History of Public Library Advocacy
Encyclopedia
Public libraries
in the American Colonies
can be traced back to 1656, when a Boston
merchant named Captain Robert Keayne
willed his collection of books to the town. Many of the early colonists had brought books with them from England.
Church collections of books used by the public served as early versions of libraries in New England
around the 18th century. One such example is the Kings Chapel Library in Boston, which was founded in 1698 with book donations from the Bishop of London
.
Reverend Thomas Bray
was instrumental in the establishment of libraries for public use. This Anglican
clergyman had sponsored several parish libraries in England, and from 1695-1704 he managed to establish 70 libraries in the American Colonies. These included five provincial libraries located in the major cities of time, 39 parochial libraries at Anglican parishes, and 35 layman libraries
where ministers were allowed to loan the materials to their local residents. Bray’s provincial libraries in Maryland
and South Carolina
were both the beneficiaries of the first laws passed by the local legislation to secure and maintain the libraries in their provinces.
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin
and his fellow members of the Junto established the Library Company of Philadelphia
. This type of subscription library
brought access to books for the residents who paid to become a member. It also served as a model and inspiration for many other libraries that began to spring up throughout the colonies. Other types of libraries included commercial circulating libraries
, athenaeums
, and school-district libraries. The start of the development of the American library as we know it today, however, began in full force between 1850 and 1900.
British colonists brought their love of books to America
with the deceased often leaving their collections to the public. For example, Robert Keayne
left his collection to his community; Boston Town Hall considered a “subscription” or “society” library.
1800’s
Library of Congress
: The destruction of the Library of Congress
by the British in the War of 1812
was devastating. However, the purchase of Thomas Jefferson
’s personal library which contained more of a broad interest influenced future public library content.
Public Library Advocates
1833 The New York State school district raises taxes for public libraries.
1876 The American Library Association
(ALA) is fundamental for the continued advocacy
and political involvement of public libraries.
Women’s organizations were instrumental in advocating for public libraries importance and shaping the role of public libraries.
Caroline M. Hewing, librarian and library advocate, was the first children’s library associate.
Since revenue from property taxes and federal funding alone does not support public libraries, advocates
look to new ways of obtaining money:
They seek private donations from library advocates
Andrew Carnegie
's vast donations set precedent for philanthropist’s vital participation.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provide internet access
and computer related grants. However, there is much controversy involved in whether private donations can hurt the integrity of libraries.
In 2009, Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) join to become an expanded division of ALA
known as ALTAFF, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations.
Friends of the Library
provide support through raising the budget of libraries by book sales and outreach. ALTAFF continues to fight for library and user rights, tackling such issues as youth access to internet content and censorship
, such as with the sponsorship of Banned Book Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read.
Public Libraries continue to use a variety of innovative ways to advertise and advocate
the importance of their services for the community through Twitter, blogs, and Facebook and by offering services such as internet/wireless access to the availability of different forms of media.
opened in 1854 thanks to the efforts of Edward Everett
and George Ticknor
, local leading figures who wrote the Report in 1852. This document identified the historical importance of the written word and libraries and included passionate arguments for the necessity of a library in Boston
.
Boston Public Library
, however, was not the first library supported by local taxes
and available for all citizens. New Hampshire
was one of the first to use new state laws to its advantage, which entitled local government units to levy tax
es. New Hampshire
then founded the first completely tax-supported local public library
in the United States under the model of “open to all and free of charge”. This was the beginning of the modern library movement. Civic leaders identified tax
es as an excellent primary means of support for libraries
.
New York made the decision to open libraries to the public, supported by tax
money raised by the local school districts. While this concept ultimately failed, it served as a foundation for current public library
system.
The American Library Association
was formed out of the Convention of Librarians
held in Philadelphia in 1876. At the first meeting, Melvil Dewey
was in attendance along with 102 other men and 13 women. It was an agreed philosophy among those present that the importance of reading contributed directly to social progress. The aim of the Association
, in that resolution, was "to enable librarians to do their present work more easily and at less expense."
