About the Latin American Library

History Established in 1834 in a city with economic and cultural ties with the Caribbean, Tulane University has an historic orientation toward Latin America and the Caribbean. The Latin American Library reflects the university's long-term commitment to Latin American studies. The library was established in 1924 to support the Middle American Research Institute. A generous donation from Samuel Zemurray made possible the acquisition of a substantial portion of the William Gates Collection which formed the cornerstone of Tulane University's library. The initial focus was the archaeology, anthropology and history of Mesoamerica but after the collection was relocated to Howard-Tilton in the early 1960s, the scope was broadened to cover most subject disciplines and all of Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, the collection is one of the most comprehensive of its kind, including materials from the contact period to the present day.   The Collection Located on the fourth floor of Tulane University 's Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, the Latin American Library is among the world's foremost collections in Latin American archaeology, anthropology, history, literature, literary criticism, cultural studies, linguistics, art, architecture, film, women's studies, economics and many other subject areas. The collection is comprised of more than 420,000 volumes, including over 500 current periodical subscriptions, and is one of the most comprehensive of its kind, including materials from the contact period to the present. It is one of only three stand-alone Latin American research collections in United States universities. The Latin American Library houses an impressive collection of rare printed materials, manuscripts, Latin American government publications, one of the few Latin American image archives in the country, and over 2,000 rubbings of Maya relief sculpture. Among many other unique holdings, the collection includes over 4,500 maps and broadsides, a large number of historic newspapers, original drawings by William Spratling and other silver designers from Taxco, Mexico, and substantial collections of printed ephemera. Most holdings are in English, Spanish or Portuguese although many other languages are also represented. Services The Latin American Library provides a variety of services for Tulane University's Latinamericanist faculty and students, researchers from the New Orleans community, as well as from around the country and the world. One-on-One Research Assistance Course-integrated Research Instruction Sessions Imaging Services for Special Collection Materials Faculty and Graduate Study Carrels Dedicated Special Collections Reading Room

Programs Richard E. Greenleaf Library Fellowships Beginning in 2007-2008, the Latin American Library hosts the Richard E. Greenleaf Library Fellowship Program. The fellowships bring one to three scholars from the region to conduct research in New Orleans. This is the only such library fellowship program in the country that benefits Latin American and Caribbean scholars exclusively. Events and Exhibits Throughout the academic year the library has a lively schedule of exhibits, invited speakers and other special events that highlight the collections. In 2007, the annual open house and book sale (PDF) took place on September 28. In October, the library hosted an exhibit of Cuban photography from the 1950s and 1960s. In March 2008, a special exhibit of the library's Brazilian holdings will coincide with the annual meeting of the Brazilian Studies Association (BRASA), hosted by Tulane University. In late May, the library will host the annual meeting of the Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials (SALALM).