Dates: 1871-1908. Size: 18 linear feet. Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections. The Early CPL Papers series of the Chicago Public Library Archives document the foundation of Chicago Public Library immediately after the 1871 fire. The series includes detailed information regarding the legislative process which gave authority to the city to raise taxes to maintain a public library; extremely detailed information regarding the first collections; shipping information and costs of exporting donations from Great Britain to the United States; lists of who donated what; and general everyday library business. The series also has information about employment matters in the Library and the construction of the new Central Library. The collection includes the Papers of the Board of Directors, the Papers of the Secretary of the Board and the Papers of the Librarian for this time period. [Finding aid]
