MINERVA ETHEL GRIMM (1870-1963)

Today would be the 131^st birthday of Minerva (or Minnie) Grimm.

Her father was a German-born cigar maker and her mother was born in NY.

Minerva Grimm began working at the New York Free Circulating Library in 1897 at the Bond Street Branch.  In 1898 she took the Harvard University summer course in English, a program aimed at teachers that was open to women.  Grimm transferred to the Yorkville Branch in 1900 and the following year was promoted to head that branch.

After consolidation, Grimm continued to head Yorkville until 1905 when she became Branch Librarian at the newly opened Tremont Branch in the Bronx.  In 1907 she took a leave of absence for unknown reasons.  She returned in 1908 as head of the newly opened Morrisania Branch and worked there until she resigned in 1929. 

When the NYPL Library School opened in 1911 Grimm became a part-time student while she headed Morrisania.  She received her certificate for completing the one-year course in 1913 and her degree for the two-year course in 1914.

There are only a few clues about Grimm’s life after she left NYPL.  The 1930 census shows her working for the Los Angles (CA) Public Library while the LAPL report for 1932 announced her resignation.  A 1936 voter registration list (she registered as a Republican) shows her living at the Rosicrucian Fellowship in San Diego and working as a librarian.  Another voter registration record for 1942 lists her as retired and living again in the Los Angeles area. 

Minerva Grimm died in Los Angeles in 1963.

LOUISE ELIZABETH JONES (1879-1955)

Louise E. Jones was born in Wisconsin 132 years ago today.

Prior to becoming a librarian, Jones was interested in both teaching and art.  She earned a diploma in Latin from the Oshkosh Normal School in 1900 and then became a teacher.  She left teaching to come to New York City and earned a degree in Manual Art from Pratt Institute in 1906.

In 1910 she entered NYPL and began studying at Teachers College (earning a BS in 1911).  She later earned a two-year degree from the NYPL Library School in 1916.

Louise Jones was promoted to Branch Librarian at the Rivington Street Branch in 1917.   She was transferred to the Aguilar Branch in 1920 and was credited with turning around a troubled branch.  In 1921 she was transferred to the Tremont Branch in the Bronx.  This was regarded as a very important assignment, and at the time Jones was described as “unquestionably one of the most able graduates" of the NYPL Library School.

Louise Jones resigned from NYPL in 1923, shortly after her mother’s death.  She subsequently moved to Denver where she served as Supervisor of Libraries for the public schools, 1923-1924.  She then moved to Los Angeles to work at the LA Public Library, eventually becoming head of the Philosophy and Religion Department.