The Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature, University of Minnesota Libraries

The Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature

The Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature is a rich collection of African American literature, biography, social science, art, notes, manuscripts, and inscriptions. The collection is available for research by students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Besides supporting research and teaching, items in the collection assist in the promotion of other outreach activities, such as exhibitions, public presentations, class presentations, and tours.

VISITING THE COLLECTION

The collection is a part of the University of Minnesota's Special Collections and Rare Books Department. The Givens Curator, Cecily Marcus, may be found in Suite 213 of the Elmer L. Andersen Library on the West Bank of the Minneapolis campus. All questions and conversations about the collection should directed to Cecily Marcus. The collection is open for research Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at other times by appointment. We are closed on University and national holidays. Visitors are strongly encouraged to contact the curator before making a trip to Andersen Library. With advance notice, staff members can retrieve the items needed for your research and have them ready at the time of your arrival.

Driving and parking directions can be found here.

HISTORY

The collection began in private hands. During the early 1950s, Richard Lee Hoffman, playwright and former professor of English at New York City Technical College in Brooklyn, started collecting books and manuscript material by or about African Americans. In 1985, the family of Archie Givens, Sr. and Phebe Mae Givens and an eleven-member Patrons' Council of African American community leaders assisted in the purchase of the 3,000-item collection, under the auspices of the Givens Foundation. Archie Givens, Sr. (1919-1974) was a successful Minneapolis businessman and entrepreneur who did not attend college, but he was a strong supporter of higher education, particularly for young people of color. The following year, the collection became known as the Archie Givens, Sr. Collection of African American Literature. The Givens Foundation continues to support the growth of the collection.

HOW TO DONATE

The Givens Collection welcomes the donation of books, manuscript material, or monetary donations to support the collection. Manuscript material (personal papers or organizational records) may include correspondence, working files, photographs, unpublished works, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, book club records, or any other items that document the literary life of African Americans. The material does not have to be organized to be donated. Staff members will arrange, describe, and make it available for researchers. To discuss donations, please contact the curator.