This week on the blog Helen Skilbeck recounts a fascinating story about a 1940’s library exchange.

Back in 1948 two female librarians – one from Aireborough and one from North Carolina – applied to exchange roles for a year. Margaret Scoffield had been appointed the first full-time professional librarian for Aireborough Libraries in 1942. Virginia LeMay Williamson was appointed librarian in charge of Johnston County Library in North Carolina in 1941, when it was first opened. Their exchange was to last a year and was a chance to discover more about each other’s library service and wider communities. On December 17^th 1948 Scoffield sailed on the Queen Elizabeth, first to New York and then travelled on to Johnston County in North Carolina. Virginia Williamson arrived in Leeds on Christmas Eve 1948. Through correspondence and reports written by each woman, we can discover more about their experiences.

Williamson explains the similarities and differences between the two library services:

“The two library positions are remarkably similar; alike in size of book stock, staff, working hours, date of founding, inadequate building accommodation; unalike in salaries, population and area, issues and borrowers….The strong regional scheme for borrowing non-fiction practically anywhere in England is an excellent plan, which some American libraries are also using. The large number of excellently written and attractively illustrated American juveniles could inspire English authors, publishers and librarians to greater production and higher standards in this field.” (Readers’ News, Aireborough Libraries, 1949)

Children’s literature was something Williamson felt could be improved in English libraries. Scoffield notes the different approaches to young readers in a letter back to Aireborough:

“Greater emphasis is placed on young children’s reading here [in the USA] than in our libraries. Picture books for children of pre-school age are included in stock, and there are some most delightful American picture books. More books are issued to children in the county than to adults, whereas at home our junior issue forms about one-fifth of the total.” (Readers’ News, Aireborough Libraries, 1949)

Johnston County utilised a bookmobile and Scoffield talks of her trips out on this mobile library and the sights she witnesses. She speaks of leaving 50 books at a store for local residents to chose from, leaving a dozen books for a family on a farm and multiple books at the local school –  “And so having brought books to the people who only a few short years ago had nowhere to turn for them, we return”.

Correspondence from Schoffield’s time in North Carolina reveals she was much in demand as a speaker to local groups, all wanting to hear about her experiences in Aireborough and how she was finding the US.

Both librarians enjoyed their exchange and learnt much about their new, temporary homes. Williamson talks of her experiences in a speech to Aireborough Council in December 1949, shortly before she returned to the US:

“1949 has been one of the most eventful, interesting and happy years of my life. It has made me, for the first time, rather inclined to agree with those people who say ‘life begins at forty’. If Miss Scoffield and I have fostered more friendship and understanding between our two countries then our library exchange can be termed a success. I shall long cherish the many happy occasions, the pleasant associations and friends which the year has brought me.

Twelve months sounds a long time. I have managed therein to see about three fourths of England. I have learned, or think I have, something of how local government works. I have heard all about the conflicting virtues and vices of the Conservative and Labour parties and have been assured that if the Liberals were only strong enough in number that they would set everything right. I have enjoyed Yorkshire puddings by the dozen and have almost learned ‘On Ilkley Moor Bar t’at.’” (American exchange visit [between librarians Margaret Scoffield and Virginia Williamson] LQP 027.4 SCO)

Williamson returned to her role in Johnston County in January 1950 but tragically lost her life in a car accident shortly afterwards. Her death was deeply felt by both library authorities and a Book Memorial Scheme was set up in her name. Aireborough Libraries raised money to send 171 books to North Carolina. The North Carolina Library Association sent books to Aireborough and Johnston County Libraries. 170 books were received by Aireborough, mainly children’s literature – very fitting and would no doubt have pleased Williamson greatly. Scoffield notes “I do not think parents need fear an undue American influence on their children from these books. The high standard of writing will counteract, rather than intensify, the effect of Americanisms learnt from the cinema.” (Readers’ News, Aireborough Libraries 1951)

Leeds Libraries have a collection of items concerning this exchange, ranging from correspondence, newscuttings, library procedures, annual reports, pamphlets collected by Scoffield – plus details of the memorial fund set up in Williamson’s name. Please get in touch if you wish to view this unique collection.