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Brooklyn
College Archives
&
Special Collections Division
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Scope of
Collection
The Archives and Special Collections Division
of the Brooklyn College Library was established in 1950. It is committed
to acquiring, preserving, and providing access to the records of enduring
value that document the Brooklyn College community. The department collects
both published and unpublished works relating to the unique cultural, social,
and historical development of the Borough of Brooklyn and its many and
varied neighborhoods.
Collection Policy
The Archives' records, files, and materials
include a wide array of sources, such as reports, studies, memoranda, correspondence,
newspapers, photographs, drawings, paintings, maps, atlases, audiotapes
and videorecordings, and memorabilia. These materials document the growth
and development of the institution and the students, faculty, and administrators
associated with it. We rely upon the transfer of records from the college's
academic and administrative departments and the direct donation of archival
materials from alumni, faculty, and other private donors to build the collections.
The holdings of the Archives and Special Collections
Department are divided into five distinct and unique collections. They
include the Brooklyn College Archives,
the Brooklyniana Collection, theHess
Collections, the
Historical Manuscript Collection,
and the Rare Book Collection.
Brooklyn College
Archives
These collections contain the minutes, reports,
and files of Brooklyn College's administrative offices and committees;
the records of many academic departments; the collections of noted alumni
and noted faculty; and student materials including newspapers, yearbooks,
course bulletins, fraternity and sorority memorabilia, and student handbills.
Additionally, the archives hold the Brooklyn College masters' theses from
1936 to the present, an extensive photographic and newspaper clippings
collection, and an oral history collection documenting the early development
and building of the college.
Brooklyniana Collection
Collections in this grouping document the
evolution of the Borough of Brooklyn. Among them are the St. Francis College
Local History Research Files; the Brooklyn Historical Photographic Collection;
a collection of published community and country histories; a sizable map
and genealogical collection; and the public and professional papers of
such noted Brooklyn legislators and civic leaders as John J. Rooney, Eugene
Keogh, William Conklin, and Roy Richardson.
Manuscript Collection
These collections include the personal and professional papers and
memorabilia of individuals who have national and social importance. Among
these are the papers of Dr. Lauretta Bender, child psychologist; Annie
Peck Smith, scholar and early mountaineer; Laura Benet, writer; and Captain
James M. Pettit, Civil War soldier.
Rare Book Collection
The Rare Book Collection contains some two thousand volumes ranging
from the late sixteenth century to the early twentieth century. This collection
includes titles of significant literary, historical, geographical, and
scientific value. The collection has representative examples of incunabula
(books printed before 1501) and early American imprints. Many are autographed
and inscribed by their authors, including the works of Walt Whitman, Robert
Frost, and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Hours
and Access Policy
Located in Room 114 on the 1st floor of the
Field Library, the Archives and Special Collections Department is open
on Monday 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M, Tuesday 9:00AM to 8:00PM, Wednesday and
Thursday 9:00AM to 6:00PM, and on Friday 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.
Reference and research assistance is offered
to all Brooklyn College students, alumni, faculty, and administrators.
Access is also available to outside researchers, writers, and students,
who should secure permission from the archivist prior to visiting the collections.
All collections, unless otherwise restricted, are available for review
by responsible researchers. Visitors are required to sign our register
after presenting proper identification.The duplication of collection materials
either by photocopying and/or computer-based processing is permitted on
a case-by-case basis. Permission is determined by the physical condition
of the requested materials and any copyright or use restrictions that may
apply. Consultation with the archivist is required.
Bibliographic Access
The book titles in the Archives and Special
Collections Division are cataloged and appear in the CUNY+ online catalog.
Archival materials are cataloged in MICRO-MARC AMC, a special database
designed to provide bibliographic control and access to archival materials.
This database is available to researchers in the archives, as are the individual
guides prepared for each archival collection. Researchers are encouraged
to avail themselves of these finding aids. Some of our finding aidsare
available online at the Online Finding Aid page.
For further information, contact: Archives
and Special Collections
Brooklyn College Library
2900 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210-2889
Voice (718) 951-5346
Fax (718) 951-4557
Contact Professor Anthony M. Cucchiara at:
tonyc@brooklyn.cuny.edu |
