Timeline of Library History

1800s

1860–1869

1867: Illinois Industrial University is founded

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Illinois Industrial University is founded. The Board of Trustees appropriates $1,000 for the purchase of 644 volumes to be housed in the office of Regent Gregory who served as Librarian. Books are later moved to Library Hall in the first Univesity Building (“The Elephant”).

1868: Library is founded

1869: Henry Marshall Douglass serves as the first Librarian (1869–1871)

1870–1879

1873: James Crawford serves as Librarian (1873–1893)

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1874: Library is transferred to University Hall

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Library is transferred to the newly constructed University Hall, located on the present site of the Illini Union. Books were transported by wheelbarrow during the summer vacation.

1880–1889

1889: Cleaves Bennett, Assistant Librarian

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Cleaves Bennett, a graduate student at the University, serves as Assistant Librarian (1889–1894).

1890–1899

1893: Library School is established; Charles M. Moss, Librarian

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Library School is established at Armour Institute in Chicago; Charles M. Moss serves as Librarian (1893–1894).

1894: Percy Bicknell, first full-time Librarian (1894–1897)

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Percy Bicknell is appointed as the first full-time Librarian with library experience (1894–1897) and begins to catalog the library collection.

1897: Library and Library School move

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1897: Library is moved to a newly constructed building (later named Altgeld Hall). Melvil Dewey delivered the dedication address; Library School is moved to the University of Illinois in the Library

1897: Katherine Sharp, Librarian and Director

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Katharine Sharp is named Librarian and Director of the Library School (1897–1907). Sharp modernized the Library by developing reference services, contributing library functions, and professionalized cataloging practice.

1900s

1900–1909

1907: Francis K.W. Drury is named Acting Librarian (1907–1909)

1909: Phineas Windsor, Librarian and Director

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Phineas Windsor is named Librarian and Director of the Library School (1909–1940). Windsor built the Library’s holdings from 127,000 to 1,500,000 volumes during his tenure.

1910–1919

1912: University President Edmund J. James proposes to grow the library

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University President Edmund J. James proposes the creation of a research library on par with those at the great German academic institutions. He states that the Library should accumulate “at least a million of books as rapidly as possible” and that the state “spend a million dollars to build a new building to house the collection.”

1920–1929

1924: Main Library building is completed

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1926: Library is moved into the Main Library building

1929: Main Library dedication and Second Stack addition

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Main Library is dedicated; Second Stack addition is completed with federal relief funds.

1930–1939

1935: 1 millionth volume acquired

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Sir Walter Raleigh, The History of the World. London, England: Printed by William Stansby for Walter Burre, 1614. Gift of John Needels Chester.

1940–1949

1940: Carl M. White, Librarian (1940–1943); Third Stack addition is completed.

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1943: Robert B. Downs, Director (1943–1958) then Dean (1958–1971)

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Robert B. Downs is named Director of the Library and Library School (1943–1958); Dean of Library Administration (1958–1971)

1946: 2 millionth volume acquired

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Henry De Wolf Smyth. A General Account of the Development of Methods of Using Atomic Energy for Military Purposes under the Auspices of the United States Government, 1940–1945. Washington, D.C.: Printed in the Adjutant General’s Office, 1945. Acquired from the United States Government.

1950–1959

1956: 3 millionth volume acquired

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Pomponius Mela. Cosmographia, sive, De situ orbis. Salamanca: Printer of Nebrissensis, Gramatical, 1498. Acquired from C. A. Stonehill.

1958: Fourth Stack addition is completed

1960–1969

1966: 4 millionth volume acquired

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Lycophron. Lycophronos tou Chalkideōs Alexandra. Geneva: Paul Estienne, 1601. [John Milton’s copy] Acquired from C. A. Stonehill.

