LHRT (Library History Round Table)

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The mission of the Library History Round Table (LHRT) is to encourage research and publication on library history and promote awareness and discussion of historical issues in librarianship.

Learn more about LHRT on the ALA website.

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John Mackenzie Cory - Librarians We Have Lost-Sesquicentennial Memories -1976-2026

  • 1.  John Mackenzie Cory - Librarians We Have Lost-Sesquicentennial Memories -1976-2026

    Posted Jun 24, 2025 08:09 AM
    John Mackenzie Cory -ALA Executive director, NYPL Director

    John Mackenzie Cory (1914 – 1988)  served as executive secretary of the American Library Association from 1948 to 1951. He was director of the New York Public Library  where he worked from 1971 to 1978. During his tenure, the Mid-Manhattan Library, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture opened to the public.

    Career:

    • library director at the University of Alabama from 1940 to 1942 
    • Chief of the Library Program Division with the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II
    • Received the Legion of Merit
    a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
    • Associate Librarian at UC Berkeley from 1945 to 1948
    • Executive Secretary of the American Library Association (ALA) from 1948 to 1951
    • New York Public Library- several positions including Director 1951-1978.

    Sources:

     archives.nypl.org

    John M. Cory - Wikipedia



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    Kathleen de la Peña McCook
    Distinguished University Professor
    School of Information
    University of South Florida
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