Northeast Library History

The Northeast Neighborhood Library is the fourth oldest library building in the city still in operation, and was the first public library branch to be built in the District entirely with public funds. Built in 1932, the branch at 330 7th St. N.E. opened on March 11 of that year. The genesis of this library began with a well-connected private citizen, Bessie Burrows, who was the motivating force behind gaining appropriations from Congress in 1929 for the erection of a Neighborhood Library in Northeast Washington. Congress set aside $35,500 to purchase a site and an additional $150,000 to cover construction costs for the new public library branch. Designs for the two-story Georgian Revival style brick library building were prepared by Albert L. Harris, the city's Municipal Architect. Harris was also responsible for designing some of the original wood furnishings fitted for the interior of the library. 

In addition to Bessie Burrows' efforts, the Rhode Island Avenue Citizens Association played an integral role in convincing the library's administration and Congress of the need for a public library branch in their neighborhood. Among the reasons given were the imminent plans to build numerous new schools in the area and the related need to provide schoolchildren with library materials. The association also argued that the nearest library, the Central Library at Mt. Vernon Square, was too distant from the northeastern residential areas being developed at 7th Street and New York Avenue N.E.

Northeast's public library building was erected on a then-vacant lot at 7th Street and Maryland Avenue N.E. purchased for the sum of $28,500. The site had been occupied by the Eagle Coal Company in the 1890s and early 1900s. After the coal company folded in 1914, the neighborhood was successful in getting the privately owned site re-zoned strictly for residential use. This was spurred by a fear that the land would be developed for commercial or industrial purposes. A $150,000 appropriation by Congress in 1930 paid for the construction of the building and its equipment.

The building was constructed by the Boyle-Robertson Company. The exterior featured stone quoining at the corners, semicircular arched windows on the first story, and a slightly projecting central pavilion capped by a pediment. The interior woodwork and furnishings were rendered in walnut, and careful attention was paid to reproducing colonial designs.

The building was originally entered through a revolving door that has since been removed. The lobby was separated from the browsing room by an arched opening. The browsing room was furnished with long tables and individual desks, and an open fireplace ornamented the far end of the room. The offices were placed behind the reference room. The mezzanine contained overflow shelving, a dining room, kitchen and restroom for the staff. The Children's Room was on the second floor above the browsing room, and a meeting room occupied the second floor above the reference room.

The Northeast Branch opened March 11, 1932, with presentations by Dr. George C. Havenner, President of the Federation of Citizen's Associations and member of the Library Board of Trustees; Representative William P. Holaday of the House Appropriations Committee; Evan H. Tucker, President of the Northeast Washington Citizen's Association; and Cecil J. McHale, the first branch librarian of the Northeast Branch. Havenner emphasized the building's modern and careful design, praising the municipal architect.

The library originally contained 20,000 volumes; 11,500 were the children's collection. The hours of operation were 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday. On Saturdays the library was open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the library was closed Sundays. The extraordinarily large staff of 16 people was headed by McHale from 1932-38.

A report on the status of operations at the Northeast Branch, prepared by the branch librarian after four months of operation, praised the building's design:

“The building, outside and in, is admirably adapted to be the home of a model major Neighborhood Library. Nearly four months of occupancy demonstrates that the floor space is laid out economically and the rooms are readily accessible. The lighting is nearly perfect as I have ever seen in a public building...The combination of dark woodwork and lighter walls is to me a happy one, restful and pleasing. The furniture is utilitarian as well as artistic. The report also mentioned trends in patronage, including the high demand for foreign language books in French, Italian, German, and Spanish; and the large number of patrons employed in the mechanical and building trades who enjoyed the branch's significant collection of books on technological subjects.”

