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Film crew in Batavia for documentary on the 'Queen of Modern Libraries in China'

By Howard B. Owens

Unless you're a serious local history buff, the name Miss Mary Elizabeth Wood may be unfamiliar.

In China, however, especially among those who appreciate the country's public library system, Miss Wood is revered.

Her fame has brought a Chinese film crew to Batavia this week as part of their effort to create a documentary chronicling the life of the "Queen of Modern Libraries in China."

Born in Elba in 1861, Wood became the first librarian of the Richmond Memorial Library in 1889, a position she held for 10 years. The only daughter of Edward Farmer Wood and Mary Jane (Humphrey) Wood, who had seven boys, Miss Wood took a trip to China to visit her youngest brother Robert in 1899.

On that trip, she learned there was no public education system and residents had little access to all the wisdom contained in the world's books, even ones in their own language.

Wood decided to stay in Wuchang, where she eventually made 3,000 books available for borrowing at the building known as the Octagonal Pavilion.

Soon, she traveled back to the U.S. for a year of study, her first actual courses in library science, having gotten as far as she did before then on her strength as "a great reader."

While on the trip, she raised funds and secured book donations that enabled her to open in 1910 the Boone Library in Wuchang.

By the 1920s, Wood was lobbying Congress for funds to advance library science in China and through the grants received and with the help of two of her Chinese prodigies, Wood established the first school for library science in China.

Following her death of an illness in China in 1931, her body was returned to Batavia and she is buried in the Batavia Cemetery.

These pictures were taken while the film crew prepared to interview Kathy Facer, Richmond's reference and technology librarian.

Here's the Wikipedia entry on Mary Elizabeth Wood, which contains greater detail on her life and work.

Cheng Huanwen, professor and university librarian, School of Information Management, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Phyllis Seager

Delbert don't be a jerk. I found this extremely interesting and am proud that such a wonderful donation to the education of the Chinese people originated here in Genesee Co.

Apr 30, 2014, 7:30pm Permalink
Delbert Best

The Chinese are laughing at us as well as the rest of the world .i have nothing against nice people I'm just depressed our transparent administration is running our country into te dirt I. guess it's the only way I can show my displeasure for the way everything is headed .just blowing off steam

Apr 30, 2014, 7:54pm Permalink
Bea McManis

A great story with historical reference to Batavia is greeted with a negative first comment. It seems to be the thing to do. The Batavian isn't the site you want to reference when telling friends about an event, whether it be a wedding, the filming of a documentary, the relocation of a veterans' monument or the opening of a new business. The negative comments reflect on us and we appear to be a very unfriendly community.

Apr 30, 2014, 10:08pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

The last few days, especially, it seems, anybody trying to do something positive in or for the community just gets blasted. Sad, really.

Apr 30, 2014, 10:35pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

I had never heard of Miss Mary Elizabeth Wood before. It's a great story and I'm glad to welcome the film crew here from China. Thanks for covering this Howard, I enjoyed reading it.

May 1, 2014, 6:24am Permalink
Debbie Paine

Ditto Dave Olsen.

I'd like to blame it on the dismal weather - but to hijack such a great story with local roots in order to slam "our transparent administration" - well, there are plenty of news outlet sites and blogs where it would be much more appropriate to do that.

May 1, 2014, 8:22am Permalink
Bea McManis

Miss Mary Elizabeth Wood began her career in 1889. 1889! Long before any of us were on this earth. The attempt to make the filming of this documentary a political football failed. I agree withDebbie, find another outlet.

May 1, 2014, 8:36am Permalink
Brenda Ranney

I actually learned about Miss Wood along with other notable Batavians on a class field trip to Batavia cemetery when one of my children attended JK. I can clearly remember visiting Miss Wood's grave along with going inside the Richmond mausoleum but can't for the life of me remember which child's field trip it was.
It's always nice when someone's efforts are re-recognized no matter how much time has lapsed.

May 1, 2014, 1:15pm Permalink
JT Hunt

They should stop up to Albion's library. Its quaint and open on Sundays. Thats progressive, like here in LexVegas. Printouts used to be only 5 cents a page, so if you gotta print war n peace, there ya go

May 2, 2014, 12:55am Permalink

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