PUBLIC "-//Mary Riley Styles Public Library//TEXT (US::VaFcSPL::VaFcSPL00013::Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group, 1935-2024)//EN" "VaFcSPL00013.xml" A Guide to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group, 1935-2024 Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group Record Group 2-1 Mary Riley Styles Public Library 2025 (CC0 1.0)

Conditions of Use

This finding aid was produced using a form and manually entry 3/27/2025 Description is in English Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group, 1935-2024 A Collection in Mary Riley Styles Public Library Record Group 2-1

Mary Riley Styles Public Library 2025 Mary Riley Styles Public Library Mary Riley Styles Public Library Descriptive Summary Falls Church History Room, Mary Riley Styles Public Library Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group, 1935-2024 Record Group 2-1 Materials in this collection are in English. Administrative Information Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

 Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description was completed in June 2024. Archival files were created by the librarians responsible for the history room. The process of forming the library archive is ongoing.

 Biographical/Historical Note

The Mary Riley Styles Public Library Archives Record Group portrays the history of people committed to the idea of creating a library, who understood the role of enlightenment in society, who did not stop in the face of obstacles, and who have been carefully collecting the library archive for years.

The Falls Church Library was founded in 1899. The first collection of 650 books was located in a house that was erected specifically for the library. The first official address of the library was on Columbia Street, behind the house of George W. Hawxhurst at the corner of North Washington and East Columbia Streets. Later this building was used as a garage and eventually demolished.

In 1906, the books were removed from Columbia Street to a room in the Post Office where Mr. George W. Hawxhurst was Postmaster and his daughter Miss Nellie Hawxhurst was his assistant and library custodian. Unfortunately, the Library Association was inactive and for several years the books were stored in this back room.

Looking at the Record of Books Taken (Lohico 634, FC Library circulation records), we can see that the records stop in 1909, and after a few blank pages, the records resume in 1913. Despite the uncertainty of permanent premises for the library, in 1913, with the help of the Civic League, a local women's organization, another 500 books were collected for the library. Since there was no permanent library building, the collection was moved from the Post Office to the old Congregational Church. A few years later, the library collection moved again, this time to a building next to Brown's Meat Market in East Falls Church. According to Mrs. John F. Bethune, "There was no heat in that building, but there was a fireplace in the room used for the library." Such conditions were not the best for the proper preservation of books, and in 1919 the library returned to the Congregational Church building which was owned by the School Board since the disbanding of the church congregation.

For many years the library was operated by the Woman's Club on a small budget and volunteer help. In 1928, the Town Council recognized the direction of the Woman's Club and began to appropriate money for the support of the library. At the suggestion of the Mayor, John Bethune, Town Council passed an ordinance establishing "The Falls Church Public Library."

In 1931, Miss Annie M. Lester was hired as the first paid employee and her duties were solely those of the circulation desk. Book selection, accessioning, cataloguing, and everything else was done by the Library Committee. By this time the number of books had grown to 1,000. In 1940, the Town Council bought the old church building from the School Board. The library moved out during the renovation and then back when the renovation was finished.

In 1948, library space again became a matter of great concern. The Library was moved into two rooms in the Murphy Building at 151 East Broad Street. One year later, in September 1949, Miss Jewel Drickamer, a certified librarian, was hired. In 1948, the library also received its first grant of State aid, $625.00 a year, providing that the whole amount should be spent for books within the year.

In 1950, when the library moved to an old house built in 1855, the building inspector would not permit public use of the second floor because the old worn boards could not stand the strain of the weight of books and people. By 1953, there was little more than standing room on the library's first floor and the number of books was about 18,000.

In January 1955, the library moved to 201 East Broad Street. However, this building presented as many difficulties as the previous quarters.

In 1946, Elizabeth Styles and Francis Styles, children of Mary Riley Styles, graciously offered a portion of their estate at 120 North Virginia Avenue for a future library. For many decades this address has been associated with a wonderful, cozy library for generations of residents of the Falls Church, Fairfax, and DC area.

