Esther A. Barlow Collection

Dates: circa 1880-1993
Size: 5.5 linear feet in 9 boxes and 89 photographs
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Collection number: nnhc.eab
Immediate source of acquisition: Donated by Palma Barlow Lindholm and Marie C. Will.
Conditions governing use: Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection.
Conditions governing access: Materials are open without restrictions.
Preferred citation: When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Esther A. Barlow Collection, [Box #, Folder #] or [Photograph #], Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Chicago Public Library
Finding aid author: Allyson Smally, 2022.
Revision history: A portion of the collection was originally processed by Becky Haglund, 1985. Additional material was added at a later date, and an unknown person began processing but did not finish. In 2022, Allyson Smally integrated the original and new portions of the collection and created an updated Finding Aid.

Abstract

Esther A. Barlow was a children’s librarian at Chicago Public Library from 1927 until her retirement in 1976, including over twenty years as Head of Children’s Services at Hild Regional Library. The collection contains personal and professional papers, books and publications, and photographs.

Biographical/Historical

Esther A. Barlow was born in 1904 in Elbow Lake, Minnesota and grew up in Calmar, Iowa. After graduating from high school in 1922, she moved with her family to Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota for two years. She then moved to Illinois and entered Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. In 1927 she graduated from the Liberal Arts Course there and was hired by the Chicago Public Library.

During the first four years of her forty-nine year career with the Chicago Public Library, she served at the Holstein, Albany Park and Rogers Park branches. In 1931, soon after the opening of Hild Regional Library, she was appointed to the children's department there. From 1942-1955 she was the children's librarian at Lake View Branch. In 1955 she returned to Hild to become the Head of Children's Services and remained there until her retirement in 1976.

Esther Barlow served three generations of Northsiders during her years at Chicago Public Library. During her twenty-one years as Head of Children's Services at Hild, she was also responsible for training over one hundred beginning children's librarians who served in CPL branches throughout the city. She also held weekly story hours and extended programming to youngsters at Children's Memorial Hospital. The story-telling room at Sulzer Regional Library is named in her honor.

Esther Barlow made her home on the north side, living for twenty-four years with her aunt Petra Marie Dahl (1878-1951, a practicing physician in 1916) at 4264 North Milwaukee Avenue. She remained on the north side even after her retirement and died in October 1983.

Scope and Contents

The Esther A. Barlow Collection documents Esther Barlow’s nearly fifty year career as a children’s librarian at Chicago Public Library and also contains a small amount of material related to her personal life and family history. The professional papers include notes, planning material, event fliers, conference programs, journal articles, pamphlets, and correspondence. The personal and family papers include certificates, memorial cards, clippings, and travel material. There is also a collection of greeting cards and postcards; publications, including children’s books and cook books; and photographs. The photographs include images of Chicago Public Library children’s events and staff gatherings at Hild Regional Library and the Lake View Branch. They also include images of Esther Barlow’s early family life in Calmar, Iowa.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in 5 series:

Series 1: Professional papers and correspondence, 1928-1983, undated

Series 2: Personal and family papers, 1905-1993

Series 3: Cards, 1906-1982, undated

Series 4: Publications, 1896-1967, undated

Series 5: Photographs, circa 1880-1982

Related collections

Chicago Public Library Archives.

Subject headings

  • Barlow, Esther A., 1904-1983
  • Hild Regional Library (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Public libraries.
  • Children’s librarians – United States
  • Storytelling

Collection Inventory

Series 1: Professional papers and correspondence, 1928-1985, undated

Scope and Contents

This series covers topics such as Esther Barlow’s training as a story teller and children’s librarian; her attendance at programs and conferences related to books and libraries; and her day to day work as a children’s librarian at Chicago Public Library’s Lake View and Hild branches.

Arrangement

In two subseries: Subseries A: Professional Papers and Subseries B: Correspondence.

Subseries A: Professional papers, 1928-1979, undated

Scope and Contents

This subseries includes notes and planning material for story hours and other children’s activities; Chicago Public library staff newsletters and event fliers; conference and event programs; and articles, journals, and pamphlets related to books and libraries.

Arrangement

Chronologically, with undated material arranged alphabetically at the end.

