Clapp, R.E.

Verner Warren Clapp (1901-1972) was a prominent figure in librarianship, known for his significant contributions to the modernization of the Library of Congress and library practices in general. Despite lacking formal library training, he possessed a keen intellect and a broad range of interests, leading him to hold numerous influential positions throughout his career. Clapp began his work at the Library of Congress in 1922 and eventually rose to the position of Chief Assistant Librarian and Acting Librarian of Congress. His tenure was marked by a focus on administrative and technological advancements, including materials preservation, library cooperation, and the integration of new technologies like microfilm and computerization. He was widely respected by his peers, earning accolades such as "the librarian's librarian" and "the library world's Da Vinci" for his extensive knowledge and impact.

After his extensive career at the Library of Congress, Clapp became the first President of the Council on Library Resources in 1956. In this role, he continued to shape the future of libraries. His professional interests spanned a wide array of topics, including copyright, user access, and international library development. Clapp played a role in important projects such as the preservation of historical documents during World War II and the establishment of libraries in Japan and for the United Nations. His academic background in philosophy and liberal arts, combined with his practical approach and curiosity, enabled him to tackle complex challenges and leave a lasting legacy on the library world.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Verner Warren Clapp was the son of an English mother and an American father. His early life was shaped by his parents' diverse backgrounds and his father's entrepreneurial ventures. The family relocated to Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1905. Clapp developed a lifelong passion for the outdoors through hiking and swimming, and a fascination with machinery from observing a nearby foundry. He was an avid reader from a young age, devouring classic literature. Clapp attended Trinity College, where he earned an A.B. and was active in athletics and student organizations. He then pursued graduate-level philosophy studies at Harvard University, where he also audited courses in literature, indicating a broad intellectual curiosity that extended beyond a single discipline.

Clapp's extensive 33-year career at the Library of Congress began as a summer clerk in 1922. Despite not having formal library training, he quickly demonstrated an aptitude for the work. He started in cataloging and later moved to the Main Reading Room as an assistant reference librarian. Clapp immersed himself in the institution, driven by curiosity and a practical mindset. He engaged with senior librarians, absorbing knowledge about cataloging and library operations. His career progressed through various roles, including heading the Congressional Unit, serving as Special Assistant to the Superintendent of the Reading Room, and supervising the Division of Books for the Adult Blind, where he expanded services for visually impaired readers. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of the Reading Room and later became Director of the Administrative Department.

During his time at the Library of Congress, Clapp was instrumental in its reorganization. Working closely with Librarian of Congress Archibald MacLeish, Clapp provided key guidance in restructuring the library's administrative units. He played a significant role in establishing new departments, including Acquisitions, and served in key administrative and budgetary capacities. Clapp's leadership extended to becoming Chief Assistant Librarian and Acting Librarian of Congress. His influence was felt across various aspects of library operations, from materials preservation and inter-library cooperation to the adoption of new technologies like microfilm and computerization. His broad vision saw libraries as vital repositories of human tradition and collective memory.

Beyond his direct roles, Clapp's influence reached far into the broader library world. As the first President of the Council on Library Resources, he continued to champion the modernization and advancement of libraries. His professional interests were vast, encompassing materials preservation, technological innovation, copyright issues, and improving user access to information. Clapp was involved in significant national and international library projects, including efforts to preserve foundational American documents during World War II and the establishment of the United Nations Library and the Japanese National Diet Library. His multifaceted career and profound impact earned him widespread respect and numerous accolades, solidifying his reputation as a pivotal figure in the history of librarianship.

“His contributions to the Library of Congress and to the library world are so varied and numerous that one is staggered at the knowledge that a single person in his lifetime could accomplish this.”

“close to the center of almost every important development in scholarly librarianship for at least 30 years”

“Libraries are the repositories of man's tradition, and so, in a manner of speaking, of his collective soul.”