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The A.K. Smiley Public Library
Celia
Libr 280
Professor Hansen
5/4/08
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Every city in America has a story to tell and so does its library. Rarely is the
history of all but the most prestigious of these institutions explored, nor its founders or
library staff. Despite its relative isolation in a part of Southern California that is not well
known, the Inland Empire has many of these library gems that have gone unnoticed. The
A.K. Smiley Public Library is one of these gems. Located in Redlands, a town proud of
its heritage and history, the A.K. Smiley Public Library has a fantastic legacy for those
interested in learning about it. In this paper, the origin of the town of Redlands, the
predecessors of the A.K. Smiley Public Library, the beginnings of the public library
movement in Redlands, and the history of the Library from its inception in 1894 to 1920
will be explored.
To understand how the A.K. Smiley Public Library began, the story of Redlands
must be told. The developer of Redlands, Frank E. Brown came to Colton, California as
a Yale graduate surveyor looking for work. He met E.G. Judson and the two quickly
became acquaintances in 1877. In 1878, he created the Lugonias first fruit packaging
company with Judson and built a ranch. However Lugonia did not have a plentiful water
source. This was a problem for the citys fruit industry. Brown traveled to the valley
where Redlands was located determined to find a water source for Lugonia. After
examining the land he discovered the area had an abundance of water that could be
carried to other cities, including Lugonia. Judson and Brown decided this land would be
a perfect place to build a city and brought 320 acres from the Southern Pacific Railroad.
One Dr. Barton owned 640 acres and was desperate to sell the land where nothing
but brush grew. Judson and Brown purchased this property and in several years
purchased an additional 4,000 acres. In 1881, Judson and Brown founded the Redlands
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Water Company and obtained water from the Redlands reservoir by building a canal. In
that same year several families moved into Redlands and used the rich soil to plant
orange trees. Thus Redlands citrus industry began.
The two entrepreneurs eventually built a dam (costing $30,000) in Bear Valley to
provide more water for Redlands agriculture. By 1887 Redlands had two public schools,
two grocery stores, a mill, a real estate business, two banks, a YMCA organization and
building, a blacksmith shop, a fruit drying business, a harness shop, a newspaper (The
Citrograph established by Scipio Craig), 3 churches, a lumber yard, a newspaper and
cigar store, a boarding house, a barber shop, an opera house, a doctors office, and a drug
store (Nelson, Hinckley, Moore, Moore, and contributors 1963).
Before the Redlands Public Library, the town had many alternatives to choose
from. Redlands YMCA building constructed in 1887 had a reading room filled with
several books and periodicals. The reading room was free and open from 8 A.M. to 9:00
P.M. The YMCA not only had a reading room for the enjoyment of Redlands but held
concerts, a church service, and had several speakers (Citrograph, October 29, 1887).
The YMCA also hosted a book social on December 27, 1888 so more books could
be donated to the reading room. More than 60 books of good and excellent quality were
donated on Tuesday night. The success of the YMCA reading room was apparent in the
December 29, 1888 Citrograph. The editor, Craig showcased the room as well
lighted and provided with some of the best daily and weekly papers in a state but a good
fire can be found there until 9 oclock and all visitors are made to feel at home. It is
fortunate Redlands book enthusiasts had a reading room in a town with few
entertainments.
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Redlands also had a few bookstores. The first bookstore of Redlands was run by
one Ms. Jennie L. Jones. Before it opened in December it was promised to be, a boon to
the readers of Redlands. And indeed it was. Located on 23 East State Street, Ms. Jones
had hundreds of books for sell and ran a circulating library where individuals could rent
books for 10 cents a week. Art and stationary was sold as well (Citrograph, December
10, 1887). It was a haven for those that did not have the means to purchase books. Ms.
Foote from Wisconsin joined Ms. Jones in partnership and opened a trinket and wallpaper
store in 1889.
This did not last but a year. Ms. Jones health started to decline and she was
unable to run her businesses. Both women were forced to sell their businesses to the
Barnum and Leonard firm in the summer of 1890. Soon afterward Ms. Jones passed
away and Ms. Foote decided to buy the business back. Ms. Foote was able to regain
ownership of the business in September of 1890 with the help of Ms. Pierpoint, another
local woman.
The news was greeted with joy and Craig of the Citrograph reported, Ms.
Pierpoint will be behind the counter on Monday next and will pleased to greet her friends
at the old bookstore stand (Citrograph, September 13, 1890). In 1893 Ms. Pierpoint
moved to the eastern United States but Ms. Foote continued the business with C.C.
Beatty. The circulating library and bookstore experienced great success and popularity
under the management of these two women. The business moved into the Union State
building on Orange Street because its book collection had grown so large (Irshay 1986).
The success of the early bookstores suggests early Redlanders had a passionate
relationship with books and took reading very seriously.
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Redlands had yet to experience the California public library movement
encouraged by the Roger Act of 1878 (Held 1963). The act was based the library that
started the public library movement, the Boston Public Library. The founders, Sr. and Jr.
Josiah Quincy, George Ticknor and Edward Everett intended wanted the public library to
provide additional education for Bostons people. When The Boston Public Library
opened its doors in 1854, a law required the public library be established and maintained
by taxes. The mayor of Boston, Josiah Sr. Quincy required that a library board of
trustees of 5 or 6 members manage the library (Shera 1949).
The Roger Act of 1878 had the same guidelines. It required a town to establish a
free public library and reading room by taxing its residents. A library had to create a
library board of trustees of a given number. Los Angeles was the first to establish a free
public library in 1878. The nearby cities of Ventura, Eureka, Oakland, San Francisco,
and Sacramento all acted within the year or the next to establish public libraries. Like
Redlands, most of these cities had many circulating and social libraries to suit their needs.
With the passage of the Roger Act it was possible to meet needs that neither type of
library could (Held 1963). Redlands was clearly behind in this movement and needed a
public library soon. Change came with the arrival of two men in 1891: Alfred Homans
(A.H.) and Albert Keith (A.K.) Smiley.
The twins were born in Vassalboro, Maine on March 17th, 1828 and owned two
successful resorts, the Lake Mononk Mountain house and the Wildermere House. A.H.
Smiley brought his family to Redlands, California in 1889 for warm weather to soothe his
arthritis. He was impressed beauty of the land and purchased 20 acres. A.K. Smiley
followed his brother in 1890 after some convincing and bought 20 acres nearby. The
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twins began to construct a winter resort on the properties shortly afterwards. Many in the
town of Redlands scoffed at such a venture, calling the resort Smileys Folly (p.49).
