The Library History Buff

Promoting the appreciation, enjoyment, and preservation of library history

A National Library Heritage Center: A Concept

Underlying Vision

The people of the United States and the American library community will appreciate and understand the heritage of America’s libraries and the contribution that America’s libraries have made and continue to make to our country. They will gain this appreciation as a result of the efforts of a National Library Heritage Center to promote and preserve America's library heritage.

Purpose of a National Library Heritage Center  

• To contribute to a greater understanding by the American people and America’s library community of how the legacy of the past has contributed to the development of today’s libraries.
• To promote the telling of the story of America’s libraries in multiple venues and through multiple modes.
• To provide recognition of those individuals and institutions which have made a significant contribution to the development of America's libraries.
• To promote the preservation of artifacts and archives of America's library heritage and access to those artifacts and archives.
• To encourage and support research on the history of America's libraries.
• To foster partnerships between libraries and museums/historical societies at the national, state, and local levels.

Some Possible Projects for a National Library Heritage Center

• Creation and maintenance of a national database of archival collections of importance to American library history.
• Creation and maintenance of a national database of artifacts of importance to American library history.
• Coordination of the digitization of archival and historical resources of importance to American library history.
• The sponsorship of national traveling exhibits related to American library history.
• The designation of national library heritage sites.
• Facilitation of the creation of a library heritage center in each state.
• Housing or supporting the expansion of the American Library Association Archives.
• Housing or supporting a premier research collection of library history resources.
• Support for a library historian in residence program.

One Scenario for Establishing a National Library Heritage Center

• The American Library Association would provide the initial and possibly the ongoing leadership for creating and maintaining a National Library Heritage Center.
• ALA would create a  Steering Committee to promote and oversee the Center. 
• ALA would assume the primary responsibility for funding the Center through outside fundraising and the establishment of a mechanism for members to contribute on the ALA membership dues form.
• The expansion of the ALA Archives at the University of Illinois would be a primary component of this approach.
• ALA would seek the support of other partners in promoting and supporting the Center.  These could include: divisions and units within ALA; the Library of Congress; the Institute for Museum and Library Services; the Smithsonian Institution; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Friends of Libraries USA; the University of Illinois; the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; state library agencies; and state library associations.

Another Scenario for Establishing a National Library Heritage Center

• The Library of Congress would provide the initial and possibly the ongoing leadership for creating and maintaining a National Library Heritage Center.
• The Center would be modeled on the successful Center for the Book.
• The Library of Congress would seek federal legislation that would create and fund the Center.
• The library history resources of the Library of Congress would be identified and utilized to support the center.
• The Library of Congress would seek the support of other partners in promoting and supporting the Center.  These could include: the American Library Association and its individual units; the Institute for Museum and Library Services; the Smithsonian Institution; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Friends of Libraries USA; the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; state library agencies; and state library associations.

Other Thoughts about a National Library Heritage Center

It would also be possible to spin off the National Library Heritage Center as a separate legal entity after its initial establishment. 

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Send comments or questions to nix@libraryhistorybuff.org
Last updated: 12-16-08   © 2005-2008 Larry T. Nix
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