public Library is noted on letter.
This one cent postal card is a request for copies of the "Library Beacon" Vol. 6, No.2 for 1934 to date. Penciled notation indicates that requested items were sent.
Jennings, Mrs. T. B. (Saint Paul Public Library, St. Paul, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1935-08-07
Description:
This one cent postal card was sent to a Miss Helen Beach, Librarian at the Library School, Emory University, Georgia. It informs Miss Beach that "The Library Beacon" is in a state of "suspended animation." The library was facing an acute budget deficit, which would cause the library to close for fifteen days, from August 25th to September 8th, 1935.
Miller, Wharton (Syracuse University Library, Syracuse, New York)
Date Created:
1935-04-17
Description:
This one cent postal card is a request for further issues of the "The Library Beacon." A penciled annotation, lower left corner, indicates that the inquiry was answered on 4-20-35.
This one cent postal card requests that they receive additional issues beyond the April-June, 1934 issues. The annotation shows that a response by post card was sent to the St. Louis Public Library letting them know that issues will be sent when available.
Kramm, Johanna (H. W. Wilson Company, New York, New York)
Date Created:
1935-08-13
Description:
Request is written on letter head stationery of the H.W. Wilson Company. The company published an index titled "Library Literature" which included "The Library Beacon."
Bernardo, Gabriel A. (University of the Philippines, Manila)
Date Created:
1935-09-27
Description:
A two cent postal card from the Library of the University of the Philippines. It was a request that "The Library Beacon" be placed on a permanent mailing list and sent to the University of the Philippines.
The first issue of The Library Beacon to be published. Page 1. "The Library Beacon" was published under the direction of Webster Wheelock, the library director. "In brief, the purpose of this little publication, which we intend to issue monthly except in July and August, was to give the people of St. Paul information about their Library--what it is doing, what it hopes to do, and the many ways it serves individuals, different interests, groups and different activities scattered all over the fifty-four square miles comprised within the city limits and all over Ramsey County also. 'And What May This Be.' Request for the "The Library Beacon" for the year of 1935. An introduction to the publication. Page 2. "Something For Everybody," So many different groups to serve. The editor could only list a few : children, teachers, business managers, hospital patients, rural districts and so on. "Gifts to the Library," The director thanks those who so generously remembered the Library. Page 3. Lists the names of those who have donated materials. "Many-Sidedness," the editor states that " functions of the Public Library is to give light to the human mind so that its possessor may himself enjoy and give forth light." Page 4. "No Red Tape," The registration process of a library card is easy and the rewards are without boundaries." "Our Sporting Page," The editor reveals the process involved in the naming of this news letter.
Page 1. This issue begins with the title, "A Helpful Gift," It describes a Trust fund established by Mrs. James H. Skinner and her son. Also mentioned were the bequests by Judge Greenleaf Clark and Judge Henry Hale. Page 2. "A Unique Experiment," The library agreed to manage a collection of books for the Boy Scouts to assist them in their activities at the St. Croix Boy Scout camp. "The Wearin' O' the Green," Children at the Arlington Hills Branch Library, describe a program of Irish songs riddles, and dances in traditional customs. Page 3. "For Knights and Ladies of the Trowel," What the library had to offer for spring gardening. "On House Cleaning," This article let the reader know that the periodical collection contained many tips on cleaning and decoration inside and outside the house. Page 4. "Magazines In the Reading Room," Well over 1,000 periodicals were subscribed to. A sample list of 32 titles represented the wide variety of topics and subjects in the periodical collection.
Page 1. With this issue the library director issues an open letter "To Service Club Members," The Beacon intended to tell from month to month the great variety of the library's activities. The expectation was to have service clubs promote the services of the library to their members. Page 2. "Three Gifts," The director acknowledged gifts from Mrs. W.W. Skinner for a museum display case; Maplewood Women's Club for a cash donation to be used for children's books ; St. Paul Council of the Parent-Teacher Association to purchase books for the parent teacher collection. "Many Thanks!" Thanks expressed to those who made donations. "A Corner For Parents," described a gift from the Saint Paul Council of the Parent-Teacher Association. Page 3. "Librarians Teach In Schools," Describes a program were librarians taught sixth grade pupils how to use reference resources and the card catalog. "Giving The Child His Chance," Parents where urged to begin a home library and to read to their children. Page 4."The Library Chanty," Come to the Library and see what there is to see. "How Pay Books Work," A pay collection will pay for itself. In 1928 earnings of the Pay Collection made it possible to purchase 452 volumes for the Free Collection while 653 volumes in the Pay Collection were transferred to the Free Collection.
Page 1."Hale Memorial Hamline Branch Library," A sketch and description of the long delayed Hamline Branch Library graced the cover of this issue. The library was built with a working fireplace that remains in use to this day. Page 2. "Two New Branch Buildings," After almost four years of legal negotiation contracts were signed and construction set to begin. The proposed Merriam Park Library could not be opened till completion of the Hamline Branch. "Gifts To The Library," The editor thanks those patrons for their continued support. "Special Gifts," Northwest Baptist Hospital Association presented 432 books to be used for Library service to hospitals. The Library began service to city hospitals in 1921. Page 3. "Chocolates Or Food," To assist the serious reader subject bibliographies were prepared by the American Library Association. "Reading With A Purpose," The titles of 50 booklets, each prepared by a specialist are listed. Each provided a balanced introduction to a particular topic. Page 4. "Travel Posters," These posters decorated the rooms of the library and are an example of posters as art. Posters were available for use by various groups who needed contact the office of the Librarian.
Page 1. "Continuing Education," Graduation is just the beginning of learning. For some graduates their formal education may be at an end. Fortunate are those who realize that their education has just begun. The public library existed to help the adult student for life. Page 2. "That Country Cabin," Look to the library for building or decorating ideas. "The Saint Paul Institute and The Public Library," Complementary institutions both ready to serve you. The Institute was founded in 1906 by Mr. C. W. Ames and Dr. Arthur Sweeney. In 1927 it moved to the Old Merriam home on Capital Hill. The Saint Paul Institute was the forerunner of the present day Science Museum. "These, Too, Have Helped," Grateful acknowledgement of books and gifts donated to the library. "How Far One Book Goes," The editor reviewed the physical life span of a book. A popular fiction book may have 54 circulations. It will be repaired and circulate again. The book may then be rebound for a total of 100 circulations. Page 3. "Going Abroad At Home," A library card is your passport to the world. "The Buyer's Guide," Before subscribing to a journal, why not examine the scope, readableness and overall usefulness of the journal at the library? Page 4. "Simply Perishing," Phone Garfield 3386. Become one of the 5000 persons each year who call the library with their questions. "Books For Commencement Gifts," The Central Library and branches will exhibit books suitable for commencement gifts for students. "The Library Talks," The director and staff are always willing to address mothers' clubs, study groups and service clubs, industrial or commercial houses. "Good-Bye till September."
Page 1. "Hale Memorial Merriam Park Branch," A sketch and description of the library are presented on the first page. Similar in size to the Hamline library it would be different in design. The library would have a collection of about 23,000 volumes. Page 2. "Travel Week At The Library," A library program in conjunction with the Travel Bureau of the First National Bank could make a dream come true. A movie-tea program was be presented by experienced Saint Paul travelers who will shared their own slides and movies. "They Had Their Troubles, Too," Two selected curses to bring down on those who damage or steal a book from your library. "An Expression Of Public Spirit," The Library Director conveyed his gratitude to those who donated books and funds. Organizations that donated include : Merriam Park Study Class, Northwest Airways, Ramsey County Sunday School Association. Page 3. "Library Hours," The Library Director presented his view on hours of operation. The director wanted the library open every day in the year except Christmas and the Fourth of July and every evening until 10:00 o'clock. Perhaps dormitories were to be assembled in the attic of the library for use by the Director and staff? "Exhibits At The Library." The Exhibition Room hosted traveling exhibits from the St. Paul Institute. Attendance from January to June was 13,402. The Children's Book exhibit brought between 2,000 to 3,000 to the exhibit. . Page 4. "Old Friends," The Circulation Room at Central Library maintained a shelf of favorite authors that included William Ware, Georg Moritz Ebers and Jane Austen. "For Music-Lovers and Musicians," The Fine Arts Room housed scores for mixed church choirs, a large collection of sheet music, instruction for books for piano and violin. A valuable collection of old hymn books was also present. It is possible that some of these old hymn book survive to this present day.
