On the move… – Around the D

Hello Davidson community and friends of the archives!

Welcome to the first installment of our new series, “Moving with the Manuscripts: The Great Archive Adventure.” We’re excited to share behind-the-scenes updates as we prepare for our big summer move. This series will keep you informed and entertained throughout our transition.

As we begin packing up our cherished collections, please note that our Archives & Special Collections team will have reduced access to materials and limited capacity for instruction and research appointments during Spring 2025. Student, staff, and faculty researchers may schedule in-person appointments to view materials through March 7, with regular appointments available until spring break ends on March 15. After that date, we will offer only virtual consultations, using our expanding array of digitized resources.

Students, staff, and faculty may request our digitization service until March 14. Once we start boxing up our collections, we will significantly scale back this service. Requests will be prioritized for course collaborations, student theses, and select campus initiatives. If your thesis or class project requires special collections materials, please contact us as soon as possible.

Photo of students forming a chain and passing books from the old library to the Grey Memorial library — This isn’t the first big library move! Students move books from the Carnegie Library (now the Guest House) to Grey Memorial Library (now Sloane) in 1941.

For community members and outside researchers, in-person access and digitization services will not be available after these dates. However, you can still schedule a virtual appointment to discuss your research questions and explore the many digital resources available online.

Also, if you are interested in donating or transferring materials, please note that we cannot accept departmental records or donations after January 21. Document any future materials using our online form, and we will reach out when we are ready to accept them again.

For any questions or to schedule an appointment, please email us at archives@davidson.edu.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this exciting transition. We look forward to sharing more updates in “Moving with the Manuscripts: The Great Archive Adventure.” Our team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition by preserving our collections and embracing innovative digital solutions. Your patience and enthusiasm make this journey truly rewarding indeed. Stay tuned for the next installment as we navigate this journey together!

When the William A. and Jane Parks Grey Library was constructed in 1941, books were passed “bucket-brigade” style across campus from the Carnegie Library. Here, freshman E. George Floyd ’45 is flanked on the left by President John R. Cunningham and on the right by Caleb Richmond Harding ’80, Professor of Greek, and Cecil Kenneth Brown ’21, Dean of the Faculty.

Any volunteers for the next book move, bucket-brigade style?

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