Highlights Archives
The Wisconsin Free Library Commission
A longstanding Wisconsin institution established in the late 19th century to improve and establish standards for the state's system of free public libraries is the subject of the latest featured gallery in Wisconsin Historical Images, the Society's online image database. The Wisconsin Free Library Commission gallery includes images that illustrate the commission's recommendations and standards, not only architectural standards, but emerging library practices and subfields, such as children's services. Library pioneer Lutie Stearns, the first paid staff member of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, advocated for open-stack access for youth. She stated that, with a properly trained librarian, free access to the shelves is not only possible for children, but recommended. Photographs in the collection depict examples of libraries that enjoyed success with open-stack access to children.
Origins of the Commission
An act of the Wisconsin Legislature (Chapter 314, laws of 1895) established the Wisconsin Free Library Commission 1895 "… to give advice and counsel to all free libraries in the state, and to all communities which may propose to establish them, as to the best means of establishing and administering such libraries, the selection of books, cataloging, and other details of library management. The commission may also send its members to aid in organizing new libraries or in improving those already established."
The Commission's Mission Expands
Due to the initial success of the Wisconsin Free Library Commission, the next Legislature expanded its duties and provided more resources. In 1901 and 1903 lawmakers again broadened the scope of the commission and provided even greater financial means. By 1904 the mission of the Free Library Commission had expanded beyond organizing new libraries and giving aid and guidance to those already in existence.
The Commission maintained a system of traveling libraries, served as a clearing house for periodicals in order to build up reference collections of bound periodicals in the public libraries of the state, operated a document department for the care and exchange of state documents, established a legislative reference library in cooperation with the Wisconsin Historical Society Library, and established a summer school for library training with the purpose of improving the service in small public libraries. It also frequently issued book lists for the guidance of librarians and book committees, and gave advice regarding library building plans, using a collection of plans created for the benefit of Wisconsin libraries.
In 1965 the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction incorporated the commission and its responsibilities, renaming it the Division for Library Services. It remains a division of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, but is currently known as the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning.
Visit the Gallery
:: Posted August 6, 2009
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