Helen Ganser
Encyclopedia
Helen Alice Ganser was an American librarian. She became the first librarian at Millersville State Normal School in Millersville, Pennsylvania
(now Millersville University of Pennsylvania
) in 1911. She was the institution's only professional librarian until 1921.
After completing her training as a librarian at The Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry
Ganser devoted her entire career to Millersville State Teachers College library and to the cause of school librarianship. She is credited with starting the library science program at Millersville in 1921.
Ganser was a member of the American Library Association
. On November 27, 1933, Helen Ganser was nominated for membership in the joint committee of the American Library Association
and the American Association of Teachers Colleges based on her "Experience giving courses for school and teacher-librarians."
She retired in 1952. In 1966, Millersville State College demolished the historic "Old Main" and replaced it with the then-modern 11-story Helen A Ganser Library in 1968.
The contents of the Archives and Special Collections Library of Vassar College note the significance of the opening of the Helen A. Ganser Library including material pertaining to the dedication of the Helen Ganser Library at which Louise Seaman Bechtel
the noted author of children's books and former publisher and head of the Children's Book Department of The Macmillan Company was present. The personal papers of Louise Seaman Bechtel contained in the archives include several items of correspondence and photographs of Ms. Ganser.
It is rumored that Ganser's ghost haunts the 4th floor balcony of the library named in her honor.
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Millersville is a borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 7,774.-Geography:Millersville is located at ....
(now Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Millersville, Pennsylvania, USA, 3 miles southwest of Lancaster. Millersville University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.-History:...
) in 1911. She was the institution's only professional librarian until 1921.
After completing her training as a librarian at The Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry
Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with the main campus located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It was founded in 1891 by Anthony J. Drexel, a noted financier and philanthropist. Drexel offers 70 full-time undergraduate programs and accelerated degrees...
Ganser devoted her entire career to Millersville State Teachers College library and to the cause of school librarianship. She is credited with starting the library science program at Millersville in 1921.
Ganser was a member 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....
. On November 27, 1933, Helen Ganser was nominated for membership in the joint committee 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....
and the American Association of Teachers Colleges based on her "Experience giving courses for school and teacher-librarians."
She retired in 1952. In 1966, Millersville State College demolished the historic "Old Main" and replaced it with the then-modern 11-story Helen A Ganser Library in 1968.
The contents of the Archives and Special Collections Library of Vassar College note the significance of the opening of the Helen A. Ganser Library including material pertaining to the dedication of the Helen Ganser Library at which Louise Seaman Bechtel
Louise Seaman Bechtel
Louise Seaman Bechtel was an American editor, critic, author, and teacher of young children.Bechtel graduated from Vassar College in 1915 and was the first person to head a juvenile book department established by an American publishing house....
the noted author of children's books and former publisher and head of the Children's Book Department of The Macmillan Company was present. The personal papers of Louise Seaman Bechtel contained in the archives include several items of correspondence and photographs of Ms. Ganser.
It is rumored that Ganser's ghost haunts the 4th floor balcony of the library named in her honor.