Kerouac, Jack.   The Town and the City.   Typescript. 3 volumes. Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY.

In 1964, shortly before Kerouac left Northport for the second time, Northport artist Stanley Twardowicz urged him to leave a sample of his work at the Northport Public Library. Following Twardowicz's suggestion, Kerouac donated this typescript of his first published book to the Library. The work arrived as loose sheets in a shoebox, but is now bound in library buckram. The publisher's setting copy, it contains extensive deletions and many penciled additions in Kerouac's hand, as well as occasional editor's markings in magenta pencil.(A microfilm copy of The Town and the City transcript is available at the Reference Desk. Researchers may make an appointment at the Reference Desk to view the typescript itself.)

Kerouac, Jack.   Interview by Miklos Zsedely.   Tape recording, April 14, 1964. Northport- East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY.

Jack Kerouac was interviewed as part of a Northport-East Northport Public Library oral history project established to collect on audiotape the recollections of both those who had special knowledge of Northport's history and notable local residents. Miklos Zsedely, the Library's assistant director, conducted the interview in April 1964 in Stanley Twardowicz's studio at 57 Main Street, Northport. Twardowicz, who was instrumental in convincing Kerouac to participate, was present as well as Northport friends James Schwaner and David and Joan Roberts. To a backdrop of recorded jazz, this informal interview went on for hours.

Kerouac, Jack.   Interview by Miklos Zsedely.   Transcript of tape recording, April 14, 1964. Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY, 1964. Photocopy.

The above Jack Kerouac oral history was transcribed by the Library in 1964, shortly after the interview.

Kerouac, Jack.   Interview by Miklos Zsedely.   Transcript of tape recording, April 14, 1964, by Nicholas Maravell. 1984. Photocopy.

Artist Nicholas Maravell transcribed the Kerouac interview 20 years after its taping. Somewhat more detailed than the earlier transcript, it includes a preface in which Stanley Twardowicz relates how he persuaded a reluctant Kerouac to be interviewed.

Kerouac, Jack.   Interview by Miklos Zsedely.   Tape recording, August 13, 1964. Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY.

Library Assistant Director Zsedely continued his interview with Kerouac in August 1964, shortly before Kerouac left Northport for St. Petersburg, Florida. Stanley Twardowicz and his wife Ann participated in the interview which took place in Twardowicz's studio. More relaxed than the April interview, the discussion ranged from Catholicism to broken relations with Ginsberg to the reasons behind the Florida move.

Kerouac , Jack.   Interview by Miklos Zsedely.   Transcript of tape recording, August 13, 1964.Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY, 1997. Photocopy.

The Library recently transcribed the August 1964 interview which concluded its oral history of Jack Kerouac.(Audiocassettes and transcripts of both interviews are available at the Reference Desk for use in the Library.)

Kerouac, Jack. Historical Collections Vertical File.   Reference Department.   Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY.

The Kerouac folders in the local history vertical file feature copies of local newspaper interviews with Kerouac while he lived in Northport and several pieces written afterwards about the author's four years here. There are copies of Kerouac photographs held by the Library, letters written by Kerouac to Stanley Twardowicz, and haiku written and illustrated by Kerouac at a Twardowicz party. One folder contains material about Lowell, Massachusetts, Kerouac's hometown and the setting of several of his books. Information about Kerouac organizations, events, archival collections, Internet resources, and bookstores are also included in the files.

Kerouac Photograph Collection. Historical Collections. Reference Department. Northport-East Northport Public Library, Northport, NY.

The Library has acquired thirteen photographs from Stanley Twardowicz. Twardowicz shot most of them during a 1967 visit with Kerouac in Lowell. One of Kerouac and Twardowicz was taken by Northport friend Larry Smith in Twardowicz's studio, and two are photographs of artwork created by Kerouac in that studio.

Index