Interview with Rebekah Harleston, Martha Jane Whiteside, December 15, 1976

Partial Transcript: This is the oral history report of the Government Publications Department.

Segment Synopsis: Rebekah Harleston and Martha Jane Whiteside discuss the beginning of their careers at the Margaret I. King Library at the University of Kentucky. They talk about the library staff members, and the addition to the library. They talk about the construction of other buildings on campus.

Keywords: Age; Carnegie Library; Caves; Dr. Frank McVey; Fine Arts Building; King Addition; Library staff; M. I. King Library; Margaret I. King; McVey Library; Plaque; Typewriters

Subjects: Academic librarians; Academic libraries.; Campus planning.; College administrators; College buildings.; College campuses.; College facilities.; College presidents; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: When I came here the documents used to be shelved in the west basement.

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside describe the various departments and areas of the library, and discuss where the different collections were stored. They talk about the Congressional Records, which undergraduates were not allowed to access. They talk about a library staff member, and discuss a leak in the library. [A high-pitched noise occurs during this segment at approximately 5:16.]

Keywords: Basements; Congressional Record; Disasters; Graduate reading room; History department; Leaks; Library materials; Library resources; National Geographic Magazine; Personality; Reference department; Secrets; Serials; Temper; Undergraduates; Windows

Subjects: Academic librarians; Academic libraries.; College buildings.; College facilities.; College students--Books and reading.; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries; University of Kentucky. Libraries. Government Publications Department

Partial Transcript: Well now how was it that there were so many, uh, serial set volumes?

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside discuss Dr. Thomas D. Clark, at the time a professor in the history department, who was instrumental in saving materials from other institutions and bringing them to the University of Kentucky libraries.

Keywords: Centre College; Court of Appeals records; Dr. Thomas D. Clark; Kentucky State University; Library materials; Library resources; Memorial Hall; Serials; State records; Transylvania University; Trucks

Subjects: Academic libraries.; College buildings.; College facilities.; College teachers.; Educators; Universities and colleges--Faculty.; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: That's what's so much fun about having been around for a while, that you pick up all sorts of little funny tales about the library.

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside tell a story about construction workers pulling a prank on a library employee.

Keywords: Blue lizards; Construction; Fences; Pranks; President's house

Subjects: Academic librarians; College buildings.; College environment; College presidents--Dwellings; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: One of my friends told me that, uh, we're now working one month longer than we were when I came here.

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside talk about how the number of hours library employees work has increased over the years. They talk about how the library once had only one telephone for the whole building. They talk about some of their duties at the library, including what they used to call "idiot chores".

Keywords: "Idiot chores"; Buzzer systems; Call numbers; Duties; Lunch breaks; Margaret I. King; New books; Telephones; Vacation time; Working hours

Subjects: Academic librarians; Academic libraries.; College environment; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: I think I've almost run out. Oh yes, the library staff always sent Miss King a dozen American Beauty roses on her birthday.

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside talk about the increased enrollment at the university following the war. They talk about the president's salary and how it affected the rest of the budget. They talk about how many people worked in the acquisitions department. They talk about their efforts to recycle string, paper, and other materials.

Keywords: Acquisitions staff; Boy Scouts; Budgets; Catalog room; Enrollment; Library staff; Margaret I. King; Paper; Purchasing officers; Recycling; Roses; Salaries; Salvation Army; Scarcity; String; Student population; University presidents; Veterans

Subjects: Academic librarians; Academic libraries.; College administrators; College environment; College presidents; Universities and colleges--Administration.; Universities and colleges--Finance; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries

Partial Transcript: One of--let me tell you, one of my favorite reference questions of all time was a picture of the unusual end of a cardinal, bird that is.

Segment Synopsis: Harleston and Whiteside talk about their most memorable reference question. They talk about the skill of locating materials for patrons. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Cardinals; Microfiche; Reference questions

Subjects: Academic librarians; Academic libraries.; College students--Books and reading.; Universities and colleges--Professional staff; University of Kentucky. Libraries