Janeway, Ray C
Dr. Ray Janeway, Dean of Library Services at Texas Tech, explores various functions and operational aspects of the Tech Library and the new addition to that library.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Dr. Ray C. Janeway
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: February 25, 1975; March 5, 1975
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Marshall L. Pennington
Length: 4 hours
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Autobiographical data,
Parents named,
Travel with father,
Father’s life described ,
Tent show script collection
Attended University of Kansas,
Became Assistant Director of Libraries at the University of Kansas (1946),
Came to work at Texas Tech as Librarian (1949),
Impressed by Dr. Dossie M. Wiggins,
State of the library at Tech (1949),
Elizabeth Howard West Augustine Gaylord and Emma Main mentioned,
Activities and accomplishments of Miss West,
Books in library (1949),
Difference between college library and university library,
Suggests that Miss Main be interviewed,
Philosophy toward library discussed.
Tape 1, Side 2: Relationship between library and university,
Significance of Miss West instituting Library of Congress system,
Dr. William B. Gates cited as example of good library user,
Dr. Richard Studhalter’s use of the library,
Observation of students in old library helped make student use of new
library more efficient,
Discussion of personnel efficiency,
Contrast between Dewey and Library of Congress classification systems,
Advice on changing from one system to another,
Advantages of Library of Congress system,
Faults of Library of Congress,
Participation in Ohio College Library Center,
Problems of title and authority with preceding librarians,
Became Dean of Library Services (1972),
Responsibilities listed,
Departmental book collections discussed.
Tape 2, Side 1: Discussion of Department of Architecture’s library
(continued),
Reason for maintenance of separate law and medical libraries,
Importance of knowing what transpires at Dean’s Council meetings,
Acquisition of collection of Selig Heller a Jewish poet,
Other interesting collections held by Texas Tech
library,
Comparison of Tech library expenditures to other university libraries,
Some librarians blame State Board of Control for local apathy,
Dr. Harry Ransom discussed in relation to University of Texas Library,
Story of University of Texas Permian Basin Library book drive,
Development of Texas Tech School of Law.
Tape 2, Side 2: Law School library usurped some of central library
funds,
Feels that Law School is a marked success,
Opinion expressed about Texas Tech School of Medicine,
Arrogance toward rest of Tech community,
Reason for high turnover in Tech law and medical school facilities,
Doctors need to keep abreast of current developments.
Tape 3, Side 1: Disadvantages of departmental libraries,
First Texas Tech library,
Decision to build current library building,
Changing student use of the library,
Development of Tech as seen in library,
Growth rate of library,
Tech is fourth in state appropriations for the library,
Library is designed on supermarket principles,
Using library is a learning process,
Students are cooperative in security,
Hours of library operation,
Design of current library,
Controversy of library exterior.
Tape 3, Side 2: Solar screens discussed,
Success of library building,
Early resentment of Croslin Room,
Now realizes its importance,
Use of Croslin Room,
New library addition discussed,
Computerization of libraries,
Holdings of library,
Methods of counting volumes,
Use of microfilm,
Became selective depository (1933),
Expanded selection (1951),
Became regional depository (1963),
Explanation of reserve room,
Reasons for decrease in undergraduate use of the library,
Change since cessation of draft,
Rare book collection.
Range Dates: 1933-1975
Bulk Dates: 1949-1975
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.