Interview with Ruth Bley

Ruth C. Bley was born on September 9, 1913. In 1934, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College and in 1936, earned a fifth year library degree from the State University of New York at Albany. After graduating from Hartwick College Ruth Chase taught elementary school. After receiving her library degree she taught high school and was also a librarian. Around 1940, she married Philip Bley. Between 1949 and 1950 she was a part-time librarian at the Schenectady Co. Public Library. In 1962, Ruth C. Bley joined the staff of the E. H. Butler Library of SUNY Buffalo State as an Associate Librarian. She first worked in the laboratory of instructional material. In 1965, Mrs. Bley was transferred to the reference staff. During her time at the State University College at Buffalo there was much construction and in her interview she talks about the effects it had on the library staff. Ruth Bley helped draw up the bylaws for the State University College at Buffalo Library Association which was were adopted April 16, 1969. In 1972, after the College Senate was formed, she helped draw up new bylaws for the E. H. Butler Library faculty. Ruth Bley retired from the E. H. Butler Library in 1977. She passed away on April 19, 1997.https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/bsc_oral_history/1026/thumbnail.jp