The Library
at Youngstown State University  

Information for this brief overview came from several sources, including library staff members and the following publications:

"Dedication April 24, 1976, William F. Maag Jr. Library, Youngstown, State University." The Youngstown Vindicator, April 18, 1976: Special Section (Rotogravure).

The Neon. Youngstown, Ohio: Youngstown State University, 1931-1992.

Skardon, Alvin William. Steel Valley University: The Origin Of Youngstown State. Youngstown, Ohio: Youngstown State University, 1983.

1930s

• 1931—Jones Hall opens. Space allocated on the fourth floor for college library.
• 1935—Ms. Constance Robinson appointed as first full-time librarian. $10,000 allocated for library materials. Library houses 4,387 volumes and 38 current periodical subscriptions.
• 1937—Librarian listed in yearbook is Ms. Maurine (sic) Brunner.
• 1938—Friends of Youngstown College library formed with William F. Maag Jr. (publisher of The Vindicator) as president. Friends group campaigns yearly for funds to provide materials for the library.

1940s

• 1943—Library space becomes an issue. Maag expresses need for additional funds for a new building.
• 1947—Campaign begins in earnest for a new library building.
• 1949—Dr. Ivan Grimshaw appointed to direct the library.

1950s

• 1950—Library campaign surpasses the goal of $1,000,000.
• Construction begins on the building to house the Youngstown College Library.
• 1950—Dr. James Perie appointed as Library Director.
• 1953—Youngstown College Library opens with space for 500 seats for readers and shelving capacity of 125,000 volumes.
• 1955—Youngstown College becomes Youngstown University.
• 1957—Dr. George Jones appointed as Library Director.

1960s

• 1967—The University becomes a state university.
• Youngstown University Library continues to outgrow its home.

1970s

• Richard Owen is University Librarian.      
• 1976—New six-story library opens, named for the late William F. Maag Jr., founder of the Friends of Youngstown College Library and tireless campaigner.
• Library triples seating capacity with room for 1,600 students and includes capacity for shelving a half million volumes.
• Computers enter the library with the addition of an automated cataloging system and an automated circulation system.

1980s

• Dr. David Genaway appointed University Librarian.      
• Library card catalog gives way to computer terminals.
• Electronic database searching begins.
• Friends of the Library reorganized under the initiative of Carol Wall and Dr. James Houck; organization now Friends of Maag Library. 

1990s and beyond

• Library becomes a founding member of OhioLINK library consortium giving students access to the resources of over 79 colleges and universities in Ohio as well as electronic databases and journals.
• Computer terminals give way to PCs.
• Thomas Atwood appointed Executive Director.
• Bliss Materials Center moves to Maag Library.
• Curriculum Resource Center established in Beeghly Hall.
• Computer Lab Opens.
• Rose Melnick Medical Museum opens.
• Maag subscribes to over 2000 print journals and over 4000 electronic journals.
• The library collection exceeds half a million volumes.    
• Maag Library goes digital!

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This page created April 16, 2002.