Library Timeline

A Brief History

A History of Shaver Engineering Library

An engineering library has been on UK’s campus since the late 19th century when engineering faculty first began collecting materials. Each department purchased its own materials and maintained its own collection.

In 1912 the University Library was created and books for the engineering department were purchased out of the university library budget. Between 1925 and 1930 the engineering collection, including materials from the various engineering offices, was organized and cataloged under library standards when it officially became part of the centralized university library.

The engineering library was created at the same time all of the engineering departments moved into one facility known as the Engineering Quadrangle. The new library contained 2,569 books, miscellaneous government documents, university publications, trade bulletins and catalogs, and 83 engineering journals. It had three reading tables with six benches and could accommodate 18 simultaneous “readers.”

Through the years the library was located in several different locations within the Engineering Quadrangle. In July 1948, the library moved to yet another site within the old engineering building, this time overlooking the Quadrangle. In this move the library gained 75% more space and could now accommodate 54 “readers” as well as extra space for staff. The collection grew to approximately 6,300 titles and 195 journals. 

In 1967, the library moved to its current location on the third floor in the F. Paul Anderson Tower (FPAT). At that time the engineering library only occupied a portion of that space, sharing the rest of the floor with four classrooms.  In 1972, the library absorbed the classroom space and was carpeted for the first time. Toni Greider, Associate Dean -Research & Education Division, UK Libraries, remembers it as “that horrible 70s orange carpeting.”

In the early 1990s, the library underwent a second renovation when it was expanded into the back hallway and bathroom. As space was at a premium, the bathroom was filled with stacks to house the engineering standards collection. Several compact shelving units were also added to the main journals collection.

Currently the engineering library is undergoing a third renovation that addresses student needs by providing flexible collaborative space, instructional space and special seating for laptop use. The library will have a totally new look with a new office, carpeting, furniture, bathrooms, and window treatments, as well as a new entry.

Engineering Librarians at UK

Louise G. Webb is thought to have been the first engineering librarian at UK. While her starting date is unclear, it is known that she left in 1946. Mary Frances Pope was the first State Certified Librarian, following Ms. Webb from 1946 to 1949. Her typewritten history of the library provided much of the background presented here. Marjorie Hornsby managed the library from 1949 through 1952, followed by Mildred A. Moore, who was head librarian from 1952 through 1968. Russell Powell (M.L.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1966) was head librarian from 1968 through 1999. In 1999 after Russ retired, James Manasco (M.L.S., University of Kentucky, 1996) managed the library through 2003. Susan K. Smith (M.L.S., University of Pittsburgh, 1981) is the current librarian, joining UK Libraries in 2004.