What was nothing but dirt and brush became the Canon Crest Park known its
wonderful gardens. By 1891, the resort was finished and both Smiley families moved in,
allowing the residents of Redlands to tour the gardens at their pleasure. The resort
transformed Redlands into a popular destination and drew families to the small town.
A.K. and A.H. Smiley were well past their youth but had energy and drive to spare. Both
were on the Board of Trade, were involved in the YMCA, joined a committee that
constructed and organized a charity association, built 3 parks, and were involved in
several projects that beautified Redlands (Burgess 1993). Due to the dedication and
stubbornness of A.H. and A.K. Smiley, Redlands not only had a public library by 1894
but the respect of California.
The public library movement in Redlands began soon after the Smiley brothers
arrival. In 1891 the editor of the Citrograph, Craig reported A.K. Smiley and A.H.
Smiley, J.B Breed, and many others presented to the city board of trustees the idea of a
public library or reading room (Citrograph December 5, 1891). Nothing was decided at
this meeting and it was not until November of 1893 that the idea of a public library was
brought up again. At the city board of trustees meeting in November, the YMCA wanted
to construct a new building and offered the board two offers.
The lst offer proposed the first floor of the building be a library and reading room
while the rest of the building would be city trustee offices. The board would pay $75 a
month for the first two years and then $90 a month for the 3rd year. The second offer
involved dedicating the entire building for city trustee offices for $65 dollars a month.
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Mr. A.H. Smiley was at the meeting and had been trying for months to convince the
trustees that Redlands was in dire need of a library.
At this meeting Smiley said the city would prosper with a library and reminded
the trustees, Redlands for a city of its size that was behind other places of less
importance. Where these cities or towns were was not specified. The city trustees
decided it was time for Redlands to have a public library and accepted the 1st offer with
the library and reading room (Citrograph, November 4, 1893). Unlike Los Angles,
Sacramento, or San Francisco, Redlands did not have a library association established.
Instead a library board of trustees acting as the Redlands Library Association
was appointed at another town meeting on November 22, 1893. It was decided A.H.
Smiley would serve as president, Mrs. Margaret Howard White as secretary, and F.P.
Meserve served as treasurer. The rest of the board included Professor T.E.N, A.B.
Ruggles, Ms. Lucy E. Foote, and Mrs. N.S McAbee (Citrograph, November 25, 1893).
With such an impassionate group of well bred and esteemed persons Redlands was one
step further in obtaining a public library.
When the Rules and Regulations of the Redlands Public Library were formed in
1894 the library board of trustees agreed there would be only five given members at any
time. The Redlands library board of trustees also adhered to the specifics of the Roger
Act of 1878. Like many of Californias libraries at that time (particularly San Francisco)
the board would receive no salary, it would choose the salaries of library staff, and the
library board had the power to find replacements for trustee members (Held 1963). All
members agreed that the treasurer would be in charge of all financial records and the
secretary would record the meeting minutes. The board would decide what books,
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journals, and other materials were purchased for the library (Rules and Regulations for
the Redlands Public Library 1894-1895).
Things were looking up for the new library. The Redlands Library Association
reported to theRedlands Daily Factthat $1,500 had been raised for the library thus far
and the library would be ready by the next spring (November 24, 1893). By January 11,
1894, $1,850 had been raised for the library. At the city of trustees meeting, Mr.
Meserve presented the bill for $360 spent on furniture for the new library for the approval
of the city trustees. The board saw no error in the expenditure and approved it
(Citrograph, January 11, 1894). $2,000 dollars had been raised by January and Ms.
Margaret Howard White went to inspect the progress of the library. She was delighted
with the library work and saw that all was nearly complete (Citrograph, January 27,
1894).
The library board decided that it would be best to employ a trained specialist as
librarian and asked Ms. Kelso, the Los Angeles librarian to recommend a likely
candidate. She recommended 2 of her assistants but found that they were already
employed. Her third assistant, Helen Nevin was recommended to the board and she was
immediately hired. The Redlands Public Library Rules and Regulation of 1894-1895
specified the pay of the librarian and the assistants would be determined by the library
board of trustees. The trustees decided Helen Nevins would be paid $40 month and later
that year the board increased her pay to $50 in 1895 because she worked so diligently.
Not much is known about Redlands first librarian except she had a sister living in Seattle
(Irshay 1986).
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It is interesting the Redlands library trustees were so willing to hire a non-resident
librarian at a time where other libraries wanted to employ their locals as librarians. Many
library boards believed local women would do as they said without question. It is curious
that Ms. Nevin would live so far from her only family member when many other
librarians of the day were reluctant to live apart from their families. It was not
uncommon for a librarian to quit and care for an elderly parent or relative (Passet 1994).
Some of Redlands local girls and residents were unhappy with the library boards
decision. In the February 2, 1894Redlands Daily Facts acknowledged this
disappointment and the following was suggested, Some of the applicants might insure
the success of their application by taking a course or training of a library training school
at Los Angeles. It can only be imagined how and if the disappointed parties took this
advice.
In the February 10, 1894 Citrograph, Editor Scipio Craig reported on the library
board of trustees meeting early that week. The library board of trustees was preparing to
give the library as a gift to the city of Redlands. Professor C.N Andrews donated 150
books to the library and the order for $900 worth of books arrived. The newly hired Ms.
Nevin worked to catalogue and placed the newly received books in the accession book.
According to the Redlands Library Accession book (which lists the first 5,000 materials
of the Redlands Public Library from February 6, 1894 to September 5, 1898), most of the
materials were purchased from the Baker and Taylor CO. and J.D. Jones but many of the
towns residents donated books of good quality.
Some of the individuals, organizations, and institutions who donated books
include A.K. Smiley, Mrs. W.H. White, and H.Q Nicholas. Helen A. Nevin, W.W.
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Bowers, Antoinette M. Humphrey, De Harpers WK. Club, The Young Ladies Society,
the Redlands Books Club, the Los Angeles Public Library, California State Library, J.D
Easton, Chas J. Arkinson, K.G Wells, A.H Smiley, and many others. This collection
included famous works written by respected authors of the day. The first book Redlands
Public Library collection was Poetical Works by Sir William Scott donated on February
6, 1894. Other books that were purchased and donated included works from famous
authors such as Nathanial Hawthorne, Charles Dickinson, and William Shakespeare.
On February 17, 1894 the Citrograph announced the following:
The board of trustees of the Redlands Public Library Association request the honor of the
presence of the public in the YMCA building on Cajon Street on Washingtons Birthday
from 2 til 6 P.M.
