Missouri State's Meyer Library becomes new home of David Harrison's written collection

More than 40 boxes full of letters, unfinished manuscripts and dust jackets were packed tightly in the back of Thomas Peters' van last week as he drove back to Springfield from Warrensburg. The collection of materials belonged to Springfield native and Missouri Poet Laurate David Harrison and will soon be accessible at Missouri State University's Meyer Duane G. Library.

Peters, dean of Missouri State's Library Services, made the two-hour drive to Warrensburg last week because up until that point, Harrison's collection has been stored within the University of Central Missouri's James C. Kirkpatrick Library. Recently, Harrison decided it was time to bring the collection home.

For 35 years, Harrison participated in Central Missouri University's Children's Literature Festival, a multi-day event that recognizes authors and illustrators from across the country. This year, the festival celebrates its 55th anniversary. As one of the festival's most frequent attendees, Harrison was asked if he would be interested in donating his works — both finished and incomplete — to the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.

For years, Harrison collected letters, draft scribbles and other pieces of written work, piling the paperwork under his desk at home, then transferring the pile — once it got tall enough — to a box in his basement. Once a few boxes were full, he'd send them on their way to Warrensburg.

But more recently, Harrison has been donating his written materials to Meyer Library. The author no longer attends the Children's Literature Festival and doesn't have strong connections at Central Missouri University like he used to. A request from Peters, who expressed interested in Harrison's collection, proved to be the final push he needed to make the move.

To have all of his work in Springfield, his hometown, is "delightful," Harrison said. He is hopeful that students and members of the community will find use in the collection, whether it be for academic research or learning more about the behind-the-scenes of writing and publishing books.

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Peters, who expressed that the library is "really excited" to have Harrison's collection, said the materials will survive much longer at the library than they would if they were kept in a "dusty attic." Moreover, he's glad to know that the materials will not make their way into landfills, as historical artifacts often do.

When and where will Harrison's collection be accessible?

Peters told the News-Leader that he transferred about 42 boxes from Warrensburg to Springfield, full of Harrison's collection. This amount of material will take a while to process. Specifically, library staff will need to establish a finding aid, which will help folks search through the collection, and transfer the materials to acid-neutral containers. Some parts of the collection, like photographs, will be digitized.

The collection, which does not have an official title yet, will be housed within Meyer Library's Special Collections and Archives, located on the third floor of the library. Peters said he imagines the collection will become accessible in 2025.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Poet Laureate David Harrison's collection to be housed at MSU