Robert Wedgeworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wedgeworth
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Wedgeworth (center), alongside Jean E. Lowrie, meeting a Chinese foreign language instructor during a visit by Chinese librarians to the ALA headquarters. October 18, 1973.
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| Born | July 31, 1937 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Rutgers University |
| Occupation | Librarian |
Robert Wedgeworth is a famous American librarian. He helped start ProLiteracy Worldwide, an organization that teaches adults to read. He also used to lead the American Library Association (ALA) and was president of the IFLA. He has worked at big universities like Columbia University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Robert Wedgeworth has written and edited many important books. He has also won many awards for his work. In 2021, the American Library Association gave him its highest award, called Honorary Membership.
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Becoming a Librarian: Robert Wedgeworth's Education
Robert Wedgeworth finished Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri in 1955. He then earned a degree from Wabash College in 1959. In 1961, he got his master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.
He started a program at Rutgers University to get his PhD in library services. But he left in 1972 to become the leader of the American Library Association. Years later, in 2012, Wedgeworth went back to Rutgers. He finished his PhD, which is a very high degree. After his first graduation, he worked in several libraries in Kansas City and St. Louis.
Robert Wedgeworth's Career Highlights
Robert Wedgeworth worked as a University Librarian and Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1993 to 1999. The library at the University of Illinois is one of the biggest university research libraries in the world. It is only smaller than Harvard and Yale among North American university libraries.
Before that, Wedgeworth was the Dean of the School of Library Service at Columbia University from 1985 to 1992. He also served as the Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA) from 1972 to 1985.
In 1962, the American Library Association chose Wedgeworth to help with "Library 21." This was an exhibit about the library of the future at the Seattle World's Fair. This experience, along with training in computers, led him to a job at Brown University in 1966. There, he helped bring computer systems to the Brown Libraries. He managed buying books and materials and created a new computer system for tracking them. In 1969, he traveled around Western Europe to study how books were traded.
Wedgeworth then went to Rutgers University in 1969 to study more about librarianship and teach. He left Rutgers in 1972 to become the Executive Director of the American Library Association.
Leading the American Library Association
When Robert Wedgeworth took over the American Library Association (ALA), it was a difficult time. He helped make the organization more open and respected around the world. Under his leadership, the number of members grew from 28,000 to over 40,000.
He also helped build a new Headquarters building for the ALA. This project made the property much more valuable and earned a lot of money. Wedgeworth also worked with book publishers to bring the National Library Week program to the ALA. This program quickly became a popular way to promote libraries and a major source of income for the Association.
Helping People Learn to Read
Robert Wedgeworth cared a lot about reading and literacy. He helped create the Friends of Libraries USA. In 1979, he started the Coalition on Literacy. He then convinced the Advertising Council to launch the first national ad campaign to promote adult literacy. This campaign encouraged adults to learn how to read.
Protecting Copyrights
In 1975, President Gerald R. Ford asked Wedgeworth to join a special group called the National Commission on New Uses of Copyrighted Works (CONTU). He played an important role in solving issues about copying library materials. These solutions became a key part of the Copyright Revision Law of 1978. From 1985 to 1992, he was the Dean of the School of Library Service at Columbia University.
At the University of Illinois, Wedgeworth updated the library's technology. He helped launch a digital library research program. He also expanded the Mortenson Center, which trains librarians from other countries. The library also raised over $18 million in new donations during his time there.
Leading ProLiteracy Worldwide
In 2002, Wedgeworth became President of ProLiteracy Worldwide. This happened when two big literacy organizations, Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, joined together. ProLiteracy Worldwide is the largest non-government organization that trains people in literacy. It publishes materials and provides training in the U.S. and in over 60 developing countries. Wedgeworth retired from ProLiteracy in 2007.
International Library Leadership
Robert Wedgeworth served on the Executive Board of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) for six years. In 1991, he was elected President of IFLA. He was re-elected in 1995 and served until 1997. He is only the second American to be IFLA President and the only one to serve a second term.
As IFLA President, he helped the organization become the most important international library group. He expanded its membership to over 140 countries. He also helped create a global communication system called IFLANET. During his time as president, IFLA conferences had record numbers of attendees.
Serving on Important Boards
Robert Wedgeworth has been a member of many important groups. He is a life member of the American Library Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is also on the Board of Trustees for Wabash College and the Newberry Library. He is a member of the Grolier Society. In the past, he served on many other boards and committees, including those for Harvard and Stanford University Libraries. He also advised the World Book Encyclopedia for six years.
Awards and Recognitions
Robert Wedgeworth has received many honors and awards for his work. He has been given six honorary doctorates, including one from Syracuse University in 2008.
In 1991, he was named the Most Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library and Information Science. In 1996, he received the Medal of Honor from the International Council of Archives for his international work.
He received the American Library Association Honorary Membership in 2021, which is the ALA's highest award. He also won the Joseph W. Lippincott Award in 1989, the Melvil Dewey Medal in 1997, and the Humphry/OCLC/Forest Press Award for his achievements in international librarianship.
In 2011, Wedgeworth gave a special speech called the Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture. The topic was "Literacy in Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities."
Family Life
Robert Wedgeworth is married to Chung-Kyun (C.K.), who is also a retired librarian. They have one daughter. She works as a senior news editor for the New York Times in Washington.
