Walter, Frank Keller, 1874-1945

Frank Keller Walter was the University Librarian, University of Minnesota, from 1921 to 1943.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1943. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82744548

Frank Keller Walter was the University Librarian at the University of Minnesota.

From the description of Frank Keller Walter papers, 1900-1945. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 82318448

University of Minnesota Librarian from 1921-1943, and founder of the University of Minnesota Library School.

From the description of Papers, 1900-1945. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 77991671

From the description of Papers, 1900-1945. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 62518511

Frank Keller Walter, B.A. (1899) and M.A. (1900) Haverford College; B.L.S. (1906) and M.L.S. (1913) New York State Library School. University Librarian (1921-1943), Director of the Division of Library Instruction (1928-1943) at the University of Minnesota. Reference Assistant, Brooklyn Public Library (1906-1907). Vice Director, New York State Library School (1908-1919). Librarian, General Motors (1919-1920). Instructor in Library Science, University of Illinois and University of Michigan (1920-1921).

Frank Keller Walter was born July 23, 1874 in Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He received a B.A. (1899) and M.A. (1900) from Haverford College and a Bachelor of Library Science (1906) and Master of Library Science (1913) from New York State Library School. After holding various librarian and instructor positions, Professor Walter accepted the position of University Librarian at the University of Minnesota in 1921. He helped organize a department of library methods in 1922, and the Board of Regents approved a Division of Library Instruction in 1928. Professor Walter served as both University Librarian and Director of the Division until his retirement in 1943, when he was named Librarian and Professor Emeritus.

During his tenure, a new Library was built and opened in 1924 (named Walter Library in his honor in 1959), the collection grew from 300,000 volumes to 1.3 million, a course for hospital librarians was established, and over 800 students completed degrees from the Division of Library Instruction.

Professor Walter held leadership positions in many national and state library organizations, including the Association of American Library Schools (president, 1919); American Library Association (council, 1912-1917; editorial committee, 1924-1927; executive board, 1924-1928); Minnesota Library Association (president, 1922-1923); American Library Institute (secretary and treasurer, 1930-1933); Association of College and Research Libraries (president, 1939-1940); and Association of Research Libraries (director, 1940-1943).

Frank Walter died October 28, 1945 in Rochester, Minnesota.

From the guide to the Frank Keller Walter papers, 1851-1945, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])