Effie Louise Power
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Effie Louise Power (February 12, 1873 – October 8, 1969) was a children's
librarian A librarian is a person who professionally works managing information. Librarians' common activities include providing access to information, conducting research, creating and managing information systems, creating, leading, and evaluating educat ...
, educator,
author In legal discourse, an author is the creator of an original work that has been published, whether that work exists in written, graphic, visual, or recorded form. The act of creating such a work is referred to as authorship. Therefore, a sculpt ...
, and storyteller. She encouraged
children's book Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. In addition to conventional literary genres, modern children's literature is classified by the intended age of the reade ...
production and evaluated children's literature.Children's Library Work Puts Her With Who's Who. "Cleveland Plain Dealer", January 3, 1927, provided by Cleveland Public Library Archives. She “directly influenced the development of services to children in three major
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
cities:
Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...
,
St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...
, and
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
.”Kingsbury, Mary E. (n.d.). Power, Effie Louise. Wedgeworth, Robert, editor, (1993). ''World Encyclopedia of library and information services'', 3rd edition. American Libraries Association. Power also traveled across the U.S. lecturing students and librarians on children and youth library services. She worked to build a network of children's librarians across the country who supported each other and established high standards for all in the profession.


Early life and education

Power was born February 12, 1873, in Conneautville, Pennsylvania in the United States to mother Francis Billing and father William Ellis Power.The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History (n.d.). Retrieved May 16, 2009, from http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=PEL. Power never married or had children. After Power graduated from high school,
William Howard Brett William Howard Brett (July 1, 1846 – August 24, 1918) was head librarian for the Cleveland Public Library from 1884 to 1918. ''American Libraries'' described him as one of the "100 most important leaders (librarians) had in the 20th century" Hi ...
, a Power family neighbor, jump-started her career by encouraging her to write the entrance exam for the
Cleveland Public Library The Cleveland Public Library is a public library system in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1869, it had a circulation of 3.5 million items in 2020. It operates the Main Library on Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, 27 branches throughout the cit ...
(CPL). Shortly thereafter, Power began working at the CPL in 1895. Brett, a librarian at the CPL, not only served as Power's mentor during her time there, but also put her in charge of the "Junior Alcove". Later, on February 22, 1898, Brett opened the CPL's first stand-alone children's room.Cleveland Public Library Image Collections (n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2009 fro

He put Power in charge, effectively making her the first children's librarian in the Cleveland Public Library System.


Children's librarianship

As the Cleveland Public Library's children's librarian, Power worked to instill in children a love of books and reading. She also sought to debunk the myth that children lacked interest in Non-fiction, nonfiction. At the time, people believed that children had to be forced to read nonfiction books. Power believed that with encouragement and when given ample opportunity, children could enjoy nonfiction. To prove her point, Power took age-appropriate nonfiction works from the other library sections and displayed them on the shelves in the children's room. As she expected, the children loved the books. Power graduated from the Carnegie Library in
Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
, PA in 1904.Berneis, Regina F. (n.d.) Power, Effie Louise. Miller, Marilyn Lea. (editor). (2003). ''Pioneers and leaders in library services to youth - A Biographical Dictionary''. Libraries Unlimited. She earned a diploma in their program for children's librarians. Two years later she graduated with a teaching certificate from
Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...
.


Career

Power spent a great deal of her career lecturing at schools and training other librarians in the area of children and youth services. Over many years, she helped establish curricula for and taught at library schools across the country, including
Western Reserve University Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US * Western, New York, a town in the US * Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia * Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that ...
, the Cleveland Public Library's training program,
Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...
, and City Normal School in Cleveland. Power felt it was important to establish standards for children's librarians across the country.Jenkins, Christine A. (2000). The history of youth services librarianship: a review of the research literature. ''Libraries & Culture'', 35.1, 103(40). Having worked her entire career in ethnically and racially diverse cities, Power worked to ensure access to library resources for all.Kimball, M., Jenkins, C., & Hearne, B. (2004)
Effie Louise Power: Librarian, Educator, Author.
''Library Trends'', Vol. 52, No. 4, 924-951.
She worked on book lists and programs she felt were appropriate for all young patrons. In 1926, she established the Book Caravan, the forerunner of the
Bookmobile A bookmobile, or mobile library, is a vehicle designed for use as a library. They have been known by many names throughout history, including traveling library, library wagon, book wagon, book truck, library-on-wheels, and book auto service. Boo ...
. Power also encouraged the writings of
Langston Hughes James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. An early innovator of jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harl ...
, an
African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...
poet and author, and assisted him by reviewing his work and suggesting changes. In a letter to Power on December 31, 1931, Hughes thanked her "for the splendid little introduction"Langston Hughes. Personal letter to Effie Louise Power from Langston Hughes. December 31, 1931. Cleveland Public Library Image Collections. Retrieved from http://cplorg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4014coll13&CISOPTR=455&REC=1 she wrote for his book of poems, ''The Dream Keeper''. In 1932, Ella McGregor of the
American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...
's Committee on Library Work with Children, asked Power for the name of someone who would might be interested in writing an article for the 1932 Children's Library Yearbook. Power suggested Hughes write the article. The subject of the yearbook article was "the book needs of the Negro children in the South.".Effie Louise Power. Personal letter to Langston Hughes. January 20, 1932. Cleveland Public Library Image Collections. Retrieved from http://cplorg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4014coll13&CISOPTR=455&REC=1 Power even wrote the introductory paragraph to Hughes' article in the Yearbook in order to promote awareness of his work as an author. Power's feminist views also came out in her writing, with Florence M. Everson, in their 1928 book, ''Early Days in Ohio: A story of a pioneer family of the Western Reserve'':
"Girls can't chop anything." said James scornfully.
"They haven't the right swing with their arms," added Alonzo.
"Here's one girl that can do as much as any two boys," declared Peggy as she seized a hatchet, and she swung it with so much vim that James and Alonzo stood back and gazed at her in open-mouthed wonder."


