Adams Library at Rhode Island College to House Langevin Congressional Archives

Congressman James Langevin ’90, whose Congressional service representing Rhode Island’s 2nd District will conclude at the end of the year, has donated his archives to his alma mater, Rhode Island College. The collection of legislation, documents, correspondence, speeches, photos and more will be housed in Special Collections at the college’s Adams Library, where they will be preserved as a publicly accessible resource and curated for exhibit.

“The first-rate education that I received at RIC laid the groundwork for my career in public service, so donating my Congressional archives to my alma mater was an easy decision,” said Rep. Langevin. “After serving the people of Rhode Island in Congress for the last 22 years, I hope that this collection will contribute to future scholarship about my work on behalf of Rhode Island, the study of Congress, and the history of our beloved state.”

“We are proud to provide a permanent home for these important historical documents from one of our most accomplished alumni,” says Dr. Jack R. Warner, president of Rhode Island College. “Housing these vital public records in the Adams Library further enhances Rhode Island College’s stature as an anchor institution for our state.”

Among the files included in the archives are materials related to:

• Congressman Langevin’s accomplishments through his House service
• Significant legislation sponsored or cosponsored by Rep. Langevin
• Important issues in the district
• Briefing materials
• Constituent correspondence and newsletters
• Speeches, floor remarks, and press files
• Photographs

The trove of approximately 30 boxes of physical items, as well as a cache of electronic records, began arriving at the Adams Library in November, where Digital Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Veronica Denison estimates it will take approximately three months to organize and archive. The materials are expected to be available for public access sometime in April. This work will include the creation of a finding aid/collection guide that will be available on the Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online, and the curation of a permanent, rotating exhibit of the Langevin Papers within the library. Although the entire collection will not be posted online, Denison will curate a digital exhibit that will be hosted on the library’s website sometime in 2023. 

The archived materials will be available to the general public in the Adams Library Special Collections Reading Room by appointment only, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

“The collection contains materials relating to the subjects of healthcare, disability, stem cell research, national and cybersecurity, and career and technical education, constituent and official correspondence, legislative memos, homeland security, appropriations, and accomplishments,” says Denison. “This is an exciting resource to add to Special Collections. I am looking forward to making it accessible to the RIC community and the general public.”