the Kansas Teacher, an educational journal published by the Kansas State Teachers Association. The column ran for twenty-five years. She traveled throughout the state, bringing an exhibit of selected books to schools and libraries. Gagliardo's creation, the Kansas Children's Traveling Book Exhibit, is credited with beginning book fairs in the U.S. Her enthusiastic talks while touring with the 700 books often led to school officials committing to provide more funding for books. Gagliardo became a paid employee of the Kansas State Teachers Association in 1947, becoming the director of library services. Gagliardo became known as the "Kansas Book Lady" because of her tireless promotion of books through multiple venues, including speeches, newspaper and journal columns, and book reviews. From 1947 to 1955 she ran a monthly radio program focusing on books for the University of Kansas. She worked with many organizations to start book and reading programs, including UNESCO and the U.S. Department of State. Gagliardo was active in multiple professional organizations; some of her most significant roles were serving as the vice president for the National Parent Teacher Association as well as director of the National Parent-Teacher Magazine. She was very active in the American Library Association, chairing the Newbery and Caldecott Committee in 1962 and the following year serving as the president of the ALA's Children's Services Division (now called the Association for Library Service to Children). In 1960 she testified before the U.S. Congress as a witness arguing for the extension of the Library Services Act, saying the funding provided to libraries was "a means of equalizing opportunity for all children". She also served as the state representative for Kansas at the White House Conference on Children and Youth in 1950 and 1960. Her 1962 anthology Let's read aloud focused on the importance of families reading together. Gagliardo retired in 1966. Death and legacy In 1967, Gagliardo received a Distinguished Service Citation from the University of Kansas. She was inducted into the National Education Association Hall of Fame for American Women in 1976. Gagliardo died in Wichita, Kansas on January 5, 1980. After her death, author Mary Francis Shura discussed Gagliardo's legacy: Since 1964 the Ruth Garver Gagliardo School Library Scholarship has been awarded annually to a masters student by the Kansas Association of School Librarians. References 1895 births 1980 deaths People from Hastings, Nebraska University of Kansas alumni American women educators 20th-century American women