Accession records for Library collections kept until 1972 by the Order Section of the Technical Services Department and its predecessor departments. From 1877 through 1917, general accessions were recorded in manuscript volumes. In 1918, typed slip accession records were begun and maintained with various numbering systems until 1972, when accession records were merged with order records in a new volume format. Special Collections accessions including Ayer, Greenlee, and Wing were maintained separately in volumes until 1965/66, when they were merged into the general accessioning system. Wing Collection purchases, gifts, and exchanges were also maintained separately on slips from 1933-1965, as were gifts, 1933-1967.

Includes Newberry Library collection accession records from 1877 (2 items), and 1887-1972. Accession records generally list the accession number, author, title, place, publisher, publication date, source, and cost. Later card/slip records may also include the recommending bibliographer's name, the order number and date ordered, the call number, and the booklist number.