Newberry Library. Financial Agent.

The Financial Agent's responsibilities during the early years of the Library were varied and extensive.

Beyond accounting and finance, they included book ordering, purchasing, personnel matters, superintendence of real estate, building and construction, insurance, legal affairs, book binding, and even some reference.

From 1892 to 1916, book order correspondence was conducted by the Financial Agent and also the Librarian. After 1916, order responsibilities were slowly transferred to the bibliographers and the Order Department.

Under the direction of the Committee on Investments and Finance, the Financial Agent had charge of all the business affairs (including the Business Office) of the Newberry Library, 1892-1946.

The Agent was also responsible for keeping the books and depositing monies. From 1946 to 1964, according to the Bylaws, the position was split, with a Comptroller assuming responsibility for the books. However, in practice, there was no Financial Agent from 1947 on, and the Comptroller handled all the business affairs of the Library. By 1964, the Financial Agent was no longer mentioned in the Bylaws. Financial Agents include Noah Brooks, 1893-1898; Jesse Moss, 1898-1928; Philip Williams, 1928-1947. Moss and Williams also served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees.