Through the Years: UW Oshkosh Library
When fire destroyed the original Normal School building in 1916, the library lost more than 12,000 volumes as well as its entire facility. A new library was opened in the newly constructed Administration Building — today’s Dempsey Hall — in 1918. The library, located where Career Counseling is today, featured a large reading room with seating for 300 and was anchored by a formidable reference and circulation desk. As the campus grew in both size and mission in the wake of World War II, a new library was required. The north wing of Polk Library was completed in 1962, with the south finished in 1969.
While the size of the UW Oshkosh student body has grown moderately since the late 1960s, their research needs have changed dramatically. Gone are the days where students relied solely on the books the library owned for their information. Today’s students and faulty require access to scores of subscription-based databases of articles, books and images. They need responsive inter-library loan programs as well as multimedia resources and, of course, a solid and ever expanding print collection.
In addition, researchers need a modern and technology-rich environment to synthesize these sources and develop their projects. In fall 2008, Polk Library opened Polk101 — a transformed study and research space that combines the best of the traditional reference room and a comfortable and thoroughly modern work environment.
Learn more at www.uwosh.edu/archives.
UW Oshkosh Library Through the Decades
(Click on thumbnail to view a larger image)
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