Katharine Lucinda Sharp

The iSchool owes its prestige partially to the life and service of Katharine Sharp. Katharine Lucinda Sharp was the Head Librarian and first Director of the Illinois Library School, now the iSchool, in 1897. She resigned from her position and left the field in 1907, ending her career in librarianship just shy of 20 years. Despite her relatively short career in librarianship, her impact on the field and the University has lasted generations. 

Portrait
Katharine Sharp, 1895-1896. Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives.

 

Born on May 21, 1865 to John William and Phoebe (Thompson) Sharp in Elgin, Illinois, She spent most of her adolescence living in Illinois, and attained most of her secondary education at Elgin Academy before entering Northwestern University in 1881, where she earned both her Ph. B. and Ph. M.

Sharp discovered her interest in librarianship through her position as an assistant librarian at the Scoville Institute, now the Oak Park Public Library, from 1888-90. This prompted her to study librarianship at the leading New York State Library School in 1890, where she fostered a friendship with Melvil Dewey and earned her degree in Library Science. 

One of Sharp’s early historical marks was her contribution to the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. She oversaw the Comparative Library Exhibit prepared for the American Library Association by the New York State Library School. Notably, her involvement garnered the attention of Chicago educators, leading to her appointment as Director of the Department of Library Science at the Armour Institute, which eventually led to her career at the University of Illinois. 

Sharp in academic attire
Katharine Sharp in academic attire, 1895. Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives.

After being recruited by University of Illinois President Andrew Draper, Katharine Sharp became the first Head Librarian and Director of the Illinois Library School, as well as a Professor of Library Economy, in September 1897. With this, she became one of the first women to head a major university library program. 

While at Illinois, Sharp centralized the scattered book collections, purchased new materials, established departments, and helped build a staff of expert librarians to manage the departments. She was also regarded as an exceptional instructor and built strong relationships with her students over the years. 

4 women
Members of the Library School, from left to right are Adele (Cooker) Reed Scott, Katharine Sharp, director of the Library School and head of the University Library, Margaret Mann and Maude (Straight) Carmen, 1897. Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives.

Sharp’s dedication to the field of librarianship is clear in her manuscript “Illinois Libraries.” A massive collection of statistics, historical sketches, and other matters relating to the state of libraries in Illinois, Sharp hoped her monograph would assist in efforts to secure state aid for library expansion. It took Sharp over four years of work to compose her manuscript. 

As a member and president of the Illinois Library Association, Sharp used her position to push for influential library legislation in Illinois. She was also a councilor for the American Library Association for a decade, and twice a vice-president. 

stone tablet with image of Katharine Sharp stating Katharine Sharp, founder and director of the Illinois Library school, MDCCCXCIII, MCMVII, Nobility of character and grace of person were united with intellectual vigor and scholarly attainments, She inspired her students and associates with sound standards of Librarianship and ideals of service
Katharine L. Sharp Memorial bias-cut relief in bronze by Lorado Taft. Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois Archives.

Sharp resigned from her position at the University in 1907, stating in her resignation letter to that year’s Senior Class that she felt the “the pressure of administrative duties” was “crushing the human element” out of her life. Sharp was also likely reeling from the losses of her father and brother, who passed around this time. She spent her remaining years with her friend Melvil Dewey at the Lake Placid Club in New York until her untimely death in June of 1914.

The iSchool and the field of library science will forever be indebted to the life and service of Katharine Lucinda Sharp. 

  • Main Library – The Katharine L Sharp Memorial bias-cut relief in bronze by Lorado Taft is located on the second floor on the south wall of the room with the circulation desk to the main stacks. Enter from the east entrance of the library, use the grand staircase to go to the second floor or the elevators (located on the north side before the grand staircase). Go into the room to the west and the painting is on the south wall. 
  • Altgeld Hall – This was the original library and where it was located when Sharp was the Director.
  • Ischool – what Katharine Sharp helped establish and build

Copy of Katharine L. Sharp’s resignation letter donated by a former student, dated April 29, 1907. Katharine L. Sharp Papers, Record Series 18/1/20, Box 5, Folder “Resignation – copy of letter.” University of Illinois Archives. 

Illinois Library Association Correspondence, 1892-93, 1896-1907. Record Series 35/1/16, Box no. 1, University of Illinois Archives.

Kappa Kappa Gamma Records, 1897-1999. Record Series 41/72/29, Box no. 1, University of Illinois Student Life and Culture Archives. 

Katharine L. Sharp. (1895). Katharine L. Sharp Papers, Record Series 18/1/20, Box 2, Folder Photographs. University of Illinois Archives.

Katharine L. Sharp (1). (1895). Photographic Subject File, Record Series 39/2/20, Box FAC – 4, Folder FAC 4 Sha-She. University of Illinois Archives.

Katharine L. Sharp Memorial bias-cut relief in bronze. (1915). Katharine L. Sharp Papers, Record Series 18/1/20, Box 2, Folder Photographs. University of Illinois Archives.

Katharine L. Sharp Papers, 1881-1897, 1962-1963. Record Series 18/1/20, Box nos. 1-5, University of Illinois Archives. 

Members of the Library Library School. (1897). Photographic Subject File, Record Series 39/2/20, Box COL 8, folder COL 8 Library Science 1896-98. University of Illinois Archives.

Phelps, R. B. (1971). Katharine Lucinda Sharp. In E. T. James, J. W. James, & P.S. Boyer (Eds.),  Notable American Women: A Biographical Dictionary, 1607-1950 (pp. 72-73). Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 

Contributors: Danielle Weimerskirch