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James D. Mack Lehigh University Library Documents

 Collection
Identifier: SC MS 0145

Scope and Contents

The collection contains two boxes of 55 folders full of correspondence, eight catalogs for Exhibits created by James D. Mack, 16 photographs, four railroad passes from 1857-1883 and assorted newspaper articles.

Dates

  • 1926-1989
  • Majority of material found within 1960-1985

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

James D. Mack (1916-2003) was a graduate of Lehigh University Class of 1938. He was hired by Lehigh University Librarian, Howard S. Leach, as his assistant in 1946. Mack acquired an MA in 1949. When Leach died, Mack became University Librarian and held that title until the early 1960s when the librarian title was changed to Director of Libraries. At that time the Center for Information Sciences was designed for investigation of transmission of information and training specialists to organize information. This Center was under the direction of Robert S. Taylor, Associate Librarian. Eventually Taylor was replaced by Susan A. Cady as director of Technical Services In September 1976, Mack retired as director and became curator of Rare Books primarily the Robert B. Honeyman Collection of rare books. Mr. Mack was succeeded as director by Mrs. Berry Gargel Richards. As curator of rare books Mack was succeeded by Daniel Traister who came from The New York Public Library and left Lehigh for a position at Univ. of Pennsylvania. Subsequently Philip Metzger succeeded Traister as curator of Rare Books. Correspondence in this collection reflects all these persons.

Extent

6 Linear Feet (2 Cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

James D. Mack was Lehigh University Librarian from 1948(?) to 1976. Mr. Mack graduated from Lehigh Class of 1938. He was hired by University Librarian Howard S. Leach in 1946 as his assistant. Leach died two years later. In the early 1960’s Mack had his title changed to Library Director. He retired in 1976 and became Rare Book Curator. As Director he was succeeded by Berry G. Richards and as Rare Book curator Daniel Traister succeeded him. Eventually Philip Metzger succeeded Daniel Traister. This collection also includes correspondence from his successors: Daniel Traister, Berry Richards and Philip Metzger. Also included are various plans for Exhibits displayed at Linderman Library and Martindale Library.

Arrangement

Arranged by topic generally alphabetically and chronologically whenever possible within each folder.

Related Materials

Honeyman gifts Berry Richards, Library Director files in Lehigh Archives Library vertical files James D. Mack publications

Status
Completed
Author
Ilhan Citak and Eleanor Nothelfer
Date
2016-02-10
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)