The Friends of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library at the University of Montana was founded in 1960. From its beginning, it played a vital role in bolstering the university’s tight library budget by purchasing books and other materials that the library could not otherwise afford. It also solicited manuscripts and photographs for the Archives and funded the training of the first Archivist. The group engaged in fund-raising activities that included a spring banquet during National Library Week, a football game, sales of cards and posters, and a used-book sale. Board members have included members of the Missoula community, faculty and their spouses, the Dean of Library Services, and archivists. The Friends group was dissolved in 2009.
The collection contains materials related to the activities of the University of Montana's Friends of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library (F.O.L.). Series I, Administrative Records, contains administrative documents, including meeting minutes, agendas, committees, by-laws and board member lists. Series II, Correspondence, contains the correspondence of the organization. Series III, Fundraising and Events, contains fundraising project records and material relating to special events. Included are pamphlets related to donations and the goals of the F.O.L., award and contest information, records of donations and contributions, mailing lists, and materials related to the Annual Spring Banquet given by F.O.L. Also included in this series are two videos. One video was shown at the dedication of the Archives workroom to Claire and Leo Rhein and memorializes the life of long-time library volunteer and F.O.L. member, Claire Rhein. The other features the 2003 Friends of the Mansfield Library Spring Banquet. Series IV, Financial Records, contains financial records, including invoices, budget proposals, cash reports, and annual reports. Series V, Miscellaneous, contains a written history of the organization, clippings and articles concerning F.O.L. in local and university papers and magazines, University of Montana news releases concerning the organization, three photographs, and the unbound proofs of Tom Haines’ Flouring Mills of Montana Territory.
The collection is divided into five series:
Series I: Administrative Records, 0.5 linear feet, 1960-2005
Series II: Correspondence, 0.5 linear feet, 1959-2004
Series III: Fundraising and Events, 0.5 linear feet, 1960-2004
Series IV: Financial Records, 0.5 linear feet, 1970-2002
Series V: Miscellaneous, 0.5 linear feet, 1960-2003
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana-Missoula.
Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyrights in some portions of this collection are held by The University of Montana.
[Name of document or photograph number], Friends of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.
The chain of ownership of most materials in this collection is directly from Friends member or Library employee to the Archives.
This collection was donated in seven parts. Unknown individuals donated about half of the collection prior to the founding of the Archives. Friends of the Mansfield Library members or Mansfield Library staff members have given the more recent donations to the Archives during the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Numerous accessions of materials were combined and reorganized to create this collection. Several accessions were well organized in folders. This original arrangement was maintained for portions of the collection and used to define unorganized accessions. The creator’s original folder descriptions and arrangement were maintained wherever possible.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.