Celebrating 50 years of Alden Library
If we were to step back in time to 1969, a tumultuous and eventful year in U.S. history, you would encounter Woodstock and watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon, among many other “firsts.” But 1969 was also a new chapter in the history of Ohio University Libraries.
On May 23, 1969 OHIO celebrated the opening of the Vernon R. Alden Library—an impressive seven-story building spanning the length of a football field, and which many consider to be the “heart” of the University.
This year, Alden Library is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and librarians and staff have two events planned in appreciation for your help in making the Libraries what it is today—one of the top 100+ research libraries in the nation.
Join us for anniversary cheer as we celebrate Alden Library's 50th on two separate occasions: Wed. Sept. 4 (8 p.m. to midnight) for a student-centered welcome at Camp Alden, and Fri. Nov. 8 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) for an anniversary celebration with presentations surrounding Manasseh Cutler and exhibits of unique special collections geared especially for the OHIO community, alumni and friends. Both events are free and open to the public.
More coming on that later…
In the meantime, kick up your feet and relax as you read Ohio Today’s story, “Celebrating 50 years of Alden Library,” featuring the growth of Alden over the past five decades from the perspectives of alumni and faculty.
Beginning with the tractor loads of books transported from Chubb Library to the then new Alden Library, to the ushering in of the digital age, all of which reflects back to the role the Libraries plays in every aspect that supports academic excellence, innovative programs and teaching, learning and research.
Here is a glimpse below:
“Amid all of Ohio University’s academic buildings, there is one that holds perhaps the most memories for the most Bobcats. Some may have only stopped by it a few days a week to print off a paper or return an overdue book. Others spent long, sleepless nights in this building, surrounded by tall cups of coffee and scattered notes…”