Archives Construction Update & Photos
Building the Space
Work is underway on the Drake University Archives. This project will create a climate-controlled, high-density, archival quality collection space on the west side of the 2nd floor of Cowles Library. Scheduled for completion early in the Fall 2013, this space also includes associated offices, research space and a new general study area at the south end of the second floor west side.
In order to support high-density/high-efficiency shelving, the second floor’s floor slab must be reinforced. This extends the project area on to the first floor’s west side. A small, temporary computer lab will replace the current lab during the summer.
Building the Organization
At the same time as construction started, Cowles Library began gathering information about best practices for operating the new archival unit.
There is no better way to understand how it all works than to visit a library where it’s already been done. In early June, four Cowles Library staff members made a road trip to UNO Criss Library in Omaha to tour the US Senator Chuck Hagel Archives. Jim Shaw, Head of Government Documents, gave a tour of the newly renovated library and a first-hand look at their archival facility. Jessica Agler, Archivist for the Hagel papers, visited with staff members about the opportunities and challenges that come with processing a large and complex congressional collection.
In mid-July, Bart Schmidt and Claudia Frazer will visit the Harkin office in Washington, D.C. to meet the Senator’s staff and others. They will undertake an assessment of the various formats and quantities of materials in the collection, both print and electronic, to prepare for the collections’ arrival.
