The Waring Jones Reading Room in the University Library at Sonoma State University is now open to students and the general public to allow browsing through the university's Jack London collection.
This impressive room was named in honor of Jones because of his recent donation of Jack London materials to the University Library. Jones? gift also provided the resources for the construction of a unique space to house the materials.
Due to his generosity, the perfect place for a researcher to fully engage with materials from this collection now exists on the third floor of the University Library, says library dean Barbara Butler.
The Carl Bernatovech collection consists of materials from three renowned authors; Jack London, M.F.K. Fisher, and Richard Brautigan, all with ties to the Sonoma County area. The collection, considered one of the finer personal collections in the world, is distinguished by its pristine condition.
Materials include: first editions, fine reprints; signed books; rare, turn-of-the-century articles; framed photographs; linen movie posters; personal letters; biographies; original manuscripts; and film reels of early adaptations of London novels. The materials augment an already impressive regional collection housed by the University Library.
Jones made the donation to the University Library at Sonoma State University because the University?s liberal arts mission and close proximity to London?s Glen Ellen ranch seemed the perfect fit for his desire to make the collection easily accessible to undergraduates and the community.
The room and collection are housed in the University Library's Special Collections department. Please call (707) 664-2861 for Special Collections hours before coming by to visit.
