📖 Overview
Asa Don Dickinson (1876-1960) was an American librarian and author who made significant contributions to library science and children's literature in the early 20th century. His career included positions at prominent institutions including the Brooklyn Public Library and the University of Pennsylvania Library.
Dickinson authored several influential works about library management and classification systems, including "The Organization and Administration of Library Work with Children" (1916) and "Children's Book Selection" (1925). His expertise in children's literature and library services led him to serve as an advisor for numerous educational institutions.
In 1915, Dickinson traveled to India at the invitation of the Punjab University to establish their library system, becoming one of the first American librarians to work internationally in this capacity. During his time there, he wrote "Punjab Library Primer" (1916), which became a foundational text for library science education in India.
Beyond his professional works, Dickinson published children's books and compiled several anthologies of children's literature that were widely used in American schools and libraries. His most enduring legacy lies in his systematic approach to library organization and his advocacy for quality children's literature services in public libraries.
👀 Reviews
Relatively few online reader reviews exist for Asa Don Dickinson's works, with most discussion focused on his technical library science publications rather than his children's literature.
Readers appreciated:
- Clear explanations of library organization principles in "Punjab Library Primer"
- Practical guidance for children's librarians
- Systematic approach to book selection criteria
- Straightforward writing style in professional texts
Main critiques:
- Dated language and cultural references
- Limited availability of his works today
- Focus on now-obsolete library systems
Online Presence:
- Goodreads: No reader ratings or reviews found
- Amazon: No current listings for his books
- WorldCat: His works appear primarily in academic library collections
- Google Books: Partial previews available for some titles
Most discussion of his work appears in academic papers and library science journals rather than consumer reviews. His technical writing receives more attention than his children's literature contributions.
📚 Books by Asa Don Dickinson
Wild Flowers Worth Knowing (1917)
A comprehensive field guide identifying and describing common North American wildflowers, adapted from Neltje Blanchan's work and featuring detailed botanical information and classification of over 200 species.
The Organization and Administration of Library Work with Children (1916) A technical manual outlining systematic approaches to organizing and managing children's library services, including collection development and programming guidelines.
Children's Book Selection (1925) A practical guide for librarians and educators on evaluating and selecting quality literature for young readers, including selection criteria and age-appropriate recommendations.
Punjab Library Primer (1916) A foundational text for library organization and management written specifically for implementation in Indian libraries, detailing classification systems and administrative procedures.
The Organization and Administration of Library Work with Children (1916) A technical manual outlining systematic approaches to organizing and managing children's library services, including collection development and programming guidelines.
Children's Book Selection (1925) A practical guide for librarians and educators on evaluating and selecting quality literature for young readers, including selection criteria and age-appropriate recommendations.
Punjab Library Primer (1916) A foundational text for library organization and management written specifically for implementation in Indian libraries, detailing classification systems and administrative procedures.
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Caroline Hewins developed pioneering methods for children's library services and wrote books about library management in the late 19th century. She established the first children's room in a public library and authored "Books for Boys and Girls: A Selected List."
John Cotton Dana wrote extensively about library administration and modern library methods in the early 20th century. His works "A Library Primer" and "Modern American Library Economy" influenced library organization practices across the United States.
Alice Bertha Kroeger authored significant works on library reference services and cataloging systems in the early 1900s. She wrote "Guide to Reference Books" and "Cataloging for Small Libraries," which became standard texts in library science education.