Newport News Public Library facts for kids
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Newport News Public Library
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 Newport News Public Library
Location in Virginia
Newport News Public Library
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2907 West Ave., Newport News, Virginia |
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| Area | 0.2 acres (0.081 ha) |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Charles Morrison Robinson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 05000894 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 17, 2005 |
The Newport News Public Library building, also known as the West Avenue Library, opened its doors on October 14, 1929. It was the first building in Newport News, Virginia built specifically to be a library. You can find it at the corner of West Avenue and 30th Street.
In 2005, this historic building was added to both the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the building is no longer a public library. Instead, it serves as the home for the Newport News Public Library System's technical services.
Contents
The Story of the Newport News Public Library
How the Library Began
The idea for a library in Newport News started way back in January 1891. A group of young business people created the Subscription Library Association. Their books were kept in an office downtown.
At first, you had to pay a fee to use the library. In 1914, the Library Association Board decided to charge 50 cents a year for everyone. Also in 1914, the Newport News Shipyard began donating $20 each month to help support reading. By 1917, the City of Newport News also started helping, giving $10 a month. This was the start of a partnership between private groups and the city that lasted until 1968.
Building a New Home for Books
On July 6, 1927, a new library group was officially formed. They called themselves the Newport News Public Library, Inc. This new group quickly took over all the books and assets from the old association. Their main goal was to build a proper library building.
A special committee was formed to plan the new building. Just two years later, on February 12, 1929, they held a groundbreaking ceremony. The first stone of the new library was laid on April 11, 1929. Homer L. Ferguson, who was the President of the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, spoke at the ceremony.
The people of Newport News strongly supported the new library. They voted to allow the City Council to borrow $45,000 to help pay for it. The Library Board also gave $6,200, and their book collection was worth $30,000. The Old Dominion Land Company, which helped plan the city, donated land worth $12,000.
The Newport News Public Library officially opened its doors on October 14, 1929. It was a big moment because it was the first building in the city built just for a library!
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the Newport News Public Library building was updated and improved.
- In 1946, the basement was turned into a special Children's Library.
- In 1954, the roof over one of the reading rooms was replaced.
- On May 2, 1957, a new mural was added near the entrance. This painting showed Captain Christopher Newport landing at Jamestown, Virginia. The artist, Allen D. Jones, Jr., painted it to celebrate Jamestown's 350th anniversary.
- Also in 1957, new heating, air conditioning, and lights were installed. The back area where books were stored was also updated.
- In 1968, a big change happened. The City of Newport News took over running the library from the private Newport News Public Library, Inc.
- The building was renovated again in 1986 and 1987.
Meet the Architect: Charles M. Robinson
The Newport News Public Library building was designed by Charles M. Robinson. He was a very famous architect from Richmond, Virginia. Robinson was especially known for designing school buildings. He even worked as the supervising architect for the Richmond Board of Public Instruction from 1910 to 1929.
Robinson designed the campuses for James Madison University and Radford University. He also created the main plan and designed many buildings for the The College of William & Mary. Many of the buildings he designed are now listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
A Step Towards Equality: Desegregating the Library
In 1949, a local African-American lawyer named W. Hale Thompson asked the Newport News City Council to open the library to people of all races. The library board said no, but they did open a separate library for African Americans in a room at the Doris Miller Center.
Mr. Thompson then took legal action in the United States District Court. The case went on for a long time. Finally, a trial was set for July 10, 1952. But just two days before the trial, on July 8, 1952, the library board made an important announcement. They stated that the main reading rooms at the library would now be open to all adult residents of Newport News.
This meant the Newport News Public Library was now open to African Americans. Because of this, the court case was officially closed on July 18, 1952.
Special Collections: The Martha Woodroof Hiden Memorial Collection
The Martha Woodroof Hiden Memorial Collection was first created on May 27, 1976. It was named after Martha Woodroof Hiden, who was the head of the library's Board of Trustees for many years (1927-1952). She was well-known for her work in genealogy (studying family history) and helped save many old Virginia county records.
This special collection focuses on the local and family history of Newport News, Virginia. It's now located in the Virginiana Room at the Main Street Library. Its main goal is to be the go-to place for family and local history for Newport News, including the old County and City of Warwick. It also helps preserve and share important local historical materials with the public.
The collection has lots of information about the history of Newport News, Virginia, Warwick County, Virginia, and Virginia in general. Some of its treasures include:
- Newport News City Directories from 1898 to today.
- High school yearbooks.
- Photographs and maps.
- The local newspaper, The Daily Press, on microfilm from 1896 to today.
- Over 5,000 books and journals.
One of the most valuable parts of the Martha Woodroof Hiden Collection is the papers and maps from the Old Dominion Land Company. This company was started in 1880 by railroad leader Collis Potter Huntington. Its purpose was to buy and develop land for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway line to Newport News. The Old Dominion Land Company actually planned and developed the original City of Newport News, including its streets, utilities, and sewer system. They also played a big part in developing the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company.
In 1996, when the Main Street Library opened, the Martha Woodroof Hiden Collection moved into a new, climate-controlled room there. It was rededicated on April 14, 1996, and that's where it is today.
Technology in the Library System
In 2013, the Newport News Public Library System added 15 self-service kiosks. These computers allow library users to easily search the library's online catalog for books and other materials. You can find these kiosks at the Pearl Bailey Library, Main Street Library, Virgil I. Grissom Library, and South Morrison Family Education Center.
