Description: Dated June 8, 1936, this photograph shows two men binding books at the Cincinnati Public Library with a note on the reverse which reads "Project #16-31-699: W.P.A. Bookbinding project in Cincinnati Public Library. Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by W.P.A. photographer, Federal Project No.1 (Writers') District 16. 6-8-36. Division of Women's and Professional Projects." Located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, this library is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. Completed in 1874 and designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin, the building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." This photograph was taken from top level at the back corner of the atrium, facing towards the front of the building. Visible is the catalog desk and a bust of James Murdoch, the Cincinnati actor and public speaker (underneath the sign for ‘Fiction’). It is one of the few statues that survived the move to the “New Main” and can be found in the Literature & Languages section. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B02F14_001_1
Subjects: Cincinnati Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Public libraries
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "Interior View of Public Library Showing Reading Room and Books. Cincinnati, Ohio." Located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. Completed in 1874 and designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin, the building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." The heads of Shakespeare, Milton and Franklin stood guard over the Main Entrance. It was built in three sections, the first being the Lobby, which was a 4-story structure and contained offices and the Children’s Room. The second section was the Vestibule, the 3-story center of the building. For many years it housed the Reader’s Bureau and Lantern Slide collection and the Registration Desk. The building’s feature was it’s third section, with a 4-story atrium (as seen in this photograph) with five levels of cast iron alcoves, which could hold an enormous quantity of books. This Circulation area was the main part of the library. It was topped by a skylight and also had many library workrooms. The entire floor of the library was covered with a checker board marble floor. Though the building was considered modern when it was built, having central heating and an elevator, by the 1920s the library had outgrown the building. A series of legal and financial problems caused problems and a new library was not built until 1955. The old building suffered from overcrowding and neglect during that years of it’s life and was demolished when a new building was completed at 800 Vine Street. This photograph was taken from top level at the back corner of the atrium, facing towards the front of the building. Visible is the Catalog Desk and a bust of James Murdoch, the Cincinnati actor and public speaker (underneath the sign for ‘Fiction’). It is one of the few statues that survived the move to the “New Main” and can be found in the Literature & Languages section. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_001_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows the reading room and four-story atrium of the Cincinnati Public Library, Cincinnati, Ohio, ca. 1935-1943. This photograph was taken from top level at the back corner of the atrium, facing towards the front of the building. This building which is now referred to as the “Old Main” Public Library, was located at 629 Vine Street (west side), between 6th and 7th Streets. Completed in 1874 and designed by architect James W. McLaughlin, the building was considered one of the most magnificent public libraries in the country. This area pictured here had five levels of cast-iron alcoves. Visible is the catalog desk (center, right) and a bust of James Murdoch (1811-1893), Cincinnati actor and public speaker (bust located under the "Fiction" sign, lower left corner). It is one of the few statues that survived the move to the “New Main” and can be found in the Literature & Languages section. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. The library began as a subscription library in 1802. On March 14, 1853, it became the Cincinnati Public Library. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06194
Subjects: Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; McLaughlin, James W., 1834-1923; Libraries--Ohio--History; Cincinnati (Ohio); Murdoch, James Edward, 1811-1893
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "Library Truck in the county showing people gathered around truck. Cincinnati, Ohio." The Cincinnati Public Library “book wagon” was first begun in 1927 to provide service for county schools and eventually to “bookstops” around the county. It was a simply a one-ton truck with bookshelves covered by glass lift-up panels, on the outside. The Bookmobile Service grew steadily, especially through the 1930s and 1940s. By 1988, the Bookmobile was undercut; its need was slowly decreasing as new suburban branches opened and better transportation allowed people better mobility. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. It began in 1802 as a subscription library. The legal birthday of the Cincinnati Public Library is March 14, 1853 with the passing of the Ohio Common Schools Act, though it was of little importance at the time. In part, the act established funding from taxation for school libraries. In 1856, the library was called the “Common School and Family Library” and shared an office with the Office of Public Schools. It wasn’t long before it became obvious that the library would need more space and better access, so in 1857 a partnership was formed with the Ohio Mechanics Library to occupy the second floor of their building at Sixth and Vine. An official Public Library building was finally completed in 1874, having been designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin. The building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." It was located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. It was demolished in 1955 when the “New Main” building opened at 800 Vine Street. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_010_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Bookmobiles--United States
