About this Book

This collection includes materials about William Eaton Foster as well as the history of the Providence Public Library. The bulk of the collection contains his personal and professional papers during his tenure as Librarian at the Providence Public Library. Included as manuscripts of speeches and addresses, books and articles as well as published work. Also included is personal and professional correspondence with Foster's peers and professional associates with the bulk of letters being to Mr. Clarence Sherman, Associate Librarian at the Providence Public Library, while Foster was on vacation. Other correspondence concerns Foster's publications and other literary works as well as Foster's anniversaries, retirements, memorials and estate matters. Library historians may want to note that Foster was personally acquainted with the earliest members of the American Library Association and this collection includes personal letters written to Foster from R.R. Bowker. Materials created after Foster's death, including acknowledgments and honors for his work, are also included.