Hartwell Library
Hartwell Library is the primary academic library of the American College of Arts and Performing Arts. It serves as the intellectual and research hub of the ACAPA campus, supporting students, faculty, and staff across all departments with a specialized collection focused on the performing arts, music, theatre, dance, and the fine arts.
About the Library
Hartwell Library opened in 1975 as a purpose-built facility designed to meet the specialized research and performance-preparation needs of a conservatory-style institution. The building was named in honor of George Hartwell (1899–1981), an Eastbridge industrialist and early benefactor whose founding gift of $1.2 million made construction of the original structure possible. Hartwell served on ACAPA's inaugural Board of Trustees from 1947 until 1974 and was a lifelong patron of the arts in Vermont.
In 2012, a major renovation and expansion project added approximately 11,000 square feet to the original building, upgrading infrastructure throughout and creating new dedicated spaces for digital media work, special collections research, and group study. The renovation was funded in part through the Arts Forward capital campaign and a matching grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Library Director: James Okafor, MLIS (appointed 2015). Mr. Okafor came to ACAPA from a position as Associate Director of Collections at the New England Conservatory Libraries. He may be contacted at j.okafor@acapa.edu or by calling the library main desk at (802) 555-0190.
Collections Overview
Physical Collections
- Approximately 180,000 physical volumes, including monographs, reference works, scores, and bound periodicals
- Over 38,000 audio and video recordings in various formats (LP, CD, DVD, Blu-ray, cassette)
- More than 12,000 published musical scores and score sets for ensemble use
- Approximately 2,800 play scripts and full dramatic works
- Current print subscriptions to 74 periodical titles in music, theatre, dance, and related fields
Digital & Electronic Resources
- Access to over 40,000 electronic journals through consortium agreements and direct licensing
- Streaming audio via Naxos Music Library, Alexander Street Music, and Medici.tv
- Streaming video via Drama Online, Kanopy, and the ACAPA Digital Archive
- Digital score access through IMSLP gateway, NKoda, and publisher portals
- Full-text databases including JSTOR, RILM Abstracts, International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance (IBTD), and ARTstor
Special Collections
Hartwell Library maintains a Special Collections and Archives reading room on the second floor (Room 214). Materials in Special Collections are non-circulating and available for on-site research by appointment. To schedule a visit, contact Special Collections Librarian Dr. Priya Nair at p.nair@acapa.edu or (802) 555-0191.
- Performing Arts History Collection
- Covers American and European performing arts from the late 19th century to the present. Includes theatre programs, playbills, production photographs, publicity materials, correspondence, and ephemera. Strong holdings in regional New England theatre, early American musical theatre, and vaudeville.
- Musical Scores Archive
- Manuscript and annotated printed scores donated by former ACAPA faculty and alumni composers. Includes holograph manuscripts, conductor's marked scores, and composer's working drafts spanning the 1920s to the present. Notable holdings include the papers of composer Eleanor Voss (ACAPA faculty 1958–1989) and the conductor's library of Raymond Challis (Music Director, ACAPA Orchestra, 1961–1978).
- Dramatic Scripts Collection
- Original typescripts, prompt books, and working drafts from ACAPA Theatre Department productions, 1952–present. Includes annotated rehearsal scripts, blocking notes, and production documentation. Significant holdings from the annual Vermont New Works Festival (est. 1969).
- Artist Archives
- Personal and professional papers donated by notable ACAPA alumni and affiliated artists. Current finding aids are available for 17 processed collections. Includes correspondence, diaries, contracts, financial records, publicity materials, and photographs. The archive is a member of the Society of American Archivists Directory of Archives.
- ACAPA Institutional Archives
- Official records of the college from its founding in 1947, including Board of Trustees minutes, administrative correspondence, accreditation records, course catalogs (complete run 1947–present), commencement programs, and student publications.
Services
Circulation & Borrowing
Current ACAPA students, faculty, and staff are eligible for full borrowing privileges with a valid ACAPA ID. Standard loan periods:
| Material Type | Loan Period | Renewals |
|---|---|---|
| Books / Monographs | 21 days | 2 (online or desk) |
| Musical Scores | 14 days | 1 |
| Scores (ensemble sets) | By arrangement | By arrangement |
| DVDs / Blu-ray | 7 days | 1 |
| Audio CDs | 7 days | 1 |
| Reserve materials | 2 hours (in-library) | None |
| Equipment (cameras, etc.) | 3 days | By arrangement |
Overdue fines: $0.25/day for standard materials; $1.00/day for reserve items. Lost items are billed at replacement cost plus a $15.00 processing fee.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
Hartwell Library participates in the OCLC WorldShare interlibrary loan network. Current ACAPA students, faculty, and staff may request materials not held in the Hartwell collection at no charge. Articles and book chapters are delivered electronically to the patron's ACAPA email address. Physical items (books, scores, media) are held at the circulation desk for pickup.
Typical turnaround: 2–4 business days for articles; 7–14 business days for physical items. Requests should be submitted through the ILL Request Form in MyACAPA. Special collections and archival materials from lending institutions are generally not available through ILL.
ILL questions: library-ill@acapa.edu / (802) 555-0193
Research Consultations
Reference librarians are available for individual and small-group research consultations by appointment. Consultations are recommended for students beginning major research projects, capstone theses, graduate degree recitals, and independent study proposals. Librarians with subject expertise are available in the following areas:
- Music history and musicology
- Theatre and performance studies
- Dance history and notation
- Fine and visual arts
- Arts administration and policy
Book a consultation: Appointments page or contact the reference desk at library-ref@acapa.edu / (802) 555-0192.
