A Little Slice of History: Spotlight on a School’s Beginnings

By Jake Hertwig

Surrounded by numerous collections
of works and collectables, the special
collections and university archives room
gives a sense of years gone by.

“It’s just a small room tucked in the corner of a large building,” said Bemidji State University graduate Teresa Klinkhammer.  The room to which she is referring is what’s known as the special collections and university archives room located on the second floor of the A.C. Clark Library.  Klinkhammer then confessed that in her four years at Bemidji State, it wasn't until her senior year when she discovered this room.Klinkhammer said that it’s “important for us to know where we come from in order to know where we are going.”  Not only can you discover the history of a your insitution in such a room, but you can also discover the history of a society. 

It’s a safe assumption that many are unaware of what this particular room is and what you can learn from it.  “This is special collections and university archives,” said A.C. Clark librarian Bill Shaman.  With his very relaxed presence and glasses slung around his neck, Shaman proceeded to enlighten his audience by explaining just what this mysterious room was.

 

Looking like a scene taken out of early 20^th century mansion library, one could get a strong sense that this was a room full of history and enlightenment.  On a bookshelf sits an old phonograph player with an early Dell computer sitting right next to it which, in and of itself, is a living example of just how far society has come, technologically speaking. 

The publications ranged from early 16^th century to faculty publications to masters’ theses.  One such book that caught the eye of the audience was their copy of the first King James Bible, published at around the early 17^th century. 

This first edition of the King James Bible
is estimated to date back to 1611 and is
one of Shaman's personal favorites. 

There was a strong sense of excitement and passion in Shaman’s voice as he continued to talk about all of the research he has completed over the years.  One example of his determination was his ten-year stretch of reading through the King James Bible by comparing it to much earlier and different translations and how different interpretations have spread throughout the centuries. 

This Norman Rockwell-like room, with its look of a library surrounding a collection of faded, cushioned chairs, also contained year by year historical goodies.  The special collections and university archives is the only location where one can find any copy of the Bemidji Pioneer dating all the way back to its beginnings in 1899.  It’s like a time machine.  The wear and tear of the paper is clearly visible the further back in time you go.  Along with the Pioneer time capsule is a collection of university academic information throughout the years including class schedules and listings of past professors and university presidents. 

Shaman’s voice soon hit a lower note when the topic future publications of these works came up, and if they were ever going to be seen in any other formats.  We are entering an age where the demand for physical copies is becoming smaller and smaller.  Forms of entertainment such as music, movies, books, and newspapers are continuing to make the transition into electronic form.

Shaman also admitted that there isn’t much demand for the special collections and university archives in general, at least from students.  He commented that one could go to any other university with a similar room and there still wouldn’t be much interest on the students’ end.  “It’s a lonely job doing the archiving,” said Shaman. 



The publications and works in this room are as far as can be from being converted.  “What will sell is what will be converted,” said Shaman.  A lot of the time, conversion all depends on how much demand there is for that particular piece of work.  Shaman doesn’t see much popular demand for works such as past editions of the Bemidji Pioneer. 

“The times continue to change,” said Teresa Klinkhammer.  “How did we get from using telegraphs to using computers?  How much further can we continue to go?  This (college) is the time to ask these questions.  We have to know our history before we can create a future.”