The Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections library is nestled in a high-traffic area of Grounds, but as students walk by, few are aware of the rare objects which lie within.
Wednesday evening, the library hosted an open house to display its many artifacts, exposing students to a treasure trove of items many did not realize were so readily available.
The event, called "The Most of Special Collections," was put together by four students: second-year College student Anna Bninski, third-year College student Tess Goodman, second-year College student Maggie Moriarty and fourth-year Engineering student Emerson Prebil, all participants in the Wolfe Docent Program this semester. The program, run by the Mary and David Harrison institute, offers undergraduate students an introduction to the Special Collections Library. Wednesday's event represents the culmination of a semester's work.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., students and administrators alike filtered in and out of the Special Collections Library, observing a collection of items arranged to highlight categories such as "Most Virginian," "Most Controversial," "Most Fantastical" and "Most Macabre." The student docents gave presentations about their favorite items as guests browsed and munched on hors d'oeuvres.
A riding jacket belonging to William Faulkner and a pendant containing the intertwined hair of George and Martha Washington were among the items featured as "Most Virginian." Students also were drawn to Thomas Jefferson's personal copy of his "Notes on the State of Virginia," with margin notes written in his own handwriting.
Some items on display were a bit more haunting. The "Most Macabre" category included a German war pistol and the charred remains of a cross burnt by the KKK in Charlottesville. Local segregationists erected the burning cross in the yard of Sarah Patton Boyle, Charlottesville resident and civil rights activist, in 1956 after she declared her support for the desegregation of the University.
Other highlights included original animation drawings from Disney's "Snow White," a first edition of "Dracula" and ancient Babylonian clay tablets.
Prebil said the docent program introduced her and other participants to "all that Special Collections has to offer." Most students do not know about all the resources available through the Special Collections Library, she said.
Moriarty expressed a similar sentiment, adding that students can benefit from the library in important ways.
The docent program has "really given me great ideas for papers and research," Moriarty said. Before participating in the program, she would turn to the Internet, or, at most, check out a book from a library while conducting research, Moriarty said.
Nicole Bouche, director of the Special Collections Library, pointed out the value of being able to view original artifacts for research. She said there is a sort of "visceral" experience that one does not get with online materials.
"[Special Collections] provides an opportunity for students to work directly with the material," Bouche said.
Wednesday night's event was designed to help "students discover that Special Collections has wonderful treasures relating to the history of our world, country and university, and that they can have access to these collections," Kelly Miller, head of programs and public outreach for the Harrison Institute, said in an email.
The students, who were constantly trickling in the library, seemed fascinated by the items on display, and many left with a new awareness of the objects housed under the skylights they pass so often on the walk to Alderman Library.
Second-year College student Emily Boniface said she was impressed with the "wonderful assortment" of artifacts on display. She said her favorite object was a small Bible decorated with intricate gold leaf, part of the "Most Beautiful" display. Overall, she said, the exhibit was "very well-prepared."
Second-year College students Lauren Sittler and Catherine Fernandes were similarly impressed. Sittler said she did not expect to see so many rare and powerful objects and that she came away both better informed and "very entertained".
Fernandes said she liked that there were objects as well as texts on display, adding that the Disney animation slides were her favorite.
The event brought in many students who were almost entirely unaware such artifacts existed at the University.
Boniface said she previously had known little about the Special Collections Library and that she hoped to come back sometime to further explore its offerings. Fourth-year College student Mary Woodruff echoed this sentiment and said she had not realized the access students had to items in the library.
Miller emphasized that, while the Special Collections Library may seem somewhat impenetrable, staff members are happy to help students take advantage of the resources the library offers.
"The Special Collections Library can seem like an intimidating place at first, but the librarians, archivists, and students who work here want to help students engage with the materials in new and inspiring ways," Miller said.
Bouche noted the importance of student use of the materials housed in the Special Collections Library.
"There is no justification for a university to have materials of this kind if they are not central to the education offered," Bouche said.
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