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| library [2023/07/13 18:33] – [The Seabury Library] bant06 | library [2025/02/10 16:14] (current) – bant07 |
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| //A library is the soul of a [liberal arts] education. ((//Trinity Reporter//, Winter 2004))// | //A library is the soul of a [liberal arts] education. ((//Trinity Reporter//, Winter 2004))// |
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| Trinity College has actively curated a library to support research and study since the inception of [[washington_college|Washington College]]--Trinity's original name--in 1823. In 1952, the [[watkinson_library|Watkinson Library]] rare books and special collections joined the Trinity Library, moving into its current space in 1979. In 2002, the [[computing_center_in_mcec|Computing Center]] was physically moved from the [[nutt_mathematics_engineering_and_computer_science_center|Nutt Mathematics, Computing, and Engineering Center]] to the expanded Library and Information Technology Center (LITC) building. In 2015, the Library began a process of merging with Information Technology Services, starting with the creation of a combined Library/IT desk. Since the College's early days, Trinity's librarians have continued to provide collaborative service, collection development, and research assistance that helps maintain Trinity's reputation as a world-class place of learning. | Trinity College has actively curated a library to support research and study since the inception of [[washington_college|Washington College]]--Trinity's original name--in 1823. In 1952, the [[watkinson_library|Watkinson Library]] rare books and special collections joined the Trinity Library, moving into its current space in 1979. In 2002, the [[computing_center_in_mcec|Computing Center]] was physically moved from the [[nutt_mathematics_engineering_and_computer_science_center|Nutt Mathematics, Computing, and Engineering Center]] to the expanded Library and Information Technology Center (LITC) building. In 2015, the Library began a process of merging with Information Technology Services, starting with the creation of a combined Library/IT desk. Since the College's early days, Trinity's information professionals have continued to provide collaborative service, collection development, and research assistance that helps maintain Trinity's reputation as a world-class place of learning. |
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| ===== The Washington College Library ===== | ===== The Washington College Library ===== |
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| After receiving the [[charter|charter]] to found Washington College in May 1823, a first order of business included collecting books to begin the College's library. The [[wheaton_nathaniel_s|Rev. Nathaniel Wheaton]] traveled to England during the summer of 1823, obtaining about 400 titles in 1,146 volumes. Primarily religious and classical literature from the 17th-18th centuries, Trinity still retains many of the volumes from "the Wheaton Collection." ((In discussing the library collections, it is important to distinguish between the number of individual works (titles) and the number of volumes (physical bulk). For instance, one title might be comprised of 32 volumes.)) | After receiving the [[charter|charter]] to found Washington College in May 1823, a first order of business included collecting books to begin the College's library. The [[wheaton_nathaniel_s|Rev. Nathaniel Wheaton]] traveled to England during the summer of 1823, obtaining about 400 titles in 1,146 volumes. ((In discussing the library collections, it is important to distinguish between the number of individual works (titles) and the number of volumes (physical bulk). For instance, one title might be comprised of 32 volumes.)) Primarily religious and classical literature from the 17th-18th centuries, Trinity still retains many of the volumes from "the [[wheaton_s_library|Wheaton Collection]]," though at the time some students found the collections outdated. |
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| Beginning in 1824, students were charged $1.00 per [[terms|term]] for use of the library, which was only open for several hours a day. The library was housed in [[seabury_hall_old_campus|Seabury Hall]] after its completion in 1825. | Beginning in 1824, students were charged $1.00 per [[terms|term]] for use of the library, which was only open for several hours a day. The library was housed in [[seabury_hall_old_campus|Seabury Hall]] after its completion in 1825. |
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| [{{:10.2307_community.2661614-1.jpg?400 |The first College library, Seabury Hall, ca. 1870. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.2661614|Trinity College Archives]]}}] | [{{:10.2307_community.2661614-1.jpg?400 |The first College library, Seabury Hall, ca. 1870. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.2661614|Trinity College Archives]]}}] |
