General Correspondence, 1897-1979

Description: General correspondence and subject file for the Director of the University Library and Library School (1897-1967) containing correspondence with foreign and domestic book dealers, faculty, administrative officers, alumni and librarians relating to reference, exchanges, departmental book purchases and budgets, professional library associations, education of librarians, curriculum, placement, lectures and administrative matters.  Subject files include correspondence, reports, lists and publications about administrative matters, regulations, library work in World Wars I and II; the library building, departmental libraries; Century of Progress Exposition; acquisitions from publishers, exchange sources and donors; library school courses; summer school; staff recruitment and placement; the American and Illinois Library Associations; writings and professional activities of Phineas L. Windsor and Robert B. Downs (1943-75) and contracts with other libraries concerning acquisitions, war work, bibliographies, cataloging, Illinois legislation, surveys, salaries, history of the library (1925) and education for librarianship.  Since 1942, the subject file includes sections for library associations; public and university libraries; budgets, buildings and staff; departmental libraries; library school; university offices and committees; Illinois State Library (1965-77), OCLC (1974-78); Friends of the Library (1972-78); letters of recommendation (1957-69), and congratulatory greetings on the 10 millionth volume.