Emmanuel d'Alzon Library celebrates 20th anniversary

Skyscrapers of reference books and drawer after endless drawer of card catalogs; this is the scene Larry Spongberg and a handful of other librarians witnessed when the time came to move Assumption College's library from La Maison Francaise to the new Emmanuel d'Alzon building. "There was only one reference librarian at day and one at night then and I spent sixteen years as the night librarian," Larry recalled. "I was [at Maison] for my first nine [of 29] years. We had printed indexes and a card catalog rather than computers." For most students, the library without computers would be a terrifying thought. However, it wasn't until the mid '90s that the technology was introduced. "In the '90s we automated some 200,000 volumes into databases," Larry explained. "The books also needed new numbering and organization. It took me seven or eight stages of filing books and moving them again to make room for more."

The move was a large but necessary action, as evinced by former President Joseph Hagan's decision to build a new library upon the completion of a campus center. Not only was the two-floor library in La Maison of insufficient size, but a new library was able to deliver good lighting, carpets, air conditioning and comfortable seats, all greatly desired amenities for students. In fall of 1988 Emmanuel d'Alzon Library opened its doors to students and faculty. Dawn Thistle, Director of Library Services and Interim Director of Information Technology and Media Services, explained that the choice of name was obvious. "Father d'Alzon was the founder of the Assumptionists and his philosophy was education is at the heart of faith. He was a perfect example who combined faith and education in his ministry."

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the library held a commemoration on Tuesday, September 30 [event held after press time]. The function contained two guest speakers, Scott Bennett and R. Drayton Fair. Thistle explained that Bennett, Yale University Librarian Emeritus, will speak about "different paradigms of academic library use. How students today use libraries differently than a generation ago and how space has an impact." Fair, an architect for Lerner Ladds+Bartels, will display designs for how the library could either use space differently or add space.

Space has become an issue in the library, and librarians have tried many things over the years to make students more comfortable. Mary Brunelle, Cataloger and Reference Librarian, explained, "In 2006 we did a survey called LibQUAL+ for everyone on campus and got good feedback and made changes. People love community spaces and comfortable furniture and computers. We have new laptops and are constantly adding new desktop computers when we have the money. We also have more hours later at night and on the weekends." Even though responding to students' needs is a top priority it still forces sacrifices to be made. Oftentimes the librarians are forced to close off computers and move furniture to make space for lectures, poetry readings or art exhibits. "We want to foster the idea of scholarship and lecture, but we just don't have the space right now."

That's where the architect comes in. Though there are no official plans or sufficient funds yet, the library staff has a dream for an expansive new addition. Thistle explained, "The library as it is now.is limited and cannot offer the things Bennett will be talking about. Academic libraries today have cafes in them, study halls.services new students expect and we can't easily supply. That's the reason for this space plan." This plan includes such amenities as a café, extra computers, an expanded Academic Support Center and a section that will be open 24 hours a day. This section will be connected to the Living Learning Center's upper deck parking lot via a walkway, also making the general area more handicap accessible. Still, Thistle stresses, "It's just a dream, but a dream with structure."

Though the dream library may be far off, memories over the past 20 years could not be more present. Janice Wilbur, Associate Director and Head of Access Services, "spent [her] first day on the job moving books from the old library to the new one."

One of her favorite memories from d'Alzon, though, almost caused a controversy. "I remember when Harvey Varnet was director at one point we corded off an area with police tape and for fun taped the outline of an employee and students actually thought there had been a murder," she said. There was, in fact, no murder or any attack, but only a section of books being converted from the Dewey Decimal System to the Library of Congress system of classification. Brunelle recalled another event: "We had a marriage proposal here in the library about two years ago. It was very sweet. The guy proposed to his girlfriend, who was a professor in the English department at the time, right here in our lobby, and she said yes. It was adorable."

The past 20 years have certainly been both eventful and productive at the d'Alzon Library. With the addition of technology, increased hours and the Inter-Library Loan service, the library has come a long way since its years in the top two floors of La Maison and shows great potential for the future. As Brunelle explained, "We have a pretty small staff, but do a good job making sure people are at the desk. Our main goal is always to serve and support the faculty and students.