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| The duties of “Librarian” at first were fulfilled by the tutors. In 1852, the [[trustees|trustees]] established the librarian as an independent position. The first librarian was Samuel Fermor Jarvis, son of Samuel Farmar Jarvis. Both Jarvis and his successor, Charles J. Hoadley, Class of 1851, served short terms but were instrumental in the development and improvement of the library. | |
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| The formation of literary societies also assisted in rapidly increasing the books held by Washington College. The [[athenaeum|Athenaeum]], a literary and debating society, was formed in 1825, joined by the [[parthenon|Parthenon]] in 1827; they collected "a considerable collection of poetry, dramatic works, novels, tales, and romances, areas in which the College Library was rather weak." These books were regarded as "an integral part of the College Library...the combined society collections exceeded that of the regular College Library in size." ((Weaver, p. 55)) When the societies disbanded in 1870, their expansive libraries were donated to the College for incorporation into the main collection. | The formation of literary societies also assisted in rapidly increasing the books held by Washington College. The [[athenaeum|Athenaeum]], a literary and debating society, was formed in 1825, joined by the [[parthenon|Parthenon]] in 1827; they collected "a considerable collection of poetry, dramatic works, novels, tales, and romances, areas in which the College Library was rather weak." These books were regarded as "an integral part of the College Library...the combined society collections exceeded that of the regular College Library in size." ((Weaver, p. 55)) When the societies disbanded in 1870, their expansive libraries were donated to the College for incorporation into the main collection. |
| In the summer of 1826, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Farmar Jarvis (son of the Rt. Rev. Abraham Jarvis) donated his extensive personal collection of books to the library. As opposed to the Wheaton collection, his 4,000 volumes were "rich in literature and history" with "a recent selection of leading authors." As the College was unclear regarding the donation agreement, "the librarians attempted to forbid the undergraduates use" of them, though the students did, anyway. The 1826 //Terms of Admission and Course Studies, Expenses, &Etc.//, read: "A good Library has been obtained; and the Rev. Dr. Jarvis has very generously deposited his valuable collection of Books in the institution, for the use of the Students." By 1837, the combined total of the library and society libraries totaled 14,000, but the College ran into a problem: Dr. Jarvis, who was by then serving as Professor of Oriental Languages, was unhappy with the way his collection was being stewarded, particularly that some of the books had gone missing. When Jarvis resigned that year from Washington College, his collections left with him, dropping the College's volumes to no more than 6,000. | In the summer of 1826, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Farmar Jarvis (son of the Rt. Rev. Abraham Jarvis) donated his extensive personal collection of books to the library. As opposed to the Wheaton collection, his 4,000 volumes were "rich in literature and history" with "a recent selection of leading authors." As the College was unclear regarding the donation agreement, "the librarians attempted to forbid the undergraduates use" of them, though the students did, anyway. The 1826 //Terms of Admission and Course Studies, Expenses, &Etc.//, read: "A good Library has been obtained; and the Rev. Dr. Jarvis has very generously deposited his valuable collection of Books in the institution, for the use of the Students." By 1837, the combined total of the library and society libraries totaled 14,000, but the College ran into a problem: Dr. Jarvis, who was by then serving as Professor of Oriental Languages, was unhappy with the way his collection was being stewarded, particularly that some of the books had gone missing. When Jarvis resigned that year from Washington College, his collections left with him, dropping the College's volumes to no more than 6,000. |
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| Through the following decades, the College established an Alumni Library fund, revamped the library and created an inventory of books. With the gift of the literary societies' libraries in 1870, the collections grew to 15,000 volumes, enough to fill two reading rooms which were open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alongside books, the libraries boasted for the first time "Hartford and New York newspapers, college papers, and English periodicals." ((Weaver, p. 157)) One of the students' favorite publications was the New York //Daily Graphic//, as Trinity alumnus Arthur Dyer, Class of 1870, was on the staff and "did everything in his power to put the name of 'Trinity'" in the paper. | Through the following decades, the College established an Alumni Library fund, revamped the library and created an inventory of books. The duties of “Librarian” were fulfilled by the tutors until 1852, when the [[trustees|trustees]] established the Librarian as an independent position. The first Librarian was Samuel Fermor Jarvis, son of the same Samuel Farmar Jarvis who had donated and revoked his collections. Both Jarvis and his successor, Charles J. Hoadley, Class of 1851, served short terms but were instrumental in the development and improvement of the library. |