Digital Media Lab
The Digital Media Lab (Room 108, ground floor) provides equipment and workstations for audio and video editing, music notation, digitization, and media preservation. Available resources include:
- 8 Mac Pro workstations with Logic Pro, Final Cut Pro, Sibelius, and Adobe Creative Suite
- 4 Windows workstations with Finale, Audacity, and DaVinci Resolve
- Flatbed and overhead document scanners
- 35mm / slide digitization station
- VHS, Betamax, and Super 8 transfer equipment
- Audio recording booth (4-person capacity; reservations required)
- Large-format printer (up to 36″ wide; charged per square foot)
DML reservations: Book a workstation (ACAPA login required). Walk-in use is subject to availability. DML hours may vary; see posted schedule.
Printing, Copying & Scanning
Black-and-white printing and copying is available on all library floors. Color printing is available on the ground floor near the Digital Media Lab. Charges are deducted from the student’s ACAPA CampusCard account.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| B&W printing (per side) | $0.08 |
| Color printing (per side) | $0.35 |
| B&W copying (per side) | $0.08 |
| Flatbed scanning | Free (to USB or email) |
| Large-format print (per sq ft) | $1.50 |
CampusCard can be loaded at the vending machine near the main entrance or online through MyACAPA. Faculty may print to department accounts with prior authorization.
Additional Services
- Course Reserves: Faculty may place physical or electronic items on reserve. Requests should be submitted at least five business days before the start of a course. Electronic reserves are managed through the ACAPA Learning Management System.
- Borrower Accounts: Manage holds, renewals, fines, and ILL requests online through MyACAPA Library.
- Study Room Reservations: Six individual and four group study rooms available; reserve up to 7 days in advance via MyACAPA Library. Group rooms accommodate 4–8 people.
- Document Delivery: Faculty and graduate students may request articles to be scanned and delivered electronically from Hartwell's print periodical holdings. Contact the reference desk.
- Citation Help: Reference librarians can assist with Chicago/Turabian, MLA, and APA citation styles. See also the Citation Guides on the library website.
- Accessibility: The building is fully ADA-accessible. Assistive technology workstations (screen reader software, large-monitor display) are available in Room 106. Contact the library in advance for additional accommodation needs.
Hours & Location
Regular Semester Hours
| Day(s) | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 8:00 am – Midnight |
| Friday | 8:00 am – 10:00 pm |
| Saturday – Sunday | 10:00 am – 10:00 pm |
Hours are reduced during winter recess, spring break, and summer sessions. The library is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. For exam-period extended hours and holiday schedules, see the Events & Calendar page or contact the library.
Note: The Digital Media Lab (Room 108) closes one hour before library closing time. Special Collections (Room 214) is open by appointment only, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm.
Location & Contact
American College of Arts and Performing Arts
44 Hartwell Drive
Eastbridge, Vermont 05401
Main Desk: (802) 555-0190
Reference Desk: (802) 555-0192
ILL Office: (802) 555-0193
Fax: (802) 555-0199
Email: library@acapa.edu
Director: James Okafor, MLIS
j.okafor@acapa.edu
Hartwell Library is located on the east side of the ACAPA campus, adjacent to the Performing Arts Center. Visitor parking is available in Lot C off Hartwell Drive.
Community Access Policy
Hartwell Library welcomes members of the broader Eastbridge and Vermont communities under the following terms:
- Walk-in reference and reading room access
- Any member of the public may use the library's reading rooms and physical collections in-library during regular hours without charge. Government-issued photo identification is required at the main entrance desk. Visitors may not remove materials from the building.
- Community borrower cards
- Vermont residents age 18 or older who are not currently enrolled at or employed by ACAPA may apply for a Community Borrower Card, which grants limited circulating privileges (up to 5 items; 14-day loan period; no renewals). Annual fee: $40.00. Applications are available at the main circulation desk. Community borrowers are not eligible for interlibrary loan services.
- Reciprocal borrowing
- ACAPA holds reciprocal borrowing agreements with the University of Vermont Libraries, Middlebury College, Vermont State University, and all members of the Vermont Academic Library Consortium (VALC). Cardholders from these institutions may borrow standard circulating materials with a valid home-institution library card.
- K–12 educators
- Verified K–12 educators in Vermont may apply for a complimentary educator borrower card providing access to circulating materials in the education and arts education collections. Contact library@acapa.edu for details.
- Special Collections access for external researchers
- Qualified researchers from outside ACAPA may access Special Collections and Archives materials by appointment. A letter of introduction from an affiliated institution is recommended. Contact Dr. Priya Nair, Special Collections Librarian, at p.nair@acapa.edu to arrange a visit.
Library Staff Directory
| Name | Title | Area | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Okafor, MLIS | Director of Libraries | Administration | j.okafor@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0190 x101 |
| Dr. Priya Nair | Special Collections & Archives Librarian | Special Collections | p.nair@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0191 |
| Marcus Belfry, MLIS | Head of Reference & Instruction | Reference / Research | m.belfry@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0192 |
| Heather Szymanski | Interlibrary Loan & Access Services Coordinator | ILL / Circulation | h.szymanski@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0193 |
| Colin Treacy, MLIS | Music & Performing Arts Librarian | Collections / Reference | c.treacy@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0192 x2 |
| Amelia Fortier | Digital Media Lab Supervisor | Digital Media Lab | a.fortier@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0194 |
| Owen Kuratomi | Circulation & Reserve Supervisor | Circulation | o.kuratomi@acapa.edu | (802) 555-0190 x102 |
For general library inquiries not addressed above, please use the main email library@acapa.edu or call (802) 555-0190. For after-hours emergencies, contact Campus Security at (802) 555-0100.