Have you ever been doing a search in the Jim Dan Hill library’s catalog and come up with an item in the Special Collections?  Do you know where, or what is in the Special Collections?  I spoke with Laura Jacobs the archivist in charge of this area to answer these questions.

The Special Collections section is on the second floor, room number 219, of the Jim Dan Hill Library.  It houses many different kinds of books, manuscript collections and the University records.

The different kinds of books are ones deemed not appropriate for regular shelving: ones written by faculty, one of a kind, unusual or hard to find and original research.  The different collections it houses are the Lake Superior Maritime Collection, and many manuscript collections. 

The Special Collections also houses the Area Research Center information, which has historical material of Douglas County that is owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society. This area also houses many of the University records, yearbooks dating back to 1896, student newspapers going back to 1920 and records of student and faculty governments.

The Lake Superior Maritime Collection has vast amounts of information of the many ships that have come into our harbor, and the many ships that have been built here. It also has a lot of information on the shipbuilding companies in Duluth and Superior. Some of the manuscript collections are the John W. Beecroft collection, which is a collection of his personal life, and his time as the head of the Literary Guild; Jim Dan Hill personal papers, and other manuscript collections dealing with the California gold rush, transportation and geology. 

Having these collections and original research is beneficial because it brings students into contact with researchers. It offers students the potential to access original research within their studies or personal interest and offers the potential for faculty to include original research in their lessons which provides a more meaningful experience. It also gives a connection to the community.