The document summarizes the history of the Crunden Branch Library in St. Louis, Missouri from its origins to present day. It began as the "Old" Crunden Branch Library in 1909 under the leadership of librarian Frederick M. Crunden. It later moved to a "New" location in 1959 before closing in 1981. The building that housed the "New" Crunden Branch Library now sits abandoned on the former site of the infamous Pruitt-Igoe housing projects.
EPANDING THE CONTENT OF AN OUTLINE using notes.pptx
From Eames & Young to Pruitt-Igoe
1. From Eames & Young
to Pruitt-Igoe
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CRUNDEN BRANCH
LIBRARY
Chris Freeland
Associate University Librarian
Washington University
Libraries
Missouri Conference on
History
Springfield, Missouri
March 24, 2017
6. New York Public Library. https://dp.la/item/0c7ce1cd8ffd446181895a09bc453794
• Born in England, Sep 1, 1847
• Graduated from WashU,
1869 & 1872
• Principal of Jefferson &
Benton
schools, 1869-1872
• WashU Faculty, 1872-1876
• Named librarian of STL Public
School Library, 1876
• First librarian of STL Public
Library, established 1893-94
• First ALA President, 1889
• Hosted ALA @ World’s Fair,
1904
• Series of illnesses, 1905-1911
• Died in St. Louis, Oct 28,
1911
https://dp.la/item/36fc923d490f15542aacc58
“To attempt to keep pace
with rival cities without a
free library is like doing
business without the aid of
telegraph, telephone and
typewriter.” 1893, p21.
7. ca 1900. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University Library.
https://dp.la/item/e819921a251b78bba97fb34af772dd3a
Frederick M. Crunden John Cotton Dana
8. 1904. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University Library.
https://dp.la/item/580917811ce9eb837777c9679c3b31d5
Purd B. Wright Frederick M. Crunden
15. St. Louis Public Library
Crunden Branch
14th St. and Cass Ave.
DO YOU KNOW … that there is a free
library?
DO YOU KNOW ... that it has a rich
collection of Yiddish and Hebrew books?
DO YOU KNOW … that it has books that
will help you learn English?
DO YOU KNOW … that it has books that
will help you become a citizen?
DO YOU KNOW … that it has many Yiddish
newspapers?
Use this library, and if not—why not?
Ask for a list of Yiddish books
*Translation from Yiddish courtesy
Michael Getty
33. From Eames & Young
to Pruitt-Igoe
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CRUNDEN BRANCH
LIBRARY
Chris Freeland
Associate University Librarian
Washington University
Libraries
Missouri Conference on
History
Springfield, Missouri
March 24, 2017
Editor's Notes
Hosted ALA @ World’s Fair
Hall of Congresses, now Ridgley Hall
Missouri Building caught fire 2 weeks before close of Fair
Death
First breakdown on eve of European trip
Cared for by his wife Mrs. Kate Edmundson Crunden @ St. Luke’s Hospital
Crunden played a role in planning
Carnegie $1M gift in 1901
Opened Sep 11, 1909 @ 14th & Cass
Designed by Eames & Young in Beaux Arts style
Served a diverse population
Eastern European & Russian Jews
Lived & worked nearby at factories
This branch is in that part of the city which contains probably the poorest of the population. To the north & east reside the employees of the many factories in this district, to the immediate west the old German element and tot eh immediate south immigrants mainly from Russia & Poland.
Many parents will not allow their children to “start library” for fear that harm will come to the books and they’ll have to pay damages.
Community space in basement
Polish Industrial Workers, Jewish Branch of the Socialist Party, United Defense League, Equal Suffrage League of STL & Boys Scouts of America
Supported War efforts
In 1918 branch held a dance to support ALA’s Library War Service Program; attendees donated a book or fee to supply reading materials to soldiers oversees
WWII – space for draft boards & for sugar rationing
Encroachment of Industry in 1953
Sold to Pulaski Savings & Loan Association in 1954
Municipal bond issue in 1955 financed construction of 4 new branches, one of which was “New” Cruden @ 20th & Cass
Site selected specifically to serve Pruitt-Igoe
Dedicated Dec 19, 1959
Had hoped to open on Sep 11, 1959, 50 years after opening of “Old” Crunden, but had delays
Patron base was very large
23 elementary schools & 100,000 residents, 25,000 from P-I-V
Intentionally located by P-I, trustees invested in the neighborhood by “banking on the future and making their contribution to it.”
Very popular with children
Stocked with 10,000 books
As many as 850 kids would be in library in the 2 hours after school; also a refuge at lunchtime for those who couldn’t afford lunch at St. Stansilaus
Materials were in heavy circulation (look at shelves), central bindery woulnt’ take materials
Provided social services – outreach to teens & Head Start Program
Ellen Q Claus, branch manager
“If I had to run a nice, quiet, conventional library I’d be bored to tears.”
Colleagues complained about libraries becoming “dating bureaus” but Mrs. Claus embraced the idea, held record-listening parties & music ensembles in the auditorium
“Shocking pink bookmobile with a loudspeaker blaring rock n roll & blues” stocked with useful materials – novels & magazines, but also DIY manuals, citizenship rights
Irene Eveland – Childrens’ librarian
Mrs. Margaret Pinkus – Ethical Society, book sales,
Mrs. Frankie Ragland
1972 – first PI building imploded, all gone by 1977
SLPL had dwindling resources
Lower tax base because of movement to suburbs
Shortened branch hours to 9-5:30MW & 9-5F
Joan Collett
Cut services
Wanted to change budget to put more unique materials in each branch rather than practical materials
No book budget in 1980
Closed April 1981