University Press

 Record Group
Identifier: RG.0955

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The University Press record group contains year-end reports, photographs, editorial correspondence, production files, copyright contracts, manuscripts, published books, Historic American Buildings Surveys (HABS), and General Book Information Binders related to Vanderbilt's University Press.

Some unique components of the record group are Historic American Buildings Surveys (HABS) photographs from 1959 to 1980s on historic landmarks in Tennessee. These were gathered for the book, "Architecture of Middle Tennessee: The Historic American Buildings Survey," first published in 1974, then reissued in 2020.

Other unique components of the record group are the General Book Information Binders regarding books published by VU Press from 1959 to 1980. The contents of these binders were removed from the binders and placed in folders. They record information on money spent on advertising, direct mail, and production of the books, as well as examples of book advertisements.

Dates

  • Creation: 1910 - 2023

Access and Restrictions

All university archives from the past 40 years are closed to all but the creating office, department, or group. The Board of Trust, General Counsel, and the Chancellor’s Office are exempt from this rule. The University Press records may still be used for research, but the University Press or General Counsel must grant permission for others to view restricted records.

The majority of this record group is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

This record group may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections. Materials should be requested three days prior to visiting to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.

Historical Note

Vanderbilt University Press began operations in 1940 under the Committee of University Press, chaired by Dean John Edwin Pomfret, in the Joint University Library (JUL), now known as Central Library. Following Pomfret, VU Press gained the following directors: Dr. Herman Clarence Nixon (1942-1955), Rob Roy Purdy (1957-1959), David Howell Jones (1959-1975), John W. Poindexter (1975-1992), Charles Backus (1992-1999), Michael Ames (2000-2015), Dennis G. Hall (2015-2019), and Gianna Mosser (2019-current).

VU Press also moved from its original location at the JUL to Kirkland Hall in 1951; Alumni Hall in 1956; back to Kirkland Hall in 1960; West Side Row in 1969; Alexander Hall on West End Avenue in 1984; 18th Avenue South in 1990; and University Plaza on 21st Avenue South in 1991.

"The editorial interests of Vanderbilt University Press include most areas of the humanities and social sciences, as well as health care and education. The Press seeks intellectually provocative and socially significant works in these areas, as well as works that are interdisciplinary or that blend scholarly and practical concerns. At present, Vanderbilt publishes around twenty-five new titles each year."[1]

References:

[1] Vanderbilt University Press. 2024. https://www.vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/about/mission/

Full Extent

82 Linear Feet (- This includes 80 boxes. Two letter-sized Hollinger boxes (Boxes 1 and 2) contain photographs from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) and are stored separately from the other 78 boxes. The other 78 boxes are Paige boxes. Of these boxes, 46 boxes contain solely Vanderbilt University Press published books.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The University Press record group, 1910-2023, consists of manuscripts, published books, photographs, correspondence, and administrative records of Vanderbilt's University Press.

Arrangement

The record group is arranged primarily alphabetically by series, with the exception of the Books series. For ease of reading, the Books series is located at the end of the finding aid. The record group is thereunder kept in the original order.

Series

  1. Administrative - boxes 2774 and 2775
  2. Correspondence - box 3316
  3. Editorial and Production Files - boxes 3293-3312 and 3318
  4. Finances - boxes 3316 and 3317
  5. Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) - boxes 1-2 and 3318
  6. Information Binders - boxes 3317 and 3318
  7. Manuscripts - boxes 2772-2774, 3316, and 3318-3323
  8. Books - boxes 2759-2771, 3265-3292, and 5848-5852

Physical Location

Offsite Storage, Special Collections and University Archives

Separated Materials

Photographs from the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) were separated from the record group before reprocessing began in October 2023.

Condition Description

Condition of materials is good.

Processing Information

Original processing data unknown. Reprocessed by Faith McConnon in October 2023-May 2024.

Subjects

Deaccessions

  • Bursar Reports (1942-1957); Bursar's Pull Sheets (1957-1960); Confidential Files of the Director - Budget (1961-1974); Annual Report (1968-1969); Year End Records (1974-1975)
  • Invoices, checks, social security cards

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Finding Aid for the University Press Record Group
Status
Completed
Author
Original author unknown; reprocessed by Faith McConnon
Date
Original date unknown; reprocessed October 2023-May 2024
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • October 2023-May 2024: Reprocessed by Faith McConnon - revised finding aid after reprocessing

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Vanderbilt University Archives Repository

https://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/specialcollections/archives/
Contact:
Vanderbilt University Archives
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States

About this Site

This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.

Requesting Materials

Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.