1860-1868, Louis I. Coulter <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Lewis I. Coulter was born in Ohio in 1836, the son of John P. Coulter and Elizabeth. He married Kate K. Thurston in Des Moines, Iowa on April 26, 1860 and had two children, a son, Edward and daughter, Jessie F. in Des Moines. Lewis Coulter was a clerk in the office of the Iowa Supreme Court and after being appointed Deputy served as the State Librarian from 1860 to 1868. In 1870 Coulter was the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction. He moved his family to Chicago, Illinois by 1880 and worked for the American Book Company. 1860 US. Federal Census, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, p.142, line 5, Lewis J. Coulter household (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) 1870 US. Federal Census, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, p.179, line 28, Louis I. Coulter household, (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) 1880 US Federal Census, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, ED 123, p.54, Louis I. Coulter household, (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1858-1860, John Parshall Coulter <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> John P. Coulter was born about 1803 in Pennsylvania. He became a physician, moved to Wooster, Ohio and married Elizabeth. John and Elizabeth had four children in Ohio: Lewis, Edward, Elnora, and Flora. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa and John Coulter became the State Librarian from 1858 to 1860. Coulter volunteered in the 12th Iowa Infantry, Company D during the Civil War, serving as a Lieutenant Colonel. Afterwards, he moved his family to Marion, Iowa (also in Linn County), and was the County Auditor from 1870-1875. Coulter died in 1879 at age 76 and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. 1850 US. Federal Census, Town of Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, p.239, line 11, J.P. Coulter household, (Online: AncestryLib.com) 1860 US. Federal Census, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa, p.462, line 36, John P. Coulter household (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) 1870 US. Federal Census, Town of Marion, Linn County, Iowa, p.229, line 39, John Coulter household (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) The History of Linn County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns. Chicago: Western Historical Co. 1878: 362 Lothrop, Charles H. Medical & Surgical Directory of the State of Iowa 1880-1881. Lyons, IA, 1876-1886. State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1939-1956, Blanche A. Smith <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Blanche Annette Smith was born in Monroe, Iowa, on Aug. 26, 1887, the daughter of Otis E. Smith and Annie Slusser. She attended schools in Des Moines, Shenandoah, and Indianola, Iowa, graduating from Simpson College in 1908. Blanche taught at the Indianola High School, was teacher-librarian at Loveland, Colorado high school from 1914 to 1917 and an Assistant in the Fort Des Moines Hospital Library from 1914-1918. She was a Library Assistant at the Omaha Public Library in Nebraska from 1918-1920. Blanche was also an assistant at the Des Moines Public Library, head of the Extension Division in a Washington, DC Public Library, Assistant Librarian at Cleveland College, and Assistant Professor at Wisconsin Library School. She was appointed Executive Secretary of the Iowa Library Commission in 1938 and became the State Librarian in 1939. Blanche A. Smith died in December 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa. Brown, David K. ed. “State Traveling Library.” State of Iowa Official Register 1939-1940. Des Moines: State of Iowa. 1940.126-127. “Smith, Blanche A(nnette),” Who’s Who in the Midwest. Chicago: A.N. Marquis Company. 1949: 1153. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index,” (Online: Rootsweb.com, 2008) &lt;http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi&gt; for reference to Blanche A. Smith. “Blanche Smith Dies at Wesley Acres,” Indianola Record Herald newspaper, Monday, Dec. 10, 1979, p.4 State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1973-1982, Barry Porter <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Barry Lavon Porter was born in Cedar City, Utah on Oct. 3, 1942, the son of LaVon Porter and Alta Haycock. Barry received his Bachelor of Science degree from South Utah State College and his Masters in Library Science from Brigham Young University. He married Gayle Willis Sept. 3, 1965 and had five children: Donald, Michelle, Jeffrey, Steven, and Jared. Barry worked as Bookmobile and Reference Librarian for the Utah State Library Commission; was Executive Secretary of the Utah Library Association; trustee for the Center for Research, Rocky Mountain Region; and Chairman of the Western Council of State Librarians. He was the State Librarian of Iowa from January 1973 through 1982. During his nine years as State Librarian, he guided