Dubuque Library Collection Worth 1.1 Million

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Jul 8, 2008 at 4:14 PM CST

Story Updated: Jul 9, 2008 at 1:13 PM CST

Dubuque - A museum in Texas is offering the Dubuque's Carnegie-Stout Public Library 1.1 million dollars
The Fort Worth museum wants to buy a valuable collection from them, and the money would be just enough to help the library begin its renovation project.
But there's a battle brewing to keep the collection in Dubuque.
This is a story about a book collection. A very rare book collection. It requires people to wear white gloves and use a special key to get their hands on it.
Library Director Susan Henricks said, "I've been here almost seven years and we've had ,um, .two people come and make an appointment to look at these."

Not many people know it's here. Even fewer know it's worth more than a million dollars.

Henricks said, "It's unusual to find a full collection and unusual to find one that is in very good condition."

In his twenty book collection, Artist Edward Curtis documents the everyday lives of North American Indians, using photographs and words.

Members of the Dubuque Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission say there should be no price tag on this collection.
They'll do whatever they can to keep the one-hundred year old books and artwork close to home.

Dubuque Arts and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Louise Kames said, "We really want to keep this collection in Dubuque and make it more public and have greater opportunities for people to interact with the collection."

Library officials recognize it as a treasure but say it's too delicate to display.

Still, these books and photos tell the stories of Indian tribes who struggled to keep what was theirs.
It's with that spirit, the arts and cultural commissioners will fight to keep the collection here at home.

Library Director Susan Henricks says the one point one million dollars would allow the library to begin renovation work within the next couple of months.

The board will decide whether or not to make the sell later this month.

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