Framed or unframed, desk size to sofa size, printed by us in Arizona and Alabama since 2007. Explore now.
Shorpy is funded by you. Patreon contributors get an ad-free experience.
Learn more.
January 21, 1941. "Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park Plaza, New York. Popular Room." 5x7 safety negative by Gottscho-Schleisner. View full size.
Back in the olden days, it took two days for Kindles to recharge, leaving people stranded with no way to read books - thus, the library was invented. I understand some still survive to this very day.
Obviously didn't use enough Brylcreem to keep that cowlick down.
The chairs don't go with the tables at all
I can't believe how much ROOM there is in this place! I work at the public library here in town and we have stuff crammed into our areas. Our town has grown, but because of budget restrictions, we haven't been able to expand much and we are a BUSY library!
The more I see of this library, the more I think they should have rented bicycles so you could get from one section to the other.
I prefer my libraries smaller and less a tribute to progress, or whatever the heck they were trying to do here.
Our local branch remodeled itself into a pale imitation of a Borders bookstore. Low shelves that hold only a fraction of the collection, tiny little tables that are no good for research, a superficial reference section, and only one lonely shelf of sale books. But they're very proud of their new overstuffed chairs. It's trying so hard to be hip and trendy that it's depressing.
Looked the same when I was last there in 1984 (except clothing styles).
In library school I practiced pulling the pencil out of my bun and swinging my hair around. I'm saddened that no one has a bun.
I better get my suit on and head to the library.
On Shorpy:
Today’s Top 5