Gratia Countryman
Gratia Countryman | |
|---|---|
Countryman in 1917 | |
| President of the American Library Association | |
| In office 1933–1934 | |
| Preceded by | Harry Miller Lydenberg |
| Succeeded by | Charles H. Compton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gratia Alta Countryman November 29, 1866 Hastings, Minnesota, US |
| Died | July 26, 1953 (aged 86) Duluth, Minnesota, US |
| Education | University of Minnesota |
| Occupation | Librarian |
Gratia Alta Countryman (pronounced gray-sha) (November 29, 1866 – July 26, 1953) was a nationally-known librarian who led the Minneapolis Public Library from 1904 to 1936. She was the daughter of immigrant farmers Alta and Levi Countryman. She pioneered many ways to make the library more accessible and user-friendly to all of the city's residents, regardless of age or economic position. Countryman was called the "first lady of Minneapolis" and the "Jane Addams of the libraries".