Special Collections
Murray Library currently has four special collections, each of which traces its beginning to Friends of Murray Library.
Artists’ Books Collection
Murray Library has a fine collection of more than 100 Artists’ books—simply defined as books created as works of art. These books are not only fascinating and often feasts for the eyes, but also they challenge the notion of what “book” means. Included in the collection are books created by Messiah faculty members, Christine Forsythe and Kathy Hettinga. Books from the collection are housed in cabinets in the Artists’ Books room on the lower level.
Search the Artists’ books collection using Primo.
Canadian Literature Collection
Created and supported by Friends of Murray Library, this special collection consists of literature by influential and notable Canadian authors such as Margaret Atwood, Rudy Wiebe, Robertson Davies, Leonard Cohen and Alice Munro. The collection has been expanded to include poetry, plays, critical and other non-fiction works. Search the Canadian literature collection using Primo.
Ruth E. Engle Memorial Collection of Children’s Book Illustration
Dedicated in April 2004, this Collection of original picture book art by award-winning illustrators was begun with gifts given to Friends of Murray Library in memory of Ruth Engle, a charter member who also served on its Board. New artworks are added to the Collection annually, purchased with gifts from Friends and donors. The illustrations--more than 40 in number--reflect a variety of media, styles, and subjects, and include works by illustrators from Australia, China, Mali, Korea and Russia, as well as the USA.
Visitors are welcome to view the collection during library hours.
Please view a portfolio highlighting works in the collection.
The W. Jim Neidhardt Collection on Religion and Science
Dr. W. Jim Neidhardt’s keen interest in the relationship between modern science and the Christian faith, as well as the presence of several longtime friends and colleagues at Messiah University, led him to give his extensive personal library to Murray Library. Subject areas in the collection are astonishingly diverse: physics, engineering, theology, history and philosophy of science, cybernetics, chaos theory, artificial intelligence, psychology, philosophy, sociology, Christian living, aesthetics, and fine arts. Perspectives both within and outside of Christianity are represented.
The collection is integrated with other books in the Library’s main book stacks.
Search the W. Jim Neidhardt collection using Primo.