Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Helen E. Wessells papers
Wessells, Helen E (Helen Elizabeth), 1903-
4078370
MS#1319
English
.
/repositories/2/resources/2208
4.59 linear feet
11 document boxes
1921-1978
Restrictions on Access
The following boxes are located offsite: 2-11. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Restrictions on Access
This collection has no restrictions.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers: Source of acquisition--Wessells, Helen. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1984.
Alternate Form Available
Pearl S. Buck letter is on: microfilm.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Subject Files; Series III: Printed Materials; Series IV: Photographs.
Biographical Note
Librarian (Columbia School of Library Service, 1926); Librarian at NYPL Port Richmond branc, 1929-1941; information consultant and cultural officer in Australia for the U.S. Office of War Information during World War II, 1943-1947; and a director of Asian libraries for the U.S. Information Service, 1948-1951. Wessells was one of a number of librarians whose mission was to foster domestic understanding for America's war effort in allied and neutral nations. She contributed to library development in Australia and later was a planner and spokesperson for the American model of library service in Asia.
Other Finding Aids
Legacy finding aid
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Helen E. Wessells papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.
Processing Information
Papers Processed BRC/RL 08/--/85.
Summary
Correspondence, manuscripts, documents, subject files, photographs and memorabilia. There is correspondence with Australian librarians, government officials, and U.S. information services officers; manuscripts of her articles, addresses, reports and procedural manuals; Australian library publications and other printed materails. In addition there are some general correspondence files and a few files relating to Wessells' career in the United States, including the New York Public Library, the Victory Book Campaign (1943), the American Library Association and its International Relations Round Table. The cataloged correspondence consists of one letter each from Louis Adamic, Pearl S. Buck, Henry Seidel Canby, Marion Ponsonby Gause Canby, and Daniel A. Poling.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
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.
Libraries -- Australia
Libraries -- Asia
Photographic prints
Librarians
United States. Office of War Information
United States Information Service
American Library Association
Series I: Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171017Adamic, Louis/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710181Buck, Pearl S./repositories/2/archival_objects/11710191Canby, Henry S./repositories/2/archival_objects/11710201Canby, Marion Ponsonby Gause/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710211Poling, Daniel A./repositories/2/archival_objects/11710221Series II: Subject Files/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171023American Library Association/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171024A.L.A. Bulletin/repositories/2/archival_objects/117102519591Awards Board and Committee/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710261International Relations Round Table/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710275 folders1Miscellaneous/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710282Public Relation Section/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710292Australian Libraries-Office of War Information/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171030Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171031/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171032undated2/repositories/2/archival_objects/117103319432/repositories/2/archival_objects/117103419442/repositories/2/archival_objects/117103519452/repositories/2/archival_objects/117103619462/repositories/2/archival_objects/117103719472Manuscripts by Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710382Personal Correspondence and Documents/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710392Reports/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710402 folders1943-19473Riverina Report/repositories/2/archival_objects/117104119473Australian Libraries-Prison Libraries/repositories/2/archival_objects/117104219633Council of National Library Association-Visiting Foreign Librarians/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710432 folders3Columbia University-School of Library Service-Alumni Advisory Committee/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710443Connecticut Survey/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710453Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171046/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171047undated, 1921-19464/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710481947-19494/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710491950-19594/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710501960-19784International Library Information Center/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710514International Library Information Center-Visiting Foreign Librarians/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710524Library Journal Editorship-Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710534Libraries-Overseas/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710544Manuscripts by Wessells-Librarianship-Aspect/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710554Manuscripts by Wessells-Milam's Idea/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710564Memorabilia/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710575New Books Preview/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710581967-19695New York Public Library-Port Richmond Branch-Workbook/repositories/2/archival_objects/117105919415Scope and Contents(Wessells served as Librarian for this branch of the NYPL from 1929 to 1941.)
United States Information Service/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171060Correspondence/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710611948, 1950-19515Libraries/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171062Afghanistan, Kabul/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710635Belgium, Brussels/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710645Burma, Rangoon/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710655Ceylon, Colombo/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710666England, London/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710676France, Paris/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710686Hong Kong/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710696India, Bombay/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710706India, Calcutta/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710716India, Madras/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710726India, New Delhi/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710736lndochina, Saigon/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710746Indonesia, Djakarta/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710756Iraq, Baghdad/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710766Lebanon, Beirut/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710776Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710786Pakistan, Karachi/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710796Pakistan, Lahore/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710806Singapore/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710816Syria, Damascus/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710826Thailand, Bangkok/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710836Turkey, Ankara/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710846Turkey, Istanbul/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710856Manual of Operations/repositories/2/archival_objects/117108619506Manuscript/repositories/2/archival_objects/117108719476Manuscript by Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/117108819506Manuscript by Wessells - An Introduction to American the Viewpoint/repositories/2/archival_objects/117108919516Memoranda/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710906Reports/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710912 folders725th Planning/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710927Victory Books Campaign/repositories/2/archival_objects/117109319437Wessells, Helen E.-Biographical Materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710947Series III: Printed Materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171095Australian Libraries Printed Materials/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171096Articles About Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710972 folders8Articles By Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710982 folders8Australia and Libraries/repositories/2/archival_objects/11710999Government Documents/repositories/2/archival_objects/11711009Office of War Information/repositories/2/archival_objects/11711019Lead Magazine/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171102Scope and Contents(Leads: A Fact Sheet, the quarterly publication of the Round Table on Library Service Abroad, edited by Wessells from 1957 to 1972)
Bound Volumes 1-11/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110310Bound Volumes 12-18/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110410Bound Volumes 19-25/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110510Library About Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110610Library By Wessells/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110710Series IV: Photographs/repositories/2/archival_objects/1171108Burma, Rangoon Libraries/repositories/2/archival_objects/117110911United States Information Library/repositories/2/archival_objects/117111011Williamstown/repositories/2/archival_objects/117111111