Seattle Public Library Annual Reports
Series, 1802-I5
- Record Group
- 7800-00
- Dates
- 1894 – 2018
- Description
- The Seattle Public Library annual reports date from 1894 to 1985. There are not annual reports for every year in this record series and there is a large gap between 1967 and 1985. Reports from the library board and those from the librarian are both included in this record series. Early reports discuss the financial status of the library, physical location, circulation, acquisitions, policies, and contributions. The 1896 report states that "the reading of wholesome fiction...is rest to the weary, illumination to the perplexed, a cure for selfishness and narrow mindedness, and an inspiration to a fuller and better life." Later reports include information on the development of a technology division, the library's efforts towards meeting wartime needs, and selected statistics, among other topics. Beginning in 1939, photographs of library activities are included in some reports. The 1959 to 1960 report includes floor plans for the new building. The 1958 annual report of the Municipal Reference Library is also included in this series.nn
- Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
- Go to full EAD guide