Samuel Swett Green

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

  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

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