Contact Us

For more information about how to contact the OSU Archives, please visit our Location, Hours, & Staff Information page for more about our location and hours.

Using Materials

The holdings of the University Archives are open to faculty, staff, students, and the public for research. Reference assistance is provided by Archives staff to help determine the materials appropriate for specific research projects.

Reference Services

To learn more about our how to do research in an archive, visit our Reference Services web page .

Archives Instruction

To learn more about our how to use primary sources in the classroom and for course projects, visit our Instruction web page.

History of the Library Research Guide

Library History Sources

This list contains sources for finding information about the library itself.

Institutional Records

Library Records (RG 9)

The Library Records were generated by and pertain to the development and administration of the Library at Oregon State University . In addition to the documentation of policy formulation, compilation of departmental information, committee activity, and other day-to-day administrative tasks these records reflect the Library's interaction with other institutions of higher education, libraries, and professional organizations. Records of the Oregon State System of Higher Education's (OSSHE) centralized library system, housed on the OSU campus from 1932 to 1965, are also included. Included are:

• Library annual reports, 1976-1989
• Library biennial reports, 1962/64-1980/82
• Departmental reports
• Faculty Senate Library Committee meeting minutes
• Subject files pertaining to specific topics
• OSSHE Library Council minutes, 1964/65 through 1981/82

President's Office Records (RG 13)

The records of the President's Office reflect the administration of the university and include the documentation of policy formulation, publication of statistical information, and review of legal issues.

• SG 12: Annual and Biennial Reports
  These should include information about the Libraries - might fill in where library annual/biennial reports are not available.
• SG 13
  Series 1 - General Correspondence: Library - General repositories and depositories, 1967-1968
  Series 2 - Accreditation: Includes a 1965 progress report and 1970 self study and evaluation reports; should include library information (good snapshots)
• SG 14
  Series 8 - Accreditation: Includes 1975 progress report and 1980 self study and evaluation reports
• SG 15
  Series 3 - Accreditation: Interim reports from 1985 and 1995
  Series 8 - Subject files: Kerr Library (1987-1994), Development, Library development (1994)
• SG 17
  Series 5 - Subject files: University Libraries: General (1996-1998), Valley Library Project (1998)

Friends of the Library Records (RG 2)
The Friends of the Library of Oregon State University was founded on October 27, 1943, to promote "interest in the Library of Oregon State College" and to encourage "suitable gifts and bequests to the Library." These records document the administration and activities of this library support organization.

Facilities Services Records (RG 193)
These records were generated and collected by the Department of Facilities Services. An inventory for the whole collection can be found in the Archives Reference Room. A description and preliminary inventory for Accession 2000:005 is available online.

This accession includes information on the first addition to the Kerr Library in 1970/71; Adair Village Library Storage facility, 1978-1980; Guin Library at the Hatfield Marine Science Center ; 1981 lighting study; Kerr Library Expansion Project, 1994-1996; specifications for Kerr Library first addition

Other Record Groups
These groups may contain more relevant information about the history of the library. These collections do not have electronic descriptions or inventories, so you must check the binders in the Archives Reference Room.

• Finance and Administration (RG 131)
• Information Services (RG 215): the libraries were part of Information Services from 1993 until July 1, 2003.
• Budgets & Planning (RG 125):  includes a library survey done in the late 1980s.

Manuscript Collections

William Carlson Papers: These papers document the career and research endeavors of William H. Carlson, University Librarian of OSU from 1945 to 1965. Subjects addressed in the correspondence include the publication of Carlson's articles and studies, employment possibilities as a university librarian, involvement in the Pacific Northwest Library Association Reorganization Committee, sabbatical leave plans, and Carlson's receipt of a Carnegie Fellowship Award.

Rodney Waldron Papers: These papers document the career of Rodney Waldron, University Librarian of OSU from 1965 to 1984. They include publications; correspondence between fellow librarians, staff, and other librarians in Oregon regarding library related concerns; and editorials to the Gazette-Times about his time working as an archivist. This collection does not have an electronic description or inventory, so you must check the binders in the Archives Reference Room.

Photograph Collections

These collections do not have descriptions or inventories, so you must check the binders in the Archives Reference Room for details on the photos included, search Word Perfect, or search through the photos by hand.

Library Photographs (P 83)

• Harriet's Collection #75 (Buildings - Library)
  This file contains primarily pre-1960 photographs, but may include a few for the 1965-present time period.
• News & Communication Services Photographs (P 57)
• Alumni Association Photograph Collection (P 17)

University Publications

Rod and Line, 1966-1984 (AC 08.08.02.11)
Kerrier, 1984-1993 (AC 08.08.03.15)
The Messenger (magazine for library donors)
Barometer -- See Barometer indexes (subject and name)

 

Oral History Interview Respondents

• Rod Waldron - University Librarian 1965-1984
• Don Hunt - Associate University Librarian 1965-ca. 1974
• Mel George - University Librarian, 1984-1996
• Karyle Butcher - University Librarian, 1996-present
• Milosh Popovich - Dean of Administration/VP for Administration 1960s & 1970s
• John Byrne - University President, 1984-1995; current member of Library Advisory Board
• Doris Tilles - long-time library faculty member who retired in 2002; still lives in Corvallis
• Debbie Hackelman - library faculty member since about 1978; very involved with automation issues, particularly the on-line catalog
• Laurel Maughan - longtime library faculty member (1973-2003).
• Pat Brandt - Associate University Librarian, 1980s -1990s.
• Mirriam Minnick - Emeritus Professor of Information Services.
• Helen Horvath - Emeritus Associate Professor, Library

Memorabilia Collection

• Buildings - Kerr Library
• Buildings - Kerr Library Expansion Project
• Buildings - Valley Library
• Library
• Library - Art
• Library Campaign (fundraising for 1996-99 expansion)
• Library - Collections and Departments
• Library - Guides
• Library Handbook
• Library Information Retrieval System
• Library - LOLITA (Library On-Line Information and Text Access)
• Library Regulations
• Library Staff, Waldron, Rodney K.

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