The University Libraries

The University Libraries serve as a resource center for the educational programs by providing the materials necessary to support the curriculum and to provide for the general reading of students and faculty.

The Rupert and Pauline Richardson Library is the main library holding reference materials, circulating collections, periodicals, government documents, the education library, Educational Technology Services and staff offices. Special collections include the Kelley and Tandy Bible Collections and HSU memorabilia in the 1891 Legacy Room, the Caldwell-Hertzog Collection of Fine Printing, the Betty Woods Rare Book Collection, including first editions of William Faulkner and Thomas Wolfe. The Abilene Photograph Collection, the Research Center of the Southwest, the Crane Texana Collection, J. W. Williams Map Collection, a large part of the personal library of the late historian Walter Prescott Webb, and the Bradley-Ford Memorial Room.

The Smith Music Library, housed in the Caldwell Music Building, contains study scores, collected works of various composers, recordings, and certain basic music books and reference materials. Special collections include the Sims Hymnal Collection and the Thurman Lee and Lucialis Jones Morrison Collection of American Hymnody. Listening equipment is provided, and the library houses the taped concerts and recitals of the School of Music.

The libraries hold current subscriptions to over 48,000 periodicals and house approximately 400,000 items and 20,000 government publications. A reciprocal agreement among Abilene libraries makes it possible for patrons at any university to use the resources of the others, making over 2,000,000 volumes available to the Hardin-Simmons community.