Recently, the library has updated its collection of Native American books. The head of this project is Meg Garnett, Special Collections Librarian, whose departmental specialties include history.
The project started because in looking over the collections, Meg noticed that many of the Native American books seemed outdated or old. SLAC—the Student Library Advisory Committee—had ended up with a few thousand dollars left in their account, and looked to the librarians for suggestions as to what to do with the money. Noticing that this collection could use improving, Meg proposed buying more books having to do with Native Americans, and SLAC agreed.
Meg began putting together a spreadsheet of potential books. She began by looking at LibGuides (which are essentially resource guides including databases, books, podcasts, and/or other resources based on a specific subject). She also started more narrowly, with Native Americans from the region that is now Pennsylvania, and then expanded her search to other native populations in North America. Given the location of Susquehanna University, and Meg’s position working in the Pennsylvania Room at the library, it made sense for her to start there. Pennsylvania natives have also been a particular focus for the university recently, for example via events like tribute circles.
The idea is to improve the main collections by purchasing new books, new editions of old books, or volumes of longer, multi-book texts that have been updated over the years. Much of what’s purchased has been published recently—some books as new as 2023. Mostly they relate to history, but some include other subjects, like archeology. And of course, there is a particular focus on Pennsylvania, and peoples who have lived here since before the European occupation. Meg keeps track of prices by using a spreadsheet, which helps with overall budget estimates.
When the books arrive, they are sorted by the same system that the Library of Congress uses, and then shelved. Meg tells me the books are pretty easy to spot given their new condition—if you can navigate your way to a little corner on the second floor, the E1-E99 section, where all or most of them are located.
All the books are given a special bookplate and a line in the catalogue that states, “Donated by the 2023-2024 Student Library Advisory Committee.” By typing this line in the catalog search bar, I was able to find the current list:
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