Letter from the Director
I am pleased to present the Bentley Historical Library’s Strategic Plan, which sets the direction of the library for the next several years. We are entrusted with the acquisition, preservation, and accessibility of invaluable records that document the state of Michigan and the University of Michigan. Woven throughout the plan you will find the concept of community animates our vision of the future of the Bentley.
As a word and concept, community can be read in many ways, yet it was central to what we heard in the conversations we had across and beyond the library. We discovered that staff, faculty, students, and researchers across the university and state viewed the Bentley and its collections as existing in the context of various communities, both on and off campus. Some participants imagine the community of students who engage with collections in the classroom, others spoke about records that document various communities throughout the state, such as the African American or LBGTQIA+ communities, and still others emphasized the scholarly community that engages with Bentley collections to produce and disseminate new knowledge.
In constructing this strategic plan, we engaged in thoughtful reflection and inclusive dialogue, taking into account the input of our dedicated staff, external stakeholders, and the diverse communities we serve both within and outside the University. Over the course of four months we engaged every member of the Bentley staff and 57 people external to the Bentley. We spoke with University of Michigan faculty, staff, students, and administrators; leaders of archival organizations at the state and national level; donors; and members of groups that have historically been underrepresented in the Bentley collections.
Several key themes emerged from these conversations. Across the university and the state, both within and outside of the Bentley, the conversations focused on: increased access and collaboration, developing an expanded audience for our collections and services, developing sustainable stewardship practices, exploring technological innovation, and focusing on inclusivity. Using these broad themes, the entire staff came together to provide input that refined the plan and clarified our organizational values.
I am incredibly grateful for everyone who contributed to this process. Your input and ideas helped us to envision an expansive future for the Bentley, and I am so excited to be able to share the resulting vision with you. We recognize that our success depends on the continued support and engagement of our stakeholders and invite you to join us in fulfilling this shared vision, whether through collaboration, advocacy, or other forms of support.
Sincerely,
Alexis Antracoli
Director, Bentley Historical Library
University of Michigan