Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-Fifth General Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Kaaterskill, N. Y., June 23-28, 1913

The 1913 gathering of the American Library Association offers a vivid snapshot of a profession in the midst of rapid change. Leaders discuss how the printed word has become a cornerstone of democratic life, tracing its journey from Gutenberg’s workshop to modern public libraries that promise equal opportunity for every citizen. The president’s opening address blends literary allusion with a bold vision of libraries as agents of social progress, emphasizing their role in expanding access to knowledge across class, race, and geography.

Beyond the ceremonial speeches, the proceedings delve into practical concerns of the day—library financing, book‑binding standards, cooperation with educational bodies, and services for immigrants, the visually impaired, and rural communities. Papers explore how libraries can support industry, agriculture, and municipal government, while round‑table discussions address emerging challenges such as child welfare, legislative reference work, and the evolving relationship between libraries and the business world. Listeners gain a rich sense of early‑20th‑century library advocacy and the foundational ideas that continue to shape the field.