By Cara Bertram
Collection Overview
Title: Arthur Plotnik Photographs, 1969-1992
ID: 13/6/22
Creator: Plotnik, Arthur (1937-2020)
Extent: 0.8 Cubic Feet
Arrangement: Alphabetical
Date Acquired: 03/24/2018
Scope and Contents of the Materials
The photographs and papers of Arthur Plotnik (1937- ), former editor of the Wilson Library Bulletin and American Libraries, including photographs, contact sheets, negatives, and slides of ALA conferences (1969-86), IFLA conference (1977), White House Conference in Library and Information Science (1979), children and young adult library services, Congress for Change (1969), early library technology (1978), ALA Headquarters (1971-80), and library services, librarians, and events. Also includes correspondence in regards to Plotnik's writing, a New York Times supplement, and a copy of Library Life - American Style: A Journalist's Field Report, along with photographs, contact sheets, and negatives of images featured in the book. Artifacts from the papers include an IFLA 50th anniversary pin (1977), ALA and library pins, and an ALA employment anniversary clock.
Biographical Note
Arthur Plotnik was born in 1937 in New York. He earned his BA at Harpur College, and earned his master's degree in English at the University of Iowa. Plotnik served in the US Army Reserve, worked as a staff writer and reviewer at the Time-Union newspaper, and wrote pulp fiction before earning a MS degree in Library Service at Columiba University. Afterwards, he worked for the Library of Congress, then became editor of the Wilson Library Bulletin. Then he became editor of American Libraries, working with the American Library Association for 22 years.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Source:
Arthur Plotnik
Box and Folder Listing
- Box 1
- Folder 1: ALA Conferences - People and Events, Contact Sheets and Negatives, 1970-84
- Folder 2: ALA Conferences - People and Events, Photographs, 1969-86
- Folder 1 of 2
- Folder 3: ALA Conferences - People and Events, Photographs, 1969-86
- Folder 2 of 2
- Folder 4: ALA Headquarters, 1971-80
- Folder 5: ALA Guide to Reference Books - Staff at Columbia University Library, 1976
- Folder 6: Children's and Young Adult Services, 1973, 1978, 1982, 1986
- Folder 7: Congress for Change, 1969
- Folder 8: Correspondence - Congratulations on "Library Life" Articles, 1972-74
- Folder 9: Correspondence - Notable Correspondents, 1970-92
- Includes letters from Clara Jones (ALA President), L. Quincy Mumford (Librarian of Congress), Daniel Boorstin (Librarian of Congress), Edward Holley (ALA President), and Allie Beth Martin (ALA President).
- Folder 10: Early Technology - OCLC, CLSI, ALA Teleconference, 1978
- Folder 11: "The Great American Library Success Story" - New York Times Supplement, October 3, 1976
- Folder 12: IFLA Conference - 50th Anniversary, Brussels, 1977
- Box 2
- Folder 1: Library Life - American Style: A Journalist's Field Report - Book, 1975
- Folder 2: Library Life - American Style: A Journalist's Field Report - Contact Sheets and Negatives, 1971-73
- Folder 1 of 2
- Folder 3: Library Life - American Style: A Journalist's Field Report - Contact Sheets and Negatives, 1971-73
- Folder 2 of 2
- Folder 4: Library Life - American Style: A Journalist's Field Report - Photographs, circa 1972
- Folder 5: Out in the Field - Libraries, Events, Portraits - Contact Sheets and Negatives, 1970-80
- Folder 6: Out in the Field - Libraries, Events, Portraits - Photographs and Slides, 1970-86
- Folder 7: State, Regional, Special Libraries Conferences - People and Events, 1976-78
- Box 3
- Folder 1: SUNY Buffalo Library School - Students, circa 1969
- Folder 2: Washington, D.C. Library Scene, 1975
- Folder 3: White House Conference in Library and Information Science (WHCLIS), 1979
- Folder 4: Artifacts, circa 1970, 1977
- Includes ALA and library pins, and IFLA 50th anniversary pin.