David K. Berninghausen


David K. Berninghausen was an American librarian, educator, and writer known for his work in library science education and his advocacy for intellectual freedom. He served as the director of the University of Minnesota's School of Library Science from 1953 to 1974 and as a professor there until his retirement in 1981.

Early life and education

Berninghausen was born in Beaman, Iowa, to Frederick W. and Lillian Berninghausen. He received a B.A. from Iowa State Teachers College in 1936, followed by a Bachelor of Library Science from Columbia University in 1941. He earned a master's degree from Drake University in 1943 and pursued additional studies at the University of North Carolina in 1944 and Harvard University from 1950 to 1951.

Career

Berninghausen began his professional career teaching English at high schools in Iowa before transitioning into academic librarianship. He served as director of libraries at Birmingham-Southern College and Cooper Union. In 1953, he joined the University of Minnesota as an associate professor and director of the School of Library Science. He was promoted to full professor in 1955 and remained in that role until his retirement in 1981. He also held a visiting professorship at National Taiwan University from 1962 to 1963

Professional involvement

Berninghausen was active in several professional organizations. He served as chair of the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee in two separate terms.
He was president of the Association of American Library Schools, president of the American Association of University Professors, and president of the Minnesota Library Association. He also served on the boards of the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union.

Intellectual freedom and publications

Beginning in the late 1940s and continuing through the 1970s, Berninghausen was a strong advocate for intellectual freedom in libraries and higher education. His book, The Flight from Reason: Essays on Intellectual Freedom in the Academy, the Press, and the Library, was published by the American Library Association, and received both praise and criticism.
In the 1970s, Berninghausen published a series of articles in Library Journal that initiated what became known as the "Berninghausen Debate." The debate centered on whether the ALA should take official positions on social and political issues beyond the library profession, a topic that provoked differing views within the field.

Awards

Berninghausen received several awards for his contributions to librarianship. These included:

Personal life

Berninghausen married Elizabeth S. Smith in 1940, and they had two children. After Elizabeth died he married Frances Strong Berdie. He died on April 12, 2001, at the age of 84.

Selected works

The Flight from Reason: Essays on Intellectual Freedom in the Academy, the Press, and the Library. American Library Association, 1975. ISBN 0838901808.

Legacy

Elliott Kanner quotes Berninghausen approvingly as saying that "Man's survival and welfare are contingent upon his preservation of the principle of intellectual freedom," and that "A professional librarian's first commitment must be to intellectual freedom for everyone." But Berninghausen is also remembered negatively by some critics for his attacks on social responsibility within librarianship.
Berninghausen's personal and professional papers are archived in the University Archives at the University of Minnesota.