Mary R. Somerville is an American librarian who served as president of the American Library Association from 1996 to 1997; she is best known for her advocacy for children's literacy and work as a library administrator.[1]
Education and career
Somerville was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama.[2] She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina and went on to earn a Masters of Arts in English at the University of Colorado, and a Master of Library Science at the University of Oklahoma.[2] Her work in libraries was varied and included stints in youth librarianship, automation, and reference at Broward County Library, Louisville Free Public Library, and Lincoln City Libraries.[1]
Somerville served as the director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System from 1994 until her retirement in 1998.[3][4] She oversaw the renovation of one-third of the system's libraries and the reopening of libraries that had been damaged by Hurricane Andrew.[3]
Library leadership
Somerville served as the president of the Association for Library Service to Children from 1987 to 1988.[1] During that time she participated in a Soviet-American symposium on public library services to children within the Soviet Union.[2]
She was the president of the American Library Association from 1996 to 1997.[1] Somerville's presidential theme was "Kids Can't Wait," emphasizing the importance of children's literacy, especially preschool and preteen children.[5][6] An important initiative of Somerville's presidency was the creation of the ALA's Emerging Leaders Institute, a program to develop leadership in those new to the library profession.[7]
She has also spoken and consulted internationally through the United States Information Agency and the State Department in South Africa and Brazil.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Somerville, Mary R." The American Library Association Archives. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d "The Merton Legacy Trust". The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University. 18 September 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Miami-Dade Director Mary Somerville Announces Retirement". American Libraries. 1 June 1998. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Carson, Larry (13 May 1996). "Picking Baltimore Co. libraries' new leader called 'a tough choice'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "1996 News Releases". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 30 October 1996. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ Molz, Redmond Kathleen; Dain, Phyllis (2001). Civic Space/Cyberspace: The American Public Library in the Information Age. MIT Press. p. 200. ISBN 9780262632225.
- ^ Turock, Betty J. (2001). "Women and Leadership". Journal of Library Administration. 32 (3–4): 115–137. doi:10.1300/J111v32n03_08. S2CID 145336714.