A Look Back: The History of University of Cincinnati Libraries

Following is Part III in a three-part series. You may read Parts I & II online at www.libraries.uc.edu/source/volthree/uclibraries.html

www.libraries.uc.edu/source/volthree/uclibraries2.html

(Part III) Into the Information Age: 1930-2004

Langsam Library

By the beginning of the 21st century, the Information Age had introduced profound change in the world of books and libraries – much like the dramatic impact the discovery of printing had exerted in the 15th century. New kinds of information systems emerged, such as the World Wide Web. At the University of Cincinnati, the dedication of the new Central Library in 1979 coincided with the onset of this era.

At the dedication of the new Central Library, then UC president Dr. Henry R. Winkler observed that nothing “plays a more central role in the mission of a university than a library.” He noted that a library “is more than books. It is, in the truest sense a collection of knowledge [that symbolizes] the very purpose of a university [and is] quite literally, a storehouse of the best intellectual activity of past and present.” Winkler indicated that the new library had over 200 carrels, 1,950 reader spaces, and had been built at a cost of almost $14 million. In 1979, the new library was serving 6,000 users daily, almost triple that of the old library, and had capacity for 700,000 volumes.

The 1980’s demonstrated that change was going to be constant for the libraries. In 1983, renovation of the Old Main Library was completed at a cost of $5 million and renamed in honor of Dr. Carl Blegen, professor of classical archaeology and head of the classics department. Today, Blegen Library houses Archives and Rare Books, the College-Conservatory of Music Library, the Classics Library, and the Curriculum Resources Center.

Blegen, however, was not the only renovation project on the agenda. In 1987, the Physics and Geology Departments moved into the new Geology-Physics Building and were followed three years later by the Physics and Geology Libraries, which merged to form the Geology-Physics Library. In 1996, the new Design, Architecture, Art and Planning Library was dedicated in conjunction with the opening of the new Aronoff Center for Design and Art.

On the administrative scene, Hal Schell was succeeded by Charles Osburn in 1981 as vice provost for University Libraries, a position that later became dean and university librarian so as to align the Libraries with other college units. During Osburn’s administration, the Central Library was renamed Langsam Library in 1986 in honor of Dr. Walter C. Langsam, historian and former UC president.

The 1980s were also a time of considerable growth and development of library collections and services. The circulation of materials in Langsam Library increased 50% from 1978 to 1983, and lending requests from other institutions increased 30%. Other momentous changes of the 80s included the adoption in 1982 of an automated, online public catalog and circulation system as a University-wide budget priority. After receiving a $500,000 challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the University raised $1.5 million to enable the Libraries to substantially upgrade graduate and research collections.
By the end of the 1980s, Osburn was succeeded as dean by Linda Cain who presided over another period of growth. In the 1989-90 Annual Report of the University Libraries, Cain referred to the significant changes taking place, especially the new automated systems, and that “it is the nature of research libraries today that change will be constant...” saying it was imperative that “...as we manage this changing environment the needs of library users be kept paramount.”

The Annual Report also reported on library collections, stating that 200 new serials titles had been added and some 4,000 gift books donated by 120 donors, but noted that “enhancements to the collections budget are critically needed to support new programs and bring research and undergraduate collections to a level commensurate with programmatic needs of faculty and students.” Regarding facilities, the report noted that the joint proposal by UC, Miami University, and Wright State University for a regional collection depository had been approved for state funding, and that it would be built at the Middletown campus of Miami University.

At this time, the Library Catalog grew to a total of 950,000 records, and the Catalog Department cataloged close to 35,000 new titles, almost a 10% increase over the previous year. Well over 17 million transactions were logged into the catalog. Bibliographic instruction rose to more than 5,000 sessions, thereby reaching a large portion of the student population.

