Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
The Jack and Maxine Earley Collection of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Publications and Photographs primarily contains publications about agricultural education, agricultural extension work, home demonstration work, and rural extension. Jack Earley was a county extension agent and chairman for Cherokee and Clay counties. Maxine Earley was active in the 4-H clubs as an instructor.
Jack Earley was the previous chairman of the N.C. Cooperative Extension for Cherokee and Clay counties. His wife, Maxine Randolph Earley, worked as a consulting dietician for hosptials and nursing homes. Maxine was active in the 4-H Clubs as an instructor.
From its inception as the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, North Carolina State University has been deeply involved in outreach and extension work. In the 1890s and early 1900s, college personnel took part in numerous Farmer's Institutes statewide, where they and state Agriculture Department personnel met with local farmers to discuss farm improvement techniques. In 1907 James A. Butler became North Carolina's first county agent, hired to conduct demonstration work in boll weevil eradication. Greatly boosting extension work, the 1914 Smith-Lever Act provided for federal, state, and county cooperation in creating a system to expand demonstration and extension work for men and women. The law authorized land-grant colleges to sign memoranda of understanding with the United States Department of Agriculture to begin such work. With this, NC State created a new Department of Extension. The county offices report to Extension administration, based jointly at NC State University and North Carolina A&T University. Through this system, Cooperative Extension aims to disseminate information about food and agriculture, health and nutrition, and youth development. This is accomplished through partnerships, programs, publications, and expertise on the local level.
The Jack and Maxine Earley Collection of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Publications and Photographs (1952 - 1982) contain sewing books, photographs of Jack Earley in Cherokee County, and N.C. Cooperation Extension publications and educational materials on topics such as home improvement, tailoring, food preparation, and 4-H club recreations activities.
This collection is arranged in series: Sewing Books, Photographs, and Publications.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries’ “Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain,” the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy’s "Is It Protected by Copyright?," and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Jack and Maxine Earley Collection of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Publications and Photographs, MC 00772, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Related Material
Gift of Lynn Earley Roberson, 2025 February (Accession 2025.0034).
Processed by: Olivia Coyne; Collection Guide by Olivia Coyne
The collection is organized into three principal series:
Two sets of sewing needle booklets.
Photographs of Jack Earley during Exension events and retirement party.
Agricultural Extension Publications on food preperation, clothing tailoring, 4-H Club Instructor booklets, and gardening.
2 copies, one with hole punch
2 copies
2 copies
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Unless noted, digital media are not available online. Copies of unrestricted digital files will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access will be provided to use copies of unrestricted digital files rather than carrier media, such as CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks. Some or all electronic files may be unavailable or restricted due to privacy reasons, agreement with the donor, software is not available to interact with files, or because files cannot be retrieved from original media.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], Jack and Maxine Earley Collection of North Carolina Cooperative Extension Publications and Photographs, MC 00772, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries’ “Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain,” the ALA Office for Information Technology Policy’s "Is It Protected by Copyright?," and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.