" . . . It's friendly, accessible, modern and usually packed with good-looking, hard-working young people . . . it's the San Diego State University library."

In this Issue:
SDSU Library "the Best"
Library Happenings
The Wall of Honor
New Archivist
New Outreach/Community Resources Librarian
Education Librarian Linda Salem "Lives" Her Job
Jon Cawthorne Appointed Associate University Librarian
We're Stoked!
"Doctor Van Vliet" Honored at the Library
Martha McPhail Wins a Monty Award
Moves and Mergers
A Message from the Dean
Aztec Parents Association Funds Media Equipment
New to Special Collections
Donor Honor Roll
Publications, Activities and Awards

San Diego Magazine Selects SDSU Library as "the Best"

"It's huge (more than 500,000 square feet) and has more than a million titles (1,273,603, at last count). Seats more than 3,000. Circulated 367,407 books last year. What's more, it's friendly, accessible, modern and usually packed with good-looking, hard-working young people. It's the San Diego State University library. And you don't have to be a student or faculty to use it. You can get a guest card for $60 a year. Or you could join the SDSU Alumni Association for $35 and get free use of the library. You don't even have to be an alum. 5500 Campanile Drive, 619-594-6721."
-San Diego Magazine
June 2002

Reprinted with the permission of San Diego Magazine.

Library Happenings

An Out-of-This-World Exhibit
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. An exhibit titled "Fantastic Futures: Celebrating 25 Years of the Elizabeth Chater Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy" will be on display in both the browsing area and Special Collections from September 30 through December 13. The exhibit will showcase significant items from the Chater Collection, including a 1795 American printing of Memoirs of the Year Two Thousand Five Hundred and copies of short story publications such as Amazing Stories, Astounding Science Fiction and Fantastic Universe. Also of note in the exhibit will be 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."

(more library happenings)

"Fantastic Futures" Celebrating 25 Years of the Elizabeth Chater Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy" will be on display from September 30, 2002 to December 13, 2002.

The Wall of Honor A crystal panel reads: Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." -Malcolm X

"Just a few weeks ago, while doing research in the library I noticed something that caught my eye. It was a quote by Malcolm X which stated, 'education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today'." This statement, by Associated Students President Priscilla Ocen, introduced her remarks at the campus-wide convocation on August 29, 2002. Ocen saw that quote engraved on one of the crystal panels on the donor honor wall in the donor corridor connecting the Library Addition with the Malcolm A. Love Library building.

"The future depends entirely on what each of us does everyday," said activist/feminist Gloria Steinem, who is also quoted on one of the crystal panels on the donor wall. Friends of the Library help to build this future, and in recognition of the library's most generous Friends, all donors who have contributed a cumulative total of $10,000 or more to the San Diego State University Library have had their names listed in carved, polished crystal on the donor wall. This list is accompanied by inspirational quotations and an appreciation statement to honor and highlight the donors who have contributed significantly to the success of the library's vision. Donors' names are inscribed on individual, diamond-shaped pieces of crystal and mounted on the wall under the larger plaques containing the quotations. These quotations serve as a focal point and an area of interest to all passersby. This further honors the individuals and organizations listed who have contributed to our unique institution

The wall is a one-of-a-kind work of art, commissioned from Christina Wallach of the Wallach Glass Studio in Santa Rosa, California. Burke Lighting Design created the lighting and subsequently received the 2000 International Illumination Design Award from the Illumination Engineering Society for its lighting design of the donor wall. Next time you are on campus, make a point to visit the library and see this impressive tribute and read other inspiration quotes, such as this one by writer Robertson Davies: "A library goes on as far as thought can reach."