Box 1 Folder 1 Fisk Teachers’ Agency Registration 1928
Box 1 Folder 2 Professional development, including notes for story hour course, Newberry-Caldecott Awards Dinner program, “Study Course in Guidance of Children’s Reading” booklet, Poetry Festival program, and other material 1930-1963, undated
Box 1 Folder 3 Chicago Public Library Staff Association newsletters and cook book 1932-1963
Box 1 Folder 4 Child Events Magazine, Children’s Memorial Hospital 1943
Box 1 Folder 5 Lake View Branch activities and announcements 1946-1952, undated
Box 1 Folder 6 Book and library pamphlets not published by Chicago Public Library 1962-1974, undated
Box 1 Folder 7 Puppetry and finger plays, lyrics and worksheets 1966-1970, undated
Box 1 Folder 8 Chicago Public Library promotional fliers, booklet, and newsletter 1966-1979, undated
Box 1 Folder 9 Bookmarks 1967-1974, undated
Box 1 Folder 10 Story telling planning material, including notes, bibliographies, and other planning material 1968-1977, undated
Box 1 Folder 11 Illinois Libraries journal, with articles by Marie C. Will 1969, 1970
Box 1 Folder 12 Chicago Public Library, Hild Regional Library, Children’s Department programs and fliers 1969-1974, undated
Box 1 Folder 13 Membership cards, Esther Barlow 1973-1974, undated
Box 1 Folder 14 Sashes, one unidentified, one labeled “tea, April 26 ’76.” On both sashes there is a printed list of names that includes CPL staff. [The sash labeled “tea” may list attendees at a retirement celebration for Esther Barlow.] 1976, undated
Box 1 Folder 15 Book reviews, handwritten and typed undated
Box 1 Folder 16 Book talk materials, including flier, map, and notes undated
Box 1 Folder 17 Children’s crafts – notes, patterns, instructions undated
Box 1 Folder 18 Children’s games, instructions undated
Box 1 Folder 19 Children’s music, illustrated pages with music and lyrics undated
Box 1 Folder 20 “Favorite Poems,” handwritten notes undated
Box 1 Folder 21 Illustrations, from a book or magazine undated
Box 1 Folder 22 Story hour note cards undated

Subseries B: Correspondence, 1930-1985

Scope and Contents

The correspondence mostly covers topic related to Esther Barlow’s work and training as a librarian at Chicago Public Library. The letters discuss Chicago Public Library programs, events, and collaborations with local schools and other organizations. The subseries also includes notes and letters from local children, parents, and community groups thanking Esther Barlow for assisting them or introducing them to the library; letters from current and former colleagues; and a few greeting cards with personal updates and well wishes.

Arrangement

The general correspondence is arranged chronologically, with undated material at the end. Following this there is one folder of greeting cards from children’s librarian Helen Jacob.

Box 2 Folder 1 Correspondence 1930-1933
Box 2 Folder 2 Correspondence 1943-1948
Box 2 Folder 3 Correspondence 1950-1959
Box 2 Folder 4 Correspondence 1960-1969
Box 2 Folder 5 Correspondence 1970-1974
Box 2 Folder 6 Correspondence 1975-1979
Box 2 Folder 7 Correspondence 1981-1983, 1985
Box 2 Folder 8 Correspondence undated
Box 2 Folder 9 Cards from Helen Jacob 1954-1981, undated

Series 2: Personal and family papers, 1905-1993

Scope and Contents

This series contains a small number of personal papers, mostly related to Esther Barlow’s family, her education, and her religious beliefs. It includes certificates, programs and booklets, memorial cards, and travel material. It also includes several folders of newspaper and magazine clippings, which mostly cover topics related to libraries or religion.

Arrangement

Alphabetically, and chronologically therein when necessary.

