Darling (Louise) papers, 1929-1999

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Summary

Title:
Louise Darling Papers,
Dates:
1929-1999
Creators:
Darling, Louise. 1911-1999
Abstract:
Louise Marie Darling (1911-1999) received degrees in Botany (B.A.) from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Botany (M.A.) and Librarianship (Certification and Credential) from the University of California, Berkeley. As a civilian in the U.S. Army Library Service she supervised Army libraries for Hawaii and the Philippines (1944-1947). After returning to UCLA, she founded and headed, until her retirement in 1978, the Biomedical Library which was named for her in 1987. She received many major awards and honors in the profession of medical librarianship, and consulted widely. The papers contain correspondence, reports, publication drafts, teaching materials, plus newspaper clippings, reprints, photographs, and artifacts. The bulk focuses on Darling's professional accomplishments aside from administration of the UCLA Biomedical Library. A smaller part pertains to personal matters: education, positions held, and relations with staff, colleagues, and family.
Extent:
6 linear feet (4 cartons 1 storage box)
Language:
Collection materials in English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Louise Darling papers (Manuscript collection 174). Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections Division, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, reports, manuscripts, and teaching materials, plus some newspaper clippings, reprints, and artifacts. Materials span the years 1929-1999. The major portion deals with Louise Darling's professional accomplishments aside from daily administration of the UCLA Biomedical Library. This includes her publications, involvement in professional organizations, speeches and lectures, teaching notes and reference lists, and consultant projects. A smaller part of the collection pertains to personal matters: education, positions, relations with staff and colleagues, family.

The collection has been organized into ten main series and several sub-series.

The collection is organized into the following series:

  • Series 1. Professional Publications and Presentations, Except Meeting Presentations., 1940-1990. 26 folders (0.5 linear ft.)
  • Series 2. Participation in Professional Meetings, Symposia, Congresses., 1953-1995. 28 folders (0.5 linear ft.)
  • Series 3. Consulting Projects., 1962-1990. 21 folders (0.4 linear ft.)
  • Series 4. Honors and Awards, Offices, Committee Assignments., 1961-1989. 19 folders (1 linear ft.)
  • Series 5. Teaching Activities., 1960-1983. 11 folders (0.3 linear ft.)
  • Series 6. Miscellaneous Professional Papers., 1954-1978. 2 folders (0.6 linear ft.)
  • Series 7. L. Darling Biomedical Library Staff Development Fund., 1973-1985. 2 folders (0.1 linear ft.)
  • Series 8. Personal Materials., 1929-1999. 30 folders (1 linear ft.)
  • Series 9. Supporting Print Materials., 1979-1990. 3 folders (0.1 linear ft.)
  • Series 10. Non-Document Materials.. 5 folders and 10 objects (1.5 linear ft.)

Biographical / historical:

Louise Darling received a B.A. in Botany from UCLA, and a General Secondary Credential, an M.A. in Botany, a Certificate in Librarianship, and a Special Secondary Credential in Librarianship, all from UC Berkeley. Her early library experience was conventional: an agricultural economics library at UC Berkeley, a high school library, and reference at the UCLA Library. Then she took an interesting detour: accepting a civilian position in the U. S. Army Library Service, eventually to become Supervisor for Hawaii and the Philippines (1944-1947). In 1947 Darling inquired about returning to UCLA; she was offered the opportunity to build a library for the new Medical School at UCLA and for the Zoology and Botany Departments, all of whose leaders wisely decided that a joint BIOmedical library would add strength to the campus. Darling fulfilled their vision superbly, leading her library and its staff to a pioneering, eminent position among U.S. academic health sciences libraries. Her achievements are documented by the national reputation of the library she founded and to which her name is attached, by the number of former staff members heading their own medical and university libraries, and by the wide love and respect evoked by her memory.

Darling's name also loomed large beyond her own campus. She was active in professional societies, published widely, served on many advisory committees. She became president of the main national medical library society, The Medical Library Association, and garnered all its main awards. Honors and awards were also bestowed by other professional groups, by UCLA, and by the alumni associations of two of her former schools. In addition, her professional acumen was honored by the many consulting assignments that were offered, and the awards named for her.

Acquisition information:
The papers were collected by Louise Darling, who sorted and weeded some after her retirement. Following Darling's death her successor and executor, Alison Bunting, added more materials and provided some further organization.
Physical location:
Louise M. Darling History and Special Collections Division, UCLA

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Pat L. Walter.
Date Prepared:
©2005
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid derived from ColdFusion web application and SQLServer relational database. Date of source: November, 2000

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research. Access to part of oral history transcripts is restricted. Contact the History and Special Collections Division, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA, for information.

Terms of access:

There are some restrictions on part of the oral history transcript produced by the Neuroscience History Program of UCLA [see notes for Box 3-F127 in the Container List]. Contact the History and Special Collections Division, Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, UCLA, for more information.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Louise Darling papers (Manuscript collection 174). Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library History and Special Collections Division, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library
12-077 Center for Health Sciences, Box 951798
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1798, US
Contact:
(310) 825-6940
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website