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Guide to the Papers of the Librarians of Congress, 1800-2015

John Russell Young and Herbert Putnam: 1897-1939

Progressive Era Librarians

The new Library of Congress building, an outstanding example of late-19th and early 20th-century Italian Renaissance style architecture, promoted the Library's identity as the nation's library. Librarians John Russell Young and Herbert Putnam both undertook initiatives during their tenures consistent with the expansive spirit of the Progressive Era, launching international collecting efforts. A former diplomat, Young asked his contacts at U.S. embassies around the world to send material to the Library; Putnam traveled extensively as Librarian of Congress, undertaking acquisition trips to Great Britain, Europe and Mexico to buy materials, and set up acquisition agreements with publishers, book sellers and book agents.

John Russell Young's nineteen months as Librarian of Congress ended in January 1899 after an illness. During his short time as Librarian, Young undertook the formidable task of moving the Library from the U.S. Capitol Building to the new building. Young also established specialized departments at the Library for book collections, visual arts, maps, documents, music and manuscripts. Another notable contribution to the institution was Young's appointment of the first Register of Copyrights, Thorvald Solberg, and the hiring of catalogers J.C.M. Hanson and Charles Martel, who developed the LC Classification system. Young also opened a reading room for blind patrons.

Following Young's death, Ainsworth Rand Spofford served as Acting Librarian of Congress until Herbert Putnam was appointed Librarian of Congress in December 1899. The American Library Association had lobbied for the appointment of a librarian since 1895 when Congress held hearings on the state of the Library of Congress. Putnam immediately reached out to American libraries offering them new services including inter-library loan and catalog card distribution.

During World War I, Putnam partnered with the American Library Association and American publishers to provide books to members of the military in camp libraries in Europe as well as throughout the United States. Putnam established the Trust Fund Board which facilitated the construction of the Coolidge Auditorium, Whittall Pavilion, and the Poetry Office. Putnam was also successful in lobbying Congress to build a new building, now called the Adams Building. He intended the use of the annex to be primarily for book storage.

John Russell Young:1897-1899

The majority of John Russell Young's papers document his career as a journalist and editor, as well as his Republican party activities. A large part of the collection documents Young's world wide travels as assistant to former President Ulysses Grant.

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.

Brady-Handy studio, photographer. Herbert Putnam in his office. Librarian of Congress. 1901. Brady-Handy photograph collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Herbert Putnam: 1899-1939

Major portions of the Herbert Putnam Papers relate to the highly accomplished members of his large family. There are files of letters Putnam exchanged with his siblings, wife and daughters in the Family Correspondence and General Correspondence series of the collection. Putnam's professional views as Librarian of Congress are documented in the Speeches and Writings series. Putnam's diaries and letters to his wife contain more personal opinions and observations of his family and professional life.

The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.