Technological Innovations in Libraries, 1860-1960: An Anecdotal History

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.