Colgate University Libraries records, A1208
Scope and Contents
The Colgate University Libraries records contain a wide range of material documenting the libraries, their collections, and the work of librarians at Colgate and its predecessor institutions, Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution and Madison University. Included are planning documents, policies, and reports; collections inventories; handbooks and manuals for students, faculty, and library staff; newsletters and programs for library events; and a significant amount on building renovations, including floor plans and planning documents. Around half of the collection documents the work of the Science Library, known today as Cooley Science Library.
Dates
- Creation: 1802 - 2016
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research; however, special restrictions apply to portions of this collection in accordance with the Colgate University Archives policy on restricted records. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives for further information.
Historical note
The history of the Colgate University libraries dates to 1820, when 31 donors contributed around 400 books and pamphlets to the school, which at the time was still known as Hamilton Literary and Theological Association. The library was located in West College until around 1860, when it was moved to Alumni Hall. In the earliest years of the school, student contributions and donors played an important role in maintaining the library collection. Student societies and organizations often maintained their own libraries, which were sometimes later incorporated in to the main university library.
A new library building, James B. Colgate Library, was dedicated in 1891. The library remained there until 1958, when Everett Needham Case Library was completed. Case library has since undergone renovations in 1981 and 2007 and is now known as The Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology.
Howard Williams, "Highlights in the History of the Colgate University Library," January 24, 1969, A1000, Buildings and Grounds collection, Special Collections and University Archives, Colgate University Libraries.
The Charles A. Dana addition to the Everett Needham Case Library dedication materials, 1982, Colgate University Libraries records, Special Collections and University Archives, Colgate University Libraries.
Extent
8 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The Colgate University Libraries records are arranged in the following series:
- Series 1. Correspondence, 1946-1990
- Series 2. Reports, plans, and proposals, 1843-2003
- Series 3. Annual reports, 1989-2011
- Series 4. Handbooks and manuals, 1853-2011
- Series 5. Programs and publicity, 1910-1983
- Series 6. Catalogs and inventories, 1802-1985
- Series 7. Library newsletters, 1939-2016
- Series 8. Cooley Science Library records, 1958-2007
Cultural context
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- Guide to the Colgate University Libraries records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Lisa King and Allyson Smally
- Date
- April 8, 2016
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Colgate University Libraries Repository
13 Oak Drive
Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology
Colgate University
Hamilton New York 13346 United States US
315-228-6175
315-228-7934 (Fax)
