Title: Frank del Olmo Collection, 1924-2004
Predominant Dates:1970-1996
ID: URB/FDO
Primary Creator: Olmo, Frank del (1948-2004)
Extent: 78.67 Linear Feet. More info below.
Arrangement:
Series I: Writings of Frank del Olmo, 1968-2004
Subseries A: Reporter’s Notebooks, 1968-2004
Subseries B: Los Angeles Times Newspaper Clippings File, 1970-2003
Series II: Research Files, 1924-2004
Subseries A: Autism, 1994-2004
Subseries B: California & Los Angeles, 1924-2003
Subseries C: Education Issues, 1963-2003
Subseries D: Immigration Issues, 1931-2004
Subseries 1: Working Files on Immigration, 1966-1996
Subseries 2: Subject Files, 1931-2004
Subseries E: International-Latin Affairs, 1938-2003
Subseries 1: Working Files by Country, 1938-2003
Subseries 2: Subject Files 1989-2003
Subseries F: Labor Issues, 1963-2000
Subseries G: People in the News, 1969-2000
Subseries H: Political Issues, 1965-2004
Subseries I: Chronological Files, 1980-2001
Series III: Professional Development, 1972-2004
Subseries A: Charitable and Professional Associations, 1978-2004
Subseries B: The Los Angeles Times, 1972-2004
Subseries 1: del Olmo As Editor, 1994-2004
Subseries 2: Operational Material, 1972-2003
Series IV: Ephemera, 1971-1996
Date Acquired: 01/20/1995
Forms of Material: Audio recordings, Ephemera, Paper records, Photographic material, Publications, Video recordings
Languages: English, Spanish;Castilian
The Frank del Olmo Collection documents the career of columnist and editor Frank del Olmo through his writing, research, and working files. Materials cover the bulk of his career with the Los Angeles Times, from 1970-2004, and document such topics as the Chicano Student Youth Movement and Chicano Moratorium, Discrimination, Drugs and Gang Activity, the Incorporation of East Los Angeles, Education, Human Rights Violations, Illegal Aliens, Immigration Policies, Latinos in American Politics, Mexican Americans/Latinos of Los Angeles, Minorities in the Press, Police Brutality, United Farm Workers Movement, and U.S.-Mexico/Latin American Relations. The collection has been divided into four major series: Writings of Frank del Olmo (1968-2004), Research Files (1924-2004), Professional Development (1972-2004), and Ephemera (1971-1996). Each series has been further subdivided into subseries.
Series I, Writings of Frank del Olmo, includes articles and research written by del Olmo. It has been divided into two subseries: Reporter’s Notebooks (1968-2004), and Los Angeles Times Newspaper Clippings Files (1970-2003). The Reporter’s Notebooks are del Olmo’s notes on topics ranging from Central America to the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the East Los Angeles School Walkouts, and are filed alphabetically by subject. The Los Angeles Times Newspaper Clippings File documents del Olmo’s columns and contains articles as they appeared in the Los Angeles Times. These clippings are filed chronologically.
Series II, Research Files, consists of del Olmo’s research for his articles or editorials. The series has been divided into nine subseries that correlate to broad topics of interest to del Olmo. Autism (1994-2004) documents del Olmo’s efforts to educate himself and his readers on the topic of Autism, and includes information regarding the importance of early diagnosis and the possible links between autism and vaccination. Files consist of correspondence, reports, and clippings, and are filed alphabetically. California & Los Angeles (1924-2003) includes stories written or researched by Mr. del Olmo covering state and local issues. Topics include the history of East Los Angeles, street gangs, and Spanish language media. Materials include correspondence, clippings, court documents, memoranda, story proofs, and reports. The subseries is filed in alphabetical order. Education Issues (1963-2003) consists of materials associated with the education of children, and includes material concerning the Los Angeles Board of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Belmont Learning Complex (renamed the Edward R. Roybal Learning Center). It includes campaign literature, correspondence, clippings, newsletters, and story proofs, and is in alphabetical order.
Immigration Issues (1931-2004), includes reference files covering corruption in the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), border crime, guest worker programs, and immigration legislation and reform movements. Of particular interest are the files related to the INS’s Operation Clean Sweep to combat corruption within the agency. The subseries includes correspondence, court documents, clippings, memoranda, reports, and story proofs, and is filed in alphabetical order. International-Latin Affairs (1938-2003), contains a broad set of documents relating to international and Latin affairs, including material regarding revolutionary human rights movements in Central and South America and Mexico, and a selection of working papers related to the issues of agriculture, economic development, employment, health and human services, international aid, labor migration, and mechanization. It includes correspondence, clippings, memoranda, news releases, reports, and story proofs. It is filed alphabetically. Labor Issues (1963-2000), provides information about numerous issues including agricultural labor, the garment industry in Los Angeles, and the organization of illegal workers. Records also cover del Olmo’s research on Cesar Chavez, the 1960’s Grape Boycott, and the Blue Goose Growers Strike. Materials include correspondence, clippings, court documents, reports, and story proofs. The subseries is filed in alphabetical order.
People in the News (1969-2000), documents the work of important Latino civic and community leaders and other figures that appear in del Olmo’s writing. The subseries includes correspondence, clippings, court documents, newsletters, reports, and story proofs, and is filed alphabetically. Political Issues (1965-2004), documents various political issues relating to the Latino community in the United States, especially in California, New Mexico, and Texas. Major topics covered in this series include insurance reform and water resources in California. It includes campaign literature, correspondence, clippings, press releases, reports, and story proofs, and is filed alphabetically. Chronological Files (1980-2001), consists of del Olmo’s preliminary research for articles or editorials that were under consideration, and primarily includes correspondence and newspaper clippings. This subseries includes material regarding education, Spanish-language television, Latin America, local and national politics, and other topics on which Mr. del Olmo often commentated and is filed chronologically. Where materials were grouped together by topic they remain together and are filed by the most current date.
Series III, Professional Development, documents del Olmo’s involvement with the Los Angeles Times and various professional organizations. The series has been divided into two subseries. Charitable and Professional Associations (1978-2004) documents Frank del Olmo’s association with charitable and professional organizations, including workshops and speeches attended and presented in a professional capacity as well as honors received. Organizations include the California Chicano News Media Association, the Committee to Protect Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Times-Mirror Foundation. The series is arranged alphabetically by association. The Los Angeles Times (1972-2004) documents del Olmo's time as Editor at the Los Angeles Times and includes some operational material. The subseries is arranged alphabetically.
Series IV, Ephemera, consists of press passes and pins from del Olmo's various reporting assignments during his time with the Los Angeles Times. The passes reflect coverage of sports organizations and events, politics, conferences, and the activities of the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Repository: Special Collections & Archives
Alternate Extent Statement: 10.52 GB of Electronic Records
Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research use.
Use Restrictions: Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Acquisition Source: Frank del Olmo
Original/Copies Note: Digital reproductions of selected items in this collection are available electronically as a part of the Latina(o) Cultural Heritage Archives project. For more information please see https://digital-library.csun.edu/.
Related Materials:
Daily News Morgue Files of the Bustop Campaign Collection
Cliff Fridkis Legal Files of the Bustop Campaign Collection
Preferred Citation: For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.
Processing Information: Yadhira V. Contreras, 1996
Finding Aid Revision History:
Carol T. Gallegos, 2005
April Feldman, 2012
Other Note: This collection was processed under a U.S. Department of Education Title V Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Grant, and with generous support from the Tom W. Reilly estate.
