“The Public Library Inquiry” by Robert Leigh

There were some predictions about public libraries that this inquiry did get right. One was that libraries would develop interlibrary networks that would pool resources like holdings, but also share some administrative duties. As a library patron, I know that the interlibrary loan system is now a part of every library that I have ever come into contact with, including my small town library which was a part of a Southern Minnesota regional library network. The library networks as far as I know work really well and live up to the predictions made in the 1950s survey.

In addition, the inquiry was correct that librarians would become much more professionalized, and I did not realize how out of date this inquiry was until they wrote about the state of single-year library education after bachelor degrees. In 1950, when bachelor’s degrees were not nearly as common as now, it seems like that would have been a prediction that was not at all certain to ring true. Not being a library student myself, I wonder what the consensus is amongst the current library students about the level of education they receive during two years’ worth of post-bachelor’s education. With all the technological changes that have occurred since 1950, wouldn’t there be more material to cover than could be accomplished in merely one additional year?

This article made me question also when the last time a comprehensive survey was done on this scale, or even if a follow-up study was done concerning the predictions that the author made about library services. I would imagine that at least some of the outlooks and goals of librarians would have changed at least slightly, and to be able to compare this study with another that takes into account the opinions and goals of public librarians would be a great source of primary data.

One prediction that I am actually surprised has not come true was the merging of school and children’s librarian education. Apparently, to be a school librarian today one needs a teaching certificate, but considering that children’s librarians deal with children in similar ways as school librarians, why are they separated by different kinds of mandatory preparation? In considering my own aspiring goals in the library field, I have to take into account that school librarianship would require a few year’s worth in additional tuition bills, not a small amount of debt to take on simply for an equivalent job.

One question I would have for the other students within the library school is whether they think that library administration is as professionalized as the survey had predicted. I honestly have no idea about the actual state of affairs, but I would venture to guess that along with librarians in general, the administrative field has become much more professional but perhaps is still not staffed with those who are actually most experienced in library practices, rather simply staffed by the men that apply for the job.