Archives chronicle IU's past

Tucked away in Bryan Hall, Room 201, the IU Archives provides an intriguing look at one of America's most storied campuses. \nThe archives contain more than two million photographs, Arbutuses dating back to 1894 and information on Alfred Kinsey that Liam Neeson recently utilized to research for an upcoming role. \nOver the past 10 to 15 years, the archives have become more of a research facility for students typically looking for photographs, administrative records, publications, faculty information and student accounts from the past, said University archivist Phillip Bantin.\n"It is not like a library; one cannot browse the archives stacks," Bantin said. "Records are brought to the researcher after a reference interview, and the documents are reviewed on-site in the archives reading room."\nBantin said in order to protect records materials and to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility, materials in the archives must be used in the archives reading room in accordance with the regulations of the department.\nIn all, students, staff and faculty can use the archives for up to four hours at a time, browsing the 14,000-plus cubic feet of University records, dating back to 1820.\nAlthough fires claimed some files in 1854 and 1883, there are still millions of records in 15,000 boxes and in five different locations that help the IU Archives remain one of the most widely-used resources on campus. \nAlong with students' use, outsiders, including authors and researchers, utilize the service which is funded through the Library Fund. In fact, Bantin said the archives have so much material in its five-floor compound that they will soon be transferring files to other locations. \nOne of these locations includes the Auxiliary Library Facility, located at 851 North Range Rd., a large shelving facility where approximately 80 percent of the collection will be held. This facility is environmentally controlled, and by holding the files in this building with 32-foot-high ceilings, paper life will be extended by approximately 7 or 8 percent -- leading to hundreds of years of increased viewing pleasure. Bantin said the remaining 20 percent of files will be held in the Main Library, and upon request, information from ALF will be available within one day.\nDina Kellams, a four-year employee at the IU Archives, said she particularly enjoys a two-box file, 'Miss Hat,' which includes correspondence letters between one student and her parent in 1929 and 1930.\n"It provides insight on student perspective in the late 1920s which we wouldn't otherwise have," Kellams said.\nArchives employee Kristen Walker said she thoroughly enjoys the "Andrew Wylie Collection" -- a series of administrative and personal information on one of IU's founders.\n"(The collection) really, truly documents the climate at the founding of the University ... the political, social climate and the overall feel of what was going on," Walker said.\n-- Contact staff writer Chris Jesse at cejesse@indiana.edu