Art and Music Department, 1949-1985
Scope and Contents
This collection includes monthly and annual reports from the LaHache Music Library, the Westfeldt Art Library, and the Art and Music Department ranging from 1949-1985. The reports track circulation statistics, acquisitions, and staff projects. Many of the reports are accompanied by monthly/ annual narrative reports providing detailed accounts of the department’s activities and accomplishments. These narratives offer keen insight into the organizational culture of the New Orleans Public Library at the time.
Dates
- Creation: 1949-1985
Creator
- From the Collection: New Orleans Public Library (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Available to registered researchers by appointment. Materials are partially microfilmed.
Requesting Materials
Biographical / Historical
The Art and Music Department was a division housed in the Main Library until its closing. Before the opening of the current Main Library building at 219 Loyola in 1958, the Art and Music Department existed as two separate library collections housed at the Milton H. Latter Library on St. Charles Ave. The LaHache Music Library was opened in 1949 following a generous donation by the Theodore V. Martinez family. The Library bears the name of Martinez’s grandfather Theodore von LaHache, a New Orleans organist and composer. The Westfeldt Art Library was opened just a few years later in 1952, also funded by a gift to the New Orleans Public Library and Martha Gasquet Westfeldt’s art collection. After the opening of the new Main Library building in 1958, these two collections were both transferred to the newly minted Art and Music Department.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (2 document boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the City Archives Repository
City Archives & Special Collections
219 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans LA 70112
504-596-2610
archivist@nolalibrary.org