Library / Archives

The NCSML Library sustained heavy damage during the Flood of 2008. While nearly all of the archival materials and much of the English-language book collection were removed before the flood, all that remained were completely submerged. Museum staff and volunteers worked five days straight to clean mud from the books in preparation for freeze-drying. Last fall, Library Director David Muhlena received 520 boxes of flood-damaged books that were freeze-dried. Approximately 6,000 volumes!

It will be a sizeable task to inventory these items and determine which ones require further conservation or need to be replaced. 

In December of 2009, the University of Iowa Libraries Preservation Department completed restoration of approximately 1,500 flood-damaged phonograph records. They have been returned to the NCSML where they will be inventoried.

Completing the conservation and inventory of the entire library collection could take several years. We ask for your continued patience as we go through this time-consuming process. Protection of the collection is our paramount concern. We are working on a plan to provide a processing/storage facility for artifacts and library materials to meet our needs for both damaged and undamaged items.

Please contact the library director if you are interested in donating library materials. 319-362-8500.