Friends of the Libraries' Guest Columnist Features Ohio University libraries continue to serve as community resource By Julia Zimmerman February 12, 2005 The Athens Messenger

Every day, Alden Library welcomes dozens of visitors who aren't students or faculty or OU staff. During the average day, you might see a middle-school class touring the library in preparation for a special project, while a couple from Indiana scours the Library's genealogical texts with help from a local history expert. A homemaker from Meigs County checks out books on Amish quilts, as a nurse practitioner from Logan catches up on the latest research on controlling flu outbreaks. A retiree has begun to re-read the classics of American literature. A small-business owner retrieves tax forms in the Government Documents Department. High-schoolers work on term papers in the Learning Commons, and a mother reads books from the Children's Collection to her two youngsters.

Did you know that Ohio University's library once doubled as Athens' public library? The Carnegie Building, now home to the Scripps School of Journalism, was built with funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and dedicated in 1905. It was one of over 2500 libraries funded by Carnegie and built throughout the English-speaking world in the late 1800's and early 1900's, providing millions of people with access to books and reading.

Athens' Carnegie Library was a big step up for the University and the town. Built for less than $50,000, and operated on $2000 from the university and $1000 from the town, it replaced a small room in the southwest corner of Cutler Hall, then known as the Center Building. The collection included 16,000 books. Free use of the library was guaranteed to "all Athens citizens, school teachers and school children."

The establishment of the Athens Public Library in 1935, allowed OU's library to refocus on serving the university. Nevertheless, service to the community has remained an important part of the University Library's mission. With over 2.5 million books and other materials, the library has something for everyone.

Today, citizens from Athens and the six surrounding counties are welcome at Ohio University's Libraries. Annual registration is required, but there is no fee for visiting the library or checking out books. Librarians are happy to assist users with their information needs, and community users receive the same friendly, expert service as OU students and faculty.

Members of the Friends of the Libraries, an organization of university and community members who support the Libraries in various ways, receive additional benefits. Friends may borrow books through OhioLINK, which provides access to over 39 million books from 84 college libraries in Ohio. Members also receive a subscription to Gatherings, the Libraries' newsletter; invitations to events at Alden Library; and computerized delivery of journal articles. (If you would like to join the Friends and receive these benefits, contact George Bain at 593-2713, or by e-mail at bain@ohio.edu.)

Libraries are among the most friendly, open, democratic institutions in our society. Athens is fortunate to have a fine public library system and one of the country's best university libraries, too - both filled with riches waiting to be discovered. Visit us and see for yourself.

Julia Zimmerman is the Dean of Libraries of Ohio University.