Robert G. Vosper
Encyclopedia
Robert Gordon Vosper was an American
educator and librarian
who oversaw college libraries at the University of Kansas
and the University of California, Los Angeles
. Vosper served as president of the http://www.ala.orgAmerican Library Association
(ALA)] and won the Joseph W. Lippincott award in 1985. He was also named one of the top 100 librarians of the 20th century by American Libraries
.
in 1937 and 1939, respectively. He then went on to pursue a degree in librarianship at the University of California at Berkley in 1940. On August 20, 1940, he married Loraine Gjording. The couple had one son and three daughters.
Vosper's career as a librarian included directorships at the W.A. Clark Memorial Library and the library at the University of Kansas
, as well as the director of libraries at the University of California, Los Angeles
(UCLA) where he began in 1961. In 1973, Vosper retired from his work at the library but continued to teach as a full time professor at UCLA’s school of library science until 1983, followed by several years as a recall professor.
were important aspects of any library and should not be overlooked in favor of a deepened concentration on other traditional occupational tasks such as cataloging
and reference. Vosper felt that it was important to step away from the purely mechanical aspects of acquisitions in favor of using individuals interested in the subject matter of the books in question. This was a directive that Vosper practiced in both his professional career as a library director and as a professor in the field.
Another aspect of librarianship that Vosper worked to improve was in the area of interactions between libraries on an international level. During the McCarthy eraof the 1950s, Vosper became known both nationally and internationally as a member of the library profession willing to stand up for intellectual freedom
s. Together with the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, Franklin D. Murphy
, Vosper helped to create an internationally known exhibit on intellectual freedom. The exhibit’s catalog became so well known and popular that 20,000 copies had to be printed.
In 1964, Vosper wrote for the professional journal Library Trends
on the status and developments of European University libraries. He examined aspects of the American library system that he felt were lacking, such as deficiencies in the history of American libraries. Despite some of the international efforts being made at the time to improve international ties, Vosper felt that the profession was doing its patrons a disservice by not providing users with multilingual sources. He also felt that American users would benefit from understanding how libraries in Europe functioned, especially comparing the liberal access American users were accustomed to with the more controlled access available in several European nations.
(IFLA) from 1971 to 1977, as well as a board member to the Board of the Council on Library Resources, an organization created to advance modern research and university libraries across the globe.
Vosper was well respected in his field, receiving many forms of recognition from his professional peers both nationally and internationally. From 1965-1966, Vosper served as president of the American Library Association (ALA) and was awarded the Joseph W. Lippincott Award by the ALA in 1985. The Lippincott Award recognizes librarians distinguished by their service to the profession in the form of writings and participation in professional organizations, both areas in which Vosper was well accomplished.
In 1999, Vosper was recognized by American Libraries as one of the top 100 Librarians of the 20th Century for his work as a librarian at UCLA from 1961-1973. It was during his tenure at UCLA that Vosper further developed his reputation for standing firm on his beliefs on the true function of a library that he began during his employment at Kansas University. On May 6, 1970, Vosper was under pressure by UCLA’s administration to close the library due to antiwar protests taking place on the campus. In response to these instructions, Vosper posted a notice declaring his refusal to shut the doors on the grounds that the purpose of a library was to be a sanctuary devoted to the free access of intellectual and cultural information. By choosing to keep the UCLA libraries open during such unrest, Vosper is still seen as a person committed to preserving the library and its most basic function, being a portal of information no matter the circumstances. Vosper's actions in this situation showcase the importance of upholding the ethical obligations librarians face everyday.
Vosper’s international accolades include becoming a decorated officer in the Order of the Crown of Belgium
in 1977 and being named a Guggenheim fellow
from 1959 to 1960.
, where he was survived by his wife and children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator and 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...
who oversaw college libraries at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
and the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. Vosper served as president of the http://www.ala.orgAmerican 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)] and won the Joseph W. Lippincott award in 1985. He was also named one of the top 100 librarians of the 20th century by American Libraries
American Libraries
American Libraries is the official news and features magazine of the American Library Association. Published six times per year, along with four additional digital-only supplements, it is distributed to all members of the organization...
.
Early years
Vosper was born in Portland, Oregon, to parents Chester Vivian and Anna Stipe on June 6, 1913. Vosper received his Bachelor of Arts and Master's degrees in the field of Classics from the University of OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1937 and 1939, respectively. He then went on to pursue a degree in librarianship at the University of California at Berkley in 1940. On August 20, 1940, he married Loraine Gjording. The couple had one son and three daughters.
