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.
The College Hall Library was located on the second floor of college until the opening of the Wilmington College Library in 1941.
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.
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.
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.
The College Hall Library was located on the second floor of College Hall until the completion of the Wilmington College Library in 1941.
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.
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 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 before the 1965 library expansion and renovation.
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.
Students studying in the Wilmington College Library South Reading room, now the location of the Quaker Rare Collection.
This is a picture of the Wilmington College Library North Reading Room taken from the mezzanine prior to the 1965 renovation and library expansion.
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.
A view of the Main Level of the Watson Library in 1965. Note, the library card catalog on the right side of the floor.
A view of the 1965 addition and stairway leading to the second floor.
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.
An example of a library bookplate label found in one of our books.
An example of a library bookplate label found in one of our books. This title was a gift from Frances Stratton Emmons in 1970.
The Liberty Bell Replica is proudly displayed in the entry way of SA Watson Library.
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:
| 1960 - 1962 | James Nichols: | 1985 - 1991 | Lee Bowman & Patti Kinsinger (Co-Interim Directors) |
2015 - 2016 |
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| 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 & |
2005 |
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| 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)
