Library of the Senate: Caretaker of the Senate Past

September 24, 2018 - January 1, 2019

Did you know that until 1981, the Senate Librarian was an elected Officer of the Senate, responsible for many of the Senate's legislative operations?

This exhibition explores the development of the Senate Library, from its origins at the center of the legislative process, to its current roles as reference library and gatekeeper of the Senate's Institutional and legislative past.

For over two hundred years, the Library of the Senate has served as the major source of information on the Institution. In this exhibition, Members and visitors learn about the history of the Senate Library from the documents it published and collected, as well as from the perspective of the people serving within the office — the Senate Librarians.

Legislative Directory, ca. 1880. Senate Library Collections.
Legislative Journal of the Pennsylvania Senate, 1843. Senate Library Collections.
Pen stand of Senate Librarian Charles Lathero ca. 1950s. On loan from family collection of Craig Emerson, grandson of Mary E. Kunkle.
Photograph of Charles Lathero with Senate Library staff. Lathero seated, Mary Kunkle, standing, third from left, ca. 1950s. On loan from family collection of Craig Emerson, grandson of Mary E. Kunkle.
Photograph of Senate Librarian Herman P. Miller. Reproduction. Courtesy of Senate of Pennsylvania.
Photograph of Senate Library interior, Huston Capitol Building, ca. 1906. Reproduction. Courtesy of Capitol Preservation Committee.
Senate Directory, ca. 1879. Senate Library Collections.
Smull's Legislative Handbook, ca. 1915. Senate Library Collections.

Exhibition Team

Megan Martin, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Senate
Evelyn Andrews, Librarian of the Senate
Jess Rodic, Assistant Secretary of the Senate
Sarah Greenwald, Curator and Project Manager, Office of the Secretary of the Senate
Donna Wheeler, Administrative Assistant, Senate Library
George Soule, Administrative Assistant, Senate Library
Amy Gregory, Legal Intern, Office of the Secretary of the Senate

Other Organizations and Individuals: David Craig, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee; Jason Wilson, Historian, Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee; Craig Emerson, grandson of the late Senate Librarian Mary E. Kunkle.