Guide to the University Archives Directories, Guides & Handbooks Collection
MSS-2010-05-04
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José State University Archives Directories, Guides & Handbooks Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MSS-2010-05-04
Physical Description:
17.0 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1920-1997 1941-1976
Date (inclusive): 1941-1976
Abstract: The San José State University Archives Directories, Guides & Handbooks, 1920-1997 (bulk 1941-1976) consists of handbooks and
directories targeted to students, faculty and staff. The directories contain address and telephone lists of students, staff,
and faculty. The handbooks, mostly produced for student usage, give a comprehensive view of University procedures, resources,
and traditions. The records consist of printed materials, bound and unbound guides and handbooks, directories, and pamphlets.
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Directories, 1921-1997 (bulk 1945-1981); Series II. Student Handbooks,
1923-1997 (bulk 1941-1967): Series III; Staff Reference Guides, 1962-1997 (bulk 1961-1978); Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1902-1979
(bulk 1934-1969).
Physical Description: (6.88 linear feet)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
San José State University Archives Directories, Guides & Handbooks Collection, MSS-2010-05-04, San José State University Library
Special Collections & Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Stephanie Waslohn. Finding aid EAD encoded by Stephanie Waslohn. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. A 1934-1935
Bulletin Directory of Students & Faculty from the San José State Normal School and San Jose State Teachers College Course
Catalogs Collection was moved to Box 1 in May 2023 by Christine Thuy Minh Nguyen.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008. The Project Director is Danelle Moon. The Project Archivist is Erin Louthen.
Organizational History
In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
José, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.
Related Material
San José State University Faculty Wives Club Records, MSS-2010-03-02. San José State University Library Special Collections
& Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
The San José State University Archives Directories, Guides & Handbooks, 1920-1997 (bulk 1941-1976) consists of handbooks and
directories targeted to students, faculty, and staff. The directories contain address and telephone lists of students, staff
and faculty. The handbooks, mostly produced for student usage, give a comprehensive view of University procedures, resources,
and traditions. The records consist of printed materials, bound and unbound guides and handbooks, directories, and pamphlets.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series: Series I. Directories, 1921-1997 (bulk 1945-1981): Series II. Student Handbooks,
1923-1997 (bulk 1941-1967): Series III. Staff Reference Guides, 1962-1997 (bulk 1961-1978); Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1902-1979
(bulk 1934-1969).
University Archives Collection
Record Group: 7.8
Bibliography
Gilbert, Benjamin F., and Burdick, Charles.
Washington Square, 1857-1979: The History of San José State University. San José, California: San José State University, 1980.
Walsh, James P.
San José State University: An Interpretive History, 1950-2000. San José, California: San José State University, 2003.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Jose State Teachers College -- Directories.
San Jose State College
San Jose State College
Education, Higher -- California -- San José.
Universities and College -- California -- San José.
San José State University -- History.
San Jose State Teachers College -- History.
Directories Series I:
1921-1961
Physical Description: 6.0 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
The materials in this series include student telephone directories, the
Blue Key also known as the
Spartan Key, and faculty & staff directories of varying size and formats.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by format, and then chronologically within each folder.
Box 1
Student and Faculty Directories, Faculty Directory
1921-1961
Box 2
Student and Faculty Directories, Departmental Telephone Directory
1925-1961
Box 3
Faculty Directories, alphabetical edition & Office and Department edition, New Faculty addendums, Report on shifts in Faculty
and Staff, Student and Faculty Directories
1960-1966
Box 4
University Telephone Directories, Student Directories
1966-1981
Box 5
University Telephone Directories
1982-1993
Box 6
Fifty Year Reunion Directories
1979-1986
Student Handbooks Series II:
1923-1997
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of handbooks that were distributed to the student body. Early examples include the
Campus Compass and
A Spartan from the Start. The handbooks describe school regulations, dress codes and provides come context for campus traditions, as well as maps
documenting the locations of specific student spots. Also included in this series are pamphlets produced for current and prospective
students on financial aid, student activities, and night school.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by format, and then chronologically within each folder.
Box 7
Student Handbooks
1953-1967
Box 9
Activities Calendars, Pamphlets, Student Hanbooks
1942-1979
Box 10
Student Handbooks
1923-1953
Box 11
Student Handbooks, Pamphlets, Student Newspapers
1966-1996
Staff Reference Guides Series III:
1962-1997
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of reference guides produced for SJSU staff and faculty. The guides provide information on human resources,
contact information for departments, emergency safety information, as well as policies and procedures.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by format, and then chronologically within each folder.
Box 12
Staff Reference Books, Pamphlet Addendums
1961-1974
Box 13
Staff Reference Books
1971-1977
Box 14
Staff Reference Books, Pamphlet
1985-1997
Miscellaneous Series IV:
1920-1979
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of miscellaneous directories, handbooks, programs, pamphlets and printed matter.
Arrangement
Files are arranged alphabetically by format, and then chronologically within each folder.
Box 16
Faculty and Student Directories, Student Directories, Student Handbooks, Staff Reference Books, Programs, Printed Materials
1921-1969
Box 17
Staff Handbooks, Student Handbooks, Printed Materials, Associated Student Body Constitutions
1920-1997
