This series consists of a file maintained by John C. Gibson during his tenure in several different state government positions from 1954 to 1965. Unlike most state governmental records which are transferred to the State Archives directly from the office that created them, these papers, which included correspondence, memoranda, reports, circulars, manuals, and directives, were apparently moved by Gibson from one functional responsibility to the next and then transferred to the Archives as a group in 1965.
The papers were received in great disorder, with little evidence of the original file structure. A large quantity of material was unfoldered. As a result, the papers were reordered in the Archives into two series of subject files: one related to the DIVISION OF DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH and the other to the DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION. The remaining material for which no appropriate subject heading could be determined was grouped into a chronological CORRESPONDENCE file spanning the entire period documented by the series.
Many of the files established in this way are incomplete, and few subjects are treated in depth. Many also fail to document the reason why they were in Gibson's custody. Taken as a whole, however, the series represents not only Gibson's own activities, but also the functions of the offices in which he worked. Few other records of the Department of Administration during its early years are in archival control, and consequently this file has high evidentiary value.
The DIVISION OF DEPARTMENTAL RESEARCH material (1954-1959) documents the activities of the division under governors Walter Kohler, Jr., and Vernon Thomson, both of whom used the division as a personal management tool and investigative aid. Many files from this period relate to the division's relation with the governor. In some cases the correspondence contains marginal notes from the governors to Gibson or instructions that a reply was to be drafted for the governor's signature. In other cases the original correspondence (both incoming and outgoing) from the governor's file is included. It is likely that Gibson was also responsible for drafting statements, speeches, and other documents for the governor.
With the exception of a folder of historical material which begins the series, this section is arranged alphabetically by keyword. The two topics covered in greatest depth are the preparation of the executive budget and the size, operation, and expansion of state office buildings. Also of special interest is the correspondence concerning the controversial transfer of the state archives from the Historical Society in 1957 and the unsuccessful effort in 1955 to improve management of state government by means of a proposed Division of Central Services.
Records in the DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION section are also arranged alphabetically with the exception of a folder of historical background on the organization of the department and the 1962 reorganization which can be found at the beginning of the subject files. The material overlaps the preceding section in one important area. In both agencies Gibson was involved with space utilization and planning for the future space needs of state agencies. During the period documented here the Hill Farms State Office Building in Madison was completed, and a major topic documented in these files concerns the process of assigning space in the building to various departments and coordinating the move to the new space. During his tenure at the Bureau of General Services (1959-1962), the department began investigation of data processing by state agencies. Several folders of reports and studies elaborate this effort and provide some information on the early IBM System (RAMAC) purchased by the state. There is also extensive information in the form of reports, studies, notes, and statistics on the management of the Printing Division. The largest quantity of material about DOA concerns a 1960 survey of the need for state-owned vehicles. Approximately 500 survey forms completed by state employees contain anecdotal information about the activities of state employees as well as documenting the process of gathering management improvement information.
