The Gerontology Library, located on the first floor of the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center. Photo by Dan Knapp.
The third in a series exploring the many USC Libraries. The previous post looked inside the Hoose Philosophy Library.
USC's Gerontology Library is one of the few university libraries of its kind. Serving the USC Davis School of Gerontology, one of the earliest and largest gerontology schools anywhere, the library is an excellent resource for those researching aging or the aged.
The School of Gerontology draws on multiple subjects — from psychology to neuroscience to sociology to public policy — to better understand the process of aging and gain insight on how to improve the quality of life for older people. The library's collection reflects this multidisciplinary approach, with books and journals from an array of subjects lining the shelves.
One of the library's strengths is its collection of bound journals, many of which date back to the 1960s, when gerontology was first gaining acceptance as an academic discipline. All of the journals are either accessible online or on the library's shelves. (Those available online are not shelved in the main reading room, but are still accessible in the building's basement along with gerontology newsletters and reprints.)
In addition to its invaluable collection, the library offers an ideal space for quiet study for students on the west end of the University Park Campus. Gerontology Library Supervisor Carolyn Ward calls it "one of the hidden jewels on campus for studying." Fresh from a 2009 renovation, the 28-seat reading room is lined with large arched windows, framing the leafy trees outside. A separate room with a table, chairs, and copier is also available for group study.
The Gerontology Library is located on the first floor of the Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.