The Book and the Rocket: The Symbiotic Relationship between American Public Libraries and the Space Program, 1950–2015

This article argues that America's public library system and the space program forged a symbiotic relationship during the space age, a development that galvanized reading and gave rise to interactive outer space experiences in the nation's libraries. As humanity set out to explore the heav...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Information & culture 2016-09, Vol.51 (4), p.550-582
Main Author: Spencer, Brett
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aeronautics
Astronauts
Forecasts and trends
Galvanizing
Influence
Information dissemination
Interactive learning
Learning
Librarians
Libraries
Library collections
Moon
Motion pictures
Nonprofit organizations
Organizational change
Public libraries
Public opinion
Reading
Scientists
Space
Space exploration
Studies
Symbiosis
Teaching
Telescopes
Websites
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Summary:This article argues that America's public library system and the space program forged a symbiotic relationship during the space age, a development that galvanized reading and gave rise to interactive outer space experiences in the nation's libraries. As humanity set out to explore the heavens, librarians and space proponents joined forces to mobilize support for orbital activities and educate the public about outer space through books, films, astronaut forums, exhibits, experiments, circulating telescopes, and immersive learning events. The article draws upon popular newspapers, library trade journals, NASA and space science association documents, and public library web sites.
ISSN:2164-8034
2166-3033
DOI:10.7560/IC51405