Gratia Countryman | |
|---|---|
 Countryman in 1917 | |
| President of the American Library Association | |
| In office 1933–1934 | |
| Preceded by | Harry Miller Lydenberg |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Compton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gratia Alta Countryman November 29, 1866 Hastings, Minnesota, US |
| Died | July 26, 1953 (aged 86) Duluth, Minnesota, US |
| Education | University of Minnesota |
| Occupation | Librarian |
Gratia Alta Countryman (pronounced gray-sha) (November 29, 1866 – July 26, 1953) was a nationally-known librarian who led the Minneapolis Public Library from 1904 to 1936. She was the daughter of immigrant farmers Alta and Levi Countryman.[1] She pioneered many ways to make the library more accessible and user-friendly to all of the city's residents, regardless of age or economic position.[2] Countryman was called the "first lady of Minneapolis" and the "Jane Addams of the libraries".[3]
- ^ Gratia A. Countryman: an inventory of the Gratia A. Countryman and family papers at the Minnesota Historical Society
- ^ Benidt, Bruce Weir. The Library Book: Centennial History of the Minneapolis Public Library. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Library, 1984. (ISBN 0-9613716-0-9)
- ^ Rohde, Nancy Freeman (1998). "Gratia Alta Countryman: Librarian and Reformer". In Stuhler, Barbara; Krueter, Gretchen (eds.). Women of Minnesota: Selected Biographical Essays. Internet Archive. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press. pp.173–189. ISBN 978-0-87351-367-8.