Happy National Library Week! April 7-13, 2019

Hello Friends! It's National Library Week! This year the American Library Association has chosen a theme of Libraries = Stronger Communities.  As ALA says, "Libraries are at the heart of our cities, towns, schools and campuses, providing critical resources, programs and expertise. They also provide a public space where all community members, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and learn." Here at Delaware State University the William C. Jason Library is both the physical and intellectual intersection of campus. We are a link between science and art, social and academic, faculty and student, campus and community. We strive to serve all and we are proud to be your librarians.

In honor of Library week I thought we would take look at the history of the library and it's namesake:

The William C. Jason Library is named in honor of Delaware State University's longest serving president. President Jason's tenure, from 1895 to 1923, was punctuated by expansive growth of both the student body and campus infrastructure.  His achievement is fully appreciated with the recognition that, despite being a public school, financial support from Delaware State was initially insufficient.

In 1902 the Board of trustees approved President Jason's request to public ally raise $1,000 for campus improvements.  The president's fundraising efforts took the form of a speaking tour that resulted in 700 pledges largely received from the African American community.  While the pledges totaled $1,112, regrettably, only $533 was received.

The money was frugally applied to the construction of a chapel (left).  In lieu of hiring laborers, the professors of the industrial arts program developed courses around the chapel's construction. Additionally, bricks from the slave quarters of the Loockerman plantation were recycled to lessen the cost of materials.

By the 1920's the perpetual pattern of college-wide growth required the chapel to be converted into a library.  Further growth resulted in the construction of the current library in 1975 with an addition in 1991 (below). The early chapel structure, now known as the Thomasson Building, remains today and can be found at the end of the campus mall.

The expansion of the current William C. Jason Library in 1991.