NYPL’s Anne Carroll Moore: A Pioneer Who Opened Library Doors to Kids...Literally

In honor of Women's History Month, the Library is taking a look back at some of the remarkable women who changed The New York Public Library—and the field of librarianship—forever with our new series, Foreword: Women Who Built NYPL. Each week this March, we will be sharing reflections from our current staff on how the impact of these trailblazing figures from the Library's 125-year history are still felt today. 

About Anne Carroll Moore

Anne Carroll Moore was a pioneer in children’s librarianship, advocating to make libraries welcoming spaces to users of all ages. In 1894, when kids younger than 14 were often not allowed in libraries, Moore presented a paper that proposed library spaces specifically designed for children, staffed by librarians committed to working with young patrons. She put this work into practice as head of children's library services for The New York Public Library from 1906 to 1941, organizing hundreds of programs, compiling a list of recommended titles for children, and developing training for children’s librarians. By 1913, the impact of her work was apparent, with children’s books accounting for one-third of all borrowed titles. Additionally, Moore also worked with publishers to improve the quality of children’s books. She had very high standards for what qualified as a good children’s book (she famously strongly disliked Goodnight Moon) but thought children should have autonomy in reading, believing that even when a child chose a book that wasn’t up to her standard, “something good will come of it.” She gave children autonomy in reading.

Anne Carroll Moore’s Legacy

Reflection from Louise Lareau, Managing Librarian, SNFL Children’s Center

Anne Carroll Moore is, without a doubt, the grand dame of children’s librarianship. The lessons she instilled in her staff and the beliefs she promoted with regards to library services to children live on today. If I could travel back to a moment in time with her, I would choose to be standing next to Moore on the day the Central Library opened to the public for the first time, as children flooded in through the doors of the Central Children’s Room. Did the children race across the tile floor and install themselves on the child-size window seats with books in hand? Was Moore standing at the reference desk when the first child, Mary Alice Murray, signed the registration book and received her first library card? Did she have Mary Alice hold her hand up while she made her pledge? "When I write my name in this book I promise to take good care of the books I use in the Library and at home, and to obey the rules of the Library."  

Moore is known for being outspoken regarding the content and quality of children’s books (even if she didn’t always approve of them—see our note about Goodnight Moon on our Top 10 Checkouts of All Time list). To this day, the children’s staff is always on the lookout for quality titles that reflect our communities and their needs. Although Moore did not believe that books should mix reality with fantasy, I would like to think that she would be thrilled at the wide variety of children’s material available today. We will never know if Moore would have come to accept steampunk titles, but her tradition of creating best books lists and finding the right book for the right child lives on. I think of her whenever I describe myself as a book detective to visiting school groups. 

In addition to quality literature, Moore advocated for dedicated children’s spaces, displays, and programming. This legacy remains and is still of the utmost importance today. While some adults might like to think that libraries are sanctuaries that should remain silent, the reality is that our children’s rooms are lively—filled with laughter, music, and the joys of childhood. Our objective is to create community centers where children can gather, learn, play, and develop a lifelong love of reading. This was at the heart of all that Moore espoused, as she believed that respect for children went a lot further than signs demanding “SILENCE.” Though, I do wonder how Moore would deal with our modern stroller parking lots and toddler-paloozas. May I pass you the smelling salts, Miss Moore? 

This is part of the Foreword: Women Who Built NYPL series.  Find out  how the Library is celebrating Women's History Month with recommended reading, events and programs, and more.