1969: Undergraduate Library Building opens

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1970–1979

1970: Fifth Stack addition is completed

1971: Lucien W. White and Herbert Goldhor

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Lucien W. White is named University Librarian (1971–1975). Library and Library School are separated. White becomes University Librarian and Herbert Goldhor becomes director of the School.

Photo of Lucien L. White from the University of Illinois Archives — Lucien L. White

Photo from the University of Illinois Archives of Herbert Goldhor and Barbara Donagan seated at a table with various publications, including "Library Trends" — Herbert Goldhor (right) with Barbara Donagan (left)

1972: Library Friends Group

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Library Friends group is founded to increase visibility & financial support for the Library

1974: 5 millionth volume acquired

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The Holy Bible: Containing the Old Testament and the New: Translated
into the Indian Language and Ordered to be Printed by the Commissioners of the United Colonies in New-England, at the Charge and with the Consent of the Corporation in England for the
Propagation of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New-England = Mamusse Wunneetupanatamwe Up-Biblum God Naneeswe Nukkone Testament Kah Wonk Wusku Testament. Cambridge,
[Massachusetts]: Samuel Green and Marmaduke Johnson: 1661–63. Acquired with assistance from the University of Illinois Library Friends and Research Board.

1975: Robert Oram serves as Acting University Librarian (1975–1976)

1976: Hugh C. Atkinson, University Librarian (1976–1986)

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Hugh C. Atkinson is named University Librarian (1976–1986). Atkinson brought automation to the library catalog.

1979: Library School is moved from the Main Library to David Kinley Hall

1980–1989

1982: 6 millionth volume acquired

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John Flamsteed. Historiae coelestis libri duo: quorum prior exhibet catalogum stellarum fixarum Britannicum novum & locupletissimum. London, England: J. Matthews, 1712 AND John Flamsteed. Atlas coelestis. London, England: 1729. Acquired through the generosity of John E. “Bud” Velde, Jr.

1984: Sixth Stack addition is completed (compact stacks completed)

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Photo from the University of Illinois Archives of the main stacks of the library undergoing construction as part of the sixth addition to the main stacks

1986: Michael Gorman is named Acting University Librarian (1986–1987)

1986: Mortenson Professorship & Lecture

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Mortenson Distinguished Professorship for International Library Programs is established, and annual Mortenson Distinguished Lecture is instituted.

1986: 7 millionth volume acquired

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Bernhard von Breydenbach, Peregrinatio in Terram Sanctam. Mainz: Erhard Reuwich, 1486. Acquired through the generosity of John E. “Bud” Velde, Jr.

1987: David Bishop appointed University Librarian (1987–1992)

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Photo from the University of Illinois Archives of David F. Bishop

1990–1999

1991: Mortenson Center is established

1992: Robert Wedgeworth

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Robert Wedgeworth is named Interim University Librarian (1992–93) then University Librarian (1993–99).

1992: 8 millionth volume acquired

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William C. Gannett, The House Beautiful. River Forest, IL: Auvergne Press, 1897. Acquired through the generosity of John E. “Bud” Velde, Jr. 1992.

1994: Grainger Engineering Library Information Center is dedicated

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1998: 9 millionth volume acquired

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Christophorus Lieb, Practica et arte di cavalleria = Ubung und Kunst des Reitens in welcher der Bereuter die Pferd nach ihrer Art und Natur zu unterweisen und abzurichten erfahren und geubt sein sol. Dresden: Gimel Bergen, 1616 TOGETHER WITH Christophorus Lieb. Gebissbuch, oder, Kurtzer unds gruedlicher Bericht, von Gebiss und Zeumung der Pferd. Acquired through the generosity of Betty Jean Peters Albert in honor of Waco W. Albert, 1998.

1999: Paula Kaufman

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1999: Paula Kaufman is named University Librarian (1999–2013)

2000s

2000–2009

2001: Agriculture, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Library dedicated

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Funk Library (also known as the ACES Library and the Funk ACES Library) currently supports research and provides extensive print and online collections for numerous campus units Funk Library is located on floors 2 through 5 of the ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, which was dedicated in 2001. The distinctive, octagonal building has big windows that create an inviting space to work and study, whether in a study carrel, at a large table, or in a group study room.

