Collections

Manuscripts and Finding aids

Of particular interest for the NCLC are manuscript collections containing all aspects of book creation, such as book dummies, sketches and preliminary illustrations, dust jackets, manuscript drafts and revisions, correspondence, and research materials. Once processed, these materials created prior to the finished work inform researchers on the nature of the creative process from conception to completion. Finding aids are the documents used to describe manuscript collections and the materials that do not receive item level cataloguing. Please click here for access to the finding aids in the NCLC, arranged alphabetically by last name or corporate body. Finding aids that have not yet been encoded in EAD (Encoded Archival Description) are available in paper format in the repository. Collections that are unprocessed may not appear on the list and may have only a box inventory, list or other simple form giving basic information. For information on unprocessed collections, please contact the curator.

Monographs and serials

As of 2009, the NCLC consists of approximately 42,000 cataloged children’s books and serials, in addition to a small collection of ephemera (posters, greeting cards, calendars, etc.). Access to the cataloged books and serials is available via the catalog Homer. There are also several specialized groups of books that are considered part of the NCLC:

The Black Beauty Collection

This collection consists of approximately 450 discrete editions produced in Great Britain and the United States. It contains nearly every edition published from the late 1870’s to the mid-1980’s, and offers insight into the effects of the times on text and illustration. Anna Sewell died in 1878, too soon to know how universal her story would become. Full access is available via the University Libraries' catalog Homer.

The Phyllis Hirsch Boyson Collection 

This collection, donated in memory of Mrs. Boyson by her husband Bert, contains over 6,300 children’s books and 125 artifacts. The strengths of the Boyson Collection are in late 19th century to mid-20th century works about Native Americans and African Americans. Literature for Jewish children centering on holidays and traditions is also represented. Access to the Boyson books is available via the University Libraries' catalog Homer.

The Billie M. Levy Collection of Illustrated Children's Literature

In 1983, Ms. Billie M. Levy placed on deposit 8,500 volumes from her private collection. A tireless and perspicacious collector, Ms. Levy was the first to convince such notables in the field as James Marshall to leave his materials to the University of Connecticut for research use. Access to the books in the Levy Collection is available through the University Libraries' catalog Homer.

The Libraries and Librarians Collection

This collection, which consists of more than 300 books for children (from pre-schoolers to young adults) that through fact and fiction inform them about the important role of libraries and librarians, is the most comprehensive collection of its kind. The collection is augmented by a smaller collection of books for children that deal with books and reading. The collection was created largely by emeritus Library Director Dr. Norman D. Stevens as part of his broader interest in a wide variety of materials relating to the depiction of libraries and librarians in popular culture. He continues to add to the collection on a regular basis. Full access is available via the University Libraries' catalog, Homer. For the most complete access, please use one or more of the following subject headings in your Homer search: Libraries juvenile fiction; Libraries juvenile literature; Librarians juvenile fiction; Librarians juvenile literature; Books juvenile fiction; Books juvenile literature; Books and reading juvenile fiction; and Books and reading juvenile literature. Full access is available via the University Libraries' catalog Homer.