Finding Aid to the Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) records
1965-1992
SFH 710
Finding aid composed by Norman Yee.
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2022
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org
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.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Bay Area Reference Center (BARC) records SFH 710, San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public
Library.
Provenance
Collection was created by the San Francisco Public Library.
Related Materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the Celeste West Papers (GLC 124) and BARC's award-winning periodical,
Synergy (Call no. 020 Sy71).
Conversation Note
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.
Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content
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.
Arrangement
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
Series 1
Administrative Papers
1967-1992
box 1, folder 1
People's Library Bill of Rights
1980
box 1, folder 3
Meeting Minutes [1/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 4
Meeting Minutes [2/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 5
Meeting Minutes [3/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 6
Meeting Minutes [4/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 7
Meeting Minutes [5/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 8
Meeting Minutes [6/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 9
Meeting Minutes [7/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 10
Meeting Minutes [8/8]
1968-1988
box 1, folder 11
Information Project
1968-1977
box 1, folder 12
Equipment Inventory and Police Reports
1969-1988
box 1, folder 13
Unit Cost Estimates and Analysis
1971-1977
box 1, folder 14
Budget. Levels of Service
box 1, folder 15
Budget. System Financial Support
1971-1974
box 1, folder 16
Budget Justification for Telephone Services
1974-1987
box 1, folder 17
Liaison with Systems
1974-1977
box 9, folder 16
Cooperation with UC Berkeley
1975-1985
box 1, folder 18
Computerized Reference Services
1978-1981
box 1, folder 19
Information File On Line: Memos and Resources
1979-1983
box 1, folder 20
LSCA Material Orders
1979-1980
box 1, folder 22
LSCA Funds Statistics
1981
box 1, folder 23
BARC Notes Questionnaire
1982
box 1, folder 25
Statistics [1/5]
1967-1982
box 1, folder 26
Statistics [2/5]
1967-1982
box 1, folder 27
Statistics [3/5]
1967-1982
box 1, folder 28
Statistics [4/5]
1967-1982
box 9, folder 17
Statistics [5/5]
1967-1982
box 1, folder 29
Quarterly Statistics [1/4]
1985-1988
box 1, folder 30
Quarterly Statistics [2/4]
1985-1988
box 1, folder 31
Quarterly Statistics [3/4]
1985-1988
box 1, folder 32
Quarterly Statistics [4/4]
1985-1988
box 1, folder 33
Farewell Correspondence
1988
box 1, folder 35
Celeste West. "Reprimand, Defeat of"
box 1, folder 36
Special Project: Videotape
1971-1975
box 1, folder 37
Special Project: Branch Program
1982-1983
box 2, folder 1
Inventory of Printed Materials
1974-1976
box 9, folder 18
Reference Question Samples
1974-1979
box 2, folder 2
Subject Authority List [1/4]
box 2, folder 3
Subject Authority List [2/4]
box 2, folder 4
Subject Authority List [3/4]
box 2, folder 5
Subject Authority List [4/4]
box 9, folder 12
BARC Bibliographic Style Manual
box 9, folder 13
BARC Notes Bibliographies [1/2]
box 9, folder 14
BARC Notes Bibliographies [2/2]
box 9, folder 15
Reference Policies and Tips
box 9, folder 25
Index to the BARC Information File [1/2]
box 9, folder 26
Index to the BARC Information File [2/2]
box 9, folder 27
Index to the BARC Information File
1990
General
Contents recorded on microfiche.
box 2, folder 6
Evaluations and Sample Surveys
1979-1980
box 2, folder 7
Publicity Drafts
1968-1976
box 2, folder 8
Publicity Review
1968-1981
box 2, folder 10
Synergy. Editorial Policy
1971
box 2, folder 11
Synergy. Publishing Proposals
1970-1974
box 2, folder 12
Synergy. Production Statistics
1971
box 2, folder 13
Synergy. Cancellation Protest
1973
box 2, folder 14
Synergy. Correspondence
1970-1973
box 2, folder 15
Synergy. Censorship Protest
1973
box 2, folder 16
Synergy. Documentation of Struggle
1973
box 2, folder 17
Synergy. Unauthorized Sale of Issues
1974
box 2, folder 18
Synergy. Press Clippings
General
Includes clips regarding the Synergy cut-off.
