Historians, professors, donors sue over closure of State Historical Society’s Iowa City facility

IOWA CITY — Seventeen historians, archivists, professors, authors, and donors with decades of public service — including as University of Iowa archivist, U.S. Supreme Court historian, and state archaeologist — are suing the State Historical Society of Iowa for haphazardly and without public input deciding to close its Iowa City research facility and archives.

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“The Iowa Code explicitly requires the State of Iowa to maintain history research centers in both Des Moines and Iowa City,” according to the lawsuit filed Sept. 26 in Johnson County District Court. “Yet, without public input or a clear plan, state officials have begun dismantling the Iowa City archive, laying off staff, and removing collections — many of which were donated under the condition that they remain accessible in Iowa City.”

The litigants — including Linda Kerber, who’s been honored by former President Barack Obama and mentored by iconic Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; former UI Historian and Archivist David McCartney; and Judy Putney, granddaughter of F.W. Kent, recognized in the naming of Johnson County’s Kent Park — are seeking both immediate and permanent court intervention.

The “decision to close the facility and the haphazard process they have followed in moving collections from the Iowa City Research Library to the facility in Des Moines has been in violation of professional archival standards and deaccession procedures,” according to the lawsuit filed against the historical society, its administrator, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, its director, and the state archivist.

Specifically, according to the lawsuit, the state didn’t reappraise the collection, prepare a plan to execute the move, engage all relevant stakeholders — including donors and community members — and document decisions and actions.

Due to damage being done and the rate at which the state intends to remove important and valuable collections from the Iowa City Research Library, “contrary to statute, to the deeds of gift for many donations in the collections, and to the general practices and record keeping of historical archivists,” the lawsuit seeks a temporary but immediate block on the removal of any document or artifact from the Iowa City Research Library.

It also wants the state to return any documents or artifacts that have been removed from the Iowa City library in preparation for the facility’s closure next year, according to the lawsuit.

And, ultimately, it wants the court to find the state violated Iowa Code — making the temporary injunction permanent.

“Petitioners seek an order determining that the Iowa City Research Library be maintained with its collections intact and be opened to the public for research and other related purposes.”

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com