Helen Thornton Geer
Encyclopedia
Helen Thornton Geer was a prominent author, professor, and librarian. She was the author of the 1955 Library Science classic “Charging Systems,” which detailed library circulation systems. From 1947 to 1956, she served as Headquarters Librarian of the American Library Association
, Chicago
, Illinois
.
, earning her M.S. in Library Science (1934). In 1929 she began work at the Flushing Branch, Queens Borough Public Library
, NYC. During the next fifteen years, she was promoted frequently, culminating in her appointment as Acting Head of the Business and Science Division (1942–44).
After briefly working at the Harper Library, University of Chicago
, Geer was named Headquarters Librarian for the American Library Association, a position she held from 1947 until 1956. Also, she served as President of the Chicago Library Club (1953–54). From 1956 to 1958, Helen Geer served as Director of The Library Mart, an operations consultancy for libraries and manufacturers.
From 1964 to 1969, Geer was an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Library Science, University of Rhode Island
.
, a prominent railroad executive, and Margaret Worth Thornton. She was the niece of Sir Henry Worth Thornton. Her sister, Margaret Worth Geer, was married to State Rep. John H. Kleine (R-Lake Forest, Ill.). She was a second cousin of silver screen actress Edna Goodrich
and Interim Elcar President Arthur Martin Graffis
.
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....
, Chicago
Chicago
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...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Education and career
After graduating from Wheaton College (AB: ENG LIT) in 1926 and the University of Illinois (BS: Library Science) in 1928, she entered Columbia UniversityColumbia 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...
, earning her M.S. in Library Science (1934). In 1929 she began work at the Flushing Branch, Queens Borough Public Library
Queens Borough Public Library
The Queens Library, also known as the Queens Borough Public Library, is the public library for the Borough of Queens and one of three library systems serving New York City. It was the No. 1 library system in the United States by circulation, having loaned 21 million items in the 2007 fiscal year.It...
, NYC. During the next fifteen years, she was promoted frequently, culminating in her appointment as Acting Head of the Business and Science Division (1942–44).
After briefly working at the Harper Library, University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, Geer was named Headquarters Librarian for the American Library Association, a position she held from 1947 until 1956. Also, she served as President of the Chicago Library Club (1953–54). From 1956 to 1958, Helen Geer served as Director of The Library Mart, an operations consultancy for libraries and manufacturers.
From 1964 to 1969, Geer was an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Library Science, University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
.
Family
Helen Thornton Geer was the daughter of Isaac Wheeler GeerIsaac Wheeler Geer
Isaac Wheeler Geer was a prominent railroad executive who served as General Manager of the Southwestern Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, based in St. Louis...
, a prominent railroad executive, and Margaret Worth Thornton. She was the niece of Sir Henry Worth Thornton. Her sister, Margaret Worth Geer, was married to State Rep. John H. Kleine (R-Lake Forest, Ill.). She was a second cousin of silver screen actress Edna Goodrich
Edna Goodrich
Edna Goodrich was an American Broadway actress, Florodora girl, author, and media sensation during the early 1900s. At one point, she was known as one of America's wealthiest and best dressed performers. She was married to Edwin Stacey of Cincinnati, Ohio, and later Nat C...
and Interim Elcar President Arthur Martin Graffis
Arthur Martin Graffis
Arthur Martin Graffis was a prominent automotive engineer, serving as Chief Engineer of Auburn Automobile and as Chief Engineer and Interim President of Elcar Automotive. During Elcar’s bankruptcy, A. M. Graffis was appointed court trustee of Elcar’s assets...
.