Charles Harvey Brown

Charles Harvey Brown
Brown c. 1940
President of the American Library Association
In office 1941–1942
Preceded by	Essae Martha Culver
Succeeded by	Keyes D. Metcalf
Personal details
Born	(1875-12-23)December 23, 1875 Albany, New York, US
Died	January 19, 1960(1960-01-19) (aged 84)
Education	Wesleyan University
Occupation	Librarian
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1919–1922

Charles Harvey Brown (December 23, 1875 – January 19, 1960) was an American librarian and leader in the American Library Association. He received a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University in 1897 and a master's degree in 1899. He went on to receive a second bachelor's degree in Library Science at the New York State Library School in 1901. He later received a Literary Doctorate from Wesleyan University in 1937. He began working at Wesleyan University from 1897 to 1899 and then worked for the Library of Congress from 1901 to 1903. Brown worked for the John Crerar Library from 1903 to 1909 and the Brooklyn Public Library from 1909 to 1919.

Brown joined the United States Navy in 1919, leaving the service in 1922 to work for the Iowa State College Library. Brown directed the Iowa State University Library from 1922 to 1946 until he retired and was named Librarian Emeritus.

He was president of the American Library Association from 1941 to 1942. Brown helped to form the Association of Research Libraries and in 1932, and the Association of College and Research Libraries in 1938. In 1954 he was awarded Honorary Membership in the American Library Association.

Publications

• Scientific serials (Association of College and Reference Libraries, 1956)
• List of titles on municipal government, with special reference to city charters and to local conditions in Chicago (Chicago, City Club, 1906)