Patricia G. Schuman

Patricia Glass Schuman (born 1943) is an American librarian and publisher who served as president of the American Library Association from 1991 to 1992. She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and the Columbia University School of Library Service.

Career
Schuman worked at the Brooklyn Public Library, Brandeis High School and New York Technical College and served as senior acquisitions editor for the Book Division and editor of the Library/Education Book Program at R.R. Bowker Company and associate editor at School Library Journal. '

In 1976, Schuman founded Neal-Schuman Publishers with John Vincent Neal. The company specialized in education resources for librarians, educators and information professionals. The company became part of ALA Publishing in 2011.

As President of the American Library Association, Schuman launched a nationwide campaign to focus attention on the public's right to know including censorship and access to government information. She implemented media training for association leaders, established a speaker’s network, and founded the Library Advocacy Now! effort. She also served the association as its first woman treasurer (1984-1988) and led efforts to endow a scholarship fund. Schuman was a founding member of the ALA’s Social Responsibilities Roundtable and the Feminist Task Force.

In a 2024 interview published in the journal, Florida Libraries, Schuman reflected on the importance of advocacy to maintain support for libraries.

Awards

 * In 1993 Schuman received the American Library Association Equality Award.
 * She was honored with the Joseph W. Lippincott Award in 2001.
 * On Information Day in 2007 she received the Eileen Cooke Award.
 * In 2014 she was awarded American Library Association Honorary Membership.

Publications
Social Responsibilities and Libraries (R.R. Bowker, 1976)
 * "Your Right to Know: The Call to Action" (American Library Association, 1992) ISBN 0838934285
 * "Materials for occupational education: An annotated source guide" (R. R. Bowker, 1971) ISBN 0835204065
 * "Library and information services for meeting personal needs: a discussion guide" (National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, 1979)