The same year also saw the establishment of Library Journal
, which was edited by Melvil Dewey
. The publication is still the most respected within the profession.
was also instrumental at the New York State Library
as he developed a part of the library collection specifically for children, created the job of a librarian dedicated solely to reference materials, and spearheaded traveling libraries to serve communities without access to public libraries. Dewey stated, “that state libraries were the best agencies for supporting the development of public and school libraries.”
Nearly every large city could boast of a public library
by the 1870s. Caroline Hewins
became the first librarian of the Hartford Public Library
and was active in the American Library Association
. Hewins
led the way in a new era of women as librarians and a general rise in librarianship in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Dewey
founded the Columbia School of Library Economy
in New York City, which later became the New York State Library School, with the majority of the students being women.
for public libraries by providing money for construction. Andrew Carnegie
began his legacy in 1881 by presenting his workers in Pittsburgh with a library
. “I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people,” said Carnegie. 2,500 libraries
were constructed as a result of his philanthropy.
was formed. This national organization became one of the main advocates for free public libraries in the United States. In 1904, Mrs. Charles A. Perkins wrote, in the Federation Bulletin (the official organ of the GFWC), that “clubs had established 474 free public libraries.” In order to start these libraries, clubwomen would advocate for various forms of legislation. Laws were needed to enable municipalities to provide tax support to libraries. The lobbying for this legislation created state commissions. Clubwomen would also raise money by utilizing their own skills through bake sales, entertainments, and other small-scale fund-raising events. Books were collected through donations or purchased from the funds earned by the clubs.
In 1914, the executive secretary of the American Library Association
, G.B. Utley, stated that “fully one half the libraries in the country had been established through the influence of American women.”
, the American Library Association
established its Library War Service. Librarians expanded their services by work on the home front and overseas. Because of the success of libraries during the war, the development of library services were encouraged and promoted for all Americans.
support for libraries expanded, the idea of promoting adult education
became the focus in public libraries. In 1924, "the report to the Carnegie Corporation, The American Public Library and the Diffusion of Knowledge, included the observation that 'the free public library is already an accepted and cherished figure in American intellectual life...'"
In 1926, the ALA study, Libraries and Adult Education, was published, and the Board on Library and Adult Education (later the Adult Education Board) was established. The concept of libraries being connected with education quickly spread throughout the United States. "During the 1920's and 1930s ALA embraced the idea of libraries as a means to provide adult educational opportunities and combined this idea with many efforts to extend library service to unserved areas."
Executive Board developed a National Plan through its National Planning Committee. This was designed to “examine the inequity of tax-support for public libraries and sought provision of financial support so that library materials might be available throughout the nation.” The National Plan was approved by the American Library Association
in 1935.
The Public Library Association division of the American Library Association
was founded in 1944. It was developed to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and services. It is a member-driven organization that provides a diverse program of publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service. Among the Public Library Association's priority concerns are adequate funding for public libraries and improved access to library resources.
American Library Association
published "A National Plan for Public Library Service" in 1948. This proposed “a nation-wide minimum standard of service and support below which no library should fall." The plan advocated for equalization of financial support, pointing out the inequalities among states in per capita spending for public libraries.
In 1945, the American Library Association
opened a Washington, DC office to strengthen their ties with the Office of Education and with Congress.
Between 1947 and 1952, the American Library Association
hosted a study called "Public Library Inquiry." It was multipart study “to define legitimate library activity by adapting the traditional educational purposes of libraries to new social conditions and the public’s willingness to pay for such services.”
Through a concerted effort by the American Library Association
’s division of American Library Trustee Association, the Library Services Act was passed in 1956, currently called the Library Services and Technology Act
. John E. Fogarty, worked with Senator Lister Hill to establish the LSA. The history of this effort is highlighted in James Healey's monograph: John E. Fogarty: Political Leadership for Library Development. Congressman Fogerty was impressed by the pioneer work of Rhode Island state librarian, Elizabeth Myer, and went on to champion extension of library service.
