The Wonderful World of Museum Libraries
Come along on this tour of the wonderful world of museum libraries as we highlight eclectic collections around the globe.
Come along on this tour of the wonderful world of museum libraries as we highlight eclectic collections around the globe.
When most of us think of Yosemite National Park we think of soaring peaks, Half Dome, waterfalls, and perhaps crowds enjoying the sights and wonders of one of America’s most famous national parks. Did you know that Yosemite hosted over 5 million visitors in 2016? That’s a lot of people, especially considering most visit from April to October. In fact, you have to look pretty closely to discover the Yosemite Research Library. But it’s there. Past the visitor center, into the 1925 stone Herbert Maier designed Museum building, just past a Native American shopping kiosk, there is a small sign in a stairwell that announces to those who happen to get this far that the Yosemite Research Library is up those stairs.
And if you happen to venture up the stairs and into the dusty back rooms of the second floor, at the end of the hall you’ll see a bookcase for the library visitors to leave their things (particularly their edibles, given the possible critter problems that crumbs might create) and just beyond the bookcase you’ll encounter a closed door. Through that door is over 100 years of Yosemite related research treasures crammed into a small room filled with books, papers, and maps. Collection development started in 1923, and the library now holds over 10,000 items. Despite its rather hidden location and the lack of signage or directions, the library is open to visitors (10-4:30 Mon-Thurs, with a 12-12:30 break for lunch). And, as some of us were able to experience first-hand, also open to volunteers. San Jose’s SLA group was lucky enough to spend a day and a half volunteering at this special place.
In this post, a couple of our members share their experiences:
On January 11, the Spring 2017 Student Associations Panel featured various SJSU iSchool groups. Communications Director Kate Spaulding did us proud with her presentation on behalf of SJSU’s SLA Student Chapter. Each presenter spoke briefly about their group’s focus, events, and member benefits, as well as answering audience questions. There were about Read more…
Michelle Ng from ALASC and I are friends. In real life! We met through a group of Bay Area iSchool students who wanted to get to know each other in person. It’s been great to put faces with names. Last spring we attended a Baynet event together and met Julie Takata, Read more…
Prep for Success: Your Career in Special Libraries… and Beyond Ready to be done with the semester and wondering how to jump-start your career? Join the SJSU SLA for a talk with a social media and networking expert, Tracy Maleeff and find out how social media and professional networking can get Read more…