The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for June 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=81409377
The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for May 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=81113717
On May 6 and 7, I was fortunate enough to attend the 2025 Upper Midwest Digital Collections Conference at the historic and beautiful Union Depot in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I also served on the planning committee for the conference. The exterior of the Union Depot reminded me of the Liberty Memorial Building in Bismarck, only on a larger scale.
The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for April 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=80747356
The Digital Initiatives Department of the North Dakota State Library (NDSL) is excited to announce the creation of two online primary source sets: "Homesteading (From a Distance)" and "Mirror Images - NPL & IVA Political Cartoons." Primary Source Sets are curated collections, or mini exhibits, of original content that provide insight into an event or topic. NDSL’s sets are designed to develop critical thinking skills and to promote lifelong learning by exploring a variety of topics relating to North Dakota's history and culture. Using primary sources from the digital collections of NDSL, with supplemental secondary sources, these sets bring together materials to provide context and to help understand a certain topic.
In "Homesteading (From a Distance)," visitors will learn about homesteading in North Dakota, and explore the peculiar practice of distance, or wide shot, photographs of the homesteads and settlers. In "Mirror Images - NPL & IVA Political Cartoons," visitors will learn about political cartoons, and explore replicated cartoons from the Nonpartisan League (NPL) and Independent Voters Association (IVA) era of North Dakota history.
Students, educators, and lifelong learners are invited to use and explore these Primary Source Sets.
The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for March 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=80395349
The Digital Initiatives Department of the North Dakota State Library (NDSL) is excited to announce the opening of another online exhibit called the “Scandinavian American Bank.” The exhibit uses information and content from NDSL’s Political Prairie Fire digital collection, which focuses on the political battle between the Nonpartisan League (NPL) and the Independent Voters Association (IVA).
This exhibit tells the story of the scandals surrounding the Scandinavian American Bank of Fargo from the late 1910s to well into the 1920s. This seemingly normal bank in downtown Fargo was at the epicenter of the political battle between the NPL and IVA. The scandals would impact more than just this bank. The State Banking Board, the State Examiner's office, the Attorney General's office, NPL enterprises, the Bank of North Dakota, a bank in Valley City, the State Auditor, the courts (including the North Dakota Supreme Court), and several prominent individuals would also be pulled in (many of which, at different times, would be labeled "bank wreckers" for their varied involvement). The arrests, trials, and fanfare lasted for years.
Today, the Scandinavian American Bank has become a mere footnote in the history of the NPL, overshadowed by some of the enduring legacies of that time (like the Bank of North Dakota and the Industrial Commission). However, the bank played a pivotal role in the NPL-IVA era of North Dakota history.
The primary way to navigate the exhibit is to start on the homepage and then progress through each sub-page under “The Story” in sequential order (using the “Next” and “Previous” buttons at the bottom of each page). The “Timeline” page/ tab is a supplement to the main story, and it provides another way to experience the story (in a chronological and slightly condensed way).
This online exhibit is the department’s most comprehensive and ambitious yet. Check it out today! The exhibit is available on NDSL’s LibGuides at https://library-nd.libguides.com/exhibits/sab
The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for February 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=80038627
The Digital Initiatives Department of the North Dakota State Library (NDSL) is excited to announce the opening of another online exhibit called "LMB 100." This exhibit celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the Liberty Memorial Building (LMB) on the North Dakota State Capitol grounds in Bismarck. The exhibit tells the story of the building from its inception to today.
The report of new items added to the digital collections of the North Dakota State Library for January 2025 is now available here: https://library-nd.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=79712951
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.