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
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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.
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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.