Finding Aid for League of Library Commissions File, 1904-1944 | The American Library Association Archives

By (Unknown); Salvatore V. De Sando

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Collection Overview

Title: League of Library Commissions File, 1904-1944

ID: 29/5/5

Primary Creator: Public Library Association (PLA)

Other Creators: Library Extension Board

Extent: 1.2 Cubic Feet

Arrangement: By subject and chronological thereunder

Date Acquired: 04/26/1974

Subjects: American Library Laws, Beal, Marjorie, Bement, Constance, League of Library Commissions, Library Extension Section, O'Malley, Ruth, State Agency Section of The Extension Division, Williams, Elizabeth, Williams, Hazel B., Yerxa, Catherine

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Files of the League of Library Commissions, affiliated with the American Library Association, from its initial formation in 1904, until its incorporation into the ALA in 1942 as the State Agency Section of the Extension Division, through 1951 when it became the Library Extension Section (later the Library Extension Board) of the Public Library Division, now the Public Library Association, contains president's records, correspondence, secretaries' reports (1904-1934), proceedings and minutes of meetings (1932-42), conferences (1907-24, 1937-40), and the League handbooks (1906-22), includes correspondence with Marjorie Beal (1934- 37), Elizabeth Williams (1935-36), Catherine Yerxa (1936-38), Ruth O'Malley (1938-42), Constance Bement (1937-39), Hazel B. Williams (1939-44), and correspondence on the Supplement to Library Laws (1935-42).

Biographical Note

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 Terms

American Library Laws
Beal, Marjorie
Bement, Constance
League of Library Commissions
Library Extension Section
O'Malley, Ruth
State Agency Section of The Extension Division
Williams, Elizabeth
Williams, Hazel B.
Yerxa, Catherine

Administrative Information

Repository: The American Library Association Archives

Other Note: 1 Pages

PDF Box/Folder List

URL: https://files.archon.library.illinois.edu/alasfa/2905005a.pdf

PDF finding aid for League of Library Commissions File (29/5/5)

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