Alvin Sherman Library

{{Short description|Academic library at Nova Southeastern University}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} The '''Alvin Sherman Library''', Research, and Information Technology Center, is one of the largest library buildings in the state of Florida. The Alvin Sherman Library is a unique joint-use facility serving the residents of Broward County as well as Nova Southeastern University students, faculty, and staff members. Thanks to an agreement between the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and NSU, the Alvin Sherman Library offers traditional public library services as well as the full academic resources.

thumb|175px|Western entrance to the Alvin Sherman Library

== History == On December 14, 1999, the Nova Southeastern University Board of Trustees and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved a forty-year agreement between Broward County and Nova Southeastern University to build a joint-use library that serves both Broward County and NSU patrons. This library was opened to the public on December 8, 2001 as a 325,000 square foot full service library located on NSU's main campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.<ref>Pleasants, Julian (2013). ''The Making of Nova Southeastern University: A Tradition of Innovation, 1964-2014,'' p. 180. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2013. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-9892991-0-7.</ref>

In 2003, South Florida real estate developer and World War II pilot veteran, Alvin Sherman, donated $7 million for the library building which was named for him.<ref>Pleasants, Julian (2013-10-29). ''The Making of Nova Southeastern University: A Tradition of Innovation, 1964-2014,'' p. 182.Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/north-miami-beach-fl/alvin-sherman-7740385 Alvin Sherman, FEBRUARY 24, 1922 – JANUARY 26, 2018] Dignity Memorial.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff Reports |date=September 18, 2003 |title=DIGEST |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0E10A46FD423C580&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0FDA6A606544954D |archive-url= |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=The Sun Sentinel}}</ref> Sherman stated he donated these funds because, "I witnessed the beginning of Nova Southeastern University and knew its founders. . . . This is my home town and this is my way of saying thanks.<nowiki>''</nowiki><ref>{{Cite news |last=Herald Staff |date=September 18, 2003 |title=FIRED WORKER'S LAWSUIT RETURNS TO CIRCUIT COURT [AROUND BROWARD COUNTY] |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AWNB&req_dat=0E10A46FD423C580&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0FDC12841A5981E5 |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=The Miami Herald}}</ref> On December 6, 2021, the Alvin Sherman Library celebrated 20 years of operation, in addition to celebrating the library's continuing role as a Broward County Library and the NSU Campus Library.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Donzelli |first=Joe |date=2021-12-02 |title=NSU’S Alvin Sherman Library Research, and Information Technology Center Celebrates 20th Anniversary |url=https://news.nova.edu/uncategorized/nsus-alvin-sherman-library-research-and-information-technology-center-celebrates-20th-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref> The Alvin Sherman Library became a user of the Patron Point system, announced by Patron Point just 4 days after the 20th year anniversary celebrations, with the stated goal of increasing patron awareness of library offerings and activities.<ref>Patron Point. (2021). Alvin Sherman Library (FL) joins the Patron Point community. Courtesy of Library Technology Guides Document Repository, https://librarytechnology.org/document/26897/alvin-sherman-library-fl-joins-the-patron-point-community-. Last accessed 7-12-2024.</ref>

== Present Day == The building is five stories high with wireless access throughout the building for NSU patrons and guests; reading niches; 23 study rooms; collaborative study room; family study room; the Cotilla Gallery with ongoing exhibits; programs for all ages; permanent artwork including a unique piece from artist Dale Chihuly and a Buddhist Prayer Wheel that has been blessed by the Dalai Lama;<ref>{{Cite web |last=NSU |title=Libraries at Nova Southeastern University {{!}} Nova Southeastern University |url=https://www.nova.edu/community/libraries.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=NSU |language=en}}</ref> the Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum;<ref>[https://www.ahoinfo.org/component/k2/83-holocaust-learning-and-education-fund-inc Holocaust Learning and Education Fund, Inc.] Craig and Barbara Weiner Holocaust Museum of South Florida located in the Alvin Sherman Library. Association of Holocaust Organizations.</ref> 1,000 user seats, and a café.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Library |url=https://sherman.library.nova.edu/sites/about/#:~:text=Standing%20five%20stories%20high,%20the,user%20seats;%20and%20a%20caf%C3%A9. |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=sherman.library.nova.edu}}</ref> It contains research materials, specialized databases, popular fiction and nonfiction books, magazines and journals, CDs, DVDs. Because of its unique affiliation with both Broward County Libraries and Nova Southeastern University, the Alvin Sherman Library's membership card is also unique to the library; patrons seeking to use the library's services must apply for and obtain an Alvin Sherman Library card in addition to maintaining their Broward County Library system card.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hicks |first=Sarena |title=Library Guides: Women's History Month: Library Info |url=https://libguides.nova.edu/c.php?g=1373294&p=10226219 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=libguides.nova.edu |language=en}}</ref>

