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Northwest Room Resources
It’s Archives Month
October is Washington State Archives Month. The theme of Archives Month this year is “Washington at Play.” The Washington State Archives has created a website to highlight collections across the state. “Archives, historical societies, museums, public libraries, and university special collections throughout the state invite you to explore how Washingtonians have enjoyed life in the Evergreen State.” Check out the wonderful collection of photographs submitted from special collections throughout Washington. See if you can find the submission from the Northwest Room.
The Northwest Room is a unique special collection, focusing on the history of the Inland Pacific Northwest.
Please note new open hours:
Tuesday -- 1pm - 8pm
Thursday -- 10am - 6pm
Wednesday, Friday & Saturday -- 1pm - 6pm
About the Northwest Room
The Spokane Public Library is honored to house one of the finest and most extensive Northwest collections in the country. Comprising over 13,000 items, this superb collection is readily available to the public during open hours. Most of the collection is searchable through the Library's catalog. The collection consists of reference books, maps, directories, periodicals, government documents, and archival materials pertaining to the history, exploration, and settlement of the Northwest, or that region including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and the province of British Columbia. The Northwest Room offers information on every period from the late 1700's to the present.
While there is emphasis on early voyages and overland expeditions, Indians, the fur trade, missions and pioneer life, materials on a wide variety of subjects such as flora and fauna, industries, biographies, art, and literature are also included. Personal journals and reminiscences, local histories, and descriptive materials are an important part of the continually growing collection. There is a small, but excellent photograph collection much of which was donated by Thomas Teakle who taught history for many years at Spokane's Lewis and Clark High School.
The commitment to Northwest materials began with George W. Fuller, Spokane Public Library's first librarian and author of a widely used history of the region. The current Fuller Collection includes old and rare materials, largely first editions of works. Gladys Smith Puckett, Library Director from 1937 to 1960, shared Fuller's vision and continued to collect Northwest materials throughout her tenure. Commitment to the collection lives on. Today, Northwest materials and the Fuller collection are housed in a special climate-controlled room, designed especially for the purpose, at the Downtown Library. This room features two glass display cases, a small gallery for fine art, a reading and study area, a workroom for materials preservation, a vault for extremely old and rare materials, and light sensitive glass.
The Northwest in Print
Researchers from around the world have used Spokane Public Library's Northwest Collection. A number of them have published notable works on the region. Here is one author had to say about the collection:
"I use the collection in the Northwest Room for both personal pleasure and necessary research. I can't go to the library without drifting in there to look at the paintings on the walls or to browse the shelves to see what new titles might leap out. When I have a specific project, the things I want to find are where they are supposed to be, and the people behind the desk know how to amplify a search to reveal directions that illuminate and surprise. For me, that is exactly the way a regional collection is supposed to work."
Jack Nisbet, Author of Sky People and Sources of the River
Use of the Collection
The Northwest Collection is a research collection therefore the materials are not available to check out. As many materials are rare and fragile, the following guidelines for use are always observed:
- Pencils only for note taking: pens are not permitted in the Northwest Room.
- The use of personal tape recorders, typewriters, laptop computers, and cameras may be permitted, providing that they do not disturb other researchers. Please check with staff before using.
- All materials are returned to staff ten minutes before closing.
- All materials are re-shelved and re-filed by staff.
- Photocopying of some materials may be restricted. Library staff will assist in limited photocopying of unrestricted materials.
- Spokane Public Library does not surrender its right to print or otherwise reproduce manuscripts or to grant permission to others. The researcher must assume responsibility for the use of material including the infringement of copyright or other agency owner.
- As the Northwest Room was designed to accommodate research, no accommodation has been made for small children.
- Cellular telephones are not allowed in the room.
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