Library Book Shower Records
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MF002
Abstract
The Library Book Shower was held on November 22, 1907 to raise funds and solicit book donations for the new Carnegie Library. The records include publicity, calling cards, invitation, and correspondence from invited guests.
Dates
- 1907-1908
Creator
General Physical Description note
(one archival folder)
Restrictions: Access
None.
Restrictions: Use
Permission to publish materials from this collection must be obtained from the Head of Archives and Special Collections.
Extent
0.05 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
The library book shower records include a press release, invitation, calling cards, list of donations, newsclippings, and correspondence from invited guests. Both the press release and the newsclippings provide excellent histories of the Georgia Tech library. The correspondence reveals the high regard many prominent Atlantans held for Georgia Tech and for the librarian herself. In addition to private individuals, donations came from the Pratt Institute, Harvard University, and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
History of the Library Book Shower (1907)
The Georgia Tech library originated as a bookshelf in English Professor Kenneth G. Matheson's office, later growing to a one-room facility in the Administration Building (then called the Academic Building). The library's first appropriation in 1901 allowed for the hiring of a librarian, Madge Flynn. In May 1905, she was succeeded by Laura Hammond, who, assisted by her sister Julia Hammond, served as librarian until the early 1920s.
Dr. Matheson became president of Georgia Tech in 1906, determined that Tech should have a decent library. He secured a donation of $20,000 from Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie for the construction of a new library. The Carnegie Library opened in September 1907.
After obtaining the new library, Hammond and Matheson turned their attention to augmenting its collection. On Friday evening, November 22, 1907, the library hosted a book shower, dedication, and reception, soliciting book and monetary donations, hoping to build a book collection worthy of the library's fine new building. Although the book shower received considerable publicity, inclement weather prevented many people from attending. Nonetheless, it could not be considered a failure, as donations continued to roll in months after the event.
Dr. Matheson became president of Georgia Tech in 1906, determined that Tech should have a decent library. He secured a donation of $20,000 from Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie for the construction of a new library. The Carnegie Library opened in September 1907.
After obtaining the new library, Hammond and Matheson turned their attention to augmenting its collection. On Friday evening, November 22, 1907, the library hosted a book shower, dedication, and reception, soliciting book and monetary donations, hoping to build a book collection worthy of the library's fine new building. Although the book shower received considerable publicity, inclement weather prevented many people from attending. Nonetheless, it could not be considered a failure, as donations continued to roll in months after the event.
Arrangement
The records are arranged chronologically.
Other Finding Aids
A print copy of this finding aid is available in the Georgia Tech Archives reading room.
Provenance
These records were removed from the vertical file (Accession #1997.0502; old #97-05-02).
General Physical Description note
(one archival folder)
Processing Information
Susan J. Illis processed these papers in 2000.
Creator
- Title
- Inventory of the Library Book Shower (Georgia School of Technology) Records, 1907-1908
- Subtitle
- MF002
- Author
- Susan J. Illis
- Date
- Copyright 2000.
- Description rules
- finding aid updated using rlg best practice guidelines for encoded archival description.
- Language of description
- Finding aid is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository
Contact:
Library
Georgia Institute of Technology
266 4th Street, NW
Atlanta 30332-0900 USA
404-894-4586
library.gatech.edu/contact-archives
Library
Georgia Institute of Technology
266 4th Street, NW
Atlanta 30332-0900 USA
404-894-4586
library.gatech.edu/contact-archives