BOSS archives poster collection, 1966-1978., bulk 1968-1971

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
BOSS archives poster collection,
Dates:
1966-1978., bulk 1968-1971
Abstract:
A collection of posters covering political campaigns in the city of Berkeley, the anti-Vietnam War movement, student demonstrations, rock concerts, and other aspects of early 1970s protest movements and counterculture. Several posters were produced for city election campaigns in 1971 and 1972 and reflect specific issues from that time, such as community control of police. Also represented are posters by the Berkeley Political Poster Workshop (1970-1971) and posters from concerts organized by Family Dog, the concert production company run by Chet Helms.
Extent:
110 posters
Language:
In English.

Background

Biographical / historical:

Berkeley-Oakland Service System (BOSS) was a collaborative effort to share collections and services between Berkeley and Oakland Public Libraries that existed between 1969 and 1979. The system was established in 1969 and was funded by a special grant for cooperative library systems established by the California Public Library Services Act. The system plan included a system library card, uniform fees, the ability to return materials to either library, interchange and sharing between collections, daily transportation and direct telecommunications between the libraries, and an after-hours reference phone line staffed until midnight. The system also funded the creation of special collections in six areas, three assigned to each library: Oakland Public Library was to specialize in African American literature and history, marine science and technology, and urban planning; Berkeley Public Library was to specialize in the art and history of Black Africa, contemporary European literature in language of original publication, and civil rights and protest movements. The system expanded in 1972 to conduct targeted outreach to sick, elderly, and disabled residents at care facilities across Berkeley and Oakland. BOSS operated until about 1979 when it merged with the East Bay Library System to form the Bay Area Library and Information System (BALIS).

Arrangement:

Materials are divided into three series that mirror labels used by BOSS archives and that are found on the back of each poster:

  • Miscellaneous posters
  • Political posters
  • Vietnam War posters

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Jose C. Guerrero.
Date Prepared:
2026
Date Encoded:
Finding aid encoded by Jose C. Guerrero, 2026.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Material is open for research. Please call or contact Berkeley Public Library for Berkeley History Room hours or to schedule an appointment: www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

Location of this collection:
2090 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 94704, US
Contact:
510 981 6100
Website