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "Interior view of Library Truck. Woman reading book, near Cincinnati, Ohio." This photograph shows a woman seated at a small table, inside a branch truck of the Cincinnati Public Library. The Cincinnati Public Library “book wagon” was first begun in 1927 to provide service for county schools and eventually to “bookstops” around the county. It was a simply a one-ton truck with bookshelves covered by glass lift-up panels, on the outside. The Bookmobile Service grew steadily, especially through the 1930s and 1940s. By 1988, the Bookmobile was undercut; its need was slowly decreasing as new suburban branches opened and better transportation allowed people better mobility. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. It began in 1802 as a subscription library. The legal birthday of the Cincinnati Public Library is March 14, 1853 with the passing of the Ohio Common Schools Act, though it was of little importance at the time. In part, the act established funding from taxation for school libraries. In 1856, the library was called the “Common School and Family Library” and shared an office with the Office of Public Schools. It wasn’t long before it became obvious that the library would need more space and better access, so in 1857 a partnership was formed with the Ohio Mechanics Library to occupy the second floor of their building at Sixth and Vine. An official Public Library building was finally completed in 1874, having been designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin. The building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." It was located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. It was demolished in 1955 when the “New Main” building opened at 800 Vine Street. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_013_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Bookmobiles--United States
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "Three Public Library Truck parked. County Service, Cincinnati, Ohio." The Cincinnati Public Library “book wagon” was first begun in 1927 to provide service for county schools and eventually to “bookstops” around the county. It was a simply a one-ton truck with bookshelves covered by glass lift-up panels, on the outside. The Bookmobile Service grew steadily, especially through the 1930s and 1940s. By 1988, the Bookmobile was undercut; its need was slowly decreasing as new suburban branches opened and better transportation allowed people better mobility. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. It began in 1802 as a subscription library. The legal birthday of the Cincinnati Public Library is March 14, 1853 with the passing of the Ohio Common Schools Act, though it was of little importance at the time. In part, the act established funding from taxation for school libraries. In 1856, the library was called the “Common School and Family Library” and shared an office with the Office of Public Schools. It wasn’t long before it became obvious that the library would need more space and better access, so in 1857 a partnership was formed with the Ohio Mechanics Library to occupy the second floor of their building at Sixth and Vine. An official Public Library building was finally completed in 1874, having been designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin. The building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." It was located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. It was demolished in 1955 when the “New Main” building opened at 800 Vine Street. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_002_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Bookmobiles--United States
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "County service Library Truck with children selecting books, near Cincinnati, Ohio." The Cincinnati Public Library “book wagon” was first begun in 1927 to provide service for county schools and eventually to “bookstops” around the county. It was a simply a one-ton truck with bookshelves covered by glass lift-up panels, on the outside. The Bookmobile Service grew steadily, especially through the 1930s and 1940s. By 1988, the Bookmobile was undercut; its need was slowly decreasing as new suburban branches opened and better transportation allowed people better mobility. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. It began in 1802 as a subscription library. The legal birthday of the Cincinnati Public Library is March 14, 1853 with the passing of the Ohio Common Schools Act, though it was of little importance at the time. In part, the act established funding from taxation for school libraries. In 1856, the library was called the “Common School and Family Library” and shared an office with the Office of Public Schools. It wasn’t long before it became obvious that the library would need more space and better access, so in 1857 a partnership was formed with the Ohio Mechanics Library to occupy the second floor of their building at Sixth and Vine. An official Public Library building was finally completed in 1874, having been designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin. The building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." It was located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. It was demolished in 1955 when the “New Main” building opened at 800 Vine Street. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_007_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Bookmobiles--United States
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Handwritten on reverse: "County service Library Truck with children selecting books, near Cincinnati, Ohio." The Cincinnati Public Library “book wagon” was first begun in 1927 to provide service for county schools and eventually to “bookstops” around the county. It was a simply a one-ton truck with bookshelves covered by glass lift-up panels, on the outside. The Bookmobile Service grew steadily, especially through the 1930s and 1940s. By 1988, the Bookmobile was undercut; its need was slowly decreasing as new suburban branches opened and better transportation allowed people better mobility. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. It began in 1802 as a subscription library. The legal birthday of the Cincinnati Public Library is March 14, 1853 with the passing of the Ohio Common Schools Act, though it was of little importance at the time. In part, the act established funding from taxation for school libraries. In 1856, the library was called the “Common School and Family Library” and shared an office with the Office of Public Schools. It wasn’t long before it became obvious that the library would need more space and better access, so in 1857 a partnership was formed with the Ohio Mechanics Library to occupy the second floor of their building at Sixth and Vine. An official Public Library building was finally completed in 1874, having been designed by architect J.W. McLaughlin. The building was considered the "the most magnificent public library in the country." It was located at 629 Vine Street, on the west side, between 6th and 7th Streets, it is now referred to as "Old Main" Public Library. It was demolished in 1955 when the “New Main” building opened at 800 Vine Street. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now one of the largest and busiest public libraries in the world and operates 41 branch locations. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B08F13_009_1
Subjects: Cincinnati. Public Library; Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Murdoch, James; McLaughlin, J. W.; Bookmobiles--United States
Places: Hamilton County (Ohio)