Dissertation Information for Ann E. Hall NAME: - Ann E. Hall
DEGREE:
- Ph.D.
DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science
SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1974)
ADVISORS: - Frances Henne
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: - None
MPACT Status: Incomplete - Ambiguous
Title: PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT IN CALIFORNIA, 1850-1966
Abstract: It was the major purpose of this study to investigate state-wide developments and conditions that facilitated and retarded the growth of
public elementary and secondary school libraries in California between
i850 and 1966. Emphasis was placed on the influence of state legislation, the
California State Department of Education and the Office of, the Superintendent of
Public Instruction, the State Library, and professional organization'S. The relationship of these factors to the development of elementary
school libraries is discussed in chapters-one through three. Secondary school
libraries are covered in chapter four. The activities of the California
Association of School Librarians are discussed in chapter five. Local conditions in
individual school districts have been considered only as examples of state-wide
developments. No attempt has been made to give a county by county
history of school libraries in California. Findings indicate that-throughout the period studied educators and librarians have evolved various means of providing public school
children with bOOKs and other materials. These have included district school library collections, public library service to schools, service from central
school district depositories, collections loaned from county school
libraries, and, libraries maintained in individual schools. The first four types of service have been primarily associated with elementary schools; the last has
been common in secondary schools for many years.
District school libraries were introduced into California largely through the efforts of John Swett, Superintendent of PUblic Instruction for the state from 1862-67. Swett's district school librari plan which
was based on systems in other states, was designed to insure the
establishment of a collection in every school district in the state. A
key feature in the plan was a mandatory law requiring the school districts to
expend 10 per cent of their apportionments from the state school fund for
library materials. This, requirement pertained to grades K-8 only. Although the specified amounts to be expended have varied over the years the school
law of the state has since 1866 provided for some kind of school library
fund. This mandtatory legislation was successful in effecting the
establishment of library collections, but there were no known public
school librarians in California during the nineteenth century to provide direction in
developing library services. Into a leadership vacuum moved some public
librarians. The most signlficant type of public library service to schools was given by
county public libraries. This service was considered successful as far as
providing access to materials was concerned but was deficient because
countylibrarians could not provide continuing library programs within the schools
themselves. Beginning in the late 1940's county superintendents of schools. took over the library services from many of the county public libraries. -
When this action was taken librarians were hired to staff the headquarters,
collections and to supervise all of the technical services. However, few if any·
librarians have been able to provide public services. Some school districts such as Long Beach have decided. to establish libraries in each school. As far as elementary schools are concerned
progress state-wide has been slow in this regard. As late as 1963 Dnly 38 per
cent of California's elementary schools had libraries and only 7 per cent of
the schools had librarians. Nearly all of the secondary schools have
libraries but these are typically understaffed. Findings indicate that staffing problems are significant but that the major task is to establish libraries in the rest of the state's elementary schools. This will probably require complete revision of all
laws relating to school libraries and mandatory state standards.
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MPACT Scores for Ann E. Hall A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:01:47
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