Franklin Book Programs Records

The Franklin Book Programs Records contain the administrative records of this non-profit, educational organization. The collection contains minutes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, contracts, photographs and other audiovisual material documenting Franklin's twenty-six year existence. The material highlights the complexities of developing, managing and dissolving an organization that hoped to neutralize and overcome the effects of anti-American sentiment in the book publishing and distribution field.The material within the folders is arranged in reverse chronological order unless otherwise noted. Researchers should be aware that Franklin was very inconsistent in regard to the placement of items. Although a particular subject, person, organization, etc. may have its own folder, it is highly recommended researchers check the general correspondence folders as well. Researchers will note in some instances there are A-Z correspondence folders as well as general correspondence folders. General correspondence usually contains internal correspondence, memoranda, etc. between the New York and field offices, while the A-Z folders contain external correspondence. However, at times the internal and external correspondence are combined and the folder is labeled general correspondence. There is also correspondence in Arabic, French, Persian, Spanish and Urdu.Researchers should be aware that Franklin had two distinct sets of records. Duplicate copies of correspondence and cables to and from Franklin's field offices were made. Each was assigned a unique number and filed chronologically, while the duplicate was filed alphabetically by subject. The “chrono files” as Franklin referred to them, included all of the correspondence with the overseas offices during their service. Former executive director, Jack Kyle, admitted to many misfilings by the staff and having to use the chrono files to locate items. These chrono files are located at the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. However, we do have an incomplete index of chronological cable summaries, which are located in Series 2, Subseries 1.