Call Number

BC 11.2; Shelf C-10

Abstract

These publications detail the benefits of a Barnard education to both prospective students and current matriculates by exploring the College’s rich history and presenting the resources available within the school, in New York City and abroad.

Description

The collection includes admissions cards, viewbooks from 1918-2008, department brochures, program brochures, fact sheets, maps of both the Barnard campus and Morningside Heights, essays written by students and faculty, brochures for disabled students, brochures for minority students, pamphlets for transferring students, and guides for parents. One essay cites New York as Barnard’s laboratory, and another discusses the possibilities extended to a Barnard graduate. These materials focus on the individual, the community, the school, the city, and future achievements to show their interconnections.

The collection is arranged in three series.

I. Viewbooks, 1918-ongoing
II. General Recruitment Brochures, 1901-ongoing
III. Departmental Recruitment Brochures, ca. 1940s -ongoing

Series I. Viewbooks, 1918-ongoing
Every year, prospective Barnard students receive a promotional brochure with an informational overview of the College. There are photos and descriptions of the curriculum, academic and social life, the campus, and the resources of New York City, and a reply card that students interested in more information can return to the Office of Admissions. Since 1948, this brochure has been designed and produced by the Office of Public Relations. It is unclear which department was responsible for its publication prior to 1948. The brochure has been referred to as the College “viewbook” since 1953. Prior to that, it was called simply an “illustrated bulletin.” The purpose of the viewbook is to “answer all of the initial questions that students ask” when considering Barnard. The viewbooks in this collection range from 1918 to present.

Series II: General Recruitment Brochures, 1901-ongoing
In contrast to the annual College “viewbook,” general recruitment brochures address individual aspects of a Barnard education. They may be targeted at students with particular career aspirations—for instance, medicine or writing—although they do not pertain to specific academic departments. Some discuss the relationship between Barnard and Columbia; others are aimed at the parents of prospective Barnard students. General recruitment brochures have been produced since the 1930s. Some brochures give information on specific programs available to Barnard students, such as Reid Hall and the Barnard/NBC Summer Institute of Radio. It is unclear which department is responsible for the publication of these brochures, but they refer students to the Admissions Department for further information.

Series III. Departmental Recruitment Brochures, ca. 1940s -ongoing
Departmental recruitment brochures are targeted at prospective students who have expressed interest in particular areas of study. Preserved brochures, produced by the Admissions Department, go from the 1940s to the 1980s and were available for almost every academic department. The departments are grouped under headings such as Humanities or Social Sciences, and each heading is presented in one brochure, e.g., the Foreign Languages and Literature brochure. The content varies, but most include an overview of the department and available majors, without details like course listings, major requirements, or professor names. There are also brochures on intercollegiate athletic programs, interdepartmental programs, and the Women’s Center.

Access

This collection has no restrictions.

This collection is located on-site.

Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes.  Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Barnard College Archives.  The Barnard College Archives approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Location

Barnard College Archives
Lehman Hall, Room 19
3009 Broadway
New York, NY 10027