Shot of the Boston Public Library in 1974. The unfinished Prudential Center stands in the background.
(Image from The Guardian)
In May 1974, non-supervisory employees of public libraries were brought under coverage of the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Amendments of 1974. Minimum wage in 1974 was $1.90 an hour.
As of September 1, 1974, 120 public libraries in 117 communities throughout the Commonwealth provided free borrowing privileges to all Massachusetts residents.
What else happened in 1974?
- House Judiciary Committee adopted three articles of impeachment charging President Nixon with obstruction of justice, failure to uphold laws, and refusal to produce material subpoenaed by the committee. Nixon announced he would resign the next day, the first president to do so. Vice President Gerald R. Ford of Michigan was sworn in as 38th president of the U.S. on August 9, 1974.2
- A gallon of regular gas was $0.53.3
- The Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks to win the NBA Championship.2
- People magazine debuted, with Mia Farrow gracing the cover.2
- Premier Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defected and joined the American Ballet Theatre.3
References:
1. MBLC newsletters, 1974.
2. www.infoplease.com [link].
3. www.1970sflashback.com [link].
