The records of the Ladies Library Association of Ann Arbor include minutes of meetings, anniversary and celebratory materials, clippings and photographs, and financial records. The records of the Ladies Library Association of Ann Arbor are arranged in two series: Organizational Records and Audio Cassettes.
The Ladies Library Association of Ann Arbor was established in 1866 as a subscription library with dues set at three dollars a year. The idea of a free public library was discussed early on with the thought that the city might match support for the library. In 1870, the organization proposed that the city council take over the subscription library and make it a public one. This idea was rejected. In 1879, the Association rejected the idea of combining its collection with that of the Board of Education. Instead, it purchased land on East Huron and in 1885 moved into its new quarters.
In the first decade of the twentieth century, the Association began negotiations with Andrew Carnegie for a grant to build a new building. Also needing municipal support, the Association turned to the Ann Arbor School Board, and together they tentatively agreed to provide the necessary support (along with a $15,000 Carnegie grant) for a public library building. Negotiations stalled over the site of the new library. Instead, and following close upon the burning down in 1904 of the old high school, it was agreed that the library would form a wing of the new high school. In 1907, with the completion of the new high school and library, the Board of Education invited the Ladies Library Association to join the school district library. In 1916, the Association presented their collection of books to the library and deeded their Huron Street property to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
