History of the Edmondson Avenue Branch

 

The  Edmondson Avenue Branch Library is the perfect tribute to a community's love for and belief in the value of books. In 1943, representatives of various civic groups in the Ten Hills - Edmondson Avenue area wanted a library so much they met together and organized the "Neighborhood Library Group, Inc. for the purpose of establishing a book distributing station in that section. Through the efforts of this group funds were raised to buy books and to prepare quarters for a library station. This venture rapidly out-grew the original plan and the "Neighborhood Library Group" appealed to Edmondson Village, Inc. for space in their newly completed shopping center. Quarters were generously provided and the Enoch Pratt Free Library agreed to take charge of the Station.

The enthusiastic use of this small Station and the rapid growth of the community pointed to the need for a branch building, staffed and equipped to give full library service. Edmondson Village, Inc. recognized this need and gave a site to the City for a branch library.

When the people of Baltimore voted for the first half of the Library Loan in 1947, plans were drawn for an efficient, modern branch library designed to conform to the Williamsburg architecture of the shopping center.The completed Edmondson Avenue Branch "the first new branch library since 1929 is now yours"

In it was found over 18,000 books, 100 current magazines and thousands of pamphlets all selected for "you and your family's use. Visit it often!"
athe Williamsburg architecture of the shopping center. The completed Edmondson Abenue Branch "the first new branch library since"

Timeline:

1950 -	The Meyerhoffs donated the land for the Edmondson branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
1952 -	The library opened to the public hosting 1500 visitors. And the local garden club began a tradition providing flowers for events at the library.
1959 -	The HECHT Co. department shore opened for business on the south side of Edmondson Avenue.
late 1950's  -	Blockbusting caused rapid social change in the Edmondson Village communities.
1965 -	Women groups in the community and the merchant association
1966 -	Planed and celebrated the 18th anniversary of the Edmondson village Shopping.
1967 -	Speculation that a subway would be build from downtown Baltimore to the Social Security Administration In Woodlawn, Honolulu Ltd. (Harry Weinberg) purchased the E.V. Shopping Center.

   The Edmondson Avenue Branch Library celebrated it's 50th Anniversary September 2001.