Assistant Professor, Reference Librarian/ Bibliographer, Iowa
State University Library, Ames, Iowa 50011. Phone 515-294-3642
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS AMONG IOWA’S
LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS: A COMPUTER-PRODUCED,
ANNOTATED AND ILLUSTRATED INDEX
During the nine years I have been a Librarian at Iowa State
University, I have assisted many faculty and students to find
locations and pictures of agricultural, scientific, and
technological artifacts. Teaching and research in Iowa’s
schools, libraries, and museums increasingly require pectoral
examination of old implements or instruments, and the physical
descriptions of artifacts often serve as educational examples of
primary research evidence.
Great numbers of Iowans nostalgically remember what old
artifacts look like, how they were used, and where some of them are
currently located. But memories will not last forever! No directory
of inventoried artifacts exists in Iowa, and literature searches
reveal no records of this subject that could be made available to
the public.
I have been granted a six-month Faculty Improvement Leave
starting in September 1977, in order to produce an annotated and
illustrated index to the agricultural, scientific, and
technological artifacts located in Iowa. The purpose of this
project is to collect into one permanent record the descriptions
and photographic identification of the artifacts (used or made in
Iowa between 1830-1940) still extant among Iowa’s libraries,
museums, and private collections. Data processing by PL/1 computer
language will provide the fastest and most consistent form of
presentation.
This compilation is the first of its kind to receive regional or
national interest, and the annotated, pictorial guide will offer
permanent, visable proof of artifacts of Iowa’s agricultural,
scientific and technological heritage.
I would like to photograph and record those data about artifacts
(made or used in Iowa between 1830-1940) which may be located in
your collection. My primary interest will center around
agricultural artifacts, but I will attempt to inventory all those
that are classified as scientific and technological.
If you would kindly fill out and return the enclosed
questionnaire, I will later make an appointment to visit you-if
your collection has artifacts which are appropriate for me to
photograph and record. After the computer listing has been made, I
can send you a free copy of your collection’s record, which you
could use for insurance purposes, inventory registration, or
personal-property tax claims.
Your willingness to accommodate my interest in gathering
information about your artifacts is greatly appreciated. Should you
know of additional collections of these kinds of artifacts which
exist in or near your town or city, please let me know the
owners’ names and addresses on the accompanying Preliminary
Information Sheet.