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Dissertation Information for Ellis Mount

NAME:
- Ellis Mount

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- Columbia University (USA) (1978)

ADVISORS:
- Phyllis Dain

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Richard L. Darling
- Jane Stevens

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Ambiguous

Title: HISTORY OF THE ENGINEERING SOCIETIES LIBRARY, 1913-1973

Abstract: The purpose of this dissertation is to describe the creation and the development of an internationally known library, the Engineering Societies Library, located in New York City. The study covers the first sixty years of the library's history (1913-1973).
The nature of engineering is briefly reviews in the first chapter, including the significance of engineering education, technical literature and engineering societies. This is followed by a chapter devoted to the development of technical libraries, especially those sponsored by the organizations which were later the original founders of the library, namely the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Mining Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

The next chapter relates to the events leading up to the creation of the library, including the construction of the first home for the library and its sponsoring societies. The significance of Andrew Carnegie's generous gift in relation to the construction of the building is described. Following that is a chapter covering the early years (1907-1917), during which the library is seen to change from a loose confederation of society libraries into one unified library, which dating from 1913, was governed by a board responsible to the United Engineering Society, rather than to the individual sponsoring societies. The chapter includes an account of the terms of office of the early directors, one of whom was William P. Cutter, the nephew of Charles A. Cutter.

Following that are several chapters describing the events in the terms of office of the next three directors of the library-- Harrison W. Craver, Ralph H. Phelps and S.K. (Kirk) Cabeen. The latter's term is covered only until 1973, the year marking the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the library. A summary chapter concludes the work.

The term of each director is discussed in relation to the work of the Library Board, library operations (including collection development, reader services, technical services, staffing and the like), and the development of a closely related organization, Engineering Index. It is shown how closely intertwined the library and the Index have been during their years of operation. Attention is given to the advantages resulting from the sponsorship of the library by several major engineering societies, including the strong holdings in the library's collection of society publications. Special characteristics of the library, such as its classified catalog and its heavy use by other libraries seeking interlibrary loans or copies of literature, are fully described. Also included is a brief account of the role played at the library by two of its better known alumni Margaret Mann and Ralph Shaw.

The work includes charts showing collection growth, technical service activity and reader service statistics. Photographs are included which show interior and exterior shots of the former and the present library. Two organization charts are provided.

MPACT Scores for Ellis Mount

A = 6
C = 4
A+C = 10
T = 6
G = 1
W = 6
TD = 6
TA = 0
calculated 2008-07-25 19:08:12

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