Daniel J. Evans Library

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About the Library

Evergreen's Library staff are dedicated to providing the best possible service for academic programming, students, staff, faculty and community patrons. The team continually seeks new and innovative ways to:

  • Deliver information in all possible formats to meet ever-changing research and academic needs
  • Provide quality instruction in the use of available materials
  • Serve as a repository of unique titles and collections

Mission, Vision and Values

Mission

The Daniel J. Evans Library empowers patrons to make meaning in their communities by providing access to diverse collections, accessible spaces, and welcoming support for all. 

Vision

The Daniel J. Evans Library is the heart of The Evergreen State College’s Olympia campus. We are a center of inquiry and engagement, a hub for community and curiosity, and an incubator for imagination, experimentation, and creation. We help make meaning.

Values

  • We value academic and intellectual freedom
  • We value access to knowledge, fair use and the art of the remix
  • We value growth and visible progress
  • We value collaboration, transparency and inclusivity in our decision-making
  • We value diverse opinions and viewpoints, building collections that reflect multiple perspectives
  • We value generosity, we seek to be generous in both knowledge and spirit
  • We value a community where everyone belongs and feels included
  • We value curiosity and asking questions that may not yet have answers

 

“We are the music makers, / And we are the dreamers of dreams ….” 
- from ‘Ode’ by Arthur O’Shaughnessy  

“What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” 
-Jean-Jacques Rousseau 

A piece from the Science Stories exhibit. Many botanical drawings hung on the wall in a 6x4 grid

Art in the Library

Display Cases

Each quarter, examples of program work are on display in the Library. Recent programs featured books from Science Stories and woodcarving from Studio Projects. 

Permanent Collection

The Library’s permanent art displays include work by faculty, a stained-glass installation, a multilingual quilt-themed mosaic and the magnificent 1970s-era doors from Evergreen's original art gallery.

Current Exhibits

January 16 - march 22, 2024
Nu Context
The exhibition includes small ready-made ceramic, wood, and plastic sculptures that give a perspective through the lens of a prolific ensemble of artists.
Nu Context 2024 Exhibit

Arbutus Ceramics 
The ceramic works of Jane and David Stone, courtesy of Arbutus Folk School.
Arbutus Folk School 2024 Exhibit 

a book laying open

Malcom Stilson Archives and Special Collections

Evergreen’s archive hosts a detailed history of the college, digital copies of the original Cooper Point Journal and its predecessor, the Weakly Drag, a historical collection of Evergreen’s documents and more.

As a member institution of the Archives West, which provides access to descriptions of primary sources in the northwestern U.S., correspondence, diaries, photographs, and digital reproductions of primary sources are available in some cases.

Archival collections continue to be digitized. Browse some of the Library's current digital collections and exhibits online.

Explore Malcom Stilson Archives

Explore Digital Collections

Donating Materials

Special Collections

Tailored to support your research, Evergreen's collections includes books, articles, films, maps, music, audiobooks, language resources, games and more. Search the online catalog and databases for any materials you need.

Not finding what you're looking for? We partner with local libraries and institutions and you can search their materials right from the Evergreen catalog!

Audiovisual Collection

In addition to many films on VHS, DVD, CDs and audiobooks, the library boasts an extensive record collection. More than 5,000 LPs are available for checkout.

Map Collection

Explore cartography with pulldown maps, globs, marine navigation maps and every USGS quad for Washington and Oregon. There are maps of all shapes and sizes!

Summit Collection

As a member of the Orbis Cascade Alliance, you have access to the physical circulating collections of more than 35 other academic libraries in the Pacific Northwest. Find them in the library catalog using the Evergreen+ Summit search option. Current students, faculty and staff can order a Summit book or film and have it in hand within 3-5 business days.

a close of a hand with a very tiny book, about the size of a thumbnail

Rare Books Room

Explore the art of the book with rare and unusual items. Named for the founding dean of the library, James F. Holly, this collection hosts a variety of gems including handmade and small press books, miniature books and trade books that are rare and beautiful to look at, touch and read.

In addition, there is a collection of books with regional content and themes including Northwest authors, Northwest history and diverse antiquities donated by people who live in the Pacific Northwest region.

Rare Books Room Libguide

Rare Books Collection in Our Catalog

A Hub for Academic Inquiry

Library and Media Services dean shares about the library’s role as a hub of academic inquiry, art, media and community.
a young man with long hair holding a children's book out as if reading to a group

Curriculum Room and Children's Literature

Evergreen hosts a collection of teaching tools and reference materials for students working with children. It includes teacher editions of textbooks, as well as innovative tools like puppets and games and it's a great place to study! You don't need to be working with children to use this space.

There's a room full of children and young adult books on the third floor. Evergreen's Children’s Center occasionally displays student projects there too.

Search Curriculum Resources in Children's Literature

Support the Library

Library Deans Fund

Your gift provides flexible support to the Daniel J Evans library. Through this fund, the Dean is able to host readings and gallery talks, expand the library collection, promote information and media literacy, and support professional development that keeps our librarians on top of emerging trends in information technology.

Daniel J. Evans Reading Series in the Library

Your gift to this endowed fund helps Evergreen draw nationally recognized authors to give public lectures. The Reading Series aims to create learning opportunities across disciplines. Funds may also be used for material infrastructure to support presentations in the library.

Center for Creative and Applied Media (CCAM)

Your gift to this endowed fund ensures access to state-of-the-art technology in the CCAM by supporting future equipment purchases and ensuring the Center remains at the cutting edge of digital media.

Library

Location

Office Hours

  • Monday - Thursday: 8 am – 9 pm Friday: 8 am – 5:30 pm Saturday: closed Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm