William Warner Bishop
Encyclopedia
William Warner Bishop was an American librarian who is credited and remembered for his work organizing and cataloging The Vatican Archives, his time served working with the American Library Association
, as well as his support of academic libraries (Sparks, 1993). He has the honor of being named one the most influential librarians in American history (Kniffel et al., 1999).
in Classics in 1892 and then earned his master’s degree the following year. He taught Greek and Latin from the time he graduated until 1902 (Sparks, 1978). He was an instructor at Missouri Wesleyan College
, Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Illinois
and even had the opportunity to spend a year in Rome
between 1898-1899 studying Greek and Latin. While he taught he usually worked part time in the academic libraries (Kaser, 1956). He originally thought that he would like to have a career in education but found himself instead drawn to a career working to improve the quality of library services (Sparks, 1978). Bishop went on to work at Princeton University
where he was in charge of cataloging and was also as librarian
from 1902-1907 (Sparks, 1978). He then worked as superintendent of the reading room at the Library of Congress
during the years spanning 1905-1915 (Sparks, 1978). During this time Bishop married his wife Finie Murfree Burton in 1907. He and Finie had a son, William Warner Bishop Jr. Bishop accepted the position as director of Michigan Libraries in 1915. The University remained his primary place of employment until he retired in 1941. He worked as not only a Director but he also worked to help create a Library Science
program of study which became a reality in 1926 (Sparks, 1993).
having joined in 1896 (Bishop, 1949). It was here that he became interested in helping the library system to serve people as productively as possible. He worked as a part of many committees where he also had the honor of presenting countless scholarly papers that he wrote in regard to the controversial topics of the day (Bishop, 1951). Bishop also wrote several books some of these are “… Practical Handbook of Modern Library Cataloging, (first Edition 1914 and second edition 1924); Cataloging as an Asset (1916); The Backs of Books and Other Essays in Librarianship, (1926); … Carnegie Corporation and College Libraries (1929-38)…” (Sparks, 1978, p.33). He was elected President of the ALA in 1918. When his one year term as president was completed he went on to serve as “…president of the Bibliographical Society of America
in 1921-23 and in 1931 President of the International Federation of Library Associations… In 1928 he became chairman of the Advisory Group on College Libraries of Carnegie Corporation…” (Kaser, 1956, p. 52).
in 1927 and lasted seven years (Sparks, 1978). In William Warner Bishop’s Book The Backs of Books and Other Essays in Librarianship (1926) he explained that the Vatican archives were in poor shape having few if any systems of organization (pgs. 15-24). He chose to request the aid of Charles Martel
who worked at the Library of Congress as a cataloger and was considered to be one of the best in his field (Sparks Doyen, 1993, pgs. 226-227). With a strong team of people working alongside him Bishop was able to accomplish his goal. Because of his strong abilities as not only a librarian but also as man who exhibited strong leadership skills and earned the respect of his colleagues, he was able to successfully implement positive change within the Vatican Archives (Keppel, 1941).
as a whole should be made accessible for all persons in the community it served. “ In short we librarians are convinced that all printed matter is our province- not necessarily literature alone I the old sense- and that it is our business to get things in print into the hands of every one who can profitably use them- whether he knows it or not” (Bishop, 1919, p.2). He believed that libraries should be advertised to the public, explaining how what was in the walls could be of service to all citizens; not just scholars’ or those who had attained a certain level of education (Bishop, 1919). Bishop was also a big proponent of staying ahead of the trends or at least remaining current in library practices. He did not want to see librarians fall behind the ideals of great service and fair practice to all patrons, which would cause a disservice to the instruction he or she represented (Bishop 1949). He was a dedicated librarian, who worked hard to ensure the future success of libraries. He died on February 19, 1955.
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....
, as well as his support of academic libraries (Sparks, 1993). He has the honor of being named one the most influential librarians in American history (Kniffel et al., 1999).
Beginning of a Distinguished Career
William Warner Bishop was born in Missouri in 1871; he relocated to Detroit Michigan when he was seven years old. Bishop went on to obtain his undergraduate degree at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in Classics in 1892 and then earned his master’s degree the following year. He taught Greek and Latin from the time he graduated until 1902 (Sparks, 1978). He was an instructor at Missouri Wesleyan College
Missouri Wesleyan College
Missouri Wesleyan College was a college in Cameron, Missouri from 1883 until 1930.The school school opened as the Cameron Institute and became the college in 1887 after the Methodists acquired it.The college was best known for its music department....
, Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
and even had the opportunity to spend a year in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
between 1898-1899 studying Greek and Latin. While he taught he usually worked part time in the academic libraries (Kaser, 1956). He originally thought that he would like to have a career in education but found himself instead drawn to a career working to improve the quality of library services (Sparks, 1978). Bishop went on to work at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
where he was in charge of cataloging and was also as 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...
from 1902-1907 (Sparks, 1978). He then worked as superintendent of the reading room at 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...
during the years spanning 1905-1915 (Sparks, 1978). During this time Bishop married his wife Finie Murfree Burton in 1907. He and Finie had a son, William Warner Bishop Jr. Bishop accepted the position as director of Michigan Libraries in 1915. The University remained his primary place of employment until he retired in 1941. He worked as not only a Director but he also worked to help create a Library Science
Library science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
program of study which became a reality in 1926 (Sparks, 1993).
