Helen E. Wessells papers, 1921-1978
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#1319
- Bib ID:
- 4078370 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Wessells, Helen E (Helen Elizabeth), 1903-
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 4.59 linear feet (11 document boxes)
- Language(s):
- English .
- Other Finding Aids
- Access:
- You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
-
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
Description
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.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in 4 series: Series I: Correspondence; Series II: Subject Files; Series III: Printed Materials; Series IV: Photographs.
- Series I: Correspondence
- Series II: Subject Files
- Series III: Printed Materials
- Series IV: Photographs
Using the Collection
Other Finding Aids
Restrictions on Access
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
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.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Helen E. Wessells papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Libraries.
Accruals
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Alternate Form Available
Pearl S. Buck letter is on: microfilm.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Papers: Source of acquisition--Wessells, Helen. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1984.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Papers Processed BRC/RL 08/--/85.
Revision Description
2020-04-10 PDF replaced with full finding aid (JR)
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.
Subject Headings
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
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