JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
  • About K
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Alumni Relations
  • Giving to K
  • News & Events
  • Student Life
  • HORNET HIVE
  • ATHLETICS
  • SITEMAP
  • WEBMAIL
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • History
    • History Senior Individualized Projects
    • View Item
    •   CACHE Homepage
    • Academic Departments, Programs, and SIPs
    • History
    • History Senior Individualized Projects
    • View Item

    Melvil Dewey and the Advancement of Librarianship

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Searchable PDF / Kalamazoo College Only (1.386Mb)
    Date
    1978
    Author
    King, Kenneth E.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    The field of library history remains a rather neglected area of study but is nonetheless filled with interesting characters and trends. One of the most fascinating and certainly among the most important of the individuals in library history is Melvil Dewey. His constant striving for greater efficiency in library work resulted in such contributions as the first library school, a library periodical, and a national library association. This last, the American Library Association, was'founded in 1876, coinciding with a national trend of professionalization and vocational organization. The "coming 'of age" of the library profession can be seen as typical in many ways of the rise of many diverse disciplines to the positions of importance and respect which they hold today. One excellent study of this phenomenon explains the ascent of professionalism in terms of the ambitions of the growing middle class and the subsequent accommodation of these goals by the American higher educational system. But what was a profession to offer the educated member of the middle class? And 'that was Melvil Dewey's vision of what the library pr1ofession could become? For Dewey was certainly a man of vision as well as a practical innovator. To better understand the man and his motives, it is necessary to place Dewey in his cultural framework, against a backdrop before which his thoughts and actions' will have some coherence. To talk of the foundation of the American Library Association in ·an age when that organization boasts close to 40,000 members is difficult, and one must be aware of the conditions under which the foundation took place. Why Melvil Dewey reasoned that the librarian was ready in 1876 to take his place among the newly organized professionals is related in varying degrees to societal trends, to Dewey's personality and drive, and to the advancing state 'of the library art during his lifetime.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10920/24590
    Collections
    • History Senior Individualized Projects [655]

    Browse

    All of DSpaceCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2021  DuraSpace
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV
    Logo

    Kalamazoo College
    1200 Academy Street
    Kalamazoo Michigan 49006-3295
    USA
    Info 269-337-7000
    Admission 1-800-253-3602

    About K
    Academics
    Admission
    Alumni Relations
    Giving to K
    News & Events
    Student Life
    Sitemap
    Map & Directions
    Contacts
    Directories
    Nondiscrimination Policy
    Consumer Information
    Official disclaimer
    Search this site


    Academic Calendars
    Apply
    Bookstore
    Crisis Response
    Employment
    Library
    Registrar
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV