Oklahoma State University Library: A History of Growth and Diverse Collections

Founded alongside Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1890, the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Library has evolved from a modest collection to a dynamic hub of knowledge and resources. Its history reflects the university's growth and commitment to serving the academic and research needs of its community.

Early Beginnings and Initial Acquisitions

The library's journey began in 1893 with the acquisition of its first volume. Early purchases primarily supported the curriculum and faculty research, focusing on agriculture. Modest acquisitions continued into the late 1920s, laying the foundation for future growth.

Controversial Acquisitions and Rare Volumes

A significant turning point occurred between 1928 and 1933 when the College Library acquired its first rare volumes through the Grolier Society. These purchases, including Holinshed's Chronicles and Audubon's Quadrupeds, sparked controversy at the time. No additional items were added until Otto M. Forkert's collection of materials on typography and printing were acquired through a gift/purchase arrangement in 1951. Among the 103 volumes in that collection was a replica two-volume Gutenberg Bible issued as number 43 of a run of 300 sets in Leipzig in 1914.

Growth and Relocation

Initially housed in various faculty offices, the Library found its first official home in Old Central in 1894. Edward F. Clark, a faculty member, recorded the first book accessioned in the library on March 28, 1893. By the time Frank A. Hutto became the sixth librarian in 1899, the library held nearly five thousand volumes and received numerous periodical subscriptions and Oklahoma newspapers. Hutto oversaw the move to a new building in 1901, later renamed Williams Hall. Although designated as the Library Building, the facility allocated only a small percentage of space to the Library. The Library moved to a 1,610 square foot room on its first floor, more than five times the space allocated in Old Central. Cora Miltimore was promoted to librarian in the summer of 1902. She was the first woman to hold the position and the first appointee devoted solely to the role.

Expansion and a Dedicated Building

By 1914, the library served an average of 900 students daily and expanded its hours to 14.5 hours per weekday. Staff estimated the library held 19,000 bound volumes, over 50,000 unbound pamphlets, and 50,000 unbound periodicals. As the collection grew, space became a pressing issue. In 1921, the first building dedicated solely to the Library was completed. Located near Old Central, the 20,930 square foot building was a modified Italian Renaissance design. The Library collection now numbered 38,000 bound volumes and 50,000 unbound periodicals. By 1928, the stacks were overflowing, and the building size was inadequate. In 1932, the English department moved to another building, and the space devoted to the library was expanded.

The Edmon Low Library Era

President Henry G. Bennett's Twenty-Five Year Plan, developed in 1928, envisioned a new library as the heart of the campus. In 1953, the Edmon Low Library opened, quickly becoming a focal point and a symbol of campus pride. Its six floors were designed to house 1 million volumes and provide seating for 2,500. The building employed free-standing bookstacks allowing users to browse freely. In 1968, the north addition was completed, expanding the building’s size by 40%.

Technological Advancements and Modernization

Roscoe Rouse, Jr. succeeded Edmon Low as university librarian upon his retirement in 1967. He is best known for bringing mechanization of library routines and information services to the Library. In 1975, the Library acquired the first computer owned by an academic library in Oklahoma. The Library continued moving into the electronic age when Edward R. Johnson became dean of libraries in 1987. In 1991, under Johnson’s leadership the Library moved from the traditional card catalog to PETE, its first automated system. PETE was eventually replaced with the web-based OSU Library Catalog, and the Library now offers access to thousands of online full-text journals. Johnson also launched the student laptop checkout program and oversaw the purchase and renovation of the Library Annex. As he neared retirement, Johnson lifted the ban on food and drink and added a cafe to the first floor of the Library.

Special Collections and Archives

In 1966, the library received the papers of former Oklahoma governor Henry S. Johnston, marking the beginning of its political collections. These collections now include the papers of former Oklahoma governor and United States Senator Henry Bellmon, United States Senator Don Nickles, and former state representative Hannah D. Atkins. In addition to collections documenting Oklahoma history and politics, collecting efforts have focused on Oklahoma natural resources; Oklahoma women; the portrayal of the American West in film, theater, and circuses; and folk music of the southern plains. Shortly after the formal establishment of a Department of Special Collections and University Archives in the library in 1988, the library received the papers of historian and social activist Dr. Angie Debo, a preeminent scholar of American Indian history. Other significant collections include the personal and professional papers of Gannett CEO and AP President Paul Miller and (in process) noted businessman and philanthropist T.

Digital Initiatives and Oral Histories

The OSU Library has embraced digital initiatives to enhance access to its collections. The O’Colly archive, containing issues from 1895 to 2011, provides a searchable repository of OSU history. The staff of Digital Library Services, under the direction of Robin Leech, head of digital initiatives, is responsible for uploading and maintaining the collection. The Archive has been made possible through generous donations from The O'Collegian and Friends of the OSU Library.

The library also houses a rich collection of oral history projects, including:

Building a Bigger Table: An Oral History Project on the Development of a Stillwater, OK Food Resource Center: A series of interviews conducted from 2016-2018.
The Chilocco Indian Agricultural School Collection: Documents the history of the school established in 1883-84.
Descendants of Oklahoma Black Homesteaders Oral History Collection: Shares accounts of life in Oklahoma, including experiences during the Dust Bowl.
The Harold C. Aldridge, Jr. Collection
The Oklahoma Married for Life Oral History Project: Features interviews with Oklahoma couples married 70 years or more.
The Oklahoma Centennial Oral History Project: Features interviews with citizens of Oklahoma who have lived 100 years or more.
The Oklahoma Activism in Education during the Civil Rights Movement Collection: Provides context surrounding segregation and desegregation efforts in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Humanities at 50 Years Oral History Collection: Examines the organization's history and impact on humanities support in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Mesonet Oral History Project: Documents the history of the Mesonet through the stories of people involved in its development and use.
The Oklahoma Native Artists Project: Features interviews with Native artists, collectors, and gallery owners.
The Immigrant Women Artists Oral History Project: Examines the occupational folklife of first-generation immigrant women artists living in Oklahoma.
OSU's COVID-19 Incident Management Team Oral History Project: Documents the operations of OSU’s incident management teams throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Pete’s Pet Posse collection: A series of interviews conducted during 2023, the tenth anniversary year of Oklahoma State University’s pet therapy program.
Pistol Pete Oral History Project: A series of oral history interviews with former mascots conducted in 2008.
Then & Now: Aired on KOSU-FM every week from 2009 through 2013.

The Library Today

Today, under the guidance of Dean of Libraries Sheila Johnson, the OSU Library continues to evolve, embracing new technologies while maintaining a commitment to quality service. Johnson launched “The Library Futures” series to foster innovation and responsiveness to the changing needs of the campus community. The series goal was to create a flexible and responsive organization that can not only serve the needs of today’s campus but also anticipate future demands and rapidly respond as the campus evolves.

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