Part 1 (Mss 34, PH Mss 34): Original Collection, 1891-1969
Physical Description: 8.4 c.f. (21 archives boxes) and 3 photographs 
Scope and Content Note

The collection is organized in seven series: general correspondence, administrative file, committees file, sections file, subject file, bound volumes of the proceedings of WLA annual meetings, and scrapbooks.

The GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE is arranged chronologically by month and includes correspondence and related materials pertaining to widely varying aspects of WLA activities.

The ADMINISTRATIVE FILE includes correspondence and related materials generated by WLA presidents, secretaries, and other officers. It also includes minutes of WLA executive board meetings.

The COMMITTEES FILE includes correspondence, reports, and related materials generated by and pertaining to the various standing committees. The standing committees provide the organizational vehicles for most WLA activities. The committees file is arranged alphabetically by committee name and chronologically by month within committee folders.

The SECTIONS FILE includes correspondence, reports, and related material generated by or pertaining to the various WLA sections. The sections are organized according to areas of work or specialization and provide an opportunity for an exchange of information and discussion of problems and developments of interest to librarians working in such specialized areas as public schools, colleges or universities, children's literature, public libraries, reference, or cataloging. The sections file is arranged alphabetically by section name and chronologically within section folders.

The SUBJECT FILE includes correspondence and miscellaneous material relating to WLA conventions and conferences, finances, national library week, and a number of other subjects. Comprising nine boxes, it constitutes the largest series in the collection. It is arranged alphabetically by subject and chronologically with subjects.

The PROCEEDINGS of WLA Annual Meetings (1891-1938) consist of twenty-four bound volumes of varied materials related to WLA annual meetings.

The SCRAPBOOKS contain miscellaneous clippings and ephemera relating to WLA activities in 1941 and 1962.

The collection has retained much the same organizational form that was utilized by WLA officers; however, a number of exceptions should be noted. The files of the Committee on Finance were placed under the category “finance” in the subject file as were the treasurer's reports. The WLA Newsletter files include many lacunae. The researcher should note that similar material may be found in the files of the Legislative Committee and also under “library development and legislation.”

Series: General Correspondence

1911-1919

1924-1930

1931, January - 1932, May

1932, June-October and 1935

1940-1955

1956-1961

1962-1963

1963-1969, undated

Series: Administrative File: Correspondence and Related Materials

President, 1949-1966

Secretary, 1950s-1961

Correspondence of Officers, 1955-1957, 1959, 1961-1964

Executive Board, Minutes and Related Materials

1932, 1939-1953

1954-1955, 1958-1963

1964-1968

Series: Committees File: Correspondence, Reports, and Related Materials

Adult Education, 1940-1961

Archives, 1963-1965

Awards and Honors

1953-1957

1958-1966

Photographs

Citation of Trustees, 1952-1954

Constitution and by-laws, 1928-1968

Convention Planning

1941, 1946-1959

1960-1964

Exhibits, 1940-1960

Great Books, 1949

Hospitals, Institutions, and Public Libraries Cooperation, 1941, 1960-1963

Inexpensive Materials, 1955

Intellectual Freedom, Correspondence and Reports

1949-1951, 1960-1963, September

1963, October - 1969

Joint Certification (Formerly Civil Service), 1939-1965

Joint Education, Correspondence, Minutes, and Reports, 1956-1957, 1960-1966

Joint Extension Committee-Reports, 1949-1951

Library Development and Legislation

1940, 1959-1962

1963-1966

Library Survey Action, 1960

Manual Revision, 1962-1963

Membership - Correspondence and Reports, 1932-1966, undated

Nominating, 1957-1966

Personnel and Professional Problems (Formerly Salaries and Personnel)

