Eleanor Blum (1909–2011) was a distinguished librarian and professor emerita of Library Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her career at UIUC spanned over three decades, beginning as Library Assistant-Reference Librarian from 1943 to 1953. In 1953, she was appointed Journalism and Communications Librarian, a position she held until her retirement in 1978. As head of the Communications Library, Blum oversaw its development into one of the largest and most comprehensive collections for mass communication studies. She also served with the rank of Professor of Library Administration, contributing to the Graduate School of Library Science through her expertise in bibliographic services and academic support.

Blum earned her PhD in communication sciences from the University of Illinois, completing her dissertation titled 'Paperbound Books in the United States in 1955: A Survey of Content' in 1955. Her research interests focused on mass media, the history of book publishing, journalism, advertising, broadcasting, and related bibliographic resources. Notable publications include 'Basic Books in the Mass Media: An Annotated, Selected Booklist Covering General Communications, Book Publishing, Broadcasting, Films, Newspapers, Magazines, and Advertising' (1962); 'Communications Research in U.S. Universities: A Directory' (1962 and 1965 editions, published by the Institute of Communications Research at UIUC); 'Reference Books in the Mass Media'; and 'Mass Media Bibliography: An Annotated Guide to Books and Journals for Research and Reference,' third edition (1990, co-authored with Frances Goins Wilhoit). She edited special issues of Library Trends, such as the Fall 1984 volume 'The Quality of Trade Book Publishing in the 1980s' (with Walter C. Allen and Ann Heidbreder Eastman), and authored regular compilations like 'Other Books and Pamphlets on Journalistic Subjects' for scholarly journals. Blum's work provided invaluable tools for researchers and students in communications.

Recognized for her lifelong commitment to research support, Blum was the first recipient of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) Eleanor Blum Distinguished Service to Research Award, established in her honor. Her scholarly contributions and library leadership had a profound and enduring impact on the field of mass communication studies.