A.H Smiley
Mrs. N.S McAbee
Ms. L.E Foote
Mrs W.M Howard White(Citrograph, February 17, 1894)
The day the library opened was a positive one long anticipated by the residents of
Redlands. Scipio Craig described the library room in detail. The room was most
beautifully decorated with flowers and plants and a very large crowd surged through the
city and various city allices during the afternoon. The public was also greeted by the
Redlands orchestra playing with vigor. The first speaker, Reverend Mr. William spoke
of, The advantages of having the great authors of the world available as guests to our
people as pleasure. Professor Gleason of the Redlands High School spoke next, taking
the opportunity to praise the achievement of the high school and its students.
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Then A.H. Smiley presented the library as a gift to the city of Redlands to Mayor
E.G. Judson. The mayor accepted the library on the behalf of the city with great pleasure
and mentioned if it had not been for the hard work of Mr. Smiley there would not have
been a library. The mayor also assured him that the public would remember this always.
The next speaker was the Los Angeles Librarian, Ms. Kelso. She offered her advice and
shared her experiences in librarianship with the library trustees and Ms. Nevin. The
dedication was ended by Dr. Riggs. He spoke of how the library would be a focal point
for education and encouraged its use (Citrograph, February 24, 1894).
After so many years of having to do without, the city of Redlands had a public
library it could take pride in. On March 1st, the library began to circulate books and
according the annual report of 1893-1894, Ms. Nevin guided members of the public
through the library and introduced them to the librarys collection. The reading room had
50 magazines. Among those were popular reads as Good Housekeeping and Scientific
American.
The 511 non-fiction books the library owned were displayed proudly on their
shelves. This collection included a number of poetry volumes written by Whittier and the
Descent of Man by Charles Darwin. The library even owned 38 childrens books such as
Tom Sawyer and the Prince and the Pauper. Ms. Nevin revealed more childrens books
would be delivered in the months ahead. The library owned 435 fiction books with
popular titles like Stevensons Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Irshay 1986).
The residents of Redlands were free to use the Redlands Public Library and
reading room for their pleasure but had to abide by the librarys strict rules. In the
Redland Public Library Rules and Regulations of 1894-1895, the library was open
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everyday from 10 A.M.-12 P.M., 2 to 6 P.M., and 7 to 9 P.M. Patrons would have access
to the library except on Sundays, holidays, and Friday evenings. To become members
and receive library cards patrons were required to sign a guaranty.
This guaranty system expected much of the new library patrons. The guaranty
was filled out in pencil and the residents were required to have a guarantor. Guarantors
had to be adults, live in the city of Redlands, and have a good record. Patrons could be
striped of their library privileges if the guarantors demonstrated bad behavior, find a new
guarantor if theirs moved away, and were required find another guarantor once their
membership expired (which was every two years).
Members had to be over 12 and non-residents paid a quarterly fee of one dollar
unless they paid city taxes. Patrons were also expected to show impeccable behavior in
the library by not talking or making any noise, eating, and or disrupting the atmosphere.
Patrons could only read newspapers for 15 minutes at a time and were required to leave
books on the table once done reading or using them. To encourage patrons away from
fiction towards more enlightening materials, patrons were allowed to check out 2 books
at a time if one was non-fiction for a week.
In the beginning Ms. Nevin provided many of the libraries services. From 1894
to 1895 she ran the reading room, reshelved the materials during the transitional periods
before the library opened again, and kept the materials organized. For one person to run
a library by themselves is quite an undertaking. In that first year, Nevin worked tirelessly
to establish a library that functioned smoothly. She worked 48 hours a week except for
Friday evenings, her only time off. TheRedlands Daily Facts of December 8, 1894
proudly announced, 1842 readers the able library confirmed 1891 volumes and
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circulation 1850, sure evidence that more books are needed. By her first year as a
librarian, Ms. Nevin had circulated 22,526 books in 303 days.
Ms. Nevin also provided lists of the library's reference books on ancient
civilizations to the history teacher of Redlands High School, Ms. Stockington. A list of
reference books on the Italian Renaissance was provided for the ladies Contemporary
club. Ms. Nevins most important contribution was creating the Redlands Public
Librarys first art collection. The art collection included pictures of landscapes, designs,
and other art collected from the Art Interchange magazine and others. This
collection was used to decorate the library and give it a more cheery feel. Teachers from
grammar and high schools were encouraged to use the collection for art classes.
Then in the height of her success Ms. Nevin announced that she would resign in
the spring of 1895. No one knows why she resigned but Irshay (1986) speculates that she
may have been lonely. Perhaps she was. Small western community libraries like the
Redlands Public Library could only hire a janitor and a librarian. The librarian was often
isolated because there were few young women with similar interests to talk to. Many
librarians compensated by developing close friendships with their library school directors
and wrote them letters regularly (Passet 1994). Ms. Nevin may have gone back to the
Los Angeles Public Library because she missed working with other young women who
shared her interests and desired the guidance of Ms. Kelso.
Another explanation for Ms. Nevins resignation is she may have been intended
as a temporary librarian. The purpose of a temporary librarian was to set up the catalog
and establish a library. There is evidence of Ms. Nevin being a temporary librarian in the
February 2, 1894Redlands Daily Facts. The editor explained, The present appointment
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[of Ms. Nevin] is temporary. What is more telling is the new librarian hired after her
(Antoinette Humphreys) was a local girl (Irshay 1986). The Redlands library board of
trustees probably assumed what other library boards did: a local girl would be able to run
the library after the temporary librarian left.
Whatever the case Ms. Nevin created a library circulating 23,520 books and 962
registered patrons, or 1/5 of the towns residents. According to the Los Angeles Public
Library Annual Report of 1896, it was reported that Ms. Nevin was employed there as a
library attendant and then a cataloger until 1902 (Los Angeles Public Library Annual
Reports 1896-1902). The new librarian Antoinette Humphreys was originally from New
Haven, Connecticut and her family moved to Redlands in 1891. She received library
training from an unknown school, possibly from the Los Angeles Library School and
may have been trained by Ms. Nevin herself.
In her first year, Ms. Humphreys dedicated herself to creating library services for
Redlands children. She suggested that the Redlands Public Library implement a
program used by the Los Angeles Public Library where libraries would work with
schools and children (Irshay 1986). The Los Angeles Public Library and the Redlands
Public Library were the latest libraries among several to provide services for children.