Unfortunately, the documents for the period from 1899 to 1934 were lost and today the oldest official document in the library archive dates back to 1935.

 Scope and Content

The library archive from 1935 to 2024 consists of the following documents: Corporate Statistics, Reports, Plans, Correspondence, Programs, Resolutions, etc.

The archive is organized as follows: Series 1: Bibliography Series 2: Automation Series 3: Reports Series 4: Anniversaries Series 5: Plan Series 6: Correspondence Series 7: Circulation Statistics Series 8: Library Equipment Series 9: Resolution Series 10: Projects Series 11: Finances Series 12: Reports Series 13: Establish a Public Library Series 14: Reports Series 15: Modern Library Series 16: Development, Reports Series 17: Memorandum Series 18: Board of Trustees Series 19: Board of Trustees Series 20: Policy and Procedures Series 21: Planning and Organization of cultural events in the library, Reports Series 22: Ordinance, Director's Reports Series 23: Renaming of the FC Public Library Series 24: Procedures & Policy Series 25: Manuals Series 26: Library facility Series 27: Budgets Series 28: Board of Trustees Series 29: Bibliographies Series 30: Building Series 31: Catalogue Series 32: Library Resources Series 33: Employees Series 34: Friends of the Library Series 35: Goals, Grants Series 36: History Series 37: Programs Series 38: Policies and Procedures Series 39: Newsletters Series 40: Ordinances, Policy Series 41: Local History Series 42: Library Series 43: Publications Series 44: Reading Series 45: Briefings Series 46: Rewards Series 47: Schedules Series 48: Staff Series 49: Statistics, Surveys Series 50: Virginia State Library Series 51: Volunteers Series 52: Local History Room Series 53: Development LLC/ Mason Row Series 54: Technology Plan Series 55: Mary Riley Styles Newsletters Series 56: Space Planning Subcommittee Series 57: Library Board of Trustees Series 58: Library Improvements Series 59: Library Expansion

Contents List Box 1 Series 1: Bibliography Bibliographies, 1980-2008 1 Series 2: Automation Automation Committee, 1989-1990 1 Automation, Microfiche Catalog, 1989 2 Automation, Catalog Conversion 3 Series 3: Reports Annual Reports, 1947-1983 1 Annual Report, Statistical Information, 2000-2015 2 Statistical Records, 1975-1988 3 Series 4: Anniversaries Anniversaries 100 years, Programs, 1999 1 Anniversaries 100 years, Press, 1999 2 Series 5: Plan 5-year plan: 2001-2006 1 Series 6: Correspondence Correspondence, City Officials, Library, 1963-1985 1 Correspondence, City Officials, Library, 1942-1962 2 Box 2 Series 7: Circulation statistics Circulation statistics, 1940-1951 1 Series 8: Library equipment Furniture and equipment, 1947-1950 1 Series 9: Resolution Resolution, 1950 1 Series 10: Projects Library inventory, building programs, correspondence, 1951-1953 1 Land to the Library, correspondence, 1953 2 Series 11: Finances Library finances, fee, 1954-1955 1 Series 12: Reports Fact sheet, Library Reports, job specifications, correspondence, 1955-1956 1 Report fiscal year, library programs and plans, 1957-1958 2 Series 13: Establish a Public Library Establish a Public Library and Library Board, 1958 1 Grievances, proposals, Douglas resignation, 1959 2 Series 14: Reports Reports to the Board of Library Trustees, National Library Week, 1960-1961 1 Reports, Rotary gifts, 1961 2 Director's Reports, 1961 3 Series 15: Modern Library Modern Library, Reports, 1962 1 Director's Reports, Special Collections, Reading and Discussion Programs, Proclamation National Library Week, 1963 2 Series 16: Development, Reports Director's Reports, Reports of the Assistant Librarian, Staff Notes, 1964 1 Development Plan, Director's Reports, 1965 2 Report of the Advisory Committee on the Auditorium, Civic Center, Complaints, Correspondence, Director's Reports, 1966-1967 3 Series 17: Memorandums Memorandums, Press releases, 1968 1 Series 18: Board of Trustees Recommendations, Proposals, Library Board of Trustees documents, Proclamation, 1969 1 Box 3 Series 19: Board of Trustees Library Board of Trustees Meetings, Correspondence, Letters of thanks, Reports, Memorandums, 1970 1 Library Board of Trustees Meetings, Correspondence, Letters of thanks, Memorandums, 1971 2 Series 20: Policy and Procedures Falls Church Public Library Manual of Library Policy and Procedures 1 Series 21: Planning and Organization of cultural events in the library, Reports Library Board of Trustees Meetings, Statistical & Annual Reports, Releases, Memorandums, Budget Request, 1972-1974 1 Series 22: Ordinance, Director's Reports Ordinance, Reports, Minutes, Memorandum 1 Series 23: Renaming of the FC Public Library Renaming of the Falls Church Library, 1977 1 Memorial fund; Programming, 1980-1989 2 Box 4 Series 24: Procedures & Policy Information Desk Procedures, 1991 1 Policy Manual, 1982-1999 2 Policy Manual, 1986-2005 3 Box 5 Series 25: Manuals Operations & Maintenance, 1991-1993 1 Supervisor's Manual, 1987-1997 2 Box 6 Series 26: Library facility Building Improvements, 1980-1990 1 Facility Improvements, 1984-1989 2 Facility Improvements, 1991-1992 3 Facility Improvements, 2013-2015 4 Facility Evaluation/Study, 1984-1988 5 Series 27: Budgets Budget FY, 1946-1951 1 Budget FY, 1951-1956 2 Budget FY, 1956-1961 3 Budget FY, 1961-1969 4 Box 7 Series 27: Budgets, continued Budget FY, 1970-1973 5 Budget FY, 1974-1977 6 Budget FY, 1977-1978 7 Budget FY, 1978-1979 8 Budget FY, 1979-1980 9 Budget FY, 1979-1982 10 Budget FY, 1982-1983 11 Budget FY, 1983-1984 12 Budget FY, 1984-1985 13 Budget FY, 1986 14 Budget FY, 1987-1988 15 Budget FY, 1988-1989 16 Budget FY, 1989 17 Box 8 Series 27: Budgets, continued Budget FY, 1990 18 Budget FY, 1991 19 Budget FY, 1992, 1993 20 Budget FY, 1995 21 Budget FY II, 2010 22 Series 28: Board of Trustees Board of Trustees – Charter, 1954, 1958, 1960, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1988, 2002 1 Board of Trustees – Annual Report, 1947, 1950 2 Series 29: Bibliographies Bibliographies – Children, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1990 1 Bibliographies Audio Visual, 1975-1978, 1987, 1988 2 Bibliographies, 1950-1969 3 Bibliographies, 1970-1978, 1983, 1988 4 Bibliographies, 1977-1979 5 Box 9 Series 30: Building Building - Broad St. E. 201, 1954-1958 1 Building – Planning, 1950-1957 2 Building – Equipment, 1957-1962 3 Building – Capital Improvement Fund, 1955-1958 4 Building – Architect, 1953-1960 5 Building – Addition – Bond Issue, 1966 6 Building – Addition, 1964-1968 7 Building – Addition – Specifications for Addition, 1968 8 Building – Addition – Furniture and Equipment, 1968 9 Building – Planning Facility, 1979-1980 10 Building – Deed (copy) Styles, Frances Holmes, 1987 11 Building – Reopening Celebration, 1993 12 Building – Floor Plans, 1960's-1990's 13 Box 10 Series 31: Catalogue Catalogue 1899 Series 32: Library Resources Electronic Resources and Equipment, 1996 1 Series 33: Employees Employees – Awards Prizes etc. 1 Employees – Job Recruitment, 1997-2005 2 Employees – Library Director, 1999 3 Series 34: Friends of the Library Friends of the Library, 1949-1956 1 Friends of the Library, 1960-1696 2 Friends of the Library, 1970-1980 3 Friends of the Library, Publications, 1970-1980 4 Friends of the Library, Activities, 1970-1980 5 Friends of the Library, Annual Reports and Minutes, 1970-1980 6 Friends of the Library, Constitution and Financial Statements, 1970-1981 7 Friends of the Library, Correspondence, 1970-1980 8 Series 35: Goals, Grants Goals and Objectives, 1970's 1 : Grants in Aid LSCA, 1980-1989 2 Series 36: History History, Chronology (library cards), 1950-1988 1 History, January Notes, Monthly Reports, 1950-1993 2 History, Library Visual, 1990's 3 Box 11 Series 37: Programs National Library Week, 1966 1 National Library Week, 1980's 2 National Library Week, 1950-1979 3 National Library Week, 1965 4 Mark Twain Tall Tales Contest, 1985 5 Children, Summer Reading Program, 1980's-1990's 6 Authors Night, 1958, 1982 7 Programs, 1973-1989 8 Programs, 1997 9 Programs, 2000's 10 Series 38: Policies and Procedures Policies and Procedures, 1950-1959 1 Policies and Procedures, 1960-1969 2 Policies and Procedures, 1966-1970 3 Policies and Procedures, Policy Manual, 1980-1994 4 Policies and Procedures, 1990's 5 Policies and Procedures, Confidentiality, Parking, Smoking, 1977-1989 6 Series 39: Newsletters Newsletters, Mailing Lists for Newsletters, 1961-1977 1 Series 40: Ordinances Governance of the Public Library, 1977-1978 1 Libraries MRSPL, Pages, Training Manual, 1978-1985 2 Box 12 Series 41: Local History Local History, Notes, Reports, 1950's-2000's 1 Local History, 1978-1993 2 Series 42: Library An Operational Evaluation of the MRS Public Library, 1998 1 Series 43: Publications Publications, 1950-1977 1 Publications, 1977-1979 2 Publications, 1980-1983 3 Publications, 1981-1989 4 Publications, 1986-1989 5 Publications, Young Adult Program, 1990-1998 6 Box 13 Series 43: Publications, continued Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, 1964 7 Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, 1964-1965 8 Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, Paid invoices and related papers for sale of book, 1964-1965 9 Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, Correspondence and Publicity, 1964 10 Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, Correspondence, 1964-1968 11 Publications, Falls Church by Fence and Fireside, Publication Rights, 1989-1990 12 Series 44: Reading Before College: A Reading List, 1966-1974 1 Series 45: Briefings Reference Briefings, 1986-2001 1 Series 46: Rewards Rewards Prizes, etc., Dorothy Canfield Fisher, 1963 1 Rewards Prizes, etc., 1987-2009 2 Box 14 Series 47: Schedules Schedules, 1978, 1987 1 Salary Schedules, 1953-1998 