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Library Collections |
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CMU
library holdings include more than a million books, serials, multimedia
titles, and an even greater number of items on microfilm.
When the Park Library expansion project ends at the close of 2001, the
renovated and enlarged facility will make available to the campus community
approximately one million volumes as well as offer users almost 5,000
periodicals and newspapers. In addition to these impressive, on site resources,
the Libraries will also serve as an electronic gateway to an even wider array
of information. These electronic tools will bring a wealth of information not
only into the Park
Library but also to both faculty offices and student residences.
From its founding, Central Michigan University has maintained a library for
the use of students and faculty. The first library was located in Old Main, the
original campus building. The library housed in Old Main, along with the
building itself, was destroyed in a disastrous fire on December 7, 1925. A new
library, with seating for 250 students, was built as a part of Warriner Hall;
the building constructed on the ashes of Old Main. To meet the needs of a
rapidly expanding student population Central opened its first building
constructed specifically as a library in 1956. Today known as Ronan Hall, when
it was dedicated the new library was capable of housing 90,000 volumes and had
750 study seats. Although a great improvement over the warren of rooms given
over to books in Warriner, student demand quickly exceeded the capacity of this
structure. In response, the university opened the Park Library Building in
1969, with approximately 2,200 seats and room to house nearly twice the over
110,000 volumes then held in the collection.
The Clarke
Historical Library was founded in 1954 through a gift from Dr. Norman E.
Clarke, Sr. to his alma mater. Dr. Clarke was a book collector of unusual
insight and breadth. His collection was created, in his own words, to
"portray the lives, the thoughts, and the culture of the pioneer people to
whom we owe so much." The institution bearing Dr. Clarke's name has become
one of Michigan's leading research libraries.
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