Preservation Assessment of the Des Moines Public Library Iowa Collection

FAIN: PG-51190-11

Public Library of Des Moines (Des Moines, IA 50308)
Marci Ann Behm (Project Director: May 2010 to September 2011)

A preservation assessment for the library's Iowa Collection, comprising over 4,500 linear feet of books and periodicals (including 150 linear feet of works of fiction by Iowa authors), 1,600 photographs and post card images, approximately 100 oral history recordings, 80 maps, and 65 linear feet of local history clipping files. Materials document settlement, political movements, the arts, education, African American community life, American Indian experiences, religious practices, and land use and development in Iowa from the early 1800s to the present.

The Des Moines Public Library's Iowa Collection contains a wide variety of materials relating to the history of Des Moines, Polk County, and the state of Iowa. The uniqueness of these items and the richness of their content make this collection a valuable asset to our community and the enthusiastic use of the collection by our customers clearly shows their appreciation of the opportunity to access these materials. The goal of this grant is two-fold: to perform a thorough evaluation of the collection and to create a written preservation plan for future use. The completion of these projects will help ensure that the collection will continue to be available for students and researchers of all ages as they explore the local history of our community.