Historic Clements Library celebrates 75 years

Independent library houses rare books

Looking for rare and original photographs, letters, and books from American history to finish a research project?

Search no farther than the Clements Library, located on South University Avenue between University President Lee Bollinger's house and the Shapiro Undergraduate Library.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the Clements Library houses one of the largest collections of 16th to 20th Century American history in the world.

Founded in 1923 by former University regent and engineering alumnus William Clements, the library was not designed as a typical research library. Specific to Clements' wishes, the library is independent from the University's library system, and was initially started with Clements' collection of 20,000 rare books.

Under the direction of John Dann since 1977, the library has grown and expanded while continuing to specialize in original documents and sources of early American history.

The library has developed an international following in its 75 years. Its received numerous donations from people around the world who know their collections will be well taken care at the library.

"Many of our (donors) have a University connection, but they know (the collection) will be treated well and used and built on." Dann said.

University alumnus Keith Hook recently donated his collection of letters and memorabilia acquired during his tour as an Army lieutenant in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Included in his collection are orders, reports, personal letters and newspapers, making it the largest non-military collection of material from World War II.

A collection of more than 45,000 photographs donated by Frederick Currier and Amy McComb records American studio photography during the last decades of the 19th Century.

Focusing on the private lives of Americans during this time period, the collection was so large and comprehensive the library renamed its photography division in honor of the generous donors.

Recently, the library received a large collection of personal letters from World War II Army general George Patton. Donated by a direct descendant, the letters were written by Patton to his parents during his time as an undergraduate at the Virginia Military Institute.

"These letters show how Patton's intellect developed during his early military career." said Robert Cox, Clements Library manuscript and photography curator.

"He is talking about the emotional distancing that must take place in the military, and how the military is the most respectable institution in the country."

Although the library is renowned for its rare collections, it is still young in terms of many rare book libraries, and in seeking additional collections.

One of those developments is the Clements Library Website. While only 10 percent of the library's works are indexed in MIRLYN, Cox said he has created a comprehensive site indexing most of the library's holdings.

The building itself was designed in 1922 by Detroit architect Albert Kahn, and is based on the Italian Renaissance style.

The library's front doors open onto a grand exhibition hall with a two-story ceiling and glass cases filled with rare books. The main room serves mainly as an exhibition hall and lecture area.

This fall, an exhibition representing the exchange of cultures and ideas between North and South America and Europe in the 18th Century will be available for viewing in the main hall.

Beyond the main room and down a flight of stairs lies the rare book rooms. Because it is accessible only with assistance from a secretary located in the main exhibition hall and another sign-in and interview procedure downstairs.

The library can appear exclusive. But this is not the case, Dann and Cox said.

Due to the rarity and fragileness of many of the library's holdings, security checks must be provided in order to ensure the safe care and handling of the materials.

"When I first came to the library, it was not used by undergraduates, only grad students. Now it is very widely used by undergraduates," Dann said.

Many students find resources in Clements that are not available in other libraries or through electronic research.

"Any student with a legitimate research interest is welcome to use the library," Cox said.

Students said they consider the library to be academically stimulating.

"I found the library to be pretty good for research," said LSA junior Steve Carter. "It was not that intimidating."

09-08-98