Random Lengths News Collection, 1848, 1853, 1967, 1971, 1985-2024; undated, bulk 1990-2004

Summary

Creators:
Random Lengths News and Allen, James Preston
Abstract:
This collection contains clippings, notes, correspondence, photographs, half-tones, press releases, flyers, invoices, meeting minutes, reports, published newspaper issues, and other material generated by Random Lengths News.
Extent:
71 boxes (45 record storage, 6 document cases, 20 oversized) and 32 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Random Lengths News Collection (1848, 1853, 1967, 1971, 1985-2022, undated; bulk 1990-2004) contains 70 boxes and 31 linear feet of material generated by Random Lengths News. A majority of this collection contains material related to newspaper issues such as drafts, letters to the editor, notes, photographs, press releases, clippings, reports, advertisements, invoices, and presumably research that was used in the process of creating and organizing issues of Random Lengths; as well as published issues of Random Lengths. Series I: Chronological Files contains material related to prospective issues such as drafts of articles; letters to the editor; notes; clippings; photographs; half-tones; cartoons; press releases; clippings; and other material that was used during the process of creating and organizing future issues of Random Lengths; as well as copies of published issues; runsheets for classified advertisements; news briefs; and invoices. Series II: Subject Files contains articles; newspaper clippings; press releases; notes; correspondence; memorandums; and other material featuring topics such as politics, elections, redevelopment projects, the environment, construction projects, communities, education, crime, activism,labor unions; with a focus on the South Bay area of Southern California and Los Angeles. Series III: Administrative Files contains documents related to procedures and policies such as: photo waivers; photo assignment and request forms; story assignment sheets; writer and employee guidelines; and an employee handbook; as well as other documents such as distribution lists, invoices, tax forms, correspondence, notes, and other related material. Series IV: Published Material contains published issues of Random Lengths News, as well as a few issues of Harbor Living.

Biographical / historical:

Random Lengths News is the only independently owned progressive news magazine that has been covering news in Carson, Lomita, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Torrance, and Wilmington since 1979. "Random Lengths News is an alternative community newspaper serving the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbor Area. We are committed to promoting an open dialogue on the important questions concerning our community. We invite and depend on community participation. Random Lengths News addresses the community need for a newspaper that will fight for worker, consumer and citizen rights; that will alert to dangers in the community; that will report honestly on the problems in schools and workplaces; that will analyze the failures of government; and that will reveal the full extent of corporate control over lives. The newspaper also speaks of past achievements and the progressive developments in the community. It is the newspaper's intention to promote direct community action and encourage non-exploitive artistic and cultural activity. The paper is committed to working against sex and age discrimination across all ethnic and racial boundaries. Random Lengths News urges readers to discover their own political power by making changes in their own neighborhoods that are drawn together into a cohesive social movement."

"About Us, Our Mission". Retrieved from: https://www.randomlengthsnews.com/about

Acquisition information:
Donated by James Preston Allen, founder of Random Lengths News; 2021.
Processing information:

Material was removed from original folders and placed into archival folders with reference to original folder titles. Although material has been arranged alphabetically or chronologically and into series; original order was maintained in regards to material within each folder and folder titles, meaning that documents have been placed in the same order within each folder, and folder titles were authored by the collection's creator. Any record labeled as "untitled" indicates that the folder did not have a title that was creator derived, and any title and descriptive information for those records has been created by an archivist.

This collection was processed in Fall 2021 by Caitlin McClister and Jesus Padilla; and the finding aid was created in January 2022 by Karen Clemons.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into four series

  1. Series I: Chronological Files, 1998-2008; undated
  2. Series II: Subject Files, 1848, 1853, 1967, 1971, 1985-2016; undated
  3. Series III: Administrative Files, 1991-2016; undated
  4. Series IV: Published Material, 1980-2022
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website