J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. Manuscript Division

The Manuscript Section of the BYU Library began in 1926 by acquiring original manuscripts and diaries through donation or copy. In 1960 active solicitation for non-University archives and manuscripts began. In 1961 The J. Reuben Clark Library was completed and the Manuscript Division continued to function. The Manuscripts Librarians were Ralph W. Hansen (1961-1963) and Chad J. Flake (1963-1973).

In 1973 the Clark Library was renamed the Harold B. Lee Library, and the Manuscript Division was known as the Harold B. Lee Library Manuscripts Department (Dept).

Variant names

non-University-related archives and manuscripts

The Manuscript Section

Description

Established: 1961

Abolished: 1973

Location: Provo, Utah (1961-1973)

Functions

The Manuscript Division held manuscripts of: Utah pioneers, Utah congressmen, and private individuals, diaries, journals, correspondence, scrapbooks, and manuscripts not formally printed or published containing the above primary materials. Many donations were made to the Manuscripts Division and material that related the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Utah, or the Rocky Mountain West were collected and preserved.

There was also a collection of biographies of BYU Presidents, Karl G. Maeser, Benjamin Cluff, Geroge H. Brimhall, and Franklin S. Harris. Most of the collections were made up of original documents, but some were typed from originals.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The Manuscripts Librarian reported directly to the Director of Libraries.

The Manuscripts Division was located on the third floor of the J. Reuben Clark Jr., Library.

Associated Units

Superior unit: J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library (1961-1973)

Later unit: Harold B. Lee Library. Manuscripts Dept. (1973)

Associated Archival Materials

Annual reports (UA 1015)

Archives and Manuscripts policies and procedures (UA 953)

Hollis Scott oral history interview (UA OH 16)

Sources

Archives and Manuscripts Policies and Procedures Manual, ca. 1980: p. Introduction, (program organized for non-University-related manuscripts and archives in about 1960)

Guide to Depositories of Manuscript Collections in the United States, 1938: pg. 109-110, (year started, location, hours, librarian, layout of material and scope, contents)

Hollis Scott Oral History Interview, Nov. 12, 1968: p. 1-11, (Manuscript Division purposes)

J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Library, Brigham Young University, Annual Report, 1966-1967: pg. 19-20, (virtual completion of backlog of individual manuscript items originating from Special Collections)

L. Tom Perry Special Collections Slideshow, 7 May 2003, (Ralph Hansen Manuscripts Librarian {ca. 1953-1963} replaced by Chad J. Flake {1963-1973}) http://lib.byu.edu/sites/sc/files/2008/06/sc-department-history.pdf

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2012-00013

Creator: UPB