Box 3 Folder 1 Article, “Petra Marie Dahl – Physician, Social Activist, Norwegian,” by William K. Beatty, in The Proceedings of the Institute of Medicine of Chicago 1990
Box 3 Folder 1 Birth affidavit and certificate 1954
Box 3 Folder 1 Cards, program, and bookmarks, miscellaneous 1979-1982, undated
Box 3 Folder 3 “A Century of Progress World’s Fair,” souvenirs and ephemera 1933
Box 3 Folder 1 Certificates, Sunday School attendance, Esther and Palma Barlow 1919
  Box 9 Christmas ornaments from Helen Jacob undated
Box 3 Folder 1 Church programs and booklets, Calmar Lutheran Church and Dr. V. Koren 1938-1977
  Oversize Folder 1 Diplomas, Calmar High School and Lake Forest College 1922, 1927
Box 3 Folder 1 Institutional credit form, Illinois State Examining Board for Teachers’ Certificates 1928
Box 3 Folder 2 Lake Forest College – graduation program and announcements, “Class notes,” Alumni Awards Banquet program, 50th homecoming letter, and condolence note 1926-1984
Box 3 Folder 1 Memorial cards and obituaries, Laura Dahl, Edna Mae Clark, and Esther Barlow 1976-1983
  Box 9 Miracle Books Fair aprons; handkerchiefs 1962-1968, undated
Box 3 Folder 5 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1905
Box 3 Folder 6 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1932-1936
Box 3 Folder 7 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1940-1949
Box 3 Folder 8 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1954-1959
Box 3 Folder 9 Newspaper and magazine clippings, Christmas 1959-1973, undated
Box 3 Folder 10 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1966-1969
Box 3 Folder 11 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1970-1979
Box 3 Folder 12 Newspaper and magazine clippings 1980-1981
Box 3 Folder 13 Newspaper and magazine clippings undated
Box 3 Folder 1 Norwegian-American Museum newsletter and booklet 1993, undated
Box 3 Folder 4 Travel – programs, notes, passports, and itineraries 1950-1970

Series 3: Cards, 1906-1982, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains postcards and greeting cards. It includes holiday greetings, post cards from people travelling outside of the United States, and post cards picturing various locations in the United States. Some are blank, but others contain brief messages. Many of the cards are addressed to Esther Barlow or other members of her family, such as her sister Palma or aunt Laura, while others are addressed to the Children’s Department Staff at Hild Regional Library.

 Arrangement

At the beginning of the series there a few postcards on miscellaneous topics; following these are holiday greeting cards, organized alphabetically according to holiday; next are cards from foreign countries, organized alphabetically according to the name of the country; and finally cards from travelers in the United States, organized alphabetically according to the name of the state.