the State Library through a transition from a traveling library that provided book collections to libraries around the state, to an agency that provided statewide programs, consultants, and networking services. Afterward Porter moved to Denver to enter into a partnership with Carl Gaumer’s Reference Service covering the area of Washington, Oregon, and California. “State Librarian Resigns...” Footnotes, Oct. 1982: front page “Porter, Barry Lavon.” Who’sWho in the Midwest 1982-1983, 18th ed. Chicago: Marquis Who’sWho, 1982: 552 State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1992-2000, Sharman Smith <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Sharman Bridges Smith was born in Lambert, Mississippi. Before coming to Iowa, Smith was director of Library Services at the Mississippi Library Commission in Jackson. Other positions she held there included director of Library Operations and manager of Information Services. Smith also served as director of the Lincoln Lawrence Franklin Regional Library in Brookhaven, Mississippi and was head librarian in the Clinton Public Library in Clinton, Mississippi. Under Sharman’s direction, the 88-year-old building housing the State Library underwent a four year historic renovation. The SILO Locator and SILO Interlibrary Loan program were developed during Smith’s tenure. Her crowning achievement was the passage of legislation in 1999 which established Direct State Aid for public libraries. In 2000, Sharman moved back to Mississippi to become Executive Director of the Mississippi Library Commission. “Sharman Smith Named to State Librarian Post.” Footnotes May 1992, front page “Smith, Sharman Bridges.” Who’s Who in the Midwest 2000-2001, 27th ed. New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who’sWho. 2000: 558 State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1872-1877, Ada North <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Ada E. Miles was born in New York in 1841, the daughter of Rev. Milo N. and Mary Miles. In 1865 she married Major George J. North, Governor Stone’s Military Secretary. In 1870 George died, leaving his widow with two small children, Howard and Georgia, to support. North began as a clerk in the Iowa legislature that same year towards the close of the session. A vacancy occurred in the office of State Librarian when John C. Merrill died in Sept. of 1871. Governor Samuel Merrill appointed Mrs. North to that position. She was the first woman to become head of the State Library and “many eyes anxiously watched her administration to see whether a woman would prove competent for the position.” North set about to change the image of the librarian by offering sessions on the use of the catalogs, reference works, and other library aids. With her efforts a bill was passed creating a Library Board of Trustees consisting of the Governor, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Judges of the Supreme Court. After serving as the State Librarian she was appointed Librarian of the State University in Iowa City where she helped organize the Iowa Library Society (now the Iowa Library Association). She died in Des Moines, Iowa on January 9, 1899. United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Iowa Volume, Chicago: American Biographical Publishing, 1878, (Online: http://iagenweb.org.civilwar/biographies/biographies_n.htm) “A Study of the Public Library Movement in Iowa.” The Iowa Journal of History and Politics. Jan 1937: 64. Brigham, Johnson. “Mrs. Ada E. North.” Annals of Iowa. Jan 1905: 624-626. 1860 US Federal Census, Town of Geneseo, Henry County, Illinois, p.596, line 18, Milo N. Miles household, (Online: Heritage Quest, 2008) State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1838-1839, Theodore S. Parvin <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Theodore Sutton Parvin was born in Cumberland County, New Jersey, Jan. 15, 1817. He graduated from Woodworth College, Ohio in 1833, and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1837. Between these dates, he made for himself a reputation in Ohio as a successful educator. He was a private secretary to Iowa’s territorial Governor Lucas and also served as Territorial Librarian. After Parvin served as US District Attorney for the middle district of Iowa, he filled three terms as probate judge. From 1846 to 1856 he served as clerk of the US District Court. In 1857 he was elected Register of the Iowa State Land Office. He was one of the first trustees of Iowa’s State University, and for ten years was professor of natural sciences in that institution. He was one of the organizers of the State Historical Society, and for several years edited the Annals of Iowa. Theodore Parvin was one of the founders of the Masonic order in Iowa. He died at his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa June 28th, 1901, at the age of 84. History of Johnson County, Iowa containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882. together with biographical sketches… Iowa City, IA: 1883. 