Eileen Cooke (1928-2000) worked in the American Library Association, Washington Office starting in 1964 and became director in 1972.
On each Freedom of Information Day, the American Library Association presents the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award which honors state or local individuals, groups, or other entities that have championed access to government information and the public's right to know. Cooke herself was a tireless advocate for the public's right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees.
During her tenure as Director Cooke was presented with a major challenge when for fiscal year 1974 President Nixon recommended zero funding for ESEA II, LSCA, and HEA II. Librarians responded to calls from the Washington Office for action and their efforts led to $151.2 million in funding for library programs. Throughout her directorship Cooke fought for the reauthorization and funding for federal legislation that benefited millions of American.
"Legendary library lady of Capitol Hill".
Carol Henderson, Cooke's assistant and successor, called her boss, "the legendary library lady of Capitol Hill". When ALA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Washington Office in 1996, Cooke was given Honorary Membership in ALA for her distinguished career. Cooke retired in 1993.
Born in Minneapolis Cooke, graduated from St Margaret's Academy and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Library Science from the College of St. Catherine.
From 1952 until 1964 Cooke served on the staff of the Minneapolis Public Library – working as a bookmobile librarian, branch assistant, hospital librarian and public relations specialist.
In 1964 Cooke moved to DC where she held a variety of positions with the ALA Washington Office, serving as Executive Director for two decades, from 1972. Cooke worked with library leaders to establish the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science in 1970. NCLIS led in time to two White House Conferences on Library and Information Services, both of which engaged a inclusive public of library users and supporters, along with administrators and board members.
Cooke died April 30, 2000. On June 30 of that year Congressman Major Owens (D NY) rose to pay tribute before his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives:
As a result of Eileen Cooke's efforts, the library profession moved into the mainstream of the political process. She demanded that the federal government recognize and respect libraries as universal institutions in our democratic society which deserve greater and more consistent support….
With indefatigable optimism Eileen Cooke worked with Members of Congress, staff assistants, educational and cultural organizations, and all others who supported education and libraries…
She was a fighter capable of hard-nose analysis but always focused and deliberative. She was a coalition builder who won both fear and admiration from her adversaries. Above all she had vision and could see far ahead of the government decision-makers. She understood the nature of the coming "information superhighway" and could predict the vital role of libraries and librarians as the traffic signals on this expressway into the cyber-civilization of the future.
The work of Eileen D. Cooke benefits all Americans. She has won the right to be celebrated and saluted as a Great American Point-of-Light.
Sources: "The Extraordinary Women of ALA's Washington Office." by Larry Nix.
Eileen Cooke, A National Library Week Tribute
RESOLUTION OF CONGRATULATIONS TO EILEEN D. COOKE - on the occasion of her 25th anniversary with the American
Library Association.
American Library Association Honorary Membership - Wikipedia
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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