James W. Henderson records, 1929-1998 (bulk 1958-1978)

Links

• View catalog record
• View finding aid

Creator

New York Public Library. Research Libraries. Director's Office.

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division

Extent

• 20 linear feet (22 boxes).

Scope/Contents Note

Records include correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, surveys, and related materials covering such topics as library automation, conservation and preservation, the Schomburg collection, and the Library atLincoln Center. Files contain position papers, administrative decisions and changes, materials on collections and exhibitions, appraisals and acquisitions, memoranda and correspondence from Library curators about collections, accounting procedures, staff changes and salaries, statistics, relations with donors, collectors and readers, all reflecting the activities and responsibilities of the Director of the Research Libraries. The Lincoln Center and Museum series documents the concept, beginnings and development of the Library at Lincoln Center. Nelson Survey materials consist of studiesand surveys of the resources of the Research Libraries in the 1960s and 1970s. The files of the planning stages of the Schomburg Center for Black Culture contain reports, correspondence, memoranda, minutes, and newspaper clippings. Also included are some records of Henderson's predecessor, Harald Ostvold, and additional materials of Paul North Rice, Edward G. Freehafer and Rutherford D. Rogers.

Biographical/Historical Note

James Wood Henderson joined the New York Public Library staff in 1947. He became Chief of Acquisitions in 1953, Assistant to the Director, Edward G. Freehafer, in 1959, and then Chief of the Reference Department in 1963 (Reference Department was renamed the Research Libraries in 1966.) In 1972 the title of Henderson's position was changed and he became the first Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries. Henderson retired from his position in 1977 but returned the next year to direct Project RETRO at the Library. He was noted for his leadership in the areas of automated cataloging and preservation of the collections.

Controlled Access Terms

• Henderson, James W. (James Wood), 1917-
• Ostvold, Harald.
• Rice, Paul North.
• Freehafer, Edward Geier, 1909-1985.
• Rogers, Rutherford D.
• New York Public Library. Research Libraries. Director's Office.
• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
• Libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Research libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
• Reference services (Libraries)
• Libraries -- Space utilization.
• Library exhibits.
• Library materials -- Conservation and restoration.
• Libraries -- Special collections.
• Research libraries -- Use studies.
• Libraries -- Automation.
• Library catalogs -- Automation.
• Minutes.

Additional Creator Name

• (CStRLIN)NYPW92-A72