Legacy

When the
American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...
sought to create a text book on youth services in children's libraries, they called upon Power to write it. In 1930, the
American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world. History 19th century ...
published ''Library Service for Children''. This text served as the first publication of its kind and demonstrated Power's preeminence in the field of children's librarianship. After years of producing pamphlets, articles, and book lists, Power was honored with this commission. In 1943, an update to the book was released and the title was changed to ''Work with Children in Public Libraries''.


Later years

Power worked for the Cleveland Public Library from 1895–1909 and from 1920 until her retirement in 1937. Power also taught at various schools and worked in libraries including the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, PA, the Carnegie Library School, and the St. Louis Public Library.Martin, A. (1948) "Miss Effie L. Power" (Biographical material gathered for the fiftieth anniversary of Children's Work in Cleveland, October 23, 1948. Courtesy of the CPL Archives.) After Power retired in 1937,
Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...
offered her a position; she lectured there for two years before retiring to
Pompano Beach Pompano Beach ( ) is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is located along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, just north of Fort Lauderdale and 36 miles north of Miami. The nearby Hillsboro Inlet forms part of the Atlantic Intracoa ...
,
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
. Power became active in Pompano Beach's library system where she helped appropriate funds to rebuild a library that had been decimated in a hurricane many years earlier.Cramer, C.H. (1972) ''Open shelves and open minds: A history of the Cleveland Public Library''. Cleveland, OH: The Press of Case Western Reserve University. She finally retired in 1948 and moved back to Pennsylvania, where she lived until her death on October 8, 1969.


Selected works

*''A List of Books for Girls'' (1930) New York: The H.W. Wilson Company. *''Bag O'Tales: A Source Book for Story-Tellers'' (1934) New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. *''Blue Caravan Tales'' (Unknown) Unknown. *''Early days in Ohio: A story of a Pioneer Family of the Western Reserve'' (1928) written with F.M. Everson. New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. *''Library Service for Children'' (1930) Chicago: American Library Association. *''Lists of Stories & Programs for Story Hours'' Editor, (1915) White Plains: The H.W. Wilson Company. *''Osceola Buddy, a Florida Farm Mule'' (1941) New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. *''Stories to Shorten the Road'' Compiler, (1936) New York: E.P. Dutton & Co., Inc. *''Work with Children in Public Libraries'' (1943) Chicago: American Library Association.


References


Bibliography

*Berneis, Regina F. (n.d.) Power, Effie Louise. Miller, Marilyn Lea. (editor). (2003). ''Pioneers and leaders in library services to youth - A Biographical Dictionary''. Libraries Unlimited. . *Cleveland Public Library Archives. (1937) Photograph of Effie Louise Power. Retrieved from http://cplorg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p4014coll13&CISOPTR=174 on May 27, 2009 *Children's Library Work Puts Her With Who's Who. "Cleveland Plain Dealer", January 3, 1927, provided by Cleveland Public Library Archives. *Cramer, C.H. (1972) ''Open shelves and open minds: A history of the Cleveland Public Library''. Cleveland, OH: The Press of Case Western Reserve University. . *Hughes, L. Personal letter to E. L. Power from Langston Hughes. December 31, 1931. Cleveland Public Library Image Collections. Retrieved from http://cplorg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4014coll13&CISOPTR=455&REC=1 on May 27, 2009. *Jenkins, Christine A. (2000). The history of youth services librarianship: a review of the research literature. ''Libraries & Culture'', 35.1, 103(40). *Kimball, M., Jenkins, C., & Hearne, B. (2004). Effie Louise Power: Librarian, Educator, Author. ''Library Trends'', Vol. 52, No. 4, 924–951. *Kingsbury, Mary E. (n.d.). Power, Effie Louise. Wedgeworth, Robert, editor, (1993). ''World Encyclopedia of library and information services'', 3rd edition. American Libraries Association. . *Power, E.L. Personal letter to Langston Hughes. January 20, 1932. Cleveland Public Library Image Collections. Retrieved from http://cplorg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p4014coll13&CISOPTR=455&REC=1 on May 27, 2009. *''The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History'' (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ech.case.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=PEL on May 16, 2009.


External links

* Effie Power's correspondence available online at
Cleveland Public Library The Cleveland Public Library is a public library system in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1869, it had a circulation of 3.5 million items in 2020. It operates the Main Library on Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, 27 branches throughout the cit ...
Digital Gallery *
Effie Power correspondence
with
Hugh Lofting Hugh John Lofting (14 January 1886 – 26 September 1947) was an English-American writer, trained as a civil engineer, who created the classic children's literature character Doctor Dolittle. The fictional physician talking to animals, based i ...
. *
Effie Power correspondence
with
Langston Hughes James Mercer Langston Hughes (February 1, 1901 – May 22, 1967) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. An early innovator of jazz poetry, Hughes is best known as a leader of the Harl ...
and with others concerning Hughes' work. *
Letter from Houghton Mifflin to Effie Power
inquiring about "''Mr.''
Andre Norton Andre Alice Norton (born Alice Mary Norton, February 17, 1912 – March 17, 2005) was an American writer of science fiction and fantasy, who also wrote works of historical and contemporary fiction. She wrote primarily under the pen na ...
" an
her reply correcting the error
* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Power, Effie Louise 1873 births 1969 deaths People from Conneautville, Pennsylvania American librarians American women librarians Library science scholars Writers from Pennsylvania American children's writers American women children's writers American lecturers