Unveiling Archival Narratives: Clemons’ Papers and the Missionary University of Nanking

This proposal explores archival materials related to William Harry Clemons and the University of Nanking, highlighting their historical significance in documenting the university’s development following the 1927 Nanking Incident. Clemons, who left China amid political upheaval, remained personally engaged with the university’s library while serving as the 10th University Librarian at the University of Virginia. His enduring connection is reflected in over 100 letters exchanged with colleagues and students at the University of Nanking over two decades. Beyond Clemons’ correspondence, the collection contains a wealth of primary sources, including meeting minutes from the university’s Board of Managers, Executive Finance Committee records, circular letters to university stakeholders, statements addressing the impact of the 1927 Nanking Incident, and library-specific materials. Housed in UVA Library’s Special Collections, these materials offer valuable insights into library history and institutional memory during a period of transformation. Despite their historical value, however, they remain underutilized.This study employs a combined approach of discoverability and access analysis alongside archival research to assess both the scholarly significance of the Clemons Papers and the factors contributing to their limited use. It aims to illuminate their relevance to research on the development of academic libraries and missionary universities in early 20th-century China while exploring strategies to enhance their accessibility and visibility, including opportunities for collaboration and preservation. Given the University of Nanking’s legacy as a predecessor to modern Nanjing University, a potential partnership could involve digitizing these archival materials to make them more widely available. Similar initiatives in cross-institutional archival collaboration—such as digitization projects between U.S. and Chinese universities—could serve as models for integrating these materials into broader library history scholarship.This project aligns with one of the conference subthemes: Cultural Empowerment in Library Development by examining how unique archival resources contribute to scholarly research and international collaboration. By enhancing the accessibility of underutilized materials related to the University of Nanking, this study underscores the role of archives in preserving institutional memory and facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange. It highlights the potential of special collections to empower libraries through resource development, digital access initiatives, and partnerships between U.S. and Chinese institutions, ultimately strengthening global research networks and fostering deeper cultural understanding.