Back to the timeline
1921 California State Normal Schools become State Teachers Colleges with the power to grant an A.B. degree in Education and Training. The Department of Education offers first classes in Library Economy. The catalog indicates that this is not a substitute for a regular library school, but rather is intended to acquaint teacher-training students with modern library methods. Special attention is paid to the scope, value, and method of using reference books. Tuition is free.
1923 Two library science classes are offered: library methods and library technique.
1925 The Department of Education offers three library courses: library economy, library practice, and school library methods.
1928 The California State Department of Education authorizes San José State Teachers College to grant a major in librarianship and a school credential in librarianship.
The library specialization seeks to train students to work in children’s departments and school libraries. Admitted students must type accurately and read at least two foreign languages.
In a letter to the Board of Education for Librarianship (BEL) dated January 11, 1928, Library Director Joyce Backus informs ALA about the school’s plans:
The State Board of Education has just granted to this college the power to grant an A.B. degree with a major in library science. The school will be developed during the next few years and will be of the undergraduate type. We will be very grateful to you for your recommendations as to the curriculum, faculty requirements, equipment etc., necessary for recognition by the American Library Association.
The BEL asks California State Librarian Milton Ferguson his opinion of the proposed library program. He responds January 27, 1928.
You are well aware I am sure that there is only one great danger in dealing with the subject of librarians and library instruction. That is, of course, that the average teacher is of the opinion that almost anybody can manage a library. . . . The thing, therefore, ahead of this particular college to arrange courses and provide teachers so satisfactory and so competent that the project will be all we would want it to be. . . .
The Teachers College at San Jose has a very good reputation. It has an excellent faculty, is in rather close contact with Stanford University, is in a section of the state well equipped with libraries of various types for laboratory purposes, and I see no reason why it should not make a great success of an undergraduate library school.
In the fall of 1928 12 students are admitted into the library program. Eleven names are known: Edna Hollis, Benecia de Niedman, Hollis Knop, Mrs. Grace Laughton, Mildred Beymer, Adelyn Skonovd, Bernice Sheld, Marian Bambauer, Elizabeth Souther, Doris Garcelon, Dorothy Wood.
1929 New elective courses are added, including lettering and book craft offered by the Art Department. Summer school classes include reference, cataloging and classification, library practice, children’s literature, school libraries, and library and book arts (i.e. lettering). Tuition is $15, plus a $1 student body fee.