Technological Innovations in Libraries, 1860-1960 - (Contributions in Librarianship and Information Science) by Klaus Musmann (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book chronicles the attitudes of librarians toward technological innovations that took place between 1860 and 1960. These years saw the invention and subsequent diffusion of electricity, photography, the telephone, the phonograph, motion pictures, the radio, and television. Many of these inventions had a profound impact on society. Some were adopted by librarians and had an equally significant influence on library services, while others faded away at an early stage and now rest peacefully buried in archives. This monograph records the attempts of a few librarians to integrate a number of technological innovations into the library environment and to project their possible future applications. Their education and experience often did not prepare them for a time of rapid change, yet, in spite of these shortcomings, both libraries and the profession managed to survive rather well the onslaught of technology.

Book Synopsis

This book chronicles the attitudes of librarians toward technological innovations that took place between 1860 and 1960. These years saw the invention and subsequent diffusion of electricity, photography, the telephone, the phonograph, motion pictures, the radio, and television. Many of these inventions had a profound impact on society. Some were adopted by librarians and had an equally significant influence on library services, while others faded away at an early stage and now rest peacefully buried in archives. This monograph records the attempts of a few librarians to integrate a number of technological innovations into the library environment and to project their possible future applications. Their education and experience often did not prepare them for a time of rapid change, yet, in spite of these shortcomings, both libraries and the profession managed to survive rather well the onslaught of technology.

Review Quotes

?. . . good job reviewing some of the important aspects of our use of new technologies in libraries in the United States. . . . Works like Musmann's do help place our current more active role in the application of information technology into a historical framework.?-Wilson Library Bulletin

?Musmann writes clearly and simply. The quotes liberally sprinkled throughout the text are often fascinating and are indicative of the insights and fantasies of which our librarian forebears (like ourselves) were capable. Any librarian who wishes to become more versed about the development of his or her profession would find much of interest, as would the amateur historian and the non-librarian.?- Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science

?Musmann's book is a worthwhile addition to the history of library technology and lays a foundation for future historical works.?-The Library Quarterly

." . . good job reviewing some of the important aspects of our use of new technologies in libraries in the United States. . . . Works like Musmann's do help place our current more active role in the application of information technology into a historical framework."-Wilson Library Bulletin

"Musmann's book is a worthwhile addition to the history of library technology and lays a foundation for future historical works."-The Library Quarterly

"Musmann writes clearly and simply. The quotes liberally sprinkled throughout the text are often fascinating and are indicative of the insights and fantasies of which our librarian forebears (like ourselves) were capable. Any librarian who wishes to become more versed about the development of his or her profession would find much of interest, as would the amateur historian and the non-librarian."- Canadian Journal of Information and Library Science

About the Author

KLAUS MUSMANN is Collection Development Librarian at the Armacost Library, University of Redlands. He has published in a range of professional journals, and his books include Diffusion of Innovations: A Selected Bibliography (Greenwood Press, 1989).