1940, 1956-1960

1961-1964

Publicity, 1940-1941, 1949-1950

Public Relations

1940, 1956-1961

1962-1964

Public School Relations, 1960-1961

Radio and T.V., 1955

Recruitment, 1964-1965

Resolutions, 1941, 1951, 1957, 1961-1964

Ritter Fund, 1944

Scholarships and Loans

1940-1960

1961-1966

Senior Citizens, 1956-1963

Wisconsin State Guide, 1939-1940

Series: Sections File: Correspondence, Reports, and Related Materials

Adult Services (Formerly Adult Education Committee), 1961-1966

Cataloging (Technical Services), 1952-1966

Children and Young People's Services, 1952, 1957-1966

Colleges and Universities, 1957-1964

County Libraries, 1941, 1950-1961

Public Library, 1962-1965

References, 1941, 1950-1965

School Library, 1962-1966

Committees and Sections Miscellany, 1940-1966

Series: Subject File

American Library Association (ALA)

Federal Coordinator, 1947, 1949-1950, 1952, 1962-1963, 1966

Councilor-Reports, 1950-1966

Midwest Regional Conference

1947

1948-1950, 1962

American Book Publishers Council Resolution, 1960

Catholic Library Association, Wisconsin Unit, 1962

Conventions

Tri-State Conference, 1962-1963

1923, 1940-1942

1943-1946

1947

1948-1949

1950-1951

1952-1953

1954

1955

1956

1957-1960

1961

1962, 1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

“Books Around The Globe Discussions,” 1960

Convention Exhibitors, 1951-1959

Convention Programs, 1944-1952

District Meetings - Correspondence

1955-1957

1958-1960

1960-1961

1962-1964

Finance

1906-1924

1925-1937

1938-1957

1958-1961

1962-1968

Friends of Wisconsin Libraries, 1962-1964

Governor's Conference of Library Boardmembers, 1962

Legislation - Correspondence

1943-1949, March

1949, April-August

1951-1953

1955-1957

Legislation (Obscene Materials), 1965-1967

Membership Lists

(1908?)-1946

1947-1961

National Library Week

1959

1960

1961

Reports from Wisconsin Libraries, 1961

1962

Reports from Wisconsin Libraries, 1962

1963

1964, 1965, 1966

Organization Manuals, 1954, 1963, (1965?)

Other Organizations - Correspondence, 1959-1960

Public Library Management - Ninth Institute, 1962-1963

Representation at Other Meetings and Affairs, 1956-1957

Rock River Valley Library Association

1938-1959

1960-1965

Sponsoring Agency, 1960-1961

Wisconsin Free Library Commission

1948-1962

Public School Relationship Institute, 1960-1961

Wisconsin Guide, 1939-1940

Wisconsin Library Bulletin, 1954-1963

Wisconsin Library Trustees Association, 1956-1964

WLA Newsletter

1942-1953, 1961

1963-1965

Series: Proceedings of WLA Annual Meetings

1891-1911
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of conferences, 1891, 1894, 1895, 1898 (Interstate), 1899, 1900, 1902, 1904, 1905; clippings describing meetings and matters discussed - need for libraries, et cetera; correspondence regarding Free Traveling Libraries; register of attendance, 1899, 1900, 1905, 1911; thank-you letters, requests for funds; minutes of meetings, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1911; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, October 1909 (clipping); Wisconsin Library Bulletin, February 1911; records of receipts and membership, 1891-1896.

1912
Scope and Content Note: Includes invitation to 1912 meeting; constitution of Wisconsin State Library Association; “Books to Read for Pleasure,” Mary Emogene Hazeltine; program - “Plays for an Irish Theater”; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, February 1912; “Teaching Library Methods in Normal Schools,” Louise F. Encking; “Librarian's Tools and Library Literature”; “Relation of the Library to the Transient,” Harriet Allen; “The Library and the Rural Community,” Kate M. Potter; “The Library and Its Branches,” Mary J. Calkins; “How May Children's Reading Be Guided,” Nellie M. Meyers correspondence regarding paper not given; “Methods of Reaching Children Through the School,” Martha E. Dunn; minutes of 1912 meeting and register of attendance.

1913
Scope and Content Note: Includes invitation; constitution; Round Table: Books That Are “As Interesting as a Novel”; “The Relationship of the Music Student to the Public Library”; “Increasing Human Efficiency in Business,” Professor Walter Dill Scott; “Books on Industrial Efficiency,” W.E. Curtis; “Possibilities of Work for Children in a Small Library,” Martha E. Dunn; program for dramatic reading; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, April 1913; register of attendance and resolutions, 1913.

