Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1907-1950 (Creation)
Extent
0.21 linear feet (1 half-document case)
Name of creator
Biographical history
William H. Powers was born in northwest Ohio. He earned his B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1891, and later received an M.A. from Harvard University in 1899. After several years teaching at Huron College in Huron, South Dakota, Powers was appointed librarian at South Dakota State College in 1905, a position he held until 1931.
In addition to his work at the college, Powers was a charter member of the South Dakota Academy of Science and the Forum. He served on the South Dakota State Library Commission and was a member of the Brookings Public Library Board of Trustees. He played a key role in securing a Carnegie Library for Brookings and was also active in the Boy Scouts from an early date.
Powers died in 1936.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The William H. Powers Papers consist primarily of handwritten and draft materials authored by Powers concerning the institutional history of South Dakota State College. The collection also includes general correspondence, correspondence with entomologist J.M. Aldrich, and documents specifically focused on the founding and development of the Brookings Public Library. Additional writings by Powers reflect his historical interests and biographical sketches, including materials related to figures such as Robert F. Kerr and Pamelia Phillips Banks-Warriner, and topics like the McLouth administration and the Upheaval of 1893. A small number of items pertain to unrelated activities, including World War I-era materials from the World Disarmament Committee and a 1917 anti-conscription petition signed by faculty. The collection also contains a certificate of membership in the South Dakota Academy of Science.
These papers document William H. Powers' historical research on South Dakota State College and his civic involvement in Brookings, South Dakota. His notes and correspondence offer insight into early 20th-century library development, academic perspectives on military conscription during World War I, and efforts to preserve institutional memory. The collection is particularly valuable for understanding early initiatives related to the Brookings Public Library and faculty engagement in national and local issues.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Information request form: Ask Us!
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)
The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.
If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:
- Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
- Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
- Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
-
Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Copyright and Use Statement
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Powers, William H. (William Howard) 1868-1936 (Subject)
- Ethical Culture Club (Brookings, S.D.) (Subject)