Angeline Vernon Milner

A Short Biography and Bibliography of Illinois State University’s First Librarian: Angeline “Ange.” Vernon Milner, 1856–1928 by Angela Bonnell Government Documents Librarian Milner Library, Illinois State University

Angeline Vernon Milner was the first fulltime librarian employed by Illinois State Normal University. Through her tireless work in cataloging and classification--extending more than thirty-seven years--she transformed several thousand books into a systematically arrranged collection totaling more than 40,000.  

Milner was legendary for her service and devotion to library users; she initiated library instruction at ISNU that was recognized and emulated nationally. Her legacy continues today in the strong emphasis placed on library instruction and the use of library resources within the curriculum. 

It was Milner’s belief that the school library had two missions,

To develop a taste for good literature and the habit of reading it, and to broaden the comprehension of the daily lessons and teach the use of books as tools.^[1]

A Brief Biography of Angeline Vernon Milner

Angeline “Ange.” Vernon Milner was born in Bloomington, Illinois on April 9, 1856, to John Vernon and Angeline (Baker) Milner.  Her father was a local hardware merchant born in Pennsylvania; her mother was born in Massachusetts.  Angeline was the eldest of six children. Her siblings were Miriam, Jennie, Charles, Laura, and Walter. Milner lived in Bloomington - Normal her entire life with the exception of several extended visits to Massachusetts and Minnesota to visit relatives.

In 1890, Milner was hired as the University’s first fulltime librarian. She was active in the American Library Association (ALA), Illinois Library Association (ILA), and National Education Association (NEA). She was a prolific author of more than seventy articles and short monographs in library and education journals. A bibliography of Milner’s works can be found in Appendix A within the ISU thesis, “The First Fifty Years of Federal Depository Status at Illinois State Normal University, 1858–1908.”

Milner organized a letter writing campaign to ISNU affiliates serving in the World War I. More information can be found at the Women of WWI website.

Milner served as Illinois State University's librarian until October 15, 1927, when illness forced her to end active work at the library. Milner died on Friday, January 13, 1928, at age 71 from heart failure. She is buried within a family plot at Evergreen Cemetery in Bloomington.
 

Selected Bibliography of Resources on Angeline Vernon Milner

Periodical Articles

Graybill, Elaine. "A Devoted Librarian Who Died 75 Years Ago Refuses to Abandon the Stacks." Illinois State 3 (Fall 2002): 10–12.
LD2347 .I46 (Floor 1)

Harmon, Sandra D. " ‘The Voice Pen and Influence of our Women are Abroad in the Land': Women and the Illinois State Normal University, 1857–1899." In Nineteenth Century Women Learn to Write. Ed. Catherine Hobbs. (1995)
LC1757 .N56 1995 (Floor 1)

Perry, Charles William. "Angeline Vernon Milner." The Alumni Quarterly of the I.S.N.U., XIII, 2 (May 1924), 2–10.
LH 1 .A5 (Floor 1) 

Welch, Eleanor Weir. "A Library Grows Up" Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, L, 2 (Summer 1957), 176–189.
F 536 .I18 (Floor 3)

Newspaper Articles

Life and Death of Milner

“Angeline V. Milner, Librarian, Is Dead.” Pantagraph 14 Jan. 1928: 6A. Floor 2, Microform Area

“Miss Milner’s Death Ends Long Life of Service to Community and University.” Vidette 19 Jan. 1928: 1, 3. Floor 1 Shelves, MFilm LH1.I4 V5

“Miss Milner Serves 35^th Year as Librarian.” Vidette 4 Feb. 1925: 1, 4.
Floor 1 Shelves, MFilm LH1.I4 V5

“Angeline V. Milner, Librarian, Is Dead.” 14 Jan. 1928: 6A. Floor 2, Microform Area

Legend of the Milner Ghost in Williams Halls

"Angie Milner: The Woman, the Librarian, the Ghost." The Vidette 27 Oct. 2004. Floor 1 Shelves, MFilm LH1.I4 V5

"Favorite Haunt; National Cable Show to Tell ISU Ghost Story." The Pantagraph 22 Oct. 2004: A1. Floor 2, Microform Area

"Library's Founder said to Haunt Stacks." The Pantagraph 30 Oct. 2000: A1. Floor 2, Microform Area

"Milner Played Great Role in Developing ISU Library." The Pantagraph 30 Oct. 2000: A1. Floor 2, Microform Area

Books

Taylor, Troy. Haunted Illinois: History & Hauntings from Little Egypt to the Windy City  Alton, Ill.: Whitechapel Productions Press, 2001.

Census Records

Milner and her family were included in the federal census population schedules that were taken in McLean County. The Library owns all available decennial population schedules for Illinois from 1820 through 1930. We have indexes for Illinois census for selected years. Ask for assistance at the Reference Desk on Floor 2.

^[1] Ange V. Milner, “School Libraries,” School News and Practical Educator 20:2 (Oct 1906): 78.