Palo Alto Library

The Palo Alto National Park has begun moving hundreds of books and microfilms to the Arnulfo L. Oliveira Library as part of a joint project to develop a research collection on the U.S.-Mexican War. In January, 2002, the park signed an agreement with the library to house much of Palo Alto's research collection in the Hunter Room. The materials will remain the property of the park, but will be cataloged as part of the University's library collection.

The arrangement was established with the understanding that advantages will be created for both organizations. The agreement benefits the park in that the materials, which include a number of antique and rare volumes, will be protected in a monitored and climate controlled environment. The library, in turn, will gain access to a wide range of important materials that supplement its existing collections. Nevertheless, it will be researchers and students of the U.S.-Mexican War who will benefit the most from this partnership. In the past, the Palo Alto Collection had largely been reserved for internal park use, and the general public had only limited access. With the transfer of the collection to the Hunter Room, these items have become available to library patrons on a daily basis. To date, the park has transferred about half of its library holdings to its new home. The core of this collection consists of approximately 300 volumes from the collection of the Descendents of Mexican War Veterans. These books were donated to the park in the summer of 2001. This organization has promised the donation of additional materials in the future.

All parties involved in the partnership hope that the development of this unique partnership will inspire other individuals and groups to follow the lead of the Descendents of Mexican War Veterans and donate books, manuscripts, and war-related items to the park or the Hunter Room so that the articles may be included in the research collection. In time, the goal is to develop the Palo Alto Collection at UTB/TSC into an important research center through a lasting partnership between the park and the university.