The Road to Influential Librarian
Bishop was a proud member of the American Library AssociationAmerican 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....
having joined in 1896 (Bishop, 1949). It was here that he became interested in helping the library system to serve people as productively as possible. He worked as a part of many committees where he also had the honor of presenting countless scholarly papers that he wrote in regard to the controversial topics of the day (Bishop, 1951). Bishop also wrote several books some of these are “… Practical Handbook of Modern Library Cataloging, (first Edition 1914 and second edition 1924); Cataloging as an Asset (1916); The Backs of Books and Other Essays in Librarianship, (1926); … Carnegie Corporation and College Libraries (1929-38)…” (Sparks, 1978, p.33). He was elected President of the ALA in 1918. When his one year term as president was completed he went on to serve as “…president of the Bibliographical Society of America
Bibliographical Society of America
The Bibliographical Society of America is the oldest learned society in North America that studies books and manuscripts as physical objects. Established in 1904, the society promotes bibliographical research and issues bibliographical publications...
in 1921-23 and in 1931 President of the International Federation of Library Associations… In 1928 he became chairman of the Advisory Group on College Libraries of Carnegie Corporation…” (Kaser, 1956, p. 52).
The Vatican Archives
Bishop served as the main advisor in helping The Vatican Library to become better by updating the cataloging system it used as well as reconstructing the building the archives were housed in (Sparks, 1978). This project was sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International PeaceCarnegie Endowment for International Peace
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a foreign-policy think tank based in Washington, D.C. The organization describes itself as being dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States...
in 1927 and lasted seven years (Sparks, 1978). In William Warner Bishop’s Book The Backs of Books and Other Essays in Librarianship (1926) he explained that the Vatican archives were in poor shape having few if any systems of organization (pgs. 15-24). He chose to request the aid of Charles Martel
Charles Martel
Charles Martel , also known as Charles the Hammer, was a Frankish military and political leader, who served as Mayor of the Palace under the Merovingian kings and ruled de facto during an interregnum at the end of his life, using the title Duke and Prince of the Franks. In 739 he was offered the...
who worked at the Library of Congress as a cataloger and was considered to be one of the best in his field (Sparks Doyen, 1993, pgs. 226-227). With a strong team of people working alongside him Bishop was able to accomplish his goal. Because of his strong abilities as not only a librarian but also as man who exhibited strong leadership skills and earned the respect of his colleagues, he was able to successfully implement positive change within the Vatican Archives (Keppel, 1941).
Advisory Group on College Libraries
Bishop worked to aid college libraries in spending grant money supplied to them by the Carnegie Corporation during the years spanning 1928-1943 (Bishop, 1951). He and others from the ALA worked out of his office at the University of Michigan where they put together lists of acceptable books for colleges as well as helped college librarians determine their individual needs (Bishop, 1951). Once the books were decided on the group worked to get the best prices from publishers in both the United States and Europe (Bishop, 1951). He worked diligently to ensure that libraries were stocked with only the most acceptable books. For example, if a librarian were to order a book that Bishop felt was not quite right, he would show the librarian a review of the book to try to persuade him or her to choose a different title (Bishop, 1951). Placing the very best material on library shelves became very important to him which could be seen in his article “Changing Ideals In Librarianship” (1919) where Bishop explained that the professional life of a librarian is very demanding due to the many facets of their jobs, which could cause him or her to end up purchasing book that is not worthwhile to the users of that particular library. It was his hope that librarians would remain educated informed of trends in literature so that “trash” would not be purchased just to fill the shelves in an expedient manner (Bishop, 1919, p.3).Lasting Impressions
William Warner Bishop was ahead of his time. He believed that the public libraryPublic library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
as a whole should be made accessible for all persons in the community it served. “ In short we librarians are convinced that all printed matter is our province- not necessarily literature alone I the old sense- and that it is our business to get things in print into the hands of every one who can profitably use them- whether he knows it or not” (Bishop, 1919, p.2). He believed that libraries should be advertised to the public, explaining how what was in the walls could be of service to all citizens; not just scholars’ or those who had attained a certain level of education (Bishop, 1919). Bishop was also a big proponent of staying ahead of the trends or at least remaining current in library practices. He did not want to see librarians fall behind the ideals of great service and fair practice to all patrons, which would cause a disservice to the instruction he or she represented (Bishop 1949). He was a dedicated librarian, who worked hard to ensure the future success of libraries. He died on February 19, 1955.
External links
- http://bentley.umich.edu/research/guides/libarch/bishop.php
- http://www.law.umich.edu/historyandtraditions/faculty/Faculty_Lists/Alpha_Faculty/Pages/WilliamWBishop,Jr.aspx
- http://um2017.org/Schools/Information/Faculty/bishop%20william%20w.html