This idea of a childrens department and services originally stemmed from several
parties in librarianship. Melvil Dewey proposed the idea for childrens departments and
said, The library must supply them with reading which will serve to educate (p. 26). In
1896 some of the libraries in Brooklyn, Providence, Pittsburg, Omaha, Seattle, San
Francisco, Cambridge, and New Havin implemented a childrens department (Daniel
1961). It was the work of Caroline Hewins of the Hartford Public Library and Anne
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Carroll Moore of the New York Library that brought the childrens room and services to
reality. For the first time, children were encouraged to come into the library and were led
towards a genre of books written for them (Rose 1954).
It is no surprise that this idea would spread from the east, into the west, and find
its way into the Redlands Public Library. In 1896 Ms. Humphreys visited with school
teachers and tried to convince them to start borrowing books from the library school
children to use. This was perfect timing because the Redlands library board of trustees
recently allowed children to become members and use the library. At first teachers were
reluctant but by 1897, 379 books had been taken to schools and children began using the
library more often.
This was the beginning of what would become the childrens department. Mr.
A.K. Smiley had quietly begun the construction of a permanent library building and a
park for Redlands in the same year. Ms. Humphreys reported in the annual reports of
1897-1898, We were aware of the intentions of Mr. A.K. Smiley to erect a building for
library purpose as soon as he returned in the fall (Irshay 1986). 6 acres had been
purchased in downtown Redlands as of 1895 and T.R. Griffith and D.M Donald were
hired to construct the building.
The library was a Mission style building with six fireplaces, a main reading
room, a reference room, a general reading room designed for children, a cataloguing
room, a lady parlor for women to talk and rest, two additional stacks, and a tower where
the library trustees would meet. The building was designed to hold 50,000 books and let
light and air in. The building and park set Mr. Smiley back $60,000, a substantial sum
that drained his coffers (Citrograph, May, 7, 1898).
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The new library building was dedicated on April 29, 1898 and named the A.K.
Smiley Public Library. One of the speakers, Reverend J.H. William of 1st congressional
church said, Only one in four graduates of public schools go to the academy and higher.
The other 3 depend on the library to complete their education. It is their great
opportunity at the door of knowledge in an otherwise blank wall-their college and
university. Mr. Smiley gave his speech about how he came to Redlands and how he had
been planning to build a public library. He reportedly said, It is a well recognized fact
that a good library of carefully selected books is a necessary adjustment to the progress of
any community in culture, refinement, and general civilization (Citrograph, May 7
th
,
1898).
These comments reflect the idea of a public library as an educational institution.
With the arrival of immigrant groups in the antebellum period, the elite and middle class
wanted these populations to absorb American morals and culture. Many felt the best way
to do this was through education. This created the move in the 1820s to provide public
institutions such as public schools and libraries to educate the general public.
When the governor of Massachusetts debated if he should pass the Massachusetts
Law of 1851, which would permit the establishment of a public library in that state,
Reverend John Burt White (one of several speakers trying do convince the governor to
pass the law) said, With good public libraries, everyone will have it in his power to
supply the deficiencies of his early acquisitions, and every one will be able to make
whatever knowledge he had acquired available in facilitating his further progress (p.193-
194). This idea of the library as an alternative for those that could not attend a university
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spread. The theology was supported by libraries first in the east and then the west (Shera
1949).
Work resumed as usual in the newly built A.K. Smiley Public Library with the
goal to educate Redlands. With the help of 1st assistant librarian Ms. Gertrude McIntosh,
Ms. Humphreys continued to work with children in the new childrens room in 1898.
Teachers brought their students to the library during school hours and used the childrens
room more extensively for their lessons. By now the library was circulating 30,451 items
and had 5,221 registers. The library collection was growing and the library trustees
thought to catalog the materials at last.
In addition, the residents of Redlands desired the library to be open during
Sundays and holidays. The library board of trustees finally submitted to these desires.
Scipio Craig of the Citrograph announced, After hammering away for several years, the
Citrograph is glad to see that the people are aroused over the opening of our public
library on Sunday. Craig went on to say that tourists could go to the library on Sunday
and enjoy its extensive collection (Citrograph, January 13, 1900).
In 1903 the catalog department created card catalogs for juvenile and adult
materials. The childrens department assisted the youth of Redlands by assigning library
cards to teachers continued to provide many services for the children. It is known the
library had a great resource, a bindery and repair department. The department repaired
damaged materials and maintained the librarys collection. The library staff of the A.K
Smiley Public Library was paid a handsome sum of $2,572. It is unknown how much
Ms. Humphreys herself was paid.
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By 1904 the A.K. Smiley Library experienced great popularity. It had circulated
44,132 books and had 3,415 registered patrons. Ms. Humphreys was positive about the
growth of the library and reported to the library trustees in the annual report of 1903-
1904, If this steady growth continues as evidence indicates, it will be gratifying to you
who have the management in charge and to the taxpayers who can see the results of their
generosity. The catalog department continued to work towards cataloging the materials
and made sure someone was present at all times as patrons increased their demands for
materials (Annual Report of 1903-1904).
An apprenticeship class was developed and ran Ms. Humphreys to train assistants
in 1905. The Requirements for Admission of Women Apprenticeship of 1912 reveals the
A.K. Smiley Public Library board was looking for a particular girl. Applicants had to be
high school graduates, 18-23 years old, healthy, show excellent people skills, and be 54
or more. Assistants were trained for 6 months (eventually 4 in later years), were required
to work 4 hours a day, and trained one at a time. Many libraries in the western states felt
the same way as the library board of Redlands. They too required a particular girl for the
library. What most library boards sought was a girl who could play the social chameleon
and fit into the community with ease, convince a community of the librarys useful
resources, and guarantee the success of that library (Passet 1994).
During this apprenticeship, the interns would learn about the librarys
classification system, cataloguing, memorize the reference sources and how they were to
be used. The girls would also work at the circulation desk, study the periodicals and
indexes, and experience all other areas of library work under the guidance of a more
experienced staff member. Once they were hired assistants worked during the summer,
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at night, or served as Sunday and holiday attendants (Requirements for Admission of
Women Apprenticeship of 1912).
The Annual Reports from 1903-1920 suggests many of the assistants resigned
their positions after working for a few years. Some of the assistants moved, got married,
or decided to accept better paying positions elsewhere. Not much information is
provided on what their plans were after resigning. Those assistants that decided to stay
with the A.K. Smiley Public Library were often promoted to better positions with more
regular hours when older staff members resigned (See Table 1 for more details).
The library rules were eventually changed and became more relaxed in 1906.
Patrons were allowed to check out as many non-fiction materials as they wished but were
only allowed one fiction book at a time. For even greater convenience, the library
allowed patrons to stat renewing books by phone (Irshay 1986). This surely cheered the
residents of Redlands and encouraged a healthy appetite for books.
