Forging ahead to a new frontier in scholarship
SMU broke ground on the Rees-Jones Library of the American West on May 1, forging ahead to a new frontier of research, discovery and scholarly impact at the University. The library will enhance SMU’s ability to promote teaching and research on the American West, housing the world-class Rees-Jones Collection with its myriad of treasures primarily from the late 17th to the mid-20th century.
The collection complements SMU Libraries’ strengths in Western Americana at the DeGolyer Library. “By combining these two distinguished collections, SMU will house extremely rare materials as well as ‘ordinary’ Western imprints, the raw materials of what scholars call ‘print culture,’” says Russell L. Martin III, director of DeGolyer Library. “Fifty years after the donation of the DeGolyer Library, SMU celebrates the arrival of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West – and the bright future for scholarship that it promises.”
A historic day for SMU Libraries
The groundbreaking ceremony featured remarks from Dean Holly Jeffcoat; Trevor D. Rees-Jones; Brad E. Cheves, senior vice president; President R. Gerald Turner; David B. Miller, chair of the SMU Board of Trustees; and Provost Elizabeth G. Loboa.
The remarks offered insight into what visitors can expect when the library opens to visitors. According to Dean Jeffcoat, the library will allow visitors to “engage with art, exhibits, and digital resources, while researchers and students collaborate with librarians and archivists to unlock new insights into our shared history. Advanced facilities for digitization, preservation, and conservation will ensure these collections are accessible and endure for generations.”
The ceremony culminated in the symbolic turning of the soil, as the platform party and project leaders — including Russell Martin of DeGolyer Library — lifted their shovels and officially broke ground, marking an exciting beginning for the construction of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West.
Previewing the library and its remarkable collection
Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, DeGolyer Library served as the host to library supporters, offering a collection preview led by Russell Martin and Rees-Jones archivist Christina Wood.
“It was a joy to share items from the collection with our guests. The biggest challenge of the day was choosing just a handful of pieces to feature from a collection filled with remarkable, historically significant documents! Guests were eager to learn about what was on display and excited to hear more about the broader collection. It was invigorating to see the enthusiasm attendees had for the collection, and to hear the bold vision for the library shared by President Turner, Dean Jeffcoat, and Mr. Rees-Jones at the groundbreaking ceremony,” says Christina.
Meg Wang, cataloger for the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, says this of the day: “It was truly moving to see people engaging with the Rees-Jones materials — their smiles, their wide eyes, the sense of wonder and discovery. Moments like these remind me why the behind-the-scenes work of cataloging matters so much. Knowing that the records we create open doors to learning and inspiration is deeply rewarding. And to stand there, witnessing the groundbreaking of a brand-new library on campus — it fills me with pride and hope.”
An exciting future awaits
Since the May 5, 2023 announcement of a $30 million commitment to construction and endowment, plus the gift of the Rees-Jones Collection valued at over $100 million, establishing the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, Trevor Rees-Jones and his wife, Jan, have continued to make significant contributions for collection enhancement and expenses related to the incorporation of the collection into the SMU library system.
SMU Libraries eagerly anticipates the dedication of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West in 2027, which will signal a new era of achievement for SMU and the SMU Libraries. “This achievement is possible thanks to the extraordinary generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Rees-Jones. Their support will uplift SMU and its libraries for decades to come, distinguishing our university as a leader in research and learning,” says Dean Jeffcoat.
For more news on the Rees-Jones Collection and the groundbreaking, look for the Spring 2025 SMU Libraries Newsletter, published in the coming weeks.
Collection image: John Woodhouse Audubon (1812-1862) and Karl Gildemeister (1820-1869), Jesus Maria, 1851. Available in the SMU Libraries Digital Collections.