W. S. Learned's Thought on Public Library : A Study of "Community Intelligence Center"

Abstract

During 1920s, American publlic libraries have started educational services. In 1924, W. S. Learned, who was a reserch staff of the Canegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, wrote The American Public Library and the Diffusion of Knowledge. In his book, he envisioned public library as community intelligence center which had a responsibility to answer various information quetions of the community. Learned brought thoughtprovoking model for future development of the American public library. As the result of this study, it was found that Learned vision of library service showed new dimension for adult education and community service and his discussion on librarianship gave foundation of adult service in our time.