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{{Short description|American librarian (1837–1918)}}
{{other people||Samuel Green (disambiguation){{!}}Samuel Green}}
{{other people||Samuel Green (disambiguation){{!}}Samuel Green}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Samuel Swett Green
| name = Samuel Swett Green
| image = Samuel Swett Green.jpg
| image = Samuel Swett Green.jpg
| office = [[List of presidents of the American Library Association|President of the American Library Association]]
| office = [[List of presidents of the American Library Association|President of the American Library Association]]
| term_start = July 1891
| term_start = July 1891
| term_end = November 1891
| term_end = November 1891
| predecessor = [[Melvil Dewey]]
| predecessor = [[Melvil Dewey]]
| successor = [[Klas August Linderfelt]]
| successor = [[Klas August Linderfelt]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1837|02|20}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1837|02|20}}
| birth_place = [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]]
| birth_place = [[Worcester, Massachusetts|Worcester]], [[Massachusetts]], [[United States]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1918|12|08|1837|02|20}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1918|12|08|1837|02|20}}
| death_place = Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| death_place = Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| nationality = [[United States|American]]
| education = {{unbulleted list|[[Harvard University]]|[[Harvard Divinity School]]}}
| education = {{unbulleted list|[[Harvard University]]}}
| occupation = [[Librarian]]
| occupation = [[Librarian]]
| known_for = founding figure in America’s public library movement
}}
}}
'''Samuel Swett Green''' (February 20, 1837 – December 8, 1918) was a founding figure in America’s [[public library]] movement.
'''Samuel Swett Green''' (February 20, 1837 – December 8, 1918) was an American librarian.


⚫
Green was born in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], to the [[apothecary]] James Green and Elizabeth Swett. He was educated at [[Harvard]], graduating in 1858. A few years later, he attended [[Harvard Divinity School]] but did not graduate until 1864 due to health issues.<ref name="Green, S. S.">{{cite web|last1=Richardson Jr.|first1=John V.|title=Green, Samuel Swett (20 February 1837 - 8 December 1918)|url=http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/jrichardson/dis245/SSGREEN.htm|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Forsaking the ministry, he began his library career in 1867, when he was appointed director of the [[Worcester Public Library|Worcester Free Public Library]].<ref name="SSG & Worcester Lib">{{cite book|title=Samuel Swett Green: Worcester Free Public Library, Worcester, MA., Director 1867-1871, Librarian 1871-1909|date=1909|publisher=Press of F. S. Blanchard & Co.|location=Worcester, MA|pages=[https://archive.org/details/samuelswettgree00coomgoog/page/n4 1]–18|url=https://archive.org/details/samuelswettgree00coomgoog|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> The library was heavily funded by Green’s uncle, Dr. John Green.<ref name="Green, S. S." /> As director, Green focused primarily on the technical aspects of librarianship. He also instituted an [[interlibrary loan]] system and a lending collection of artwork.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mywpl.org/Samuel-swett-green|title=Samuel Swett Green &#124; Worcester Public Library}}</ref> In 1871, he took up the position of librarian, a position he held for 38 years.<ref name="Evolution of Library Reference">{{cite journal|last1=Deng|first1=Liya|title=The Evolution of Library Reference Services: From General to Special, 1876-1920s|journal=Libri: International Journal of Libraries & Information Services|date=September 2014|volume=64|issue=3|pages=254–262}}</ref>
Considered by many to be the "father of reference work", laying the groundwork for widespread reform within the field,<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Tyckoson|first1=David|title=On the Desirableness of Personal Relations Between Librarians and Readers: The Past and Future of Reference Service|journal=Reference Services Review|date=2003|volume=31|issue=1|pages=12–16|doi=10.1108/00907320310460834}}</ref> he opened his presidential address to the American Library Association in 1891 with the memorable words "The function of the library is to serve its users".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Faxon|first1=Frederick W.|title=Bulletin of Bibliography|publisher=F. W. Faxon Company|location=Boston|page=102}}</ref>

