University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library
Name	Bentley Historical Library
Established	1935
Location	Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Coordinates	42°16′52″N 83°44′17″W
Collection size	Over 90,000 linear feet of archives; 1.5 million visual images; 15,000 printed volumes
Director	Terrence McDonald
Parent organization	University of Michigan
Website	https://bentley.umich.edu/

University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library is the official archival repository for the history of the University of Michigan and the state of Michigan. Founded in 1935 through the efforts of historian Lewis G. Vander Velde, it was named in 1972 in honor of Alpheus Felch, a former Michigan Supreme Court justice and United States Senator, though it is universally known as the Bentley after its longtime director Robert Warner. The library's dual mission encompasses preserving the documentary heritage of the university and collecting materials that document the political, social, economic, and cultural history of the Great Lakes region.

History and establishment

The library's origins trace to 1935 when the University of Michigan established a dedicated archives department under the leadership of history professor Lewis G. Vander Velde. Its initial focus was consolidating the university's own scattered historical records. A significant early acquisition was the papers of former University of Michigan president Henry Philip Tappan. The institution gained prominence under director Robert M. Warner, who served from 1965 to 1986 and spearheaded a major expansion of its statewide collecting mission. In 1972, the library was formally named for Alpheus Felch, but a naming gift from Ann Arbor philanthropists Richard and Patricia Bentley led to its common designation. Its current facility on the university's North Campus opened in 1974.

Collections and holdings

The library's vast holdings are divided into two principal areas: the Michigan Historical Collections and the University of Michigan Archives. The state collections include the papers of prominent figures like governors G. Mennen "Soapy" Williams and George Romney, United States Senator Arthur Vandenberg, and Detroit mayor Coleman Young. It also holds records of significant organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, the United Automobile Workers, and the Ford Motor Company Archives. The university archives preserve the official records of the administration, hundreds of student organizations, and papers of notable faculty including Kenneth Boulding, Alexander Ruthven, and Margaret Atwood.

Building and facilities

The library is housed in a purpose-built, climate-controlled facility on Beal Avenue at the university's North Campus. The building was designed with specialized vaults for manuscript and film storage, a reading room for researchers, and processing spaces for archivists. An adjacent underground storage annex provides additional high-density shelving. Key features include preservation labs for photograph and paper conservation, digitization studios, and secure stacks maintaining strict environmental controls for temperature and humidity to ensure the long-term preservation of fragile materials.

Research and access services

The library serves a global community of scholars, students, journalists, and genealogists. Its reading room is open to the public, and reference archivists provide extensive research support. The library offers numerous finding aids and catalog records through its online database, MIRLYN, and the national archival discovery system ArchivesGrid. While the majority of collections are available for public use, some materials may have restrictions stipulated by donors or to protect personal privacy, governed by policies aligned with the Society of American Archivists code of ethics.

Relationship with the University of Michigan

As the official archive of the University of Michigan, the library operates under the auspices of the University of Michigan Library system and reports to the Provost. It works closely with academic departments, the University of Michigan Press, and the William L. Clements Library. The library supports the university's educational mission by providing primary sources for coursework, hosting internships for students in the School of Information, and collaborating on exhibitions with the University of Michigan Museum of Art and the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology.

Notable projects and digital initiatives

The library is a leader in digital preservation and access. Major initiatives include the Michigan Daily Digital Archive, providing full-text search of the student newspaper, and the Polar Bear Expedition digital collections related to the American intervention in the Russian Civil War. It actively contributes to the Google Books project and the HathiTrust digital library. Other significant digital projects feature the papers of Gerald R. Ford from his pre-presidential career, photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, and extensive oral history interviews documenting Michigan political history.

Category:University of Michigan Category:Archives in Michigan Category:Buildings and structures in Ann Arbor, Michigan Category:1935 establishments in Michigan