As a center of intellectual life at SMU, Central University Libraries has been
encouraging the discovery and acquisition of knowledge since the opening of the
first SMU library in Dallas Hall in 1915. CUL is now the largest component of
the University Library System and considers its primary goal to be the creation
of a 21st century library that uses technology as a catalyst for learning,
supports the research needs of the academic community and provides comfortable
and graceful physical settings conducive to study, research and intellectual
inspiration.
CUL has a distinguished record of providing a high level of personalized service
and support to the University, and can take pride in its significant
contributions to SMU’s progress over the years. CUL’s collections, at over two
million volumes, make up the heart of the collections on campus. The SMU
Libraries together constitute the largest private academic library in the
Southwest. CUL’s collections are both broad and deep, and include not only
printed materials, such as books and periodicals, but other media as well; for
example, manuscripts, prints, maps, photographs, films, videotapes and DVDs,
sound recordings, and electronic resources.
Notable areas of specialization within CUL include the DeGolyer Library, home to
over 120,000 rare books as well as two million manuscripts and other archival
collections. The Hamon Arts Library houses over 180,000 volumes of fine and
performing arts materials, the Jerry Bywaters Special Collections, and the G.
William Jones Film and Video Collection. The Foscue Map Library, located in
Fondren, contains over 250,000 maps; and the Institute for the Study of Earth
and Man Reading Room offers more than 10,000 books and journals, chiefly focused
on geology and anthropology. Finally, at the Taos campus in New Mexico, the Fort
Burgwin Library serves the needs of the academic programs of SMU-in-Taos, with
particular strengths in Native American studies, Southwestern history and
literature, geology, and anthropology. The collection contains over 6,000 books
and journals.
CUL's collections contribute directly to the University’s goals of “enhancing
the academic quality and stature of the University,” “improving teaching and
learning,” and “strengthening scholarly research and creative achievement.” For
example, the DeGolyer Library collects rare books and manuscripts that support
the curriculum in Dedman College, especially doctoral programs in English and
History. The Hamon Arts Library actively supports the research and curriculum of
the Meadows School of the Arts, and has strong collections in Spanish art and
19th and 20th century French music. Within the Hamon Library, the Bywaters
Collection concentrates on arts of the Southwest, and the G. William Jones Film
and Video Collection provides instructional and research support for the study
of moving images, with collection highlights including the Tyler, Texas Black
Film Collection, and the Sulphur Springs Collection of pre-nickelodeon films.
The Fondren Library Center’s collection of over 1.8 million volumes supports the
programs of Dedman College, the School of Engineering, the Simmons School of
Education and Human Development and (in partnership with the Business
Information Center) the Cox School of Business. Fondren Library’s collection
also goes beyond strict curricular needs to provide representative texts that
support the study of all areas of human knowledge not represented by other
libraries on campus.
The varied campus library facilities support access to these collections.
Fondren Library Center is a popular location for individual and group study, and
the number of people using the library continues to increase. In response to
student demand for quiet, secure study space, Fondren is now open 24 hours daily
during the fall and spring semesters, providing continuous access to a learning
environment. CUL provides almost 200 computers for in-library use with
up-to-date software, full Internet access, and high-speed black/white and color
printing capability. Wireless Internet access and wireless printing are
available throughout CUL buildings and wireless access is available on the
outdoor patios as well. Generous site licenses negotiated by Collection
Development staff allow walk-in patrons access to many of our digital resources.
Hamon Arts Library is also popular among students, not only those in the Meadows
School of the Arts, but in the general population as well, having comfortable,
well-lit study areas and multi-functional group study rooms for media viewing.
The new Norwick Center for Digital Services, adjacent to the Information Commons
in Fondren Library, includes the Student Multimedia Center where students can
create multimedia projects for class assignments and practice their
presentations, a film screening room and a digital projects area where staff can
digitize CUL collections. The DeGolyer Library finds its seminar room and
exhibit facilities frequently used. The Texana Room, with its oak panelling and
book-lined walls, is considered a premium venue for lectures, seminars and
regular meetings. The SMU Board of Trustees annually holds its February meeting
in DeGolyer’s Stanley Marcus Reading Room, which also serves as CUL’s largest
event space, holding about 150 people.
Next
© Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.