The library required additional stack room to place its overflowing collection.
The library board of trustees had discussed the need for an extra room and Mr. A.K.
Smiley generously donated the funds to build the room.
In the librarians report of the 1905-1906 Annual Report, Ms. Humphreys
reviewed the history of the library and mentioned the new addition being built, And now
we are close to the third event, also made possible through the generosity of Mr. Smiley.
With the addition now being built on the east wing of the library we shall have extra floor
space, 24 feet by 100 feet long. The end of this room will be used for the reference
department, while the space adjoining the present stacks room. By 1907 the new
reference wing was in use and $2,245.30 from the library fund was used to purchase
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additional furniture, insurance, and hire help move into the new quarters (Annual Report
of 1907-1908).
The A.K. Smiley Redlands Library and the town of Redlands received some sad
news in 1908. Scipio Craig had passed away. He was always supportive of the library
and was good friends with a number of the staff and board. Craig left the library with a
valuable gift. In the library board of trustee report of the Annual Report in 1908-1909,
the board voiced its appreciation of the gift, To the future historians of Redlands and of
Southern California, it will be invaluable, and of its possession, made possible by Mr.
Craigs love for and to devotion to Redlands.
The library received his donation of local history periodicals, pamphlets,
newspaper clippings and the newspapers themselves, photographs, state reports,
government reports, magazines, and countless other items. This collection was named
the Scipio Collection. The library also received $500 for the librarys Native American
collection. This was a precious gift from Andrew Carnegie in 1909 for his dear friend,
Mr. A.K. Smiley. This collection included several valuable volumes worth of California
Missions and Redlands pictures and an autographed book collection (Annual Report of
1908-1909).
In the Annual Report of 1909-1910, Charles Putnam (the president of the library
board of trustees and a passionate photographer from 1895-1918) donated a collection of
art and nature photographs in the honor of his daughter, Lucy Abbot Putnam. In later
years several photographs from Mr. Putnams travels around the world (from many
countries in Europe and Asia) were added and the collection was hung in the library to be
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admired by the staff and patrons. The circulation of books was at an all time high at
91,365 books and there were 4,543 registered patrons.
By this time more high school and university students began to frequent the
library, especially during the winter. In response the reference desk began to provide
more encyclopedias and text books in the reference collection. The childrens
department shifted their attention to grammar school and juveniles. Story time offered by
the department quickly became a favorite with children and the childrens room was
decorated with pictures to make the atmosphere more comfortable. Attendance had been
steadily climbing and the library thought to move the childrens room into larger quarters.
The catalog department was able to start cataloguing the magazines and reference
materials, a massive undertaking.
The A.K. Smiley Public Library had always been very concerned with public
health and took several steps to insure the safety of its patrons. In the 1910-1911 Annual
Report, the library disinfected books thought to have been in contagious residences. Dr.
Forline of the Redlands Health Board recommended the library disinfect every book
returned to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. The librarys basement was
converted into a disinfecting center in early January to achieve this.
The books were placed on shelves with wire so they were wide open when treated
with formaldehyde fumes from 9 P.M. to 9 A.M. every day. The chimney flute served as
ventilation for the fumes to escape and a lift elevator (that held up to 450 books)
transported books. 1,000 books could be processed at a time in this manner and placed in
the stacks quickly. The library trustees reported, These precautions are appreciated by
the public, and we feel this feeling would grow (Annual Report of 1910-1911).
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The appreciation of Redlands did grow but so did its demand for safety. In later
years, the Health Board recommended that the library implement mechanical ventilation,
use a vacuum clearer, and install a sanitary drinking fountain. The library took heart to
this advice and brought these instruments to soothe the fears of contagious diseases. It
was also agreed that the library would be closed when there were epidemics (Annual
reports of 1903-1920).
The A.K. Smiley Public Library was not the only library concerned with
contagious diseases. In the 19th century before vaccines and antibiotics were in existence,
people were vulnerable to deadly diseases like the whooping cough and smallpox. The
fear of catching diseases from library books that had been in contagious households or
used by infected persons was very real. Librarianship realized this fear could destroy the
public library as an institute. Many libraries across the nation like the A.K. Smiley
Library worked with social and health care officials to figure out how to eliminate these
threats.
Social workers and health care officials would give libraries a list of contagious
households. If the library discovered it had loaned or received a book from one of these
households, then they would destroy that book. Another extreme solution taken by the
A.K. Smiley Public Library and others was to regularly disinfect the books with
formaldehyde. This was an expensive and timely procedure. Libraries implemented
several gentler approaches to prevent diseases. Bowls filled with water were placed at
the entrance of many libraries so patrons could wash their hands before entering.
Sometimes libraries passed out glass plates to patrons as sneeze guards or provided a
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damp cloth or sponge so patrons would not have to lick their fingers to turn the pages
(Greenberg 1988).
The library may have used expensive and extreme measures but they had to be
taken so the institution could go on with its daily business in peace without the taint of
fear. It is interesting to note the amount of money spent on disinfectants decreased in
years where there were no epidemic scares and during World War I. As time went on the
price of disinfecting the library probably decreased because products (particularly the
chemicals) became less expensive (see table 2 for more information).
The childrens department extended story time hours and started its first deposit
station at the Lugonia School and Redlands High School in the summer months of 1911.
The population the library wanted to reach were, the children who had no home
attractions and wandered the streets and the working men and women.
Neighborhoods enjoyed and appreciated the new deposit centers especially during the
summer. These deposit stations and those yet to be created would also serve Redlands
foreign population.
Redlands had a large population from Mexico and purchased several books in
Spanish so the parents of the children would be drawn into the library and feel welcome
(Annual Report of 1911-1912). It was not until 1914 that a deposit station was opened in
a school with a predominantly Spanish student body. In the Annual Report of 1913-1914,
it was said of the Spanish students, they have shown a great interest and enthusiasm in
the books and some of the children have taken out Spanish books for the use of their
parents.
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As with many libraries during this time, the A.K Smiley Library wanted to cater
to the needs of foreign populations set adrift in a land of uncertainty and hostility.
Libraries in America had been debating what should be done to Americanize immigrants
since 1900. These groups did not share the same beliefs or morals of their new nation.
Those like Edward White Gellard and J. Maud Campbell suggested libraries should offer
books in foreign languages to gain immigrants interest.
Librarians had little idea of how to reach immigrant groups, catalog the foreign
language materials, and or even obtain these materials but did a number of things. Many
libraries provided Americanization classes so immigrants could learn how to become
American citizens. As of 1910, libraries such as the New York Public Library and the
Cleveland Public Library began to offer its immigrant populations services and books in
foreign languages.
