Susan Grey Akers Papers, 1899-1984

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Summary

Creator:
Akers, Susan Grey, 1889-1984
Abstract:

Susan Grey Akers was dean of the School of Library Science at the University of North Carolina from 1932 until 1954. In 1950-1951, Akers served as a library science consultant in Tokyo, Japan. In 1954-1955, she was visiting lecturer in library science at the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

The collection includes correspondence and related papers, diaries, books and articles, biographical material about Akers, picture postcards, clippings, and photographs documenting Akers's education and career as a librarian, library science professor, and dean of the School of Library Science at the University of North Carolina. Also documented is Akers's scholarly research on library cataloging and her travels in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Iran. The diaries Akers kept while in Japan, 1950-1951, and Iran, 1954-1955, describe her social life and her work in libraries and library schools, as well as her travels. The collection contains many postcards, about half of which are picture postcards of library buildings.

Extent:
1,200 items (4.0 linear feet)
Language:
Materials in English
Library Catalog Link:
View UNC library catalog record for this item

Background

Biographical / historical:

Susan Grey Akers was dean of the School of Library Science at the University of North Carolina from 1932 until 1954. A native of Kentucky, Akers received a Ph.D. from the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago in 1932. She had worked in public libraries and in college and university libraries before receiving her Ph.D. and her appointment to the faculty at the University of North Carolina. In 1950-1951, Akers served as a library science consultant in Tokyo, Japan. In 1954-1955, she was visiting lecturer in library science at the University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Date Event
1889
Born on 3 April in Richmond, Ky. Parents: Clara Elizabeth Harris and James Tazewell Akers
1909
A.B., University of Kentucky
1909-1911
Taught in public schools in Murray, Ky., and Birmingham, Ala.
1911-1912
Assistant librarian, public library, Louisville, Ky.
1913
Certificate, Library School, University of Wisconsin
1913-1920
Librarian, Department of Hygiene, Wellesley College
1920-1922
Cataloger, University of North Dakota Library
1922-1928
Instructor and assistant professor, Library School, University of Wisconsin, and visitor, Wisconsin Library Commission
1932
Ph.D., Graduate Library School, University of Chicago
1931-1932
Associate professor, University of North Carolina School of Library Science
1932-1935
Professor and acting director, University of North Carolina School of Library Science
1942-1954
Professor and dean, University of North Carolina School of Library Science
1954-1984
Professor and dean emeritus, University of North Carolina School of Library Science
1950-1951
American Consultant to Library Science Workshop, Civil, Information, and Education Section, Department of the U.S. Army, Tokyo, Japan
1954-1955
Visiting lecturer in Library Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
1984
Died in Chapel Hill, N.C., on 30 January.
Scope and content:

Papers of Susan Grey Akers include correspondence and related papers, diaries, books and articles, biographical material about Akers, picture postcards, clippings, and photographs. The collection chiefly documents Akers's education and career as a librarian, library science professor, and dean of the School of Library Science at the University of North Carolina. The books and articles are mostly scholarly works on library cataloging. Also documented are Akers's travels in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Iran.

The diaries Akers kept while in Japan, 1950-1951, and Iran, 1954-1955, describe her social life and her work in libraries and library schools, as well as her travels. The collection contains many postcards, about half of which are picture postcards of library buildings.

Acquisition information:

Received from Arthur Akers of Durham, N.C., in October 1995 (Acc. 95123) and May 1996 (Acc. 96058).

Processing information:

Processed by: Southern Historical Collection Staff

Encoded by: Jackie Dean, March 2006

Sensitive materials statement:

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.

Access and use

Restrictions to access:

No restrictions. Open for research.

Restrictions to use:

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

No usage restrictions.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], in the Susan Grey Akers Papers #4774, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Location of this collection:
Louis Round Wilson Library
200 South Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Contact:
(919) 962-3765
wilsonlibrary@unc.edu