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MBLC Celebrates 125 Years

1948

Still from 1948 film Letter from an Unknown Woman. A woman sits in a Vienna library trying to research her lost love.

Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948 film). In this scene, woman searches the music library in Vienna for information about the man she loves, a famous composer.1


In the May 1948 newsletter of the Division of Public Libraries, under the still new "Audio Visual" column, it was announced that the Boston University would be holding its first introductory course on radio in education. Students completing the course would receive four college credits.2

TODAY:
Massachusetts continues to be rich with educational and learning opportunities for library and information science students and people working in libraries. Current technology broadens learning opportunities by breaking down physical barriers, accommodating busy schedules, and reducing travel. Learning opportunities are many, ranging from virtual/distance learning offered by the likes of Simmons School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) to webinars offered by the MBLC and MLS, and open educational resources available online.

What else happened in 1948?

  • The first facsimile high speed radio transmission was demonstrated by the Radio Corporation of America at the Library of Congress. To demonstrate, Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind - all 457,000 words across its 1,047 pages - was transmitted from WNBW in Washington, D.C. to the Library in 2 minutes and 21 seconds.3

References:
1. Image found via Pinterest [link].
2. Newsletter, Massachusetts Department of Education, Division of Public Libraries, May 1948.
3. Famous First Facts. Published by H.W. Wilson, New York.