The A.K. Smiley Public Library deposit stations and others originated from the
innovative Chicago libraries. These libraries started to experiment with delivery stations
where patrons could drop off and pick up books in 1874. The first branch library in
Chicago was established in 1904 for the use of nearby neighborhoods (Novonty 2003).
Despite challenges and great uncertainty, the A.K. Smiley Public Library
successfully provided services for its small foreign populations. In 1912 the childrens
department began to teach children how to use the library in an instruction class. The
children and teachers benefited from the instruction and became more adept at using the
librarys resources. The reference department worked with high school teachers so
reading lists of reference subjects could be sent ahead of time, a great advantage for both
groups.
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benefit of patrons. The childrens department moved into the trustee meeting room since
its former quarters had become so cramped. The room was large enough to hold the new
childrens books purchased that year and host the story hour.
To the delight of parents and children in surrounding neighborhoods the
childrens department started a story hour at the Lugonia School. Desiring to help not
only schools in Redlands but in other cities, teachers from Yucaipa, Bryn Mawr,
Highland, and San Bernardino were allowed to borrow the librarys books. Of course,
there had to be more staff members to provide for these new services. According to the
Annual Report of 1913-1914, Ms. Culver (the Sunday and Holiday Attendant) ran the
apprenticeship course from October to January and trained 3 apprentices at a time.
The catalog department made the wise choice to make the natural and applied
science materials more general by renaming them science and social science. This helped
patrons find materials with greater ease. At this time the deposit stations continued to
circulate books for universities, Redlands High School students, and the public. A new
deposit station was opened at Columbia Street Grocery store, saving residents in the
surrounding neighborhoods a trip to the main library.
The library had maintained the Indian collection for several years when Mr.
Carnegie generously donated $500 worth of history materials about the Indians west of
the Rocky Mountains. The collection was a sight to behold and became one of the great
treasures in the library. Ever diligent in their efforts against communicable diseases, the
library disinfected the floors and treated the interior of the building with formaldehyde
and permangete of potash for 36 hours. At the request of the Redlands Board of Health
the library was closed during this time for patrons safety (Annual Report of 1913-1914).
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The A.K. Smiley Public Library year of 1914 was full of many events. A card
catalog was created for the Indians and California Special Collections for the advantage
of staff and patrons. The library also purchased more music materials for the large music
collection that was very popular at the time. Unfortunately the library was forced to
make some difficult but necessary cuts. The Columbia Street Grocery deposit station had
to be discontinued because not enough people used the resource. There were no older
and experienced staff members with time to teach apprentices so the apprenticeship
course was canceled for 1915 (Annual Report of 1914-1915).
To provide better access for mothers and school children, the childrens
department changed its story hour from Saturday to Monday in 1915. This change
relieved mothers involved in many of Redlands lady societies and associations. The
reference room continued to be heavily used by patrons and the reference department
made sure an attendant was present in the afternoon and evening. One has to wonder
how the library staff found the energy to keep up with such a schedule. As of 1916, the
deposit stations experienced a dramatic shift in its patrons. Fewer adults used the
stations and more children attended. This increased the circulation of the materials there
and the popularity of the stations among children.
The childrens department achieved many things for the benefit of Redlands
children. New windows were added in the childrens room for more light and made the
dark space welcoming to children. The childrens department wanted to instill a love of
reading at all times during the year especially in summer when children had little to do.
The staff encouraged children to read more during the summer by recommending proper
yet interesting books. The children department staff also visited Redlands schools to
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help students to fill out library card applications. These methods were very successful
and more children began to frequent the library (Annual Report of 1915-1916).
The catalog department was able to accomplish many great things in 1916. It
took great effort and time but the music collection index and the card catalog were
reorganized alphabetically. The binding department also found itself very busy rebinding
1,093 books and 93 volumes of newspapers. The librarian, Ms. Chapin in her report
mentioned the cheap material used to bound books was the reason why so many repairs
had to be done. Circulation increased to an all time high of 115,591 books by the
summer of 1916. The library staff now had some time to spare for apprentices so the
apprenticeship course resumed in 1916 with first library assistant Ms. Mildred Parsons
running it.
The library was fortunate to receive a priceless gift out of the many it received
that year. The library of trustee board reported, Perhaps the most important of these for
its scope and completeness is the collection of Egyptian antiques of absolute authenticity,
presented to the library by Mr. Charles Putnam, together with a large glass stand to
contain them. This gift was from the Egyptian Exploration Fund and Mr. Putnam added
several books about ancient Egypt.
Lighting and the magazine rack became a problem in the reading room. No
immediate solution was found to provide additional light but the magazine rack pigeon
hole was remedied by pasting thick piece of paper on the back of each magazine. This
solution made it much easier to organize the magazine collection alphabetically and to
take them out (Annual Report of 1916-1917).
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By 1917 Redlands was under the effect of World War I. Circulation decreased
during this time because so many men and women were involved in the war service, Red
Cross work, or other war efforts. In 1915 there had been 7,779 registered users and in
1917 there were only 6,552 registered patrons. Patriotism swept through Redlands and
patrons desired more books about war. In response the book committee purchased less
fiction and more war materials.
The library began to display advertisements to keep Redlanders updated on the
progress of the war. The A.K. Smiley Public Library also threw out all publications of a
pro-German tendency or those showing disloyalty to our government, and also such
books from the shelves (Annual Report of 1917-1918). Other libraries across the nation
were not only intolerant of German materials but were suspicious of immigrants and
anyone who seemed to sympathize with the Germans.
Some libraries went further than the A.K. Smiley Public Library and required
patrons to sign Americanization Registration Cards or written agreements. The signer
of these agreements was required to uphold American values, remain loyal to the United
States, and look out for those who displayed unpatriotic behavior (Novotny 2003). It
remains unknown if or how Smiley patrons were expected to show their loyalties in
written and verbal agreements. Despite the decrease of patrons, the library was still in
need of more staff members. Ms. Parson continued to run the apprenticeship course until
she took a leave of absence to work for the French War Department in 1918. From 1917-
1919, the staffs salary decreased by $104.88 possibly due to World War I and the bad
freeze in1913. The cold weather dealt a financial blow to Redlands citrus industry (see
table 1).
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The librarian Artena Chapin observed patron attendance at an all time high in
1918. Reading room use increased and a large number of patrons that went to the
reference department (4,931) were high school students. The catalog department was
busy re-cataloguing all materials in the library. New classification numbers and labels
were put on books. This made it easier to keep track of the books and record them on the
catalog cards. A new deposit station was placed at the Franklin school to meet the needs
of the nearby neighborhoods.
