Clara Whitehill Hunt (June 25, 1871 - January 10, 1958) was an American teacher, librarian, writer, and advocate for children's library services.

[1] Born to Edwin and Mary M. (Brown) Hunt, who were originally from Sudbury, Massachusetts, Clara grew up on the farm.

In 1901, she was put in charge of the Newark Public Library's children's room, where she had first been hired as an assistant within the reference department.

[4][5] Over the years, as more branches surfaced, Clara helped to design and equip the children's rooms within the new established libraries.

[6] One of her most famous designs, Clara provided the vision behind the children's room of the Central Library.

[8] In addition to training new recruits, designing children's rooms, and working as a superintendent, Clara lectured for various library schools, edited for magazines, and authored books as well.

The Houghton Mifflin Company began to publish high quality picture books by author E. Boyd Smith after being persuaded by Clara.

[8] A legacy of her career is at the Brooklyn Public Library: the Clara Whitehill Hunt Collection of Children's Literature.