Part of Our Lives
A People's History of the American Public Library
Published on 29. October 2015
Book
Hardback
344 pages
978-0-19-024800-0 (ISBN)
Description
Despite dire predictions in the late twentieth century that public libraries would not survive the turn of the millennium, their numbers have only increased. Two of three Americans frequent a public library at least once a year, and nearly that many are registered borrowers. Although library authorities have argued that the public library functions primarily as a civic institution necessary for maintaining democracy, generations of library patrons tell a different story.
In Part of Our Lives, Wayne A. Wiegand delves into the heart of why Americans love their libraries. The book traces the history of the public library, featuring records and testimonies from as early as 1850. Rather than analyzing the words of library founders and managers, Wiegand listens to the voices of everyday patrons who cherished libraries. Drawing on newspaper articles, memoirs, and biographies, Part of Our Lives paints a clear and engaging picture of Americans who value libraries not only as civic institutions, but also as social spaces for promoting and maintaining community.
Whether as a public space, a place for accessing information, or a home for reading material that helps patrons make sense of the world around them, the public library has a rich history of meaning for millions of Americans. From colonial times through the recent technological revolution, libraries have continuously adapted to better serve the needs of their communities. Wiegand goes on to demonstrate that, although cultural authorities (including some librarians) have often disparaged reading books considered not "serious" the commonplace reading materials users obtained from public libraries have had a transformative effect for many, including people like Ronald Reagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Oprah Winfrey.
A bold challenge to conventional thinking about the American public library, Part of Our Lives is an insightful look into one of America's most beloved cultural institutions.
In Part of Our Lives, Wayne A. Wiegand delves into the heart of why Americans love their libraries. The book traces the history of the public library, featuring records and testimonies from as early as 1850. Rather than analyzing the words of library founders and managers, Wiegand listens to the voices of everyday patrons who cherished libraries. Drawing on newspaper articles, memoirs, and biographies, Part of Our Lives paints a clear and engaging picture of Americans who value libraries not only as civic institutions, but also as social spaces for promoting and maintaining community.
Whether as a public space, a place for accessing information, or a home for reading material that helps patrons make sense of the world around them, the public library has a rich history of meaning for millions of Americans. From colonial times through the recent technological revolution, libraries have continuously adapted to better serve the needs of their communities. Wiegand goes on to demonstrate that, although cultural authorities (including some librarians) have often disparaged reading books considered not "serious" the commonplace reading materials users obtained from public libraries have had a transformative effect for many, including people like Ronald Reagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Oprah Winfrey.
A bold challenge to conventional thinking about the American public library, Part of Our Lives is an insightful look into one of America's most beloved cultural institutions.
Reviews / Votes
The surprising connection between libraries and alcohol is one of the many fascinating revelations of Wiegand's narrative, which demonstrates that library history is also the history of social life and civic culture. * Faye Hammill, Times Higher Education * Wayne Wiegand, a distinguished academic, has entered the arena with a narrative covering almost three centuries which neatly complements his previous books ... This book presents a fascinating snapshot of social history in local communities, well compiled, and with a thoughtful commentary. * K.A. Manley, Library & Information History * Part of Our Lives is a richly detailed, deeply researched, eminently readable book. It will certainly become a standard work in the historiography of American public libraries. * Tom Glynn, Journal of American History * For impatient readers, I will cut right to the chase: this is a landmark book. Wayne A. Wiegand, if there was any doubt, is a fine historian. He is also a fine scholar and has a supple grasp of contemporary theory. This book blends both but is overwhelmingly straight-on history done chronologically, extraordinarily well documented and imaginatively researched ... a fresh look at what is known and a fresh look at what has been overlooked ... It is an excellent history that should be read throughout the profession and beyond. * The Library Quarterly * Wayne Wiegand, a distinguished academic, has entered the arena with a narrative covering almost three centuries which neatly complements his previous books ... This book presents a fascinating snapshot of social history in local communities, well compiled, and with a thoughtful commentary. * Library & Information History * Wiegand's commitment to libraries and his extensive grounding in American library history make this people's perspective account particularly useful for scholars and others interested in librarianship, cultural studies, and American history. * Indiana Magazine of History *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
20 illus.
Dimensions
Height: 260 mm
Width: 183 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
836 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-024800-0 (9780190248000)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2017
Oxford University Press Inc
€31.80
Shipment within 15-20 days
Wayne A. Wiegand
Part of Our Lives: A Peoples History of the American Public Library
A Peoples History of the American Public Library
E-Book
09/2015
1st Edition
Oxford University Press
€27.59
Available for download
E-Book
09/2015
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.99
Available for download
Person
Wayne A. Wiegand is F. William Summers Professor Emeritus of Library and Information Studies at Florida State University and former director of the Florida Book Awards. Often referred to as the "Dean of American library historians," he is the author of more than one hundred articles and numerous award-winning books, including An Active Instrument for Propaganda: American Public Libraries During World War I and Irrepressible Reformer: A Biography of Melvil Dewey. In 2008-9, he was a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow to support his research on the American Public Library. He now lives in the California Bay area.
Content
Introduction ; 1. 'Improv'd the General Conversation of Americans': Social Libraries Before 1854 ; 2. For 'Plain People': The American Public Library,1854-1876 ; 3. 'The Best Reading for the Greatest Number at the least Cost': 1876-1893 ; 4. 'The Liberty to Read What They Will and When': 1893-1917 ; 5. 'Habitations on a Literary Map:' 1917-1929 ; 6. 'One Island of Refuge': 1929-1945 ; 7. 'Winning the Battles of Daily Life': 1945-1964 ; 8. 'An Individual Meaning to Each User': 1964-1980 ; 9. 'Library Paste is a Precious Part of Social Glue': 1980-2000 ; Epilogue. 2000-Present