Before receiving federal aid, the Library Service Act required that
each state submit a plan for library development in underserved areas,
especially in rural areas.
. Eight African-American students refused to leave the Greenville Public Library and were arrested but soon released. A mere two months later the Greenville Public Library opened as an integrated facility. Despite the deep-rooted feelings between African-Americans and Whites, most southern cities were more willing to integrate the public libraries over other public facilities. According to Michael Fultz, “Of seventy-six southern cities with a population of fifty thousand or more in 1963, seventy-one had integrated main library facilities; sixteen of the twenty-one largest Deep South cities had integrated main libraries, although only two had integrated schools" However, the significance of public library
African-American integration in this decade should not be downplayed.
In the 1970s and 1980s, public libraries began to understand the importance of working with American youth to promote education. According to Shirley A. Fitzgibbons, “More public libraries began to offer programs and services for preschoolers at younger ages, including toddlers and babies along with parents and caretakers, in recognition of this educational role to facilitate language and literacy development of the young child.” This concept has proven to be instrumental in the development of childhood literacy into the current decade.
In 1986, Nancy Herman, who works for American Library Association’s office for Intellectual Freedom, said that 2 different schools in Illinois was challenging Mark Twain’s book Huck Finn because the schools were saying that the book was racist. The book was not banned due to the NAACP saying that the “book should not be banned, but should be explained” (Fred Rothenburg)
In May 1988, a library in New Haven, Connecticut decided to take all of their materials that were getting really old, brittle, falling apart of even deteriorating like books, maps, manuscripts and other materials to be transferred to microfilm, so that the materials could be saved.
March 13, 1991 – around sixty librarians and trustees got together to find ways to be able to get more funding for libraries “from the state and municipalities and to press for country aid.” They feel like they need more funding and support especially for the younger generation to get the skills and information that they need or get from the library. They are also going to try to get libraries to get advocacy groups to help with funding libraries as well.
On August 31, 1995 – There is a public school library that is banning books from their classrooms because of the content of some of the books. “The liberal advocacy group said that there were 338 attempts to remove or restrict access to a book and 169 attempts were successful. Most of the books that were being challenged are due to the fact that they have profanity, violence or sexual scenes.” (Milwaukee Journal)
Aug of 1998, “The National Multiple Sclerosis society has a library that they lend library materials that they send home with postage paid return envelope. They also have materials for people that are visually impaired.”(Cedartown Standard)
In 2003, public libraries American bookstores are required by the Patriot Act’ Section 215 to surrender to the FBI lists of books or other materials the customers has accessed. The ALA’s code Ethics says to “resist all efforts to censor library materials and to protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.” (David H. Price)
In 2005 and 2006, The American Baseball League and ALA have joined together to get fans of all “different ages to participate in their contest about online baseball trivia competition.” This competition of baseball trivia is to being awareness to “the 21st Century literacy skills such as using computers and other media and knowing how to find evaluate and use information.” (PR Newswire) Also this game hopefully challenges the participants to get more familiar with the library by answering different kinds of baseball questions.
In 2008, The Gates foundation gave 6.9 Million dollars to help libraries that are struggling to have internet or faster internet to their patrons. This money will be split in two by “6.1 Million going to a non-profit broadband advocacy group and the rest of the money going to ALA’s office for Technology Policy.” (David Chartier) This extra money that these businesses get from the Gates Foundation will help out tremendously with the huge increase in patrons using the libraries use of free internet access.
In 2010, schools, filmmakers, and others are able to get the technology that they need to be able to help the people that are deaf or visually impaired and others to be able to see or hear movies, books or other materials. Just like the public libraries are able to provide some materials with other companies doing this will help people that are visually impaired or blind not to feel like they can’t do anything since no other company provides the technology that they need besides libraries. Also e-readers will have an option to have the book or material on the e-reader read out loud to the person.
