RBML Office Files, 1917-2022

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Creator:

Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Abstract:

This collection contains the administrative records of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, from its days as the Department of Special Collections to the present.

Extent:

176.26 linear feet 274 document boxes and 62 record cartons and 54 Volumes 54 reading room ledger books

Language:

English .

Scope and content:

This collection contains the administrative records of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, from its days as the Department of Special Collections to the present.

Biographical / historical:

The Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML) is Columbia's principal repository for primary sources. The range of collections in RBML span more than 4,000 years and comprise rare printed works, cylinder seals, cuneiform tablets, papyri, and Coptic ostraca; medieval and renaissance manuscripts; as well as art, realia and born-digital objects. Some 500,000 printed books and 90,000 linear feet (17 miles) of manuscripts, personal papers, and records form the core of the RBML holdings. One can find manuscripts from as early as the 14th century to the modern archives relating to Herman Wouk, Erica Jong, Serge Prokofiev, and Arthur Mitchell. Archives as varied as the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Random House, and Amnesty International-USA, and the archives of Columbia University are available for research.

Directors of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library Hellmut Lehmann-Haupt (1930-1939); Charles Adams (1939-1945); Roland O. Baughman (1946-1967); Charles Mixer, Assistant Director of Libraries for Special Collections (1968-1972)*; Kenneth A. Lohf, Librarian for Rare Books & Manuscripts (1968-1993); Bernard Crystal, Acting Director (1993); Jean W. Ashton (1993-2005); Janet Gerzt, Interim Director (2005-2006); Michael Ryan (2006-2013); Barbara Rockenbach, Interim Director (2013-2014); Sean Quimby (2014-2020); Kevin W. Schlottmann, Interim Director (2020-2021).

* Baughman died suddenly in August 1967 and it was decided that Mixer would take on administrative responsibilities for the department (he was the Assistant Director of Libraries at that time and had his title revised in February 1968 to be "Assistant Director of Libraries for Special Collections") while Lohf took over the responsibilities for rare books issues (he had his titled revised in 1968 to be Librarian for Rare Books & Manuscript to reflect these new responsibilities).

Processing information:

Processing History: BRC 6/14/76; rev. BRC 2/14/78; rev. BRC 5/22/78; rev. BRC 7/9/84; rev. BRC 12/888; rev. BRC5/91; rev. BRC 10/91; Papers processed mmb 5/2/1999. Rev. CL 2005. Additions to this collection were processed by Joanna Rios. Finding aid revised and updated by Joanna Rios in November 2018. 8 ms boxes of materials relating to the Herbert Lehman Suite (Series XII) were added to the finding aid in January 2020. The Jennifer B. Lee records were processed and added to the finding aid in October 2023.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 13 series.

Accruals:

Additions are expected.

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:

For additional publications by the RBML and about the RBML collection materials, please consult the RBML Publications, 1928-2016 (MS#1995). You can also find materials related to the RBML in the Columbia University Libraries Office Files (UA#0214).

Other information:

Duplicate record (4079670) found and deleted in October 2019.

Access and use

Restrictions:

All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

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); RBML Office Files; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.

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