About BYU-Idaho Special Collections
BYU-Idaho Special Collections: Preserving the Past for the Future
Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-Idaho) is a private, four-year university that is affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As an institution guided by its affiliation, BYU-Idaho seeks to create a wholesome learning environment in which students can strengthen their commitment to their faith and receive a quality education that prepares them for leadership in the home, community, and workplace.
One of the ways that BYU-Idaho fulfills its mission is through its Special Collections department. This department is responsible for collecting, preserving, and providing access to unique materials that document the history and culture of Idaho and surrounding regions. The collections include rare books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, oral histories, and other materials that are valuable resources for researchers and scholars.
The Special Collections department was established in 1994 as part of the David O. McKay Library renovation project. Since then it has grown significantly both in size and scope. Today it houses over 100 collections with more than 5000 linear feet of material.
The collections cover a wide range of topics including local history; Mormon history; Western Americana; environmental studies; women's studies; folklore; music; art; literature; science fiction/fantasy literature & film memorabilia among others.
One notable collection housed at BYU-Idaho Special Collections is The Harold B. Lee Library's L. Tom Perry Special Collections which contains over 300 manuscript collections documenting American religious movements from colonial times to present day including early Mormonism.
Another significant collection at BYU-Idaho Special Collections is The Idaho State Journal Collection which includes newspapers dating back to 1890s covering Southeastern Idaho news events such as mining strikes & labor disputes among others.
In addition to these two major collections there are many other smaller but equally important ones such as The Rexburg Tabernacle Collection which documents local church history from early settlement days up until present time or even personal papers like those belonging to former faculty members or alumni who have made significant contributions within their respective fields or communities.
The staff at BYU-Idaho Special Collections are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes ensuring that these valuable resources are properly preserved so they can be accessed by future generations. They also provide reference services both on-site & remotely via email/phone requests helping researchers locate specific items within their vast holdings while also assisting them with research strategies & techniques necessary for successful completion of projects ranging from undergraduate assignments all way up through doctoral dissertations or even published works!
In conclusion if you're looking for unique primary source material related specifically either Southeastern Idaho region or broader Western Americana then look no further than Brigham Young University - Idaho's special collections! With over 100 distinct holdings totaling more than five thousand linear feet there truly something here everyone interested exploring rich cultural heritage this area has offer!