Building Type: Academic
Campus Green: College Green
Grid Map Square: G-4
Current Use
Alden Library is located in the College Green, coordinates G-4 on the campus map. It is marked as #7 on the map.
Vernon R. Alden Library serves the Athens campus as the central library facility; the building can seat 3,000 readers. The Ohio University libraries' collections over 3 million print and electronic volumes, more than 55,000 serial titles, and more than 250,000 media items, ranking the libraries among the 100 largest academic libraries in the United States. Featuring world-class special collections, the Library is home to the Hwa-Wei Lee Center for International Collections, the Mahn Center for Archives & Special Collections, the Harris Fine Arts Library, the Academic Advancement Center, and the Faculty Commons. In addition, Alden Library's Learning Commons offers access to information resources, computers, study spaces for individual students and groups, and expert assistance from librarians.
History
Alden Library was constructed between 1966 and 1969; it opened in February, 1969, with 550,000 volumes. The east and west wings, added to floors four through seven, were completed in June, 1972. Alden Library's capacity of 1.4 million volumes was exceeded in 1985; the Library Annex opened in 1996 to house lesser-used materials.
Vernon R. Alden
Alden Library is named for the 15th president of Ohio University, Vernon R. Alden, who served as president from 1962 until 1969. His administration saw a doubling of enrollment and faculty, a great expansion of the campus area, and continuation of a construction program. There was a significant increase in research activities, a broadening of academic programs, and growth of the University's role in regional development and international programs under his leadership. Mr. Alden lived to the age of 97 and passed away in June of 2020.
Location
30 Park Place, Athens, OH 45701 ( Directions )
The College Green
College Green is the center of Ohio University. Notable buildings on this green include Cutler Hall, McGuffey Hall, Wilson Hall, Alden Library and Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
Experience Athens
People can tell you how great the Athens Campus is, but the best way to know whether it’s right for you is to see it—and experience it—for yourself.