R. L. Howsley Poetry and Shakespeare Collection

FAIN: PG-50957-10

Oklahoma Panhandle State University (Goodwell, OK 73939-1500)
Coleen Evlyn Schmidt (Project Director: May 2009 to June 2011)

A preservation assessment of 1,043 volumes of poetry and poetry-related criticism and biography from the 17th through the 20th centuries; the assessment will include a review of the overall condition of the collection, an evaluation of preservation procedures and policies, and recommendations for improving storage and handling practices. It will identify long- and short-term priorities for preservation. Preservation supplies will be purchased as recommended by the consultant.

The R. L. Howsley Poetry Collection was dedicated in memory of Cora B. Howsley, in April of 1957. The collection was housed in the Marvin E. McKee Library at Panhandle A&M College. Panhandle is now Oklahoma Panhandle State University and the Howsley Poetry Collection has been re-discovered. This collection includes the complete works of Shakespeare and was considered "one of the most complete library sections on poetry and Shakespeare in the country."(The Oklahoman, 1960, April 3, p 165)Over 1,000 publications from this collection dating back to 1523 were absorbed into the library's main collection during the 1970-1990's. In 2005,library staff discovered documentation about the lost Howsley Poetry Collection and physically reviewed and re collected all materials located in the library pertaining to Howsley, including uncataloged material. This grant is need to evaluate and preserve this unique and valuable collection of rare books and to make them available for research in humanities.