The papers of Newell L. Sims document his days as a college student, and his career as a teacher and author in the fields of Sociology and Political Science. A small amount of material in one notebook, 1902-1905, contains information concerning his service as a minister. Also included is a modest amount of biographical information and correspondence.

The bulk of the collection includes notebooks relating to class notes of courses taken by Sims, schedules and appointments, notes for lectures given by Sims, and lists of baptisms, funerals and other ministerial services performed by Sims. The collection also contains writings of Newell Sims relating to social change, the democratic process, race, and a study of the standard of living in Oberlin, Ohio exclusive of Oberlin College (1931).

The collection is divided into four series: 1. Biographical File, 2. Correspondence, 3. Grade Books and Notebooks, and 4. Writings by Newell L. Sims.

Series 1. Biographical File, 1925, 1932, 1940, 1965 (1 folder)

Consists of a memorial minute of Newell L. Sims written by George E. Simpson for the Oberlin Alumni Magazine, December 1965 (published version and manuscript), and copies of newspapers articles concerning the activities of Newell L. Sims.

Series 2. Correspondence, 1905, 1923, n.d. (1 folder)

This series contains three letters, including one from an unknown author to Sims, a letter from Sims to Alexander Meiklejohn, President of Amherst College, and a letter from Florence M.Sims to Mrs. Hamilton (re: resignation from an Oberlin's women's group).

Series 3. Grade Book and Notebooks, c.1904-1913 (2 folders, 18 notebooks)

Consists of notebooks containing lecture notes of courses taken by Newell L. Sims during his days as a student at the University of Kentucky, Columbia University, and the Union Theological Seminary. Other notebooks contain schedules, miscellaneous notes, daily logs, and lecture notes during summer meetings, 1899-1900. A separate book contains a chronology of church pastorates, lists of baptisms, funerals, and other ministerial functions performed by Newell L. Sims. Also is included is a grade book used by Sims for courses in Political Science and Sociology, the University of Kentucky, 1916-17. Access to the grade book is restricted.

Series 4. Writings by Sims, 1931, 1936, 1940 (1 folder)

The writings of Newell L. Sims include a reprint of an article titledTechniques of Race Adjustment (1931); a joint publication with Chester R. Wasson titledThe Adequacy of Farm Standards of Living or A Comparison of the Institutional Facilities, Exclusive of the College, Afforded the People of Oberlin Village, Through Taxes and Voluntary Subscription, WithThose Available to the People of the Oberlin Trade Area, a joint publication of Department of Rural Economics, Ohio State University Agricultural Experimental Station and the Department of Sociology, Oberlin College, March 1931; a reprint of the article The Swing Change (1936); and, a reprint of the article Democracy Under Three Different Cultures (1940).

The papers of Newell L. Sims were received by the College Archives from William Skinner on 11 June 1969.

See also the faculty file of Newell L. Sims (RG 28).