Laura M. Sawyer papers

Creator:

Perkins School for the Blind

Date Range:

1836-1925, bulk 1907-1916

Call Number:

AG92

Abstract:

A collection documenting the work of Laura M. Sawyer during her time as Librarian at Perkins between 1898 and 1925. Includes administrative records, books lists, correspondence, lecture notes, and general notes.

Extent:

1.25 linear feet, 2 manuscript boxes, 1 custom box

Language:

Primarily English; German, French

Processed by:

Susanna Coit, 2018

Biographical/Historical notes:

Laura M. Sawyer began her work at Perkins School for the Blind as an assistant in the library between 1898 and 1903. She served as librarian with Sarah E. Lane from 1903 until Lane retired in 1911. Sawyer continued as the Librarian until her death in 1925.

During her time at Perkins, she worked with the Harvard extension courses with Edward E. Allen. Fish wrote that Sawyer became “Allen’s right hand in carrying on of the course and  a tower of strength to the many who came to draw upon her limitless fund of information and upon her unwearied patience in assisting them” (Fish, 52). She worked with and served both pupils at Perkins and people throughout New England as she advanced accessibility of library materials. She was an advocate of creating a national lending program and was the head of the American Library Association advocacy committee with the American Foundation for the Blind. As part of her work, she created a catalog of the books in the Perkins Library that expanded to lists of embossed accessions, and other braille books that were available for people who were blind. She also curated annual lists of magazine articles about the blind for Outlook for the Blind. With her focus on advancements and the circulation of embossed materials, Sawyer was instrumental in the founding and creation of the library at Perkins as it currently exists.

Following Allen’s trip to Europe, Sawyer communicated with Alexander Mell (of Vienna) to establish the Blindiana collection at Perkins (Fish, 51). She also taught library classes at Simmons College about the history of Perkins, the Perkins Library, and library services for the blind.

Sources of information:

Fish, Anna Gardner. “Laura M. Sawyer, Ave et Vale.” Outlook for the Blind, Vol. XIX, No. 1, 1925, pp. 9, 45, 51-52.

Restrictions:

None

Copyright:

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Perkins School for the Blind, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Credit line/Citation:

AG92 Laura M. Sawyer Papers. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Scope/Contents:

This collection documents the work of Perkins Librarian Laura M. Sawyer between 1898 and 1925. Included are book lists from other countries, schools, and publishers as well as correspondence from librarians. Notes prepared by and lectures given by Sawyer, including those given at Simmons College, are also included. The collection also holds records of library administration and Sawyer’s administrative work in the library.

Arrangement:

B1:F1 = Box 1: Folder 1

LMS = Laura M. Sawyer

5 Series, 2 boxes arranged chronologically when possible

• Series 1: Book Lists
• Series 2: Correspondence
• Series 3: Notes and Lectures
• Series 4: Library Account Books
• Series 5: Librarian Notes

Related collections:

AG1 Edward E. Allen Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG31 Anna Gardner Fish Papers. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

AG118 Research Library Collection. Perkins School for the Blind Archives, Watertown, MA.

Container List:

Box: 1

Series 1:

• B1:F1: German booklists, 1908-1914
• B1:F2: French booklists, undated
• B1:F3: North American booklists, 1914, undated
• B1:F4: Perkins booklists, 1910, 1911, 1914, undated
• B1:F5: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh booklist, 1910-1912
• B1:F6: List of Personal Donations to Printing Books, 1836-1912

Series 2:

• B1:F7: Correspondence: A. Mell, 1909-1912
• B1:F8: O.H. Burritt to LMS, 1907
• B1:F9: Gustav Fock to LMS, 1907
• B1:F10: Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind to LMS, 1907
• B1:F11: C.A. Koehler & Co. to LMS, 1908
• B1:F12: Mrs. Salome Cutler Fairchild to LMS, 1908
• B1:F13: The British and Foreign Blind Association to LMS, 1908, 1915
• B1:F14: Brooklyn Public Library to LMS, 1911
• B1:F15: Miscellaneous correspondence
• B1:F16: Notebook of Letters and Orders send by LMS, 1907-1918
• B1:F17: Record of Letters and Endorsements from LMS, 1918-1925

Series 3:

• B1:F18: Notes: General History, May 20, 1908
• B1:F19: Notes: Library for Teachers, Nov. 1909
• B1:F20: Simmons, 1911, 1912
• B1:F21: Library Work for the Blind, Simmons College, Nov. 12, 1914
• B1:F22: Simmons College Lectures, 1916, 1921
• B1:F23: List of embossed books, timeline of library, undated
• B1:F24: Types for the Blind, undated
• B1:F25: I. History of the School and Library, undated
• B1:F26: Notes: Perkins Inst. Library, undated
• B1:F27: Miscellaneous notes, undated

Box 2:

Series 3:

• B2:F1: Library Account Book, 1906-1911
• B2:F2: Library Account Book II, 1911-1923
• B2:F3: LMS Files, 1907

Box 3:

Series 4:

• Perkins Library Notes (cards), undated

Subject headings:

• Perkins School for the Blind.
• Perkins School for the Blind–History.
• Allen, Edward E. (Edward Ellis), 1861-1950
• Librarians
• Libraries and the blind