Jean Ellen Coleman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Ellen Coleman
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| Born |
Brooklyn, NY
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| Died | November 9, 1996 (aged 67–68) Teaneck, NJ
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| Occupation | librarian |
Jean Ellen Coleman (1928 – November 9, 1996) was a very important American librarian. She is best known for starting and leading a special office at the American Library Association (ALA). This office helped libraries connect with more people, especially those who didn't use library services much. She worked there from 1973 to 1986.
This office changed its name a few times. It began as the Office of Library Service to the Disadvantaged in 1970. Later, it became the Office for Library Outreach Services in 1980. Today, it's called the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services.
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Helping Libraries Reach Everyone
While working at the Office for Library Outreach Services (OLOS), Jean Coleman did a lot to help libraries. She met with people from the US government to improve library services for Native American communities. She worked with the American Indian Library Association on this important project.
Fighting for Literacy
Jean Coleman also teamed up with a group called The Coalition for Literacy. This group included eleven different organizations. Together, they started a big campaign across the country to help people learn to read and write.
They ran advertisements about how important literacy is. They also set up a free phone number (an 800 number) to connect people with local reading programs. This effort helped connect 40,000 volunteers with people who needed help learning to read.
Jean Coleman strongly believed that teaching people to read was a great way for libraries to help everyone. She thought it was a perfect role for libraries to take on. She even organized and led special training projects in three big cities. In these projects, 124 people from 33 states and the Virgin Islands learned how to start and run reading help programs in their own communities.
Her Early Life and Learning
Jean Coleman was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were John Milton Coleman and Hughie Boyer Coleman. She went to Hunter College and later earned a master's degree in library science from Pratt.
Before joining the American Library Association, she had several interesting jobs. She taught on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation from 1956 to 1957. She also worked at the Jewish Guild for the Blind from 1958 to 1962. She worked for the Brooklyn Public Library until 1973. Later, she earned her PhD from Rutgers University.
Honoring Her Work
Jean Coleman left her position in 1987. In 2000, the American Library Association created a special annual event in her honor. It's called the Dr. Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture. This lecture series continues to celebrate her dedication to helping libraries serve all people.
