John H. Rebenack Collection
Reference Code:
Repository: University of Akron Archival Services
Title: John H. Rebenack Collection
Dates: 1967-1985
Extent: 0.5 cubic foot
Creator: John H. Rebenack
Language: English
Access: Collection is open for research.
Finding Aid prepared by: Archival Services Staff
Related Material: Robert Rusell Munn Collection
Biographical History:
John H. Rebenack was born in 1918 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. He completed his library science degree in 1947 and after graduation continued to work at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where he had worked while pursuing his degree. In 1950 he accepted the position of Librarian at the Salem (Ohio) Public Library. Then, in 1953, he became Librarian at the Elyria (Ohio) Public Library. It was in 1957 that he came to the Akron Public Library as an assistant to the head librarian, R. Russell Munn. He aided Munn with the development of the new main library, including designing the arrangement of the collections in the new building. After Munn's retirement in 1967, he became director of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. It was at this time that a correspondence between the two men began.
Soon after Rebenack became director, he learned that there would be a budget shortfall, because tax collection had been overestimated. The result was cutbacks, with student pages laid off and the new building closed during the last week of 1969. The financial crisis passed, and Rebenack set about expanding the library system. He oversaw the opening of two new branches and the building of new structures for three branches. He retired from the Akron-Summit County Public Library in 1980.
Rebenack was involved in the broader library community as well. He served on ALA committees, as President of Ohio Library Association in 1966, and in 1979 he was named the Ohio Library Association "Librarian of the Year."
Source: Hawk, Stephen. "John H. Rebenack." Ohio Library Association Bulletin 54(April 1984): 28-33.
Scope and Content:
The collection contains copies of the letters that John Rebenack sent to R. Russell Munn and the letters that Munn wrote in reply to Rebenack, along with an occasional letter from someone else. The correspondence begins in 1967, when Munn retired as head librarian of the Akron-Summit County Public Library and Rebenack assumed that position. Munn had spearheaded the effort to build a new main library in Akron, and through his letters, Rebenack kept Munn informed about the main library project. Rebenack and Munn also discussed other library matters, such as personnel changes and concerns about library funding. The letters also contain information about the personal lives of the writers. The Rebenack collection contains the correspondence between the two men through 1985.
The collection does not contain copies of items, such as photographs and newspaper clippings, that Rebenack sent to Munn. Many of these items can, however, be found in the related collection of R. Russell Munn. The Munn collection also contains letters from Rebenack for the years 1986-1995, which are not in the Rebenack collection, but there are no copies of Munn's replies.
Arrangement:
There is only one series in the Rebenack collection: Correspondence (Series A.) The collection would be of use for research relating to the lives of John Rebenack or R. Russell Munn or their families from 1967-85. It would also be of value to those interested in the history of the Akron-Summit County Public Library during that time period. It is especially rich with information about the construction of the new main library building. As well, the two men sometimes discuss Akron politics in their letters. Munn's letters also contain observations about the librarianship class he taught at the University of Arizona School of Library and Information Science, and he occasionally mentions the affairs of the Tucson Public Library.
Container List:
SERIES A - CORRESPONDENCE
Box 1
Folder
1. 1967-68
2. 1969
3. 1970
4. 1971
5. 1972
6. 1973
7. 1974
8. 1975-76
9. 1977-78
10. 1979
11. 1980
12. 1981
13. 1982
14. 1983
15. 1984
16. 1985