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
in the American Colonies
Thirteen Colonies
The Thirteen Colonies were English and later British colonies established on the Atlantic coast of North America between 1607 and 1733. They declared their independence in the American Revolution and formed the United States of America...
can be traced back to 1656, when a Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
merchant named Captain Robert Keayne
Robert Keayne
Robert Keayne was a prominent public figure in 17th-century Boston, Massachusetts. He co-founded the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts; served as speaker of the House of the Massachusetts General Court; and worked as a tailor...
willed his collection of books to the town. Many of the early colonists had brought books with them from England.
Church collections of books used by the public served as early versions of libraries in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
around the 18th century. One such example is the Kings Chapel Library in Boston, which was founded in 1698 with book donations from the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
.
Reverend Thomas Bray
Thomas Bray
The Reverend Dr Thomas Bray was an English clergyman, who spent time in Maryland as an Anglican representative.-Life:...
was instrumental in the establishment of libraries for public use. This Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
clergyman had sponsored several parish libraries in England, and from 1695-1704 he managed to establish 70 libraries in the American Colonies. These included five provincial libraries located in the major cities of time, 39 parochial libraries at Anglican parishes, and 35 layman libraries
Lending library
A lending library is a library from which books are lent out. The earliest reference to or use of the term "lending library" yet located in English correspondence dates from ca. 1586; C'Tess Pembroke Ps. CXII. v, "He is .....
where ministers were allowed to loan the materials to their local residents. Bray’s provincial libraries in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
were both the beneficiaries of the first laws passed by the local legislation to secure and maintain the libraries in their provinces.
In 1731, Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
and his fellow members of the Junto established the Library Company of Philadelphia
Library Company of Philadelphia
The Library Company of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of historically valuable manuscripts and printed material in...
. This type of subscription library
Subscription library
A subscription library is a library that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments...
brought access to books for the residents who paid to become a member. It also served as a model and inspiration for many other libraries that began to spring up throughout the colonies. Other types of libraries included commercial circulating libraries
Subscription library
A subscription library is a library that is financed by private funds either from membership fees or endowments...
, athenaeums
Boston Athenæum
Boston Athenæum is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States. It is also one of only sixteen extant membership libraries, meaning that patrons pay a yearly subscription fee to use the Athenæum's services...
, and school-district libraries. The start of the development of the American library as we know it today, however, began in full force between 1850 and 1900.
Early History, prior to 1900
1600’sBritish colonists brought their love of books to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with the deceased often leaving their collections to the public. For example, Robert Keayne
Robert Keayne
Robert Keayne was a prominent public figure in 17th-century Boston, Massachusetts. He co-founded the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts; served as speaker of the House of the Massachusetts General Court; and worked as a tailor...
left his collection to his community; Boston Town Hall considered a “subscription” or “society” library.
1800’s
Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
: The destruction of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
by the British in the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
was devastating. However, the purchase of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
’s personal library which contained more of a broad interest influenced future public library content.
Public Library Advocates
1833 The New York State school district raises taxes for public libraries.
1876 The American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA) is fundamental for the continued advocacy
Public Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
and political involvement of public libraries.
Women’s organizations were instrumental in advocating for public libraries importance and shaping the role of public libraries.
Caroline M. Hewing, librarian and library advocate, was the first children’s library associate.
Since revenue from property taxes and federal funding alone does not support public libraries, advocates
Public Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
look to new ways of obtaining money:
They seek private donations from library advocates
Public Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
's vast donations set precedent for philanthropist’s vital participation.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provide internet access
Internet access
Many technologies and service plans for Internet access allow customers to connect to the Internet.Consumer use first became popular through dial-up connections in the 20th century....
and computer related grants. However, there is much controversy involved in whether private donations can hurt the integrity of libraries.
In 2009, Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) join to become an expanded division of ALA
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
known as ALTAFF, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations.
