Columbiana Library and University Archives records, 1900s-2000s
Summary Information
At a Glance
- Call No.:
- UA#0277
- Bib ID:
- 13236460 View CLIO record
- Creator(s):
- Columbia University. Archives
- Repository:
- Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- Physical Description:
- 6.5 linear feet (6 record cartons)
- 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.
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All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.
This collection is located offsite. You will need to request this material at least two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
Description
Summary
This collection consists of the records created by the curators of the Columbiana Library and the University Archives. The records include the annual reports, correspondence, acquisition and exhibition information, and research materials.
Arrangement
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.
All administrative records of the University are restricted for 25 years from the date of creation.
This collection is located offsite. You will need to request this material at least two business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
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); Columbiana Library and University Archives records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University in the City of New York.
Related Materials
For additional information, please consult the Columbia University Library office files (UA#0214) and the Rare Book and Manuscript Library office files (MS#0263).
Accrual
No additions are expected.
About the Finding Aid / Processing Information
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Joanna Rios in September 2024.
Revision Description
2024-09-20 Finding aid published (JR)
Historical Note
In 1884 Melvil Dewey, then the University Librarian, used the term "Columbiana" for university-related materials. Based on Dewey's library classification system, a variation was created specifically to unify and organize these Columbia-related materials. The Secretary of the Board of Trustees John B. Pine is credited with growing the collection in its early days, and in 1924, Robert Arrowsmith CC 1882 was named the first Columbiana Curator. He was put in charge of a repository for every form of memento of Columbia's past: from the founding of King's College to commencement programs. Arrowsmith recruited alumni to donate their memorabilia: menus, photographs, programs from concerts, races and games, to be collected in scrapbooks. The Columbiana collection's aim was to foster pride and appreciation in Columbia's past but also to serve as an authoritative source of information on academic matters. In 1928 Milton Halsey Thomas took over the Columbiana collection. He was dedicated to the acquisition and preservation of material relating to the past, present and future of the University and making this material available to all. Thomas was a founding member of the Society of American Archivists. Subsequent Columbiana Curators included Alice H. Bonnell (1960-1973), Paul Palmer (1974-1988), and Hollee Haswell (1988-1998).
In 1989, University Librarian Elaine Sloan transfered administrative control of the Columbiana Collection from the Library system to the Secretary of the University. The Columbia University archives and records management program was begun by Corinne H. Rieder, soon after she became University Secretary in 1988. Rhea E. Pliakas was named manager of university records to oversee these efforts. Formerly separate units, the Archives and Columbiana both housed collections related to Columbia's history. The Archives maintained unpublished, unique institutional records such as the minutes of the University's Trustees and presidential correspondence, led by Rhea Pliakas from 1991 to 1999. Columbiana, led by Curator Hollee Haswell (1988-1998), held published sources, such as books and University publications, as well as a significant photograph collection. In 1998 the Office of the Secretary of the University merged the University Archives and the Columbiana Collection. Marilyn H. Pettit was named Director of University Archives-Columbiana Library (1999-2004) followed by Susan Hamson, Director of University Archives (2004-2015). In 2006, the Columbia University Archives became part of the Rare Book and Manuscript Library and, in 2008, the University Archives moved from Low Library to the RBML, Butler Library.
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.
All links open new windows.
| Name | ||
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University -- History | CLIO Catalog | ArchiveGRID |
| Columbia University. Libraries | CLIO Catalog | ArchiveGRID |