Records of the Virginia Tech University Libraries

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The colleciton is open for research, except for RG 23h/13 which is restricted due to potential confidential material. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Records of the Virginia Tech University Libraries, RG 23, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
174.6 Cubic Feet 207 boxes
Creator:
Robb, Seymour, 1901-1961, Rudolph, Gerald A., Shirk, Frank, Bechanan, H. Gordon, Brown, Ralph Minthorne, 1878-1958, Gherman, Paul M., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. University Libraries, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. University Libraries. Special Collections Department
Abstract:
This collection includes minutes, correspondence, meeting notes, and more from departments, committees, and individuals in the Virginia Tech University Libraries.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Records of the Virginia Tech University Libraries, RG 23, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The University Archives contains a large volume of the records of the University Libraries. This collection continues to grow on almost a daily basis. Records of each department within the library, committees, taskforces, the faculty association, and the staff association are included in this collection. Since the records of past library directors are central to this collection, their descriptions are given below.

See the box-level inventory of these materials.

Biographical / historical:

When the college began in 1872, V.E. Shepherd was appointed as librarian (as well as treasurer, secretary of the faculty and Board of Visitors, and to teach foreign languages). The library started with 500 volumes, which were primarily gifts from congressmen, publishers, and government agencies. Students supervised the library from 1875 until Mary Lacy was appointed as the first full-time librarian in 1903. She was followed by her sister, Ethel Lacy, from 1910-13, and then Eleanor Jones, 1913-23. After two years of acting librarians, Ralph M. Brown was appointed in 1925 and served until 1946. He was succeeded as director by Seymour Robb (1947-61), Frank Shirk (1961-70), Gerald Rudolph (1970-74), Gordon Bechanan (1974-84), Paul Gherman (1985-92), and Joanne Eustis (interim, 1992-94). Eileen Hitchingham began her term as Dean of Libraries in 1995.

The first branch library was established in 1907 in Agriculture Hall (now Price). In 1955, a new building was opened and named for Carol M. Newman, a professor of English at Virginia Tech for 38 years. At that time, two branch libraries (Agriculture and Engineering) and about twenty departmental collections closed and were integrated into the main collection. During Rudolph's tenure, two new branches were created: Geology (1972) and one in Reston, Virginia, for the Northern Virginia Graduate Program.

Acquisition information:
The Records of the Virginia Tech University Libraries were transferred to Special Collections and University Archives over numerous accruals from the 1960s onwards.
Processing information:

The description of Records of the Virginia Tech University Libraries was completed in June 2017. Additional items were integrated into RG 23h/6/1 in September 2019.

Arrangement:

The collection is divided by RG subgroup number.

Accruals:

Additional materials will be added to the finding aid as they are received and processed.

Physical location:
Please note: This collection is located in off-site storage and may require 2-3 days notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information.