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Dissertation Information for Chieko Tachihata

NAME:
- Chieko Tachihata

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Library and Information Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Southern California (USA) (1981)

ADVISORS:
- Dennis Thomison

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- William T. Stanley
- Edward E. Lieb

MPACT Status: Fully Complete

Title: THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF HAWAII PUBLIC LIBRARIES: THE LIBRARY OF HAWAII AND HAWAII STATE LIBRARY, 1913-1971

Abstract: The history and development of public libraries in Hawaii, particularly Hawaii's first and most important public library, the Library of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Library were influenced by several features unique to Hawaii: an island environment and geographical isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a highly centralized form of government, and a multicultural population predominantly of Asians.

The study traces the history of public libraries from the earliest reading rooms to the founding of the Library of Hawaii, to the establishment of county libraries, and ultimately the formation of a single statewide system responsible for the direct operation of all public libraries in the state. There have never been city operated public libraries in Hawaii because there is no city level of government.

After an introductory chapter on the scope of the study and previous historical research, and second chapter describes the forerunners of public libraries established primarily by missionaries and merchants during the period from 1820 to 1912. Foremost among these libraries was the Honolulu Library of the Honolulu Library and Reading Room Association established in 1879 which set important precedents for the Library of Hawaii. The Honolulu Library disassociated itself from the aims of some of the early reading rooms and libraries of providing a suitable diversion from drinking and other unsuitable pastimes. Women were allowed to become members soon after its opening, and children were given free, but limited privileges. The library's finances, however, were never stable and the library was absorbed by the Library of Hawaii which opened in 1913.

Hawaii's isolation did not deter Andrew Carnegie from making a $100,000 grant for a building for the Library of Hawaii. The history of the library is presented in chapters covering approximately a decade. From 1913 to 1921 the highly centralized form of government determined that the library not only served as a city library for Honolulu, but also as a territorial library by providing small deposit collections to communities and schools on all islands. In 1921 county libraries were established and the Library of Hawaii limited its scope of service to the island of Oahu, although it retained minor supervisory authority over the county libraries. The decade of the twenties were years of growth in the collection and services of the Library of Hawaii only to be followed by the severe budget reductions of the 1930s depression.

During the Second World War military personnel and defense workers dominated the use of the library. The postwar years saw the increase in the number of branch libraries and the addition of more nonprint materials. The study concludes with the impact of statehood for Hawaii in 1959 until 1971. During these years the Library of Hawaii and the county libraries were consolidated into the present Hawaii State Library System within the state Department of Education. The Central Library of the Library of Hawaii became the Hawaii State Library and functions today in the unusual combination of a metropolitan library for Honolulu as well as a state library.

Particular attention is given to the Library of Hawaii's adult collection development, young adult and children's services, extension services, and staffing needs. The influence of the library on school libraries and in the Americanization of the Asian children is discussed. A number of censorship cases is described. The work includes tables giving user and financial statistics as well as maps of Hawaii.

MPACT Scores for Chieko Tachihata

A = 0
C = 0
A+C = 0
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-07-20 15:01:47

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