|
|
History of McCain Library
-
1910 - the Andrew Carnegie Library was the college's
first library building. A gift of Mr. Carnegie, it was on
the southeast corner of the main quad. That building was demolished
in 1986,
having served first as library then as a student center ("the Hub")
after the new library was constructed.
-
1935 - In May, 1935, the college Board of Trustees
authorized construction of a new library.
-
1936 - The new library opened in
the fall of 1936. Still called the Carnegie Library, it consisted
of
4 main floors, a grand reading room, and an attached "stack tower" of
7 floors.
-
1951 - The library was renamed for James
Ross McCain, on the occasion of his retirement as the 2nd President
of the College.
-
1974-1977 - The first major renovations
of the library building were done over the course of four summers, leaving
the library open during the academic year. This renovation included
air-conditioning, a new stairway, a larger elevator, reading platforms
in the main reading room, and improvements to the Board of Trustees
meeting room, special collections, and archives.
-
1999-2000 - The library building was closed
for a complete renovation from June 1999 through December
2000. The 1936 stack tower was torn down. The rest of the old building
was
upgraded, and new stacks along with new reading, study, instruction,
and technology areas were added. During the renovation, the library
operated out of a temporary "trailer" facility in Rebekah
parking lot which housed the main circulation desk, reference, current
periodicals, and staff offices, and a warehouse on the south side
of
campus which housed the main book collection.
- 2001 - The newly renovated McCain Library
opened in January 2001, in time for the beginning of spring
semester.
|
