Baylor University

I've always wanted to see Baylor University and now I had the perfect opportunity.  Our first stop was the Wiethorn Visitors Center.  We were greeted by two college students who were happy to answer our questions, recommend some libraries, and map it out for us.

Jesse H. Jones Library and the Moody Memorial Library 

Shawna and I knew that Baylor would have a great university library and we stood corrected.  They don't only have A great library, they have six great libraries.  The first library we visited was the Jesse H. Jones Library.  This library is a reference and information library with government documents and microfilm.  The second floor of this library contains science periodicals and everything J/K from the Library of Congress.  The Moody Memorial Library is located in the same building and contains current and backfiles that are not science related and houses everything else that is not J/K from the Library of Congress. The librarian was extremely friendly and helpful and gave much of her time to sit and answer all of our questions.

We began discussing how technology is so prominent for today's students and we were wondering in what format new materials were purchased.  The librarian informed us that the library did a rather large weeding three to four years ago and they tried not to purchase new print materials when replacing the weeded materials.  This gives students the ability to access the collection from home.  The library also allows students to have access to librarians or paras through their online chat service.  Librarians/paras can assist students with any questions they have regarding the collection.  The service is available until 1:15 am.  The paras which are assisting students through the online chat service have some sort of masters or PhD work.

Carroll Library (Texas Collection)

The Carroll Library holds a very special collection.  It has one of, if not the, largest Texas Collections.  It is a closed-stack and the librarians work one-on-one with the researchers that visit this beautiful library.  Amie Oliver, a librarian who has been with the Carroll Library for six years, taught us all about this special collection and the history of this spectacular library.  It all began with Dr. Kenneth Hazen Aynesworth who loved Texas history and began collecting books on the subject.  In 1923 he donated his personal collection to Baylor University.  Through donations, the library has now grown to over 100,00 books, 64,00 pictures, and 3,600 artifacts.  The Carroll Library accepts materials involving Texas history is various formats: diaries, letters, scrapbooks, vertical files, books, photographs, etc.  Carroll Library receives many of their materials through donations and through various contacts.  Carroll Library also utilizes dealers who visit auctions and create catalogs of recent purchases.

Carroll Library (Texas Collection)

Visitors from all over the world come to Waco, Texas to use this special collection.  Many genealogists, authors, and news reports have taken advantage of the information that is held within the walls of the Carroll Library.  Most recently, CNN called for information regarding the Branch Davidians.  The Carroll Library has the only recordings of David Koresh and the police.  The Pentagon and NBC have also taken advantage of this special collection. 

In addition to the Texas Collection, the Carroll Library also houses a map room that is in the process of being cataloged.  Shawna and I were given a tour of the map room which has recently been remodeled.  Maps are neatly placed in large drawers and are easily found through the BearCat Electronic Database.  An organization that was celebrating the anniversary of the Chisolm Trail recently made use of the maps by locating where the Chisolm Trail ran through Texas.

To keep students connected and updated on the activities of the Texas Collection, Amie Oliver keeps  Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr accounts.




Podium where Truman addressed Baylor students

 

Armstrong Browning Library

Named after Dr. A. Joseph Armstrong, head of Baylor's English Department from 1912-1952, and poet Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the spectacular Armstrong Browning Library houses the largest collection of secular stained glass windows. This library is much more than a library, it is also a museum with decorative art in every corner.  This library/museum also houses one of the largest collections of Wedgwood pottery in the United States.

The Armstrong Browning Library serves students and researchers with primary and secondary resource materials.  Its collection includes materials from the Victorian culture and from 19th century writers.  This library has the largest collection of Browning material in the world.

While wandering the halls and admiring the stained glass windows, I spotted a familiar piece of furniture.  Could it be true?  Were my eyes deceiving me?  No, it really was a card catalog. It was probably the prettiest card catalog I have ever seen.



I'm browsing the card catalog