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Collection Guide

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Inventory of the California State Library Records

F3616

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Table of contents

Series Description

folder F3616:1-4

Series 1 Registers of Books Loaned. (Record of Books) 1865-1868 1887-1894

Physical Description: 4 volumes

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by department and then chronologically by loan date or alphabetically by name of agency.

Scope and Content

Records of books loaned by the State Library to state officials and agencies and the general public. The earliest volume related only to loans to legislative committees and includes borrowers' name and publication title. The next two volumes contain information about books loaned from the General Dept. which included the general collections. The information is arranged by name of agency. The second volume has an index on the inside front cover providing names of agencies and page references. Categories for clergymen, physicians, and lawyers are included at the bottom of this index. Entries include loan and return dates, name of borrower, register and receipt numbers, and author and title of book. An alphabetical index of borrowers' names may be found at the beginning of the register. The last volume contains the same entry information, but is arranged chronologically by loan date and reflects materials borrowed from the Law Dept. An alphabetical index of borrowers' names in included at the beginning of the register.

folder F3616:5-6

Series 2 Book Registers (Records) 1870s-1880s

Physical Description: 2 volumes

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by category and then alphabetically by author.

Scope and Content Note

Records of books available in the State Library. The first volume contains books from the Law Dept. Entries include book number, author and title of book and number of volumes. Law books are further divided by category e.g. law treaties, state and U.S. documents. The second volume reflects books from the general collection and, in addition to the above data, includes an alphabetical index indicating where letters begin with corresponding page number.

folder F3616:7-22

Series 3 Registers of Books Accessioned 1861-1917

Physical Description: 17 volumes

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of accession and then numerically by book number.

Scope and Content Note

Records of accessioned publications added to the State Library. The earliest volume contains information relating only to the Law Dept. arranged alphabetically by state and then other categories. Entries include date received and title of publication. Later volumes contain the additional following information: book number, number of volumes, name of author, place of publication, name of publisher, type of binding, cost, and remarks e.g. donation, exchange, lost.

folder F3616:23-62

Series 4 Book Orders 1914-1940

Physical Description: 40 volumes

Arrangement

Arranged numerically by order number.

Scope and Content Note

Records of books ordered by the Library. Information includes date of ordering, name and address of publisher, order number, author and title of publication, cost, and remarks e.g. cancelled, withdrawn, lost.

folder F3616:63

Series 5 Miscellaneous Index undated

Physical Description: 1 volume

Arrangement

Arranged by category.

Scope and Content Note

An index to books in the general collection. Information includes author and title of book and number of volumes. The volume includes a printed index at the beginning which provides name of category e.g. natural history, romance, and page references.

folder F3616:64

Series 6 Register of Missing Newspapers 1901

Physical Description: 1 volume

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by name of newspaper.

Scope and Content Note

Appears to be a record of issues missing from the Library's newspaper collection. Information includes name of newspaper, and year and date of missing issue(s).

folder F3616:65

Series 7 Schedules of Bills Filed 1925-1931

Physical Description: 1 volume

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of schedule.

Scope and Content Note

A financial reporting of expenses for the Library. Information includes schedule and item numbers, month and year of posting, name of payee, object, amount, check number, program charged, and balances. Also contains payroll information which, in addition to above data, includes occupation, name of payee, salary, and time employed.

folder F3616:66-71

Series 8 Invoices 1870-1877

Physical Description: 6 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Invoices received from businesses for goods and services purchased by the State Library. Information includes name and address of business, date of voucher/invoice, terms of payment, description of goods or services purchased, and costs.

folder F3616:72-73

Series 9 Fire Insurance Policies 1878-1880 1890-1893

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content Note

Fire insurance policies taken out by State Library to insure books and other materials. Information includes name and address of insurance company, text of policy, items covered by policy, insured amounts, premium received, and dates of coverage.

folder F3616:74-447

Series 10 Administrative Correspondence 1870-1920 1955-1982

Physical Description: 18 volumes and 356 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically and alphabetically thereafter by correspondent.

Scope and Content Note

Administrative correspondence to and from the State Library relating to a wide variety of topics and programs. Most of the material resulted from the activities and interests of the State Librarian and other high-ranking administrators. These files include not only correspondence, but also memoranda, studies, reports, clippings, and printed materials.

Due to the large volume of the series, correspondence was sampled. Beginning in 1890, with few exceptions, only the following letters of the alphabet were retained: C, H, N, S, and W.

Research Note: For anyone interested in the growth and development of the State Library, these files form a rich nucleus of research material. Especially notable is information about the Library's divisions, activities of the State Librarian, and maintenance of physical facilities.

folder F3616:448-451

Series 11 Annual Reports 1946-1972

Physical Description: 4 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by year.

