Spotlight Video: Part of Our Lives – Dr. Wayne A. Wiegand, September 22, 2015–Kansas City Public Library
The Dean of American Library Historians discusses his book chronicling the history of public libraries…
List of Lectures and Documentaries
Jillian Costello, a ninth grade honors student in Rhode Island, created this outstanding and inspiring video about the Greenville 8, the eight civil rights pioneer who integrated the Greenville Public Library (South Carolina).
A Brief History of Public Libraries
“Author and historian Sarah A. Chrisman explores the Iowa state law library in Des Moines while telling a brief overview of the history of public libraries.”
Do We Still Need Libraries? (from the PBS series Origin of Everything, Season 2, Episode 22)
“In the internet age what’s the point of libraries? Do we even still need these brick and mortar buildings when a lot of knowledge can be found online? Today, Danielle examines the history of libraries around the world and what role they still play in society.”
History of Digital Libraries, Part 1
Dr. Jeffrey Pomerantz, a Senior Researcher with the EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research presents “a brief history of digital libraries, focusing on the National Science Foundation’s role in the 1990s, and the Gore Bill.” Fascinating talk.
The History of Metadata for Libraries
Dr. Jeffrey Pomerantz, SLIS faculty at Simmons University, offers a short video about the origins of metadata in libraries.
The Ancient Library of Alexandria
Few libraries are as intriguing as the Library of Alexandria. This Library of Congress video features expert Hassan M. Eltaher discussing the fabled library.
Part of Our Lives: A People’s History of the American Public Library, Book Discussion
Dr. Wayne Wiegand, the Dean of American Library Historians, discusses his book at the Kansas City Public Library. He “explains why libraries remain one of the country’s most beloved cultural institutions. Not only are they places for accessing information, they’re also valued as social spaces for promoting and maintaining community. For many including Ronald Reagan, Oprah Winfrey, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, their impact has been transformative.”
Columbus Library Desegregation Roundtable (Columbus Museum, Georgia)
“In the summer of 1963, nearly 40 African American teenagers protested the segregation of Columbus’ public libraries through organized “read-ins.” Though they faced scorn and arrest, the young people continued their silent protests for weeks, leading to the libraries’ desegregation. For the first time together, four of the activists – Christine Dawson, Gwendolyn Jackson, Ibrahim Mumin, and Cleophas Tyson – will share their stories. This roundtable was moderated by Dr. Wayne A. Wiegand, author of The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South. Learn more about this vital moment in local Civil Rights history with the people who lived it.”
A History of School Librarianship
Dr. Wayne Wiegand discusses his current research project — a history of the American public-school library. Video produced by the Library of Congress.
History of GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program
The USGPO presents a history of one of the largest publishing and dissemination systems on earth.
Rebekah Hosford, Youth Services Librarian at Mount Pleasant Public Library, has produced a creative short video about the history of libraries and books in general.
History of Libraries and LIS Professions
C. Â-Re, a doctoral student at the College of Communications and Information at The University of South Carolina, created many great videos for the classes she teaches, keep scrolling to find her three part series on the history of libraries.
The History of Reading Public Library
Berks Community Television broadcasted this video of the history of one of Pennsylvania’s premier libraries.
Cleveland Public Library History
Cleveland Public Library has produced an excellent promotional film that incorporates historic photos and recollections. I like the timeline and interviews with current librarians.
History of Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
A free archived webinar from ALA: “Join intellectual freedom educators and advocates Emily Knox, Joyce Latham, and Candace Morgan as they discuss the history of intellectual freedom and censorship, covering issues from the Roman Empire through today. Explore why knowledge of these topics and how they occur is critical to work as a librarian, library trustee, or library staff member.”
Free for All: Inside the Public Library
“A multi-platform project about America’s most beloved institution, where doors are open to all and everything is free.” Take a look at the available videos of Robin Williams and others’ talking about libraries, and librarian relief efforts after Superstorm Sandy. A project of Serendipity Films.
The Library Book (Susan Orlean) Simon & Schuster Book Club Favorites Discussion
Librarians discuss the best-selling library history book by Susan Orlean, about the Los Angeles Public Library fire.
A to Z: The First Alphabet (PBS Nova)
Examines how the rise of writing shaped the growth of the human knowledge record.