7/29/2019 Bridging the Gaps: The Lenski Collection

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Paisey

Memorandum

To: Alfred Smith, Rare Books and Manuscript Librarian

From: Florence M. Paisey, Librarian

Date: March 10, 2013

Subject: Acquisitions: The Lois Lenski Collection

The mission of Florida State Universitys special collections supports research andteaching, by providing access to collections of manuscripts, rare books, and universityarchives. Recently, I have learned that numerous scholars of childrens literaturefrequently travel to Florida State University, special collections, with the intent ofstudying materials in the Lois Lenski Collection.

The Lenski collection encompasses extensive textual production materials, includingLenskis primary notes for books, her itinerary with maps as well as hand-writtenmanuscripts with authorial corrections, deletions, insertions and annotations. In addition,the collection comprises corrected page proofs, paste-ups, typescripts as well as studiesfor illustrations, sketches for illustrations and final illustrations.

In addition to the Lenski papers, there is an extensive collection of her books. The booksrange from first editions, impressions, states and issues to some multiple copies and onthrough later editions. It seems that Lenski and her son, Stephen Covey, established thecollection through individual presentations and then Coveys donation en bloc. Nocollection policy regarding the Lenski Collection seems to have preceded these

donations. And, the personal or idiosyncratic nature of the donations seems not haveincluded policy regarding collection development, or organization of editions and variantcopies. For example, there is also no description of any one books edition as a whole,despite the extent of production materials and inexpensive copies available.

Considering the unusual breadth and rarity of materials in the Lenski Collection as wellas its regular use by scholars and students, I recommend establishing a broad Lenskicollection policy that will guide particular purchases and form a sound Lenski researchcollection. The collection policy should include a stated goal of assembling first editions,first issues for each of Lenskis books. An updated, print and electronic enumerativebibliography of holdings would reveal those few first editions, first issues that are

missing.

Since Lenski wrote childrens and young adult literature in many integrated, thematicseries, I would suggest first identifying, organizing and describing all papers and bookswithin their respective series. Within Lenskis six-book Poetry and Short Stories series,one book is missing, Sing for Peace. The first edition, signed, in fine condition, asstated on ABE, is available at $32.50. This purchase would then complete that particularseries with each book represented by a first edition, first issue.