Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open for research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], McConnell Library Records, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. McConnell Library Records: Academic Affairs , Accession # RU 3.3, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Office of Academic Affairs

Accruals

Additional accruals are expected and ongoing.

Custodial History

Given by Office of Academic Affairs

Processing Information

Processing and finding aid by Gene Hyde, Caitlin Johns, and Amanda Altice, 2010-11. Additional processing by Sarah Theibert, February 2013, and Andy Bristol Summer 2013.

Biographical/Historical Information

The library at Radford was first located in the Administration Building, once standing where Muse Hall is located. When the college opened in 1914, the library housed 1,500 volumes. The library gets its name from former President of the University, John Preston McConnell. Groundbreaking for McConnell Library began in 1931, with a budget of $43,000. The library was completed during the 1931-32 session. Students helped move the books into the new two-story library. In the mid-1990s, a second addition towards Main Street brought the library to its present size, with five floors that hold over a half a million physical materials, various spaces for student study and collaboration, special events, a vibrant University Archives, and Information Literacy Centers to ensure Radford University students graduate with the research, information-seeking, and source evaluation skills they need to navigate their chosen fields.

Scope and Content

McConnell Library Records contains documents and papers related to the adminstration, collections, and other matters related to McConnell Library. These records feature library memorandums: created by individuals such as David Moore, Ed Huber, Thomas Mullis and Charles Owens. Also present are assorted library papers and Library Committee Minutes such as the Library Annual Report for 1985 and 1986 and the Materials Selection Policy from 1984-85. A bound register named John Preston McConnell library spanning the years 1932-1968 is also included. The next section of information pertains to Public Relation Files and Printed Columns spanning the years 1960-2004. Materials contained in that category include, but are not limited to, Radford Pamphlets from various years, Student Library Guidelines and Theatre Bills from 1976-2004, Photographs of Library workers from May of 1992 and Pierrett Catier-Huber's Scrapbook Clippings 1972-1988.

Box 2 of this collection includes lists of holdings. policies and plans from 1978-2000. Items that can be found are collection size information from the years 1978-1985, periodical holdings for 1989 and 1997, and a vistior register from 1999. Academic Affairs Annual Reports make up Box 3 covering the years 1931-1959. Annual Reports of Academic Affairs from 1970 to 2001 and memorandums from 1974-1983. Correspondence is also held in this collection with years 1925-1972 represented. 16 boxes of this collection are made up of Libary Operation Files covering various topics such as Telephones, Travel, Furniture, Personnel and Publicity. Three ledgers for material purchases dating to 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 are also present with one unknown year.

Box 23 consists of McConnell Library photographs circa 2000. Archvist files are retained in this collection and range from the 1970's to the 1990's with information on donor relations, the Goldberg Collection and the strategic plan of the library are present. Along with various other miscellaneous items such as Library Annual Reports, surveys, policies, maps, workbooks and newspaper clippings.

Arrangement

Box 0.McConnell Library Memorandums, Assorted Library Papers, Library Committee Minutes

Box 1. Public Relation Files and Printed Columns 1960 - 2004

Box 2. Lists of Holdings, Policies and Plans - 1978 - 2000

Box 3. Annual Reports - 1931 - 1959

Box 4. Annual Reports 1970 - 2001 and Memorandums 1974 - 1983

Box 5. Correspondence -1936 - 1972

Box 6 - Box 21. Operation Files

Box 22. Materials Accounts

Box 23. McConnell Library Photos, circa 2000

Box 24. McConnell Library Slides

Box 25 - Box 27. Miscellaneous

Box 28. Archivist Files 1970s - 1990s