Dr. Alfred R. Neumann Book Collection Exhibit

This guide was created to support the UHCL Libraries' long-term exhibit "Dr. Alfred R. Neumann Book Collection," which was launched in September 2024 as part of the Libraries' efforts in support of the University of Houston-Clear Lake's 50th Anniversary (1974-2024). The exhibit was designed and installed by the UHCL Archives and Special Collections, which is responsible for the management of Neumann's book collection.

Photograph of the UHCL Alfred R. Neumann Book Collection Exhibit in UHCL Neumann Library.

The Alfred R. Neumann Book Collection is believed to have been donated to Neumann Library sometime around Neumann’s retirement in 1982, or after his death. The collection is composed primarily of German literature and poetry, German grammar and language, and German humor works, in both English and German. Many of these books were kept in his campus President’s Office or at his home office while he worked at the University of Houston at Clear Lake City (present-day University of Houston-Clear Lake).

Dr. Neumann developed his deep love of literature and the arts growing up as a child in Frankfurt, Germany, prior to World War II. By 1937 at the age of 16, Neumann spoke four languages fluently, including German, English, French, and Latin. He had a lifelong love of reading and books, which led to his support for the founding of a large library for the University of Houston at Clear Lake City within the first three years of the school's existence.

Above is a cut-down view of the main floor map of the UHCL Alfred R. Neumann Library with the Neumann Book Collection Exhibit location marked in red, just outside of the Active Learning Classroom.

The Dr. Alfred R. Neumann Book Collection Exhibit is located against the blue wall outside of the Active Learning Classroom on the lower floor of the Library, directly opposite the Access Services Circulation Desk in Neumann Library. The Neumann Library is on the second floor of the Bayou Building at UHCL.