The papers of Betty Lind provide a brief overview of Lind's career at Oberlin College and her life following her retirement.

The files pertaining to her time at Oberlin reflect her determined efforts to establish modern dance as an art form. Lind's attempts to incorporate modern dance into the Theater Arts department are also demonstrated in this collection, both by proposals and by the numerous productions she staged with The Modern Dance Club.

Lind's own career as a dancer/choreographer is particularly illustrated by the numerous photographs in the collection. Many of her essays on dance reveal a deep love for her work and a continued interest in modern dance up until her death.

In addition, Lind's hobby of creative writing is well represented, including thirteen original short stories.

Lind's papers reveal a deep appreciation for her students, and Lind's close friendship with former student Lolo Beckwith, Class of 1971, is continually apparent throughout the collection.

The collection is divided into eight series, I. Correspondence, II. Materials Related to Modern Dance at Oberlin, III. Student Papers, IV. Miscellaneous, V. Notebooks, VI. Performances, VII. Writings, VIII. Photographs.

Series I. Correspondence, 1966, 1972-75, 1977-81, 1983-86, n.d.

The correspondence consists of letters (incoming and outgoing) between Betty Lind and members of the Oberlin College faculty and staff. The bulk of the letters are between Lind and Dean Robert M. Longsworth.

Series II. Materials Related To Modern Dance at Oberlin, 1959, 1963-64, 1968-69, 1973-74, n.d.

The Materials Related to Modern Dance at Oberlin includes notes and notebooks, course syllabi, class bibliographies and other materials related to the classes taught by Betty Lind. In addition there are several proposal papers regarding the recognition of modern dance as an art form and requests for its inclusion in the Theater Arts department.

Series III. Student papers, 1959, 1963-66

Included in this series are materials related to Betty Lind’s graduate studies at UCLA. The materials include her M.A. Thesis from 1966, entitled ‘The Phenomenon of Choreography by “Chance,”’ a notebook with her class notes, and a dance chart for Toccata, and miscellaneous papers including articles, various notes and papers written by Lind, and a Blue Book exam.

Series IV. Miscellaneous, 1955-57, 1973-74, 1980-90, n.d.

This series consists of exhibition and performance materials collected by Betty Lind between the years of 1980 and 1990. Among the reoccurring names are Zeke Berman and Lolo Beckwith. The other materials relate solely to Lolo Beckwith, including programs and reviews. Printed matter collected by Betty Lind includes the words and music to the song I Want To Be Alone, a playbill for Lettice & Lovage, and a pamphlet distributed by the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies. Finally, the series consists of critical comments by others on Lind's work in modern dance. The fifth folder is comprised of critical comments by others on Lind's work in modern dance.

Series V. Notebooks, 1952, 1954, 1962, 1966-69, 1973-74, 1977, n.d.

The seven notebooks that comprise this series contain handwritten notes and writings by Betty Lind. The contents range from notes taken for classes, addresses, writings and prayers, and measurements for costumes.

Series VI. Performances, 1959, 1964-70, 1973-74, 1977, 1979, n.d.

This series contains individual folders for thirteen performances given or directed by Betty Lind. All but two of the performances were given during Lind's time at Oberlin. The materials include notes, programs and clippings. See the inventory for the complete listing of the performances, which are arranged chronologically.

Series VII. Writings, 1960, 1962-64, 1966, 1969-71, 1974-75, 1977-83, 1985, 1987-90, n.d.

This series is divided into two subseries. The first is comprised of writings by Betty Lind, including thirteen short stories, primarily about middle-aged female dancers, a lecture, writings regarding dance and several other papers. Materials include drafts of the stories, comments from others, and notes from various magazines and journals. The second subseries is comprised of writings by others collected by Betty Lind. It includes writings by Lolo Beckwith, clippings, and miscellaneous papers. A paper entitled “John Cage and Music By “Chance,”’ written by Betty Lind is also found in this folder, which is arranged chronologically.

Series VIII. Photographs, 1971, n.d.

The photographs consist of portraits of Betty Lind, including some taken for a performance of Burlesca. Other photographs include those taken by Lind at the Cloisters in New York, assorted photographs of unidentified people, and a series of pictures taken by Marian Hunter for Dance Is: Many Things, a performance Lind initially choreographed while at Oberlin.

Brian K. Hansen Papers (30/75), Student Life: Musical and Dramatic Organizations (19/3/3), The Records of The Theater and Dance Program (9/19)