Evening journal., 1910-05-20
LIBRARY PLEASES
COLLEGE STUDENTS
Old Delaware at Last Has
Building Suited to Its
Needs

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
NEWARK. Del. May 2o.-The most
note worthy addition to the Delaware Col
lege buildings since the erection Of the
gymnasium In 1905. is the attractive new
library. During the last fifteen years,
especially years which have witnessed so
great an expansion in all departments at
Delaware College, instructors and students
alike have felt the serious inconvenience
of the old library facilities. The collection
Of books due to the activity OF Prof e. l..
Vallandingham and DIT. Edgar Dawson.
has been reasonably adequate. In English
literature, history and economies. the di-
vision in which the greatest demand IS
made, several thousands of volumes have
been ample for the general needs Of the
students. The reading tables have also
contained a good collection Of general
and technical periodicals. But these books
and magazines could not be used to ad-
vantage. The college could not expect the
students to use a library which apart from
its inaccessibility, was comfortable neither
in the warm days OF the summer months
nor the cold days of the mid-winter
months. The third floor OF Recitation Hail.
the old library quarters. were. as those
who attended the college previous 20 this
year know. in every way unsuitable.
But these disagreeabie conditions are
now things Of the past When the boys re-
turned to college last fall they found that
the building formerly occupied by the
Kappa Alpha Fraternity was being re-
modelled into what rs now considered one
Of the most attractive Of the college build
ings. Though the generosity Of the last
State Legislature. which appropriated a
/ sum OF money 10 be expended for specific
purposes. tho trustees were able to spend
about $500 in converting what had been
for many years a residence into building
which for twenty years at least ought to
answer all the needs Of a college library.
At present there are about eight thous-
and volumes in the new quarters. all ac-
curately catalogued and conveniently
shelved and $50 periodicals. The latter are
placed in the main reading room and are
alphabetically arranged. on the first floor
at the right Of the main entrance. is the
main reading rooms. admirably lighted by
day or night. Here may be found periodl-
Gals and collection OF general works in
science and reference books for all col
loge departments. At the left Of the main
entrance are two reading rooms which
contain books in English and history Here
is located also the librarians desk. hi.
rectly back of the second room Is the cat.
alogueing rooms which serves also as. a
! store room for unbound magazines. Two
rooms on the second floor contain the
bound magazines and books i'm French
German and other foreign languages. TIL,
third floor is being fitted up as a trophy
room for all the college departments.
Although the library has just been com
pleted, the use that students and instruct
ors have so far made of the new library
with it's comfortably heated and lighted
rooms. seems TO amply Justify tho ex
penditure that has been made and hai
greatly exceeded the expectations of thos,
who have worked so hard to bring thi
change about
The library Is open every week day from
s.45 a. m. to 10 D. m. In "a days durinl
this collegiate year. there were 1879 read
ers in the library, during the day and So
after supper hour. Instructors and stu
dents I'm the same period drew out S6
books and used 55 reserved ones. The gail
TO almost every department Of the coleg
from this liberal use OF the collection o
books Is obvious. This Increase in efhcl
ency is but one sign OF the growing wort
OF the State College. As an institution
where the young men Of Delaware may b
? educated broadly. thoroughly and for tn
greatest usefulness