Library Director Files, 1968 - 2024
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Please use the Collection Organization section below to place requests.
Scope and Contents
The Library Director Files series consists of the records created by the heads of the library during their tenure as Library Director or Librarian of the College, both terms have been used. This series contains annual reports of Librarian to the Visiting Committee or to the President. The first numbered report (1885) is a manuscript and is in the Visiting Committee Reports (RG 1.1.7) with earlier informal reports; all others were printed separately or as part of the Library Bulletin (RG 5.1.3), the Bowdoin College Bulletin, or the Presidents' Reports (see RG 1.2), including two special reports (1893 and 1896) in the latter (cf. note, 14th report, 1898). Informal Librarian's reports prior to 1885 and the 1st formal Report (1885) are contained in the Visiting Committee Reports. The Librarian's Report was published as a number of the Bowdoin College Bulletin from 1906-07 thru 1943-44. The Librarian's Report was incorporated into the President's Report from 1945 to 1990.
Dates
- Creation: 1968 - 2024
Creator
- From the Record Group: Bowdoin College. Library (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Restricted.
Biographical / Historical
The history of Bowdoin College Library's leadership spans over two centuries, reflecting a tradition of scholarly stewardship. Since 2023, Peter Bae has served as Library Director, succeeding Marjorie Hassen, who held the role from 2012 to 2023, and Sherrie Bergman, who directed the library from 1992 to 2012. Judy Montgomery served as Associate Librarian for Public Services from 1978 until her retirement in 2017. Earlier, the title of Librarian of the College was held by Arthur Monke (1968–1992), preceded by Richard Harwell (1961–1968), Kenneth James Boyer (1945–1961), and Gerald Gardner Wilder (1916–1944). George Thomas Little managed the library from 1883 to 1915, following Henry Johnson (1881–1885), Alpheus Spring Packard (1869–1881), and Stephen Jewett Young (1863–1869). William Packard Tucker (1857–1863), Charles Carroll Everett (1853–1857), and Daniel Raynes Goodwin (1838–1853) also served during pivotal years of the 19th century. In the early years, leadership included distinguished figures such as Henry Boynton Smith (1836–1838), Samuel Adams (1835–1836), and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1829–1835). Joseph Hale Abbot (1825–1827), Calvin Ellis Stowe (1824–1825), and John Abbot, who served two terms (1802–1824 and 1827–1829), were instrumental in establishing the foundation of Bowdoin's library.
Extent
From the Record Group: 120 Linear Feet (3 ovsz-boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Record Group: English
Arrangement
Alphabetical or chronological within each sub-series.
Repository Details
Part of the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 04011 Repository