Friends of the Library
Friends of Libraries
Friends of Libraries USA are non-profit charitable, groups formed to support libraries in their communities. Friends of Libraries groups are often involved in fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism,public awareness campaigns, and literacy programs.-See also:...
provide support through raising the budget of libraries by book sales and outreach. ALTAFF continues to fight for library and user rights, tackling such issues as youth access to internet content and censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
, such as with the sponsorship of Banned Book Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read.
Public Libraries continue to use a variety of innovative ways to advertise and advocate
Public Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
the importance of their services for the community through Twitter, blogs, and Facebook and by offering services such as internet/wireless access to the availability of different forms of media.
Public Libraries Emerge
The Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to...
opened in 1854 thanks to the efforts of Edward Everett
Edward Everett
Edward Everett was an American politician and educator from Massachusetts. Everett, a Whig, served as U.S. Representative, and U.S. Senator, the 15th Governor of Massachusetts, Minister to Great Britain, and United States Secretary of State...
and George Ticknor
George Ticknor
George Ticknor was an American academician and Hispanist, specializing in the subject areas of languages and literature. He is known for his scholarly work on the history and criticism of Spanish literature....
, local leading figures who wrote the Report in 1852. This document identified the historical importance of the written word and libraries and included passionate arguments for the necessity of a library in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library
The Boston Public Library is a municipal public library system in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in the United States, the first large library open to the public in the United States, and the first public library to allow people to...
, however, was not the first library supported by local taxes
Taxation in the United States
The United States is a federal republic with autonomous state and local governments. Taxes are imposed in the United States at each of these levels. These include taxes on income, property, sales, imports, payroll, estates and gifts, as well as various fees.Taxes are imposed on net income of...
and available for all citizens. New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
was one of the first to use new state laws to its advantage, which entitled local government units to levy tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
es. New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
then founded the first completely tax-supported local public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
in the United States under the model of “open to all and free of charge”. This was the beginning of the modern library movement. Civic leaders identified tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
es as an excellent primary means of support for libraries
Public Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
.
New York made the decision to open libraries to the public, supported by tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
money raised by the local school districts. While this concept ultimately failed, it served as a foundation for current public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
system.
Formation of Library Associations
1853 was the year of the first Librarians’ Convention. It was held in New York City and attended by 80 men. For three days, the men discussed issues critical to the institutions, such as cataloging, collection development, and communication.The American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
was formed out of the Convention of Librarians
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
held in Philadelphia in 1876. At the first meeting, Melvil Dewey
Melvil Dewey
Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
was in attendance along with 102 other men and 13 women. It was an agreed philosophy among those present that the importance of reading contributed directly to social progress. The aim of the Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
, in that resolution, was "to enable librarians to do their present work more easily and at less expense."
The same year also saw the establishment of Library Journal
Library Journal
Library Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
, which was edited by Melvil Dewey
Melvil Dewey
Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
. The publication is still the most respected within the profession.
The Field of Library Science
DeweyMelvil Dewey
Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
was also instrumental at the New York State Library
New York State Library
The New York State Library is part of the New York State Education Department. The Library and its sister institutions, the New York State Museum and New York State Archives, are housed in the Cultural Education Center...
as he developed a part of the library collection specifically for children, created the job of a librarian dedicated solely to reference materials, and spearheaded traveling libraries to serve communities without access to public libraries. Dewey stated, “that state libraries were the best agencies for supporting the development of public and school libraries.”
Nearly every large city could boast of a public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
by the 1870s. Caroline Hewins
Caroline Hewins
Caroline Maria Hewins was an American librarian.American Libraries includes Caroline Hewins as one of the 100 Most Important Leaders we had in the 20th Century for her work as a librarian, where she is noted for her contributions to children's library services She was a librarian at the Hartford...
became the first librarian of the Hartford Public Library
Hartford Public Library
Hartford Public Library’s history spans more than 200 years. It began in 1774 as the Library Company, started by a group of city leaders. The founding members included Jonathan Brace, Jeremiah Wadsworth, Daniel Wadsworth, George Bull, Elisha Colt, Theodore Dwight, George Goodwin, Chauney Goodrich...
and was active in the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
. Hewins
Caroline Hewins
Caroline Maria Hewins was an American librarian.American Libraries includes Caroline Hewins as one of the 100 Most Important Leaders we had in the 20th Century for her work as a librarian, where she is noted for her contributions to children's library services She was a librarian at the Hartford...
led the way in a new era of women as librarians and a general rise in librarianship in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Dewey
Melvil Dewey
Melville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
founded the Columbia School of Library Economy
Library science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
in New York City, which later became the New York State Library School, with the majority of the students being women.
