Statement of Policy & Text
This policy establishes the parameters for access to and staffing of the Special Collections Area on the fifth floor of the King Library.
Five collections are located in this area: the Beethoven Center, Steinbeck Center, California Room, and SJSU Special Collections & Archives, and Sourisseau Academy. The entrance to each collection is from a common lobby/display area, but each collection is separate.
There are four service points to access these collections:
The Beethoven Center has its own service point. In this area:
- Open stack collections are available for browsing and use in the Center’s reading room.
- Vault collections are closed. Materials are paged by Center staff only. These materials must be used in the Center’s reading room under the supervision of the Curator or Director.
- Tours and the viewing of exhibits are available during the Center’s open hours, or by appointment.
The Steinbeck Center has its own service point. In this area:
- Open stack collections are available for browsing and use in the Center. Materials are non-circulating.
- Tours and the viewing of exhibits are available during the Center’s open hours, or by appointment.
The SJSU Special Collections has its own service point. In this area:
- Vault collections are closed. Materials are paged by SJSU staff only. All patrons are required to register as readers, sign-in daily, and store all personal belongings. The materials must be used in the SJSU Special Collections & Archives reading room under the supervision of SJSU staff.
- Tours, Classes and non-public Exhibits are available during regular hours, or by appointment.
The Sourisseau Academy does not have its own service point, and access to its collections is by appointment only. In this area:
- Its materials are available through the SJSU Special Collections service point, and in some cases the California Room.
Beethoven, Steinbeck, SJSU Special Collections are open the following hours, or by special appointment:
Mondays/Tuesdays 11-6
Wednesdays 11-8
Thursday/Fridays 11-6
Saturdays 1-5
Closed Sundays
The California Room has its own service point. In this area:
- Open stack collections are available for browsing and use in the Center. Materials are non-circulating.
- Vault collections are closed. Materials are paged by California Room and SJSU Special Collections staff only. These materials must be used in the California Room under the supervision of the service desk staff.
California Room hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 1-6
Wednesday 1-9 or 1-8 during the summer and semester breaks
Saturday 1-6
Closed Sundays
Need for the Policy
The various sections within the Special Collections area require different monitoring, access, and staffing.
Since unique materials are located in each unit, which require staff with special expertise and a level of security for their use, a separate service point for each area is needed to monitor access.
Requirements & Guidelines
The university special collection units will supply patrons with brief information on the California Room when it is closed.
SJSU Special Collections/Sourisseau Academy patrons must store their personal belongings in the space provided inside the reading room.
Applicable Personnel/Departments
- Beethoven Center
- Steinbeck Center
- California Room
- San Jose State University Special Collections
- Sourisseau Academy
Distributions
INTRANET
Approval(s)
History & Dates
Category of Policy: Collection Management; Administrative/Operations
Author(s): Special Collections Director, Danelle Moon
Authorized by: Library Associate Dean - 9/11//03
Date Written: 3/3/03
Date Effective: 9/12/03
Date(s) of Revision(s): 7/1/03; 3/29/05; 7/112/05; 8/17/06