box 2, folder 19
California State Library. Master Plan
1967-1981
box 2, folder 20
California State Library. Library Services and Construction Act: Guidelines and Final Reports
1983-1985
box 2, folder 21
California State Library. LSCA: Projects
1978-1983
box 2, folder 22
California State Library. LSCA: Fiscal Year Reports
1986-1992
box 2, folder 23
California State Library. LSCA: State Senate Bills and Rules
1977
box 2, folder 24
California State Library. Public Relations Guidelines
box 2, folder 25
California State Library. Trustees Hand-Book
1983
1987
box 2, folder 26
Bay Area Library and Information System (BALIS) Papers
1988
box 9, folder 19
Southern California Answering Network (SCAN)
1970-1972
box 2, folder 28
California-Nevada Interlibrary Reference and Loan Service Institute
1971
box 2, folder 29
The Effective Utilization of Paraprofessionals in Libraries
1971
General
Created by the Institute for Training in Librarianship. "Paraprofessionals Institute" CCSF.
box 2, folder 30
Federal Information Centers
1978
box 2, folder 31
Proposal Writing: Samples and Materials
1980-1981
1987-1988
box 2, folder 32
California Library Services Board. Legislation and Roster
1981
box 2, folder 33
San Francisco Civil Service Commission. Class Description
box 2, folder 34
North State Cooperative Library System
1984
box 2, folder 35
Community Board Center for Policy and Training
1985-1987
box 2, folder 36
Bibliotecas Para La Gente. Reports, Memos, and Correspondence
1987-1988
Series 2
BARC Workshops
1968-1987
box 2, folder 37
Workshops. History
1968-1979
box 2, folder 38
Reference Procedures Workshop
1968
box 3, folder 1
Workshop Papers
1970-1988
box 5, folder 15
Art Books and the Reference Librarian
1968
box 5, folder 16
California History [1/2]
1968
box 5, folder 17
California History [2/2]
1968
box 5, folder 18
Modern Poetry and the Librarian
1968
box 5, folder 20
Aiding the Libraries to Meet the Needs of the Spanish Speaking Population
1968
box 6, folder 1
Religion: Contemporary Man's Beliefs
1969
box 6, folder 2
Profile of a Place: Mexico
1969
box 6, folder 3
The Natural World of the Bay Area
1969
box 6, folder 4
Publicity and Public Relations in the Library
1969
box 6, folder 5
Sensitivity Training
1969
box 6, folder 6
Young Adult Film Programming
1969
box 6, folder 7
Current Issues in Education [1/2]
1970
box 6, folder 8
Current Issues in Education [2/2]
1970
box 6, folder 9
The Reel Medium in the Public Library
1970
box 6, folder 10
We have been true to you, Melvil Dewey, after our fashion
1970
box 6, folder 12
Women's Rights and Responsibilities Now
1970
box 6, folder 13
Bridging the Medical Information Gap
1971
box 6, folder 14
The Creative Consumers [1/2]
1971
box 6, folder 15
The Creative Consumers [2/2]
1971
box 6, folder 16
CY Silver on Legal Reference
1971
box 6, folder 17
Intellectual Freedom
1971
Technical Requirements
Contents include a workshop recorded on 1 V-32 Helical Scan video tape reel. Stored in Box 10.