Philanthropy as Advocacy
Benefactors also played a large role in advocatingPublic Library Advocacy
Public library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
for public libraries by providing money for construction. Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
began his legacy in 1881 by presenting his workers in Pittsburgh with a library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
. “I choose free libraries as the best agencies for improving the masses of the people,” said Carnegie. 2,500 libraries
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
were constructed as a result of his philanthropy.
Public Library Advocacy and Women
The turn of the century continued to see rapid growth in the establishment of public libraries. During the late 19th century, the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC)General Federation of Women's Clubs
The General Federation of Women's Clubs , founded in 1890, is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service...
was formed. This national organization became one of the main advocates for free public libraries in the United States. In 1904, Mrs. Charles A. Perkins wrote, in the Federation Bulletin (the official organ of the GFWC), that “clubs had established 474 free public libraries.” In order to start these libraries, clubwomen would advocate for various forms of legislation. Laws were needed to enable municipalities to provide tax support to libraries. The lobbying for this legislation created state commissions. Clubwomen would also raise money by utilizing their own skills through bake sales, entertainments, and other small-scale fund-raising events. Books were collected through donations or purchased from the funds earned by the clubs.
In 1914, the executive secretary of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
, G.B. Utley, stated that “fully one half the libraries in the country had been established through the influence of American women.”
Public Library Advocacy and World War I
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
established its Library War Service. Librarians expanded their services by work on the home front and overseas. Because of the success of libraries during the war, the development of library services were encouraged and promoted for all Americans.
Public Libraries and Education
During the 1920s, the role of public libraries began to shift. As federalFederal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
support for libraries expanded, the idea of promoting adult education
Adult education
Adult education is the practice of teaching and educating adults. Adult education takes place in the workplace, through 'extension' school or 'school of continuing education' . Other learning places include folk high schools, community colleges, and lifelong learning centers...
became the focus in public libraries. In 1924, "the report to the Carnegie Corporation, The American Public Library and the Diffusion of Knowledge, included the observation that 'the free public library is already an accepted and cherished figure in American intellectual life...'"
In 1926, the ALA study, Libraries and Adult Education, was published, and the Board on Library and Adult Education (later the Adult Education Board) was established. The concept of libraries being connected with education quickly spread throughout the United States. "During the 1920's and 1930s ALA embraced the idea of libraries as a means to provide adult educational opportunities and combined this idea with many efforts to extend library service to unserved areas."
1935 - 1960
In 1934, the American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
Executive Board developed a National Plan through its National Planning Committee. This was designed to “examine the inequity of tax-support for public libraries and sought provision of financial support so that library materials might be available throughout the nation.” The National Plan was approved by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
in 1935.
The Public Library Association division of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
was founded in 1944. It was developed to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and services. It is a member-driven organization that provides a diverse program of publication, advocacy, continuing education, and programming for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service. Among the Public Library Association's priority concerns are adequate funding for public libraries and improved access to library resources.
American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
published "A National Plan for Public Library Service" in 1948. This proposed “a nation-wide minimum standard of service and support below which no library should fall." The plan advocated for equalization of financial support, pointing out the inequalities among states in per capita spending for public libraries.
In 1945, the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
opened a Washington, DC office to strengthen their ties with the Office of Education and with Congress.
Between 1947 and 1952, the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
hosted a study called "Public Library Inquiry." It was multipart study “to define legitimate library activity by adapting the traditional educational purposes of libraries to new social conditions and the public’s willingness to pay for such services.”
