Oxford College Library: A History of Collections and Services

The Oxford College Library, an integral part of Emory University, boasts a rich history intertwined with the establishment and growth of Emory College in Oxford, Georgia. From its humble beginnings as a collection of donated books to its current status as a modern learning hub, the library has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its students and faculty.

Early Years and the Foundation of a Collection

Emory College was founded in 1836 by the Georgia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While the college itself dates back to this time, the library's formal existence began with donations of books from alumni and faculty members. These early contributions formed the foundation of what would become a diverse and valuable collection.

The library existed in some form since the founding of Emory College in 1836. The early records of Emory College, including those related to the library, provide a glimpse into the institution's formative years. Among these are the Emory College library records, dating from 1846 to 1936, which consist chiefly of records of the Emory College library related to acquisition and circulation of books and periodicals. These records, comprising 31 bound volumes, offer insights into the library's operations, including the acquisition and circulation of its holdings. Library catalogs and shelf lists noting the location of materials are also included. The Emory College general records, spanning from 1834 to 1918, also document various aspects of the history of the College from its founding in 1836 through the time of its move to the Emory University campus in Atlanta in 1919.

Candler Hall and the First Dedicated Library Building

Until 1897, the library did not have a dedicated building. In 1897, Candler Hall was constructed, providing the library with its first purpose-built space. This marked a significant milestone in the library's development, allowing for better organization and accessibility of its growing collections.

The move to Candler Hall was a community affair. To transfer the books from Candler Hall, a line of students, faculty, staff, and Oxford residents formed between Candler Hall and the new library.

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Growth and Transition

Emory University was chartered in 1915, and the new Atlanta campus opened the next year. These collections pertain to Emory College when it was located in Oxford. The Emory College Board of Trustees records, spanning from 1837 to 1919, include minutes, reports, and other records documenting the governance of the college during this period of transition. Similarly, the Emory College faculty records, dating from 1845 to 1917, offer insights into the academic life of the college, including the contributions of early faculty members such as Alexander Means, Gustavus John Orr, Osborne L. Smith, and George W. W. Stone. The collection is chiefly minute books from meetings of the Emory College faculty, 1845-1917. There are also scattered unbound minutes, 1898-1915; typed transcriptions of entries, 1845-1859; and a volume of tributes and memorials to Emory College faculty and administrators, 1874-1915.

The Emory College Office of the Registrar records, 1838-1945, capture the administrative aspects of student life during this era. Emory College financial records, 1834-1949 (bulk 1834-1916), document the financial transactions of Emory College, including disbursements made for faculty and administrator salaries, building projects and maintenance, and income from student tuition, rental properties, investments, and individual subscriptions.

The Modern Library Building and Dean Kitty McNeill

The library occupied a building constructed in the 1970s until 2012. A significant transformation occurred between 2012 and 2013 with the expansion and renovation of the library facility. This construction project was headed by Kitty McNeill, who was instrumental in designing a space for the community to enjoy. Dean Kitty McNeill joined Oxford College in 1985 as assistant college librarian when she graduated from Emory University with her Master of Librarianship degree. She was part of one of the last classes to graduate from Emory’s library science program before it was closed by the University. As Oxford College Library says goodbye to Library Dean Dr.

The current library building reflects a commitment to providing a modern and user-friendly environment for students and faculty.

Diverse Collections and Resources

The Oxford College Library offers a wide array of resources, catering to diverse academic and leisure interests. These include:

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Print and Online Books: Access to more than four million print and online books.
eJournals and Databases: Access to thousands of eJournals and Databases.
Digital Archives: The Emory Digital Collections site contains tens of thousands of objects with new content loaded on an ongoing basis. Explore digital collections, yearbooks, early class photos, past course catalogs and syllabi, and previous issues of the Dooley Noted Newsletter for Oxford faculty and staff.
Streaming Films: A large collection of streaming films for leisure and academic use.
Bestsellers and Graphic Novels: A variety of items for leisure reading, including the latest bestsellers (in print, eBook, or audiobook formats) and a large graphic novel collection.
Course Reserves: Textbooks and readings available on Course Reserves can be borrowed for up to three hours or are available in our online Course Reserves system.
Technology: Laptops, iPads, Projectors Photo and Video Editing Equipment Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
Archives and Special Collections: A variety of items are held in the Library’s Archives and Special Collections. The archives include items from the college’s history as well as unique items like our Collection of Asian Artifacts. Collections Search detailed descriptions of archive and manuscript collections, consult our guide on conducting research, and place requests to view materials.
The Emory Libraries and Rose Library have the complete rare book collections of key literary and historical figures. Of particular research and teaching interest are artists' books, Yellowbacks, and the history of the book. For more information see the Stuart A.

Services and Support

The library provides a range of services to support students' academic endeavors:

Research Assistance: One-on-one and in-class research help. Quick Questions Answered via Ask-a-Librarian One-on-One Research Appointments.
Technology Services: Student Technology Services Desk.
Printing, Scanning, and Faxing: Available for student use.
Student Employment and Leadership Opportunities Ready to get started using the library? Have questions?

The Library as a Social and Study Space

The Oxford College Library is designed to be a welcoming and versatile space for students. The library is a social place, but there are also dedicated quiet study areas. Comfortable nooks and spaces are available for relaxation, group work, or individual study. The Oxpresso Coffee Shop within the library provides a convenient place to grab a coffee or snack. There's no shushing here. Group Study RoomsSpace to Hang Out with Friends Dedicated Quiet Study Space Oxpresso Coffee Shop Game Nights

Commitment to Preservation and Access

The library is committed to preserving Emory's history for Oxford College as a part of the larger university. The library purchases resources so students don’t have to.

Acknowledging Historical Context

The Oxford College Library acknowledges that some of its historical materials may contain offensive or harmful content. Historical records are evidence of the time in which they were created and often contain language and images that are racist, homophobic, sexist, ableist, or otherwise derogatory and insensitive. This content does not reflect the values of Emory Libraries. If you are concerned about content in this collection, please contact us and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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