In 1977, SDSU Emeritus Professor of English Elizabeth Chater donated her large collection of science fiction and fantasy books and periodicals to the San Diego State University Library. Subsequent gifts included manuscript materials, original drawings, and many autographed first edition volumes. The collection has now approximately 4,000 items.

Elizabeth Chater at SDSU

An exhibit on display in both the browsing area and also in Special Collections from September 30 through December 13 showcases significant items from the Chater Collection, including a 1795 American printing of Memoirs of the Year Two Thousand Five Hundred and copies of various short story publications such as Amazing Stories, Astounding Science Fiction and Fantastic Universe.

Also of note in the exhibit are selections from the Vince Meades Sheet Music Collection highlighting music from science fiction and fantasy films such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Star Wars."

Theme From E.T.:
The Extra-Terrestrial

Many thanks to:
Joan Goodwin (Library Media Center) for her fantastic input and help, Natalie Pastor (Library Instruction/Graphic Services) for designing our wonderful posters and all librarians - Carol Phillips, Mike Perkins, Anne Turhollow and Chuck Dintrone - for providing their science fiction toys. Most of all, we'd like to thank our indispensable student assistants Autumn Ninteman, Viktoria Nikolova, Marita Johnson, Viviana Munoz, Reneé Cody and Hugo Hurtado for their hard work, reliability, and creativity, as well as the staff of Special Collections for their input and support, Cristina Favretto, Jennifer Martinez, Kathi Neal, Jossie Chavez and Elke Zobl.