Through a concerted effort by the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
’s division of American Library Trustee Association, the Library Services Act was passed in 1956, currently called the Library Services and Technology Act
Library Services and Technology Act
The Library Services and Technology Act was signed on October 1, 1996 by United States President Bill Clinton. LSTA is a United States federal library grant program. Its roots come from the Library Services Act that was first enacted in 1956. LSTA replaced the Library Services and Construction Act...
. John E. Fogarty, worked with Senator Lister Hill to establish the LSA. The history of this effort is highlighted in James Healey's monograph: John E. Fogarty: Political Leadership for Library Development. Congressman Fogerty was impressed by the pioneer work of Rhode Island state librarian, Elizabeth Myer, and went on to champion extension of library service.
Before receiving federal aid, the Library Service Act required that
each state submit a plan for library development in underserved areas,
especially in rural areas.
1960 - 1985
The 1960s brought about turmoil in libraries across the southern United States. African-Americans attempted to access white libraries across the American South. One of the most famous examples included the 1960 sit-in at Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. Eight African-American students refused to leave the Greenville Public Library and were arrested but soon released. A mere two months later the Greenville Public Library opened as an integrated facility. Despite the deep-rooted feelings between African-Americans and Whites, most southern cities were more willing to integrate the public libraries over other public facilities. According to Michael Fultz, “Of seventy-six southern cities with a population of fifty thousand or more in 1963, seventy-one had integrated main library facilities; sixteen of the twenty-one largest Deep South cities had integrated main libraries, although only two had integrated schools" However, the significance of public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
African-American integration in this decade should not be downplayed.
In the 1970s and 1980s, public libraries began to understand the importance of working with American youth to promote education. According to Shirley A. Fitzgibbons, “More public libraries began to offer programs and services for preschoolers at younger ages, including toddlers and babies along with parents and caretakers, in recognition of this educational role to facilitate language and literacy development of the young child.” This concept has proven to be instrumental in the development of childhood literacy into the current decade.
1985 - Present
In 1985 – there was a volunteer that worked in a public library that played an important role in her community by taking books every week to the elderly and handicapped people in their community. She also took her own time to help out the elderly by helping the read tax and other forms that they needed to fill out.In 1986, Nancy Herman, who works for American Library Association’s office for Intellectual Freedom, said that 2 different schools in Illinois was challenging Mark Twain’s book Huck Finn because the schools were saying that the book was racist. The book was not banned due to the NAACP saying that the “book should not be banned, but should be explained” (Fred Rothenburg)
In May 1988, a library in New Haven, Connecticut decided to take all of their materials that were getting really old, brittle, falling apart of even deteriorating like books, maps, manuscripts and other materials to be transferred to microfilm, so that the materials could be saved.
March 13, 1991 – around sixty librarians and trustees got together to find ways to be able to get more funding for libraries “from the state and municipalities and to press for country aid.” They feel like they need more funding and support especially for the younger generation to get the skills and information that they need or get from the library. They are also going to try to get libraries to get advocacy groups to help with funding libraries as well.
On August 31, 1995 – There is a public school library that is banning books from their classrooms because of the content of some of the books. “The liberal advocacy group said that there were 338 attempts to remove or restrict access to a book and 169 attempts were successful. Most of the books that were being challenged are due to the fact that they have profanity, violence or sexual scenes.” (Milwaukee Journal)
Aug of 1998, “The National Multiple Sclerosis society has a library that they lend library materials that they send home with postage paid return envelope. They also have materials for people that are visually impaired.”(Cedartown Standard)
In 2003, public libraries American bookstores are required by the Patriot Act’ Section 215 to surrender to the FBI lists of books or other materials the customers has accessed. The ALA’s code Ethics says to “resist all efforts to censor library materials and to protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.” (David H. Price)
In 2005 and 2006, The American Baseball League and ALA have joined together to get fans of all “different ages to participate in their contest about online baseball trivia competition.” This competition of baseball trivia is to being awareness to “the 21st Century literacy skills such as using computers and other media and knowing how to find evaluate and use information.” (PR Newswire) Also this game hopefully challenges the participants to get more familiar with the library by answering different kinds of baseball questions.
