David Horace Clift
Encyclopedia
David Horace Clift was a noted American
librarian
and former chief executive of the American Library Association
(ALA) from 1951 to 1972.
He was named by the ALA as one of the 100 Most Important [Library] Leaders of the 20th Century.
on June 16, 1907. He attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky
in 1930. During his college years, he briefly worked at the Lexington Public Library
. After graduation from Kentucky University, he attended Columbia University
School of Library Service, graduating in 1931.
in the reference section. Drafted into the army
in 1942, Clift eventually found himself working for the Office of Strategic Services
where he was named Executive Director of the Interdepartmental Committee for the Acquisition of Foreign Publications, reporting to OSS Executive Director Frederick Kilgour, with whom Clift had become acquainted at the Columbia University Library.
Clift's experience in the OSS had a profound effect on him as an organizer. “[He] was exposed, for example to the ambitious project known as Armed Forces Editions, a program that introduced hundreds of thousands of GIs to paperback books…” Clift was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
In 1945-1946, Clift traveled to Germany for the Library of Congress
in order to acquire for American research libraries publications which had appeared in enemy countries during the war
. Next, Clift took on the role of associate librarian at Yale University
. While at Yale, he also became a fellow of Trumbull College
and developed a position classification and pay plan that became a model for academic librarians. He held several titles, most notably in the end as president, in the Connecticut Library Association from 1950-1951. Finally, Clift took on the role of chief executive of the American Library Association from 1951-1972.
. He oversaw the promotion and advancement of library growth and literacy growth in America and the world. He also supported the Intellectual Freedom
advancements. When Clift retired in 1972, ALA membership had risen to over 30,000 and the general funds budget was over $2 million. Clift died on October 12, 1973.
On his role as an association executive, he is quoted as saying "it was to administer the policies decided by membership and leave the leadership to those elected by the membership."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
and former chief executive of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA) from 1951 to 1972.
He was named by the ALA as one of the 100 Most Important [Library] Leaders of the 20th Century.
Biography
Clift was born in Washington, KentuckyWashington, Kentucky
Washington is a village near the Ohio River in Mason County in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is one of the earliest settlements in Kentucky and also one of the earliest American settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains...
on June 16, 1907. He attended and graduated from the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
in 1930. During his college years, he briefly worked at the Lexington Public Library
Lexington Public Library
The Lexington Public Library opened in 1905 in Lexington, Kentucky. It incorporated the collection of the former Lexington Library Company and the former Transylvania Library . Today the main location of the Lexington Public Library system is Central Library along East Main Street connected to...
. After graduation from Kentucky University, he attended Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
School of Library Service, graduating in 1931.
Career
After graduating from Columbia University, Clift found employment at the New York Public LibraryNew York Public Library
The New York Public Library is the largest public library in North America and is one of the United States' most significant research libraries...
in the reference section. Drafted into the army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1942, Clift eventually found himself working for the Office of Strategic Services
Office of Strategic Services
The Office of Strategic Services was a United States intelligence agency formed during World War II. It was the wartime intelligence agency, and it was a predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency...
where he was named Executive Director of the Interdepartmental Committee for the Acquisition of Foreign Publications, reporting to OSS Executive Director Frederick Kilgour, with whom Clift had become acquainted at the Columbia University Library.
Clift's experience in the OSS had a profound effect on him as an organizer. “[He] was exposed, for example to the ambitious project known as Armed Forces Editions, a program that introduced hundreds of thousands of GIs to paperback books…” Clift was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945.
In 1945-1946, Clift traveled to Germany for the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
in order to acquire for American research libraries publications which had appeared in enemy countries during the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Next, Clift took on the role of associate librarian at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. While at Yale, he also became a fellow of Trumbull College
Trumbull College
Trumbull College is one of twelve undergraduate residential colleges of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.The college is named for Jonathan Trumbull, the last governor of the Colony of Connecticut and first governor of the State of Connecticut, serving from 1769 until 1784, and a friend and...
and developed a position classification and pay plan that became a model for academic librarians. He held several titles, most notably in the end as president, in the Connecticut Library Association from 1950-1951. Finally, Clift took on the role of chief executive of the American Library Association from 1951-1972.
Tenure at ALA
In 1951, when Clift took over executive duties for ALA, membership was 19,701 and the general funds budget was $191,129. He was responsible for moving the association's headquarters from rented space to a permanent location in an abandoned mansion in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He oversaw the promotion and advancement of library growth and literacy growth in America and the world. He also supported the Intellectual Freedom
Intellectual freedom
Intellectual freedom is the right to freedom of thought and of expression of thought. As defined by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a human right. Article 19 states:...
advancements. When Clift retired in 1972, ALA membership had risen to over 30,000 and the general funds budget was over $2 million. Clift died on October 12, 1973.
On his role as an association executive, he is quoted as saying "it was to administer the policies decided by membership and leave the leadership to those elected by the membership."