A Historical Appraisal of the Establishment, Development, Growth, and Impact of School Libraries in Puerto Rico, 1900 to 1984

TitleA Historical Appraisal of the Establishment, Development, Growth, and Impact of School Libraries in Puerto Rico, 1900 to 1984
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1990
AuthorsFigueras, Consuelo
Number of Pages647 pp.
UniversityFlorida State University
Thesis TypePh.D. Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the forces, including the personalities, which influenced the establishment, development and growth of public school libraries in Puerto Rico, the main trends in school library services and their contribution to education as seen by participants of the system.

A historical approach, combining documentary analysis, interviews, survey questionnaires and visits to sample school libraries was used to gather the data needed.

Three main trends were found in the school library movement from 1900 to 1984. From 1900 to 1930, the basic elements of a national administrative structure of a school library system were developed. Due to a period of economic crisis, from 1930 to 1952 the school library movement remained stagnant. The period from 1952 to 1984 was the period of greatest growth and change. Centralization of the Program's administration and services as an integral part of the curriculum began to be emphasized.

The main negative factors affecting the establishment, development, and growth of school libraries from 1900 to 1984 were the lack of knowledge of their role in education at all levels, economic support, supportive school library legislation, and the lack of emphasis on reading outside textbooks and on learning to learn skills.

Positive factors influencing the development of school libraries in Puerto Rico were: (a) the support of some school principals, teachers, parents, superintendents and Commissioners or Secretaries of Education, (b) the influence of the United States culture, particularly of its school library movement, (c) the federal funds, (d) the establishment of the school librarian courses at the College of Education and the Graduate School of Librarianship at the University of Puerto Rico, (e) changes in educational policies, (f) the leadership of Carmen Hernandez de Leon, the second Program Director, and (g) the leadership of some school librarians.

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