Smithsonian Institution Archives

Records, 1865-1951

Summary

Collection ID:
SIA.FARU0217
Creators:
Smithsonian Institution. Libraries
Dates:
1865-1951
Languages:
English
Physical Description:
9.43 cu. ft. (18 document boxes) (1 12x17 box)
Repository:
Smithsonian Institution Archives

Descriptive Entry

Descriptive Entry
These records contain material concerning both the Smithsonian and United States National Museum (USNM) libraries and consist mostly of incoming and outgoing correspondence. Most of the correspondence is routine and deals with requests for publications, acknowledgments of publications received, the exchange of publications, employment inquiries, staff matters, and administrative policy.
Correspondents include Smithsonian and Museum administrative officers and staff, libraries, scientific institutions and societies, and the general public. Of special interest is correspondence regarding the evacuation of rare books, manuscripts, and archival material from the library during World War II. Other material includes ledgers, logbooks, and other records relating to books borrowed and lent, publications deposited in the Library of Congress, and the exchange of publications with other institutions; and records relating to the construction of book stacks in the main hall of the Smithsonian Institution Building, 1914-1915.

Historical Note

Historical Note
The Act organizing the Smithsonian Institution in 1846 provided for the ". . . gradual formation of a library, composed of valuable works pertaining to all departments of human knowledge." Charles C. Jewett became the first administrator of the Smithsonian Library in 1847. After Jewett's resignation in 1854, the position of Librarian remained vacant until the appointment of Frederick William True in 1881. During the interim, library affairs were administered by Secretary Joseph Henry and Assistant Secretary Spencer F. Baird. Administrative officers of the Smithsonian Library included True, 1881-1887; John Murdoch, 1887-1892; J. Elfreth Watkins, July-October, 1892; Cyrus Adler, 1892-1909, including the years 1905-1909 when he held the title of Assistant Secretary in charge of Library and Exchanges; Frederick William True, 1911-1914, with the title Assistant Secretary in charge of Library and Exchanges; Paul Brockett, 1914-1924, with the title Assistant Librarian; William L. Corbin, 1925-1942; and Leila F. Clark, 1943- .

Administration

Author
Finding aid prepared by Smithsonian Institution Archives

Using the Collection

Prefered Citation
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 217, Smithsonian Institution, Libraries, Records

More Information

Notes

SI Records


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Jewett, Charles C. (Charles Coffin), 1816-1868 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
True, Frederick William, 1858-1914 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Murdoch, John, 1852-1925 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Watkins, J. Elfreth (John Elfreth), 1852-1903 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Adler, Cyrus, 1863-1940 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brockett, Paul, 1872-1946 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Corbin, William L. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clark, Leila F. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Library of Congress Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Smithsonian Institution Building (Washington, D.C.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
United States National Museum Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Museum libraries Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Library directors Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Library administration Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Libraries -- Public relations Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Interlibrary loans Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Collection management (Libraries) Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
World War, 1939-1945 Topic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Manuscripts Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Books Genre/Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Smithsonian Institution Archives
Washington, D.C.
Contact us at osiaref@si.edu