In 1991, David F. Kohl became dean, serving until 2001. By this time, the Information Age was cresting with the introduction of the Internet. By 1994 there were 10,000 Web sites, and four years later this had expanded to 500,000, with more than 50 million people connected worldwide. By the early 90s, 3,000 newspapers had Web sites, as did many major print magazines and journals, and most libraries provided global access to their collections.

In 1992, Kohl issued a “Vision Statement” outlining the issues facing libraries in the Information Age such as: access vs. ownership, the invisible user, and the transformation of technical services, and non-paper formats. Sounding a recurring theme, he noted that: “change will be a dominant and consistent feature of life in the world of libraries.”

In 2001, Victoria A. Montavon became dean and observed she was “attracted to the University of Cincinnati for many reasons, but at the top of the list are the University’s widely respected research mission and its impressive record of building outstanding research-level library collections and resources.”

Leading University Libraries into the 21st century, Montavon inaugurated the Strategic Plan 2003-05 to chart the future course of the Libraries. With the active involvement of the entire library staff, the plan addressed the following strategic directions: quality service, staff development, collection development and access, organizational effectiveness, library instruction/training/assessment, marketing and outreach, facilities enhancement, digital initiatives, and development and grants.

In 2002, Langsam Library was renovated, bringing with it not only new carpeting and a bright, fresh new look, but also substantial technological and facilities improvements, including upgraded computer work stations, a new MAC lab, the Student Technology Resources Center, and new and improved public service points such as the InfoCommons and a new Circulation Desk.

The long-term dedication of the University of providing quality library resources can be seen in the steady progress towards improving UC Libraries’ ranking in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) index. In 2002-03, ARL ranked UC Libraries (including University Libraries, Marx Law Library, and Medical Center Libraries) at #45 compared to #72 a decade ago. Volumes held by UC Libraries more than doubled from 1977-78 (1,276,837) to 2002-03 (2,977,475). Reflecting the Information Age, the number of public computers in University Libraries rose from zero in 1978 to 300 in 2004.

The growth of UC Libraries can also be seen in the breadth of libraries themselves. In 2003-04, University Libraries consists of: Langsam Library; Archives and Rare Books; Biology-Chemistry Library; College-Conservatory of Music Library; College of Applied Science Library; Classics Library; Curriculum Resources Center; Design, Architecture, Art & Planning Library; Engineering Library, Geology-Physics Library; and the Math Library. Additional libraries at UC include the Marx Law Library, the Medical Center Libraries, and libraries at Clermont College and Raymond Walters College. Although University Libraries and the other UC libraries are separate administratively, there remains a strong sense of partnership and collaboration.

In 2003, Langsam Library marked its 25th anniversary with a special program that celebrated and honored the many achievements and accomplishments of UC Libraries. In his remarks at the anniversary, Dr. Winkler emphasized that the library “was more than a building, no matter how handsome,” and that it is “the University’s central tool in implementing its task of fostering learning and exploration, developing new knowledge, and in general fulfilling its commitment to the life of the mind that is at the center of education.” Commenting on the topic of change, he observed: “Think of the changes in library services since 1978 when the new Langsam was really state-of-the art among its contemporaries. The massive card catalogue stood in the middle of the fourth floor, stored in shelf after shelf of three-by-five cards, some of them typed, some handwritten, all having to be handled physically as one thumbed through the holdings. Now that catalogue has disappeared and not only can students and faculty bring up the information about the library’s materials on the computers that have sprung up in almost every corner of the library, but they can access the system from their dormitory rooms and their homes, discover quickly and efficiently what the library holds, whether it is available, and when it is due to be returned.”

Remarking on the importance of libraries to a university, Winkler pointed to the future, saying that we should: “never forget that the library is the very life blood of our University. And let us celebrate this anniversary with the hope that the next such celebration will commemorate another 25 years of richer service to our academic community.” On this note, UC Libraries can look back with pride to the achievements of the past, and look forward to the future fulfilling its vision as “the scholarly information and research gateway of first choice for all members of the University of Cincinnati community.”

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