The University Librarian serves as director of the University Libraries and as Chair of the Library Advisory Board (LAB). The University Librarian reports directly to the Provost of the University. Early librarians were generally tutors in the College, who added the care of the library to their other duties, and usually served for only a few years. The first of the long-term librarians was Horatio Gates Bowen from 1824 to 1840, who was followed by Charles C. Jewett (1842 to 1848), Reuben A. Guild (1848-1893), Harry Lyman Koopman (1893-1930), Henry B. Van Hoesen (1930-1949), David A. Jonah (1949-1974), Charles D. Churchwell (1974-1979), C. James Schmidt (1979- 1982), Merrily Taylor (1982-2004), Harriette Hemmasi (2005-2018), Joseph Meisel (2018-present).
The University Librarian's files, circa 1985-2005, were compiled during the tenure of Merrily E. Taylor. They have been organized into one series, Librarian's files. They are arranged alphabetically by topic. The files include materials related to library administration, collection development and management, various Library and University committees, and professional associations. This collection consists mostly of development materials related to the growth of the Brown University Library system.
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Brown University Librarian's files, OF.1X.26, Brown University Archives.
The collection is organized alphabetically in one series: