Making internationalism conscious: libraries and the transnational propagation of the international mind (1911 – 1951)

Witt, Steven William

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/101660 Copy

Description

Title

Making internationalism conscious: libraries and the transnational propagation of the international mind (1911 – 1951)

Author(s)

Witt, Steven William

Issue Date

2018-07-03

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

La Barre, Kathryn

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

La Barre, Kathryn

Committee Member(s)

• Black, Alistair
• Chu, Clara M.
• Kimball, Melanie

Department of Study

Information Sciences

Discipline

Library & Information Science

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Internationalism
• Globalism
• Library History
• Transnational History
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
• International Mind Alcoves
• Paris Library School
• University of Louvain Library

Abstract

Focusing on the role of information professions and INGOs in the creation and dissemination of information to support the internationalist movement during the early 20th century, this dissertation examines three historical cases: the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace’s (CEIP) International Mind Alcove Program, the international community’s work to re-build the University of Louvain Library, and the American Library Association’s development of the Paris Library School. Analyzing these cases historically through the dual lens of library history and transnational history, this dissertation provides a unique view of the role of information professions in promoting internationalism. The history provides further understanding of the evolution of these information dissemination and propaganda activities as they were implemented domestically and abroad toward enacting the transnational aspirations of internationalists during this period. Close reading of primary source materials shows not only the extent of participation of the library community in the internationalism movement of the early 20th century but also the manner by which both the library profession and the CEIP expressed agency and used the structure and ideals of the library movement to implement their respective and complimentary internationalist missions. Both organizations relied upon the movement toward public access to knowledge through libraries to advance their international goals. Together the CEIP and the library profession attempted to use the social role of libraries as both a symbolic and practical mechanism to promote new internationalism by influencing public opinion on a transnational scale and creating a sustainable organizational structure that could continue to advance internationalism on a global scale. Through the transnational networks associated with these programs, the library profession and CEIP resources helped enable the creation of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and influenced the library mission of UNESCO toward support of public libraries as a means to foster international understanding. The dissertation offers insights into the wider global and transnational movements that were propagated by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the CEIP, exploring an early partnership between NGOs and libraries in information creation and dissemination that generated new transnational social structures and perspectives.

Graduation Semester

2018-08

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101660

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Steven W. Witt

Owning Collections