Blakely, Florence (1923-2013) | The American Library Association Archives

Name: Blakely, Florence (1923-2013)

Fuller Form: Florence Ella

Historical Note: Florence E. Blakely was born in Clinton, South Carolina in 1923 [1]. She received her bachelor’s degree in History from Presbyterian College in 1943 [2]. She received a B.S. in Library Science in 1945 and later received an M.A. in Library Science from Peabody Library School [1]. In 1949, she began her career at Duke University Library as a reference librarian where she later became head of the department. She was a visiting lecturer in Library Science and was active in the Southeastern Library Association, the North Carolina Library Association, and the American Library Association. She was a member of Beta Phi Mu, the American Association of University Women, and held a Council on Library Resources Fellowship. In 1974, at the Reference and Adult Services Division Membership Meeting during the Annual Conference of the American Library Association, Blakely was awarded the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Citation for distinguished contributions to reference librarianship [2]. Florence E. Blakely passed in 2013.

Sources:

[1] Cole, Dorothy Ethlyn, 1907-, and Columbia University. School of Library Service. Who's Who In Library Service: a Biographical Directory of Professional Librarians of the United States And Canada. 3d ed. New York: Grolier Society, 1955.

[2] Barber, Peggy. Florence E. Blakely Awarded the Isadore Gilbert Mudge Citation. 9 July 1974. 12/1/11, Box 1. Public Relations News Releases, 1933-34, 1961-2000. The American Library Association Archives, Urbana, Illinois.

Note Author: Ella McDonald

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