Silicon Valley Information Center Collection, 1986-1993

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Summary

Creators:
San José Public Library
Abstract:
The Silicon Valley Information Center (SVIC) collection contains documents and resources which chronicle the birth, development and impact of the high technology industries of Silicon Valley as well as resources for historical and environmental research of these industries such as newsclippings. It also contains materials contributed by local companies such as annual reports, newsletters, product brochures, and other material. For a complete listing of all of the companies contained in the collection you can search the California Room's index which is available online. You can follow the link below.
Index of Silicon Valley Information Center Collection
Extent:
713 boxes 24 oversized boxes 34 file drawers of newsclippings 260 linear feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Silicon Valley Information Center Collection, California Room, San José Public Library

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of materials compiled by the San José Public Library which document the creation and developing culture of the high tech industry in the Silicon Valley from 1986 through 1993. There are several companies represented in the collection outside of the San Francisco Bay area some of which are located in southern California and some in other states. Over 600 companies are represented in this collection and there are also separate news clippings files related to many of these companies. The collection was, at the time, a global technology reference service as well as serving the needs of job seekers, students, employees doing company projects, specialized researchers and other libraries. The collection contains press releases, prospectuses, backgrounders, annual and quarterly reports, photographs, speeches, company periodicals, product literature, and other printed matter.

Biographical / historical:

The Silicon Valley Information Center (SVIC) was a special collection established at the San José Main Public Library which collected materials and provided services from 1986 until 1993 when budgetary constraints forced its closure.

Created in response to ever increasing demands on the public library for information concerning Silicon Valley-related issues, SVIC was the first centralized public facility to chronicle the birth, development and impact of the high technology industries of Silicon Valley. It contained historical archives and provided information resources (current at the time) on many of the valley’s high tech companies which were not indexed elsewhere.

Local companies contributed material to develop a corporate archival collection of annual reports, newsletters, product brochures, and other material. Until 1993, when budget limitations forced its closure, the SVIC collection provided resources for historical and environmental research, technological study, product marketing and employment searches. In 1988 nearly 9000 patrons (mostly job-seekers and individuals in the service industry who where researching potential clients) visited the SVIC. The collection was funded by a series of grants written by Mike Ferrero and Virginia Carpio, of the San José Public Library. The grants provided monies for the original needs assessment surveys as well as for the later services and materials provided by the center. Following the departure of Mike Ferrero and Virginia Carpio from the center, Patricia Curia and Wynne Dobyns continued to develop and manage the collection until its closure.

Acquisition information:
This collection was created and collected by the San José Main Public Library and operated as a special collection from 1986 until 1993 when budgetary constraints forced its closure.
Custodial history:

This collection has been in the custody of the San José Public Library.

Processing information:

Guide prepared by Diana Kohnke. Guide encoded by Diana Kohnke, 2009.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series: Series I: Newsclippings; Series II: Corporations.

Physical location:

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Although San José Public Library's California Room does physcially own all archival materials in its possession, it does not necessarily own the intellectual property rights (copyright) associated with all items (Title 17, Chapter 2, Section 202, "Ownership of copyright as distinct from ownership of material object). Publishing materials from our holdings requires written permission from the San José Public Library, along with proper credit given to our institution. For permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Lead Librarian of the California Room. Users may reproduce materials for teaching, research, and private study in accordance with fair use on the condition that they give proper credit to the California Room, San José Public Library.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Silicon Valley Information Center Collection, California Room, San José Public Library

Location of this collection:
150 East San Fernando Street
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 808-2167
cal.sjpl@sjlibrary.org
Website