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Collection Guide
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Carma Leigh papers, 1920-1994.
MANUSCRIPT3762 – 3770A
Collection Overview

Title:

Carma Leigh papers, 1920-1994
Leigh

Creator/Contributor:

Leigh, Carma (Carma Russell Zimmerman), 1904-2009, creator

Creator/Contributor:

Benson, Charles Scott.

Creator/Contributor:

Blasingame, Ralph Upshaw.

Creator/Contributor:

Brett, William H.

Creator/Contributor:

Brown, Edmund G. (Edmund Gerald), 1905-1996

Creator/Contributor:

Chadwick, Catherine S.

Creator/Contributor:

Dalton, Phyllis I.

Creator/Contributor:

Eddy, Harriet G. (Harriet Gertrude), 1876?-1966

Creator/Contributor:

Gillis, Mabel R.

Creator/Contributor:

Hawken, William R.

Creator/Contributor:

Hellum, Bertha D.

Creator/Contributor:

Knight, Goodwin, 1896-1970

Creator/Contributor:

Krettek, Germaine.

Creator/Contributor:

Leigh, Robert D. (Robert Devore), 1890-

Creator/Contributor:

Martin, Lowell A. (Lowell Arthur), 1912-2003

Creator/Contributor:

Reagan, Ronald.

Creator/Contributor:

Reynolds, Maryan E., 1913-2004

Creator/Contributor:

Ross, Virginia L.

Creator/Contributor:

Smith, Jack, 1916-1996

Creator/Contributor:

Swank, Raynard Coe, 1912-

Creator/Contributor:

Warren, Earl, 1891-1974

Creator/Contributor:

Wight, Edward A. (Edward Allen), 1899-1986

Creator/Contributor:

Alioto, Joseph L.

Creator/Contributor:

Dean, James S. (James Somerville), 1885-

Creator/Contributor:

Geddes, Ernest R.

Creator/Contributor:

Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963

Creator/Contributor:

Sproul, Robert Gordon, 1891-1975

Creator/Contributor:

Strong, Gary E.

Creator/Contributor:

Traver, Dorothy.

Abstract:

Carma Leigh's papers, which span from 1920 to 1994 and consist of printed and photographic formats, contain a variety of personal and professional materials from throughout her life and career, including numerous folders of correspondence and a significant collection of files documenting her legislative efforts and other work as California State Librarian. The collection also contains a series of materials belonging to Carma's second husband, noted political scientist and American library surveyor Dr. Robert Devore Leigh (1890-1961). Those materials created and collected by Dr. Leigh date from 1928 to 1961.

Date:

1920 (issued)

Contents:

The collection is arranged in the following eight series, three of which have been further arranged into subseries: Series 1: Personal and biographical materials, 1920-1990 (Box 3762); Series 2: Correspondence, 1924-1990 (Boxes 3762-3763, 3770A); Series 3: Papers and speeches, circa 1938-1987 (Box 3763); Series 4: Professional materials, 1928-1989 (Boxes 3763-3766); Subseries 4.1: Library legislation files, 1939-1970; Subseries 4.2: Other political and professional files, 1948-1972; Subseries 4.3: California State Library administrative files, 1928-1959; Subseries 4.4: Post-retirement library involvement, 1982-1989; Series 5: Travels, 1952-1989 (Boxes 3766-3767); Series 6: Photographic materials, circa 1938-1989 (Box 3767); Series 7: Robert D. Leigh materials, 1928-1962 (Box 3768); Subseries 7.1: Personal and professional materials, 1928-1962; Subseries 7.2: Printed materials, 1941-1961; Series 8 (Boxes 3767, 3769-3770): Printed materials, circa 1927-1994; Subseries 8.1: Publications, periodicals, and clippings, circa 1927-1994; Subseries 8.2: Books, 1927-1980; Subseries 8.3: Keepsakes, circa 1945-1983.

Subject:

n-us-ca
Leigh, Carma (Carma Russell Zimmerman) -- 1904-2009
Leigh, Robert D. (Robert Devore) -- 1890-
California State Library.
American Library Association.
California Library Association.
Libraries -- California -- History
Librarians -- California
Library directors -- United States
Legislation -- California
Library legislation -- California
Correspondence
Books
Newspapers
Periodicals
Photographs

Note:

Carma (Russell Zimmerman) Leigh (1904-2009) served as California State Librarian from 1951-1972. She played an important role in a variety of California State Library operations, spearheaded the development of California library systems, and led the State Library in the struggle to attain federal and state funds to aid libraries throughout the state. Prior to her appointment as California State Librarian, Carma Leigh worked as a city librarian in Watsonville, California, served as County Librarian for California's Orange and San Bernardino counties, and occupied the position of Washington State Librarian.
Robert Devore Leigh (1890-1961) graduated as valedictorian of Bowdoin College and earned a doctorate in political science from Columbia University. He taught government at Barnard and Columbia Colleges and at Williams College before serving as the first president of Bennington College. During World War II, Dr. Leigh acted as the director of the Foreign Broadcast Intelligence Service. He served as the director of the Social Science Research Council's Public Library Inquiry before progressing from visiting professor to dean of Columbia University's School of Library Service.
Leigh.
Gift; Carma Leigh; 1995.
Inventory available in library; folder level control.
Unrestricted, with the exception of five folders designated as "restricted" in the arrangement list. Please credit California State Library.

Type:

biography

Physical Description:

print
7 archival boxes; 15.5 x 12 x 10.5.
1 document box; 15.5 x 5 x 12.5.
1 document box; 16.5 x 5 x 11.5.
1 document box; 12.5 x 2.5 x 10.5.

Language:

English

Identifier:

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted, with the exception of five folders designated as "restricted" in the arrangement list. Please credit California State Library.