Special Collections Research Center to reopen in renovated space March 28

The Special Collections Research Center [1]’s renovated research, teaching and study spaces will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 28.

Since August 2010, Special Collections has been operating in a temporary space in the Joseph Regenstein Library. The SCRC study spaces, reading room and exhibition gallery underwent renovations and the SCRC main entrance was reoriented along the pathway to the new Joe & Rika [2]Mansueto Library [2]. The new renovated exhibition gallery will reopen on Monday, May 9.

“We are very excited about our renovated spaces,” said Alice Schreyer, Director of Special Collections. “With these new facilities, we hope to expand the kinds of interactive programs we can sponsor with faculty and graduate students, and continue our outreach to undergraduate students.”

The upgraded space now features two small group study rooms as well as a large technology-equipped classroom that can accommodate 50 people seated at tables or 100 in conference-style seating. A smaller seminar room can accommodate up to 25 people. These spaces are available to students and faculty engaged in research and teaching that involves Special Collections materials. In addition, the Ludwig Rosenberger Library of Judaica [3] and several staff offices have been relocated within Special Collections.

On the wall opposite the entrance to Special Collections, visitors also will see a set of newly installed lead silhouette printers’ marks. The printer’s mark, a small image used to identify the work of a particular printer or publisher, first came into use in the 15th century. The lead silhouettes, which represent the work of influential publishing figures from the 15th to 20th centuries, were originally installed in RR Donnelley [4]’s Calumet Plant in 1929. The Library received the lead silhouettes with the gift of the R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company Archive [5].

Special Collections will be open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. when classes are in session.

For more information about using Special Collections, please visit http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/spcl/using/ [6].