After Strozier Library’s subbasement was flooded in December 2022, plans were made to protect the Special Collections materials from future unforeseen disasters. It was decided that Special Collections would use Iron Mountain, a trusted security and preservation company, to secure and protect the archival materials and rare books that had been spared in the flood. From October 2023 to February 2024, over 15,000 linear feet of these materials were transferred from FSU Libraries to an offsite Iron Mountain facility.
“We were able to continue connecting students and researchers to the materials they needed throughout the moving process,” said Katie McCormick, Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. “In fact, our preparations resulted in improved discoverability for many of our primary sources.” Even while moving, Special Collections managed to exceed their own expectations of scholarly support. McCormick assures everyone that this move does not mean these materials are now inaccessible; far from it: “A coordinated request process and weekly delivery schedule ensure that researchers and students continue to have access to offsite collections.”
Professor of English at FSU, Dr. Molly Hand, regards Special Collections as an incredibly helpful tool in both her research and teaching: “As a teaching faculty member in English, I highly value library resources, particularly the rich archival material and rare books in our Special Collections. Each semester, I include class visits and student research activities based in Special Collections, and without fail, students report these opportunities to engage with materials in person as exciting, pivotal moments in their learning.”
Leave a Reply