1914
Scope and Content Note: Includes 1914 announcement, constitution, minutes of business session; “Graded Lists of Children's Books: The Use of Such Lists by the Teacher with the Pupil,” Minnie Olive Hill; “Lists of Children's Books,” Marion Humble; “Non-Fiction Reading. How to Increase It?” Julia Rupp; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, October 1914; The Library Journal, September 1914; registration and resolutions, 1914.

1916-1917
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of Executive Board Meeting, WLA, April 1917; invitation, 1917; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1917; committees appointed, 1917; correspondence: greetings from Iowa City Library Association, planning conference with Wisconsin Free Library Commission regarding funds; announcements, 1916 meeting; Round Table for Trustees and Librarians; Round Table: The Library's opportunity as seen by the educator; Round Table for Librarians of schools and colleges; Round Table for Librarians of public libraries; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1916; newspaper clippings about meeting, 1917.

1918-1919
Scope and Content Note: Includes announcement, 1918 meeting; Round Table for Larger Libraries; Round Table for Smaller Libraries; Round Table for Children's Libraries; Round Table: School Libraries Section; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1918; constitution, by-laws, amendments, attendance register, 1918; Report of Executive Board Meeting, WLA, May 1918; meeting of Executive Committee, May 1919; announcement, minutes, attendance register, 1919 meeting; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1919.

1920
Scope and Content Note: Proceedings now called “Wisconsin Library Association Report.” Includes minutes of Executive Meetings and the Annual Meeting, 1920; program, announcements; report of committee on County Libraries; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1920; “Teacher Librarians”; Report of Committee on Certification; Administrative Problems of Wisconsin Libraries; Trustees Section, Colleges and Normal School Libraries; minutes of Annual Business Meeting; attendance register; correspondence: thanks to Charles McLenegan; newspaper clippings about meeting.

1921
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of Executive Meeting, 1921; announcement, minutes of annual Meeting, 1921, minutes of business Meeting, 1921; Round Tables: Administrative Problems, School Libraries Section, Trustees' Section; financial statement of WLA, November 1920 - November 1921; membership list; newspaper clippings; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1921.

1922
Scope and Content Note: Includes program, 1922 meeting; minutes of annual meeting: County Library progress, La Crosse County campaign; Round Table on Professional Problems; Round Table on Libraries and Schools; “Outstanding Books of Non-Fiction” October 1921 - October 1922; Business Meeting, minutes; correspondence with American Library Association regarding organization; “Making the Community Conscious of Its Library”; “Can the Banker Help the Librarian?”; “The Library in the Small Community”; financial statement, December 1921 - December 1922, list of exhibits; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, 1922; Role Call on Publicity: correspondence with individual libraries regarding publicity; accomplishments of the year 1922; Role Call of Books: correspondence with individual libraries regarding most popular books of year; newspaper clippings.

1923-1924
Scope and Content Note: Includes Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1923; correspondence with Wisconsin Free Library Commission, WLA financial statement, 1923, enclosed; Address of Welcome, 1923 Meeting; newspaper clippings; Minutes of Executive Committee, 1923; Annual Meeting, 1924: minutes of business meetings, resolutions, program; “The Public Library and the University Extension”; “Knowing the Community By Sample”; Suggestions by Dr. Dallas Lore Sharp; report of committee conducting Library Survey; “The Librarian Listens In”; “Adult Education”; Treasurer's Report, 1924; correspondence: inviting trustees to become WLA members; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, July 1924; program, 1923 Meeting; congratulatory telegram from trustees.

1925
Scope and Content Note: Includes invitation to Meeting; minutes of Executive Committee, tentative program, letters to trustees and librarians urging attendance, official program; minutes of Annual Meeting; “Relation of the Public Library to the Public School”; “Interesting Books of the Fall - 1925”; “Outstanding Books October 1924 - July 1925”; minutes of Business Meeting; Resolution of the interim Committee on Administrations and Taxation Requesting the Cooperation of “All organizations which Are Interested in the Problems Assigned to This Committee”; “Resolution of the 1925 Legislative Relating to An Interim Legislative Committee To Investigate Government Administration and Taxation”; Treasurer's Report, 1925; “The Rural School”; “Library Work in the Grade Schools”; “Some Solutions of Libraries in Grade Schools in Kenosha”; Larger Libraries - Group Meeting; Smaller Libraries - Group Meeting; questionnaire and 55 answers; attendance list, list of exhibits; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1925; newspaper clippings on October 1925 Meeting; correspondence: telegrams from ALA regarding Meeting; invitation from Kenosha to hold Annual Meeting; letter from Wisconsin Legislative Interim Committee regarding resolution.

