The Dallas History & Archives / Fine Books of the Dallas Public Library will be showcasing its wonderful collections at the DFW Archives Bazaar. They work tirelessly at the J. Erik Jonsson Library to bring a historical perspective to patrons, so we wanted to know more about them. We spoke with Unit Manager, Brian Collins and asked him a few questions.
What type of collections does Dallas Public Library hold?
“The Dallas History & Archives Division collects, preserves, and makes available to patrons information in text, graphic, audio, and video formats. Our holdings span many aspects of the diverse history of not only Dallas and the surrounding area, but the entire state of Texas. With over 65,000 books, 1 million photographs, 7,000 maps, 1,500 periodical titles, and 500 manuscript collections, 400 oral history interviews, the collection is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.”
What do you hope people take away from the DFW Archives Bazaar?
“Our hope for the DFW Archives Bazaar is that people will learn the value and importance that archives and special collections have to the preservation understanding of our past. The materials we collect and preserve tell a story about Dallas and help us place local events in state and national context. We’re certain attendees will have fun and learn something new in the process.”
Why are archives important to public libraries?
“Archives inside of public libraries enhance the value of the library as a whole and provide a level of historical understanding to its patrons that would not otherwise exist. The Dallas History & Archives Division’s mission within the Dallas Public Library is to be good stewards of the materials entrusted to our care and make good use of city resources to ensure the long term preservation and availability of our shared past.”
Learn more about the Dallas History & Archives at the Dallas Public Library by visiting their booth at the DFW Archives Bazaar at Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1-5pm. See you there!