Newberry Library. Office of the Collection Development Librarian.

Although it has always been the responsibility of the Librarian to recommend acquisitions for approval by the Newberry Library Board of Trustees, over the years the Trustees have played a less active role, and daily responsibility for book selection has been placed in departments staffed by bibliographic specialists.

From 1915 to 1931 a Book Selection, Ordering, and Receipt Department (headed by Pierce Butler, 1919-1931) handled acquisitions. In 1933, selection was placed in the Technical Departments under Robert Forsythe, who from 1937 to 1941 headed his own Book Selection Department. Bibliographers (Felix Borowski, Hans Baron) who handled acquisitions in the 1940's were in 1949 placed under the supervision of Mabel Erler in the Order and Book Selection Department. James M. Wells took charge of acquisitions in 1964 when he was appointed Associate Director. Following Wells' retirement in 1984, the Office of the Collection Development Librarian was created, with Paul Saenger as head.

From the description of Records, 1923-1983 (bulk 1923-1973). (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278271

The Collection Development Librarian's Office was officially created with the appointment of Paul H. Saenger as George A. Poole III Curator of Rare Books and Collection Development Librarian on October 11, 1984.

In addition to providing the intellectual framework for Library purchases and gifts, the Collection Development Librarian coordinates the work of the Library's numerous specialized bibliographers.

From the description of Collection Development Librarian's office records, 1936-1960. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278316

In 1966, the acquisition of Ayer Collection materials was transferred from the Special Collections Department to bibliographers Frederick A. H. Hall (Latin America and Iberia) and Richard Colles Johnson (Americana), who reported to Library Associate Director James M. Wells.

Hall was formally appointed Ayer Bibliographer in 1967, and Johnson in 1968. In 1985, Ayer bibliographers became part of the newly created Office of the Collection Development Librarian, headed by Paul Saenger.

From the description of Library bibliographers' records, 1949-1983 (bulk 1949-1973) (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278391

Librarian and specialist in Latin American and Iberian history and literature.

Born in Evart, Michigan, in 1915, and educated at the University of Michigan, Hall worked nine years as a U.S. Cultural Attache in Brazil before returning to the United States to attend library school. Hired by the Newberry as a reference librarian in 1955, Hall in 1962 was appointed Associate Curator of the Greenlee Collection, and assumed the Curatorship in 1963 with the retirement of Ruth Lapham Butler. In 1965, Hall was named Bibliographer of Latin American and Iberian History and in 1967, Edward E. Ayer Bibliographer of Iberian and Latin American History and Literature. After a leave of absence beginning in 1968 to pursue a doctorate in Latin American history, Hall returned to his Newberry duties. Hall died of malaria in Lisbon, Portugal, August 26, 1972, following a vacation in Africa.

From the description of Hall, Frederick A.H. - Bibliographer's subject files, 1949-1983 (bulk 1962-1972). (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278443

Librarian and subject specialist in North American history and literature.

Johnson was hired by the Newberry Library in 1963 as a reference librarian. In 1965 he was appointed Bibliographer of American Literature and was assigned to work half-time on the Writings of Herman Melville Project which continues to the present. He was later appointed Edward E. Ayer Bibliographer of North American History and Literature (Nov. 4, 1968) and Gifts Librarian (Nov. 21, 1988)

From the description of Johnson, Richard Colles - Bibliographer's subject files, 1963-1973. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278464

Librarian and subject specialist in North American history and literature.

From the description of Johnson, Richard Colles - Correspondence file 1964-1973. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 28278484