Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1922-09-20
The University'S Greatest Need
(Reprinted from Alumni News)

For two years have been studying the needs of
the University of Delaware in all it's departments and
result of that study have reached the definite
conviction that the most urgent present need of the
University as whole is greatly enlarged library
and library building big enough to contain all of the
books we may secure for many years to come.
The two things should be kept clearly separate in
ones mind: the library building and the library
The library building, while it is planned that it
shall be fine one, ornament to the architectural
group already begun, and a vast improvement to our
campus, would not be asked for at this time it
needed only for the adornment and identifying of the
college grounds But such is not the case The library
building is necessary because have than
reached the capacity of the present temporary library
building and storing nearly five thou
sand bound volumes in basement OF Recitation Hall
because there is for them in the unsightly
and inconvenent old building now being used as a
library
That we are deprived of the of five thousand
volumes already have, to say nothing OF rapidly
approaching the time when we shall have no place
for the important and numerous accessions which
should be made every month OF year, sulclent
proof of the urgent need for library building. And
since must have library building located as it is
in the architects plan at the south end OF The Green
midway between the two colleges, in the most prom
nent position in the whole University group there
will probably be unanimity of opinion among alumni
and friends of the institution that it must be build
ing worthy of that location, and, more especially,
worthy of it's dedication as memorial to the sons
and daughters of Delaware who lost their lives in the
World War.
AS to the need for much larger library i. e., the
books the building will house and make accessible,
that goes to the very foundation of educational
efficiency and repute.
We are we believe, building great institution
of learning Much has been done in this high enter
prise and many of the constituent elements have been
provided, but the library the most fundamental of
all the elements entering into the making of Unver
sty has been sorey neglected. and until that neglect
has been remeded further progress in our great en-
deayor is, in my Judgment in large measure halted;
The library has been called by distinguished edu-
Gator the very heart and spiritual center of the uni
versity." And it is commonplace among educators
that, without great library, great educational IN
stitution is impossible.
"The library" says President Thwing, represents
the highest relation of the work of the college to the
work of the world 1t embodies the purest thought,
it receives the finest gold of human aspiration and
achievement 1t is through the library that the college
comes into relation with life universal The library
appeals to humanity of every range and in every field
The college in its library has an instrument OF mighty
usefulness for service to mankind No wisdom is too
practical, conservation too hearty, no endowment
too rich to be devoted to its development The library
is worthy of the best for it helps to make the best in
the student and the teacher.
It is, perhaps, not generally recognized as being
So but it will be found upon examination that
of the chief differences between standard colleges of
small repute and those of great reputation is the diff
ference in their library facilities, and as coroary
to that, difference in scholarship and productive
activity, both of which depend largely upon the ex
celence of the library.
Without good library scholarship is impossible.
The realization of this by well trained men is evidenced
by the small colleges continual loss Of it's most prom
Using men, who accept less remunerative and less dig
MED positions in institutions in which adequate library
facilities offer the possibility of progress in scholar
ship.
In the building up of educational institution,
therefore, the library is vitality significant factor.
Not only is it essential to the encouragement of the
highest form of scholarship efficient and inspiring
teaching and productive activity but when vacancies
the teaching staff it is often impossible to
secure the best man for the place unless
assurance be given that an adequate library is
available In the of important positions recently
filled the staff at Delaware the chief difficulty
not might be expected the smaness of the salaries
offered but the nadequacy of the library and satsfac
tory teachers secured only when they had been
persuaded that campaign about to be launched
to remedy far possible this distressing deficiency
1t is indeed strange how commonly the impor-
lance of the library has been overlooked by the
ing bodies and the friends of smaller educational
institutions. For in teaching and scholarship as in
other things the law of life is growth, and growth is
not possible without that which feeds and sustans it,
The young teacher in the ve six, years spent
in college and graduate school has laid only the fou
dations of scholarship. He is we'll aware too that the
bounds of knowledge constantly and swiftly broad
ening. In touch with good library, allowed to keep
abreast of this development conscious of growth filled
with the enthusiasm that comes from visions
of truth, he will be inspiring teacher and in many