Special Collections of the CNU Library

The Library houses several special collections, including:

• Virginia Author Collection
• Music collections, including Cary McMurran, Harold Chapman and Josephine L. Hughes collections
• Alexander C. Brown Nautical Collection
• Alan Diamonstein papers (in storage)
• Coleman Donaldson papers (in storage)
• Christopher Newport University records (student, administrative, and library publications)
• Materials authored by CNU students, professors and staff

The Virginia Author Collection is kept in the Rare Book Room and was started by John Bowen of CNU. The collection is updated irregularly; what makes this collection special is the author autographs on the title pages of these books. Books from the Rare Book Room may be viewed and parts photocopied, but they may not leave the Library.

The Harold Chapman collection is located in the Rare Book Room and has only a list of what should be available. The Josephine L. Hughes collection is housed in the library with extensive finding aids available, and an inventory is underway.

The Alexander C. Brown Nautical Collection is located in the library's general collection. It is searchable through the online catalog (resulting in over 2000 books) and these materials may be checked out. The library doesn't normally add many items to this collection as the Mariner's Museum is located nearby and has an extensive library of nautical materials.

The Alan Diamonstein collection of papers are from Mr. Diamonstein’s tenure in the General Assembly-including reports from various committees and agencies to the General Assembly, speeches given to various groups including the 1986 class of CNC, and the texts of bills submitted to the Assembly. The donated materials date from as early as 1967 and include materials from as late as 2000. A list of the materials is available by emailing a request to the Library. (library@cnu.edu)

Coleman Donaldson has donated a collection of papers, reports and research related to his engineering work at NASA.

Materials authored by CNU students, professors and staff as well as University records are kept in the Rare Book Room. University records include adminstrative information as well as older editions of registration information, university catalogs, the yearbook and the student newspaper. There is a notebook available at the reference desk which details what is kept in the Rare Book Room. Some materials may also be located using the online catalog - search by author or title to see if the item is in special collections.

The following list comes straight from table of contents of the aforementioned notebook. Updates are made regularly to reflect the changes made in the structure of university departments, offices, and curriculum.

Archives Inventory List
Table of Contents, as of 2005

1.0 University as a whole

Predecessor Records

Board of Visitors

CNC Director

CNC Presidents (including collections)

CNU Presidents (including collections)

Inauguration

Resignation

Annual Reports

Self Study Reports

History (CNC/CNU - including relevant newspaper clippings)

Ceremonies - Commencement, including Winter Commencement; Founder's Day; Freshman Convocation, including Honor Code Books

Events, performances, conferences, forums, lectures

History of local communities - Newport News, Hampton, etc.

Photographs

Audio-visual materials and artifacts

2.0 University Offices, Buildings, and Services

Admissions and catalogs, affirmative action

Annual Fund / CNU Educational Foundation / Advancement

Athletics and intramurals

Bookstore

Buildings and Grounds

Campus (Student) Center, David Student Union

Campus (University) Police

Capital Outlay Programs, budgets

Career and Counseling Services

Computer Center / IT Services

Development

Dining Services / Venues

Ferguson Center for the Arts

Freeman Center

Institutional Effectiveness, Office of

Institutional Planning and Budget

Internal Audit

Judicial Affairs

Library, including Bookends and Lookout

Parking Services

Personnel / Human Resources

Plant Operations

Public (University) Relations

Registrar and Class Schedules

Residence Halls - Santoro, York River, James River, Potomac River

Residence (Residents) Life

Tea House

Vice President, Academic Affairs (Provost)

Vice President, Financial Affairs

Vice President, Student Affairs

Warehouse

Financial Aid, Office of

Multicultural Affairs, Office of

Student Life, Office of - including orientation

United Campus Ministries

Disability Support Services

University Health & Wellness Serivces

VecTec

Comptroller, Office of

Real Estate Foundation

Fellowships & Overseas Studies (International Study, Study Abroad)

Alice Randall Writing Center

3.0 University Colleges, Schools, and Departments

Graduate Studies

Honors Program

Lifelong Learning Society

President's Leadership Program - PLP

4.0 Faculty

Faculty Directories

Faculty Publications

Faculty Senate

5.0 Students

Alumni Affairs

Greek Life

Clubs & Organizations

Publications - Captain's Log, Currents, Limelight, Sextant

Student Government Association

6.0 Musical Collections - See notes above

Harold Chapman

Josephine L. Hughes

Cary McMurran, including coins

7.0 Other Collections - See notes above

Virginia Authors and Rare Books

Rare Books

Alan Diamonstein

Coleman Donaldson

Truman Papers