box 6, folder 19
The Public Library and the Business Community
1971
box 6, folder 20
Ask Us Anything: The BARC Publicity Campaign
1972
box 6, folder 21
Planning for the Future
1972
box 7, folder 1
Keeping Up with Politics and Government
1972
box 7, folder 2
The Publishing Scene
1972
box 7, folder 3
The 1970 Census of Population and Housing
1972
box 7, folder 4
The Older Adult and the Library
1972
box 7, folder 8
Law for Librarians and Laypeople [1/2]
1973
box 7, folder 9
Law for Librarians and Laypeople [2/2]
1973
box 7, folder 10
The Library as the Community Switchboard
1973
box 7, folder 11
The World of Work
1973
Technical Requirements
Content includes a workshop recorded on 1 V-32 Helical Scan video tape reel. Stored in Box 10.
box 7, folder 12
The Lively Arts and the Public Library
1973
box 7, folder 13
Women's Place in the 70's
1973
box 7, folder 15
Mental Health in America
1974
box 7, folder 17
The Economy and How to Live with It [1/2]
1974
General
Includes unpublished proceedings.
box 7, folder 18
The Economy and How to Live with It [2/2]
1974
General
Includes unpublished proceedings.
box 7, folder 19
Contemporary Trends in Information Delivery
1974
box 8, folder 1
A Reference Potpourri
1975
Technical Requirements
Contents include recording of 3/12 workshop on 1 V-32 Helical Scan video tape reel. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 2
Reference Work in a Small Library
1975
box 8, folder 3
America's Bicentennial
1975
box 8, folder 4
Workshop on How to Give Workshops [1/2]
1976
box 8, folder 5
Workshop on How to Give Workshops [2/2]
1976
box 8, folder 6
Information and Referral
1976
box 8, folder 7
Tour of the San Francisco Public Library
1976
box 8, folder 8
Collecting Local History
1977
box 8, folder 9
Graphics for the Non-Artist
1977
box 8, folder 10
Libraries and Literacy
1977
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 9/21 and 9/22 workshops on 9 audio cassette tapes. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 11
Penny Pinching Publicity
1977
box 8, folder 12
The Librarian and the Business Question
1978
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 1/11 workshop on 3 audio cassette tapes, 1/12 on 1 V-30H video tape reel, and 1/12 on 1 V-32
Helical Scan video tape reel. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 13
What is this Thing Called Book
1978
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 1/20 workshop on 3 audio cassette tapes, and 3/24 workshop on 1 audio cassette tape; incomplete.
Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 14
Hodge Podge
1979
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 2/23 workshop on 2 audio tape reels. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 15
The Ethics and Problems of Medical Reference Service in a Public Library
1979
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 9/26 and 9/27 workshops on 6 audio cassette tapes. Undated workshop recordings on 1 KCS-20
video cassette tape, and 1 T-30 VHS video tape. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 17
Workshop on How to Give Workshops
1979
box 8, folder 18
Workshop on How to Give Workshops
1980
box 8, folder 19
The 1980 Census
1980
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 5/28 workshop on 1 audio cassette tape; incomplete. Stored in Box 10.
box 8, folder 20
Alternative Energy
1980
Technical Requirements
Contents include recordings of 4/23 workshop on 4 audio cassette tapes. Stored in Box 10.
box 9, folder 1
Field Workshops
1973-1974
box 9, folder 2
Field Workshop.
Agricultural Workshop
1974
General
Workshop conducted in Modesto.
box 9, folder 3
Field Workshop.
CIN-BARC: Library Strength Through Library Networks
1975
box 9, folder 4
Field Workshop.
Creative Reference Work
1975
box 9, folder 5
Field Workshop.
Creative Use of Reference Materials
1975
General
Workshop conducted in Vallejo.
box 9, folder 6
Field Workshop.
Reference Work in a Small Library [1/2]
1975
General
Workshops conducted in North Slate, Ukiah, San Rafael, Napa, Weaverville, Eureka, and Auburn.
box 9, folder 7
Field Workshop.
Reference Work in a Small Library [2/2]
1975
General
Workshops conducted in North Slate, Ukiah, San Rafael, Napa, Weaverville, Eureka, and Auburn.
box 9, folder 8
Field Workshop.
