Abstract: This article explores the history, current status, and future perspectives of the literature of American public library history. The author divides the literature into four stages: the first stage (1850-1930), the second (1931-1972), the third (1973-1994), and the fourth (1995- ). Each stage has definite characters affected by social circumstances and studies of general and educational history. The author points out that library historians are introducing “Whiteness Studies” in their research.