Burton Historical Collection

Still closed as of October, still no planned date to reopen

Researchers should be aware that the Burton limits your time to two hours. If this policy is on the website, I can't find it. Needless to say, this is insufficient for any research project that involves anything more than a quick look at a collection. Having driven nearly two hours to do research, this was frustrating to say the least.

Second visit. Don't waste your time. It isn't that the info you seek isn't there, it's getting help in finding it that is at issue. Many of the items in the collection are protected and that is a good thing. I don't think that you are expected to know and understand all of that. What you are expected to know is the redheaded middle-aged woman with a mouth like a lamprey is NOT going to help you. There were possibly three patrons in the whole of the Burton Collection on this day so they weren't too busy to help. Most of the employees in a sitting position would like to stay that way. Maybe the state budget decision makers visited before they withdrew millions in funding. I have been in libraries where the librarians and clerks offered ideas and other ways to get to what you seek without being asked. This woman won't even tell you if you ask. It's almost like a game of what do I need to do to get this person to help me. Is there a secret word or something besides please. God knows I was polite. I won't be going there again.

I visited the Burton Library during 2004. I am from Minnesota. I accessed the large dictionary firstly then the books found me that wanted me to look at them.I opened some serious kick ass on a Hebrew book and found a page that is surely a good idea for exercise. I saw the Hebrew on the hands drawing and I see there is a Hebrew symbol for each section of the hand. Each of the 28 sections of the /fingers/thumbs. So because I can't read Hebrew yet I now do the exercise to touch all of those sections when I do remember each time. 28. Just like thinking to yourself is what exercise is.

It's a phenomenal source for historical research. It's a bit old school with the massive card catalogs but staff has been very helpful in giving tips on how to use the system.