Vertical reference file collection

Collection

Identifier: COLL-0006

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Vertical Reference File is an "artificial" collection consisting of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, curriculum vitaes, and other informational materials concerning Hopkins-related topics, such as individuals, buildings, athletic events, and lecture series. Files on individuals with a Johns Hopkins affiliation often contain obituaries or other biographical materials.

Dates

Creation: 1900s-2000s

Creator

Office of Alumni Information Services, The Johns Hopkins University. (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed on site and does not require notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Extent

44.16 Cubic Feet (25 file cabinet drawers (27.5 x 12 x 9.25 inches))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Vertical Reference File is an "artificial" collection consisting of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, curriculum vitaes, and other informational materials concerning Hopkins-related topics, such as individuals, buildings, athletic events, and lecture series. Files on individuals often contain obituaries or other biographical materials.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically. Only one entry per topic is listed, although some topics span two or more folders. For individuals, the fullest available form of the name is used. Asterisks following an initial indicate that the initial is believed to be a terminal one.

Other Finding Aids

An additional offline inventory is available. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Custodial History

Alumni Information Services maintained these files until the summer of 1978, when they were transferred to the Archives. From 1978 until 1990, the collection remained static except for occasional items (primarily obituaries) clipped from local sources and filed by Archives staff. In 1990, the Archives once more began receiving materials from the University's clippings service.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

While the bulk of this collection was transferred by the Office of Alumni Information Services in 1978, some items are received from alumni and other individuals, and additional materials are removed from other record groups or transferred by the Office of News and Information. Clippings from local periodicals occasionally are placed in the file by Archives staff. The Archives also receives newspaper and magazine articles, assembled by a clippings service.

Accruals

79.32 (original segment – transferred summer 1978)

Processing Information

Inventory produced by James Stimpert, Brian Harrington, Nancy Enneking, Edward Amos Milligan.

In 1978, the Archives employed several students to sort the clippings, discard trivial items, and re-folder the remainder. Due to the size of the collection, newsprint materials were not photocopied. During sorting, materials relating to the Johns Hopkins Hospital or the medical divisions of the University, including biographical materials, were removed and transferred to the Alan Mason Chesney Medical Archives.