Collection Guide
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Finding Aid to the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) records
1965-1992
SFH 710
SFH 710
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Title: Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) records
Creator:
Bay Area Reference Center
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 710
Physical Description:
9 cartons, 2 oversize flat boxes
(12.8 Cubic Feet)
Date (inclusive): 1965-1992
Date (bulk): (bulk 1967-1988)
Abstract: The Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) was part of a four tier reference service network designed to serve a large section of
traditionally underserved rural areas of California. BARC covered nine Northern California public library systems and was
headquartered at the San Francisco Public Library. Established as an experiment in 1967 by the California State Library, BARC
was shut down in 1988 when US Federal funding for the program ceased. This collection contains administrative papers for BARC
including meeting minutes, correspondence, and publications. Also included are workshop materials and records for many of
BARC's bi-weekly workshops.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item], Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) records SFH 710, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public
Library.
Collection was created by the San Francisco Public Library.
Researchers are encouraged to see also the Celeste West Papers (GLC 124) and BARC's award-winning periodical,
Synergy (Call no. 020 Sy71).
During processing, the entire collection was re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples
remain. Audio and audiovisual materials kept in original plastic cases.
The Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) was part of a four tier reference service network designed to serve a large section of
traditionally underserved rural areas of California. BARC covered nine Northern California public library systems and was
headquartered at the San Francisco Public Library. It pioneered the use of networking technologies such as teletype and fax
machines in providing reference services to patrons at far-flung and rural libraries. BARC published its magazine Synergy
from 1967-1971, which won 2 ALA HW Wilson Library Periodical Awards, and was succeeded by BARC Notes from 1971-1988.
Established as an experimental reference service in 1967 by the California State Library, BARC was shut down in 1988 when
US Federal funding for the program ceased.
This collection contains administrative papers for the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) including meeting minutes, correspondence,
statistics, and publications. Also included are workshop materials and records for many of BARC's bi-weekly workshops. AV
materials begin to be included in a limited number of workshops in Series 2 starting from 1971.
The collection is arranged in 3 series.
Series 1: Administrative Papers
Series 2: Workshops
Series 3: Publications
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Bay Area Reference Center
Libraries -- California -- San Francisco
Library Resources -- History -- California
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History.
Bay Area Reference Center