Preferred Citation

[Item identification], Mary Powell Scott Papers, MS411, Alexandria Library, Local History and Special Collections, Alexandria, Virginia

Biographical Note

Mary Powell Scott, often referred to in records as Mrs. Louis Scott, was an active member of the Alexandria Library Association and later the Alexandria Library Society, rising to become its president from December 1936 to November 1939, a period that included both the opening of the free library in 1937 and the Alexandria Library sit-in.

Mary Donaldson Powell was born on 8 October 1880 to Robert C. Powell and Mary Gregory in Virginia. On 4 June 1902, she married Louis Slesman Scott (1872-1933) of Philadelphia in the City of Alexandria. They had two children, Nancy P. Scott and John C. Scott. She lived in Alexandria after her husband's death in March 1933 until her own on 16 May 1957.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of records relating to the operation of the library society during the period of Scott's presidency. These include copies of by-laws and the contract for the site of library itself, as well as a resolution taken toward the end of her tenure. There is also a notebook containing lists and financial information from the period of her leadership. For minutes, see the official society records and those of the library.

Another document of note is a letter of resignation from the library board signed by future librarian of Alexandria Ellen Coolidge Burke, dated a few days after her initial hiring as a part-time cataloger. The reasons for the letter are not stated.

Related Material

Alexandria Library Board Records

Alexandria Library Company Records (MS002)

Alexandria Library Records (MS098)

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Alexandria (Va.) -- Associations, institutions, etc.
• Alexandria (Va.). Library
• Alexandria Library Association (1897-1937)
• Alexandria Library Company (1794-1881, 1953)
• Alexandria Library Society (1937-1953)
• Burke, Ellen Coolidge
• Public libraries.