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University Archives Vertical Files

The University Archives’ vertical files were begun in the early 1940s by the librarians working in the Penn State Room (which later became the University Archives). The librarians utilized a system created by the public relations office to manage news reports about the University – a clippings service. The clippings had to relate directly to Penn State in some manner and were extracted from local, national and international news and magazine sources as necessary. The clippings were divided into categories (delineated below) and filed in vertical file cabinets (hence their name). Over the years, the vertical files grew to include all manner of publications: flyers, newsletters, brochures, journal articles, and single item manuscripts. These resources provide ready reference about Penn State.

General and Biographical vertical files have continued to grow over the years, as documents were shared by public Information offices across campus as well as from individual donors. Photographic vertical files were specifically compiled from archival transfers of photographs from the Office of Public Information, the Daily Collegian, the LaVie yearbook, research publications, individual colleges and departments, and staff photographers. University Archives personnel were also engaged in actively expanding vertical files up until 2019 when additions to vertical files ceased altogether.

The vertical files do not always provide comprehensive coverage of their topics, and vary in their quantity and depth of information.

General Vertical Files

The GVFs document Penn State departments, events, buildings, and activities through a series of sub-groups such as Physical Plant, Student Activities, Administration, Athletics, etc. The folders contain press clippings, flyers, newsletters, reports, and single item documentation for ready access.

Academics and Research
Administration
Athletics
Commonwealth Education System
Events
Faculty and Staff
Physical Plant
Research
Students
Town and Environs
Transportation and Communication

Photographic Vertical Files

The PVFs contain over 500,000 individual images, including negatives and prints. Copyright and access use permissions for the photos in PVFs are, with very minor exceptions, held by the University. A sub-group of PVFs was created for individual portraits. The Portrait vertical files contain photos of faculty, administrators, alumni and famous visitors.

Academics and Research
Administration
Arts
Athletics
Commonwealth Education System
Events
Physical Plant
Students
Town and Environs
Transportation and Communication
Presidents
Portraits

Biographical Vertical Files

The BVFs contain information about Penn State faculty, administrators, famous alumni and renowned visitors. These files contain news clippings, journal articles, curriculum vitae, and individual notices of publications and honors.

Biographical Vertical Files

Related Resources

Efforts have been undertaken to digitize and make available via websites selections from the PVFs:

Many of the clippings in GVFs and BVFs come from publications that are held by the University Libraries (including University Archives), and in some cases may be available online.