- Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
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Kahn Addition
The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library is a library on the campus of the University of Nebraska Omaha. The Library serves as the primary source of academic research information for the UNO community through its collections, services, innovative use of emerging technologies, exhibit and event programming, study spaces and other physical and virtual spaces/facilities.
Contents
History
Marion E. and Barbara B. Tritsch GardenIn 1916 a formal library was established on the UNO campus when construction of Joslyn Hall was completed on the original Omaha University campus, located at North 24th and Pratt Streets in North Omaha. By 1928, the UNO Library collection had grown to over 5,000 volumes which precipitated moving the collection to a temporary location around 1930. The University moved from its North Omaha location in 1938, at which time the Library was relocated into the new Administration Building (which later became Arts and Sciences Hall) on the new campus.[1]
In 1976, UNO built a Brutualist structure to house the library re-named in honor of Mutual of Omaha's founder, Dr C.C. Criss and his wife, Mabel. Thirty years later an expansion of the original building was undertaken by the UNO campus. The Dr. Guinter Kahn Addition, completed in 2006, extended the north facade of the library building and added study areas and the Criss Library Cafe. The total renovation of the original 1976 Library building during 2008-2009, repositioned the Library as a vital component of the educational experience on the metropolitan campus by providing flexible, innovative, gathering and research spaces for the university community. Several group and individual study rooms were added throughout the building, the Marion E. and Barbara B. Tritsch Garden was created on the lower level and the H. Don and Connie J. Osborne Family Gallery was established on the main level, which hosts special gallery events and exhibits throughout the year.
Collections
The library's general collection includes over 700,000 books, and over 71,000 journal titles. The library houses a number of Special Collections including, University of Nebraska Omaha Archives, a substantial number of U.S. government documents and Nebraska State documents, UNO student newspaper - The Gateway archive, the papers of Senator Chuck Hagel, the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection and several other unique collections, valuable to researchers. The library also provides online access to many images from the UNO Archive through the UNO Criss Library Photostream on Flickr.
Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection
The Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection housed at the UNO Criss Library is one of the largest collections of Afghan research materials in the world & the largest collection of Afghan materials in the United States.[2]. The collection contains over 20,000 titles, including a number of rare documents, such as the illuminated/decorated manuscript of "Haft Aurang," and poems by Jami (1414–1492). Scholars visiting the University of Nebraska Omaha Criss Library Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection are provided with expert assistance and access to comprehensive, unique, and well-organized resources. In addition to onsite assistance, many of the collection resources have been digitized and are available online.
The collection is especially strong in 19th and early 20th century English language books by British authors conveying their personal experiences and the British Indian government's policy concerning Afghanistan. English, Dari, and Pashto are the primary languages of the collection. Materials are in twenty-four different languages. Most items are cataloged and may be searched and identified through the library's catalog.
Art in Criss Library
Unnamed Kaneko sculpture
Mel Ritsau mobile
The UNO Criss Library houses several original works of art by local and internationally known artists.One of the recent acquisitions to the Library's collection include a mobile by Mel Ritsau which was installed below the central skylight in Criss Library at the end of the building renovation in 2009.
Another unique work of art enjoyed by students who visit the UNO Criss Library is an untitled monumental head sculpture by Jun Kaneko which was added to the Kahn addition of the UNO Criss Library in 2006.
Other University of Nebraska Omaha libraries
Kaneko-UNO Library Study spaceThe Kaneko-UNO Library is located at 12th and Jones streets in downtown Omaha. The Kaneko-UNO Library offers research scientists, business leaders, teachers, visual artists, and students access to resources and materials they might not find in their day-to-day environment. The focus at Kaneko-UNO Library is on stimulating creativity. The Kaneko-UNO Library seeks to inspire people to expand their awareness and knowledge in an atmosphere of flexible learning.
References
- ^ Pollak, Oliver B. and Les Valentine. University of Nebraska at Omaha. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738551104
- ^ "Taliban in Nebraska." American Libraries, p.18, December 2001.
External links
Categories:- University and college academic libraries in the United States
- Libraries in Omaha, Nebraska
- Federal depository libraries
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
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