Central Library's Secret Treasure
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| Donna Eng in Central Library\\\'s Rare Book Room. | ||
The Central Library houses many important, regional resources. One of the most unique is its rare book room on the third floor.
Recently, the Union-Tribune highlighted this library asset and detailed plans for the room in the new Central Library. VISIT HERE for that article.
Named for San Diego philanthropist Julius Wangenheim, the room features a collection of rare books, manuscripts and artifacts illustrating the development of books through the ages in all its aspects - paper making, book binding, book illustration, and the history of printing. It spans more than 4,000 years, ranging from Babylonian clay tablets ca. 2300 BCE to a rare and exquisitely illustrated 20th century manuscript of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
New Central Design Architect Rob Wellington Quigley noted that the rare books room in the new library will retain the feeling of the current room. “Everybody likes what it is. We want to build on what is there,” Quigley said. He said the furnishings, including upholstered chairs, display cabinets and light fixtures, will be moved into the new library. He also plans to reuse the wood paneling.The room would be housed in the new library's ninth floor adjacent to other special collections on genealogy and California history.
For more information on the Wangenheim Room, VISIT HERE.
