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Watson Library

Wilmington College Library History:

The first library at Wilmington College was at the South end of the second floor of College Hall. The literary societies of the College, the Brownian, Dorian, etc., donated their individual collections to the library, and under President Unthank, the collection reached a total of 3500 volumes. At the time, the library served as a museum as well.

The next stage in the history of the Wilmington College Library was having a permanent library building. This was necessary in order to receive accreditation. The building was built in 1941, and Wilmington College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges in 1943.

Originally, the front steps ascended to what we now call the second floor. There were reading rooms on the North and South sides of the building with tables in the centers of the rooms and the library collection on shelves along the perimeter of the reading rooms. On the lower level were the restrooms, a seminar room, and the book processing area.

In 1965, the library received an addition on the West side of the 1941 structure. In addition, the orientation of the entrance was changed from steps going up to steps going down. What had been the lower level was changed to the main level. The reading rooms and the new addition now housed shelves of books with study tables and other seating interspersed upstairs. The main level now housed the current and back periodical collection, reference collection, juvenile and young adult collection, reference and circulation desks, student lounge, and a seminar room. The Wilmington College Library was renamed the Sheppard Arthur Watson Library in honor of our 11th president who saw to the building of the first free standing library and our accreditation.

Over the years, things have been rearranged to suit the needs of the library and student body. The Circulation area was once a magazine reading area. Computer Labs/classrooms now occupy what was once Circulation and Reference. Gone, but not forgotten (by everyone) is the Card Catalog which gave students access to the library collection.

Recent additions to the library have been mainly virtual. We are members of two consortia: Ohio Private Academic Libraries (OPAL) and OHIOLink, which make it possible to access thousands of full text periodical articles and borrow any of millions of books from Ohio College and University libraries.

Library History Images

Library in College Hall

College Hall Library and Museum: Pre-1941

The College Hall Library was located on the second floor of college until the opening of the Wilmington College Library in 1941. 

College Hall Library

College Hall Library with Ohio Mound Builders Settee

The College Hall Library was located on the second floor of college until the opening of the Wilmington College Library in 1941. 

Please note the interesting "Ohio Mound Builders" settee on the left side of the picture. This settee bench was featured in the 1933-34 World's Fair in Chicago, and was donated to the college by a former college president.

Ohio Mound Builders Bench in College Hall Library

Ohio Mound Builders Settee in College Hall Library

This "Ohio Mound Builders" commemorative settee was located in the College Hall Library before 1941. This settee bench was featured in the 1933-34 World's Fair in Chicago, and was donated to the college by a former college president.  The settee was donated to the Clinton County History Center just prior to the Wilmington College Library renovation in 1964.  This fine piece of Wilmington College and World's Fair History is currently on display at the Clinton County History Center. Go here to learn more about the Ohio Exhibit at the 1933-34 World's Fair.

Ohio Moundbuilders Settee at the Clinton County History Center

Ohio Moundbuilders Settee - 2023

This "Ohio Mound Builders" commemorative settee is currently located at the Clinton County History Center This bench was donated by the college to the Center just prior to the Wilmington College Library renovation in 1964.  The settee was created for the 1933-34 Chicago World's Fair. You can go here to learn more about the Ohio Exhibit at the 1933-34 World's Fair.

College Hall Library: Pre-1941

College Hall Library: Pre-1941

The College Hall Library was located on the second floor of College Hall until the completion of the Wilmington College Library in 1941.

A map of the original layout of SA Watson Library in 1941.

1941 Map of Wilmington College Library

This map from 1941 depicts the original floorplan of the Wilmington College Library. Note, that originally the entrance stairs went up to the second floor where circulation, reading rooms, and library stacks were found. The basement, which is now the main floor, was storage, periodicals, and offices. 

Wilmington College Library Upstairs: Pre-1965

Wilmington College Library 2nd Floor: Pre-1965

Opening in 1941, the Wilmington College Library originally held two large reading rooms on the second floor of the library.  The initial portion of what is now called the Sheppard Arthur Watson Library was designed by Lethley and Hunter according to Wilmington College Archives.   This picture appears to have been taken from the original mezzanine level of the library.