Giving Better Reference Service
1976-1977
General
Workshops conducted in Willows, Alturas, Redding, and Susanville.
box 9, folder 9
Field Workshop.
Medical Resources for Public Libraries
1978
General
Workshop conducted in San Leandro.
box 9, folder 10
Field Workshop.
Business Reference
1978
General
Workshops conducted in Vallejo, Santa Rosa, Modesto, and Susanville.
box 9, folder 11
Field Workshop.
Beyond the Branch
1978
General
Workshops conducted in SFPL branches.
box 9, folder 20
Speakers. J Myron Jacobstein
1978
box 9, folder 21
Speakers. Joan M Harvey
1979
box 9, folder 24
Slides. BARC
1976
General
Workshop on workshops, 1976; "The Right Room" talk; Gil McNamee.
box 3, folder 2
Pacific Rim Workshop. Resources
1985-1986
box 3, folder 3
Pacific Rim Workshop. Correspondence
1986-1987
box 3, folder 4
Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN). Search-Only Training materials
1982
Series 3
Publications
1965-1988
(bulk 1971-1988)
box 3, folder 6
How to Plan a Workshop outline
1979
General
Second revised edition.
box 3, folder 7
Primer: Handbook for Reference Referral
1981
box 3, folder 8
G.K. Hall Library Catalogs and Indexes at the SFPL
1986
box 3, folder 9
BARC Notes Indexes
1977-1987
box 3, folder 10
BARC Notes [1/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 11
BARC Notes [2/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 12
BARC Notes [3/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 13
BARC Notes [4/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 14
BARC Notes [5/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 15
BARC Notes [6/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 16
BARC Notes [7/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 17
BARC Notes [8/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 18
BARC Notes [9/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 19
BARC Notes [10/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 20
BARC Notes [11/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 21
BARC Notes [12/25]
1973-1988
box 3, folder 22
BARC Notes [13/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 1
BARC Notes [14/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 2
BARC Notes [15/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 3
BARC Notes [16/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 4
BARC Notes [17/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 5
BARC Notes [18/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 6
BARC Notes [19/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 7
BARC Notes [20/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 8
BARC Notes [21/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 9
BARC Notes [22/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 10
BARC Notes [23/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 11
BARC Notes [24/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 12
BARC Notes [25/25]
1973-1988
box 4, folder 13
BARC Notes: Area Special Collections
1982
box 4, folder 14
Southern California Answering Network (SCAN). Indexes and Notes
1988
box 4, folder 15
Scannings [1/5]
1985-1988
box 4, folder 16
Scannings [2/5]
1985-1988
box 4, folder 17
Scannings [3/5]
1985-1988
box 4, folder 18
Scannings [4/5]
1985-1988
box 4, folder 19
Scannings [5/5]
1985-1988
box 4, folder 20
A Directory of Special Collections and In-house Indexes in Northern California Libraries
1981
box 5, folder 1
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science [1/2]
1971-1977
box 5, folder 2
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science [2/2]
1971-1977
box 5, folder 3
SCAN/BARC Update
1976-1981
box 5, folder 4
California State Library News
1983-1988
box 5, folder 5
Public Library Service Equal to the Challenge of California: A Report to the State Librarian
1965
General
California State Library. Martin and Bowler Report, 1965.
box 5, folder 6
California State Library. Public Library Services Act
1972
1975
box 5, folder 7
North Bay Cooperative Library System. Reports
1967-1972
box 5, folder 8
Directory of Cooperative Reference Service Programs
1972
box 5, folder 9
California Public Library Systems. Review and Guidelines
1975
box 5, folder 10
California Library Association. California Libraries in the 1980's: Strategies for Service
1979-1982
box 5, folder 11
California State Library. California Statewide Reference Referral Service: Analysis and Recommendations
1981
box 5, folder 12
California State Library. Information Needs of Californians: Report #2
1984
box 5, folder 13
DIALOG Training Materials
1982-1983
