Library and Archives department records
Collection Overview
Library administration.
Museum archives -- New York (State) -- New York.
Museum libraries -- New York (State) -- New York.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Jackson, Ward, 1928-2004.
Historical Note
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) library was established in 1952 when a small assortment of art books owned by the first SRGM director, Hilla Rebay (HR), became the basis of the formal library collection. This collection continued to expand, eventually including artist files, periodicals and monographs. In 1961, SRGM Director Thomas Messer appointed a full-time librarian, Mary Joan Hall (MJH), to oversee the collection. MJH served in this position until 1981 and has been succeeded by several key staff members who have helped shape and form the direction and policies of the SRGM library. As of 2007, the SRGM library collection contains published resources that reflect and inform museum collections and exhibitions, with particular focus on modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. The SRGM library mission is to support the research endeavors of the SRGM professional and administrative staff. The library also serves interns, volunteers, docents, and teachers at the SRGM.
The SRGM archives was formally established in 1973 under the direction of Ward Jackson (WJ). WJ remained at the SRGM archives until 1992. Since then, archives staff members have further developed the department and maintained its unique collections. The archives collections include comprehensive SRGM exhibition files; administrative papers of previous museum directors and curators; materials surrounding the construction and opening of the Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned museum in 1959; and personal papers of HR. The mission of the SRGM archives is to collect, preserve, and provide access to all historical documentation of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the records related to the history and activities of the SRGM for the purpose of administrative support and historical research.
The library and archives were originally housed at the site of the SRGM but due to space constraints were moved to the Liederkranz Foundation building in 1979. In the late 1990's the SRGM library and archives became one unified department. As of 2007, the department resides in the administrative and curatorial offices of SRGM. The archives are available for use by qualified scholars and researchers, while the library is not open to the public.
Bibliography
Scope and Content Note
The Library and Archives department records span the years 1972-2005 (bulk 1993-2001), and document the history, procedures, activities, and collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) Library and Archives department. The records chronicle the development of the department through the creation of key policies and procedures. Departmental planning is further explored in records detailing goals and special projects. Documents such as loan and usage requests provide an understanding of how the archives are utilized by staff and outside researchers. Records pertaining to the archival collections also detail acquisitions, loans to other institutions and inventory records. Library and Archives department staff correspondence and memoranda discuss issues and procedures pertaining to the department, such as the development of a mission statement, project planning and site concerns. Also included are records related to the physical site of the library and archives, from space planning to several location changes. The collection contains interior photographs of the original location; correspondence; memoranda; and reports. The collection is organized into 3 series: 1. General; 2. Library; 3. Archives.
Series Descriptions
Folder List
| Box | Folder | Title | Date | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | Liederkranz (6 folders) (restricted) | 1994-1995, 1999 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Photographs: Interior | undated | |||||||||||
| Renovation Proposals | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | General (2 folders) | 1989, 1995 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Architectural Plans | 1989 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Space and Storage Planning | 2000-2002 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Goals | 2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Job Descriptions | undated | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Overview and History | undated | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Policies and Procedures | undated, 2000-2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Staff (3 folders) (1 restricted) | 1993-1998, 2005 | |||||||||||
| Box | Folder | Title | Date | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100209 | Art Libraries Society of North America: Correspondence (restricted) | 1994-1995 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Distributed Materials Request | 1994-1995 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Loans (restricted) | 1997 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Move From Liederkranz to 575 Broadway | 1994 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Needs Assessment | 1997-1998 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Subscriptions (restricted) | 1995 | |||||||||||
| Box | Folder | Title | Date | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100209 | Acquisitions (11 folders) (restricted) | 1994-2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Assessment and Planning | 1982-2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Contracts: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Usage Permission | 2002 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Facilities (2 folders) (restricted) | 1999, 2001 | |||||||||||
| Hilla von Rebay | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | Documentary Film | 2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Foundation Archive | 1994-1995 | |||||||||||
| Inventory | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | General (2 folders) | 1972, 1979 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Carlyle Records Warehouse List (2 folders) | 2002 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Loans (3 folders) (restricted) | 1997-1998, 2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Meeting Agenda | 2000 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Permission Requests (restricted) | 2002 | |||||||||||
| Policies and Procedures | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | Blank Forms: Internal Use, Reader Registration, Accession, Receipt of Delivery, Photocopy Request | undated | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Deed of Gift | 2002 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Outgoing Loans | 2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Reproduction Requests | 2001 | |||||||||||
| Projects | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | Architectural Drawing Restoration | 2005 | |||||||||||
| Oral Histories | |||||||||||||
| 100209 | Future Project Planning | 1994-1995, 1999 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Guggenheim, Peggy: Interview Digitization | 2005 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Kahan, Marion | 2001 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Lawson-Johnston, Peter | 1995 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Publications Archive | 1994-1995 | |||||||||||
| 100209 | Staff: General and Correspondence (4 folders) | undated, 1990-1992, 2001 | |||||||||||
