Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 16, 2002)
A home for tomes Since the library^ beginnings, the University’s books have both traveled and multiplied Tom Adams Freelance Reporter The relationship between the li brary and many of the historic build ings on campus dates back to the University’s birth. The University was conceived in 1873, but it wasn’t until its first building, Deady Hall, was constructed in 1876 that both the University and the library came into being. Deady Hall was the first home of the main library, housing about 200 volumes in Professor Mark Bailey’s classroom. The library then led a nomadic life from 1876 to 1937, not only growing but mean dering through six different build ings in seven moves. According to University archives, Deady Hall had only been standing for seven years before it was put up for sale because of fiscal troubles. The fate of the library and the University seemed unsure, but their destinies were certain in the mind of Henry Villard. A wealthy Northwest railroad promoter and something of 015070 The Survival Center is a non-hierarchical environmental and social justice activist resource center/collective at the UO. Located in Suite 1 of the EMU, we are . .. -LAMP (Left Alternative Media Project) -The Insurgent -OSPIRG -Amnesty International -SETA (Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) -Students for Peace -USAS (United Students Against Sweatshops) -Forest Action -School of Americas Watch -Break the Chains -Hemp Education Network Be proactive and get involved! Make change through direct action! Let your voice be heard! Email the Survival Center at survival@gladstone.uoregon.edu or call 346-4356 for more info. “Be the change you wish to see in the world. ” ~Mahatma Gandhi (A "RUGBY • BADMINTON • BASEBALL • BOWLING • CREW* Z O s g n vt o n o m 79 Vt ! O r O d Z 3 40 Team Sports Competitive & Noncompetitive for info 346-3733 or., stop by our office in EMU Breezeway FENCING • ICE HOCKEY • KARATE • LACROSSE • SKYDIVING * SKIING« AIKIDO • EQUESTRIAN* SAILING • TRIATHLON • DANCE • CYCLING a good Samaritan, Villard gave the school a charitable grant. In 1886, with all debts paid, the University built its second building, and it was named in his honor. The northwest corner of Villard Hall became the main library’s second home; by then, it had grown to 2,000 volumes. The fledgling library was brought back to Deady Hall in 1894. And a year later, the now 5,000 or so books were sent to the first floor of the newly acquired Collier House. George H. Collier had sold his house and nine acres of land to the young University for $5,000. The up per floor became the president’s res idence, and the University’s third president, Dr. Frank Strong, prompt ly moved in. President Strong soon decided all of Collier House should be the president’s home, and from 1898 to 1907, the library’s home was in Friendly Hall. Friendly Hall was constructed in 1893 and named af ter Samuel Friendly, one of the Uni versity’s early patrons. The growing stacks of library vol umes had now been in four different buildings. In 1907, a building was constructed specifically to house the growing number of books, but until 1921, the building had no name. Then, prominent lawyer W.D. Fen ton endowed the University library with 12,000 law books, and the building was named in his honor. Brenda West, a student assistant in the math library — now located in Fenton Hall — said it’s apparent the building was designed as a library. “The rooms have tho same stacks that were used for books all those years ago,” she said. “They were built to last, and they have.” The stacks in Fenton Hall are not currently set up for patrons, but are primarily used for archival book storage. However, according to Uni Mark McCambridge Emerald Fenton Hall is home to the math library and is also used for archival book storage. versity Librarian Deb Carver, the li brary system would like to put Fen ton Hall to good use. “Right now, Fenton Hall is used primarily as storage space,” Carver said. “However, we would like to acquire the funds to remodel the building so that it becomes a branch of the main library and can accom modate student and patron use.” The Directory of American Libraries indicates that by 1930, the University’s library had grown to 209,624 volumes. It was clear that the books needed a new building. In 1937, the current building was con structed, and the main library moved to its present home. Carver said the number of acqui sitions has grown to 2.4 million, a number which only includes books and bound journals. As technology has grown, the library has been Mark McCambridge Emerald The northwest corner of Villard Hall became the library's second home in 1886. no exception. “Ten to 15 percent of our acquisi tions now come in electronic form, such as e-books and e-journals,” Carver said. She said the ability to access library materials electronical ly is a mixed blessing. “On one hand, the access is phe nomenal,” she said, “However, rights, ownership and long-term availability of materials have all be come factors.” As the number of library acquisi tions continues to grow, the next step appears to be an off-campus, high density storage space. “I see this move as inevitable,” Carver said. “The cost to build off-site is a fraction of building in the heart of campus.” Tom Adams is a freelance writer for the Emerald. Mark McCambridge Emerald Henry Villard gave the university a grant which enabled it to wipe out its debt and to create a new hall, named after Villard. 010225 FREE LEGAL SERVICES Legal Services handles a wide range of legal problems from divorces to landlord tenant disputes. There is never a consultation or settlement fee. Legal Services staff members are experienced, qualified professionals. Legal Services are FREE to current fee-paying UO students. Contact Legal Services, EMU, Room 334 (Third floor above the Fish Bowl). Or call 346-4273 to set up an appointment. http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~legal Journey continued from page 3B She said students often partici pate to learn about a program of in terest, research a graduate program or just get a taste of the Pacific Northwest culture. Often, Cooper said, students get hooked and wind up staying. This was the case with Christine Mosbaugh, who decided to switch from the University of Washington after her year of exchange at the University. “My experience with NSE is a little unique because I used the program as an opportunity to spend a year here at UO because I was thinking about transferring,” Mosbaugh said. “I received a lot of guidance and support from the NSE program, and it made the transfer a lot easier for me. ... I think different university environ ments and students give a good perspective and chance for invaluable opportunities that you can’t experience if you never leave your school.” For those looking to partici pate, Cooper said it’s better to start planning early, talking to advisors about what classes need to be taken and researching the availability of comparable class es at other schools. Interested students can attend meetings to find out more about the pro gram. The first meeting is set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday in 360 Oregon Hall. Robin Weber is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.