Community Service Society records, 1842-1995

Creator:

Extent:

423 linear feet 718 boxes; 123 bound volumes; 9 packages; 1 crate; 4 framed items (shelved at end of original collection and end of series II)

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

Correspondence, reports, memoranda, case records, photographs and printed material. The archive include central and district administrative records; cammittee correspondence and minutes; and files on the various programs--such as sheltered workshops, tuberculosis sanitariums and health centers, public baths and employment bureaus--run by the two organizations. The archive also contains hundreds of photographs, including works by Lewis Hine and Jessie Tarbox Beals; extensive casework files from the beginning of social work (originally referred to as "friendly visiting among the poor"); and copies of masters and doctoral theses from the New York School of Sociel Work and other schools. Much of the research for these theses was based on the CSS files

Among the major correspondence are: Jane Addams; Cornelius N. Bliss; Robert W. DeForest; Edward T. Devine; Irving Fisher; Homer Folks; Harry L. Hopkins; Florence Kelley; Paul U. Kellogg; Fiorello La Guardia; Josephine Shaw Lowell; Frances Perkins; Lawson Purdy; Jacob Riis; Beardsley Ruml; Alfred E. Smith; Lawrence Veiller; Lilliam Wald; and Alfred T. White.

Series XIV continues the files from the time of the merger in 1939 until 1960, and contains the same types of materials as the original gift; similarly, Series XV covers primarily the period from 1960-1970. Series XVI contains the additions to the files for the years 1970-1984, but there are also files for the period ca.1935-1969. Series XVII contains additions primarily for the period 1970-1986, but also contains some files for ca.1945-1969. Series XVIII contains legal and financial additions primarily for the period 1970 & following, and the files of H. Dogue.

Biographical / historical:

The Community Service Society, a large, private, New York City social service agency. The society was established in 1939 from a merger of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor and the Charity Organization Society, whose separate files make up most of the collection.

Acquisition information:

Source of acquisition--Community Service Society. Method of acquisition--Gift, 1979-1988; Date of acquisition--1979. Accession number--M-1979-1988.

8 annual reports: Source of acquisition--CSS. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--12/04/1996. Accession number--M-96-12-04.

Custodial history:

Gift of the Society, 1979, 1981, 1986& 1988.

Processing information:

Entered in AMC 09/10/1990.

8 annual reports Processed HR 10/08/1998.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 18 series, with one addition.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Related material:

Community Service Society Photographs, digitized photographs from the collection.

Online Exhibition: Photographs from the Community Service Society Records, 1900-1920

Alternative form available:

Josephine Shaw Lowell letters; Interview book (Box 180); and Handbook for friendly visitors (Box 182); Index of New Cases, 1906-1908 (leger book) are on: microfilm.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is partially located off-site (2015 accession, boxes 1-102), earlier materials are on site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

General Director, Evaluation of His Performance (box 489); "Joey" Admission Records (box 494); Supplemental Security Income (box 509); Trustees, Study Data (box 541); and Special Administration Committee Meeting, Dec. 1951 (box 549) are: closed.

Readers must sign a special agreement form, kept in a folder at the Reference Center.

Terms of access:

CSS strictly forbids the citing or quoting of the real names or addresses of family and individual cases, which appear in the casework files and throughout the entire collection.

Community Service Society photographs are restricted. Readers must use photocopies available at the Reference Desk. For the originals, consult the Curator of Manuscripts.

Material from casework files may not be photographed or photocopied.

No photographs or photocopies may be made of images in the Community Service Society Records.

Readers must use microfilm of materials specified above.

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Community Service Society records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection