Special Libraries Association, Records of the Maryland Chapter

The Maryland Chapter of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) was established in 1930 and is the 10th oldest Chapter in the organization. Originally named the Baltimore Special Libraries Association, or “the Baltimore Chapter,” the chapter changed its name to the Maryland Chapter in 1999. The first president of the chapter, then called the Chair, was Laura Woodward.

A meeting was held on the evening of May 15, 1930 at the Hidden Gardens, 721 St. Paul Street concerning establishing a local chapter of the Special Libraries Association. Twenty people attended, mostly special librarians from Baltimore City as well as representatives of several corporations interested in the organization of a library. The meeting was called to order by Dr. Horace Flack from the Legislative Reference Department at City Hall. Rebecca B. Rankin, a librarian from the Municipal Reference Library in New York City and a former SLA President, spoke about the purpose of the SLA, its history, the activities of the groups in existence (civic-social, commercial-technical, financial, insurance, museum, and newspaper), the value of personal contact, the inter-changing of ideas, the opportunity of learning the facilities of other Baltimore libraries, and the spirit of cooperation prevalent among the National Association members. A petition to form a local chapter was signed by sixteen of those present, in accordance with the requirements of the National Association. On June 13, 1930, the Baltimore Special Libraries Association became affiliated with the national organization.

The objectives adopted in 1930 included: to foster and develop a greater interest in libraries; to foster increased interest in the use and extension of special library facilities; to assemble, discuss mutual problems, and through that interchange of ideas broaden members’ knowledge of the aim and functions of special libraries; and to promote frequent social contacts among the special librarians of Baltimore, in order to increasing their spirit of cooperation.

From 1930-1943, the Chapter published The Baltimore News Letter. Sometime between 1943 and 1947 News and Notes, Baltimore Chapter, SLA came into being.

Originally, six meetings were held each year, usually in Baltimore city. From its early years it was a practice of the Chapter to carry on a planned series of visits to the special libraries of the Baltimore metropolitan area in order to give the members a chance to gain acquaintance with the collection, personnel, and operations of outstanding special libraries in the area. This was also the basis of informal cooperation between the special librarians of Baltimore city as well as cooperation between special and non-special libraries in the Baltimore area. One of the projects completed that first year was a pamphlet, “Research Facilities in Baltimore,” based on a survey conducted about the organization, services and scope of collections of the special libraries of Baltimore city.

In 1977 the Board of Directors of the national organization voted that the boundaries of the Baltimore Chapter be the state of Maryland except the counties of Montgomery and Prince Georges.