Overwhelmingly 30 Complementing the Mansfield Library mission. On a cloudy after- noon last April, Friends <strong>of</strong> the Mansfield Library joined individuals from all parts <strong>of</strong> the campus – and beyond – to celebrate acquisition <strong>of</strong> the Goedicke-Robinson papers, purchased with a combination <strong>of</strong> funds from the Friends <strong>of</strong> the Mansfield Library and from the library. A nationally noted poet, Patricia Goedicke taught in the UM English department from 1981 until retiring in 2003. She died in 2006. Her husband, Leonard Robinson, a New Yorker magazine writer and fiction editor at Esquire, died seven years earlier. “This collection <strong>of</strong> papers and works adds to the understanding <strong>of</strong> the literary world <strong>of</strong> the West and Missoula, in particular,” says Bonnie Allen, dean <strong>of</strong> the library. “<strong>The</strong>y serve as a resource not only for our creative writing students, In her later years, though ill, Goedicke remained vitally interested in life and living. Noted in her obituary among her “hundreds <strong>of</strong> notes, quotations, random written thoughts, plans, and descriptions” was this caution to anyone “who might get drowned in the sludge <strong>of</strong> my psychic and physical pains . . . be sure to speak <strong>of</strong> my utter joy – inexpressible – but experienced . . . walking barefoot over the grass around the house, looking up at the stars and talking to the in-and-out cats in the shadows . . . waking in my sweet bed, with the breezes blowing over and no troubles during the night . . . Such pleasures.” but for scholars and researchers from many points <strong>of</strong> the globe.” What makes a collection, such as this, valuable? “Those who come to study,” Allen explains, “not only will have access to the papers. <strong>The</strong>y will read marginalia, research, working papers, correspondence between authors and publi shers, between writers and writers. <strong>The</strong>y will gain insight into the lives and minds <strong>of</strong> each author. <strong>The</strong> intellectual value <strong>of</strong> all this comes from learning about the artist, her process, and commitment. “<strong>The</strong> reality,” says Allen, “is that any notable individual can sell his or her papers. When they come on the market, manuscripts can go to the highest bidder. I hope [this acquisition] will signal a change <strong>of</strong> view and lead people to realize that donor funds are vital to acquiring papers.” Allen reminds us that “a library does more than circulate books. Forget the technologies and stereotypes,” she cautions. “You cannot name a <strong>University</strong> department for which we haven’t an iron in the fire that will enable us to acquire a collection pertinent to that discipline.”
Bonnie Allen with selected elements <strong>of</strong> the Patricia Goedicke collection, including a photo <strong>of</strong> Goedicke with poet Robert Frost. 31
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