Box 4 Folder 1 Children’s stories 1907, 1915
Box 4 Folder 2 Children’s stories 1907
Box 4 Folder 3 Sentiments 1907, 1908
Box 4 Folder 4 Sentiments 1909-1911, 1972
Box 4 Folder 5 Days of the week 1907
Box 4 Folder 6 Months of the year 1907, undated
Box 4 Folder 7 Seasons 1908
Box 4 Folder 8 “Esther” 1909, undated
Box 4 Folder 9 George Washington 1921
Box 4 Folder 10 Holidays – birthday 1908, 1909, 1915
Box 4 Folder 11 Holidays – birthday undated
Box 4 Folder 12 Holidays - Christmas 1906-1908
Box 4 Folder 13 Holidays - Christmas 1909-1910
Box 4 Folder 14 Holidays - Christmas 1911
Box 4 Folder 15 Holidays - Christmas 1912
Box 4 Folder 16A Holidays - Christmas 1913, 1914, 1916
Box 4 Folder 16B Holidays - Christmas 1917, 1918
Box 4 Folder 17 Holidays - Christmas 1920
Box 4 Folder 18 Holidays - Christmas 1934, 1961, 1963
Box 4 Folder 19 Holidays - Christmas undated
Box 4 Folder 20 Holidays - Christmas undated
Box 4 Folder 21 Holidays - Christmas undated
Box 4 Folder 22 Holidays - Christmas undated
Box 4 Folder 23 Holidays - Christmas undated
Box 4 Folder 24 Holidays – Easter 1907-1909
Box 4 Folder 25 Holidays – Easter 1910
Box 4 Folder 26 Holidays – Easter 1911
Box 4 Folder 27 Holidays – Easter 1912
Box 4 Folder 28 Holidays – Easter 1913, 1915
Box 4 Folder 29 Holidays – Easter 1917, 1921
Box 4 Folder 30 Holidays – Easter undated
Box 4 Folder 31 Holidays – Easter undated
Box 4 Folder 32 Holidays – Halloween 1914
Box 4 Folder 33 Holidays – New Years 1908-1911
Box 4 Folder 34 Holidays – New Years 1912, 1916
Box 4 Folder 35 Holidays – New Years undated
Box 4 Folder 36 Holidays – Thanksgiving 1909, 1919
Box 4 Folder 37 Holidays – St. Patrick’s Day undated
Box 4 Folder 38 Holidays – Valentine’s Day 1907-1910
Box 4 Folder 39 Holidays – Valentine’s Day 1911-1915
Box 4 Folder 40 Holidays – Valentine’s Day 1916-1922
Box 4 Folder 41 Holidays – Valentine’s Day undated
Box 4 Folder 42 Countries – Argentina 1952
Box 4 Folder 43 Countries – Austria 1958
Box 4 Folder 44 Countries – Belgium undated
Box 4 Folder 45 Countries – Bermuda 1963
Box 4 Folder 46 Countries – Canada 1977, undated
Box 4 Folder 47 Countries – Canada – Banff 1962
Box 4 Folder 48 Countries – China 1979, undated
Box 4 Folder 49 Countries – Denmark undated
Box 4 Folder 50 Countries – Egypt undated
Box 4 Folder 51 Countries – England 1968, 1970, undated
Box 4 Folder 52 Countries – England undated
Box 4 Folder 53 Countries – England (R.M.S. Queen Mary) 1956, undated
Box 4 Folder 54 Countries – England (Stratford-Upon-Avon) undated
Box 4 Folder 55 Countries – England (Windsor Castle) undated
Box 4 Folder 56 Countries – France 1960, undated
Box 4 Folder 57 Countries – French Polynesia (Bora-Bora) 1971
Box 4 Folder 58 Countries – Germany undated
Box 4 Folder 59 Countries – Greece 1967
Box 4 Folder 60 Countries – Guatemala 1968
Box 4 Folder 61 Countries – Israel 1967
Box 4 Folder 62 Countries – Italy 1973, undated
Box 4 Folder 63 Countries – Italy (Rome) undated
Box 4 Folder 64 Countries – Italy (Rome) undated
Box 4 Folder 65 Countries – Italy (Rome) undated
Box 4 Folder 66 Countries – Italy (Venice) 1956, undated
Box 4 Folder 67 Countries – Italy (Venice) undated
Box 4 Folder 68 Countries – Japan 1960
Box 4 Folder 69 Countries – Liechtenstein 1956
Box 4 Folder 70 Countries – Luxembourg 1956
Box 4 Folder 71 Countries – Netherlands 1956
Box 4 Folder 72 Countries – Norway undated
Box 4 Folder 73 Countries – Norway (Bergen) 1954
Box 4 Folder 74 Countries – Norway (Oslo) undated
Box 4 Folder 75 Countries – Scotland undated
Box 4 Folder 76 Countries – Spain 1970, undated
Box 4 Folder 77A Countries – Switzerland undated
Box 4 Folder 77B States – Arizona 1962, 1977
Box 4 Folder 78 States – California 1962, 1970, undated
Box 4 Folder 79 States – California (San Francisco) 1962, undated
Box 4 Folder 80 States – California (San Marino) undated
Box 4 Folder 81 States – California (Yosemite) 1962, undated
Box 4 Folder 82 States – Florida 1971, 1979, undated
Box 4 Folder 83 States – Georgia 1979
Box 4 Folder 84 States – Hawaii 1960, 1971, 1976
Box 4 Folder 85 States – Illinois 1975, undated
Box 4 Folder 86 States – Illinois (Chicago) 1908-1912
Box 4 Folder 87 States – Illinois (Chicago) 1914
Box 4 Folder 88 States – Illinois (Chicago) 1957, undated
Box 4 Folder 89 States – Iowa 1913, 1975, undated
Box 4 Folder 90 States – Massachusetts 1976, 1982
Box 4 Folder 91 States – Massachusetts (Nantucket) undated
Box 4 Folder 92 States – Michigan 1970, 1977, undated
Box 4 Folder 93 States – Minnesota 1908-1909, 1979, undated
Box 4 Folder 94 States – Missouri 1962
Box 4 Folder 95 States – Montana 1960
Box 4 Folder 96A States – Pennsylvania undated
Box 4 Folder 96B States – New York 1956-1968
Box 4 Folder 97 States – North Dakota 1977
Box 4 Folder 98 States – Washington 1962
Box 4 Folder 99 States – Wisconsin 1964, 1972

Series 4: Publications, 1896-1967, undated

Scope and Contents

This series contains children’s books, cookbooks, a women’s magazine, and a few books related to libraries, music, and poetry. Some have inscriptions or writing inside the front or back covers.

