Theodore F. Welch (1933- ) Papers

The Theodore F. Welch Papers fill two boxes and span the years 1967 to 1983. The bulk of the papers consist of correspondence, which documents Welch's work at Northwestern and other library activities in the U.S., his strong connections with Japan and especially with Japanese libraries and librarians, his tenure working for the UN, and some of his personal relationships. The other materials in the series round out the information found in the correspondence. The records are divided into five subseries: Biographical Materials, Correspondence, Trips and Conferences, Publications and Subject Files.

Biographical Materials, spanning the years 1969 to 1983, describe Welch's education and work before coming to Northwestern, as well as documenting the positions he held at Northwestern. Included are curriculum vitae and faculty biographical records from various years, as well as articles and news releases announcing Welch's appointments both at Northwestern and in Japan.

Correspondence constitutes the majority of the series and covers the period 1967 to 1983. Welch's correspondence centers around his two main interests, Japan and libraries, and demonstrates how he frequently combined the two. However, correspondence that relates specifically to the daily activities of the Northwestern University Library departments he worked in is relatively scarce. Topics covered in the letters include planning for bi-national conferences on libraries, Japanese visitors to Northwestern, trips to Japan, research questions and resources, the editing and publication of Welch's book on Japanese libraries, and Welch's work with the United Nations in Japan. Correspondence of a more personal nature reveals that Welch's work and his friendships were also frequently blended.

Trips and Conferences files span the years 1972 to 1983, and are divided into two categories: American Library Association (ALA) and General. The ALA category includes a report from a 1972 bi-national conference, as well as correspondence relating to regular ALA meetings and Welch's chairing of the jury which judged applicants for the 1983 Gale Award. In the General category is correspondence relating to a 1978 trip to Japan and an Institute offered at Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest, Illinois, as well as undated travel itineraries.

Publications span the years 1971 to 1980 and include articles by Welch and reviews of two books Welch published. The articles deal with Japanese topics and with libraries both in the U.S. and Japan. Welch's book Toshokan: Libraries in Japanese Society is reviewed along with the proceedings of a conference which Welch helped to edit.

Subject Files date from 1977 to 1982. Topics include recommendations of former students, a collection of business cards, requisition forms and other financial documents, and a proposal for a fellowship that Welch applied for.