Joe Walker Kraus University Librarian (Dean) Papers, 1966-1982 | Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives at Illinois State University

The Joe Walker Kraus University Librarian (Dean) Papers is arranged into two series by material type. The first series holds documents related to the governance of the library. The second series contains correspondence and memorandum about the administration and daily functions of the library.

The Joe Walker Kraus University Librarian (Dean) Papers holds the materials pertaining to Kraus's tenure as the fourth University Librarian at Illinois State University. The papers include library governance documents, correspondence, and memorandum.

Kraus, Joe Walker (1917-2010)

Joe Walker Kraus was born August 31st, 1917 in Scotland County, Missouri. Kraus attended Culver-Stockton College and later earned his BS and MA in library science from the University of Illinois. Kraus earned his PhD in library science from the University of Illinois in 1960. Kraus married his first wife, Betsy in 1941 and soon after enlisted in the Air Force in 1942. Kraus worked in the signal corps and served for four years until he discharged as a captain in 1946. After he left military service, Kraus served in a number of librarian positions until he became the Director of Libraries at Kansas State University in 1962. Kraus was hired in 1966 by ninth president Dr. Robert Bone to replace the third University Librarian, Robert Hertel who had died unexpectedly the prior year. Throughout his career, Kraus was an avid writer and scholar of the history of books having written two books and several articles on the subject. During his tenure at Milner Library, Kraus saw the expansion of library collections, increased staff numbers, and saw the introduction of computers and technology into library services. One of the biggest milestones of Kraus's tenure was the development and construction of a new library facility in the 1970s and the move of the library from its home in what was subsequently known as Williams Hall. Kraus retired in 1982 and traveled extensively with his family. After the death of his first wife in 1994, Kraus married Florence Welch in 1995.  Kraus died on July 6th, 2010 at the age of 92. Author: April Karlene Anderson

Illinois State University - Faculty.
Illinois State University. Milner Library - Management.
Illinois State University at Normal - Faculty.
Illinois State University at Normal. Milner Library - Management.
Kraus, Joe Walker, 1917-2010
Kraus, Joe Walker, 1917-2010 - Correspondence.