Ensuring preservation: library adds archival space

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Ensuring preservation: library adds archival space
The Dow Room will reopen to the public once renovations are completed. Elyse Hawkins | Collegian

Mossey Library is in the process of adding a designated Archives and Special Collections reading room, which has led to the temporary closure of the Dow Room.

The addition of this archival space has been needed since the summer of 2019, when Mossey Library added an official archives department. 

“Typically, in an archives unit of a library you usually have what’s called a reading room,” Maurine McCourry, Mossey Library director, said. “We decided to expand that office to accommodate that kind of use.” 

McCourry said that with the college’s archival resources and many rare collections, researchers coming will now have that dedicated space in which to conduct their research. 

“It is for anyone using the archives of the college,” McCourry said.

This will be quite an upgrade from the two tables that were previously outside of Curtis’ office that were specifically for the use of archive researchers or student assistants, McCourry said. 

“Those two tables have been released back for general student use,” Curtis said.

Due to continued construction supply shortages, the project was not finished over the summer as originally planned.

The Dow Room, which is home to the Dow Special Collections, has now been made into a temporary office and storage space as the archives department gets remodelled.

This means that this room, which has become a popular study spot for many students, has remained closed even as students arrive back on campus.

“I’m excited to have the Dow Room back,” sophomore Caleb Fournet said. 

Sophomore Christopher Dick said he has also been affected by the closure of the Dow Room. 

“I think it helped me be studious,” Dick said. 

McCourry said the Dow Room will be reopened to the public once renovations are completed. 

McCourry said she is looking forward to the library gaining the ability to better serve Hillsdale students and outside researchers.

“It’s to enhance service, it’s to enhance preservation, and to enhance security,” she said.