Public Library

Directors of the Past

and Present
An Overview of the Historical Contributions of
Ralph A. Ulveling and the Present
Contributions of Nancy Colpaert to the Library
Profession

Presented by Heidi E. Hansen

Ralph A. Ulveling
 Library Director of the Detroit Public
Library from 1941 to 1967.
 Graduated from Columbia University with
his degree in Library Science
 Past president of the American Library
Association
 Best known for his controversial stance on
intellectual freedom during the Cold War.
Nancy Colpaert
 Library Director of the Monroe County
Library System from 1999 to present.
 Worked for the Monroe County Library
System for over 30 years.
 Graduated from University of Michigan
with her degree in Library Science.
 Prefers to use her skills to influence library
decisions on a local and community basis.
Accomplishments of the
Library Directors
 Ralph A. Ulveling  Nancy Colpaert
 A leader on social
issues concerning
racism.
 Redesigned DPL and
other libraries to make
sense physically and
mentally
 Promoted personal
attainment goals
through adult education
 Promotes discussion on
technology throughout
the library system.
 Stays active and visible
throughout the
community and the
library system
 Promotes recreation
and education in the
library system.
The Ulveling Controversy
 Spoke in favor censoring books to the
reference shelf to keep what he
considered “communist propaganda” out
of the hands of general readers.
 Felt the Library Bill of Rights was
“incompatible” with his obligation as an
American citizen.
 In favor of rigid book selection policies
 Believed that it was the librarian’s duty to
guide the patron in “right thinking”
The MCLS Controversy
 Copies of the Madonna Sex Book were purchased
for the library system.
 The community felt that this was not material
they wanted in their library system.
 Employees of the library system were questioned
and even threatened by members of the
community.
 In the mind of Nancy Colparet, however, the
controversy solidified the need for intellectual
freedom.
Objectives of a Public
Library
 Ralph A. Ulveling  Nancy Colpaert
 Education  Free access to
 Information information
 Aesthetic Appreciation  Education
 Research  Recreation
 Recreation
Conclusion
 The public library’s shifting roles
 Technology increases the amount of access
patrons have to information at home
 Recreation a more accepted form of education
 The library building is more of a destination