Southeast Missouri State University - Sagamore Yearbook (Cape Girardeau, MO)

Page 12 text:

Rededication of Kent Library, Sunday, November 17, 1968 Mrs. Raymond Young, immediate past President of the Missouri Library Association, was the principal speaker for the rededication of Kent Library. l l l l Music Was provided for the ceremony by the College String Ensemble directed by Professor Dallas Tjaden. The faculty and public was invited to attend the Open House following the rededication ceremonies.

Page 11 text:

Total capacity was about 150,000 volumes md 350 readers. Before the present build- ng was completed the enrollment approxi- nated 6500 plus the space requirements of a lew service in 1948-the Audiovisual Center. During construction in July 1938, the Eioard of Regents voted to name the building llent Library Min recognition of long, faith- ul, and efficient service on the part of Miss Sadie T. Kentf' The action was rescinded lpon learning that PWA regulations forbade iaming a building after a living person. In .943, when PWA had become inactive, the 'ioard repeated its action stating, the Presi- lent of the College be, and he hereby is. lirected to cause to be cut in the stone slab 'eserved for the name of the building, the vords 4'Kent Libraryf, The same year Felix Eugene Snider be- :ame Head Librarian, Miss Kent assuming Llimited servicew status which continued un- il her death in 1951. Consideration of larger library facilities megan in the late 1950's, and in 1960 a re- guest for funds to construct a library addi- ion went to the Legislature with no success. n 1963 most state colleges received allot- nents for library additions, but Southeast State was not included. ln 1965, with the ap- yrioval of the new Missouri Commission on ligher Education, the college requested and 'eceived an appropriation of 552,164,000 for he purpose, which was augmented by a 2151,- l00,000 grant from Federal funds. Educa- ional specifications were drawn up, Pearce Lnd Pearce, lnc.. of St. Louis were chosen to lesign the structure, and the general con- .ract was awarded to McCarthy Company of it. Louis, the same firm that erected the ,riginal Kent Library. The new facility consists of four levels vith a total of 140,000 square feet. When 'ully equipped, it will suffice for 350,000 folumes and 2200 readers-making it one of he largest library plants in Missouri. There ire 58 private studies for faculty use, over 500 individual study carrels for students, an lrray of conference and seminar rooms of farious sizes. and reader spaces with tables md chairs scattered throughout the building. The first level houses Textbook Service, Xudiovisual and Educational Media Center, and lnstructional Materials. The second level las the Circulation and Reserve Desks, Ref- erence-Documents Department, Periodicals Service, Technical Services Area, Little Thea- re, Rare Book Room, library offices, and re- :eiving-shipping facility. The third level ac- :ommodates the Browsing Area, documents torage, Library Science Department, the lit- erature and history collections, and eventu- ally a Graduate Room. The top level has he major collection of books from 000's hru 700's. M74-W 4 .... -v , e 'i'2 t' - - ' t.. The original Kent Library l939 1 lfigffffi, QQ, g,1-.- K? f ,, A gf . , .-.. was xt - iifxixkkvpxx i 1 gi'S..-szzwfrdp K g xg Q L 'QQ ...,. ,.., . gigs , . ,SMS ri f after undergoing months of construction . . X E45 J 1 X N ' .1 1 ' - ,.-ails, J, . Lgiyf xq :A 4. 3-v' -Aditi, . .1 emerged as Kent Library 1968.

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Buried behind the impressive facade of the ex- panded Kent Library lies the original gray stone building Which served the college for almost thirty years. The original building has been encircled with additions in all directions except north. The build- ing has been extended 141 feet south, 67 feet east, and 55 feet West. The original front of the library has been concealed by a grill and the entire front of the new structure is protected by a spacious loggia supported by columns. The building is decorated with the names of the same authors inscribed around the old Kent Library with one minor change: the modern spelling of Shakespeare is used instead of the old form which omits the av in the second syl- lable.