Charles S. Greene Papers Relating to the California and American Library Associations at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, 1914-1917

In February, 1914, California Library Association (CLA) President James L. Gillis appointed Oakland City Librarian Charles S. Greene as chairman of a committee overseeing creation of a library exhibit at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE), along with Sarah E. McCardle (Fresno County Library) and Victoria Ellis (Long Beach Public Library). This collection primarily consists of Greene’s correspondence and records from the organization of that exhibit, which was eventually presented in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA). Greene’s correspondence relating to the organization of the 1915 ALA conference in Berkeley, California, is interfiled.

Greene corresponded with libraries throughout California and the United States to create an exhibit that represented the full scope of library work in California, and oversaw collection of materials for the exhibit (including books, photographs, maps, charts showing library statistics, and a film produced especially for the exposition), construction of the exhibit space, and staffing of the booth with workers on loan from libraries throughout the state. Dozens of correspondents are included in these files; frequent correspondents include George B. Utley (ALA Secretary, Chicago Public Library), James L. Gillis (State Librarian, California State Library, President of CLA), Milton J. Ferguson (Assistant Librarian, California State Library), Harry C. Peterson and Guy C. Miller (filmmakers contracted to create library films through the Exactus Film Company, Palo Alto), Frank P. Hill (ALA officer, Brooklyn Public Library), and Joseph L. Wheeler (Los Angeles Public Library, in charge of the ALA booth at the Exposition). Other correspondents include Exposition officials, librarians from across California, and vendors used in outfitting the exposition booth.