January 20, 2009
Special Collections center to close temporarily
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Special Collections Research Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, home to thousands of rare and historic materials, will close temporarily Jan. 26 as it moves from its current location into the newly renovated and expanded Morris Library. Plans call for reopening on the first floor of Morris Library near the new Delyte’s coffee commons on March 2.
“We will be moving about 100,000 books and approximately 20,000 boxes. It will take a few weeks but we’re very excited to be back on campus. We encourage people to come see us at Morris Library and use our resources,” said Pam Hackbart-Dean, director of special collections.
During the library construction project, the Special Collections Research Center and its well-utilized Reading Room have been at 1835 University Press Drive, off McLafferty Road and adjacent to the Morris Library Annex. The extensive collection features rare books, political papers, historical records of the University and the region and much more.
“It’s the raw materials of history,” Hackbart-Dean said. Scholars, students, faculty and community members utilize the Special Collections Research Center, whose goal is advancing scholarship and furthering SIUC’s educational, research and service missions.
During the move, Special Collections staff will still provide reference services as best as they can to the University community and other patrons by mail, e-mail and telephone, Hackbart-Dean said. For assistance or more information, call 618/453-2516 or e-mail speccoll@lib.siu.edu.