The A.K. Smiley Public Library experienced another setback in a difficult year.
The library shut down for a short time from October 14 to November 10 due to the
influenza epidemic. The library board of trustees feared for the publics safety and
reference work was canceled. Understandably the circulation of books and readers was at
an all time low from late 1918 to 1919. The library circulating 113,423 books that year,
down by 7,235 books from 1917.
The library was also in need of more space for the growing collection. Daniel
Smiley (the half brother of A.K. and A.H. Smiley who began running the library after the
death of his brothers) approved the plans for a south wing extension with a basement
from the munificent gift there from the late A.K. Smiley. This gift was a fund of
$10,000 left to the library solely for the purpose of building additions.
Ms. Chapin reported in the annual report of 1918-1919 of a new wider roadway
constructed to ease traffic and guarantee pedestrian safety after a numerously signed
petition from residents of the City to the south and west of the Library asking for better
and safer facilities for entrance to the Library from the West, was presented to the Library
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board in February of 1919. After the problem had been resolved there were no further
complaints and everyone seemed happier with the new arrangement.
The Redlands University became a deposit station, raising the number of stations
in the city to four and the library began to stamp the date of return when books were
checked out. This method was implemented after the great success of the Sioux City,
Iowa Public Library. The tedium and amount of time spent looking at many library cards
was reduced. The library received another generous donation of diplomatic war
documents and international law volumes from the Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace (Annual Report of 1918-1919).
In the Annual Report of 1919-1920, the library had the daunting task of re-
registering all card holders because the list of patrons was inaccurate and outdated. Many
patrons had moved elsewhere or died. The A.K. Smiley Public Library was surprised to
find there were 3,146 patrons in 1920, a large difference from 1919 when 6,868 names
had been registered. Ms. Lowry filling in for the recently departed librarian Ms. Chapin
(see table one) was proud to announce, the library has grown by until we have nearly
35,000 volumes, about 18,000 pamphlets, 212 current periodicals, and a considerable
collection of maps and pictures and other valuable materials At this point, the library
was now at its largest with 112,872 books circulated by 1920.
Construction for the south wing that had been long anticipated began. The
childrens department planned to relocate to the new wing but in the meantime continued
to work with schools and provide new books to entice children. The library received
another valuable gift in 1920. Professor Junius musical collection was donated to the
library by his wife. The collection included several books, music (Mozart, Mendelssohn,
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Beethoven, and many other musicians) and pictures of musicians. The catalog
department decided to make pamphlets its own separate category and travel materials
were renamed description and travel making these materials more manageable. The
reference department also began to archive local history materials to form scrapbooks and
pamphlets, a source of great pride intended for the later generation in Redlands (Annual
Report of 1919-1920).
Watching the small town of Redlands grow from brush and dirt into a city with a
successful citrus industry, seeing the determination of a few to provide a public library,
and glimpsing into the successful history of the A.K. Smiley Library from 1894 to 1920
gives one an idea of what came to pass next. By late 1920 the Daniel Smiley wing was
finished, the Lyon Wing (named after the Honorary Lyman M. King, a library board
trustee from 1925-1935) was built in 1926, and a stack wing was added in the 1930s.
Other additions included the Heritage Room in 1972, an administrative services
room 1990, and an additional stack wing was added that same year. As the library grew
so did its patronage and collection. In the One Hundredth and Twelfth Annual Report of
the A.K. Smiley Public Library, there were 57,041 registered borrowers and 250,228
books circulated in 2007. The A.K. Smiley Public Library collection has more than
doubled and its patronage has increased tenfold in over a century. The library staffs
dedication to the community has not changed despite new challenges.
Larry E. Burgess, the current library director reported, Not since the Great
Depression of 1929-1940 has the City of Redlands faced such perilous financial times.
As I reviewed the monthly reports for the year, the same theme emerged over and over:
budget uncertainty, moral issues, decreased public service resulting from the hiring
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freeze, and prospects of more retrenchment. Yet, the operation continues to and overall
residents continue to have access to materials, programs, and the beautiful environment
of the Smiley (Annual Report of 2007-2008).
The A.K. Smiley Library in the past faced many hurtles in establishing a public
library at a time when the institution was an unknown frontier. The danger of
communicable diseases was present and the library had to somehow provide services for
an unfamiliar foreign population. There was a struggle to provide services in World War
I and keep apace with a growing city. The library not only faced these challenges head
on but did so without fear to keep the public library alive for the next generation. This
financial crisis is only one more hurtle that the A.K. Smiley Public Library will overcome
in its quest to educate and improve the quality of lives.
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Table 1 Library Staff: 1894-1920 (1894-1902, and 1905-1906 based on Irshay1986. 1903-1920 retrieved from A.K. Smiley Public Library Annual Reports Vol. 2, No.10-26.
Year Staff Wages for employees
(yearly)1894-1895 Librarian: Helen Nevin $480 and then raised to$600
1895-1896 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys (Hired toreplace Ms. Nevin. Beganworking July 1, 1895)Assistant: Ms. Masen
$600 (Librarian)$180-240 (Assistant)
1896-1897 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys
Assistant: Ms. Masen
$600 (Librarian)$180-240 (Assistant)
1897-1898 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Gertrude McIntoshResigned?
Ms. Masen
$600 (Librarian)$300 (1st AssistantLibrarian)
1898-1899 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Gertrude McIntosh
Cataloger: Ms. Jane L.Shepard (Hired January1899 then serviceterminated in February)
$600 (Librarian)$300 (1st AssistantLibrarian)$25 (Cataloger)
1900-1901 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Gertrude McIntosh
$600 (Librarian)$300 (1st LibrarianAssistant)
1902-1903 Librarian: Antoinette
Humphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Gertrude McIntosh
$600 (Librarian)
$300 (1st
LibrarianAssistant)
1903-1904 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Gertrude McIntosh
$2,527
1904-1905 Librarian: Antoinette $2,417.50
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Humphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Jane E. Shepard (rehired)2nd Assistant Librarian:Eleanor Symmes
Special Attendant: AdaJohnsonHoliday Attendant:
UnknownResigned:Gertrude McIntosh(resigned August 1905 )
1905-1906 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreys1st Assistant Librarian:Jane E. Shepard
2nd
Assistant Librarian:Eleanor SymmesSpecial Attendant: AdaJohnson
$2,907.82
1906-1907 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreysCataloguing and
Registration: Ms. SymmesChildrens
Room/Basement
Magazines: Ms. Shepard
Delivery/CirculationDesk: Ada JohnsonMail/Workroom: Ms.Elliot
$3,222.51
1908 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreysDelivery/Circulation
Desk: Ada JohnsonChildrens
Room/Basement
Magazines: Ms. Shepard
Cataloguing andRegistration: Ms. SymmesAssistant: Mabel OttResigned:
Ms. Elliot
$3,578.35
1908-1909 Librarian: AntoinetteHumphreysSpecial Attendant: Ms.
