Exploring the ESA Archives: Why Visit or Write?

From the April 2015 HRC Newsletter; contributed by Juliana Mulroy.

Even if you aren’t interested in ESA organizational history specifically, there is much to find about the history of ecology at UGA’s Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, both within the ESA archives and in other collections. Although processing of these collections and Finding Aids is not complete, there is an excellent staff, including some with intimate and long-term knowledge of the collections. Their help is invaluable; take advantage of it while you can.
The ESA archive finding aid is available online.
Archives everywhere are limited by available resources and must prioritize their efforts in terms of processing and making materials more “visible.” One of the ways that priorities are set is by the number of queries and visits. Up until now, such interest in our collections has been limited because researchers have had difficulty finding out what might be available. We are working with the UGAL staff to change that.
The ESA Archives and related collections such as TIE (The Institute of Ecology), the Eugene Odum and Frank Golley papers, as well as other collections of special interest to UGAL (such as natural history) are housed in a beautiful new facility under energetic new leadership. We were “on hold” while the new library was being constructed and the collections moved, but they are now open for business and welcome our inquiries. Now is the time to visit or write.
Julie has developed a list of tips for ESA Archives visitors; they will appear in a future newsletter. Email her at mulroy@denison.edu if you plan to visit before the list appears.