Doll Collection is Newest Addition to Ball State Libraries' Digital Media Repository

The Ball State University Libraries’ Doll Collection is the newest addition to the Digital Media Repository (DMR). Students, faculty, and researchers can view the dolls and other CONTENTdm-based DMR collections to discover a wide variety of surprising materials in the Libraries’ collections. This collection can be viewed at http://libx.bsu.edu/collection.php?CISOROOT=%2FDolCol

or browse the Educational Resources Collections at http://libx.bsu.edu.

Digital photographs taken from several angles and 3-D rotating videos were packaged together to represent the wide assortment of dolls available for checkout for two-week loan, with option for renewal, in the Libraries’ Educational Resources Collections.

As in other DMR collections, like the Musical Instruments and Miniature Furniture, QuickTime Virtual Reality movies present the viewer with a comprehensive view of an object that allows them to zoom in and manipulate the image as desired.

Many of the dolls in the collection represent characters, both fictional and historical, that we know and love. In that respect, these dolls would be instrumental in bringing a book or history lesson to life. Among others, Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, Ben Franklin, and Martha Washington are depicted by these dolls, in assorted material, color, and size.

The dolls range in date from the 1930s to 1990s. Some of the oldest dolls, like many in the collection, represent a wide range of cultures and native costumes. This is a valuable resource to researchers who are interested in a particular culture and their ethnic dress. Some examples are the Polish peasant, Welsh doll, and Eskimo doll.

To discover the physical location and availability of a doll, click on the “Locate This Item in CardCat” link in the document description view in the DMR. Patrons can also borrow doll stands in order to easily display the object.

For more information about the Doll Collection in the DMR, contact Amanda A. Hurford, Ball State University’s Digital Initiatives Multimedia Developer, AAHurford@bsu.edu, (765) 285-3349.