Archives often have backlogs of materials that have not been fully classified, described or indexed; these collections are called “hidden” because they are difficult or impossible for researchers to use. Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries (PACSCL) has received a grant from Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) for the PACSCL’s Hidden Collections Project. This two year endeavor will make accessible over 140 hidden collections at 24 different libraries and archives in the area. Drexel University Archives is one of them!
Three of the Archives collections will be processed as part of the PACSCL grant in order for researchers, scholars and students to have easier access to materials. The three collections are:
1: Library Records
This collection contains information on the construction of Hagerty Library, including building plans, annual reports from various departments within the library, as well as staff meeting minutes, correspondence, pamphlets of library events and exhibitions.
2. College of Engineering Records
The collection consists of annual reports, correspondence of faculty and administration in the department, staff meeting minutes, reports and other records pertaining to individual departments within the college.
3. Evening College Records
This collection is comprised of annual reports, details of the activities and accomplishments of the program, reports on topics such as student employment; faculty meeting minutes; lists of faculty and personnel directories; subject files; and faculty guides.
We’ll post updates about the processing on this blog as the project moves forward.
Two researchers from the Powelton Village Civic Association visited the Archives recently and found a number of interesting images of the neighborhood in our Buildings and Campus Photographs Collection. You can read more about that photograph collection in its finding aid.
To learn more about the history of Powelton Village, check out the history page at poweltonvillage.org
We are always interested in hearing patrons’ views of archives, so this blog post was of special interest. Elesha Coffman, a history professor at Waynesburg University, shares her four keys to effective archives work in “The Art of the Archive.” (more…)
Next time you swing by the Lower Level of Hagerty Library, be sure to check out the Drexel University’s Special Collection exhibition: “Many Littles Make a Much” — a collection of miniature books.
The exhibition cases have recently been moved to make room for the periodicals, now also located in the Lower Level. The exhibition is now along the north wall.
Be sure to pass by often to see new exhibitions as they happen!
For more information about the Special Collection, contact the University Archives.
In an effort to let the Drexel community and the public at large learn more about the treasures in the Drexel University Special Collections, we’re gearing up for a number of exhibitions.
The exhibitions will feature materials that the staff think will be of wide appeal, and will be in the cases along the south wall in the lower level of Hagerty Library.
The first exhibition is being installed today – watch this space tomorrow for an announcement.
For more information about the schedule, to make suggestions for exhibitions or to just say hello, contact the Drexel University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.
Regular visitors to Drexel One will notice an increase in the number of black and white images on Drexel’s Candid Campus. Last week our photos of the 1897 Banjo Club and 1945 Machine Shop were featured. Didn’t see them? Don’t despair — they’re still online! Be sure to bookmark that page so you don’t miss any more. Or, for many more photos of Drexel in days gone by, check out our digital collections site.
Part one of a three part series
The core of Drexel University Libraries Special Collections consists of a several gifts of rare books donated to the Drexel Institute by Anthony J. Drexel, George W. Childs and George M. Standish.
Details about the life of Mr. Standish are scarce, but it seems he was a book trader active in Rome in the late 19th Century. He visited Drexel Institute as a lecturer on the history of the book and printing and in 1898 donated a collection of at least 150 books, including several incunabula (books published before 1500).
The books that Mr. Standish donated were used in the early years of the library school as practice in cataloging rare books, and later as examples for classes in the history of the book and the history of printing.
This collection reveals key developments in the techniques of printing, binding and book culture at large. It has been a source of great pride to the Drexel community and remains available to students and researchers interested in the field of book history. For details about the collection and to see specific books, contact the University Archives at archives@drexel.edu.
Calling all football enthusiasts! Today’s Candid Campus features a photograph of the 1894 Drexel Football team from the University Archives’ collections.
Be sure to log in to Drexel One and vote for your favorite caption, or supply your own!
If you like your humor historical and your pranks in print, then check out our online exhibition, Acute Angles: A Survey of Satire in the Triangle.
The exhibition highlights sixty years of Drexel students’ mockery and madness, on topics from tuition, student life and the infamous “Drexel Shaft.”
Be sure to check out this year’s satirical Triangle, the 2009 Rectangle. (Also available in PDF.)
Newman Center, 1979
A student seeking an elevation of the Newman Center was the winner of the coveted “first walk-in reference question of the term” contest. His prize? A free jpeg of the photograph of his choice, conveniently e-mailed to him. You too can be a winner! Whether you need a photograph of a building, a Triangle article or yearbook page, or any information related to the history of Drexel, check out our web page, send us an e-mail, or visit us on the Lower Level of Hagerty Library.
