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Harold B. Lee Library. Department of Archives and Manuscripts

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1974 - 1991

Administrative History

The Department of Archives of Manuscripts (1974-1991) was an administrative unit in the Harold B. Lee Library. It was divided into many areas of research including Photo Archives, Arts and Communication Archives, Archives of the Mormon Experience, Utah and the West Archives, Women's History Archives, Mesoamerican Archives, and Literary Archives. Primary source materials were collected, preserved, and arranged in all of these areas of focus. These materials were made available to patrons.

The J. Reuben Clark Jr. Library Archives department and the non-University Archives/Manuscripts department were formally united administratively in 1974 after the Library's name was changed to the Harold B. Lee Library in 1973. The department was then known as the Harold B. Lee Library, Archives and Manuscripts Department. In the 1980's a financial crisis hit private schools, resulting in a loss of support staff at the archives. The Chair or Head of the Department was Dennis Rowley (1974-1991) and the Curator of Special Collections was Chad J. Flake (1973-1991). In February 1991 Special Collections merged with the Department of Archives and Manuscripts to form the Department of Special Collections and Manuscripts.

Patrons who wished to use the materials within the Archives and Manuscripts department were required to complete an application form, with a statement of intention and photo ID, as well as have an interview with a full time staff member. There were three levels of access to Archives and Manuscripts: Single Access in which beginner level researchers were given approval for the use of one item at a time. Single Access patrons needed separate approval for each new collection requested. Next was Limited Access where more experienced patrons could use any unrestricted collection related to their topic without additional approval, and last was Open Access where mature scholars from BYU's faculty or other institutions were given approval to use any unrestricted collection regardless as to whether it related to their topic or not. Every patron's research was recorded on that patron's permanent registration and application form.

A limited Records Management program continued to function within the Department of Archives and Manuscripts, soliciting, collection, storing, and disposing of records from various University departments. In 1978 because of a shortage of space, the Records Center was moved outside the library, into the Heber J. Grant Building. It still functioned under the direction of the University Archivist. The Curator of Archives and Manuscripts reported to the Curator of Special Collections under the Director of Libraries. Full-time staff consisted of: the Curator, two University Archives people, the University Archivist, an Assistant to the University Archivist, a Union Pacific Micrographics Center coordinator, a cataloging and accessioning professional, two subject archives professionals, and one departmental secretary/office manager. Part-time staff consisted of 43 students who assisted in multiple divisions of the Archives department.

Citation:
BYU organizational history project, via WWW, Feb. 6, 2013: Harold B. Lee Library. Dept. of Archives and Manuscripts (Department of Archives of Manuscripts; 1974-1991; collection, preservation, and arrangement of primary sources; formed in merger of Univerity Archives and Manuscripts Department in 1974; chair, Dennis Rowley (1974-1991); in Feb. 1991 Special Collections merged with the Department of Archives and Manuscripts to form the Department of Special Collections and Manuscripts; included records management function until 1982)

Found in 37 Collections and/or Records:

Manuscript library questionnaires

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197231027373]
Identifier: UA 65
Scope and Contents

Collection includes 79 questionnaires concerning policies and procedures followed in United States' state historical societies and university libraries in regard to their manuscript collections. A paper for the Research Project Seminar under the direction of Merle Lamson and Victor Purdy, Department of Library and Information Science. A summary of results may to found in "Policies governing the access to and use of manuscript collections in the United States," in LIS Projects, 1976.

Dates: 1976

Oral history interview with Earl Wesley Bascom

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 171
Scope and Contents

Transcript of oral history conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Bascom tells about his life in Vernal, Utah and in Alberta. He also talks about his various careers including that of an artist and that of a cowboy. Bascom also comments on various other artists.

Dates: 1992

Oral history interview with Hollis Scott

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 16
Scope and Contents

Interview by Reed Hansen with Hollis Scott, discussing the function and purpose of the Brigham Young University Archives. Includes transcripts and sound recordings.

Dates: 1968

Oral history interview with J. Morris Richards

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 173
Scope and Contents

Interview conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Richards, who was born in 1906, tells about being raised in Arizona and his teaching career at Brigham Young University. Includes transcripts and sound recording.

Dates: 1992

Oral history interview with J. Smith Jacobs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 168
Scope and Contents

Typescripts of an oral history conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Jacobs tells about attending Brigham Young University from 1928 to 1930 and gives his impressions of the university presidents, Enest L. Wilkinson and Franklin S. Harris.

Dates: 1993

Oral history interview with Marjorie M. Emery

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA OH 169
Scope and Contents

Transcripts of oral history conducted as part of the Brigham Young University Archives Joint Oral History Project of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association Emeritus Club. Emery tells about attending Brigham Young University, her marriages to Wayne L. Reeve and Wesley F. Emery, her Relief Society callings, her missions to Ireland and to the Liberty Jail Visitors Center, and about living in Kansas and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dates: 1992

Oral history interviews with Ariel S. and Arta Romney Ballif

 Collection — Box 1
Identifier: UA 5334
Scope and Contents

Contains audiocassettes and transcripts of interviews by Bennett with Ariel S. Ballif and Arta Romney Ballif. Materials date from between 1982 and 1986.

Dates: 1982-1986

Publications and Graphics pamphlets collection

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 1098
Scope and Contents

Contains pamphlets, booklets, newsletters, and posters, most of which are about Brigham Young University. Subjects include new student information, clubs, honor code, housing, study abroad, colleges and departments, campus services, and newsletters.

Dates: 1971-1996

Publications and Graphics photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: UA 763
Scope and Contents Photographs used by Brigham Young University's Publications and Graphics Department, many of which are copies made from other sources. Includes photographs of Brigham Young University buildings, Brigham Young Academy, portraits of students, athletes, and faculty members, athletic and performing arts events, the Howard W. Hunter Law Library expansion, and other campus events. Includes photographs taken by George Edward Anderson. Collection contains both black and white and color photographs,...
Dates: approximately 1832-1980s

Records Management micrographic records, 1979-1990

 Sub-Series — Carton 3: Series 2; Series 3 [Barcode: 31197233633384], Folder: 22-26
Identifier: UA 5632 Series 2 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains materials concerning procedures and standards for micrographics. Materials include various handbooks and guides. Some materials were produced by Brigham Young University and some are from outside sources. Dates range from 1979 to 1990.

Dates: 1979-1990