$4,018.65
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Mildred HarrisIntern: Ms. BessieDegenhartIntern: Ms. Flora CookChildrens Department:
Ms. ShepardResigned:Ada Johnson
1909-1910 1st Assistant Librarian:Mabel OttAssistant: Ms. Degenhart(Began July 1st, 1909)Assistant: Ms. AndreaMcFarland (Began March1st, 1910)Assistant: Flora Cook
(Began January 1st
, 1910)Assistant: Ms. Marti(Began fall 1910)Resigned:
Librarian AntoinetteHumphreys, resigned toaccept position in MercedLibraryMs. Shepard: resigned to goabroad
$4, 568.88
1910-1911 Librarian: Artena Chapin
1
st
Assistant Librarian:Mabel OttChildrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhardAssistant: Flora CookAssistant: AndreaMcFarland
$3,941.81
1911-1912 Librarian: Ms. ArtenaChapinCataloger: Mildred F.Parsons (Began October 1st,
1911)Sunday/HolidayAttendant: Mr. HarleyMcNair ( Began December27, 1911)Reading Room Attendant:Naomi Jennings (BeganMarch 1912)
$4,818
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Intern: Anna May OsbunChildrens Librarian: Ms.DegenhartResigned:
Ms. Flora Cook
Ms. McFarland1912-1913 Librarian: Artena Chapin1st Assistant Librarian:
Mabel OttCataloger: Mildred ParsonsChildrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhartReading Room Attendant:
Naomi JenningsNight/Sunday Assistant:
Jeanie Brock
$4982.80
1913-1914 Librarian: Artena Chapin1ST Assistant Librarian:Mabel OttCataloger: Mildred F.ParsonsAssistant: Janette Leaver(Began June 9, 1914)Assistant: Naomi JenningsResigned:
Jeanie Brock
Essae Culver (From
Claremont, took Brocksposition on September 15but resigned May 18, 1914to accept higher payingposition in SacramentoState Library on June 1st)
$5,276.57
1914-1915 Librarian : Artena Chapin1st Assistant Librarian:
Mabel OttCataloguer: Ms. MildredParsons
Childrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhartAssistant: Janette LeverNight/Sunday Assistant:
Joybelle Hatcher (BeganMarch 4, 1915)Assistant: Edythe Truslow(Began June 30, 1915)
$5,395.45
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Resigned:
Naomi Jennings
1915-1916 No changes in staff $5,445.48
1916-1917 Librarian: Artena Chapin1st Assistant Librarian:
Mildred ParsonsChildrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhartReference Librarian:Janette LeverSunday and Branch
Assistant: Joybelle HatcherAssistant: Lillian Gordon(Began June 4, 1917)Assistant: FlorenceHarmon (Began October 6,
1916)Resigned:Mable OttEdythe Truslow
$5,479.40
1917-1918 Librarian: Artena Chapin1st Assistant Librarian:Mildred ParsonsChildrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhartReference Librarian:Janette Lever
Assistant: Lillian GordonAssistant: WinifredWoodworth (BeganNovember 21, 1917)Sunday Assistant and
Substitute: JoybelleHatcherResigned:
Florence Harmon
$5,395.95
1918-1919 Librarian: Artena Chapin(took leave of absence on
May 10 to September 1
st
1919 to receive training)Substitute Librarian:
Elizabeth Lowry (BeganMay 5th 1919)1st Assistant Librarian and
Cataloguer: MildredParsons (to leave of absence
$5,374.52
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from September 9th to workfor France WarDepartment)Childrens Librarian:
Bessie Degenhart
Reference Librarian:Janette Lever (took leave ofabsence from July 1st, 1918to February 1919 to workfor the OrdinanceDepartment in Washington,D.C)Assistant: Lillian GordonAssistant: MyrtleDanielson (BeganDecember 10, 1918)
Sunday/Holiday Assistant:Ana D. Lever (BeganFebruary 1st, 1919)Part Time Substitute
Workers: GwendolynTinker, CatherineHockridge, and CatherineMahaffeyResigned:
Joybell HatcherWinifred Woodworth
(resigned to marry)1919-1920 Librarian: ElizabethLowry (Began October 6,1919)Cataloguer and 1st
Assistant Librarian:
Gwendolyn Tinker (Beganas cataloguer May, 10, 1919and as 1st AssistantLibrarian May 4, 1920)Childrens Librarian:Bessie DegenhartAssistant: Lillian GordonAssistant: MyrtleDanielsonAssistant: Louis Milyan(Began April 1, 1920)Summer Assistant:
Katherine Maheffey (Began
$6,201.69
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1919)Summer
Assistant/Substitute:Catherine Hockridge(1919)
Summer Assistant: Mr.Frasier HemingwayHoliday/Sunday Assistant:
Mrs. Glen J. Milligan(Began June 1st, 1920)Resigned:
Librarian: Artena Chapin(resigned due to illness)1st Assistant
Librarian/Cataloger:
Milifred Parsons (resigned
to accept position at FranceWar DepartmentReference Librarian:
Janette Lever (resigned toaccept position at the LosAngeles Bank)Assistant: Anna B. Lever(resigned and moved to LosAngeles)
Table 2Disinfectant Costs from 1910-1920 (Based on the A.K. Smiley Annual
Reports Vol. 2, Nos. 10-26)
Year Cost
1910-1911 $49.57
1911-1912 $13.65
1912-1913 $49.30
1913-1914 $106.25
1914-1915 $15.17
1915-1916 $19.83
1916-1917 $19.101917-1918 $15.70
1918-1919 $27.30
1919-1920 $25.03
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References
A.K. Smiley Public Library (1894-1920). Annual reports of the a.k. smiley
public library vol. 2, nos. 10-26. A.K. Smiley Public Library
Archives, Redlands, California.
A.K. Smiley Public Library (2007-2008). Annual report. A.K. Smiley
Public Library Archives, Redlands, California.
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A.K. Smiley Public Library (1894-1898). Redlands library accession book.
A.K. Smiley Public Library Archives, Redlands, California.
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