1926
Scope and Content Note: Includes correspondence: Ada McCarthy and Lilly Borrenson regarding why the former not at meeting, 1926; Minutes of Executive Committee; official program, 1926 Meeting; minutes of annual meeting: “Community Tongs”; “The Next Step in American Progress”; “How Far Have We Come: Where Are We Now?”; “Adult Education”; “The Art of Reading: Some suggestions of a Book Lover”; minutes of Business Meeting; Treasurer's Report, 1926; Report of Certification Committee and statistics prepared by them; correspondence: invitation from Green Bay to hold Meeting; correspondence: invitation from Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce (telegram); correspondence: invitation from Racine Chamber of Commerce (telegram); Miss Borreson's Account of Attempts Made by WLA Committee to Cooperate with the Legislative Interim Committee on Administration and Taxation and correspondence on this subject: Borreson, McCarthy, Dudgeon, Corson, Max Heck (chairman - Interim Committee).

1927
Scope and Content Note: Includes Wisconsin Library Bulletin, 1927; official program, 1927 Meeting; minutes of first (Fond du Lac) and second (Milwaukee) executive and third (Waupun) board meetings, 1927; correspondence: letter of condolence; minutes of annual Meeting; treasurer's report, 1927; Report of the Certification Committee; correspondence: invitation from Milwaukee mayor and chamber of commerce resolutions; Round Tables: Larger Libraries Section, correspondence regarding absence of children's libraries section, School Libraries Section; correspondence giving report of trustees' meeting, giving life membership; Outstanding Books for Wisconsin Libraries, October 1926 - October 1927; “Wisconsin's Own Bookshelf”; registration (attendance), correspondence regarding registration lists.

1928
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of executive committee, tentative program, letter to members of Wisconsin Library Boards, statement of Resolution Committee (thanks); Annual Meeting, 1928: photo, official program; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1928; Report of the Certification Committee and Statistic sheets prepared by them; Outstanding Books for Wisconsin Libraries, October 1927 - October 1928; Selected List of Children's Books of 1927-1928; Better business books of 1928; A Few Reference books, correspondence regarding reference list; song sheet; correspondence: invitation from Wausau Chamber of Commerce, honoring retiring librarian, giving report; memo on adult Education Meeting; Round Tables: Large Libraries, mall Libraries, work with Children, Hospital Libraries (correspondence regarding), School Libraries (correspondence); correspondence: thanks to hotel, et cetera for Meeting; newspaper clippings; proof for report in Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1928; constitution, by-laws, and amendments; registration.

1929
Scope and Content Note: Includes executive committee Meeting minutes, preliminary program; correspondence: forwarding information, invitation by Wisconsin Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Watertown, membership inquiries; Annual Meeting: program minutes; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1929; Business Meeting - minutes; newspaper clippings; registration; Report of Resolution Committee: correspondence thanking Wausau, information on Wausau.

1930
Scope and Content Note: Includes North Central Library Conference, 1930: tentative program, program, Minnesota Department of Education Library Notes and News, Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1930; WLA Resolutions Committee, information on St. Paul, newspaper clippings; telegram (greetings) from 1st Wisconsin National bank; suggested resolution and correspondence regarding George Washington Bicentennial; correspondence: invitation from Milwaukee mayor and chamber of commerce; pamphlets from Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce and Convention Bureau; registration.

1931
Scope and Content Note: Includes constitution, by-laws; minutes of executive board Meeting; Annual Meeting: tentative program, correspondence urging attendance, official program; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, December 1931; correspondence: with Lew Sarrett regarding speech, WLA reports to Historical Society, George Washington Bicentennial, request for WLA surveys, invitations from Appleton; newspaper clippings; registration.

