Bentley Historical Library

Bentley Historical Library

The Bentley Historical Library is the primary archival repository for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, documenting institutional records, regional history, and the papers of prominent individuals. Founded to preserve the documentary heritage of the university and the state, the library's holdings span official university administration, political figures, social movements, and cultural institutions from the 19th century to the present.

History

Established in 1935 by a decree of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, the library expanded during the administrations of presidents such as James B. Angell, Harold T. Shapiro, and Mary Sue Coleman to acquire the records of campus units, alumni organizations, and academic departments. Its development was shaped by archivists influenced by figures like T. R. Schellenberg and institutions including the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and the American Historical Association. Over decades the repository collected the papers of state politicians such as G. Mennen Williams, George W. Romney, Jennifer Granholm, and Spencer Abraham, as well as the correspondence of labor leaders tied to the United Auto Workers and business records linked to industrialists like Henry Ford and companies such as General Motors and Ford Motor Company. The library's acquisition strategies mirrored trends in archival theory from proponents like Esther J. Cannell to regional initiatives involving the Michigan Historical Commission.

Collections and Holdings

Holdings include university administrative records documenting faculties and departments such as College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, School of Education, Ross School of Business, and athletic programs like Michigan Wolverines football. Manuscript collections preserve the papers of politicians including Debbie Stabenow, Carl Levin, Donald Riegle Jr., and John Dingell, alongside civil rights activists connected to SNCC and antiwar organizers linked to events like the Kent State shootings. The library curates archives of journalists and authors such as Ernie Pyle and John Hersey, performing arts figures tied to the Michigan Opera Theatre and music archives related to Motown artists and administrators from Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Corporate and labor records encompass unions like the Teamsters and firms including Kellogg Company and Fisher Body. Maps, photographs, and audiovisual materials document the urban development of Detroit, the history of Wayne County, Michigan, and rural communities across Lower Peninsula of Michigan and Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Special collections include manuscript groups from activists associated with Students for a Democratic Society, environmentalists linked to Sierra Club projects in Michigan, and the papers of academics such as Erik Erikson and Maxine B. Sheets-Johnstone. The library also houses oral histories from veterans of conflicts including the World War II and the Vietnam War.

Facilities and Architecture

The library is housed on the University of Michigan campus in a purpose-built structure that incorporates climate-controlled stacks, conservation laboratories, and reading rooms designed for researchers from institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Newberry Library. Architectural planning referenced standards promoted by the American Institute of Architects and incorporated security systems akin to those used by the National Archives Building. Conservation suites enable treatment of paper collections using methods endorsed by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts and techniques disseminated by the Society of American Archivists. The facility's location in Ann Arbor places it near cultural landmarks including the Kerrytown District, Hill Auditorium, and the Museum of Art, University of Michigan.

Services and Programs

The library offers reference services to researchers from organizations such as the Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Humanities, and state historical societies; instructional sessions for classes from units like the School of Information and the Department of History; and digitization projects in partnership with repositories including HathiTrust and the Digital Public Library of America. Public programming includes lectures and symposia featuring speakers from institutions such as the Bentley Historical Society and panels with scholars affiliated with the Organization of American Historians and the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters. Preservation initiatives collaborate with grant funders like the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities to support cataloging projects in accordance with standards championed by the Text Encoding Initiative and the Library of Congress Subject Headings.

Access and Public Outreach

Researchers may consult collections in the reading room by appointment, working with archivists trained in practices endorsed by the Society of American Archivists and borrowing policies similar to those of the Harvard University Archives and Yale University Beinecke Library. Outreach includes traveling exhibits coordinated with museums such as the Detroit Historical Museum and educational partnerships with school districts in Washtenaw County and Wayne County. Digital exhibits and online finding aids enhance access for users at institutions like the University of Michigan Library consortium, and collaborative projects extend to statewide initiatives administered by the Michigan Humanities Council and regional partners like the Midwest Archives Conference.

Category:Archives in Michigan Category:University of Michigan