Arrangement

Alphabetically by title.

Box 5 Folder 1 The 20th Century Workbook in How to Use a Library, by Frank S. Stephens and Gale Smith 1931
Box 5 Folder 2 At Home on the Range or What Librarians Cook, by the staff of the Chicago Public Library undated
Box 5 Folder 3 The Delineator magazine 1905 January
Box 5 Folder 4 The Delineator magazine 1906
Box 5 Folder 5 Thread removed from 1906 Delineator magazine undated
Box 5 Folder 6 Everything Known in Music, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox 1916
Box 5 Folder 7 Helen Jackson’s Complete Poems 1896
Box 5 Folder 8 How to Eat Well Though Rationed: Wartime and Canning Cooking Book 1943
Box 5 Folder 9 How the Eggplant Came to Be, by Priscilla McClure Johnson 1946
Box 5 Folder 10 The Iscah Cook Book 1908
Box 5 Folder 11 The Magic of Poetry and the Poet’s Art, by Stephen Vincent Benet 1936
Box 5 Folder 12 Musical Therapy 1950
Box 6 Folder 1 The Old Swimmin’ hole and ‘Leven More Poems by Benjamin F. Johnson 1910
Box 6 Folder 2 Reba Paeff Mirsky 1967
Box 6 Folder 3 Recipes for Living cook book, Grace Lutheran Church 1958
Box 6 Folder 4 Red Shoes and Other Poems, a collection by Frederick W. Ingvoldstad 1932
Box 6 Folder 5 A Time for Trolls: Fairy Tales from Norway 1962

Series 5: Photographs, circa 1880-1982

Scope and Contents

The images in this series document Esther Barlow, her family, and her work at Chicago Public Library’s Hild Regional Library and Lake View Branch.

Arrangement

In two subseries:

Subseries A: Portrait & Family Photographs, circa 1880-1982

Subseries B: Chicago Public Library, 1930-1982

Subseries A: Portrait & Family Photographs, circa 1880-1982

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains portraits of Esther Barlow; images of her with her family, mostly at their home in Calmar, Iowa; a few portraits of other members of the Barlow and Dahl families, including Esther Barlow’s parents Dora and Iver, her sister Palma, and her aunt Petra Marie Dahl; and travel photographs.

Arrangement

Chronologically, with undated images at the end.

