William A. Katz: A Legacy in Library Science and Journalism
The trajectory of William A. Katz's career is a testament to the intersection of journalistic rigor and academic scholarship. From his early days reporting on the West Coast to becoming a cornerstone of library science education, Katz dedicated his life to the organization, curation, and dissemination of knowledge.
Key Facts
- Academic Tenure: Spent the majority of his academic career at the School of Information Science and Policy (SISP) at the State University of New York at Albany.
- Prolific Author: Wrote over 50 books and articles and edited more than 40 works.
- Standard Textbooks: Authored Introduction to Reference Work and Magazines for Libraries.
- Editorial Leadership: Transformed Reference Quarterly from a newsletter into a premier scholarly journal.
Early Career in Journalism
Before entering the world of academia and libraries, Katz established a strong foundation in journalism. Between 1948 and 1950, he served as a reporter for several prominent West Coast publications, including the Vancouver Columbian, the Oakland Post Enquirer, and the San Francisco News.
His transition into editorial roles began at the Daly City Record, where he worked as an editor from 1950 to 1954, followed by a tenure as a reporter for the Seattle Times from 1954 to 1957.
Transition to Library Science
Katz shifted his professional focus toward library science in the late 1950s. He began his library career as a reference librarian—a professional specializing in helping users find specific information—at the Kings County Library in Washington from 1957 to 1960.
Following this, he joined the Editorial Department of the American Library Association in Chicago, remaining there until 1964. His entry into higher education started at the University of Kentucky, where he served as an associate professor of library science until 1966.
In 1966, Katz joined the School of Information Science and Policy (SISP) at the State University of New York at Albany as a professor, a position he held for the remainder of his academic career.
Contributions as an Author and Editor
Katz's influence on the field of library science is most evident in his extensive publishing record. He spent a decade as the editor of Reference Quarterly, guiding its evolution from a short newsletter into a leading scholarly journal. He also edited the Journal of Education for Librarianship (1964–1972), The Reference Librarian (1981), and The Acquisitions Librarian (1987).
Among his most significant written works is the two-volume Introduction to Reference Work, published in 1969. This text became a standard for reference education, reaching its 8th edition in 2002 and gaining international reach through translations into Japanese and Chinese.
Additionally, he created Magazines for Libraries in 1969, a reference text that remained highly relevant, reaching its 29th print edition by 2021.
Diversified Scholarship
Beyond textbooks, Katz compiled over 40 works spanning library science, poetry, and the history of books. In 1991, he collaborated with his wife, Linda Sternberg Katz, to publish The Columbia Granger's Guide to Poetry Anthologies. His interest in bibliographic history—the study of how books and documents are produced and recorded—led to the publication of A History of Book Illustrations: 29 Points of View (1994) and Cuneiform to Computer: A History of Reference Sources (1998).
Career Summary Table
| Period/Year | Role/Achievement | Organization/Work |
|---|---|---|
| 1948–1957 | Reporter and Editor | Various West Coast Newspapers |
| 1957–1960 | Reference Librarian | Kings County Library, WA |
| Until 1964 | Editorial Department | American Library Association |
| 1966–End of Career | Professor | SISP, SUNY Albany |
| 1969 | Author | Introduction to Reference Work |
| 1969–2021 | Editor/Author | Magazines for Libraries |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which academic institution was Katz associated with for most of his career?
Katz spent the majority of his academic career as a professor at the School of Information Science and Policy (SISP) at the State University of New York at Albany.
What are Katz's most influential textbooks?
His most influential works include Introduction to Reference Work, which became a standard textbook in reference education, and Magazines for Libraries.
How did Katz contribute to scholarly journals?
He served as the editor for several publications, most notably Reference Quarterly, which he helped transition from a newsletter into a leading scholarly journal, as well as the Journal of Education for Librarianship.
Did William A. Katz write about topics outside of library science?
Yes, he edited and compiled works on poetry and the history of books, including The Columbia Granger's Guide to Poetry Anthologies and A History of Book Illustrations: 29 Points of View.
What was Katz's professional background before becoming a librarian?
Katz began his career as a journalist, working as a reporter and editor for various newspapers on the West Coast, including the Seattle Times and the San Francisco News.