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 On a recent
trip with work to Tennessee, I couldn’t help but stop by Bowling
Green University. Why not it’s right off I-75. It was a
spontaneous visit so I was a little unprepared, never the less
Director Bob Graham and Assistant Brent where very helpful.
So I thought I’d share
my experience, to better guide anyone interested in a visit. It’s
worth the road trip and for the most part it's really straight
forward. So let’s get started.
Contact
Contact Director Bob
Graham in regards to your visit. Spontaneous visits are fine, but
to better assist you it’s best to notify them a few days in
advance. Particularly if you have a lot you wish to go over.
 Driving and
parking:
It couldn’t be easier
with them located right off I-75. You will find parking to the
North side of the 9 story build. You can only enter the parking
lot from the East by taking Ridge Street. Meters are there for
visitors, so bring quarters. They have a 2 hour max, so you may
need to run back down later.
The Library:
Enter the building on the
very lowest floor on the West side. Once inside you may ask the information desk
(left) where to go, or simply walk down the large open hallway
straight ahead, and then take the elevator to the 5th
floor. The doors will open and an assistant there will help you,
ask that you wish to go to the Great lakes Collection, they will
then send you up to the 6th floor. The collection is
not directly accessible, that’s way they do this. On the six you
will then be greeted by Bob or his assistant.
 The
Collection:
They will have you fill
out some paperwork. Make sure to read it, it tells you a little on
how to take care of the collection items you use. Note no cameras
are allowed and no pens. Finally there is no browsing the
collection with an exception of a few books, everything else must
be requested to Bob or his assistant. Now they are very helpful
and informative, so ask away.
 Be Prepared:
Know what you’re looking
for, sounds simple, but here’s some tips. The archive is organized
by the ships name at time of build and the “Official number” so
make sure you know them. Also the “Hull” number and place of build
will help. With that information in hand they can tell you
everything. All this information can be found on there website
here. If you call in advance, providing this information will
better help them find what you request.
 Print – Photos
– Microfilm - Text
All these are available
to you at a very reasonable cost. They will give you a price list.
You may request a copy of any Print – Photos – Microfilm - Text.
They will prepare you request, copy it, and send it to you by mail
in a few weeks. An invoice will be included with the cost.
Cross Referencing:
They are very
knowledgeable they know there archive. So if you for some reason
can find something, do a little digging. For instance many similar
Package Freighters of the 1920’s where built in Great Britain, but
some where also built in Midland Ontario, so they might have more
information on them. Hull numbers are another thing. Many ships
where built using the same drawings. Requesting a drawing for a
ship, they will provide a list of hull numbers built from these
drawings. They may only have few photos of the ship you’re looking
for, but have many more of its sister ship. This aspect of
research I find entertaining, you just never know what you may
find out.
Final notes:
I just would like to
thank Bob and Brent for all their help, it was an enjoyable
experience. Also be preparing before you go down, call in advance
a few days at least, use the online archive to cross reference and
finally have fun.
Information
Contact
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/hcgl/dbcontact.html
Location
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/hcgl/lrgmap.html
Search
http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/hcgl/vsearch.html
Enjoy Jeff Churill
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