Date post: | 01-Apr-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | quentin-jago |
View: | 213 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Up From A Cotton Patch: Unboxing the Archival History Of Mississippi
Valley State University
Mantra Henderson, MLISDirector of Library Services
James H. White LibraryMississippi Valley State University
April 18, 2013
Unboxing the Story
Telling the Story
Rough Patches
A Dream to Reality
Archives at the James H. White Library began as an Institutional Repository. The library was viewed as the keeper of just the university’s history.
Unboxing the Story
The Institutional Repository was housed in one room of the library. The lighting was poor and there were no temperature controls for the room. Additionally, the majority of the collection was still packed in traditional boxes.
In 2001, former library director, Dr. Annie M. Payton, began to truly unbox the story and the history of Mississippi Valley State University by turning the repository into a functional Archives.
Dr. Payton, began to order shelving and materials suitable for housing the collection. In addition, finding aids were developed to help researchers locate necessary material.
In 2006, the James H. White Library commenced to digitally document the works of Dr. James Herbert White, the founder and first president of Mississippi Valley State University.
Telling the Story
In 1979, Dr. White wrote “Up From A Cotton Patch: James Herbert White and the Development of Mississippi Valley State College”. This book acquaints students and researchers alike with the history of the University, its beginnings and the former administrators for whom many of the buildings are named.
The library’s intention has always been to have an archival space and a collection that could be used for research on a daily basis and not just upon request.
Our efforts to do so proved to be a huge challenge. Time, proper equipment and space became the most crucial factors that impeded our efforts to make the collection accessible.
Rough Patches
In 2009, the library was re-notified that it was to undergo a massive renovation. Efforts to process archival materials came to an immediate halt.
Rough Patches
In October 2010, the library officially moved from its home into temporary space which is the first floor of a two floor classroom building.
Rough Patches
Although daunting, renovation has provided the library with the perfect opportunity to turn a dream into reality.
A Dream to Reality
Because of the renovation, the library will gain the much needed space to have a fully functional archives.
A Dream to Reality
We look forward to having:
space needed to house special collections
equipment to preserve our story
appropriate climate control to help conserve and protect our treasures
A Dream to Reality
Up From A Cotton Patch: Unboxing the Archival History
Of Mississippi Valley State University
End