Field Notes, 1926-44
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Brief Description:

Field notes of Julia Wright Merrill, Chief of the Public Library Division, includes notes by her assistants, Grace W. Estes and John Chancellor.

Note: the administrative unit is the Committee on Library Extension from 1926 to February 1931, Library Extension Board from March 1931 to December 1932, and Public Library Division thereafter.

Held at:
The American Library Association Archives
19 Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 217 333 0798
Fax: 217 244 2868
Email: ala-archives [at] library.illinois.edu
Record Series Number: 29/2/16
Created by: Public Library Association (PLA)
Volume: 0.3 Cubic Feet
Acquired: 01/17/1974.
More information is available at https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/alasfa/2902016a.pdf
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by date
Biographical Note for Public Library Association (PLA) :

The Public Library Association is interested in the general improvement and expansion of public library services to all ages in various types of communities. PLA has specific responsibility for:

1. Planning of programs of study and service for the public library as a total institution.

2. Establishment, evaluation, and promotion of standards in the public library field.

3. Review of and bringing together the activities of all unites within the ALA that have a bearing on public library service.

4. Representation and interpretation of public libraries in contacts outside the profession.

5. Stimulation of the development of public librarians and trustees, and stimulation of participation by PLD members in appropriate type-of-activity divisions.

6. Conduct of activities and projects for improvement and expansion of service in this type of library, when such projects are beyond the scope of type-of-activity divisions, after specific approval by the ALA Council.

The Public Library Division was formed by the merger, in August 1950, of the Division of Public Libraries, the Library Extension Division, and the Trustees Division. Bylaws were adopted June 1951 (1).

The Division of Public Libraries was approved by vote of Council in March and October, 1944, following organization meetings, filing of petitions by nearly 1200 members, and preparation of a tentative draft of a constitution and bylaws.

The purpose of the division was to advance public library interests and to cooperate in the promotion of library services in general. The name of the division was changed to the Public Library Association (PLA) in 1958 (2).

Subject Index
Chancellor, John
Estes, Grace W.
Library Extension, Committee On
Library Extension Board
Merrill, Julia W.
Languages of Materials
English [eng]