By Anna Larson
The Information and Library Science Department at Indiana University has a long and rich history, going back almost 100 years. The first library science curriculum was organized in the School of Education in 1930, focusing on school librarianship. From there it grew and became the Division of Library Science in the School of Education in 1947, offering an undergraduate minor aimed at the development of all types of librarians. In 1949, the first graduate program in Library Science was established through the graduate school – a Master of Arts with a major in Library Science. From there the program expanded to include doctoral study in 1964, and the Master of Library Science professional degree replaced the Master of Arts degree in 1966, the same year the Graduate Library School was established.
As part of the Luddy School’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Computing (UROC) program, MLS Program Director Dr. Devan Donaldson and student Avery Plonka (Computer Science, ’26) conducted archival research looking at the first graduates of the Master of Library Science (MLS) program at IU. The purpose of this project was to learn more about these individuals to highlight an important part of our program’s history and to continue fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for current and prospective students.
The First Graduates
The first master’s level degree offered in Library Sciences at IU was established in 1949 as a five-year program including both undergraduate and graduate studies. The first graduates with a Master of Arts in Library Science, Georgia May Smith and Mary Alice Vanderburg, were part of the class of 1950.
Born in 1929 in Hobart, Indiana, Georgia May Smith was active in the Glee Club, Vocal Ensemble, and the Librarian’s Club at Hobart High School between 1942 and 1945. She majored in English Literature at DePauw University. While there, Smith was in the Delta Zeta sorority and became vice president her senior year. She was in the Choral Union all four years and was in the Shakespeare Club her third and fourth years.
Mary Alice Vanderburg was born to James Ross Vanderburg and Cecile Genevieve Johnson in 1922. She majored in Government at IU and graduated with her Master of Arts in Library Science in 1950. Post-graduation, Vanderburg worked as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Hospital Libraries Association, Indianapolis section in 1955. She also worked at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital as a Patients’ Librarian until the position was filled by Judith Ewbank a little before June 1958. Vanderburg died in 1997.
The First Black Graduate
Part of the class of 1966, Nancy Ann Amos (1938-2018) was the first Black graduate of the MLS program, the same year that the Master of Library Science professional degree replaced the Master of Arts in Library Science. Following her study at IU, Amos moved to Louisville, Kentucky and was Head Librarian of the Northeast and Crescent Hill Branches of the Louisville Free Public Library. She married Larry Amos and had three children and three grandchildren before her death in 2018.
The First American Indian/Alaska Native Graduate
Cynthia Ann Bauer received her Master of Library Science degree in 1967. She was likely born in 1942, attending North Central High School in Indianapolis where she was on the student council, of which she was vice president junior year, was the National Honor Society Secretary her senior year, participated in the Latin Club and was Junior Prom Queen. After graduation, she may have lived in Australia and died in 2016. We are still confirming these details.
The First Asian Graduate
Choong Han Kim (1923-2016) graduated with his Master of Library Science in 1960. Beginning in 1956, during his time as a student, Kim published several papers and books regarding library science including Public Library Users and Uses: A Market Research Handbook and Books By Mail: A Handbook for Libraries. After receiving his degree, Kim worked as a librarian at Indiana State University for over 20 years.
The First Latina Graduate
Currently working as a private art consultant, Katharine Martinez graduated with her Master of Library Science in 1974. She went on to earn her PhD from the George Washington University-Library of Congress PhD program in American Studies. While working as assistant librarian at the NCFA/NPG Library (now American Art/Portrait Gallery Library), Martinez was elected national chairman of the Art Libraries Society of North America in 1978. From 2010-2016, Martinez served as director of the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona. After her retirement in 2016, she turned to private consulting.
The First International Graduates
Ismail Haznedari was born on March 31, 1924 to parents Ramandan Haznedari (father) and Lytfise Kuci (mother). Coming to the US through New York, Haznedari was naturalized in June of 1957, the same year he graduated with his Master of Library Science degree. He spoke at a Military Librarian’s Workshop in 1988. Haznedari moved to New Jersey, where he died September 30, 1997.
One of the first Asian students in the Library Science program, Vibulpenn Jayapani attended IU for the Master of Library Science program in 1957. Prior to her time in Indiana, Jayapani married and had a child in 1952. She attended college at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. Jayapani returned home to Thailand to be closer to her family after studying in the MLS program. While working at Chulalongkorn University, she earned high honors. Jayapani is still alive, living in Thailand and enjoying her life as a great-grandmother.
Looking to the Future
Donaldson plans to continue this research and build upon these preliminary efforts, stating, “I am very excited about what we’ve been able to uncover thus far, but I know there’s more information out there.”
For Plonka, it was occasionally frustrating and time-consuming trying “to find information when someone’s name was very common or there was simply no information on them, but that always made finding verifiable information all the more exciting.” She noted that old ILS newsletters were a great source for getting reliable information on some of the MLS firsts.
Donaldson hopes that including this story in the newsletter will generate discussion and connections with alumni to verify details gathered from the research and to fill in the blanks on information about these individuals. “One key area we want to develop this project is in finding out what some of these graduates did professionally after graduating from IU,” Donaldson explains. “Hopefully some alumni who read this newsletter will recognize these individuals and let us know about what they did with their careers in libraries. That would really be amazing!”
In the future, Donaldson plans to expand the research to include uncovering the history of the first graduates of our MIS and PhD programs. A long-term goal of the project is to get approval to display pictures of these individuals in the halls of the ILS common area in Luddy Hall. According to Donaldson, “That way, we will literally never lose sight of this important part of the history of our department.”
If you would like to support this research, please contact Donaldson directly at drdonald@indiana.edu with any helpful information about the first graduates of our MLS, MIS, or PhD programs.