  Photograph 1.1 Barlow, Dora Setone Dahl, portrait [Esther Barlow’s mother] circa 1880
  Photograph 3.5 Barlow, Dora Setone Dahl, portrait circa 1900
  Photograph 3.6 Barlow, Iver Olson, portrait [Esther Barlow’s father] circa 1900
  Photograph 5.3 Barlow, Iver and Dora Dahl, wedding portrait 1902 August 26
  Photograph 1.3 Barlow, Esther, portrait, as an infant circa 1904-1905
  Photograph 1.4 Barlow, Esther, portrait, at 2 or 3 years old circa 1907
  Photograph 1.5 Barlow, Esther, portrait, at 5 years old 1909
  Photograph 5.4 Barlow family in front of their house in Calmar, Iowa 1909
Box 7 Folder 1 Oldoms, Sidney, as a young child and adolescent circa 1900s-1910s
  Photograph 5.5 Barlow, Esther and Buddy Flaskerud sitting in a wagon 1913
  Photograph 1.8 Barlow, Esther and sister Palma in their uncle’s yard in St. Paul, Minnesota 1915 August 6
  Photograph 1.6 Barlow, Esther (age 11) and sister Palma (age 7), portrait 1915
  Photograph 1.7 Barlow, Palma on the front porch of the family home in Calmar, Iowa circa 1915
  Photograph 1.10 Barlow, Esther (age 14) and sister Palma (age 10), portrait 1918
  Photograph 1.11 Barlow, Esther, portrait 1918
  Photograph 5.2 Dahl, Thomsa [Esther Barlow’s grandmother - mother of Petra Dahl and Dora Dahl Barlow] circa 1920
Box 7 Folder 1 Group of young girls in costumes circa early 1920s
  Photograph 1.9 Barlow, Esther standing outside holding a cat circa early 1920s
  Photograph 3.2 Barlow, Esther, standing outside 1922 July 4
  Photograph 1.12 Barlow, Esther (third from left) and sister Palma (left) outside with two friends 1922
  Photograph 1.13 Barlow, Esther (age 18) and sister Palma (age 14) 1922
  Photograph 1.14 Barlow, Esther, high school graduation portrait 1922
  Photograph 1.15 Barlow, Esther, portrait taken outside 1922
  Photograph 5.6 Barlow, Esther and sister Palma outside 1922
  Photograph 5.7 Barlow, Esther standing outside 1922
  Photograph 5.8 Barlow, Esther holding a broom on stairs of house 1922
  Photograph 5.9 Barlow, Esther, standing outside 1922
Box 7 Folder 2 Barlow, Esther, standing outside 1922
  Photograph 3.1 Barlow, Esther, portrait, age 20 1925
  Photograph 1.16 Barlow, Esther, portrait 1927
  Photograph 1.17 Barlow, Esther in cap and gown at her graduation from Lake Forest College 1927
Box 7 Folder 2 Barlow, Esther in cap and gown at her graduation from Lake Forest College 1927
  Photograph 1.18 Barlow, Esther, portrait circa 1930
  Photograph 5.15 Barlow, Palma and aunt Laura Dahl circa 1930
  Photograph 2.1 Barlow, Esther, with sister Palma and father Iver 1931 September 27
  Photograph 3.7 Barlow family portrait - Esther, Palma and Iver circa 1931
  Photograph 5.10 Barlow, Esther, portrait 1935
  Photograph 1.19 Barlow, Esther and sister Palma during a visit to Spearfish, South Dakota 1940
  Photograph 1.21 Barlow, Esther, visiting her cousin in New York City 1945
  Photograph 3.3 Barlow, Esther on a boat to Catalina 1947 Summer
Box 7 Folder 2 Barlow, Esther, outside at Huntington Library; at Calmar, Iowa Centennial Celebration; and in Taylor Falls, Minnesota 1947-1955
  Photograph 5.11 Barlow, Esther walking outside wearing a winter coat 1949
  Photograph 5.12 Barlow, Esther standing in a kitchen holding a book circa 1950
  Photograph 1.22 Barlow, Esther, portrait 1956
Box 7 Folder 3 Barlow, Esther and Adeline Petri European trip 1956
  Photograph 5.13 Barlow, Esther and Lake Forest College Dean of Women at Mt. Vernon 1959
  Photograph 3.4 Barlow, Esther in a group portrait at Lake Louise, Canada 1962 Summer
  Photograph 1.24 Barlow, Esther, seated 1972
  Photograph 1.27 Barlow, Esther receiving an alumni award from Lake Forest College 1977
  Photograph 5.14 Barlow, Esther standing in back of a house 1982
Box 7 Folder 2 Bough, Lena, older years undated
  Photograph 1.2 Dahl, Dr. Petra Marie [Esther Barlow’s aunt] undated
  Photograph 3.8 Dahl, Dr. Petra Marie undated
  Oversize Photograph 5.1 Dahl, Dr. Petra Marie undated
Box 7 Folder 2 Nellie, Petra Marie Dahl’s dog undated

Subseries B: Chicago Public Library, circa 1930s-1982

Scope and Contents

This subseries consists mainly of images of children’s events and displays, mostly at Hild Regional Library and the Lake View Branch Library. Esther Barlow is pictured leading story hours or activities in many of the images, and other librarians are pictured in others. Several of the earlier images feature events held outdoors in Welles Park, a large outdoor park located a block down the street from Hild Regional Library. The subseries also includes a number of images of library staff gatherings and events, including Esther Barlow’s retirement celebrations.

