The goal of this assignment is to critically analyze the contributions of two library leaders, of the past and the present. Part I: Students were to profile an individual who has made a major contribution in forwarding the mission of libraries. Names were selected from the people listed in the 100 of the Most Important Leaders We Had in the 20th Century article which we read earlier in the semester. Part II: Students were to interview an information professional that has been in the field at least 2 years. We were to ask them at least 10 questions that cover their education, work experience, goals, why they entered the profession, expectation of the profession, thoughts to the future, etc. Part III: Students were required to analyze issues facing your current library leader and historical figure that we chose. We were to address these issues in a 3-4 minute presentation to the class and include a one page handout.

1. Public Library Directors of the
Past and Present
An Overview of the Historical Contributions of
Ralph A. Ulveling and Nancy Colpaert to the Library
Profession
Heidi E. Blanton | Wayne State University | Summer 2006

2. Ralph A. Ulveling
Library Director of the Detroit Public
Library from 1941 to 1967.
Graduated from Columbia University
with his degree in Library Science
Past president of the American Library
Association
Best known for his controversial stance
on intellectual freedom during the Cold
War.

3. Nancy Colpaert
Library Director of the Monroe County
Library System from 1999 to present.
Worked for the Monroe County Library
System for over 30 years.
Graduated from University of Michigan
with her degree in Library Science.
Prefers to use her skills to influence
library decisions on a local and
community level.

4. Accomplishments of the
Library Directors
Ralph A. Ulveling Nancy Colpaert
◦ A leader on social ◦ Promotes discussion
issues concerning on technology
racism. throughout the library
◦ Redesigned DPL and system.
other libraries to ◦ Stays active and visible
make sense physically throughout the
and mentally community and the
◦ Promoted personal library system
attainment goals ◦ Promotes recreation
through adult and education in the
education library system.

5. The Ulveling Controversy
Spoke in favor censoring books to the
reference shelf to keep what he considered
“communist propaganda” out of the hands of
general readers.
Felt the Library Bill of Rights was
“incompatible” with his obligation as an
American citizen.
In favor of rigid book selection policies
Believed that it was the librarian’s duty to
guide the patron in “right thinking”

6. The MCLS Controversy
Copies of the Madonna Sex Book were
purchased for the library system.
The community felt that this was not
material they wanted in their library system.
Employees of the library system were
questioned and even threatened by
members of the community.
In the mind of Nancy Colpaert, however, the
controversy solidified the need for
intellectual freedom.

7. Objectives of a Public
Library
Ralph A. Ulveling Nancy Colpaert
◦ Education ◦ Free access to
◦ Information information
◦ Aesthetic Appreciation ◦ Education
◦ Research ◦ Recreation
◦ Recreation

8. Conclusion
The public library’s shifting roles
◦ Technology increases the amount of access
patrons have to information at home
◦ Recreation a more accepted form of
education
◦ The library building is more of a destination