Tamiment Library Vertical Files
The Library's printed ephemera holdings consist of some 1 million items, including broadsides, leaflets, flyers, manifestoes, reports, reprints, serials, clippings, pamphlets, and internal documents generated by a wide spectrum of labor and left-wing organizations.
The vertical files are arranged alphabetically in six separate series: (1) files on individuals; (2) files on organizations; (3) subject files; (4) trade union files; (5) Abraham Lincoln Brigade (ALBA) files on individuals; and (6) Abraham Lincoln Brigade (ALBA) subject files.
The collection is currently being processed. There are finding aids online for the ALBA individuals and subject series and there are preliminary finding aids online for the Individuals and Subjects series. The Trade Unions series is CLOSED to researchers until 2010. The ca. 4,300 files on organizations have been cataloged in BobCat.
You may search for vertical files in the Individuals, Subjects, Trade Union, and two ALBA series simultaneously using the Finding Aids Search.
ALBA Vertical Files: Individuals
There are approximately 440 files related to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and the Spanish Civil War in this series. Consult the finding aid online to identify specific files or use the Finding Aids Search.
ALBA Vertical Files: Subjects
There are approximately 1,560 files related to the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and the Spanish Civil War in this series. Consult the finding aid online to identify specific files or use the Finding Aids Search.
Vertical Files on Individuals - IF Series
The IFs, or Individual Files, were formerly two separate series of Author Files and Biographical Files. The series contains approximately 3,490 files. To identify specific files, browse the preliminary finding aid or use the Finding Aids Search.
Organizational Files - OF Series
The Organizational Files series, which currently consists of approximately 4,300 files, has been cataloged at the file level in BobCat.
To find cataloged OFs on a specific subject:
(1) Choose the Advanced Search in BobCat;
(2) Each OF has been assigned a title in BobCat beginning with the words "Publications relating to" so enter that phrase in the Title index;
(3) Type a subject heading in the second box (e.g., "peace movements") and choose the Subject index from the drop down menu;
(4) Click GO to see records for cataloged vertical files on your subject.
To find cataloged OFs on a specific organization:
(1) Choose the Advanced Search in BobCat;
(2) Each OF has been assigned a title in BobCat that beginning with the words "Publications relating to" so enter that phrase in the Title index;
(3) Type the name of the organization in the second search box (e.g., "Red Emma's Bookstore") and choose the Author/Creator index from the drop down menu;
(4) Click GO to see records for cataloged vertical files on the organization.
Browse Cataloged VFs
To browse cataloged vertical file titles, go to BobCat Standard, choose "Titles" from the drop-down list under "Browse an Alphabetical List of" and enter the phrase "Publications relating to A." The letter "A" will put you at the beginning of the alphabet and you may begin browsing from there.
You may also add any word, organization name, etc., instead of the letter A, to browse from that point in the alphabet. For example, search on "Publications relating to students" in the Title index.
Subject Vertical Files - SF Series
The Subject vertical files series consists of approximately 655 files. To identify specific files, browse the preliminary finding aid or use the Finding Aids Search.
Trade Union Files - TF Series
This collection is currently being processed. It is CLOSED to researchers until 2010.
Requesting Vertical Files
To request vertical files, submit one call slip per file to staff at the Tamiment Library Reference Desk. Like the rest of the collections, these materials do not circulate and must be used in the Tamiment Library's reading room.
Citing Vertical Files
Published citations should take the following form: Identification of item, date (if known); [Title of Vertical File]; Tamiment Library Vertical File; [Series Name]; folder number (if applicable); Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Libraries.
Sample Citation: Peace & Freedom Principles, [1968]; Peace and Freedom Party (U.S.); Tamiment Library Vertical File; Organizational Files Series; Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Libraries.
Updated 10/09/2009