 Arrangement

Chronologically. For some of the photographs, particularly those stored in folders, the only date available was the one printed on the photograph by the developer. This refers to the date the photo was printed, not when it was taken, so researchers should keep in mind that some dates may be approximate.

  Photograph 1.28 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – Esther Barlow standing in front of group of children and adults circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.29 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – group of children sitting and standing, some wearing homemade masks circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.30 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – children wearing homemade masks lined up on a field circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.31 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – group of children watching a program or performance circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.32 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – group of children, some wearing homemade masks circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.33 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – group of children, some wearing homemade masks circa 1930s
  Photograph 1.35 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – children seated in a circle listening to a program circa 1930s
Box 7 Folder 4 Hild Regional Library Children’s Department story hour in Welles Park – Esther Barlow, another story teller, and children, many with homemade masks circa 1930s
Box 7 Folder 5 Logan Square Branch – Norwegian literature display; Children’s Memorial Hospital[?] circa late 1930s-1940s
  Photograph 1.36 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – large group of children and adults 1934
  Photograph 1.34 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – Esther Barlow standing with a group of children lined up holding a story hour sign 1934
  Photograph 1.37 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in Welles Park – Esther Barlow standing with a group of children lined up holding a story hour sign [same as 1.34, different exposure] 1934
  Photograph 1.44 Hild Regional Library – interior view of Children’s Department 1941
  Photograph 1.20 Lake View Branch - Esther Barlow standing outside circa 1940s
  Photograph 1.49 Lake View Branch, interior circa 1940s
  Photograph 1.50 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes with Esther Barlow in front of the library circa 1940s
  Photograph 4.1 Lake View Branch – staff on front steps circa 1945
  Photograph 4.2 Lake View Branch – Esther Barlow on front steps 1946
  Photograph 1.48 Lake View Branch, exterior, with small group near doorway 1946
Box 7 Folder 6 Lake View Branch – Esther Barlow with Edna Mae Clark; group of children, likely at story hour 1946
  Photograph 1.51 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes in front of the library 1950
  Photograph 1.53 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes in front of the library circa 1950
  Photograph 1.54 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes in front of the library circa 1950
Box 7 Folder 7 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes in front of the library circa 1950
  Photograph 4.3 Lake View Branch – exterior view in winter circa 1950
  Photograph 4.4 Lake View Branch – exterior view in winter circa 1950
  Photograph 4.5 Lake View Branch – exterior view in winter circa 1950
  Photograph 4.6 Lake View Branch – exterior view in winter, man on front steps with a snow shovel circa 1950
  Photograph 4.7 Lake View Branch – staff on front steps circa 1950
  Photograph 4.8 Lake View Branch – interior view circa 1950
  Photograph 4.9 Lake View Branch – interior view circa 1950
  Photograph 4.10 Lake View Branch – interior view, with Esther Barlow standing behind a desk 1951
  Photograph 4.11 Lake View Branch – interior view, Esther Barlow sitting behind desk 1951
  Photograph 1.52 Lake View Branch – children in Halloween costumes in front of the library 1953
Box 7 Folder 8 Story hours, small groups of children and librarians circa 1950s
Box 7 Folder 9 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays; staff gatherings. Staff pictured include Dorothy Bauerle, Ruth Bitlitz, Eleanor Dombrowski, Eleanor Everett, Dorothea Federgren, Marjorie Israel,  Ruth Kumata, Alesso Lovelli, Marie McAuliffe, Dorothy Nast, Esther Roseman, Patricia Ryan, Marie Will, and Helen Zatterberg. circa 1950s-1960s
