A Legacy of Knowledge: The History of Howard University's Libraries
Howard University, a private, historically black, federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C., has a rich history deeply intertwined with the pursuit of truth and service, as reflected in its motto, "Veritas et Utilitas." From its humble beginnings shortly after the American Civil War to its current status as a leading academic institution, the university's libraries have played a pivotal role in supporting its educational mission. This article explores the history of Howard University's libraries, from the early days of scattered collections to the modern, comprehensive system that serves the university community today.
The Genesis of a Library: From Scattered Collections to Carnegie's Gift
In the early years of Howard University, the library collection was not centralized. Instead, it was dispersed among the main building and individual libraries within each college. However, the need for a unified and expanded library became increasingly apparent as the university grew.
On December 2, 1907, a significant milestone was reached when Andrew Carnegie granted Howard University $50,000 to establish its first official library. This marked the beginning of a new era for library services at Howard, providing a dedicated space for the growing collection and facilitating its use by students and faculty.
Opened in 1910, the Carnegie Library allowed for the expansion of the library collection, which facilitated its use. Prior to this period, the library collection was scattered between the main building and individual libraries in each college.
The Vision Takes Shape: Planning and Construction of Founders Library
Discussions related to building a state-of-the-art library on the main campus of Howard University began in 1929. Congress appropriated $1 million for the construction of the library. By 1929, the collection had grown to over 85,000 volumes and continued expanding through yearly appropriations of $4,000. The building also housed the Moorland Collection of over 3,000 documents related to African and African American history donated in 1914 by Howard Trustee and YMCA executive Jesse E. Moorland. Due to its continued growth, the Carnegie Library was strained by usage at the time. Thus, a new library was commissioned.
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Although funds were appropriated for construction in 1929, construction did not actually begin until 1936. To accommodate its construction, the original main building on the campus was demolished. In addition, the President's house, which sat next to the main building was moved.
Albert Cassell's firm made clear how the project began: The university was fairly specific. They gave us the names and the sizes for the principal spaces, and the number of books that they wanted to provide for. They suggested that this building have a tower. Old Main Building had one. The site given was on top of the hill where the Old Main Building sat. We found that a building about 200 feet long by 100 feet wide would do if we made the building four healthy stories high and provided for six levels of stacks…The tower should be exactly in the center and should read as a tower from the north campus (the larger, more prominent campus).
The tower was borrowed from Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Since it was dedicated to liberty we felt that we could do no better.
From these design parameters came a structure of striking nobility. When it was dedicated on May 25, 1939, The Founders Library opened to rave reviews. Newspaper headlines shouted, "Howard Memorial to Founders Is Like Aladdin's Palace." No detail was too small to escape notice.
The sound proofed walls and ceilings enable readers to talk in one corner of the room without being heard in the other. Floors are of cork and rubber, $1,000 rugs so deep readers will sink in to their ankles.
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There are five reading rooms, the main one 120 feet by 32 feet, equipped with twenty silver oak tables each having six chairs. Overhead the ceiling carries… indirect lights of 500 watts each. So efficient is the lighting that if an obstruction is held 2 feet above a book, enough light will still come in at the side to permit easy reading.
The browsing room is fitted with cream colored monk's cloth drapes, Spanish leather easy chairs and couches and Axminster rugs that cost $1,000 each.
Founders Library: A "Palace of Books" and a National Treasure
Upon its completion, Founders Library received national attention. It was described as a "palace of books" and was the most comprehensive library at any Historically Black College or University. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes, who was prominent in securing the funding for the library, said this of the importance of libraries:
A library is more than a building, it is more than the volumes that rest upon its shelves…We can hardly over-estimate the role of libraries in modern life. They constitute perhaps the most important single agency for the perpetuation of civilization. To the libraries we entrust for safe keeping our accumulated social, artistic and scientific knowledge. It is upon their resources that we largely depend for knowing and understand[ing] the past; it is by their help that we may undertake to absorb the knowledge and develop the intellectual habits necessary for effective participation in the democratic way of life; and it is mainly through them that we hope to be able to project our own contributions into and influence the future.
The Founders Library is a Georgian style, red brick building with a clock tower visible throughout Washington, D.C. The building contained many of the most advanced technological advancements of the day including mechanical elevators and air conditioning. Founders Library cost slightly over $1 million in 1939 and was one of the most important academic structures of the 1940's.
