Timeline of Important Events in Early Children's Services History
1805- Caleb Bingham donates books to the Salisbury Library in Connecticut (now called the Scoville Library), and creates the Bingham Library for Youth. This is one of the earliest records of a specialized library for children. 1877-The first separate children's area in a public library with tables designated for children and open shelving was created by MInerva Sanders, of the Pawtucket Public Library, Rhode Island. 1882-Caroline M. Hewins begins read-aloud programs, which started the storytelling movement in the United States. 1890-Brookline Public Library in Massachusetts opened the first separate children's reading area. 1893-The Minneapolis Public Library centralizes its children's books in a basement corridor under the supervision of a special attendant. 1895-Pratt Institute begins to offer its first course for children's librarians. 1904-Hartford Library in Connecticut is the first library to open a room just for children. It is spearheaded by Caroline M. Hewins. 1921-The John Newbery Medal is established, for most distinguished contribution to American Literature for children. 1929-Mary Gould Davis creates a program of summer storytelling in parks and playgrounds around New York City-a tradition which still exists in some locations today (Miller 44). 1930-Effie L. Power's book, Library Work with Children is published. 1924-The Horn Book Magazine is founded. 1937-The Randolph Caldecott Medal is established, for most distinguished picture book for children. 1937-Publication of first YA professional book, The Public Library and the Adolescentby E. Leyland. 1963-Virginia Haviland is appointed as the first director of the Children's Book Section of the Library of Congress.
Cerritos Millenium Library in Cerritos, California. (Image courtesy of Reading Rainbow)