May 4 Collection -- Box 4
Author: Shannon Simpson, November 2008
Descriptive Rules: DACS
Origination: Kent State University Libraries (formerly Libraries and Media Services).
Inclusive Dates: 1970-2000
Bulk Dates: 1970, 1972-1974, 1977
Extent: 1 cubic foot (1 record storage box)
Physical Location: 12th Floor
Abstract: Kent State University Libraries May 4 records contain materials about the Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, the subsequent Gym Annex controversy (also known as "Tent City") of 1977, and the establishment of the May 4 Resource Room in the Main Library. Materials in this collection include student and faculty statements, reports, and correspondence, as well as grant applications regarding the development of the May 4 Collection in the Department of Special Collections and Archives.
History: The Kent State University Main Library is home to University Libraries (UL) and has been referred to as the intellectual center of the university. In 1970, the same year of the shootings on the Kent State campus, the current twelve-story library building was formally dedicated. Today UL is made up of fourteen libraries in an eight-campus library system, providing users access to a collection that includes both print and online resources numbering over 2.6 million volumes. It also includes media service departments such as Design Solutions and Audio-Visual Services.
Scope and Content: The materials in this collection contain records pertaining to the events of May 4, 1970, the Gym Annex controversy of 1977, the development of the May 4 Resource Room, and UL grant proposals for expanding and enhancing the May 4 Collection. The 1970 materials include first-hand accounts, reports and interdepartmental correspondence regarding the shootings on campus of that year. Other records, ranging from 1972-1974, relate to the establishment, funding and dedication of the May 4 Resource Room, now residing on the first floor of the Main Library The 1977 materials focus on the construction of the planned Gym Annex near the site of the 1970 shootings and include public correspondence to KSU administration. References to "Tent City," the nickname given the area by the proposed site where protesters camped in tents to protest the construction of the new Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER), can be found throughout this correspondence. Also included are the Ohio State Historic Site application, grant proposals and accompanying materials to fund the expansion of the May 4 Collection as well as correspondence from U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH) in support of this objective.
Statement of Arrangement: The UL Records are arranged chronologically within each series.
Series 1: Statements about the Events of May 4, 1970
Series 2: Reports
Series 3: Correspondence
Series 4: Press-Related Materials
Series 5: Newsclippings
Series 6: Grant Proposals
Series 7: Photographs
Series 8: Miscellaneous Materials
Preferred Citation: Finding Aid for the University Libraries May 4 records. Department of Special Collections and Archives. Kent State University Libraries and Media Services.
Related Material: A more extensive collection of UL records is available in University Archives.
Restrictions on Access: A petition and Student Statement are restricted due to private information. Photocopies of the items are available in the collection with the sensitive information omitted.
May 4 Collection -- Box 4
Folder -- Contents
Series 1: Statements about the Events of May 4, 1970
Series 2: Reports
Series 3: Correspondence
Series 4: Press-Related Materials
Series 5: Newsclippings
Series 6: Grant Proposals
Series 7: Photographs
Series 8: Miscellaneous