E-Newsletter

Preserving the Source
An e-newsletter from the Water Resources Archive
at Colorado State University

December 2005
Issue II

New Digital Materials Available Online in the Colorado's Waters Digital Archive

Still in its beginning stages, the Colorado's Waters Digital Archive (CWDA) debuts with fourteen reports on Colorado water projects. All fourteen come from the Water Resources Archive's Ival V. Goslin Water Resources Collection, which documents the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority's activities during the 1980s. Goslin was executive director of the Authority from 1982 to 1985.

The reports, covering the Colorado, Platte and Rio Grande basins, are presented both as digital images of each page (nearly 3,000 of them) as well as searchable full text. A keyword search will show results of where that word appears in all of the reports. This facilitates research not only through the searchability of previously print-only documents, but also brings these reports to computer desktops around the world.

While additional documents from the Water Resources Archive will be scanned and made available in the same manner over time, these particular reports were chosen for their relevancy to current topics being investigated in the state. The reports provide the data and information on projects that were once intended to be built in Colorado, but instead were bypassed. As agencies around the state look for new water supply solutions, knowing what wasn't built and why can be very informative.

The CWDA is part of the Western Waters Digital Library, a collaborative effort of the Greater Western Library Alliance that was funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Archive Update: Celebrating the Carpenter Papers

The Water Resources Archive's celebration of the opening of the Papers of Delph E. Carpenter and Family on November 18th was a rousing success, with nearly 100 people listening to presentations and viewing exhibits. The finding aid for the Carpenter collection is now available online, and printed copies can also be requested. Recent new accessions in the Archive are additional records from the Colorado Water Resources Research Institute as well as "odds and ends" from Civil Engineering, including old photos of the Bellevue Hydraulic Laboratory.

Looking Forward

Upcoming activities for the Water Resources Archive include the processing of some smaller collections recently received by the Archive and expanding the archive holdings by acquiring new collections. As for exhibits, the WRA will turn the exhibit "Dot Carpenter: The Woman Behind the Man" currently on display in Archives and Special Collections within Morgan Library into a virtual exhibit. This includes the digitization of nearly fifty items from the Carpenter Papers including photographs, correspondence and more.

Support the Archive: Join Us for Water Tables

In recognition of the vital relationship between the Colorado State University Libraries and the continued preservation of Colorado's water history, we are proud to host Water Tables, a benefit banquet for the Water Resources Archive on Saturday, January 28, 2006. Water Tables will feature dinner table hosts who are experts in fields related to Colorado's waters. Each host will facilitate a unique conversation that will lead you on a journey winding through the past, present or even the future of Colorado's water resources.

The evening will begin at 5:30 pm with cocktails and tours of the Water Resources Archive within the Morgan Library. Following cocktails, guests will be escorted across the plaza to Lory Student Center's West Ballroom. Table hosts will begin topic conversations while dinner is served. Table hosts' books will be available for purchase and signing before and after the meal.

Event proceeds will provide additional opportunities to preserve and promote materials for historians, scholars, researchers, writers and the general public. Funds raised will provide support for acquiring and processing of new materials, growing digital collections for enhanced searchability and remote access, and developing virtual and physical exhibitions to promote wider use and interest in these crucial materials.

We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening of provocative and lively conversation. Tickets are $125 per person. Seating is limited. Call 970.491.1833 for tickets and reservations or logon to http://lib.colostate.edu/develop/events/2006/watertables/ to download a complete invitation booklet and faxable reservation form.

Virtual Visit

To view the holdings of the Colorado's Waters Digital Archive and the Western Waters Digital Library, visit us on the web at http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/cowaters/.

And if you haven't already, visit the Water Resources Archive online at http://lib.colostate.edu/archives/water/.

This quarterly electronic newsletter is designed to keep you informed on the developments with the Water Resources Archive. If you would prefer not to receive further updates, or if you know someone else who would like to receive this, just drop a line to us at development@library.colostate.edu.

This e-newsletter is created by Patty Rettig with the assistance of Judea Franck.