William H. Hannon Library Update

Archives and Special Collections ... Treasures On the Move!

Did you know that LMU's Department of Archives and Special Collections is home to an outstanding collection of rare and valuable items?  Currently located on the lower level of Von der Ahe Library, the department houses (among other things) the first folio of Shakespeare, three incunabula (books printed in the first half-century after the invention of the printing press), works of fine art, important Los Angeles history collections, and over a million postcards.  A&SC is also home to the University Archives, which is where you can find the most information on the history of LMU.  Best of all, anyone is welcome to make an appointment to come and peruse these treasures in the comfort and safety of the Special Collections reading room.

If that sounds good now, just wait until we move into our new home in the William H. Hannon Library!  Archives & Special Collections is moving up in the world--both literally and figuratively.  We'll be located on the top floor of the Hannon Library, and in addition to a reading room where researchers will work one-on-one with the materials, we're getting a new exhibit gallery and classroom.

So, what does this mean for you, the library patron?  Having a separate classroom and reading room means that researchers will be able to come in even when classes are visiting.  Having a dedicated gallery space within the department (with added security) means that you'll be able to drop in and see some of our greatest treasures out on display.  During our first year in the new building, keep an eye out for a series of exhibits on the History of the Book.

A less obvious change is that, while our public spaces will be on the top floor, our collections will be lovingly cared for in the basement with light, temperature, and humidity controls to ensure that LMU's treasures will be preserved for future generations.  For our patrons, this means that collections that were previously stored off-campus and used to require a few days' notice to allow for transportation, may now be available for researchers the same day.  However, it also means that collections that used to be available immediately may require a few hours' advance notice for us to retrieve them from the basement--a perfect time to look over the latest exhibit, take in a movie from our media collection, or enjoy a coffee downstairs in the café!

Printed and holograph promissory note to France, dated August 15, 1781, printed and signed by Benjamin Franklin.

Image courtesy of LMU Archives & Special Collections

Attention Faculty: A “Faculty Commons” Awaits You At The Hannon Library!

Consisting of an Innovation Center where faculty can "test drive" some of the latest information/instructional technology and a cozy Reading Room with a fireplace (yes, a fireplace), the Faculty Commons will be located on the third floor overlooking the Leavey Campus and the new outdoor amphitheater. The two areas will be separated by a wall, so there can be events in either space at the same time. The Innovation Center will offer one-on-one assistance and small-group workshops for faculty. The Reading Room will provide comfortable seating in addition to work space. Either area of the Faculty Commons may be reserved through the library for programs and events.

Here is a wish list that your colleagues on the Library Committee developed for the Faculty Commons. The final configuration is still a work-in-progress, so if you feel there is something missing from this list, please add your suggestion(s) in the "Comments" section below - we'd love to hear from you!

• Computer stations that have both PCs and Macs.
• Flatbed scanners that can scan multiple pages and save documents in a variety of file formats.
• Copy machines.
• Statistical analysis software installed in the computers.
• A staffed area. Graduate assistants, interns, and undergraduate assistants will be sufficient as long as they are trained and competent.
• "Live chat" IT support to get instant answers to quick questions.
• A place where faculty members can check out video cameras. (NOTE: students and faculty members will be able to check out video cameras, digital cameras, and laptops from the Media & Reserves department.)

Happy New Year!

In the Chinese Calendar, 2009 is the Year of the Ox. Here at LMU, however, this is the Year of the New Library!

To celebrate this year of change, on Thursday, January 8 the Von der Ahe Library Staff spent all day in a retreat dedicated to planning for the big move from the old to the new. We've been staring at floor plans and shelving schemes for months on end, so it was a treat to cap off the day by donning hard hats and getting our first glimpse of what our new digs will actually be like! (And to tell you the truth, we don't know how anyone is going to get any studying done with such stunning views...)

Click here to check out a Flickr set of our sneak preview, and stay tuned to this blog for more video tours as the Hannon Library takes shape.

Just a reminder- this blog will be the definitive place to check back for up to date New Library news and events. This is also your space! Do you have any photos of the Hannon Library that you'd like to share? Any questions you'd like to see answered? Let us know! Post a comment, and we promise we'll respond.

Happy Year of the Library, all!