764-766 State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1888-1894, Mary H. Miller <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Mary H. MacGinnitie was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania on July 24, 1842, the daughter of John P. and Marilla B. MacGinnitie. She came with her parents to Eddyville, Iowa in 1862 and taught in the public schools in Eddyville and Ottumwa. In 1867 she was married to Lieutenant Samuel Newell Miller, of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, who died March 27, 1872 leaving her to raise her three-year-old son, Frank . After the death of her husband she taught in the Des Moines public schools until May 1888, when she was appointed by Governor Larrabee to succeed Sara B. Maxwell as State Librarian. It was said that as State Librarian Mrs. Miller was “uniformly courteous and willing to do all in her power to make the use of its facilities as wide and general as possible.” Miller was elected the first President of the Iowa Library Association in 1891, holding the office for two terms. She was “kindly helpful to all who needed aid, and she had the true spirit of selflessness.” Her son, Frank, died May 25, 1896 and she died in Des Moines on March 28, 1904. “Well Known Woman Dies; Mary M. Miller, Former State Librarian, Passes Away at Age of 63,” The Register and Leader newspaper, Des Moines, IA, Tuesday, March 29, 1904, p.2. “Death of a Former Citizen, Mary H. Miller Passes Away at the Age of Sixty-Three,” Eddyville Tribune newspaper, Eddyville, IA, Friday, April 1, 1904, p.8 Hall, Willis L. Biographical Sketches of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly of Iowa, the State Officers and Iowa Members of Congress, Des Moines, Rowen Brothers: 1894:18-19. “Mary M. Miller.” Quarterly of the Iowa Library Commission, Oct. 1904: 63. Mary Miller photograph from Records of the Iowa Library Association, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 2001-2013 Mary Wegner <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> Mary Wegner was named State Librarian in 2001, and prior to that served as Assistant State Librarian for one year. Before joining the State Library of Iowa, she worked for more than 20 years as the director of the libraries at Iowa Methodist, Iowa Lutheran and Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines. Wegner was president of the Iowa Library Association in 1999. She is a member of the board of trustees of the Bibliographical Center for Research, and is also on the Legislative Committee of COSLA, the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. She serves on WebJunction’s national E-learning Advisory Committee and the National Advisory Board for Warburg College’s Vogel Library. Wegner began her professional career as a reference librarian at the Waterloo Public Library. She spent one session as a caucus staffer for the Iowa House of Representatives before joining the hospital library. A native Iowan, Wegner has lived in eight Iowa communities. She graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in history, and received her master's degree in library science from the University of Iowa. State Library initiatives developed under Wegner’s tenure include the statewide availability of EbscoHost databases in Iowa school, public and academic libraries; development of Iowa School Library Program Guidelines following passage of legislation which requires Iowa school districts to employ teacher librarians; the Telling the Library Story tool kit (developed with Karen Burns, Southwest Iowa Library Services Area); and the PLOW (Putting Libraries on the Web) program which provides Web sites for nearly 300 Iowa public libraries. State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image 1971-1972, Maurice Travillian <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Librarians">Librarians</a> J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five year plan for library services in Iowa. After leaving in 1972, he became Director of the Wartburg College Library in Waverly, Iowa. In 1995 Mr. Travillian became the State Librarian of Maryland and was later the Assistant State Superintendent of the Maryland State Department of Education. His wife was also a librarian and they have three children. “Appointment of J. Maurice Travillian.” Newsletter for the Library Group. Jan 1970: 2. “Acting Director and Director of Extension Services Resign.” The Aardvark, May/June 1972: 2. “Welcome to the Maryland General Assembly.” The Citizen, Spring 2007: 5 (State Librarians – Maurice Travillian). http://www.citizensformarylandlibraries.org/newsletter/adobe/spring07.pdf State Librarians of Iowa 1837 - 2008 Compiled by Karon S. King Library Resource Technician State Library of Iowa 1112 East Grand Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50319 2008 This digital image may be used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. No commercial reproduction or distribution of this file is permitted without written permission of the State Library of Iowa JPEG Still Image