Guide to the Research Libraries Group, Inc. (RLG) records
Finding aid created by Manuscripts Division staff using RecordEXPRESS
Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
2014
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, California 94305-6004
(650) 725-1022
speccollref@stanford.edu
http://library.stanford.edu/spc/manuscripts-division
Title: Guide to the Research Libraries Group, Inc. (RLG) records
Dates: 1974-2006
Collection Number: M1529
Creator/Collector:
RLG (Organization)
Extent: 222 linear feet (172 record storage boxes, 2 flat boxes, 7 manuscript boxes, 2 small map folders)
Repository:
Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
Stanford, California 94305-6004
Abstract: Collection includes historical corporate documents, program and project files, grant proposals, system and software development
files, digital material, photographs, and other documents and memorabilia.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested as least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audio-visual
materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy. Computer media files are unprocessed
and unavailable.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the
Head of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California 94305-6064. Consent
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission
from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish.
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Guide to the Research Libraries Group, Inc. (RLG) records. Stanford University. Manuscripts Division
Gift of RLG (Organization), 2006, accessions 2006-120, 2006-131, and 2006-218; of Noel E. Hanf, 2006, accessions 2006-208,
2006-269, 2006-319, and 2007-230; and of Alexandra Ross, 2009, accession 2009-086.
Biography/Administrative History
The Research Libraries Group, Inc. (RLG) was founded by The New York Public Library and Columbia, Harvard, and Yale universities
and incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in late 1975. In 1978 RLG moved its offices from Branford, Connecticut,
to Stanford University in California; adopted Stanford’s library automation staff and computer system (BALLOTS) as the starting
point for its own library system (RLIN), plus a series of complementary services and databases; and opened its membership
to research institutions throughout the U.S. The 1990s brought a growing number of overseas members. RLG membership grew
to over 150 research libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural memory institutions. RLG and its member organizations
worked to provide information discovery services, develop and operate collaborative programs, and create and promote relevant
standards and practices. It was not necessary to be a member, however, to use a variety of RLG products, and many libraries
and archives did so. On July 1, 2006, RLG merged with OCLC (formerly the Online Computer Library Center). Its computer services
were migrated into OCLC’s, its member programs and standards work were integrated into an expanded OCLC department, and the
now-smaller California staff were relocated from Mountain View to San Mateo, California.
Presidents:
1. James E. Skipper (1974-1978), previously executive vice president of Kraus-Thomson, became RLG’s first president. (Most
Skipper material appears in Carton 161, with several folders across other cartons.)
2. Edward E. Shaw (1978-1982), previously Stanford associate provost.
3. Patricia M. Battin (1982 – early 1983), previously university librarian at Columbia University; served as interim president
during search for Shaw’s successor, afterwards returning to Columbia.
4. Richard W. McCoy (1983-1986), previously Wisconsin University’s director of academic computing.
5. William P. Timlake (1987-1988), previously director of Technical Systems at IBM.
6. James Michalko (1988-2006), previously RLG’s director of Finance & Administration.
Vice presidents: C. James Schmidt (1981-1989), John W. Haeger (1985-2000, thereafter “vice president emeritus”), and James
Michalko (1985-1988, at which point he became president).
Organizational departments: Departments, units, staff titles, and responsibilities changed as RLG evolved. Organization charts
and memos in Carton 119 track some (not all) of these changes. In 2005-2006, departments were: “President’s Office (aka Administration),”
“Member Programs,” “Product Management,” “Computer Systems (aka Development),” “Finance & Administration,” and “Marketing
& Sales.” “Customer & Operations Support” was downsized and melded into Computer Systems at the beginning of 2005. “Corporate
Communications,” a unit that shifted among departments, is separately identified as an archival contributor.
Scope and Content of Collection
Each box has a scope & content note and more detailed description. Materials fall roughly into the following categories: Computer
Systems (aka Development); Corporate Communications; Files of Noel Hanf, Wiggin & Dana; Finance & Administration; Marketing
& Sales – photos; Member Programs; President’s Office (aka Administration); Product Management.
RLG (Organization)