== Life ==
⚫
Green was born in [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], to the [[apothecary]] James Green and Elizabeth Swett. He was educated at [[Harvard]], graduating in 1858. A few years later he attended [[Harvard Divinity School]] but did not graduate until 1864 due to health issues.<ref name="Green, S. S.">{{cite web|last1=Richardson Jr.|first1=John V.|title=Green, Samuel Swett (20 February 1837 - 8 December 1918)|url=http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/jrichardson/dis245/SSGREEN.htm|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> Forsaking the ministry, he began his library career in 1867, when he was appointed director of the [[Worcester Free Public Library]].<ref name="SSG & Worcester Lib">{{cite book|title=Samuel Swett Green: Worcester Free Public Library, Worcester, MA., Director 1867-1871, Librarian 1871-1909|date=1909|publisher=Press of F. S. Blanchard & Co.|location=Worcester, MA|pages=[https://archive.org/details/samuelswettgree00coomgoog/page/n4 1]–18|url=https://archive.org/details/samuelswettgree00coomgoog|access-date=5 April 2015}}</ref> The library was, in fact, heavily funded by Green’s uncle, Dr. John Green, who built an impressive collection before his death.<ref name="Green, S. S." /> As director, Green focused primarily on the technical aspects of librarianship, such as proper techniques in cataloging. In 1871 he took up the position of librarian, a position he held for thirty-eight years,<ref name="Evolution of Library Reference">{{cite journal|last1=Deng|first1=Liya|title=The Evolution of Library Reference Services: From General to Special, 1876-1920s|journal=Libri: International Journal of Libraries & Information Services|date=September 2014|volume=64|issue=3|pages=254–262}}</ref> and began introducing changes which would, eventually, be replicated in many other libraries throughout the country.<ref name="SSG & Worcester Lib" /> For instance, the Free Library became the first public library in New England to remain open on Sundays.


Green was elected a member of the [[American Antiquarian Society]] in 1880.<ref>[http://www.americanantiquarian.org/memberlistg American Antiquarian Society Members Directory]</ref>
Green was elected a member of the [[American Antiquarian Society]] in 1880.<ref>[http://www.americanantiquarian.org/memberlistg American Antiquarian Society Members Directory]</ref>

== Philosophy of librarianship ==
In 1876, Green penned his highly influential article, "Personal Relations between Librarians and Readers", which appeared in that year's ''American Library Journal'' (later known simply as ''[[Library Journal]]''). He also presented this work at the 1876 Centennial Conference.<ref name="Green, S. S." /> Green stated that reference librarians should have four goals: teaching patrons about the library's functions and resources, as well as how to utilize them; answering patrons' questions; helping patrons select good reading material; and promoting the library to the greater community. In other words, the library has a duty to the community it serves and must respond to the needs of its patrons. To Green, people ought to feel welcome in their local libraries and librarians should facilitate this by being actively engaged with patrons and personalizing their service for each individual.<ref name="Evolution of Library Reference" />

Green writes, "A librarian should be as unwilling to allow an inquirer to leave the library with his question unanswered as a shopkeeper is to have his customer go out of his store without making a purchase."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shaw|first1=Robert Kendall|title=Samuel Swett Green|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.547659|date=1926|publisher=American Library Association|location=Chicago|page=29}}</ref> He also encouraged objectivity in addressing patrons' queries, instructing librarians to "avoid religiously the practice of cramming the minds of young inquirers with one-sided views regarding questions in dispute."<ref name="Shaw pg. 30">{{cite book|last1=Shaw|first1=Robert Kendall|title=Samuel Swett Green|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.547659|date=1926|publisher=American Library Association|location=Chicago|page=30}}</ref> While librarians should do everything they can to assist their patrons, Green also warned against making these patrons too dependent. Librarians should function, in part, as teachers, helping people gain the skills needed to locate information for themselves.

As another member of the Conference noted, "I wish his paper could be read by every librarian and every library director in the country. A librarian should be much more than a keeper of books; he should be an educator."<ref name="Shaw pg. 30" /> Green's views garnered much attention throughout the library world and generated discussion about the lack of courtesy displayed in many libraries. Indeed, many modern day librarians consider Green's article to be the primary catalyst in the creation of reference service.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wiegand|first1=Wayne|title=This Month, 126 Years Ago|journal=American Libraries|date=2002|volume=33|issue=5}}</ref>

Green was also an advocate of close cooperation between public libraries and schools. He firmly believed that students learned best when they had free access to a wide variety of materials and viewpoints. At the university level, Green encouraged librarians to make available volumes which would be of use to students in their classes and to set aside time for the purpose of reference instruction, in order to assist students in independent research. Outside of the university, the relationship between schools and libraries was no less important. Here, again, Green emphasized cooperation between teachers and librarians, suggesting that libraries choose proper books to supplement the curricula of local elementary and high schools. According to one scholar, "the school and the library are practically one enterprise…they interlock…each is imperfect and insufficient without the other."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Green|first1=Samuel Swett|title=The Public Library Movement in the United States, 1853-1893|date=1913|publisher=The Boston Book Company|location=Boston|page=311|edition=reprint by Gregg Press 1972}}</ref>

Frequent contributor of sketches to the American Antiquarian Society and papers to the newly founded ''Library Journal'', Green authored ''The Public Library Movement in the United States, 1853–1893''. Sprinkled with humorous anecdotes and personal reminiscence, the work is an intimate account of the pioneer organizers of the library movement and a detailed record of its early conventions.

