Inventory department records

Collection

Identifier: uarc 1178

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The records of the inventory department record land purchases (1929-1951), building and land improvements (1931-1965), museum specimens and collections (1931-1992), and library holdings (1984-1990).

Dates

1914, 1929-1992

Creator

University of Minnesota. Inventory Department (Organization)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Use of Materials

Items in this collection do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Copyright

Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the University of Minnesota Archives.

Historical Note

In a letter dated April 9, 1931 to University president Lotus Coffman, comptroller W.T. Middlebrook states the Inventory Department carries out the following duties:

"To abstract from the Accounting Department's monthly list of expenditures all equipment purchased during the month and record the equipment ..."
"To record ... information showing kind of equipment, date of purchase, cost, and identification number"
"To indicate on all new equipment purchased identification numbers"
"To make an actual physical check by means of the departmental list of all equipment owned by the University at certain stated periods"

The inventory department was overseen by University Service Enterprises. The department name was changed to Property Accounting Department, and later to Inventory Services.