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The importance of the structure was recognized 73 years later when in 2012 the Founders Library was named a "national treasure" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Howard University Libraries Today
Today, the Howard University Libraries-a central library system consisting of Founders, three additional branches in the schools of Business, Divinity, and Social Work, and the renowned Moorland-Spingarn Research Center-is truly more than the volumes that rest upon its shelves. All of our libraries and centers are dedicated to supporting the curricula and educational mission of Howard University. They offer a remarkable collection of over three-quarters of a million book and journal titles, electronic and multimedia resources, and over two hundred online databases on topics ranging from African Studies to Life Sciences, Theatre Arts, and World Languages.
The Howard University library system takes pride in the many instructional classes we provide and in the diverse resources we make available to facilitate the research and learning experiences of students, faculty, and the general public. Our staffs are dedicated to providing the highest level of service to all patrons.
We are especially proud of our Moorland-Spingarn Research Center collection and the University Archives and Museum, all of which are housed in Founders Library. What began in the early years of Howard University as a small collection of antislavery books and pamphlets is now one of the world’s premiere centers for the study of the Black experience. It has made possible new research and enabled scholars to probe more deeply into the complexities of Black history and culture.
Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library: A Modern Hub for Collaboration
Since 1983, the now Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library has been a space specifically designed for collaborative use by Howard’s undergraduate population. The primary goal of the library’s renovation was to update the facility with modern amenities and technology that reflect current academic needs. This included creating more collaborative spaces, integrating advanced technology, and improving the overall functionality of the library.
This renovation of the UGL was part of a larger, campus-wide initiative to modernize the University’s facilities. This includes not just updating buildings like the Wayne A. I. Frederick Undergraduate Library, but also improving other campus infrastructure to better meet the needs of students and faculty. The goal was to create a campus that is both reflective of Howard’s rich history and forward-looking in its approach to education and student life. This renovation also underscores Howard’s commitment to providing top-tier resources and facilities to its students.
FILE Howard University President Wayne A.I. The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the renaming of The Undergraduate Library in honor of its outgoing president, Dr. Wayne A.I. Board Chairman Lawrence Morse first mentioned the renaming at a farewell dinner held in Frederick’s honor at the Ritz Carlton in Northwest on June 8, adding that the day had been officially declared Dr. Wayne A.I.
“There is, perhaps, no place on the Hilltop more revered than the Upper Quadrangle-Main Yard, known affectionately as ‘The Yard,’” Morse said. “The buildings bear names of those whose legacies loom large in the history of Howard University: The Founders, Rankin, Carnegie, Douglass, Childers, Blackburn, Locke.
Having the Undergraduate Library named after me symbolizes the years of dedication and hard work that we have collectively invested in the pursuit of academic excellence,” he said in a statement issued by the university. “This honor is not solely mine; it is a reflection of the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters who have made our university a place of distinction. Frederick will continue as a scholar at the university when he steps down as president. His successor, Ben Vinson III, will take the helm on Sept. Wayne A. I.
The Howard University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the re-naming of the Undergraduate Library in honor of 17th Howard University President Wayne A. I. Board Chairman Laurence Morse, PhD, announced the building’s new name to a room full of Howard University trustees, alumni, staff and supporters of the University during the president’s farewell dinner held at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, D.C. on June 8. During the celebration, Morse also announced that Mayor Muriel Bowser has officially declared June 8 Dr. Wayne Frederick Day in D.C.
“There is, perhaps, no place on the Hilltop more revered than the Upper Quadrangle-Main Yard, known affectionately as ‘The Yard,’ said Morse. “The buildings bear names of those whose legacies loom large in the history of Howard University: The Founders, Rankin, Carnegie, Douglass, Childers, Blackburn, Locke. Dr. Frederick handed the reins to Dr. Construction of the new undergraduate library sign: ‘Wayne A. I.
Howard University’s Undergraduate Library (UGL) recently underwent a new name change, honoring the university’s soon-to-be-retired president, Dr. Wayne A.I. The decision to rename UGL after Frederick was approved by the university’s Board of Trustees and announced at his farewell dinner on June 8, according to The Dig.
“The president has really committed himself to making sure that Howard University is the best that it could possibly be,” Monica Lewis, assistant vice president of strategic communications at Howard University, said. The undergraduate library joins buildings like the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, Alain Locke Hall, Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Armour J.
To those who might question the board’s decision on honoring Frederick, Lewis quoted Trustee Chairman Dr. Laurence C. Well it makes me wonder if they consulted with the students because I know he wasn’t very popular during his time there,” Grimes said. “There [were] like at least two different student takeovers. One when I was there and one after I was gone. “I’m not sure. I am so uneducated about it. “As a leader, just like any of those, they have to make unpopular decisions sometimes in the best interest of the university and that might not always align with the best interest of the students,” Williams said. Howard University’s Undergraduate Library (UGL) recently underwent a new name change at the completion of its 2021 renovations, honoring the university’s 17th president, Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, and his long-term engagement with the university.
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