Handwriting Analysis Research Library

As a repository of informational materials, maintain and preserve growing collections supplemented by collateral finding aids, available under specific rules for their use.

In all ethical and legal ways, help others by providing information pertinent to their inquiries, researches or studies - The purposes of HARL.

In August, several emails were exchanged through the Vanguard Forum Online discussion list regarding HARL. Bonnie Nugent, a dear and valuable friend to the Library, brought to our attention the need for a larger building to house this amazing collection and suggested that interested parties make donations. This request unleashed a flood of responses, with some members asking pointed questions about the status of the Library and how donations might be used. Others wanted to know about the board of trustees and what would happen to the collection in the future.

The purpose of this article is to provide some background information about HARL and its goals. The information was provided by Robert Backman, Curator of the Library, and will be presented as a series of questions and answers.

How did HARL begin?

The collection originated in Spokane, Washington in 1937, with a search of used bookstores for books, article, journals and periodicals, which were catalogued and integrated into the collection. By 1941, the Library had amassed 11,000 items. Five years later, after a move to Clinton, New York, the collection had grown to more than 13,000 unique items. Another move came in 1949 to New Hartford, New York, by which time more than 17,500 items had been collected. Visitors came in a steady stream, having heard of the collection by word of mouth. This private collection was made available at no charge, and reference help was given, too. Visitors were asked simply to donate duplicate or unwanted materials, or to lend items that could be copied. It was not until the collection had been in existence for some fourteen years that it took the name Handwriting Analysis Research Library. An inventory was taken in November, 1963, and more than 25,000 items were listed.

Why was HARL turned over to a Board of Trustees?

In January 1964, Kathleen Dunn and Elizabeth St. Clair began to discuss the need for an independent graphological library. Other graphologists joined the debate, including Rudolph Hearns, Felix Kelin, Anna Aab, Edward O'Neill, Nadya Olyanova, and Stanley Vidinghoff. The discussions continued until July, when Backman agreed to formally organize the Library. He agreed to place the library on a custodial loan basis. This meant Title would remain with him until a Board of Trustees had been suitably organized and trained, with written polices to ensure the proper running of the library, including the following:

The Trustees would

In August, 1964, Anna Aab, Kathleen Dunn and Elizabeth St. Clair were appointed as trustees, with Dunn ast Director. To avoid a conflict of interest, at Robert Backman's own request, he was not elected a Trustee, but was appointed Research Consultant, to advise Trustees, help manage library activities, and be their resource person. After all, no one was more familiar with the holdings than Backman. The Trustees and Research Consultant were elected for life and would serve without pay. A Co-director was elected for ten years, and other Trustees for five years. Thus, in August, 1965, Robert Backman sold his entire collection, including card files, card catalog, equipment, supplies and duplicates to Trustees as a fiduciary body for one dollar. The collection was moved to Dunn's home in Passaic, New Jersey, and set up in a large room.

To help support HARL until it became self-supporting, Backman sold his personal stock of stamps to the Trustees for one dollar, and ceased dealing in stamps to avoid a conflict of interest. He advised the Trustees on best disposition of this stock over a period of time.

By 1966 it was clear that a permanent home was needed for HARL, and a fund was established by contributed half of fees for services, proceeds from sales of duplicates, fees for copies, and half the proceeds from stamp sales.

Is HARL incorporated?

Since 1967, HARL has been a non-profit educational and research corporation. It's primary emphasis would be on the academic community, with the graphological community coming second. In 1969, HARL was incorporated in the state of New York.

When did the Library move to Massachusetts?

The library moved to Northfield, Massachusetts in March, 1970, with collecting activities continuing. The graphological library of Annette Pine was donated, along with a $6,300 bequest. The money was put into the fund to purchase a permanent home for the collection. From 1971-1977, 47 large cartons of graphological items were accumulated from libraries and second-hand bookstores in Massachusetts. In February 1977, an apartment in Greenfield was selected because of its proximity to a university, seven colleges and seven community colleges. When the 184-hour inventory was taken, more than 70,000 items were counted. Steel shelving and other furnishings were donated and installed by friends.

What is in the Collection?

Twenty-six thousand items, not counting catalog cards, handwriting specimens, or duplicate items, including abstracts, annotations, articles, bibliographies, books, bulletins, catalogs, clippings, dissertations, excerpts, handbooks, house organs, journals, manuals, monographs, newsletters, notebooks, pamphlets, reports, research or other special studies, theses, translations, correspondence and other collateral materials.