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| | By 1868, a new Master Plan was in development and a designated library building was included in the proposed additions. With the gift of the literary societies' libraries in 1870, the collections grew to 15,000 volumes, enough to fill two reading rooms which were open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alongside books, the libraries boasted for the first time "Hartford and New York newspapers, college papers, and English periodicals." ((Weaver, p. 157)) One of the students' favorite publications was the New York //Daily Graphic//, as Trinity alumnus Arthur Dyer, Class of 1870, was on the staff and "did everything in his power to put the name of 'Trinity'" in the paper. |
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| By 1868, a new Master Plan was in development and a designated library building was included in the proposed additions; however, the new library that students received was not in the way they expected. In 1872, the trustees accepted the [[hartford|City of Hartford]]'s offer to purchase the [[old_campus|old campus]] land, and the buildings were demolished after a final [[commencement|commencement]] in 1878. The new library would not just be in a new building, but on a new campus entirely. | However, the new library that students were to receive was not in the way they expected. In 1872, the trustees accepted the [[hartford|City of Hartford]]'s offer to purchase the [[old_campus|old campus]] land, and the buildings were demolished after a final [[commencement|commencement]] in 1878. The new library would not just be in a new building, but on a new campus entirely. |
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| ===== The Seabury Library ===== | ===== The Seabury Library ===== |
| The library staff included the Reverend John Humphrey Barbour and student assistants whenever possible. Barbour had catalogued the book collection and created a card catalog, but many books went missing due to "untrained though well-wishing student amateurs." | The library staff included the Reverend John Humphrey Barbour and student assistants whenever possible. Barbour had catalogued the book collection and created a card catalog, but many books went missing due to "untrained though well-wishing student amateurs." |
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| By the 1890s, "students constantly complained that the Library was not being kept up to date and that the book collection was more suitable to the older curricula which had been adopted in 1884." ((Weaver, p. 234)) However, others found value in its rich collections of older materials dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, including religious pamphlets, government documents, medical works, scientific periodicals and English literature, History, and Political Economy. In 1895, Trinity College became a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) which distributes government publications to participating libraries for public use; Trinity was still a member in 2023. | By the 1890s, "students constantly complained that the Library was not being kept up to date and that the book collection was more suitable to the older curricula which had been adopted in 1884." ((Weaver, p. 234)) However, others found value in its rich collections of older materials dating to the 17th and 18th centuries, including religious pamphlets, government documents, medical works, scientific periodicals and English literature, History, and Political Economy. In 1895, Trinity College became a member of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) which distributes government publications to participating libraries for public use; it remains a member today. |
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| The library collections totaled 39,682 volumes by 1900 and the library was open five to six hours per day. Since the Department of Natural History moved to the brand-new [[boardman_hall|Boardman Hall]] that year, the library had more space, and both the book collections and student population boomed in part to a growing curriculum. | The library collections totaled 39,682 volumes by 1900 and the library was open five to six hours per day. Since the Department of Natural History moved to the brand-new [[boardman_hall|Boardman Hall]] that year, the library had more space, and both the book collections and student population boomed in part to a growing curriculum. |
