Reference correspondence has been answered within the Rare Book Room and Special Collections Department and Section since the 1930's. Under Librarians Poole, Cheney, Carlton, and Utley, rare book reference inquiries were routed to the Librarian for reply, although initial research was often conducted by staff members. In the 1930's, when Gertrude Loop Woodward became head of the Rare Book Room, reference letters and requests were also handled within the Department. Since the Special Collections Department was established in 1963, correspondence has been fielded by department and section staff members.

Includes incoming and outgoing reference correspondence for all Special Collections materials except Ayer, Wing, maps, and manuscripts.

For reference correspondence prior to 1933, see the papers of Librarians Poole through Utley, Record Groups 03/01 through 03/04.