Page 1. "Serving The County," A black and white photograph shows a "book wagon" and children lining up to select books. The book wagon made three trips weekly carrying about 600 books and magazines to schools and stores for men, women and children. Page 2. "The Encyclopaedia Britannica," The 14th edition of this work was proudly placed in the Reference Room. "The Miracle," a play at the St. Paul Auditorium was endorsed by the editor. "More Helpful Friends," The assistance of public donations to the library was again noted and appreciated. Page 3. "Gifts To The Children's Room," Gifts from the Skinner family were acknowledged. "Children's Book Exhibit," The Art Exhibition Room was transformed into a medieval castle. Local publishers and booksellers contributed new titles. "The Library And The Church," The library stood ready to assist all denominations in their religious needs. It aimed to have books on a vast number of religious subjects. Victrola records of a religious character are lent to churches. Page 4. "For Parents Only," For sale, only 10 cents, were three pamphlets on child training and development. "A Graphic Arts Exhibit," The American Institute of Graphic Arts held an exhibit of 'Fifty Books' and Printing for Commerce."
Page 1. "This Year's Children's Book Exhibit," A black and white photograph of the Exhibition room depicts the theme of the annual Children's Book Exhibit, it is the romance of chivalry. The young ladies in costume are members of the Girl Scouts. Over 5,000 people attended the event. Page 2. "Those Christmas Gifts," The director thanks those who donated during the holiday season. "The Gay Parade Of Children's Books," A detailed acknowledgement of those members of the community and their contributions to the book exhibit. N.C. Wyeth sent four canvases in oil, that were for the book the "Scottish Chiefs," Page 3. "The Miracle List," described a booklet dealing with the then popular play "The Miracle." "Propaganda!" In an article the director proposes the use of propaganda for the benefit of the library. Page 4. "Twenty Three Foreign Languages," The library collected a number of books in languages other than English. A sampling of titles in other languages are listed.
Page 1. "The Library And The Hospital," A black and white photograph depicts two hospital patients reading books. Near them is a book truck and hospital staff. Library service to hospitals was inaugurated in 1921. Service was provided to ten area hospitals. Page 2. "Happy New Year!" The Beacon was one year old in 1930, and continued to be a voice to the public concerning the mission of the library. "A Graphic Arts Exhibit titled, "Fifty Books" showed the finest productions of American printing art and printing for commerce. Lantern slide illustrations were also to be presented. "More Donors," The library relied upon the gifts of generous individuals and local business. Page 3. "For Out-Of-Town Addresses," City directories were a vital part of the reference collection. These directories were traded among other libraries in a effort to keep the collections relevant. A list of companies that donated directories to the library represents the variety of business in Saint Paul. " The Library And The Advertiser," The Social Science Division assisted the many local business owners in their endeavor to develop productive advertising strategy by using library resources. Page 4. "Information For All," If you want the information, we have it. Garfield 3386. "Crime In The Library!" As President Hoover was aroused by the rising violence in the United States, so was the public. Many of the issues mentioned in this article bear resemblance to the social concerns of the present. The library sought to provide the materials needed by the public, to come to a fair and balanced consensus to deal with the issues.
Page 1. "Book Drive Number," A black and white photograph on the cover, shows two employees mending library materials. Centered in the photograph is a book press. Announced was a campaign asking people of St. Paul to give 100,000 books to the library. Page 2. "Why Give To Libraries?" Seven points are listed. The first point serves as a foundation for the rest. "Human life is shaped and developed by nothing else more powerfully than by ideas, images, emotions and ideals which are conveyed to the mind by books". Page 3. "Subscription Books," People have been approached by agents selling subscriptions. To assist the unwary the library subscribes to "Subscription books Bulletin," issued by the American Library Association. "Post Cards Wanted," Looking for scenes, buildings, monuments. The library circulated these post cards to schools and study groups. "And Phonograph Records, Too," Many persons did not realize that the library circulated records of the better class of musical compositions. The collections were available for use by responsible groups. Page 4. "Book Drive Information," Stipulated here were the types of materials the library hoped to receive. Where they were to be delivered, Central library or branches and how to deal with monetary gifts. Home libraries could benefit by judicious pruning with donations being given to the library. "Acknowledgements Suspended," Gifts received during the Book Drive were appreciated but space would not allow the usual practice of acknowledgement in The Beacon.