| For the first time, the library needed a full-time librarian. Trinity's first trained librarian was Mr. William Newnham Chattin Carlton. After working at the Holyoke Public Library for a short period, Carlton came to Hartford to work as an assistant in the Watkinson Library, which was then housed in the Wadsworth Atheneum. Carlton, who had not completed his college education as of yet, took classes with [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34505995|Professor Samuel Hart]], Class of 1866, who was serving as librarian at the time. Hart recommended Carlton, whom he described as "something of a scholar," as his successor upon his retirement. Carlton left Trinity in 1919, but continued to serve libraries around the world. | For the first time, the library needed a full-time librarian. Trinity's first trained librarian was Mr. William Newnham Chattin Carlton. After working at the Holyoke Public Library for a short period, Carlton came to Hartford to work as an assistant in the Watkinson Library, which was then housed in the Wadsworth Atheneum. Carlton, who had not completed his college education as of yet, took classes with [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34505995|Professor Samuel Hart]], Class of 1866, who was serving as librarian at the time. Hart recommended Carlton, whom he described as "something of a scholar," as his successor upon his retirement. Carlton left Trinity in 1919, but continued to serve libraries around the world. |
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| The 1902 //[[ivy|Trinity Ivy]]// reported that the library had grown to 47,000 volumes, plus over 26,000 pamphlets. A reading room was equipped with electricity, allowing evening hours as well as daytime. By 1904, the library was open "at all hours" to students. | The 1902 //[[ivy|Ivy]]// reported that the library had grown to 47,000 volumes, plus over 26,000 pamphlets. A reading room was equipped with electricity, allowing evening hours as well as daytime. By 1904, the library was open "at all hours" to students. |
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| [{{:10.2307_community.33677711-1.jpg?300 |Seabury Library fire, May 22, 1907. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.33677711|Trinity College Archives]]}}] | [{{:10.2307_community.33677711-1.jpg?300 |Seabury Library fire, May 22, 1907. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.33677711|Trinity College Archives]]}}] |
| In 1912, [[morgan_j._pierpont|J. P. Morgan]] traveled to Hartford to visit his cousins and Trinity trustees, Francis and James Goodwin. During the visit, Morgan spoke with President [[luther_flavel_sweeten|Flavel Sweeten Luther]], who mentioned the need for a new library. Morgan enthusiastically agreed to fund the building, which could also serve as memorial to his late friend [[williams_john|Bishop John Williams]]. It was a project that could fulfill two needs the College had been hoping to achieve since 1899. | In 1912, [[morgan_j._pierpont|J. P. Morgan]] traveled to Hartford to visit his cousins and Trinity trustees, Francis and James Goodwin. During the visit, Morgan spoke with President [[luther_flavel_sweeten|Flavel Sweeten Luther]], who mentioned the need for a new library. Morgan enthusiastically agreed to fund the building, which could also serve as memorial to his late friend [[williams_john|Bishop John Williams]]. It was a project that could fulfill two needs the College had been hoping to achieve since 1899. |
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| ===== The Williams Library ===== | ===== The Williams Memorial Library ===== |
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| Though Morgan died in 1913, [[williams_memorial|Williams Memorial]] still began construction later that year, under Morgan's chosen architect Benjamin Wistar Morris, Class of 1893. Dedicated in October 1914, Williams Memorial was built with space for a bigger library and reading room on the second floor. Significantly, Williams' location was "at precisely the point specified in the original campus plan prepared by [[burges_william|William Burges]]." At the time of its completion, the library contained 65,000 volumes. | Though Morgan died in 1913, [[williams_memorial|Williams Memorial]] still began construction later that year, under Morgan's chosen architect Benjamin Wistar Morris, Class of 1893. Dedicated in October 1914, Williams Memorial was built with space for a bigger library and reading room on the second floor. Significantly, Williams' location was "at precisely the point specified in the original campus plan prepared by [[burges_william|William Burges]]." At the time of its completion, the library contained 65,000 volumes. |
| |Trinity College Archives]]}}] | |Trinity College Archives]]}}] |