Wilmington College Library Reading Room

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room, now the area where the P through Z books are held on the second floor of the library.

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room: Pre-1965

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room: Pre-1965

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room before the 1965 library expansion and renovation.

Wilmington College Library Pre-1965: Student Registration

Wilmington College Library Pre-1965: Student Registration

It is believed that this picture depicts students and faculty working on registration in the Wilmington College Library North Reading Room.  This picture partially shows the main entry of the library before 1965.

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room - Second Floor

Wilmington College Library South Reading Room - Second Floor

Students studying in the Wilmington College Library South Reading room, now the location of the Quaker Rare Collection.

Wilmington College Library North Reading Room - Second Floor

Wilmington College North Reading Room - Second Floor

This is a picture of the Wilmington College Library North Reading Room taken from the mezzanine prior to the 1965 renovation and library expansion.

A New Era: S.A. Watson Library Opens in 1965

A New Era: S.A. Watson Library Opens in 1965

In 1965, the Wilmington College Library received an addition of approximately 10,000 square feet and a complete reconfiguration of its former layout.  Additional to this expansion, the library was also renamed in honor of Shepard Arthur Watson the 11th President of the College.

S.A. Watson Library 1965

S.A. Watson Library 1965

A view of the Main Level of the Watson Library in 1965.  Note, the library card catalog on the right side of the floor.

Watson Library 1965 Addition

Watson Library 1965 Addition

A view of the 1965 addition and stairway leading to the second floor.

A certificate that recognizes Wilmington College received a replica Liberty Bell

Liberty Bell Replica Certificate

This certificate from Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, England certifies that Wilmington College received a replica Liberty Bell in 1970. The replica bell was cast at the same foundry and in the same fashion as the original bell. The bell was one of only 2,400 replicas. The Liberty Bell is still on display in SA Watson Library. 

Wilmington College Bookplate Example 001

Wilmington College Library Bookplate

An example of a library bookplate label found in one of our books.

Wilmington College Library Bookplate 002

Wilmington College Library Bookplate

An example of a library bookplate label found in one of our books. This title was a gift from Frances Stratton Emmons in 1970.

Image of Liberty Bell replica in display case

Liberty Bell Replica in SA Watson Library

The Liberty Bell Replica is proudly displayed in the entry way of SA Watson Library. 

Past Library Directors

When the college first started, faculty members took turns acting as Librarian. Ellen Wright was the first permanent librarian at Wilmington College from 1914-1920. Marguerite Mitchell followed her in 1921 and occupied the position until 1954. During her term of service, Library Science courses were taught in “Wilmington: 101 How to Use a Library” and in “301 Methods for Organizing and Carrying on the School Library Effectively”.  Hans Fabian took over as Librarian in 1955 and was first referred to as Director of Libraries in 1960. 


Library Directors Since 1960:

Hans Fabian:

1960 - 1962 James Nichols: 1985 - 1991 Lee Bowman & Patti Kinsinger
(Co-Interim Directors) 

2015 - 2016

Deckard Rittor:   1962 - 1963 Jennilou Grotevant: 1991 - 2000 Brian Hickam:

2016 - 2017

Willis Hall: 1963 - 1966 Patti Kinsinger &
Ina Kelley:

(Co-Interim Directors) 

2000 - 2001

Lucinda Chandler:

2017 - 2022

Robert Yockey:

1966 - 1977

David Gansz:

2001 - 2005

Michael Wells:

2022 - Present

Larry Kroah: 1977 - 1983

Patti Kinsinger &
Matilda Davis:

(Co-Interim Directors)

2005

   
Linda Barr
(Acting Library Director)
1984 - 1985 Jean Mulhern:

2005-2015

   

Noted and Appreciated Employees:

Lee Bowman:           2006 - Present

Kathern Hatfield:     1992 - Present

Patti Kinsinger:        1990 - 2019 (Present Library Volunteer)


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Address: Watson Library - Pyle Center Box 1227, Wilmington College, 1870 Quaker Way, Wilmington, OH 45177

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