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Finding Aid

Mary Gillham Papers, 1927 to 1972

UM-48

Size: 3 linear feet

Provenance: Mary Gillham, 1969

Access: Open

Related Collections:  

Processing Note: Formerly, the series “Board of Directors Materials” was part of collection MSS-029. The collection has been vacated and merged with UM 48.

Condition: Good

Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns.  Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code.  The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections may reserve the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.

Completed by: Karen D. Adinolfi, November 12, 1991; Paul M. Gifford, September, 1986; Savannah Xaver, February 18, 2016

Biographical Sketch

Mary Mewborn Gillham was born Mary Laura Mewborn in Atlanta, Georgia on July 12, 1899, the daughter of Clarence Edwin Mewborn and Sallie Ather (Matthews) Mewborn. She eventually moved to Toledo, graduating from Scott High School in 1919. She went on to further her education at the University of Toledo, earning a B.A. (1927) and an M.A. (1931) both in English Literature. Mary also earned a B.A. in Library Science at the University of Michigan in 1941 and completed some graduate work in the field.

Mary’s association with the University of Toledo Library began in September of 1921 when she became the Assistant Librarian. She held this position until January of 1922 when she was appointed University Librarian, a post she held until her retirement on June 13th, 1969. She was the founder, chairman, and advisor of the Department of Library Science since its inception in 1933. She became professor emerita on June 13, 1969.

Many social and community activities have received her participation. Included in these are the Samagama Club, Toledo Municipal League, the Zonta Club of Toledo, the American Association of University Women, Alpha Omicron Pi Alumni Chapter, the American Pharmaceutical Association, Advertising Research Foundation, Inc., the Toledo Museum of Art, the University Women’s Club, the Toledo Orchestra, Study of Peace, the WPA, the Tower Club, the Toledo Dental Society, and the Women’s Auxiliary.

Mary had the honor of being elected to membership in several honorary societies. She was a member of the UT Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma (Education), and Beta Phi Mu (Library Science). She received many awards such as “Two Thousand Women of Achievement”, the Chi Omega “Outstanding Woman of the Toledo Area”, and the Delta Kappa Gamma “Outstanding Woman of the Toledo Area”.

Her service to the University and to the community comprised of much community work. Committees such as the Phillip Nash Memorial Committee, the Ohio Sesquicentennial Commission, the Inauguration of Wilbur W. White, John Doermann, Philip Nash, and Asa Knowles, the Committee on India, the Library Building Committee (Chairman), the Library Addition Committee (Chairman), the Book Drive Committee (Chairman), the Administrative Committee, the Academic Policy Committee, the Endowment Drive (Chairman), the ComTech Library Committee, the ComTech Library Technology Program Committee, and the Alumni War Memorial Committee.

Mary is listed in numerous directories such as “Foremost Women in Communications”, “Directory of International Biography”, “Women of Ohio”, “National Social Directory”, “Who’s Who in America”, “Who’s Who in Library Science”, “Who’s Who of American Women”, “Famous Women of America”, “Who’s Who in the Midwest”, “American Scholars”, “Who’s Who in American Education”, and “Leaders in Education”.

Mary was married to Dr. Richard E. Gillham, D.D.S. on May 27, 1922 and died on February 17, 1986. The former University Library that she was so instrumental in helping to build is now named Gilham Hall in her honor and her portrait hangs on the third floor.

Scope and Content Note

Series One, which comprises approximately half of the collection, contains personal memorabilia of Mary Gillham. Included are numerous records of her accomplishments, such as certificates from Alpha Omicron Pi, Beta Phi Mu, Delta Kappa Gamma, and Phi Kappa Phi. Also included are photographs from the Library’s 50th Anniversary celebration and other documentation of Mary Gillham’s involvement at the University.  Series One is arranged alphabetically and chronologically, as much as was possible. Oversized and framed items were separated from the rest of the collection and placed in appropriate housing.

Series Two documents the years that Mary served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Toledo Municipal League. With few exceptions, the type of material is the same as that received by other Board members and consists of a long, however incomplete, run of minutes and agendas of Board meetings; memoranda from the Executive Secretary and President to Board members; minutes of the meetings of various committees; research reports, both unreleased and published; and newsletters. The only unique items are a few letters to Mrs. Gillham from the Board of Directors’ Executive Secretary and President. Researchers interested in the Toledo Municipal Services and their administration and financing from 1955 to 1969 will find value in the documents contained herein.

Series Two is arranged in order of importance or chronologically, when appropriate.

Series List

Folder List