Scope and Content Note
Most of the records pertain to KOAC radio, although a few series contain records of KOAC-TV. Series 1 and 2 consist of files of the Oregon State System of Higher Education's Dean and Director of General Extension from 1932-1959. Series 3 consists of annual reports on various aspects of KOAC's activities between 1923 and 1952. Series 4 includes audience surveys and research for both radio and television conducted between 1926 and 1962 and reflect changes in listener interest and programming emphasis.
Series 5 includes radio programs and procedures from 1932 until about 1946. Series 6 contains scripts, manuscripts, outlines and other data pertaining to various radio program series from 1929-1962. Series 7 consists of records, primarily meeting minutes, of the Advisory Council on Radio Policy. Series 8 consists of the records James W. Sherburne, head of the Oregon State System of Higher Education (OSSHE) Division of Continuing Education. These records include materials primarily from 1964-1965 pertaining to KOAC radio and television, interinstitutional television, and other continuing education activities throughout Oregon. Series 9 contains sound recordings made for and of KOAC radio and television programs. Topics include forestry, the McLaren School of Boys, and the Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth. Series 10 contains the radio station's license renewal records from 1933. Series 11 consists of a few records, primarily correspondence and reports, of the Radio Committee for 1940-1956.
An addition to the KOAC Records (Accession 2009:014) is made up of teaching guides generated for KOAC's "School of the Air" radio broadcast programs. Oriented toward elementary school instruction and containing episode summaries, an outline of ideas presented, and suggestions for pre-broadcast/follow-up activities, the subjects covered in these guides include: arts and crafts, astronomy, health, basic science, and Americans of note throughout history. KOAC program guides were also found in this transfer.
A second addition to the KOAC Records (Accession 2009:038) is made up of materials generated and collected by the KOAC radio and TV stations that consist of award certificates/plaques, correspondence, historical outlines, maps, newspaper clippings, notes, policy notebooks, program/operators' logs, press releases, publications, reports, scripts, and a speech. Among the subjects addressed in these records include: radio program development, KOAC radio anniversary observances, coverage of OSU athletic events, the conversion to color TV-coverage, interaction with Oregon Public Broadcasting, and legal action against an Arizona radio station over frequency space. About half of the correspondence is made up of letters of support (originally called fan mail) to the KOAC radio station when faced with budget cuts that threatened it's closure in 1932. The maps outline KOAC broadcasting coverage. Documenting the World War II era, the program logs include details regarding the suspension of radio broadcasting following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
A third addition to the KOAC Records (Accession 2009:043) consists of a bound volume collecting biographical profiles of faculty at Oregon State College, the University of Oregon, Southern Oregon State College, Eastern Oregon State College, and the Oregon Normal School (currently Western Oregon University). Prepared as a series called "Who's Who on the Faculties" for announcement on the KOAC radio station, these profiles contain colorful descriptions of their subjects that include information on their educational backgrounds, hobbies, personalities, and research. Among the 34 OSC faculty featured in these profiles include the followng: George Hyslop, Kate Jameson, Frank Magruder, Lucy Lewis, Edwin Reed, Sara Watt Prentiss, Adolph Ziefle, Paul Maris, and J. L. Fairbanks.
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