Information Center, 1950-2018
Part of collection: Catalyst Inc. records (2728)
Dates
- Creation: 1950-2018
Historical Note
The Catalyst Information Center provides information services and research support for Catalyst. Founded as the Catalyst Library in 1974 with a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, it initially was open to the public, serving individuals seeking jobs and career information, human-resources professionals and career counselors, and the media, in addition to Catalyst’s own staff. The Library produced bibliographies, position papers, and the first database devoted to women and work. An Audiovisual Center published a monthly review service of multimedia materials and hosted screenings. By 1987, the collection had grown to more than 5,000 volumes, 125 periodical subscriptions, and extensive vertical files. Its name was updated to the Information Center, and its mission was redesigned to support Catalyst staffers as part of the organization’s overall shift from focusing on individual women to effecting broad systemic change in corporate culture. Another modernization effort coincided with Catalyst’s move from Park Avenue South to 120 Wall Street in 1997, focusing on knowledge management tools, automation, technology, and the effective use of space.
Scope and Contents
This series is composed of both administrative files related to the Information Center's management and two vertical files that were once part of its holdings. It is arranged in five subseries: General files, Jan Combopiano papers, Vertical subject files, Company and organization files, and CatNet intranet. See individual subseries for detailed scope and content notes.
Extent
From the Collection: 320 Linear Feet
From the Collection: 46.9 Gigabytes
From the Collection: 104,765 digital_files
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Some portions of the series are subject to a 25-year time seal from the date of creation due to privacy/security reasons. Specific restrictions are noted at the subseries level and in individual file titles.
Related Names
Creator
- From the Collection: Catalyst Inc. (Depositor, Organization)
- From the Collection: Schwartz, Felice N. (Person)
- From the Collection: Wellington, Sheila W. (Person)
- From the Collection: Lang, Ilene H. (1943) (Person)
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository