While I may not be able to speak for every university in Oklahoma that holds a copy of this book, either physically or electronically, I can explain the significance of the book to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
From USAO’s academic page regarding history:
Historians interpret human experiences, achievements and shortcomings. An understanding of the past is essential for the truly liberal education.
Without careful study of history, the lessons of the past are lost. History offers an ordered account of past experiences and their significance in our present lives.
The past affects and shapes our lives. Its study connects diverse people together and provides a measure by which our actions, ideas, goals and conduct can be evaluated.
The awareness and incorporation of history into our daily lives fosters personal growth, professional competence and civic responsibility.
History encompasses the growth of political organizations; the development of economic, social, and religious institutions; and the course of literary, cultural and intellectual movements.
Specialization in history illuminates the origins of our present world and prepares the student with research, writing and analytical skills. A degree in history opens avenues to careers in business, government and teaching, as well as to graduate and professional schools.
Besides the baccalaureate in history, history courses are an integral part of the program leading to a teaching certificate in social studies.1
As you can see, USAO prides itself on its interdisciplinary core. Students can either obtain a degree in history as well as take history courses to complete their teaching certificate. Apart from that, students may simply be interested in history and those courses cater to their interests. The significance of Notes on the State of Virginia in Oklahoma may not be huge, but it is important. As for my campus in Chickasha, the book is held in our archives section in the basement of Nash Library. When speaking with our librarian, she informed me that the only people who come down to the archives to look at the book are history professors, history majors, or history education majors. They find interest in the book to study the past and relate it to today. Apart from those specific individuals, I can only assume that not many others even know it exists. I can only hope this project helps spark interest in more people on my campus, in the Oklahoma community, and from all over to take a look at their own archives or special collections – there could be hidden gems and no one would even know.