Remembered by friends as a confident, industrious man of small stature and genial disposition, Green attended every Library Association conference during his career, served on numerous committees, created and presented many scholarly papers, and was heavily involved in the local library community. As Green himself remarked, "[I had] done everything in my power to advance the library cause."<ref>{{cite book|last1=Green|first1=Samuel Swett|title=The Public Library Movement in the United States, 1853-1893|date=1913|publisher=The Boston Book Company|location=Boston|page=302|edition=reprint by Gregg Press 1972}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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*Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. ''Reference and Information Services: An Introduction'', 3d ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
*Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. ''Reference and Information Services: An Introduction'', 3d ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
*Coombs, Zelotes Wood. (1909). ''Samuel Swett Green Worcester Free Public Library Worcester Mass. Director 1867-1871; Librarian 1871-1909. (a Memorial.)'' [with a Portrait.]. F.S. Blanchard & Co: Worcester Mass.
*Green, Samuel Swett. [http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/jrichardson/DIS245/personal.htm “Personal Relations Between Librarians and Readers”]. ''Library Journal'', v. 1 (October 1876): 74-81
*Green, Samuel Swett. [https://archive.org/details/librariesschools00greerich ''Libraries and schools: Papers selected by Samuel S. Green'']. New York: F. Leypoldt, 1883.

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[[Category:Presidents of the American Library Association]]
[[Category:Presidents of the American Library Association]]
[[Category:Members of the American Antiquarian Society]]
[[Category:Members of the American Antiquarian Society]]
[[Category:American Library Association people]]

Latest revision as of 10:24, 1 August 2024

For other people with the same name, see Samuel Green.
Samuel Swett Green
President of the American Library Association
In office
July 1891 – November 1891
Preceded byMelvil Dewey
Succeeded byKlas August Linderfelt
Personal details
Born(1837-02-20)February 20, 1837
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
DiedDecember 8, 1918(1918-12-08) (aged 81)
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Education
OccupationLibrarian
Known forfounding figure in America’s public library movement

Samuel Swett Green (February 20, 1837 – December 8, 1918) was an American librarian.

Green was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to the apothecary James Green and Elizabeth Swett. He was educated at Harvard, graduating in 1858. A few years later, he attended Harvard Divinity School but did not graduate until 1864 due to health issues.[1] Forsaking the ministry, he began his library career in 1867, when he was appointed director of the Worcester Free Public Library.[2] The library was heavily funded by Green’s uncle, Dr. John Green.[1] As director, Green focused primarily on the technical aspects of librarianship. He also instituted an interlibrary loan system and a lending collection of artwork.[3] In 1871, he took up the position of librarian, a position he held for 38 years.[4]

Green was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1880.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Richardson Jr., John V. "Green, Samuel Swett (20 February 1837 - 8 December 1918)". Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  2. ^ Samuel Swett Green: Worcester Free Public Library, Worcester, MA., Director 1867-1871, Librarian 1871-1909. Worcester, MA: Press of F. S. Blanchard & Co. 1909. pp. 1–18. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. ^ "Samuel Swett Green | Worcester Public Library".
  4. ^ Deng, Liya (September 2014). "The Evolution of Library Reference Services: From General to Special, 1876-1920s". Libri: International Journal of Libraries & Information Services. 64 (3): 254–262.
  5. ^ American Antiquarian Society Members Directory

Further reading

[edit]
Library resources about
Samuel Swett Green
By Samuel Swett Green
  • Bopp, Richard E. and Linda C. Smith. Reference and Information Services: An Introduction, 3d ed. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 2001.
  • Coombs, Zelotes Wood. (1909). Samuel Swett Green Worcester Free Public Library Worcester Mass. Director 1867-1871; Librarian 1871-1909. (a Memorial.) [with a Portrait.]. F.S. Blanchard & Co: Worcester Mass.
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by President of the American Library Association
1891 		Succeeded by
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