Peggy Havens stands in the new Dr. Philip and Mrs. Peggy Havens Art Resource Center.

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books will begin the academic year with much to offer the campus and greater community in its new 9,000-square-foot addition.

According to Ben Sapp, deputy director of the museum, the additional space – classrooms for both students and adults, an art room, gift gallery, conference room and a resource room – will allow the museum to offer many more opportunities than had previously been possible.

UF students who are majoring in children’s literature will now be able to fully utilize everything the museum offers. Adult classrooms are located just down the hall from the museum, and the resource room is accessible within seconds. In the past, those courses were taught in various buildings on campus, preventing faculty from being able to quickly and easily utilize the museum to illustrate lessons.

In addition, the resource room will be available on a daily basis to any student. It is not a lending library, so all materials remain in the room. Students will have daily access to those materials with the knowledge that every resource will be available.

Because the museum has sole use of its new facility, there will be a classroom available for spur-of-the-moment activities. Community groups who drop in unexpectedly will not only be able to tour the museum, but they also will be able to browse the new gift shop for souvenirs or use the art room. Previously, the museum shared classrooms with other departments on campus, and the gift shop was tucked away behind a gate when not staffed.

The new art vault and work area will enable new displays to be created without disturbing the museum or visitors. New artwork will be matted there, and displays will be arranged on a work wall. After a digital photograph of the display is taken, the pieces will be moved to the museum where the photograph will be projected on to the display wall. Museum staff will hang the new display, using the projection as a guide, within minutes.