Ohio University Libraries Expand with Human Knowledge 

Global Education in Athens

Ohio University Libraries has always collected materials created or published in countries other than the United States. During the 20th century, those collecting efforts became increasingly focused on particular areas of the globe, often inspired by connections and collaborations that Ohio University had or was developing with universities or other organizations in particular countries.

The following is a sample of the different collections one can find in the Ohio University libraries. The Center for International Collections houses and/or has curatorial responsibility for a number of special area studies collections.

Africana Collection

The Africana Collection supports the African Studies Program and research interests of all Ohio University faculty and students interested in understanding Africa, its peoples and languages. It began with the university’s significant interests and engagements in Africa starting in the late 1950s. In 1964 African Studies became the university’s first area studies program. Acquisition of library materials was a priority, leading to a collaboration with Ohio University Libraries for a systematic and sustained approach to collecting Africana materials. The collection concentrates on West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa, with depository arrangements to acquire the official publications of the Government of Botswana.  

Chubu Collection

The Chubu University Commemorative Japanese Collection was presented by Chubu University in Japan to Ohio University in honor of the relationship between the two institutions since the 1970s. The collection supports Japanese language education and the study of Japan-related topics. It provides materials necessary for students visiting from Japan and which foster friendly relations with Chubu University, the city of Kasugai, and Aichi Prefecture. Chubu University also makes an annual donation of books and journals published in Japan. 

Latin American Materials

Alden Library collects books, journals, videos, and microfilm/fiche materials covering Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The holdings cover primarily Central American nations, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. Alden also serves as a depository for Guatemala materials. 

Southeast Asia Collection

Established in 1967, the Southeast Asia Collection is among the oldest and largest collections of research materials on Southeast Asia in North America. Holdings on Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei are especially strong. The Southeast Asia Collection directly supports the curriculum and research of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. It also houses a number of special sub-collections and other resources, including the Malaysian Resource Center, the Marion Alden Southeast Asia Fine Arts Collection, and the David K. Wyatt Thai Collection.

The David K. Wyatt Thai Collection, acquired by Ohio University Libraries in 2005, is a vast treasure trove of primary and secondary materials on Thailand, including some of the rarest of rare Thai-language monographs, cremation volumes and manuscripts. 

Overseas Chinese Collection

The Dr. Shao You-Bao Overseas Chinese Documentation and Research Center was established in 1993 with an endowment of $500,000 from Dr. Shao You-Bao. The center is devoted to documentation of and research on Chinese living overseas. It aims at extending these efforts beyond Southeast Asia to include ethnic Chinese in other parts of the world. For example, ethnic Chinese people in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific are under-documented and under-studied, but theses are important areas of Chinese migration and settlement, both historically and in the present era. 

The Harris Fine Arts Library Collection offers a diverse collection of art objects, mainly from Asia, that encompass many mediums, from ceramics to paintings and carvings. It is composed of artwork created by Frederick Harris over a 40-year period, along with rare books and art objects from his personal collections.  

The Yao Ceremonial Artifacts Collection, part of the Harris Fine Arts Library, consists of approximately 2,000 pieces of ceremonial and temple art produced by the Yao people in the north of Vietnam. This one-of-a-kind collection is likely the largest of its kind and features a generous sampling of small and large hand scrolls, hanging scrolls, headpieces, as well as some books and textiles.