Records of the Clark Art Institute Library, 1958-

This collection is comprised of records pertaining to the development and functions of the Clark Institute Library, in addition to records from the office of the librarian. The bulk of the material consists of records from the first librarian, Michael Rinehart (1966-1987), as well as the following director, Sally Gibson (1987-1997). Some reports from Susan Roeper’s tenure (1997-2022) are also included, ending in 2006. The ledgers, visitor registers, and circulation cards found in the collection demonstrate early statistics tracking methods preceding the implementation of a fully digital system in 2010.

Series I: Ledgers, Registers, Circulation Cards, Bookplates, and Card Catalogues Material included within this series contains ledgers, which recorded financial and acquisition information, Registers that were used to track visitors to the library, circulation cards used to keep record of who books had been checked out to and to hold their place on the shelf to be returned later, this system was used before the digital system was put into place in 2010. Bookplates, which specify the volume are part of The Clark Art Institute Library, and card catalogues. These catalogues were used to detail the books held within distinct collections at The Clark. The card catalogues included within this series contain information on the rare or special book collections, including the Robert Sterling Clark Rare Book Collection, the Duveen Brothers Archive, and Junyboll Collection.

Series II: Records of Michael Rineart include documents regarding the initial development and administration of the Library. The bulk of the material is business and personal correspondence. The correspondents include other museums and libraries, national museum and library associations, Clark trustees, Rinehart's students, and Clark staff. Much of the correspondence deals with the development of the library collection through gifts, purchases, and exchanges with other libraries. The series also contains syllabi and course work for graduate courses taught by Rinehart, daily planners for the years 1977-1980, files on the hiring and evaluation of library staff, and financial records such as budgets, records of gifts, and drafts of annual report statements.

Series III: Records of the Librarian contains materials from Rinehart, Gibson, and Roeper. Each librarian would use and add to the files of their predecessor, resulting in folders with documentation spanning multiple tenures. This series contains correspondence with other libraries and institutions; library budgets, annual reports, and statistics; staff meeting records; policy handbooks and guidelines; research and reports on library projects and committees; and the records of several patron satisfaction surveys.

Series IV: Records of Susan Roeper This series contains records from Susan Roeper’s term as library director (1996-2022). Records within this series include administrative files such as correspondence, notes, ephemera, articles as well as appraisals for the Kalker house, and Burrows estate furniture being disposed of in 2008. Also included within this series is information on books used in both outside and institutional exhibitions before and during Susan Roeper’s time as Library Director, files include photographs, correspondence, appearance lists, bibliographic records, as well as transparencies, loan agreements, and condition reports. Records of acquisitions and book catalogues are held within this series. The acquisitions records include books and objects collected by the library from 1977-2008, and include the retirement acquisitions of Le Corbeau (The Raven) by Edgar Allen Poe, as translated by Stéphan Mallarmé and illustrated by Edouard Manet. The book catalogues consist of mostly artist books and rare books being printed and/or sold to institutions like the Clark. Each catalogue is unique and depicts multiple titles, artists, and organizations. Catalogues include volumes from Printed Matter, ReFLUX, Women’s Studio Workshop, Bound and Unbound, and others.