Ralph Ulveling

Ralph Adrian Ulveling (1902 - 1980) was an influential American librarian best known for his support of intellectual freedom, interracial understanding, and the advancement of the library and information science profession. He is listed as one of the most important contributors to the library profession during the 20th century by the journal, "American Libraries". [Kniffel, L.; McCormick, E.; Sullivan, P. 100 of the most important leaders we had in the 20th century. "American Libraries". Dec 1999. 30, 11. Research Library pg. 47.]

Education and Early Career

Before relocating to Michigan, Ulveling served as Reference Assistant at the Newberry Library in Chicago from 1924-1926 and then as Librarian at the Potter County Library in Amarillo, Texas from 1926-1927. [Rutzen, R. "Forty years at a library desk; or, Some happenings in the career of Ralph A. Ulveling." Friends of the Detroit Public Library : Detroit, MI. 1967.]

He attended the prestigious School for Library Science at Columbia University in New York City from 1927-1928.

Contributions to the Library and Information Science Profession

As Chief of Branches for the Detroit Public Library, Ulveling oversaw the creation of the Detroit system for self-book-charging and the opening of the Parkman Branch Library.

While serving as the Associate Director of the Detroit Public Library from 1934 to 1941 and as chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Michigan Library Association (MLA), Ulveling won the first state aid for libraries in Michigan from the Michigan legislature in 1937. As President of the MLA from 1937-1938, he was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan State Board for Libraries by the Michigan legislature. After his tenure as president of the MLA, Ulveling served on the Michigan State Board for Libraries from 1938-1939.

Ulveling oversaw the continued expansion of the Detroit Public Library system with the opening of the Mark Twain branch library in 1939 and the Bookmobile service in 1940. Soon after, Ulveling became Director of the Detroit Public Library in 1941, a position he would serve in for over 26 years.

In 1942, Ulveling helped form the Friends of the Detroit Public Library, a group of community leaders dedicated to advancing the DPL through fundraising and public awareness activities.

As President of the American Library Association (ALA) from 1945-1946, Ralph Ulveling served as member of the First U.S. National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Personal life

Ralph Ulveling married the former Elizabeth Baer on December 16, 1939 and had three children, daughters Honor (b. 1942) and Ann (b. 1947), and son, Roger (b. 1943).

External links

[http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Ulveling%2C+Ralph&fq=ap%3A%22ulveling%2C+ralph+a%22&qt=facet_ap%3A Works by Ralph A. Ulveling at WorldCat]