Last week, TLAM had a special opportunity to visit the famed Newberry Library of Chicago. Present were several members of the TLAM class and TLAM student organization, along with Advisor Omar Poler and friend of TLAM Janice Rice.
Our fun-filled day of exploration at the Newberry started with a tour of the facilities. We were greeted and welcomed by Patricia Marroquin-Norby, Director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies, and Seonaid Valiant, Ayer Reference Librarian, at the door. As the tour took off, we quickly came to realize just how impressive the collections that the library maintains are. The Newberry is home to a large body of printed materials, including an array of special and rare books, antique maps, and precious manuscripts. Some of these materials data back 600 years! Needless to say, it was no small thrill to be in the presence of such invaluable pieces of history.
Of special interest to our group were some of the library’s materials relating to the Indigenous civilizations of the Americas, and so our guides Patricia and Seonaid pulled out several prized pieces to share with us. There were all kinds of writings, drawings, and other records from missionaries, settlers, and Native peoples to delve into; but perhaps the most memorable was a small Potawatomi book written by Chief Simon Pokagon. This book was printed on birch bark! No one in our group had ever had the opportunity to see such a book before, and we all enjoyed taking a turn to peek through its pages.
Our day at the Newberry continued with lunch with our guides and then a chance to do some individual exploration of the collections. We had a great time together at lunch especially, where were able to learn more about Seonaid and Patricia’s work at the library and the Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies, and then in turn share some of what we’ve been up to in the TLAM class. After finishing our desserts, Seonaid was very helpful in registering our group as library users and showing us how to find materials through the Newberry’s catalog system. We were able to spend our remaining time at the library as researchers delighting in the many unique works housed in its archives.
The TLAM Student Organization would like to share a sincere THANK YOU to the staff of the Newberry Library for their very generous hospitality throughout the day. We were thrilled to be in the company of such dedicated and distinguished professionals, and touched by the warm welcome we received.
-Sarah Lundquist