author
Frances Jenkins Olcott
1872–1963
A pioneer of children's librarianship, she helped shape how American libraries served young readers and later turned that experience into books of stories, folklore, and reading guidance. Her work blends a librarian's practical eye with a deep love of tales meant to be shared aloud.
3 Audiobooks
Good Stories for Great Holidays Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the Children's Own Reading
by Frances Jenkins Olcott
Good stories for great birthdays arranged for story-telling and reading aloud and for the children's own reading
by Frances Jenkins Olcott
The Book of Elves and Fairies for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the Children's Own Reading
by Frances Jenkins Olcott
About the author
Born in 1872, Frances Jenkins Olcott became an important early figure in children's library service. In 1898, she was appointed the first head librarian of the children's department at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where she helped develop library work focused specifically on children and young people.
After leaving library work, she wrote widely for both adults and children. Her books included guidance for librarians and teachers as well as collections of myths, ballads, folktales, and holiday stories gathered for reading aloud and independent reading.
She died on March 29, 1963. Today, she is remembered both as a writer and as one of the people who helped define what children's librarianship could be in the United States.