Guide to the Olneyville Free Library Association Records, 1888-1968

Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-455-8021
Fax: 401-455-8065
email: ricoll@provlib.org

Published in 2015

Collection Overview

Title:	Olneyville Free Library Association Records
Date range:	1888-1968
Creator:	Olneyville Free Library Association
Extent:	2 boxes (1.4 linear feet)
Abstract:	The Olneyville Free Library Association Records include correspondence, financial ledgers, membership and board meeting minutes, mortgage bonds, receipts, wills and legal papers.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection
Collection number:	MSS032

Scope & content

The Olneyville Free Library Association Records include correspondence, financial ledgers, membership and board meeting minutes, mortgage bonds, receipts, wills and legal papers. The materials span from the creation of the Olneyville Free Library Association to after the merger with the Providence Public Library.

Access Points

Subject Topics

Geographical Names

Olneyville (Providence, R.I.)

Subject Topics

Rhode Island/Local Interest

Document Types

Arrangement

The Olneyville Free Library Association Records are organized into 5 series.

Series 1 - Legal Papers
Series 2 - Correspondence from 1904-1964
Series 3 - Treasury and Financial Reports
Series 4 - Administrative and Membership Records
Series 5 - Miscellaneous

Historical note

The Olneyville Free Library was formed in 1875 and was originally located in the mill at 12 Hartford Avenue. This library was later annexed to the Town of Johnston in 1898. In 1899 a new location was built in Olneyville Square on land willed to the library by Miss Sarah Waterman in 1890. The will of Miss Sarah Waterman stipulated that the library should be constructed within five years of her death, and should bear the Waterman name. The Olneyville Free Library opened this new location of the Waterman Building in 1900. The library was located on the second and third floors, with the first floor serving as rented storefronts. The library became a branch of the Providence Public library in 1946. The Waterman building was remodeled in 1955 with the removal of the top two floors. The Olneyville branch closed in 1981. A new branch location was opened by the Providence Public Library located at 1 Olneyville Square in 1989. In 2009, the Olneyville branch library became part of the Providence Community Libraries. The Waterman building was bought in 2000 by the Olneyville Arts Collaborative, LLC.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access. This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Providence Public Library Special Collections department.
Use of the materials:	Researchers are requested to cite the collection name and the Providence Public Library in all bibliographic references.
Preferred citation:	[item number], [item title], Olneyville Free Library Association Records, MSS 032. Rhode Island Collection, Providence Public Library.
Contact information:	Providence Public Library Special Collections, Rhode Island Collection 150 Empire Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-455-8021 Fax: 401-455-8065 email: ricoll@provlib.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Materials were acquired when Providence Public Library took over administration of the Olneyville branch library in 1946.


ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Crystal Johnson, 2015.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Stacie M. Parillo, 2015 December 07.
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

VM 010 - Providence Public Library Photograph Collection

Inventory

Series 1. Legal papers

Box 1, Folder 1

Papers concerning the will of Sarah Waterman and property deeds

1886-1933

Box 1, Folder 2

Transfer to Providence Public Library papers

1946

Series 2. Correspondence

Box 1, Folder 3

Correspondence

1904-1946

Box 1, Folder 4

Correspondence

1944-1964

Series 3. Ledgers and Financial Papers

Box 1, Folder 5

Biennial Reports

1911-1968

Box 1, Folder 6

Treasurer’s ledger

1875-1888

Box 1, Folder 7

Treasurer’s ledger

1901-1908

Box 1, Folder 8

Treasurer’s ledger

1909-1919

Box 1, Folder 9

Treasurer’s ledger

1924-1936

Box 1, Folder 10

Treasurer’s ledger

1936-1946

Box 1, Folder 11

Receipts

1917-1920

Box 1, Folder 12

Receipts

1921

Box 1, Folder 13

Receipts

1922

Box 1, Folder 14

Receipts

1923-1924

Box 1, Folder 15

Receipts

1957-1964

Box 1, Folder 16

Blank receipt books

undated

Box 1, Folder 17

Mortgage bonds

1919-1926

Series 4. Administrative and Membership Records

Box 2, Folder 18