Page 1. "The Library In 1929," This issue was a statistical review of 1929. It was indeed a busy year. Authorization was granted for the Hamline and Merriam Park libraries. The library as a whole circulated 1,527,948 books. Branch Division in addition to 4 branches operated 11 neighborhood stations, 8 industrial stations, 12 institutional stations, and 12 hospital stations. Much statistical information was presented and provided documentation of the library system for one year.
Page 1. "How The Library Helps The School," The article was written by Edith M. Ouellette, Librarian, Washington High School. She described the necessity of supplementing curriculum with materials from the public library. Page 2. "A Big Day," Saturday, January 11th, was a record day for adult circulation at the Central Library. Two thousand five hundred and thirty eight items were checked out. "Popular Reading Interests," A review of the "Reading with a Purpose," booklets referred to in the September,1929 issue of the Beacon. Of fifty topics only eighteen have sold more than twenty copies. Some of the popular booklets were "Philosophy," "Mental Hygiene," and "Religion in Everyday Life," and "More Book Gifts" In 1929, 4,560 books were donated to the library. Page 3. "Another Acknowledgment," The success of the Graphic Arts exhibit was due in part to local department stores who loaned their display cases and drapes. The stores were: Schuneman and Mannheimers, the Emporium, Field Schlick and Co. and the Golden Rule. "More Books For The Parent-Teacher Shelf," An additional donation allowed purchase of more books. "The Library And The Printing Craft," The amount of interest in the Graphic Arts exhibit lead to purchase of additional materials on all aspects of the subject. "Recent War Literature and Peace," A reflection on the novels coming out of the Great War. Page 4. "Service to "Shut-Ins," This service started as a natural out growth of the service to hospitals. Reading lists would be provided for relatives who would deliver the books as needed. This service was brought back in the late 1970's and was made possible by volunteers. It was given the name Homebound Service.
Rascher Insurance Map Publishing Company (Chicago, Illinois)
Date Created:
1891
Description:
Volume IV includes the west side of the City of Saint Paul, South Saint Paul, and South Park. Maps are listed on numbered pages, 331-392. There are a total of 31 maps. Each map is composed of two pages; each page is 69.215cm (vertical) x 50.8cm (horizontal). The contents page shows a Revision Chart written in pencil. Changes are noted by item number, date of revision and signature of the individual who entered the revision. Revisions to the maps are in the forms of pieces of paper cut to the proper outline of the buildings and pasted onto the map for the designated location. There is a Key Chart to the signs used in Rascher's Maps. Various colors identify types of structures. Other signs and symbols are provided that indicate insurance related information. There is an additional index page dated May 1895. This volume also provides detailed maps of the Minnesota Packing & Provision Co, and the St. Paul Union Stock Yards Co. both located in South Saint Paul. These are found on pages 387 and 388.
Page 1. "The Children's Room," A black and white photograph showed seven children in the Children's Room. The narrator provided a tour and highlights of the room. Page 2. "How The Library Serves The Social Worker," The library provided information concerning various careers. That of the Social Worker was presented. Many resources, books, journals, and government publications were provided by the library. Page 3. "For The Man Of Business," The library collected a broad range of business and trade journals to support the local business community. Titles such as "Financial World," "Barron's Weekly," "Bradstreet," and a new publication "Fortune Magazine." Trade journals included "Dry Goods Economist," "Baker's Review," and "Northwest Miller." "Reserve Book Service," Explained the method by which new titles were purchased to fill requests for a given title. At one point the library had 114 copies of "Main Street" and still could not meet demand. Page 4. "Wonderful Co-Operation," The editor reports on the progress of the Book Drive. Thanked were high schools, many social, civic and business organizations. Those listed presented a cross section of groups who were active in the community of Saint Paul.