  Photograph 1.23 Barlow, Esther at Hild Regional Library’s Christmas party 1966 December
Box 7 Folder 10 Hild Regional Library – children’s events; baby photograph; Hild Christmas party [includes negatives] circa 1968-1969, undated
Box 7 Folder 11 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and staff gatherings, including Hild Christmas party. Staff pictured include Ida Ammon, Edna Becker, Judy Fay, Jessie Howes, Ruth Kumata, Lillian New, Mary Jean O’Breyne, Carol Paulson, Pat Shauger, and Claudette Frick. [includes negatives] 1969
Box 7 Folder 12 Hild Regional Library – children’s events, small photograph albums 1969-1973
Box 8 Folder 1 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays; group of staff outside another library. Staff pictured include Dorothy Nast, Hazel Weinstein, and Marie Will. [includes a few negatives] circa 1970s
Box 8 Folder 2 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays, including Esther Barlow with puppet; book sale. Staff pictured include Edna Becker, Rose Duffy, Helen Gubbins, Jessie Howes, and Anne Marie Mockenhaupt. circa 1970s
  Photograph 1.46 Hild Regional Library – Esther Barlow and Una Mae Simon serving punch circa 1970s
  Photograph 1.40 Hild Regional Library – adults and children sitting around a table circa 1970
  Photograph 1.41 Hild Regional Library – children looking at books circa 1970
  Photograph 1.42 Hild Regional Library – adults and children sitting around a table circa 1970
Box 8 Folder 3 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays [includes a few negatives] 1970
Box 8 Folder 4 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays, staff gatherings. Staff pictured include Evalyn Cromwell, Penny Freadway[?], Barbara Hendricks, Marie McAuliffe, Anne Marie Mockenhaupt, Mary Jeanne O’Byrne, Helen Shiabot[?], Una Mae Simon, Lucille Tate, and Marie Will. 1971
  Photograph 1.47 Hild Regional Library – group photograph of staff 1971
Box 8 Folder 5 Hild Regional Library and Thomas Hughes room at Main Library – children’s events and displays; staff gathering. Staff pictured include Mary Bahr, Bessie Budasz, Helen E., Cele Greenberg, Fredy Jay, Evelyn Ketter, Marguerite Mendl, Marie R., and Mildred Williams. 1972
Box 8 Folder 6 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays; staff gathering 1973
  Photograph 1.38 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour with puppets, led by Esther Barlow 1973
  Photograph 1.43 Hild Regional Library Children’s Department – Esther Barlow with a group of children 1975 October
  Photograph 1.39 Hild Regional Library children’s story hour in auditorium, led by Esther Barlow wearing a mask 1975 October
  Photograph 1.25 Hild Regional Library - Barlow, Esther 1975 October
  Photograph 1.45 Hild Regional Library – Francis F. Coan next to one of the WPA murals he created for the library 1975
Box 8 Folder 7 Hild Regional Library – children’s events and displays; staff gatherings; book sale. Staff pictured include Anne Marie Mockenhaupt, Dorothy Nast, Una Mae Simon, Marie Will. 1975-1978, undated
Box 8 Folder 8 Two small children at library; Esther Barlow at Cultural Center 1975, 1980
  Photograph 1.26 Barlow, Esther at her retirement party at Hild Library with Marie Will 1976
Box 8 Folder 9 Barlow, Esther retirement events. Staff pictured include Ida Ammon, Edna Becker, Mary Carroll,  Eleanor Dombrowski, Kay Ezell, Dorothea Federgren, Claudette Frick, Lynn Garrick, Helen Gibbens, Mary Haggerty, Marjorie Hanson, Jesse Howles, Helen Jacobs, Fredy Jay, Yvette Johnson, Betty Keenan, Ruth Kumata, Rose Levenson, Anne Marie Mockenhaupt, Marie McAuliffe, Melora Mirza, Dorothy Nast, Helen Nordlund, Grace O’Connor, Peg R., Berenice Recher, Mary Robinson, Charlemae Rollins, Pat Ryan, Ellen Schweri, Una Mae Simon, Delores Size, Betty Taylor, Barbara Tsonis, Lillian Vanko, Bessie Wachman, and Marie Will. 1976
Box 8 Folder 10 Children’s events; staff gatherings, including Hild 50th anniversary and group in Esther Barlow’s apartment. Staff pictured include Esther Babecki, Rose Duffy, Audrey Faulhaber, Dorothea Federgreen, Ruth Kumata, Leah Steele, Ed Vanko, Lillian Vanko, Marie Will, Helen Zatterberg. 1980-1981, undated
Box 8 Folder 11 Jane Byrne speaking and crowd at Sulzer Regional Library groundbreaking 1982
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