The library circulated 265,424 volumes and registered over 3,400 patrons during its first four months of operation. Within the first five years, the library's collection grew to 33,000 books and, by 1941, it boasted a record high 12,992 registered card holders. The library also served as a place of community activity and display. The D.C. Public Librarian Dr. Bowerman initiated a program to display the artwork of local artists in the public library branches, with the Northeast Branch as one of the focal points of this program. The policy of displaying artwork in libraries was aimed at bringing examples of contemporary art to the citizens, especially children. In the late 1930s and 1940s, several public programs were initiated including a children's story hour and "An Evening with the Victrola." A small auditorium was erected adjacent to the main building to house these activities, as well as to accommodate community meetings. Lectures from library staff and outside professionals also filled the roster of Northeast's meeting room over the years.

During World War II, public libraries in the District contributed to the war effort by providing space for warden posts, registration centers and Red Cross bases. The Northeast Branch played a role in the "Victory Book Campaign," which provided book lending to overseas servicemen. It also served as the meeting place of the air raid wardens assigned to Stanton Park and Lincoln Park. The Northeast Branch celebrated its tenth anniversary during the war with displays and lectures on the usefulness of books.

Iva Swift succeeded Cecil J. McHale as branch librarian in 1938, and served in that capacity until 1949. During Swift's tenure, the library increased its collection, its informational resources, and its connections to the community. During the 1950s and 1960s, with demographic changes occurring in the neighborhood, the focus of the library shifted. A collection of literature for young adults was formed, previously unobtainable prints and records were offered, and the demand for children's books was met with an expanded collection. In 1959-60, the Northeast Branch had the highest circulation of children's books in the District.

The late 1960s witnessed the initiation of an expansive outreach program by the Capitol East Community Organization, which sponsored a drive to register all schoolchildren in the area at either the Southeast or Northeast Branch Libraries. The libraries collectively succeeded in issuing 4,068 library cards during the drive.

Dr. Csoke was the branch librarian in the early 1970s. During this period, the basement of the building was devoted to a carpenter's shop where colorful and original furniture for the Neighborhood Library was constructed. Later, a bookmobile station was set up in the space that was once the carpenter's shop. The bookmobile program was established to help fulfill the library's new motto, "Serve the Unserved." One such unserved group was senior citizens who were unable to travel to the library branch. Library programs also focused on acquainting children in the public schools with the resources of the public library through visits by children's librarians. At one point during Csoke's tenure, he noted that the Northeast Branch's collection was second only in size to the Central Library at Mt. Vernon Square.

The early 1980s saw the advent of the computer age in the D.C. Public Library System. A computerized circulation system was installed at the Northeast branch in August 1981. Computer upgrades and new software, including CITYCAT PAC and INFOTRAC, increased the library's capacity to easily and efficiently locate information for its patrons.

Branch librarian Alfred Maury directed a much-needed building renovation in April 1982. The annual report that year stated that the "renovation has infused new life and interest in an old building that the greater majority of people prefer retaining." The renovation included new carpeting, modernizing the staff kitchen, the addition of handicapped accessible entries, the installation of an elevator, repainting and the addition of a new heating system.

The Friends of the Northeast Library was formed in 1981 and incorporated by March 1982. The bylaws expressed the group's purpose to encourage local use of and support for the library, to increase municipal awareness of the branch, to facilitate gifts and donations, to assist in providing volunteer help and to support library development. In their first year, the group sponsored a bake sale, used book sale, several author teas, a balloon sale at Market Day and a bedtime story hour for area children.

In 1994 Patricia Sullivan became Branch Manager of the Northeast Neighborhood Library.  Working closely with the Friends of the Northeast Library (FONEL), she ushered in the era of public computer use in the branch. Ensuing branch managers were Tracy Myers (2003), Mary Hernandez (2005), Noel Rutherford (2006) and Karen M. Butler (2007).

During National Library Week in April 2001, Ms. Sullivan and staff hosted the kick-off of “@Your Library,” a national campaign sponsored by First Lady Laura Bush and the American Library Association.  Mrs. Bush chose this library branch to unveil her campaign, read stories to children and sign up for a new library card.