Vosper's career as a librarian included directorships at the W.A. Clark Memorial Library and the library at the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, as well as the director of libraries at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA) where he began in 1961. In 1973, Vosper retired from his work at the library but continued to teach as a full time professor at UCLA’s school of library science until 1983, followed by several years as a recall professor.
Contributions to the library profession
Vosper is well known for his writings on the field of librarianship where his topics included the importance of building a strong book collection that included varied topics and other general aspects of library planning. His work Acquisition Trends in American Libraries, written in 1955, stressed that book acquisitions and collection developmentLibrary collection development
Library collection development is the process of meeting the information needs of the people in a timely and economical manner using information resources locally held, as well as from other organizations....
were important aspects of any library and should not be overlooked in favor of a deepened concentration on other traditional occupational tasks such as cataloging
Library catalog
A library catalog is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations...
and reference. Vosper felt that it was important to step away from the purely mechanical aspects of acquisitions in favor of using individuals interested in the subject matter of the books in question. This was a directive that Vosper practiced in both his professional career as a library director and as a professor in the field.
Another aspect of librarianship that Vosper worked to improve was in the area of interactions between libraries on an international level. During the McCarthy eraof the 1950s, Vosper became known both nationally and internationally as a member of the library profession willing to stand up for 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:...
s. Together with the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, Franklin D. Murphy
Franklin David Murphy
Franklin David Murphy was an American administrator, educator, and medical doctor. During his life, he served as Chancellor of the University of Kansas and Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles ....
, Vosper helped to create an internationally known exhibit on intellectual freedom. The exhibit’s catalog became so well known and popular that 20,000 copies had to be printed.
In 1964, Vosper wrote for the professional journal Library Trends
Library Trends
Library Trends is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal founded in 1952 and published quarterly by the Johns Hopkins University Press. It covers international developments and future directions in the fields of library and information science. It includes analysis of research and writing,...
on the status and developments of European University libraries. He examined aspects of the American library system that he felt were lacking, such as deficiencies in the history of American libraries. Despite some of the international efforts being made at the time to improve international ties, Vosper felt that the profession was doing its patrons a disservice by not providing users with multilingual sources. He also felt that American users would benefit from understanding how libraries in Europe functioned, especially comparing the liberal access American users were accustomed to with the more controlled access available in several European nations.
Professional appointments and awards
Vosper later became vice president of the International Federation of Library Associations and InstitutionsInternational Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is the leading international association of library organisations. It is the global voice of the library and information profession, and its annual conference provides a venue for librarians to learn from one another...
(IFLA) from 1971 to 1977, as well as a board member to the Board of the Council on Library Resources, an organization created to advance modern research and university libraries across the globe.
Vosper was well respected in his field, receiving many forms of recognition from his professional peers both nationally and internationally. From 1965-1966, Vosper served as president of the American Library Association (ALA) and was awarded the Joseph W. Lippincott Award by the ALA in 1985. The Lippincott Award recognizes librarians distinguished by their service to the profession in the form of writings and participation in professional organizations, both areas in which Vosper was well accomplished.
In 1999, Vosper was recognized by American Libraries as one of the top 100 Librarians of the 20th Century for his work as a librarian at UCLA from 1961-1973. It was during his tenure at UCLA that Vosper further developed his reputation for standing firm on his beliefs on the true function of a library that he began during his employment at Kansas University. On May 6, 1970, Vosper was under pressure by UCLA’s administration to close the library due to antiwar protests taking place on the campus. In response to these instructions, Vosper posted a notice declaring his refusal to shut the doors on the grounds that the purpose of a library was to be a sanctuary devoted to the free access of intellectual and cultural information. By choosing to keep the UCLA libraries open during such unrest, Vosper is still seen as a person committed to preserving the library and its most basic function, being a portal of information no matter the circumstances. Vosper's actions in this situation showcase the importance of upholding the ethical obligations librarians face everyday.
Vosper’s international accolades include becoming a decorated officer in the Order of the Crown of Belgium
Order of the Crown (Belgium)
The Order of the Crown is an Order of Belgium which was created on 15 October 1897 by King Leopold II in his capacity as ruler of the Congo Free State. The order was first intended to recognize heroic deeds and distinguished service achieved from service in the Congo Free State - many of which acts...
in 1977 and being named a Guggenheim fellow
Guggenheim Fellowship
Guggenheim Fellowships are American grants that have been awarded annually since 1925 by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Each year, the foundation makes...
from 1959 to 1960.
Later years
After leaving the directorship at the UCLA's library in 1973, he stayed on as a faculty member at the university's library school. On May 14, 1994, at the age of 80, Robert G. Vosper died at his home in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, where he was survived by his wife and children.