The university鈥檚 first library opened in September 1877 in Old Main. It had two books, but by the turn of the century the library, situated on the third floor, had more than 7,000 books. The growing collection unfortunately weighed down the floor supports, making them unsafe. It found a new home in the Buckingham Library building in 1904.
To accommodate the rapid growth of the university, President George Norlin, who served from 1919-39, envisioned a library that would be the largest between Chicago and the West Coast. Norlin Library opened Jan. 6, 1940.
When it opened, its innovative features inluded fluorescent lighting fixtures.
The sundial in the plaza on the east side of Norlin Library is聽10,000聽pounds of rose granite.
The library has undergone two additions: one in 1964 and the other in 1976.
Notable campus architect Charles Klauder, who is responsible for the Tuscan vernacular style of the red-roofed campus, designed Norlin Library.
Local pink sandstone walls and windows framed with off-white limestone trim are all hallmarks of Charles Klauder's architectural style.
There are聽187聽desktop computers available for student use.
On an average day, the library sees聽6,800聽people come through its doors.聽Wednesday聽usually is the busiest and聽Saturday聽is the slowest.
"Who knows only his own generation remains always a child" appears above the west entrance. It was written by President Norlin聽and inspired by Marcus Tullius Cicero.
The week before finals, an average of聽8,600聽people come in per day. During finals week, there are about聽4,200聽people on average, with about聽8,000聽on the Monday of finals week.
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