Special Collections Department Celebrates Anniversary

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The special collections department of the University of Arkansas Libraries will be hosting two workshops and an open house during October, American Archives Month, in celebration of the department’s 40^th anniversary.

Two family history workshops will be held Oct. 20, at the Fayetteville Public Library, and will describe what the average person may do to preserve family history. The workshops, which are presented by faculty and staff of the special collections department, are free of charge and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required.

The morning workshop sessions, from 9 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., will address how to preserve family photographs and documents. The afternoon workshop, from 2 p.m. until 4:15 p.m., will explain procedures for conducting oral histories for families.

A 40^th anniversary open house, also free of charge and open to the public, will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in special collections, located in the lower level of Mullins Library, Room 130. This event will begin with a reception, followed by reminiscences from individuals who have worked in the special collections department. The open house will conclude with an Arkansas trivia contest based on the popular TV game show “Jeopardy.” 

Tom W. Dillard, head of special collections, said, “I hope everyone will join with me in celebrating the four decades of effort Special Collections has made to preserve the history of Arkansas and the region.”

Established in 1967, the special collections department has evolved into the major center for conducting research on all things Arkansas.  It contains more than 1,600 manuscript collections, more than 100,000 photographs, a huge collection of historic maps, an oral and video history program, and the largest collection of publications about Arkansas to be found anywhere. It serves several thousand researchers each year. Archives Month is celebrated annually nationwide to promote public awareness of the value of historical records and the importance of the archival profession in preserving our heritage. 

Additional information may be obtained by calling the special collections department at (479) 575-5577.