Pratt Institute Libraries facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pratt Institute Libraries |
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| Main library at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY | |
| Country | United States |
| Type | Academic library |
| Scope | Art, architecture, design, library science |
| Established | 1888 |
| Location | New York City |
| Branches | 1 |
The Pratt Institute Libraries are the main libraries for Pratt Institute. This is a special school for art, architecture, and design. The main library is in Brooklyn, New York. There is also a smaller library in Manhattan.
These libraries have many books and resources. They focus on art, architecture, design, and information science. They hold over 200,000 printed books. They also have more than 600 magazines and journals. You can find rare books and digital pictures there too. The libraries also keep the school's old records. The main library in Brooklyn was once the first free public library in the area. Its building is now a special New York City landmark.
History of Pratt Libraries
The library at Pratt Institute first opened in 1888. It was inside the main building on the Pratt campus. This campus is in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn.
In May 1896, the library moved to a new building. It was first called the Pratt Institute Free Library. Anyone who lived or worked in Brooklyn could use it. The library even had other smaller branches. One was in the Astral Apartments. Another was on Atlantic Avenue.
By 1940, the Pratt Libraries stopped being open to the public. This happened partly because the Brooklyn Public Library could now serve the community.
Architecture and Design
The library building was designed by William B. Tubby. The inside was decorated by Tiffany & Company. It is a three-story brick building. Its style is called Renaissance Revival.
Inside, you can see a grand marble staircase and tall pillars. The floors where the books are kept are made of glass. The bookshelves were designed by Library Bureau. They have oak shelves and iron supports.
Over the years, the building has changed. In 1912, a Children's Porch was added. This gave kids direct access to their special room. In the 1930s, the North Porch was added by architect John Mead Howells.
Later, in the early 1980s, big changes were made. Architects Giorgio Cavaglieri and Warren Gran led these updates. The Children's Porch was moved to another building. An underground area was added for more books and study spots. A new system was also put in to control the building's temperature. In 1981, the library building in Brooklyn became an official New York City Landmark.
Important Librarians
Many important librarians have worked at Pratt Institute Libraries. Here are a few of them:
- Mary Wright Plummer - She started the Pratt Library School. She was also the director of the Pratt Libraries starting in 1895.
- Isabel Ely Lord - She was the Head Librarian for Pratt Institute from 1904 to 1910. She also wrote and edited books.
- Anne Carroll Moore - She worked at Pratt Library from 1896 to 1906. She was a strong supporter of children's libraries.
- Josephine Adams Rathbone - She was the president of the American Library Association in 1931–32. She was also a main teacher and leader at the Pratt Institute Library School for many years.
- Edward Francis Stevens - He led the Applied Sciences Reference Department at Pratt. Later, he became the Librarian and Director of the Pratt School of Library Science.
- Wayne Shirley - He was the Director of Pratt Library and Dean of the Pratt Library School. He also helped start a group about library history.
- Rice Estes - He directed Pratt Institute Libraries from 1955 to 1972. His wife, Eleanor Estes, was a famous children's author who won the Newbery Medal.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca del Instituto Pratt para niños