In 2008, The Gates foundation gave 6.9 Million dollars to help libraries that are struggling to have internet or faster internet to their patrons. This money will be split in two by “6.1 Million going to a non-profit broadband advocacy group and the rest of the money going to ALA’s office for Technology Policy.” (David Chartier) This extra money that these businesses get from the Gates Foundation will help out tremendously with the huge increase in patrons using the libraries use of free internet access.
In 2010, schools, filmmakers, and others are able to get the technology that they need to be able to help the people that are deaf or visually impaired and others to be able to see or hear movies, books or other materials. Just like the public libraries are able to provide some materials with other companies doing this will help people that are visually impaired or blind not to feel like they can’t do anything since no other company provides the technology that they need besides libraries. Also e-readers will have an option to have the book or material on the e-reader read out loud to the person.
See also
- American Library AssociationAmerican Library AssociationThe American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
- Andrew CarnegieAndrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
- Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationBill & Melinda Gates FoundationThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family"...
- Education for librarianshipEducation for librarianshipEducation for librarianship is the term for the educational preparation for professional librarians. This varies widely in different countries. In the United States and Canada, it generally consists of a one- or two-year Masters degree program in library science...
- Friends of LibrariesFriends of LibrariesFriends of Libraries USA are non-profit charitable, groups formed to support libraries in their communities. Friends of Libraries groups are often involved in fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism,public awareness campaigns, and literacy programs.-See also:...
- Guerrilla librarianGuerrilla librarianA guerrilla librarian is a person who may or may not be a professional librarian, but has otherwise taken up the stewardship of books or other material. This stewardship is usually outside the acceptance of authority figures, hence the guerrilla or underground nature of the action taken...
- Informatics (academic field)Informatics (academic field)Informatics is the science of information, the practice of information processing, and the engineering of information systems. Informatics studies the structure, algorithms, behavior, and interactions of natural and artificial systems that store, process, access and communicate information...
- Librarian
- Library Company of PhiladelphiaLibrary Company of PhiladelphiaThe Library Company of Philadelphia is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded by Benjamin Franklin as a library, the Library Company of Philadelphia has accumulated one of the most significant collections of historically valuable manuscripts and printed material in...
- Library historyLibrary historyLibrary history is subdiscipline within library science and library and information science focuing on the history of libraries and their role in societies and cultures. There is today a tendency to broadening the field and to speak of information history...
- Library of CongressLibrary of CongressThe Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
- Library JournalLibrary JournalLibrary Journal is a trade publication for librarians. It was founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey . It reports news about the library world, emphasizing public libraries, and offers feature articles about aspects of professional practice...
- Library ScienceLibrary scienceLibrary science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
- List of Libraries
- List of Library Associations
- Melvil DeweyMelvil DeweyMelville Louis Kossuth Dewey was an American librarian and educator, inventor of the Dewey Decimal system of library classification, and a founder of the Lake Placid Club....
- OCLCOCLCOCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. is "a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world’s information and reducing information costs"...
- Philanthropy
- Preservation (library and archival science)Preservation (library and archival science)Preservation is a branch of library and information science concerned with maintaining or restoring access to artifacts, documents and records through the study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of decay and damage....
- Public LibraryPublic libraryA public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
- Public Library AdvocacyPublic Library AdvocacyPublic library advocacy is support given to a public library for its financial and philosophical goals or needs. Most often this takes the form of monetary or material donations or campaigning to the institutions which oversee the library...
- Public SpacePublic spaceA public space is a social space such as a town square that is open and accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age or socio-economic level. One of the earliest examples of public spaces are commons. For example, no fees or paid tickets are required for entry, nor are the entrants...