Scope and Content Note

Annual reports filed by sections within the State Library. The reports, largely statistical, but also containing some narration, include information relating to reference service, personnel, special projects, and physical facilities. Report formats vary by section.

folder F3616:452-544

Series 12 Monthly Reports 1908-1914 1921-1969 1972-1979

Physical Description: 93 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by month and year.

Scope and Content Note

Monthly reports filed by sections within the State Library. The reports, largely statistical in nature, but also containing some narration, include information relating to reference service, personnel, special projects, and physical facilities. Report formats vary by section.

folder F3616:545-547

Series 13 History Files 1898 1918-1936 1942-1957 1962-1972

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of item.

Scope and Content Note

An assortment of documents relating to significant events, programs, or people. Included are black and white photographs (ca. 1914) received from the State Conservation Commission, annual reports, reports from the State Librarian to the Trustees, outlines of curriculum for the State Library school, statements about the Library's activities and functions, historical information about Library sections, book acquisition policy (1962), and reports on the California Library Network.

folder F3616:548-634

Series 14 Sutro Library Files 1913-1960

Physical Description: 87 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record and then chronologically or alphabetically by name of correspondent.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the Sutro Library, a division of the State Library. The files are organized into three sub-series: correspondence, 1917-1948; monthly reports, 1917-1944; and administrative files, 1913-1960.

The correspondence includes letters received from and sent to patrons and the State Library, reflecting a wide range of Sutro activities. One prominent subject is the search for suitable facilities. Additional correspondence relating to the Sutro may be found in Administrative Correspondence, series #10.

Monthly reports are largely statistical in nature and somewhat duplicative, though not entirely so, of Sutro information found in series #12, Monthly Reports.

Included in the administrative files are records relating to the transfer of the Sutro collection to the State, minutes of the Board of Trustees of the State Library, court documents concerning litigation between the State and Sutro heirs, opinions of the State Attorney General, information on the development of the Sutro Library, and the search for proper facilities for the Sutro.

Research Note: Without question, these files contain the most complete information about the acquisition, history, and development of the Sutro Library.

folder F3616:635-647

Series 15 California Section Correspondence 1909-1916

Physical Description: 13 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of filing and then alphabetically by correspondent.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence of the California Section to and from patrons. Because of the volume of material present, only correspondence filed under the following letters of the alphabet has been retained: C, H, N, S, and W.

folder F3616:648-657

Series 16 Law Section Correspondence 1911-1916

Physical Description: 10 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence of the Law Section to and from patrons. Because of the volume of material present, only correspondence filed under the following letters of the alphabet has been retained: C, H, N, S, and W.

folder F3616:658-688

Series 17 American Library Association Files 1919-1920 1942 1958-1972

Physical Description: 31 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of material.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the State Library's relationship with the American Library Association. Largely consists of correspondence, but also includes memoranda, studies, reports, and publicity materials. Prominent topics include library services offered during World War I, adoption and promotion of the Enlarged Program, and professional standards.

folder F3616:689-704

Series 18 California Library Association Files 1904-1905 1935-1969

Physical Description: 16 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of material.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the State Library's involvement in the California Library Association. Largely consists of correspondence, but also includes memoranda, studies, reports, and publicity materials. Prominent topics include library funding, library legislation, and promotion of the Enlarged Program.

folder F3616:705-756

Series 19 County Library Files 1904-1958

Physical Description: 52 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record and then chronologically by date or alphabetically by county name.

Scope and Content Note

Records relating to the State Library's relationship with county libraries throughout the state. The files are organized into two sub-series: administrative records, 1907-1936; and correspondence, 1906-1920.

The administrative records focus on conditions within county libraries, salaries, and laws affecting the establishment and organization of county libraries.

Correspondence is to and from county libraries and largely centers on efforts to create county libraries throughout the state. Because of the volume of material present, the correspondence has been sampled. Only correspondence with the following counties has been retained with the exception of three folders, 1915-1919, at the end of the series which reflects activities statewide: Alameda, Amador, Fresno, Humboldt, Lassen, Marin, Monterey, Riverside, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara.

Research Note: Perhaps the most significant development in California library history has been the creation and development of county free library systems. This effort, to a large degree, was spearheaded by the State Library, in particular, by State Librarian James Gillis. This series contains essential information for a study of local conditions and political forces that shaped county libraries statewide.

folder F3616:757-758

Series 20 California County Library Association Minutes 1929-1952

Physical Description: 2 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of meeting.

Scope and Content Note

Minutes of the California County Library Association. Includes minutes, correspondence, and reports relating principally to the Association's annual convention. Contains some information about local conditions in county libraries.

folder F3616:759-770

Series 21 Library Organizer's Files 1905-1910 1916-1920

Physical Description: 12 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged by type of material and then chronologically by date of record.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the State Library's field staff. The library organizers' primary purpose was to assist local communities in establishing and managing libraries. The files are organized into two sub-series: monthly reports, 1905-1908; and correspondence of the organizers, Mabel Prentiss, 1905-1908, Bertha Kumli, 1905-1910, May Henshall, 1916-1920, and Harriet Eddy, 1916-1920.

