After graduation, he accepted a position at the Duke University library.

He took a leave of absence from 1929 to 1930 to attend Columbia University to pursue a degree in library science.

Powell continued his education from 1934 to 1935 and in 1937 he was appointed head librarian at the University of Missouri.

Powell became university librarian at Duke University in 1946 after Joseph Penn Breedlove's 48 year tenure and served in that role until he retired in 1975.

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