The Collection includes award winning books from many different countries, classics, poetry, fairy and folk tales, multi-cultural books, biographies, non-fiction books, and many first editions as well as books and periodicals about children’s and young adult literature. Jill Gilbert’s collection developed from her lifelong love of books from her Grandmother Graham read to her and her parents read to Jill and her siblings. Books were valued gifts and treasured possessions. Books went with her everywhere in the car, to piano and violin lessons, even the dentist. She was passionate about sharing her books with others - with her children and also with her Children’s Literature students. Decades later, her collection, comprised of approximately 5,000 volumes, continues to inspire students and scholars at the University of South Carolina.