2 Series 48: Staff Staff Notes, 1986-1997 1 Staff Poster, Library Address List, Pay Plan/Schedule, 1949-2024 2 Staff, Social Life and Customs, 1991-2008 3 Series 49: Statistics, Surveys Statistical Reports, 1950-1960 1 Statistical Reports, 1960-1976 2 Statistical Reports, 1990-1999 3 Statistics, 2001 4 Users Surveys, 1989 5 Series 50: Virginia State Library Virginia State Library, 1950-1980 1 Virginia State Library Network, 1987 2 Series 51: Volunteers Volunteers, 1984-2003 1 Volunteer Certificates, 1992 2 Series 52: Local History Room Virginia Room, White Papers, 1986-1988 1 LHR Graphic Collection, Completed Orders, 1982-1990 2 LHR Collection, 1981-1995 3 LHR Guide Local History Collection, 1987, 1991 4 LHR In the Headlines, 1936, 1946 5 Box 15 Series 52: Local History Room, continued LHR InMagic, 1989-1997 6 LHR InMagic Lohico, 1992 7 LHR InMagic Newspapers, 1992 8 LHR InMagic Newsletters, 1990, 1991 9 LHR InMagic User Group, 1992 10 LHR InMagic Digital, 1994-1999 11 LHR Inventory, 1982-1998 12 LHR Job Description, 1979-2010 13 LHR Map Collection, 1977-1995 14 LHR Microform Collection, 1976-1998 15 LHR Microform Collection, Vendors and Services, 1981-9000 16 LHR Microfilming, 1987-1997 17 LHR News press, 1991-1996 18 LHR Oral History, 1987-1993 19 Box 16 Series 52: Local History Room, continued LHR Oral History, Legal Agreements and Releases, 1977-2002 20 LHR Oral History, Lists, 1977-1980 21 LHR Periodical Holdings, Virginiana, 1974-1993 22 LHR Photographs, Copyright, 1995-1998 23 LHR Policies, Rules, Registrations, Hours, 1990-2001 24 LHR Porter Collection, 1976-1993 25 LHR Processing, 1987 26 LHR Programs, 1980 27 LHR Programs for Schools, 1990 28 LHR Programs, May 15, 1987 29 LHR Public Records, 1984-1991 30 LHR Public Relations, 1976-1992 31 LHR Publications, 1987-1999 32 LHR Publications, Trail Through Falls Church, 1985-1995 33 LHR Quarterly Reports, 1990-1998 34 LHR Register, 1978, 1980 35 LHR Storage Lists, 1988-1998 36 LHR Supply Requests, FY 2000-2001 37 LHR Supply Requests, FY 1987-1988, 1988-1989 38 LHR Supply Requests, FY 1991-1998 39 LHR Video Tape Collection, 1986-1988 40 LHR Video Tape Collection, City Council Meetings, 1987-1996 41 LHR Volunteers, 2000 42 LHR 5 Year Plan, 1984-1992 43 LHR Accessions and Deaccessions, 1987-1996 44 LHR Annual Reports, 1970-1990 45 LHR Automation Program, 1988-1991 46 Box 17 Series 52: Local History Room, continued LHR Budget Requests, FY 1990-2002 47 LHR Budget Requests, FY 1990-1991 48 LHR Budget Requests, FY 1989-1990 49 LHR Budget Requests, FY 1988-1989 50 LHR Budget Requests, FY 1983-1988 51 LHR Catalog-Guide-Manual, 1984 52 LHR Collection Goals and Objectives, FY 1981-1991 53 LHR Dominion Camera, 1999 54 LHR Digital Preservation/Digitizing Local History, 2016-2018 55 LHR Virginia Room Policy, 1974 56 LHR Collections: DC, 1987-1993 57 LHR Focus, 1992 58 LHR Forms 59 LHR George Washington University, 1992 60 LHR Goals and Objectives, 1980-1989 61 Box 18 Series 52: Local History Room, continued LHR The Process of Preparation for the 125 Anniversary Celebration, 2023 62 LHR 125 Anniversary Meetings, 2023-2024 63 LHR Kick-Off Open House Materials, 125 Anniversary, 2023-2024 64 LHR Proclamation, 2024 65 Box 19 Series 53: Development LLC/Mason Row Mason Row Proposal, 2015 1 Series 54: Technology Plan Task Force on Technology, 1994-1999 1 Series 55: Mary Riley Styles Newsletters Staff Newsletters, 2000-2002 1 Staff Newsletters, 2002-2005 2 Series 56: Space Planning Subcommittee MRSPL Director's Notes, 2008 1 Series 57: Library Board of Trustees List Library Board of Trustees, 1995-2006 1 Box 20 Series 58: Library Improvements Preliminary Recommendation on Improvements in Library, 1984-1985 1 The Architectural Program, 1986 2 The Architectural Program, 1987 3 Library Capital Improvements, 1988 4 Library Expansion, 1989-1990 MRSPL Expansion, An Operational Evaluation of the Library, 1989-1990 1