Xavier University Library Records

Collection

Identifier: XUA-27

Staff Only

Scope and Content

This collection is a grouping of records stemming from the activities of the Xavier University Library. The collection includes both formal documents (e.g. annual reports, meeting minutes, etc.) and ancillary materials (e.g. budget preparation materials), all of which reflect the library environment for particular time periods. Some periods are not well documented in this collection. The collection also contains library artifacts and memorabilia.

Dates

1903-2008
Majority of material found within 1925-2006

Restrictions on Access

Restricted access. Please contact the Xavier University archives staff.

History of University Library

The University Library is housed in the McDonald Memorial Library, which was dedicated in 1967. The library had previously been in Schmidt Hall.

Extent

9.5 Linear Feet (18 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

These are records originating in large part from the Library Director's Office of Xavier University Library. Records include annual reports, correspondence, memos, meeting minutes, historical materials, budgeting and statistical materials, and other topical records. There are also artifacts.

Statement of Arrangement

Series I. Historical Materials, 1926-2003 Series II. Communications, 1903-2006 Subseries 1. Correspondence, 1925-1930,1946-1947,1968-1995 Subseries 2. Annual Reports, 1903-2004, bulk 1978-2004 Subseries 3. Library Director Memos, 1971-1999, 2006. bulk 1992-1999 Subseries 4. Meeting Minutes, 1977-2004, bulk 1992-1998 Subseries 5. Newsletters, 1980-2006 Series III. Planning Documents, 1975-2006, bulk 1994-2006 Series IV. Financial Information, 1979-2004, bulk 1992-2004 Series V. Statistical Information, 1970-2003 Series VI. Staffing Information, 1964-2006 Series VII. Activities and Services, 1975-2008 Series VIII. Policies and Procedures, 1969-2005 Series IX. Surveys, Reports and Proposals, 1976-2008 Series X. Consortia, 1993-2006 Series XI. Special Collections, Art, Gifts/Donors, 1932-2006 Series XII. Various Library-Related Issues, 1977-2006 Series XIII. Artifacts

Acquisition Information

This collection of documents was formed from various transfers of Library Director office files to the archives. In addition, other library-related historical materials already found in the archives was included to form the collection.

Processing Information

This collection was reprocessed into its current arrangement and description as part of a major University Archives reprocessing project that began in 2012-2013. This reprocessing project was largely an effort to disband a record group system, developed in the late 1970s, used to arrange university records. The record group scheme had been established by the first University Archivist, Lee Bennish, SJ, and chiefly organized materials by originating office and organizational structure. After Bennish’s tenure, oversight of the archives changed several times and resulted in a lack of adherence to the record group scheme for new acquisitions. The 2012-2013 processing project also sought to incorporate records for which little acquisition or contextual information existed. The project staff primarily reorganized records into subject-based collections. Occasionally subjects coincided with offices of origin (e.g. Subject, Presidents; Office, Office of the President; Collection, Xavier University President’s Office). This subject-based arrangement makes it difficult to identify or describe the collections by office of origin but administrative project records do indicate transfers and connections between original record groups and 2012-2013 collections. During the project, records were rehoused in archival folders and boxes, and new finding aids were created using the OhioLINK Finding Aid Creation Tool.

As of 2017, University Archives no longer employs the 2012-2013 system of arranging collections by subject.