Index Set Recordings, (majority within 1960–1965)
88 Open Reel Tapes — 9 Boxes — analog sound recording: open reel, 1/4 in. tape
The Index Set subseries consists of 85 tapes selected by Leo Sarkisian from his overall reference library, organized by country, and annotated with track lists, performer names, and other background information. The contents span the period from approximately 1960 to 1965. The University of Michigan digitized 52 of the Index Set tape recordings. The digital reproductions are included in the Digitized Tape Recordings subseries. The remaining 33 tape recordings have not been digitized. The subseries also includes copies of paper and card-file indexes, a set of reference cards for Hugh Tracy's set of recordings, and recordings of African national anthems on a variety of analog media. Sheets held in a three-ring binder provide track listings.
This set of recordings and reference materials represents a proto-library and reflects Leo's concern for country designations and his use of a wide variety of material, all eventually copied to quarter-inch open reel tape from other formats. This proto-library held his working materials for production of the radio show at its inception. It includes his original field recordings alongside recordings from a variety of sources. Inventory lists provide detailed descriptions of items in this subseries.