1932
Scope and Content Note: Now called “Proceedings of the Forty-First Annual Meeting of the WLA” Includes executive board Meeting minutes, 1932 treasurer's report, official program; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1932; WLA Scholarship Book Auction; Registration; correspondence: request for proceedings, forwarding WLA reports to Historical Society, dates for 1933 meetings, memorial, with ALA regarding meetings, payment for speech.

1933
Scope and Content Note: Now called “WLA Report” again. Includes executive board Meeting minutes; preliminary announcements, correspondence urging attendance; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November 1933; Registration; invitations for 1931 Meeting: Superior, Milwaukee; Milwwaukee Convention Bureau pamphlets; correspondence with ALA regarding statements on Increased Demand for Library Service and Reduction of Public Expenditures, Citizens' Councils for a Constructive Economy; correspondence: notification of new secretary, forwarding to Historical Society.

1934
Scope and Content Note: Includes executive board meetings, minutes, 1934; preliminary notices of Annual Meeting, program; convention headquarters: pamphlet on New Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee; official program; Wisconsin Library Bulletin, November-December 1934; Outstanding Books for Public Library Use, October 1933 - October 1934; program for play: “The Beacon”; correspondence regarding new officers; invitation from Superior for 1935 Meeting; registration; correspondence with ALA: regarding 1936 Meeting, contributing membership; correspondence regarding memorial, Milwaukee County Community Fund, greetings from Iowa Library Association, Catalogers' Group of ALA, greetings to WLA founders, clippings from Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, WLA banquet favors; newspaper clippings.

1935
Scope and Content Note: Includes executive board Meeting minutes, 1935 Treasurer's Report; official program; newspaper clippings; “Library Service in 1945?”; supplement to Wisconsin Library Bulletin, March, 1936; newspaper clippings; registration; correspondence regarding Meeting attendance, invitations from Stevens Point, Green Bay, Milwaukee, resolutions thanking Superior resolutions honoring individual librarians, library boards, donors; “A State Library Program”; correspondence: Superior Association of Commerce, pamphlets on Superior; correspondence: invitations from Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, Journal, Sentinel, Public Library.

1936
Scope and Content Note: Includes executive board meetings - minutes; preliminary notices of Meeting, program; convention headquarters: photos of New Pfister hotel, brochure, correspondence with New Pfister regarding arrangements; newspaper clippings; supplement to Wisconsin Library Bulletin, February 1937; Report of WLA Nominating Committee; 1936 Treasurer's Report; Outstanding books for Public Libraries, 1935-1936; report of Reference Section; Revision of the Constitution Committee; invitations from Green Bay, Milwaukee, Madison; registration; correspondence: invitations to speak, with ALA regarding Federal Relations Committee, regarding meeting site, regarding convention badges, with Milwaukee Association of Commerce regarding registration and forwarding clippings; list of people to whom programs were sent.

1937
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of executive board meetings; Annual Meeting official program; greetings from Minnesota Association of Hospital, Medical and Institution Librarians; convention headquarters: pictures, information sheets on Madison; registration; newspaper clippings; supplement to Wisconsin Library Bulletin, April 1938; correspondence: invitations from Madison mayor, Free Library, Chamber of Commerce, Eau Claire regarding convention badges; Selected Bibliography on Personality Problems.

1938
Scope and Content Note: Includes minutes of executive board meetings; Annual Meeting official program; greetings from individuals, Milwaukee Chapter of Special Libraries Association; Outstanding Books for Public Libraries, 1937-1938; Special Committee on State Aid for Libraries - Report: first draft of a bill, statistics; Treasurer's Report, 1938, Tentative Report, Scholarship Section, 1938; registration; correspondence invitations from Milwaukee, brochure from Hotel Schroeder, Milwaukee, Fond du Lac, resolutions thanking hotel, Convention Bureau, invitation from Rhinelander; Scholarship Book Auction; resolutions regarding Wisconsin Free Library Commission, Wisconsin Library School; correspondence regarding above resolution; resolutions honoring individual librarians, libraries, donors and related correspondence; petition from members regarding student preparation; newspaper clippings; official program, 1928 Annual Meeting; 1928 Report of the Certification Committee.

Series: Scrapbooks

1941, February-October

1962