Abstract | During the first two decades of the twentieth century, numerous librarians dedicated their lives to
bringing the public library gospel to the American West. The closing of the frontier in 1890 had opened the way for the growth of such cultural institutions as libraries. This development coincided with the appearance of the first generation of library school graduates, most of whom were female. Imbued with the zeal and enthusiasm that often characterizes new movements, some librarians regarded the West as a land of opportunity, a fertile field for missionary work, and a place where they could become self-sufficient women. This piece focuses on the work of women librarians in 11 Western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) through 1920.
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