@article{9516,
  author = {Charles Johanningsmeier},
  title = {Welcome Guests or Representatives of the Mal-Odorous Class? Periodicals and Their Readers in American Public Libraries, 1876-1914},
  abstract = {This article documents the extensive debate between 1876 and 1914 about the role of periodicals in American public libraries as well as how libraries accommodated the ever-increasing flood of periodicals during this period. It argues that millions of periodical readers played a major role in transforming public libraries from relatively elitist book depositories to democratic institutions that made available a great number and variety of periodicals. These readers as well as the changes they effected challenge a number of scholarly assumptions about who was using public libraries and controlling their policies during this time.},
  year = {2004},
  journal = {Libraries & Culture},
  volume = {39},
  pages = {260-92},
  language = {English},
}