[4] By the late 1880s when she was invited to move to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, she had already built a national reputation for her work with teachers and schoolchildren.

She was associated with a number of professional organizations in an effort to improve library systems, and attended various conferences.

[2][5] James had also lectured at the School of Library Service at Columbia University in New York, which was the first professional academic program for librarians.

The city lacked a central location that could house many volumes and allow free access to men, women and children.

Creating such a library was the inspiration of Isaac Osterhout, a local businessman who willed a substantial portion of his estate for the building and to retain a librarian.