Rate My Professor Eleanor Blum

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.