University Archives and Special Collections
Overview
The University Archives and Special Collections consists of three distinct areas described below. With very few exceptions all materials must be viewed by appointment in the Library under the supervision of Library staff.
University Archives
The University Archives provides researchers the opportunity to examine primary and secondary source material related to the history of Saginaw Valley State University. The SVSU collection consists of papers and reports from the various departments on campus, including the Board of Control Minutes, Student Government Minutes, and past issues of both the Interior and the student newspaper The Valley Vanguard.
The papers of former SVSU Vice-president, Russell B. Driver, contain material related to the founding and construction of the campus. The Jack M. Ryder papers outline the various aspects of his fifteen year presidency of this university. Included in the archives are copies of SVSU's Honors Theses and also the Sports Collection which provides a history of SVSU sports teams.
Additional resources are available through the Rare Books Collection and the Newspaper Vertical File. Materials can be viewed through an appointment and are for library use only.
Special Collections
Special Collections are semi-unique materials that are mostly related to the state of Michigan and the Tri-county area. Some of the collections include the personal papers of Bay County Judge Ira Butterfield, local poet Alfred W. Ebeit, and Calvin Ennes, northern Michigan newspaper columnist.
The Oral History Collection comprises one hundred and forty-two audio cassette tapes which detail the lives of local people from the 1920s through the 1960s.
The Michigan Historical Collection incorporates books, pamphlets and newspaper supplements detailing the history of various Michigan cities and counties.The Ken Follett Papers arrived at Saginaw Valley State University in spring 2000 and are housed within 32 boxes and detail the author’s creative process, such as his handwritten notes and early manuscripts. For more information see the Ken Follett Papers page.
The Flying Melzoras Collection gives viewers insight to the world of a Saginaw based circus performing family. The Thomas family (Melzer, Buster, Jane, Raymond, Bill, Ann) performed as the "The Flying Thomases" and "The Flying Melzoras" from the 1920's to the 1960's. A virtual exhibit (nearly 200 photos & images) represents a small portion of the collection but depicts many aspects of their lives devoted to the entertainment of others as circus performers.
Rare Book Collection
The Rare Book Collection consists of fragile and rare books including SVSU publications, copies of SVSU's Honors Theses and capstone projects, and books and periodicals cataloged and culled from Special Collections. The Honors Theses, capstone projects, and many SVSU publications may be checked out from the Archives on a limited basis; everything else must be viewed in the Library under supervision by Library staff.
Appointments can be made by contacting Thomas Zantow, tzantow@svsu.edu (989.964.4238), Head of Access Services.
Virtual Exhibits
This is a representative overview of the Ken Follett Papers. For more information on this collection of primary research materials for this influential author see the Ken Follett Papers page.
This is a representative overview of a Saginaw based circus performing family. This exhibit (nearly 200 photos & images) represents a small portion of the collection but depicts many aspects of their lives devoted to the entertainment of others as circus performers.
This web site was built by two web site design teams headed by Daniel Tyger and Dr. Eric Gardner (see web site credits). It features documents and photos from the University Archives and video clips from Dr. Basil Clark and President Eric Gilbertson.