Ohio University Libraries records
Scope and Content
Ohio University Libraries records spans from 1849 to 2009 and documents the activities of the library system at Ohio University. The collection is organized into fifteen series: 1. General; 2. Accessions; 3. Administration; 4. Bibliographies; 5. Branch Campuses; 6. Construction; 7. Early Records; 8. Events and Exhibitions; 9. Instructional Media; 10. Music/Dance Library; 11. Publications; 12. Recent History of Ohio University Oral History Project; 13. Reference; 14. Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections; and 15. Technical Services.
Dates
- Creation: 1849-2009
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1960-1990
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
History of Andrew Carnegie
In 1904 Andrew Carnegie contributed $30,000 toward the construction of a building for Ohio University's (OU) library. At that time, the library held 16,000 volumes and was crowded into a corner of what is now Cutler Hall. The new Carnegie Library building was dedicated on June 14, 1905. It was used as OU's library until 1930. Carnegie Library is now E. W. Scripps Hall.
Chubb Library was built in 1930, when OU had begun to outgrow Carnegie Library, and opened in 1931. When the Vernon R. Alden Library was built in 1969, the Chubb Library was renovated for use as office space and its name changed to Chubb Hall.
The Vernon R. 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. The Library Annex opened off of the main campus in Athens in 1996 to house lesser used materials.
Extent
145.25 cubic feet
Abstract
Ohio University Libraries records spans from 1849 to 2009 and documents the activities of the library system at Ohio University.
Statement of Arrangement
Organized into fifteen series: 1. General; 2. Accessions; 3. Administration; 4. Bibliographies; 5. Branch Campuses; 6. Construction; 7. Early Records; 8. Events and Exhibitions; 9. Instructional Media; 10. Music/Dance Library; 11. Publications; 12. Recent History of Ohio University Oral History Project; 13. Reference; 14. Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections; and 15. Technical Services.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Ohio University. Libraries (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Finding aid for the Ohio University Libraries records
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Ohio University Archives Staff
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository
