Fresno State Library
Arne Nixon Center Research
The Arne Nixon Center has a number of distinct collections with a lot of materials, a few of which are one-of-a-kind and fragile. This page contains information on how you can interact with the materials, in the following sections:
Research in the Center
Access to Materials
The Center welcomes anyone interested in literature for young people. All materials are available for examination. While children under adult supervision are welcomed as individuals, the collection is intended for use by adults. The Center serves students, faculty, scholars, authors, illustrators, translators, collectors, critics, readers, and fans from a variety of disciplines, including English, education, library science, art, storytelling, history, sociology, women’s studies, multicultural studies, and American studies.
Most materials can be found through the Library’s online catalog, called OneSearch. Most, but not all, of the Center’s materials are catalogued; if you don’t find what you are looking for in the catalog, please do ask us.
Arne Nixon materials are for reference use only; they may not be checked out or removed from the reading room. Sometimes the Teacher Resource Center collection located on the third floor of the north wing has duplicate copies of books available for checkout.
Using the Collection
Please present your campus ID card or other identification for the staff to hold while you are working in the Center. Sign in on the form provided, listing your name, address and reason for visit. This information is confidential; it will be used for our statistics or for future contact with you if needed. After signing in, please fill out a request form recording the title and author of the item(s) you need. The staff will find the requested items and bring them to you at the reading room tables.
It is preferred that patrons use only pencils, notebooks, and laptops in the reading area. If you do not have a pencil we will lend you one. Personal belongings may be placed in one of the reading room lockers. A key for the locker can be issued to you for the length of your research session but must be returned when you leave. Computers and research tables with electronic connections are available for you to use in the Center. If you have any questions, please ask. We're here to help!
Independent Study Projects
The Center seeks students, at the graduate or undergraduate level, to do research with the possibility of publishing results. The Center will work with professors and students to plan independent study projects of mutual benefit. A list of suggested research projects, based on strengths of the Center’s collection, may be found at our LibGuides page, under the “Research Topics” tab.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some commonly asked questions that might assist you, before asking us by email or phone. Click on the question to see the answer.
As a research collection, it is a standard practice not to circulate materials. The Gift Agreement, signed by the late Arne Nixon in 1995, reflects this practice, stating that the collection will not circulate.
In many cases copies can be made. If the materials are not too fragile, the staff will make copies for you. Scans may also be available. It is up to the staff to decide which materials physically may be copied. It is up to the patron to observe copyright law.
Les Chats by F.A. Moncrif, published in Paris by Chez Gabriel-François Quillau, 1727. It was donated as part of the Helen Monnette Amestoy Collection of Books on Cats.
No, but we can suggest ways for you to look up values, by searching databases or by contacting representatives of The Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America (ABAA).
Please send your list of proposed donations to our dedicated email address: librarygifts@mail.fresnostate.edu
For more information, please refer to the Library’s Gifts of Materials policy.
Give Online
Visit the University’s secure online donation form, and click the View All Giving Opportunities button. In the resulting pop-up, select “Other” at the window bottom and specify the Arne Nixon Center by typing it in on the following screen.
Monetary Donations
View the Ways to Give page on the Friends of the Library website; or email questions directly to:
Becky Brown
559.278.1877
beckyb@csufresno.edu
Michael Cart Research Fellowship
Established by the Friends of Freddy, Inc. in 2019, the purpose of the Michael Cart Research Fellowship is to support scholars from outside the Fresno/Clovis area who are engaged in graduate-level, post-doctoral, and/or independent research in children’s literature at the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature. The award may be used for transportation to and from Fresno, living expenses while in residence, and research materials and supplies needed to accomplish the research.
A selection committee comprised of the Dean of the Fresno State Library, Special Collections Librarian for the Arne Nixon Center, Head of the Special Collections Research Center, or their designee will be responsible for a review of applications and selection of awardees in accordance with the established standards and eligibility requirements as outlined below:
- Individuals interested in conducting on-site research to support projects pertaining to children’s literature, with a preference for the collected works of Walter Brooks, author of the Freddy the Pig book series, are encouraged to apply;
- Completed application form must be accompanied by a detailed project description with proposed budget, abbreviated CV, and letter of recommendation from a professional who knows the researchers work;
- Awardees are encouraged to present their research in a lecture and/or written format, which would include an official acknowledgment of the Michael Cart Research Fellowship, Fresno State Library, California State University, Fresno;
- Awards of up to $2000 per individual/teams must be used within one year of notification.
The funds within this account are to be used to reimburse expenses associated with the Michael Cart Research Fellowship Award in accordance and compliance with all Fresno State Foundation and state rules and regulations pertaining to reimbursements.