Up From A Cotton Patch: Unboxing the Archival History Of Mississippi Valley State University Mantra Henderson, MLIS Director of Library Services James.

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

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