Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

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The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library is a library on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The Library serves as the primary source of academic research information for the UNO community through its collections, services, innovative use of emerging technologies, exhibit and event programming, study spaces and other physical and virtual spaces/facilities.

History

In 1916 a formal library was established on the UNO campus when construction of Joslyn Hall was completed. By 1928, the UNO Library collection had grown to over 5,000 volumes which precipitated moving the collection to a temporary location around 1930. The University moved from it's downtown location in 1938, at which time the Library was relocated into the new Administration Building (which later became Arts and Sciences Hall) on the new campus. The current building, constructed in 1976, is an example of Brutalist architecture. The Library is named after Mutual of Omaha's founder, Dr C.C. Criss and his wife, Mabel. The Dr. Guinter Kahn Addition, completed in 2006, extended the north end of the building. The addition houses study areas, the Criss Library Cafe and an untitled monumental head sculpture by Jun Kaneko. The total renovation of the original 1976 Library during 2008-2009, added several group and individual study rooms throughout the building, created the Marion E. and Barbara B. Tritsch Garden on the lower level and established the H. Don and Connie J. Osborne Family Gallery on the main level, which hosts special gallery events and exhibits throughout the year.

Collections

The library's general collection includes over 700,000 books, and over 34,000 journal titles. The library houses a number of Special Collections including, University of Nebraska Omaha Archives, a substantial number of U.S. government documents and Nebraska State documents, UNO student newspaper - The Gateway archive, the papers of Senator Chuck Hagel, the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection and several other unique collections, valuable to researchers.

Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection

The Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection housed at the UNO Criss Library is one of the largest collections of Afghan research materials in the world & the largest collection of Afghan materials in the United States.. The collection contains over 20,000 titles, including a number of rare documents, such as the illuminated/decorated manuscript of "Haft Aurang," and poems by Jami (1414 - 1492). Scholars visiting the University of Nebraska Omaha Criss Library Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection are provided with expert assistance and access to comprehensive, unique, and well-organized resources. In addition to onsite assistance, many of the collection resources have been digitized and are available online.

The collection is especially strong in 19th and early 20th century English language books by British authors conveying their personal experiences and the British Indian government's policy concerning Afghanistan. English, Dari, and Pashto are the primary languages of the collection. Materials are in twenty-four different languages. Most items are cataloged and may be searched and identified through the library's catalog.

Other University of Nebraska Omaha Libraries

The Kaneko-UNO Library is located at 12th and Jones streets in downtown Omaha. The Kaneko-UNO Library offers research scientists, business leaders, teachers, visual artists, and students access to resources and materials they might not find in their day-to-day environment. The focus at Kaneko-UNO Library is on stimulating creativity. The Kaneko-UNO Library seeks to inspire people to expand their awareness and knowledge in an atmosphere of flexible learning.

External links

UNO Criss Library
mCriss: UNO Criss Library's mobile site