Women's National Book Association records, 1917-2020
Summary Information
Abstract
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- MS#1372
- Bib ID:
- 4079627 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Women's National Book Association
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 72 linear feet (150 boxes)
- Language(s):
- English .
- 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.
-
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located off-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.
Description
Summary
The collection consists of correspondence, memoranda, photographs, meeting minutes, membership materials, publications, financial information, reports and other materials important to the day-to-day operation of the organization. The bulk of the materials document the major awards given by the WNBA, the Lucile M. Pannell Award, the Constance Lindsay Skinner Award (now the WNBA Award), and the Amy Loveman Award. Each chapter has numerous materials from their founding until today, and the collection includes the important information about membership, how the chapter was run, events and important guests and speakers. Some important correspondents from the early documents include Catherine Drinker Bowen, Howard Fast, Marchette Chute, Mary Ellen Chase, Marguerite Henry, Abraham Ribicoff, Irita Van Doren, Beatrice Warde, Pearl S. Buck, Edward Weeks, and Alice B. Toklas.
Arrangement
Materials arranged into eight series. The collection is arranged into eight series based on the material's accession date and with a separate series for subject files received from the national chapter. Most of the materials are arranged within the series by chapter or by event, with some separation of types of materials including correspondence and published materials. Some chapters separated their materials more specifically into groupings of by-laws, minutes, events and membership, while other chapters are only grouped by chapter and date. Some of the early materials are cataloged individually and the Pearl S. Buck letter is on microfilm.
- Series I: Materials Received, 1917-1983
- Series II: Materials Received, 1978-1981
- Series III: Materials Received, 1982-1984
- Series IV: Materials received, 1984
- Series V: Materials Received, 1986
- Series VI: Subject Files, National Chapter, 1963-1991
- Series VII: Materials Received, 1992-2021
- Series VIII: Archived Web Site, 2013-present
Using the Collection
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.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located off-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.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Single photocopies 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); Women's National Book Association records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Related Materials
For WNBA related papers, SEE the Ann Heidbreder Eastman Papers in the Eugene B. Powers Collection for the Study of Scholarly Communication and Information Transfer, University of Michigan
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
Records: Source of acquisition--WNBA. Method of acquisition--Gift.
Gift of officers and members of the Association, 1974-1990.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
Records Entered in AMC 12/05/1990.
This collection was processed by Alison Lotto, New York University and the Palmer School, Class of 2013. Finding aid written by Alison Lotto in August 2011.
Revision Description
2011-09-14 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz
2018-04-09 XML document instance updated by Catherine C. Ricciardi. Addition of Series VIII.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2019-06-21 Finding Aid revised by Patrick Lawlor for Accessions 2018.2019.M155 & M156
Historical Note
The Women's National Book Association (WNBA) was formed in 1917 as a group to promote reading and the role of women in the book industry. They currently have nine chapters across the country as well as a number of corresponding and supporting members. The WNBA has had a number of important members including Pearl S. Buck and Alice B. Toklas, and most of the members are active authors or editors.
The chapters of WNBA are based in Boston, Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C. New York City was the first chapter, and remains the center of the national organization. Many of the chapters were founded by former members who moved to new places and organized local women involved in the book industry into the group. The organization continues to grow, the Seattle Chapter was founded in 2008 and Charlotte in 2009.
The WNBA gives several awards every year. The WNBA Award formerly the Constance Lindsay Skinner Award) is given to a woman who works in the book industry full time, and has done exceptional work in promoting books beyond the responsibilities of her job. The WNBA Eastman Grant gives money to library associations to support the training and professional development of librarians in states where there is a WNBA chapter. The WNBA Pannell Award is given to booksellers who work to promote interest in books among children and young adults.
The WNBA is also a Non-Governmental Organization member of the United Nations, and is active in working with the United Nations to promote literacy across the world. They are particularly involved in work with UNICEF and were active in the International Book Year and the International Year of the Child.
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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