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Sheila Creth papers

 Collection
Identifier: IWA0463

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Scope and Contents

The Sheila Creth papers date from 1957 to 2008 and measure 3.5 linear feet. The papers are arranged in five series: Biographical, The University of Iowa Libraries, Publications, Presentations, and Consulting.

The Biographical series (1957-2008) includes Creth's curriculum vitae; the transcript of an interview with Creth conducted in July 1998; newspaper clippings; and several snapshots and photographs of Creth with University of Iowa President Hunter Rawlings and Iowa Writers Workshop director Frank Conroy.

The University of Iowa Libraries series (1987-1999) includes correspondence and emails, presentations Creth made on campus, Creth's goals and activities, salary letters, notification of awards recognizing the Information Arcade, and material related to the Symposium on Scholarly Communication. Two folders containing letters of recommendation are closed.

The Publications series (1979-1997) includes Creth's published articles and writings arranged in chronological order. The series includes Creth's MA thesis and correspondence regarding the publication of her articles. The Presentations series (1987-2005) consists of talks on topics such as staff training, library automation, the electronic library, budgeting, and collaboration between librarians and technologists. The series is arranged chronologically.

The Consulting series (1981-2005) consists of records relating to Creth's work with her consulting firm, Progressive Solutions. It includes proposals, reports, administrative files, correspondence with clients, and details about the work Creth did for each client. The series is organized alphabetically by the client's name; the administrative files are located at the end of the series.

Dates

  • Creation: 1957-2008

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The papers are open for research, with the exception of Box 10, which is closed.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.

However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/

Biographical / Historical

Sheila Creth served as University Librarian for the University of Iowa Libraries from 1987 through 1999. In this capacity, Creth assumed responsibility for a collection of over three million volumes located in the Main Library and distributed throughout eleven departmental libraries, coordinated the work of a full-time staff of 228 employees, and oversaw an annual budget of over seventeen million dollars.

Her most important contributions to the University of Iowa Libraries include the development of the Information Arcade in the Main Library, the Information Commons in the Hardin Library, the Iowa Women's Archives, the User Education Program, a massive reorganization project, development of sources of funding through the Friends of the Library group, recruitment and staff development activities, and organization of the Symposium on Scholarly Communication in 1991.

During her tenure, Creth was awarded the LITA/Gaylord award for Achievement in Library and Information Technology in 1999. Before her appointment at the University of Iowa, Creth held positions at the University of Michigan, the University of Connecticut, and Columbia University. Creth has published extensively in the field of library and information science. In addition to her publications, Creth has enjoyed numerous professional speaking engagements and has conducted training workshops and performed consultation services for university libraries for more than twenty years. At the end of 1999, Creth stepped down from her post with the University of Iowa to pursue a full-time career in independent consultation after thirteen years with the University of Iowa.

Extent

3.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Librarian who directed the University of Iowa Libraries from 1987 to 1999 and published extensively in the field of library and information science.

Method of Acquisition

The papers (donor no. 678) were donated by Sheila Creth in 1999 and subsequent years.

Author
Emily Broeckling, 2003; June Silliman and Sharon M. Lake, 2008.
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository

Contact:
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)