Michigan State University Gets 25,000-Piece Rock and Roll History Collection
From MSU Today:
In a state known for rock and roll, it would seem that scholars, music lovers and visitors should have access to a rich archive of posters, handbills, band photos, protest buttons, recordings and underground newspapers documenting this great musical history.
A treasure trove of such things will soon be available at Michigan State University Libraries, which recently acquired a 25,000-piece archive of 1960s – 1970s rock and roll history rooted in Michigan.
The collection was purchased from Melissa and Jack Bodnar, who describe it as the largest and most extensive collection of its kind.
Dean of Libraries Joseph Salem said the acquisition represents the Libraries’ commitment to building collections that support specialized research.
“This collection will give students, faculty and other researchers access to rare materials that can help them think about musical history and social history in new ways,” Salem said. “Music is inexorably linked to culture, and this archive will help scholars and other visitors understand how art and history intersect. In the 60s and 70s, musicians were exploring issues of equity and inclusion that we’re still wrestling with today. In that way, this acquisition also represents the MSU Libraries’ commitment to leading meaningful initiatives in these areas.”
Jack Bodnar spent more than 40 years building his collection, which includes original lithographs created by Carl Lundgren and Gary Grimshaw, promotional materials from the Grand Ballroom and a complete run of the Detroit underground newspaper Fifth Estate.
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.