John Walford (librarian): Difference between revisions
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== ''The Guide to Reference Material'' == |
== ''The Guide to Reference Material'' == |
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Walford began working on the ''Guide to Reference Material'' in 1955 as a cooperative project involving some 70 to 80 contributors. It first was published in 1959 as a single volume, but was so successful that the second edition was expanded into three volumes.<ref name=":1" /> Walford's ''Guide'' (or just ''Walford'', as it would come to be known) was the first of its kind in the UK—a comprehensive list of all major reference works that would be of greatest use in either public or academic libraries. The United States' equivilant, the American Library Association's ''Guide to Reference Books,'' had been around since 1902.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Chalcraft |first=Anthony |date=2005-07-01 |title=Editorial |url=https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/rr.2005.09919eaa.001/full/html |journal=Reference Reviews |language=en |volume=19 |issue=5 |doi=10.1108/rr.2005.09919eaa.001 |issn=0950-4125}}</ref> |
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Walford began working on the ''Guide to Reference Material'' in 1955.<ref name=":1" /> It was published in 1959. |
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Despite Walford's generosity in attribution and acknowledgement of his co-contributors, he was well-known as being the sole compiler of later editions of the ''Guide,'' particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Colleagues described his dedication for pursuing new titles for the guide even while on vacation, as well as his extensive knowledge of reference sources.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> |
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== Death and legacy == |
== Death and legacy == |
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Revision as of 22:20, 6 April 2024
Albert John Walford (August 3, 1906 – January 7, 2000)
Early career and education
John Walford was born on August 3, 1906 in Bermondsey, London.[1] He attended University College London's School of Librarianship part-time. Walford's library career began in 1924 as a senior assistant at Stoke Newington Public Library. In 1929, he became of a fellow of the Library Association.[2] From 1932 to 1946, he was chief assistant of Lambeth Public Libraries.[1][2] During this time, he worked towards his BA in History from Birkbeck College by taking evening classes. Afterwards, he attended University College for his MA and Doctorate in Latin American studies under the tutelage of Robin Humphreys. Walford remained interested in this subject throughout his life, leading to his membership in the Royal Historical Society.[2]
Walford served in the British Army during World War II. He was supervisor of the command library network in Italy and North Africa towards the end of the war. He worked for the Ministry of Defense from 1946 to 1973 where he was in charge of the Joint Intelligence Bureau library.[1][2]
Walford's involvement with the Library Association Record began in 1947 when he first published the column "Reference Libraries". He served as the journal's editor from 1953 to 1959.[2] His tenure as editor saw the publication of Liason, an inset which focused on timely library news, written in a more accessible, journalistic style.[3] He was also responsible for implementing the Library Association's annual prize essay competition.[4] During this time, Walford became chair of the LA's Reference, Special and Information Section (RSIS), having served as a committee member since its inception in 1951.[2][5]
The Guide to Reference Material
Walford began working on the Guide to Reference Material in 1955 as a cooperative project involving some 70 to 80 contributors. It first was published in 1959 as a single volume, but was so successful that the second edition was expanded into three volumes.[2] Walford's Guide (or just Walford, as it would come to be known) was the first of its kind in the UK—a comprehensive list of all major reference works that would be of greatest use in either public or academic libraries. The United States' equivilant, the American Library Association's Guide to Reference Books, had been around since 1902.[6]
Despite Walford's generosity in attribution and acknowledgement of his co-contributors, he was well-known as being the sole compiler of later editions of the Guide, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. Colleagues described his dedication for pursuing new titles for the guide even while on vacation, as well as his extensive knowledge of reference sources.[2][6]
Death and legacy
Awards and Honors
References
- ^ a b c Wedgeworth, Robert, ed. (1993). World encyclopedia of library and information services (3rd ed.). Chicago: American Library Association. p. 859. ISBN 978-0-8389-0609-5.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pearson, Wilfred; Surridge, Ron; Creasey, John (March 2000). "Obituary: Albert John Walford". The Library Association Record. 102 (3): 164.
- ^ Harrison, K.C. (1998-05-01). "The Record scores a hundred". Library Review. 47 (3): 74–78. doi:10.1108/00242539810209195. ISSN 0024-2535.
- ^ Munford, William Arthur (1976). A history of the Library Association, 1877-1977. London: Library Association. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-85365-488-9.
- ^ Chalcraft, Tony (2006-02-01). "Editorial". Reference Reviews. 20 (2): 3–4. doi:10.1108/rr.2006.09920baa.001. ISSN 0950-4125.
- ^ a b Chalcraft, Anthony (2005-07-01). "Editorial". Reference Reviews. 19 (5). doi:10.1108/rr.2005.09919eaa.001. ISSN 0950-4125.