A collaborative group study room was opened in late 2015 by the Alvin Sherman Library [http://sherman.library.nova.edu/sites/friends/ Circle of Friends]. The 2,500 square foot room expansion serves as a platform for students working on group projects, presentations and study groups. Unlike other areas of the library, the collaborative study room was specifically designed to allow students to talk openly.

The library hosts special programs for children and teens, book discussion groups, author readings, and classes on using research tools and resources.<ref>Albright, Meagan. “Growing Book-Based Partnerships: NSU Alvin Sherman Library and PBS KidVision.” Children & Libraries 21, no. 2 (2023): 12.</ref> The Library also hosts events for Nova Southeastern University, for example, hosting a brunch celebrating the work of Julian Pleasants, PhD, about NSU's history with details on the Alvin Sherman Library itself.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NSU History Retold at the Alvin Sherman Library {{!}} NSU Newsroom |url=https://nsunews.nova.edu/history-retold-at-the-alvin-sherman-library/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=nsunews.nova.edu}}</ref>

The Alvin Sherman LRITC building also contains the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.

===Permanent art collection===

The Alvin Sherman Library holds a permanent collection of fine art featuring works by several prominent artists including Salvador Dalí, Dale Chihuly, Peter Max, Beverly Pepper, Therman Statom, and Franck Louissaint.<ref name="Alvin Sherman Library Building Tour">{{cite web |title=Alvin Sherman Library Building Tour |url=https://libguides.nova.edu/c.php?g=1066284&p=7758631 |website=libguides.nova.edu |publisher=NSU Alvin Sherman Library |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="Salvador Dali on Display">{{cite web |title=Salvador Dali Artwork on Display at Alvin Sherman Library |url=https://nsunews.nova.edu/salvador-dali-artwork-on-display-at-alvin-sherman-library/index.html |website=nsunews.nova.edu |publisher=Nova Southeastern University |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref><ref name="NSU Horizons Fall 2007">{{cite web |title=NSU Horizons Fall 2007 |url=https://www.nova.edu/publications/horizons/horizons_fall_2007/19/ |website=www.nova.edu |publisher=Nova Southeastern University |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref>

In 2024, the library established the Marta Permuy Legacy Collection within its permanent collection following a donation of twelve original works in honor of late South Florida art patron Marta Permuy. The donations, made by her grandson Antonio Permuy, featured works by several notable artists including Neith Nevelson, Pedro Hernandez, Miguel Fleitas, Mario Torroella, Adriano Nicot, Edel Alvarez Galban, Yamilet Sempe and Margarita Cano.<ref name="Marta Permuy Legacy Collection">{{cite web |title=Marta Permuy Legacy Collection |url=https://nsuworks.nova.edu/nsudigital_permuycollection/ |website=nsuworks.nova.edu |publisher=NSU Alvin Sherman Library |access-date=4 October 2024}}</ref> The works were unveiled in an exhibition at the library in October 2024.

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:University and college academic libraries in the United States Category:Public libraries in Florida Category:Nova Southeastern University Category:Library buildings completed in 2001 Category:Buildings and structures in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Category:Education in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Category:2001 establishments in Florida Category:Libraries established in 2001 Category:Holocaust museums Category:Holocaust museums in Florida Category:Holocaust museums in the United States