UH Mānoa library unveils newly organized special research collections

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Teri Skillman, (808) 956-8688
Events & Communications Coordinator, UH Mānoa Library
Posted: Sep 8, 2009

This Fall, the UH Mānoa Library has officially launched a new initiative to make available the Library’s spectacular, underutilized rare collections, not only for scholarship, but also for pure enjoyment and “for the amusement of the curious.” (George Beckman, The Universal Penman, 1741).
 
Special Research Collections (SRC) combines a number of Library collections under a single paging procedure. The Preservation Department will be paging all materials, including Special Closed (previously handled by Access Services).
 
Kathleen Robertson, Librarian for UHM’s Institute for Astronomy, had the distinction of being SRC’s inaugural patron on August 26th. Searching for books to include in the display cases from the SRC in the Library’s Bridge Gallery exhibit celebrating the 400th anniversary of astronomy, Robertson was glowing with excitement and astonishment after her first visit to the Moir Archives Reading Room.  “I have always envied the collections at the Huntington Library,” Ms. Robertson noted, “but I had no idea that UHM had so many beautiful books on astronomy,” said Robertson. The astronomy exhibit highlights deep space photographs taken with the Canada-France-Hawai’i telescope on Mauna Kea and features the Library’s holdings of rare books on astronomy.
 
UHM history professor, Karen Jolley, has been working with a team of Librarians (srcref-l@hawaii.edu) to uncover early manuscripts to introduce her students to tangible aspects of medieval culture. Leaves from illuminated manuscripts can be identified in the Library’s ßVoyager catalog. But techniques of archaeological librarianship need to be applied to identify bits and pieces of medieval manuscripts used in the bindings of 16th century printed volumes.
 
Pursue your interests by starting your exploration at the Special Research Collections web page:
Let the team of Librarians know if we can help you (srcref-l@hawaii.edu). Be sure to take the opportunity to pursue the UHM Library Special Research Collections in the Moir Archives Reading Room (5th floor of the Hamilton Library addition), every Tues 9am – Noon and Thurs 1 - 5pm, or by appointment. (tel: 956-6047.
 
Use the Voyager Patron Request for access to: 
Special Rare ▪ Special Book Arts ▪ Special Closed ▪ Special Asia Closed
▪ Special East Closed ▪ Special Gorey ▪ Special Juvenile

 
Other Collections not in Voyager:
Arthur Goodfriend
Robert Baker Aitken Papers
Social Movements Collection
 
 
A number of Librarians have volunteered to assist patrons in the Reading Room, on a monthly rotation, during open hours. Many thanks to Ellen Chapman, Naomi Chow, Katie Curler, Lynn Davis, Ryan James, Jodie Mattos, Pat Polansky, Bron Solyom, Jan Sung and K.T. Yao. The volunteers have been trained in the handling of rare materials by Karen Peacock, Lynn Davis and Deborah Dunn.
 
Please refer questions to srcref-l@hawaii.edu

For more information, visit: http://library.manoa.hawaii.edu/departments/spec/