MARGARET WEHLER (1898-1988)

Margaret Wehler was one of the few NYPL Branch Librarians to be awarded a honorary degree by her college.

Wehler, an English major, was the valedictorian of the Class of 1918 at Hood College in Maryland.  After graduation she worked as a high school teacher in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

In 1922 Wehler went to France and earned a “diplome d'etudes” from the Sorbonne in 1923.  On her return to the US, she served as the head of the French Department at Sullins College in Bristol VA, 1923-1926.

In 1929 Wehler entered Columbia’s School of Library Service and began working at NYPL.  She spent most of her career in the Central Circulation Branch, serving as its head 1941-1943 and again 1945-1947.  In 1943-1945 and 1947-1949 Wehler served as Acting Supervisor of Branches.  In 1949 her position was made permanent, and in 1954 it was renamed as Assistant Chief of the Circulation Department.  Wehler retired in 1956.

In 1954 Hood College awarded Wehler an honorary Doctor of Letters degree for her work as a noted library administrator and distinguished alumna. 

Today would be Margaret Wehler’s 113^th birthday.