Welcome to the new Distinctive Collections blog! We are glad you are here.

First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Sharon C. Smith, Ph.D., an d I am the Head of Distinctive Collections and Associate Academic at Arizona State University Library. I have lectured widely on issues of documentation, digitization, and the dissemination of knowledge, as well as on art historical topics primarily focused on visual and material culture in the Early Modern Mediterranean. I am strongly committed to ASU’s mission to build a new library for the 21st century through the curation and management of collections housed in ASU Library’s non-circulating collections. These collections include rare books and manuscripts as well as archives, both physical and digital. Furthermore, I am engaged in collaborative projects at ASU with the Institute for Humanities Research, the Center for Religion and Conflict, and the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.

In late 2018, a group of unique and rare collections at ASU Library came together under the larger umbrella of Distinctive Collections. This (h)inter-disciplinary, and international unit houses a vast portfolio that is noted for both breadth and depth. Collections range from Design and Architecture, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Greater Arizona history and the world’s largest collection of Child Drama, and more. These collections are currently curated by our talented group of archivists: Renee James, Seonaid Valiant, Ph.D., Nancy Godoy, Harold Housley, Claudia Willet, and Julie Tanaka, Ph.D.

We recently moved in to our permanent home in the Wurzburger Reading Room, named for the long-time Head of Special Collections, Marilyn Wurzberger, in the newly renovated Hayden Library. We provide services to our patrons including assistance with viewing materials, obtaining digital reproductions, and a wealth of knowledge covering a wide spectrum. Over the course of the next few weeks, each curator/archivist will introduce themselves to you and provide an overview of the collections they manage and ways in which they can assist you.

While the Wurzburger Reading Room is currently closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and our Distinctive Collections’ staff is working remotely please know we want to assist you in any way we can. The best, and simplest, way to reach us is via Ask an Archivist. Our reference coordinator, Matt Messbarger, will ensure your inquiry is addressed promptly and thoroughly. The Ask an Archivist email service is available Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm (MST). Once reopened, the operating hours of the Wurzburger Reading Room will be listed here.

Please check back for more updates soon. And in the meantime please follow us on Instagram!