The Library at Chapman University: A Historical Look

The Leatherby Libraries: 2004 - Now

Nine Libraries in One

One of the most remarkable things about the Leatherby Libraries is its plurality - we are, indeed, the Leatherby Libraries, not the Leatherby Library. Why is that? Because the Leatherby Libraries is made up of nine separate libraries and archival repositories, organized by subject matter, thanks to our founding donors. These libraries each have their own location within the building, and different resources relevant to their subject. For instance, the M. Douglas Library of Music is home to the Henri Temianka Archives Multimedia Room, a room specifically designed for Music students to listen to recordings without disturbing other students seeking a quiet study space in the library. Similarly, the John and Donna Crean Library of Film and Television has shelves filled with DVDs, Blu-Rays, and more, and has a study room with a screen, a DVD player, and a VCR. Even the décor in each library was chosen with the library's subject matter in mind - take a look below at how the overhead light fixtures in each library are different.

One other feature that makes the Leatherby Libraries unique is our creation of story rooms - themed group study rooms that can be reserved for students to work in, while learning from the materials showcased in each room. To learn more about the story rooms, view our exhibit, "Telling Stories: One Room at a Time."

The Intellectual Hub of the University

In addition to providing resources to students and faculty, the Leatherby Libraries also offers the Chapman University community a place to come and learn from our varied exhibits and events. Dedicated event spaces and exhibit walls in the library allow Chapman students and faculty to share their own accomplishments and expertise, and to learn from others.

One particular type of event that the Leatherby Libraries is always delighted to sponsor is one celebrating the academic success of Chapman University faculty and students. Events include book launches and signings for faculty, such as Dr. Lynne Doti, Professor Emerita of Economics, pictured below.
Each year, the Leatherby Libraries recognizes the scholastic achievements of Chapman students with the Kevin and Tam Ross Undergraduate Research Prize.
On the first floor of the Leatherby Libraries, the Leatherby Libraries Hall of Art is home to art exhibits by all members of the Chapman community - some of the most popular recurring exhibits are the yearly Chapman University Staff Art Exhibit, and the Reading Revamp exhibit, created by students of Graphic Design Professor Rachelle Chuang, who gives her students the assignment to create their own versions of covers for their favorite books. 
The walls of the Leatherby Libraries are often filled with the sights and sounds of cultures and disciplines from around the world and across the campus. The Leatherby Libraries proudly partners with a wide variety of departments and groups on campus and off, as we did in March 2012, with our exhibit "Portrait of a People: A Jewish Heritage Exhibit," which was held in partnership with the Department of Religious Studies.

The Leatherby Libraries is also happy to give students a tasty treat to celebrate our milestones - take a look at Pete the Panther helping us give out cupcakes for our tenth anniversary in 2014!

The Leatherby Libraries opened its doors over seventeen years ago, and we continue to strive daily to serve the needs of the Chapman University, as the Stauffer Memorial Library and the Thurmond Clarke Memorial Library did before us.

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