The DSU archives' online repository is continuing to grow!
This month marks the completion of yet another collection in DSpace. All of the course catalogs housed in the University Archives, 95 in total, have been digitized and made publicly available. It is hoped that the online catalogs will be a resource for alumni and university departments alike who need to access historic degree requirements and course descriptions. Additionally, the digitization of the course catalogs is a helpful step as the university prepares for the Middle States re-accreditation process.
Besides the obvious purpose of outlining educational requirements, the course catalogs also reveal a picture of the university as it once was. The catalogs, dated between 1893 and the current academic year, are a wealth of historic information about faculty employment, calendars, campus infrastructure growth, academic and student life regulations (rules that seem comical today), student clubs and social activities, athletics, and support services. In my opinion, the catalogs have long been undervalued, and it is my hope that the new, digitized format of the catalogs will make them more accessible and better appreciated. Take a look for yourself here: https://desu.dspacedirect.org/handle/20.500.12090/399.
This month marks the end of the first year in the digitization effort. All in all, there are now 131 volumes of yearbooks and catalogs available. It has been a transformative year as reference questions involving these materials are being answered with greater speed and in many cases, patrons are discovering independence in pursuing their interests.
But wait! There's more! Be on the lookout for digitized Board of Trustee minutes to start appearing soon.
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