2002: Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Chair is established

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Library receives a $1.5 million deferred gift to establish its first faculty chair, the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book and Special Collections Chair.

2003: Oak Street facility opens

2003: 10 millionth volume acquired

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Unlocking Our Past, Building Our Future: A Commemorative Publication Celebrating the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as Resource, as Place, and as Experience. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, 2003. Produced through the generosity of Alan M. and Phyllis W. Hallene

2006: Karen Schmidt serves as Acting University Librarian (2006–2007)

2009: 11 millionth volume acquired

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Marcus Tullius Cicero. M. T. Cicero’s Cato Major, or, His Discourse of Old-Age. Translated by James Logan. Philadelphia, PA: Benjamin Franklin, 1744. Acquired through the generosity of Robert A. and Emily S. Watts.

2009: Investiture of Paula Kaufman as Librarian and Dean of Libraries

2010–2019

2010: 12 millionth volume acquired

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H.G. Wells. The Adventures of Tommy. Book the First, Telling All About the Proud Rich Man and About the Present He Gave to Tommy. [Autograph Manuscript] Kent, England, 1898. Acquired through the generosity of Jim and Diane Staes

Page from H.G. Wells. The Adventures of Tommy. Book the First, Telling All About the Proud Rich Man and About the Present He Gave to Tommy

2012: 13 millionth volume acquired

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Ise monogatari 伊勢物語 (Tales of Ise). Kyoto-fu (Saga): Suminokura Soan, with Nakanoin Michikatsu and Hon’ami Kōetsu, 1608. Acquired through the generosity of the Simpson Family

2013: John P. Wilkin, Dean of Libraries (2013–2017)

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The University Library welcomes its fifteenth Dean of Libraries, John P. Wilkin (2013–2017). The investiture of Wilkin as Librarian and Dean of Libraries takes place in 2016. In 2017, Wilkin is named Interim Vice Chancellor for academic affairs and provost designate. In 2018, Wilkin resumes his role as University Librarian and Dean of Libraries (2018-2022).

2017: 14 millionth volume acquired

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Frederick E. Hoxie. The University of Illinois: Engine of Innovation. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2017. Acquired through the generosity of Paul Lisnek.

2017: William Mischo; Sesquicentennial Celebration

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William Mischo is named Acting Dean of Libraries and University Librarian; University of Illinois holds a Sesquicentennial celebration and kicks off a $35-million capital campaign for the Library.

2018: Sir Isaac Newton manuscript; campaign to transform the Library

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The Rare Book & Manuscript Library at the University of Illinois acquires a manuscript written by Sir Isaac Newton that provides instructions for making the philosopher’s stone, a substance thought to have special powers of transformation; University of Illinois announces a multi-phased campaign to transform the University Library

2020–Present

2021: Main/Undergraduate Library Integration Project; first DEIA director

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Main/Undergraduate Library Integration Project draft plans are posted. University Library announces architectural and engineering firms to design new archives and special collections building; Victor Jones, Jr. is hired as the first director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

2022: Archives and Special Collections building; Christopher Prom

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Archives and Special Collections building is approved by the Board of Trustees; Christopher Prom is named Interim Dean of Libraries and University Librarian (2022–2023).

2023: Claire Stewart is named University Librarian and Dean of Libraries

2023: 15 millionth volume acquired

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Ceo ditte de husbonderie ﬁst un chivaler sir Walter de Henleye. Acquired through the generosity of Betty Jean Peters Albert.

2024: First Edition of Plato is Acquired

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Rare Book & Manuscript Library acquires first edition of Plato’s works in Greek. While approximately 200 copies of the “editio princeps” were produced in 1513 by the well-known printer Aldus Manutius, just 40 are believed extant today.