Why is HARL not a lending library?

Acceding to many demands to borrow materials, Curator Backman gave in on five occasions. Four of the five borrowers never returned the items. Therefore, he instituted a no loan policy, although he continued to allow visitors to use the collection in his private home. The cost to search for and purchase items amounted to about $30,000 in the first 27 years, besides the hundreds of hours spent on cataloguing and arranging the items.

What is the current goal of HARL?

To continue enlarging our reference collections and see more such libraries established in other parts of North America. A network of cooperating graphological would be able to make available a catalog to facilitate interlibrary loans.

Is HARL a public library?

No, HARL is a self-supporting, nonprofit, private research library that is not supported by taxes or public monies, nor does it receive Federal or State grants. It maintains its neutrality by avoiding membership in any of the graphological organizations and schools, providing help to all who request it.

What about master's theses?

Since 1954, Robert Backman has helped master's and doctoral candidates when their topics were related to handwriting and graphology.

Who are the Trustees?

In 1974 Anna Aab was re-elected for five years and Hilda Halpern was elected for five years. In 1975, with the expiration of the Trustee terms of the Packards and Elizabeth St. Clair, it was voted to abolish the office of Director and Co-Director, and to elect the Managing director as Curator for life. Trustee Grossberg passed away in 1976. Joanne Garland and Roberta Anne Critchlow were elected Trustees in 1980. Trustee Critchlow passed away in 1990.

When Miss Dunn passed away in August, 1969, an emergency meeting of the Trustees was held and Phyllis Grossberg, Fred Packard and Jean Packard were elected Trustees. One week later, HARL moved into temporary quarters in New York City and the collection was inventories. 41,000 items were counted. Shortly thereafter, Backman was appointed Managing Director, and the position of Research Consultant was discontinued. At this meeting, Backman donated all of his personal graphological notebooks and studies, filling twelve linear feet of shelf space.

How long has HARL been self-supporting?

Since May of 1978, the Library has been self-supporting, with the Curator repaying the loan made in 1973. In 1980, the Trustees spent $25,000 on a real estate purchase and set up the Graphological realty Trust, with HARL as its sole beneficiary. The Trust is self-supporting from rent income. HARL occupies the three largest rooms on the main floor, and the upstairs apartment is leased. Rental income pays the expenses of the Trust: heat, insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes and utilities. In lieu of interest on funds advanced to HARL, it pays no rent for space, heating or utilities. The collection and furnishings were moved to Washington Street. It took ten days to unpack and set up everything, with 165 linear feet of steel shelving with room for expansion to 200 feet.

Occasional weekend seminars and workshops were conducted by the Cuartor on the premises.

What safeguards are there?

Fiberglass curtains are on the windows and three Class A-B-C fire extinguishers are in the room occupied by the collection.

How is the holding segmented?

Rather than a single alphabetical sequence of authors, the entire holding was divided into four collections. It took five months of daily effort to accomplish this feat:

What is the Library's present status?

HARL is the first self-supporting non-profit graphological library in America. There are now 184 linear feet of materials and the holding has grown to over 90,000 items, including 34 private collections that have been donated since 1988. More than 3450 persons have donated or loaned items. One of these was the library of the late Jennya Boyadjieff of Mexico City, whose collection was rich in Spanish language materials.

What kinds of problems does HARL face?

The library requires about $25.09/day, every day to operate. This may not sound like much, but with rising prices and insufficient income, the financial future of HARL is in question. The Curator and Trustees continue to serve without pay, and they need help. They request anyone who is interested to give, lend or exchange articles, clippings, journal, notebooks, scrapbooks, etc. The Library also has several publications available for sale.

How does one access the library?

Any serious user over 18 may use reference materials in the reading room. Tape recorders are allowed. All users must sign a Reader Application form and are asked to donate $10.00. The library is open 10-5 Monday through Friday (legal holidays excepted). Those who travel more than 70 miles one way may arrange with the Curator for evening or weekend hours. Inquiries should be made by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail requests not accompanied by a SASE will not be answered. The telephone number is (413) 774-4667.

Direct inquires to:

Curator, HARL 91 Washington Street, Greenfield, MA 01301-3411.