Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Processing Information
Administrative history
Organization
Scope and Content
Title: University of Southern California School of Library Science records
Collection number: 0280
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
29.1 Linear feet
49 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1892-1986
Abstract: Records of the University of Southern California School of Library Science (1936-1986), including those of Martha Boaz, Dean
of the School from 1955-1978. Consists of correspondence, notes, minutes, manuscripts, scrapbooks, publications, and ephemera
related to the School's educational and administrative activites.
Physical location: University of Southern California. University Archives.
creator:
Beta Phi Mu. Beta Chapter.
creator:
University of Southern California. School of Library and Information Management.
creator:
University of Southern California. School of Library Science. -- Archives
Access
Collection is open for research, except where restriction is noted. Collection is stored off-site and advance notice is required
for access.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the University Archivist.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of University Archives as the owner of the physical material, and is not intended
to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder #], University of Southern California School of Library Science records, Collection no. 0280, University Archives,
Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Processing Information
Processed by: Sibyl Roud, 2005. Beta Phi Mu records added by Sue Luftschein, 2012.
Administrative history
The USC School of Library Science originated from an organized instructional program provided by the Los Angeles Public Library.
This program, started in 1891 for the Library's employees, remained a training class until 1914 when the Library instituted
a formal one-year library school program. Classes at LAPL terminated in 1932 due to fiscal problems. Summer sessions held
at the University of Southern California from 1933-1936 met the need for library training in the region. After four years
of pressure from the Alumni Association of the Public Library for a graduate library school, USC finally acquiesced and officially
inaugurated a School of Library Service in September 1936. The school's name was changed in June of the following year to
the School of Library Science. In 1980, the School altered its name once again, this time to reflect the changing occupational
climate. Accompanied by an entirely redesigned program, the newly dubbed School of Library and Information Management veered
away from providing solely traditional library school courses and offered students three areas of specialization: library
science, information science, and information management.
The School, accredited by the Board of Education for Librarianship of the American Library Association in 1938, initially
offered a two year program in which a Bachelor of Science in Library Science was granted at the end of the first year, the
program culminating after the second year with the bestowal of a Master of Science in Library Science degree. The B.S. in
Library Science was not offered after June, 1952. The curriculum was later expanded to include two degrees at the Doctor level:
the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Library Science (Ph.D.) added in 1961, and the Doctor of Library Science (D.L.S.)
in 1975.
Deans of the School:
(titled Director until 1957)
Osborn, Andrew D. (temporary, 1936-1937)
Carter, Mary Duncan (1937-1946)
Dean, Hazel (acting, 1945-1946)
Pulling, Hazel (acting, 1946- 1947)
Stieg, Lewis F. (1947-1955)
Howe, Harriet (acting, 1943-1955)
Boaz, Martha (1955-1978)
Greer, Roger (1979-1986)
Organization
The collection is organized into eight main series arranged alphabetically: Advisory Board files (1937-1981), Alumni Association
files (1924-1986, bulk 1930-1978), Beta Phi Mu files (1957-1985, bulk 1980-1984), Curriculum and Educational Materials (1950-1981),
Deans' Papers (1917-1986), Publications (1936-1978), and Student Materials (1930-1984).
Scope and Content
Collection contains correspondence, notes, minutes, scrapbooks, publications, course outlines, correspondence, class lists,
and ephemera related to the educational and administrative activities of the University of Southern California School of Library
Science (1936-1986). Includes the administrative files of Martha Boaz, dean of the School from 1955-1978, including her correspondence,
publications, and manuscripts; and the records of Beta Phi Mu, national library science honor society.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Beta Phi Mu. Beta Chapter. -- Archives
Beta Phi Mu. -- Archives
Boaz, Martha, 1911-1995 -- Archives
Carter, Mary Duncan, 1896- -- Archives
Los Angeles Public Library. -- Archives
University of Southern California. School of Library and Information Management. -- Archives
University of Southern California. School of Library and Information Management. -- History
Agendas (administrative records)
Annual reports
Brochures
Correspondence
Financial records
Library education--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Library schools--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Library schools--California--Los Angeles--Faculty--Archival resources
Library schools--Curricula--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Library science--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources
Manuscripts
Minutes
Newsletters
Publications
Reports
Scrapbooks
Transcripts