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| In 1983, Trinity installed two OCLC computer terminals which allowed students to search over nine million catalog records. Librarian Ralph Emerick believed that "within five years," Trinity would change from using a card catalog (which cost at the time $90,000 to upkeep) to a retrieval system through OCLC ($50,000 per year). | In 1983, Trinity installed a OCLC computer terminal which allowed students to search over nine million catalog records. Librarian Ralph Emerick believed that "within five years," Trinity would change from using a card catalog (which cost at the time $90,000 to upkeep) to a retrieval system through OCLC ($50,000 per year). |
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| The year 1984 brought the creation of the CTW Consortium, establishing a collaboration with Connecticut College and Wesleyan University that has lasted decades. The "CTW System" became a reality in 1986, in which a shared //Sirsi// catalog between the three libraries and interlibrary loan system was developed. | The year 1984 brought the creation of the CTW Consortium, establishing a collaboration with Connecticut College and Wesleyan University that has lasted decades. The "CTW System" became a reality in 1986, in which a shared //Sirsi// catalog between the three libraries and interlibrary loan system was developed. |
| [[https://www.courant.com/2001/05/09/trinity-sets-library-renovation/|"Trinity Sets Library Renovation,"]] //Hartford Courant//, 9 May 2001. | [[https://www.courant.com/2001/05/09/trinity-sets-library-renovation/|"Trinity Sets Library Renovation,"]] //Hartford Courant//, 9 May 2001. |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/2/|Trinity College in the Twentieth Century]] (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp, pp. 123, 182-184, 256, 413-414, 423-424. | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/2|Trinity College in the Twentieth Century]] (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp, pp. 123, 182-184, 256, 413-414, 423-424. |
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| [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/reporter/282|The Trinity Reporter]] (Spring 1979), pp. 10-15. | [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/reporter/282|The Trinity Reporter]] (Spring 1979), pp. 10-15. |
| [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/tripod/1115|The Trinity Tripod]], 10/17/1978. | [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/tripod/1115|The Trinity Tripod]], 10/17/1978. |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/4/|The History of Trinity College]] (1967) by Glenn Weaver. | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/w_books/4|The History of Trinity College]] (1967) by Glenn Weaver. |
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| [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/265|Trinity College Bulletin, 1963-1964 (Report of the Librarian)]] (1964). | [[http://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/265|Trinity College Bulletin, 1963-1964 (Report of the Librarian)]] (1964). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/tripod/2897/|The Trinity Tripod]], 12/10/1952. | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/tripod/2897|The Trinity Tripod]], 12/10/1952. |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/534/|Trinity College Bulletin (Report of the Librarian)]] (1941). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/534|Trinity College Bulletin (Report of the Librarian)]] (1941). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/53/|Trinity College Bulletin (Report of the Librarian)]] (1916). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/53|Trinity College Bulletin (Report of the Librarian)]] (1916). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/46/|Trinity College Bulletin, April 1915, Dedication of Williams Memorial]] (1915). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/46|Trinity College Bulletin, April 1915, Dedication of Williams Memorial]] (1915). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/ivy/10/|The Trinity Ivy, 1909]] (1909). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/ivy/10/|The Trinity Ivy, 1909]] (1909). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=ivy|The Trinity Ivy, 1902]] (1902). | [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29304972|The Trinity Ivy, 1902]] (1902). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/106/|Catalogue of Trinity College, 1862-63]] (1863). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/106|Catalogue of Trinity College, 1862-63]] (1863). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/421/|Catalogue of Washington College (Officers and Students), 1837-1838]] (1838). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/421|Catalogue of Washington College (Officers and Students), 1837-1838]] (1838). |
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| [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/414/|Washington College Terms of Admission, Course of Studies, Expenses]] (1826). | [[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/bulletin/414|Washington College Terms of Admission, Course of Studies, Expenses]] (1826). |
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