Public Library Children's Service: Two Studies

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY INQUIRY (1949 to 1952) did not include a study of children’s service, although Director Robert D. Leigh had referred to it in most flattering terms. As a result, the former Children’s Library Association of the American Library Association, knowing the need for information, interpretation, and evaluation of these services which had been growing and developing in the larger cities as well as in many smaller communities through the first half of the twentieth century, took steps to conduct a study. They believed that this unique service had characteristics which made it of special importance to children, to the community, and to the perpetuation of the literary culture of the country. As two survey committees worked on the project, many individual librarians and representatives of other professions were consulted. The work of these committees resulted in a proposal, which was approved by the ALA Executive Board, to seek foundation funds to finance a survey which would accomplish the following: to examine the unique nature and the values of public library services to and for children, to study the extent to which those services are provided throughout the country, and to study the library personnel needed to provide the services, with special consideration of the causes of the present severe shortage of children’s librarians. There were obstacles of various kinds, including the need for financing of other ALA programs and the reorganization of ALA, all of which resulted in a long delay in making a request. After the reorganization of ALA, responsibility for this kind of study devolved upon the Library Administration Division. While funds for the inclusive project could not be secured, in March 1958 the Old Dominion Foun-