The Darling collection is not only valuable to journalists and conservationists, but it is also a valued historical documentation of the time period. It gives a perspective on life in Iowa and across the country that cannot be found in a textbook or research paper. Stumme said he did not know the collection's monetary value, but the number of people who see it measures its historical value. The index will make people more aware of the collection and increase its value as a research material. Mary Beveridge, head of public services and associate professor of librarianship, agreed.
People come from all across the country to see it.