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OBIS Catalog

OBIS provides access to print and digital books, databases, audiovisual materials, journals, and course reserves. It is the best place to look up books, recordings, journals, and films by title to determine if you can access an item through Oberlin. To see if Oberlin has access to an individual article, use the journal list. OBIS makes it easier to search by subject heading than Summon does, but it does not index the full-text of any books.

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The Upton Sinclair Collection was the personal collection of Ben Olin (1886-1969) who was Sinclair's lifelong friend and private secretary for many years. It includes about 90 published items by and about Upton Sinclair, including many autographed presentation copies of first editions.

Special Collections is also in possession of a small collection of nine letters and postcards, mostly addressed to Ben and Martha Olin. Other contents are photos and ephemera related to Sinclair's bid for Governor, publicity and book reviews, and the program from a tribute banquet for Sinclair.

Ben Olin met Upton Sinclair in 1912 and became Sinclair's secretary in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1913. He later moved with Sinclair to Pasadena where he continued as Sinclair's secretary for several years. The two friends kept in contact until Sinclair's death.

This collection was a given to Oberlin College Library in 1991 by Janet Olin Gest (Ben Olin's daughter) and Howard Gest, the parents of Ted Gest OC '68 and Don Gest OC '74.

Upton Sinclair

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Course Guides ? Course Guides are organized collections of resources created for the research and information needs of students in specific courses. Research strategies and library services are also included.

Source Type Guides ? Oberlin College librarians have identified the best platforms for finding resources by source type, including newspapers, magazines, dissertations and theses, books, music, primary sources, and more. Some guides also provide search tips and techniques.

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The Upton Sinclair Collection of Ben Olin