Historical Dictionary of Librarianship

Although the history of librarianship as an organized profession dates only as far back as the mid-nineteenth century, the history of libraries is much older, and people have been engaged in pursuits that we recognize as librarianship for many thousands of years. This book traces librarianship from its origins in ancient times through its development in response to the need to control the flood of information in the modern world to the profound transformations brought about by the new technologies of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.The Historical Dictionary of Librarianship focuses on librarianship as a modern, organized profession, emphasizing the period beginning in the mid-nineteenth century. Author Mary Ellen Quinn relates the history of this profession through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, libraries around the world, and notable organizations and associations. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about librarianship.

Librarianship is a young profession, but libraries have been part of human civilization for centuries. Quinn fills a gap in the library literature with this historical dictionary. Included are an excellent introduction on world libraries and librarianship covering ancient, medieval, and modern times; a chronology of major events from 2700 BCE to the present; and a list of abbreviations and acronyms. This dictionary of library history includes entries on major events related to libraries and librarianship; biographies of well-known leaders in the field from many countries; and information on library associations and organizations worldwide. The emphasis is on the modern era of librarianship from the mid 19th century to the present in Anglo-American countries. Featuring 300-plus entries, with cross-references, this dictionary also includes an excellent selective bibliography organized by reference resources, historical resources, and subject headings ranging from ‘Academic Libraries’ to ‘Young Adult Librarianship.’ Appendixes include a list of all US and Canadian library schools from 1925 forward, and information on librarians, libraries, and library schools in other countries of the world, as of 2007. Overall, this is an excellent reference tool and research guide for librarians, library educators, students, and scholars. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All library schools and libraries; graduate students through professionals., This . . . inexpensive addition to the historical dictionary series arrives at a perfect time; with the nature of libraries and librarianship in the midst of what many consider transformative change, it is more important than ever to be able to put our profession in an appropriate context. Quinn's fine book makes that possible., Quinn’s Historical Dictionary of Librarianship is a well-rounded work, containing an appropriate and carefully researched selection of entries on the history of the profession. . . . [I]t is attractively priced and should be a purchase for all libraries serving institutions educating library professionals, as well as larger libraries looking for a single-volume summary guide to library history., The commissioning of Mary Ellen Quinn’s Historical Dictionary of Librarianship is welcome recognition of the importance of libraries and librarians at a time when the increasingly digital nature of information renders library services decreasingly visible., Overall, the real value of the book lies in its historical content and comprehensive listing of library-related information.

Mary Ellen Quinn worked as a librarian for most of her career. From 1997–2011, she worked at the American Library Association as the editor of the Reference Books Bulletin section of Booklist, the association’s review journal. She was also the managing editor of Booklist Online from 2006–11. She has published numerous articles related to library collection development and reference publishing, including Reference Books Bulletin’s annual encyclopedia update. She wrote the “Librarian’s Library” column in American Libraries from 2007–11. In 2001, she received the Louis Shores Award for excellence in book reviewing for libraries.