Spotlight on the Collections: Science Fiction

The Joseph Sanders Collection & Science Fiction at Oberlin College Library

On display as the current "Spotlight on the Collections" in the Academic Commons are selected works from the Joseph Sanders Collection, as well as a number of reference books and representative critical and historical studies of science fiction.

While the literary genre of science fiction has long been studied in an academic context, most academic libraries do not collect widely the “primary sources” themselves, beyond perhaps a handful of well-known authors (think Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, Ursula Le Guin). So in 2006 when Oberlin College Library was approached by Joseph L. Sanders – a well-known scholar of science fiction and fantasy literature based in the Cleveland area – about accepting a large collection of science fiction materials we were eager to do so. There are currently over 1000 titles fully cataloged in OBIS that are part of the Joseph Sanders Collection, and many more titles are being added over time (he has donated over 3000 books thus far).

To view everything in the Joseph Sanders Collection, do a keyword OBIS search for “Joseph Sanders collection”.

Please address any questions about “Spotlight on the Collections” to jessica.grim@oberlin.edu. We’re always eager to hear ideas for future exhibits!