The monthly reports contain a detailed summary of the organizer's activities, including places visited, names of contacts made, and recommendations for further action.

The correspondence includes letters to and from the organizers and covers much of the same information found in the monthly reports, although in a less formal manner.

For additional information about the State Library's work in local communities, see series #22, Field Reports.

Research Note: Under the direction of State Librarian James Gillis and his successors, the State Library actively encouraged the creation of county free libraries throughout the state. To a large degree, this work was carried out by the Library Organizers. This series provides prime documentation about the development of local libraries, local conditions and attitudes, and the remarkable activities of the Library Organizers.

folder F3616:771-782

Series 22 Field Reports 1937-1964 1972

Physical Description: 13 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of report.

Scope and Content Note

Reports of the State Library's field representatives relating to library work in local communities. The field representatives were the successors to the library organizers and, as such, the field reports are a continuation of series #21, Library Organizer's Files.

Early field reports contain little detailed information and generally include only lists of places visited, tours given, people interviewed etc. Later reports are narrative in style with more information available. These reports were filed for each visit completed.

folder F3616:783-797a

Series 23 Applications for County Librarian 1911-1933 1940 1957-1958 1964

Physical Description: 16 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by name of applicant and then chronologically by date of application.

Scope and Content Note

Applications by individuals desiring appointment to position of county librarian. Under California's county free library law, no person was eligible to be appointed a county librarian without first receiving a certificate from the Board of Library Examiners. The Board would periodically conduct examinations in the state to determine those who should receive certification. In order to qualify for the examination, one first submitted the application.

The applications contain a wealth of information about the applicants, including name, address, occupation, date and place of birth, marital status, health status, school attendance, library education and experience, salary history, and names of references. Also included are certificates of health from personal physicians, correspondence, the examination questions and answers, final tabulation by Board members, and, often, photographs of the applicant.

folder F3616:798-819

Series 24 Home Teacher for the Blind Files 1916-1926 1930-1953

Physical Description: 22 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged by type of record and then chronologically by date of material.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the State Library's field workers engaged in teaching basic skills, principally reading, to the blind. The files are organized into three sub-series: correspondence to and from field staff - Kate Foley, 1916-1924, Catherine Morrison, 1917-1924, and Juliet Bindt, 1950-1953; annual reports, 1920-1926, 1930-1950; and correspondence of the Coordinating Committee on State Services for the Blind, 1946-1951.

The correspondence includes monthly reports summarizing the activities of the field staff and provides information about teaching methodology, books requested, names of people assisted, and visits and talks made.

The annual reports are largely narrative in style and contain much the same information, in less detail, as the correspondence, but also include statistics on number of people in classes, total lessons given, letters written and received, visits and talks made, and telephone calls.

The Coordinating Committee file, consisting mainly of Committee minutes, includes information on legislation affecting the blind and activities and programs offered by the state.

Research Note: These files are an important source of information about state government's work with the blind. Through the efforts of the field staff, the State Library developed programs to teach reading to the blind at a time when little work was being done in this area. Of particular note is the life and work of Kate Foley who gained national recognition for her efforts.

folder F3616:820-822

Series 25 Newsletters 1951-1967

Physical Description: 3 file folders

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of newsletter.

Scope and Content Note

Newsletter from the State Librarian to libraries throughout the state. Originally the newsletter was designed to replace the Monthly Letter to County Librarians (1938-1951), but, over time, expanded to include information of general interest to the California library community. Regular features include information on legislation, new library buildings, personnel changes, special programs, and educational opportunities.

folder F3616:823

Series 26 Library Trustee's Correspondence 1918-1921

Physical Description: 1 file folder

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of material.

Scope and Content Note

Records of the State Board of Library Trustees. The records, largely correspondence, but also containing some reports, principally include letters to and from the State Librarian and Board members. Significant topics include construction of a new State Library building and library activities during World War I.

Series Description

Registers of Books Loaned. (Record of Books)

Book Registers (Records)

Registers of Books Accessioned

Book Orders

Miscellaneous Index

Schedules of Bills Filed

Invoices

Fire Insurance Policies

Administrative Correspondence

Annual Reports

Monthly Reports

History Files

Sutro Library Files

California Section Correspondence

Law Section Correspondence

American Library Association Files

California Library Association Files

County Library Files

California County Library Association Minutes

Library Organizer's Files

Field Reports

Applications for County Librarian

Home Teacher for the Blind Files

Newsletters

Library Trustee's Correspondence