Archives & Special Collections Renovation Campaign
Purdue Libraries have reached a crucial point in history. As the volume of rare books and research papers grow and materials age, Libraries, must address preservation, digitization and improvement in access. Consultants have concluded that our aging facilities are endangering the collections due to improper temperature, humidity, and light levels. These negative environmental factors lead to the materials’ rapid deterioration. One-of-a-kind historic and rare materials are in danger of being lost if these needs are not addressed.
Expanding and renovating Archives & Special Collections will bring together rare books and manuscripts now scattered throughout four libraries and three storage areas into a new state-of-the-art Archives and Special Collections Library, creating a spectacular resource for Purdue University.
Such unique collections as the papers of Herbert C. Brown, Purdue’s Nobel Prize winning chemist, the papers of time and motion study pioneers Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, the original manuscripts of Hoosier folklorist and playwright George Ade, rare books on the history of railroad engineering, a preeminent collection of business and economic history, and the world’s largest collection of Amelia Earhart papers are among the rarest and most exquisite treasures in Purdue Libraries. Altogether, the collection contains over 73,000 rare books, 3,200 feet of manuscripts, and 53,000 microforms.
These collections of primary source documents, photographs, and artifacts provide students and researchers around the world access to critical insights into the intellectual record of the past.
- Make a gift
- Read the news article announcing the lead gift
- Watch a video tour of the space
(note: file opens in Windows Media Player)
Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images of the space:
