William H. Jesse Papers
This collection contains the papers of William H. Jesse, Director of Libraries at the University of Tennessee. The Program Statements, notes, and records Jesse used as a consultant comprise the bulk of this collection.
Dates
- 1947-1966
Conditions Governing Access
Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Conditions Governing Use
The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.
Extent
2 Linear Feet (2 record boxes)
Abstract
This collection contains the papers of William H. Jesse, Director of Libraries at the University of Tennessee.
Biographical/Historical Note
William H. Jesse was born September 16, 1908 in Versailles, Kentucky. His higher education began at Transylvania College in 1929, but he later transferred to the University of Kentucky to complete work for his B.A. He went on to receive a B.S. in Library Science at Columbia University and in 1945 received an MA at Brown University.
Jesse started his career as a teacher-librarian in Johnson County, Kentucky in 1933, where he received a promotion to director of libraries in 1935. In 1938, he was appointed readers division chief at the Brown University Library. In 1942, he became assistant director of libraries at the University of Nebraska, and in 1943 he became the head of readers' and reference division for the U. S. Department of Agriculture Library. That same year he was appointed director of libraries and professor at the University of Tennessee, where he stayed until his death on July 1, 1970. Jesse was a nationally known consultant on library buildings and helped with plans for expansion, renovation, or new construction for more than 45 libraries.
Arrangement
This collection is in two boxes. Material is arranged into two series:
- Series I: Reports, Surveys, and Statements
- Series II: Additional Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository