Theresa Elmendorf

Theresa West Elmendorf (November 1, 1855 – September 4, 1932) was a prominent American librarian of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century. In 1911 she became the first female president of the American Library Association.Thomison, p. 280 ''The death of her husband had forced Theresa Elmendorf to end her unpaid status, and for the next 20 years she held the position of vice-librarian at the Buffalo Public Library. Her new role also meant an increased participation in the American Library Association; in 1911–12 she served as its President, the first woman to hold that position.''

Early life

Elmendorf was born in 1855 on November 1 in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. She was raised in Milwaukee after the family moved there in 1861 for better educational opportunities for the children. She had two siblings, William Kirby West and Hubble West. After attending Milwaukee public schools, she went to a higher education school for girls (Miss Wheelock's Seminary), graduating in 1874. At age 22, Theresa graduated from Vassar.

Career

Elmendorf began her library career in 1877 working for the Young Men's Association of Milwaukee. To develop a basic knowledge of library theory and practice, she read the 1876 report of the U.S. Bureau of Education,
Public Libraries in the United States of America
'' About 1878 she started working at the Milwaukee Public Library, working her way up to deputy librarian in 1880 and finally head librarian in 1892.

In 1896, at age 41, Elmendorf resigned her position to marry Henry Livingston Elmendorf. He was librarian of the public library in St. Joseph, Missouri, and vice-president of the American Library Association. Henry Elmendorf soon took a position in Buffalo, New York, as the librarian of the Buffalo Public Library, where he worked until his death nine years later.

During these nine years Theresa Elmendorf acted as his silent partner and was an administrative advisor. She worked on many library programs, including the Buffalo Plan, a program to help the city schools with library services, and the ''Descriptive Catalogue of the Gluck Collection of Manuscripts and Autographs in the Buffalo Public Library.'' Most notable in this collection was Mark Twain's ''Huckleberry Finn'' manuscript. She was also editor in 1904 for the American Library Association's ''Catalogue of Books for Small Libraries'' and an author of ''Classroom Libraries for Public Schools''.

Elmendorf became president of the New York Library Association in 1903 and 1904. When her husband died in 1906, the board of trustees of the Buffalo Public Library made Elmendorf vice-librarian, a position she held for the next 20 years. In 1911 she became the first female president of the American Library Association. She was in this position from May 24, 1911, to July 2, 1912.''Bulletin of the American Library Association'', vol. 6, no. 4.

Later life and death

Elmendorf retired in 1926. After this she wrote, edited and published many bibliographies and reading lists, including some specifically on poets and poetry. She worked on these until her death in 1932. In 1951 ''Library Journal'' selected Elmendorf for its Library Hall of Fame.

Mary E. Hazeltine of the University of Wisconsin Library System wrote of Elmendorf, "Many librarians in important positions today have carried on because she awakened their appreciation of books and opened up for them insight into new realms. She was a stimulating guide and a vitalizing teacher, as well as a great librarian."

Legacy

Elmendorf was selected in 1951 by the ''Library Journal'' for their new Library Hall of Fame. They selected her because of her exceptional knowledge of books and her ability to interest others in reading literature.

Notes

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Elmendorf, Theresa
1855 births
1932 deaths
American librarians
American women librarians
Presidents of the American Library Association
People from Pardeeville, Wisconsin
People from Milwaukee