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Philadelphia City Institute records
The records of the Philadelphia City Institute include documents about the foundation of the organization, administrative reports, financial records, and correspondence from many years of service to the citizens of Philadelphia, especially the challenging times in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The...
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| Corporate Author: | |
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| Collection: | Philadelphia City Institute Records |
| Collection Number: | 3023 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects and Genres: | |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
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| Item Description: |
Processing Information: Records were received by HSP in various conditions. Some records were filed and clearly labeled; others were not organized. Where organization existed, it was maintained and the series and folder reflect the original organization. There were multiple copies of many documents and most of the duplicates have been removed. Exceptions are annual reports, which have two copies, when possible, retained in the folders.
Minute books and report books were of several types. Older books, where minutes were recorded, in hand, directly in the books, have been maintained. Other books or binders had minutes or reports glued, taped, or stapled to the pages of the books. In these cases, the books were taken apart, staples and tape removed, and pages filed in folders. Newspaper articles and some correspondence, especially that on thermal fax paper was received in poor condition. These were photocopied for preservation purposes.
The recent (1990s) investment reports from Bryn Mawr Trust were monthly. Only the reports for the third month of each calendar quarter were retained.
Some minutes from the 1910-1915 period were printed with dark blue/purple ink, like mimeograph ink. These papers should be reviewed in the future to be sure they are still readable. Materials Separated from the Resource: The following were separated to The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Library: Twelve volumes of PCI Annual Reports. Pamphlet: Central High School, Department of English, Lectures and Readings. Hand dated 1914-15. Pamphlet: Excepts from “Our National Government or Life and Scenes in Our National Capital” Mrs. John A. Logan, editor., n.d. “Library Chat,” Volume 1, Number 4, December, 1913. “Library Chat,” Volume 1, Number 5, January-February, 1914. |
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| Physical Description: |
15.6 Linear feet ; 31 boxes, 36 volumes, 3 flat files |
| Access: |
The collection is open for research. |
| Summary: |
The records of the Philadelphia City Institute include documents about the foundation of the organization, administrative reports, financial records, and correspondence from many years of service to the citizens of Philadelphia, especially the challenging times in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
The records are organized in five series: Administrative, Library Operations, Correspondence, Financial, and Photographs. The Administrative series is the largest. The annual reports and minutes of Board of Managers meetings provide information about the management of PCI, and the kind of social impact PCI endeavored to make in Philadelphia. Annual reports, particularly from 1856 to 1935, when they were published in booklet form, were external documents with a public, promotional purpose. They documented PCI’s accomplishments and appealed for further financial support. The minutes, on the other hand, were internal documents. They provide insight into the issues faced by a group of public-spirited, volunteer managers.
The Library Operations series details information summarized in the annual reports. For example, while annual reports give summary figures about attendance and book circulation, the documents in the Library Operations series provide monthly, and often daily, figures. PCI’s library holdings grew from 832 books in 1855 to more than 26,000 in 1902 at its 50th anniversary, and grew further to over 42,000 by 1984 (possibly the latest figure quoted in the collection). The librarian’s reports, along with annual reports in the early years, describe how the Library acquired its books, and what classes of books were acquired and most eagerly borrowed. They also provide insight into the role of the librarians at the PCI Library. In addition, this series contains the real estate records related to PCI’s properties, particularly its first location at 18th and Chestnut Streets, including a number of deeds and indentures.
The Correspondence series is composed of more recent material, most of which reflects the challenges faced by PCI since the 1970s. There were serious threats to both the library premises and its operations. The records reflect the actions of the PCI Officers and Board of Managers to those threats. PCI committed substantial financial resources to keeping the Library in operation, sometimes in temporary quarters, and to make capital improvements to assure a suitable and secure home for the future.
The Financial series includes some early records and some recent investment reports. Most of the series is treasurer’s reports from 1892 to 1945. The Photographs series includes a variety of images from all three of PCI’s Library locations. The Philadelphia City Institute (PCI) is a non-profit organization that has supported a free library in center city Philadelphia for 150 years. The PCI Library has had three primary locations, with the current site at 1905 Locust Street, on Rittenhouse Square. Today, the PCI Library functions as a branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. The Free Library serves as librarian, agent, and administrator. The Philadelphia City Institute maintains ownership of the premises and the assets, and the PCI Board of Managers, with endowment income, provides operational support, and funding for new books and equipment. The collection includes annual reports from 1856 through 1984 (most years), Board of Managers’ meeting minutes, membership information, librarian’s reports, financial records, correspondence, and photographs. |