Life
By Vinu Ilakkuvan
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February 13, 2007
Thomas Jefferson's architectural drawings, William Faulkner's manuscripts, one of the very first printings of the Declaration of Independence (of which only 25 known copies exist) -- these are just some of the over 300,000 rare books, 12 million manuscripts, 4,000 maps, University archives, photographs and other materials housed in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library.
With over 12 miles of shelving, this 58,000-square-foot building is home not only to valuable and significant collections, but also to the security and behind-the-scenes work that come with such prominent materials.
One major feature of all this work is the library staff of 18 people.
Library Director Christian Dupont said it was the material itself that drew him to his current position.
"The real attraction was that it is a premier library for the study of American history, literature and culture, now housed in a new state-of-the-art building, and U.Va.