It has been said that the "past is prologue," and as Parkland College slips into its 35th Anniversary year, what better time to stroll the Library's memory lane?
In the beginning .......... Parkland College Library was originally
named "Parkland LRC" (Learning Resource Center). The LRC
was begun in Spring 1967 in preparation for the official opening of
Parkland College in Fall 1967. Back then the LRC was divided into
two areas: Library Services and Instructional Resources. Each area
was headed by a director who reported to the Dean of Instruction. By
the third year of operation, a Director of Learning Resources was
appointed along with two assistants to supervise Library Services and
Instructional Resources.Until the College moved to its current, permanent location which officially opened Fall 1973, Parkland College occupied several buildings scattered throughout downtown Champaign, commonly referred to as the "temporary campus." Library Services was located at #2 Main Street and occupied the main floor and basement of the building. Instructional Resources was spread among three locations: graphic/photographic services were located at the corner of Randolph and Hill Streets; audio/video equipment maintenance and duplication services were provided at #2 Main Street, and television production was located at the annex on Hickory Street. Most of the "temporary campus" consisted of former retail stores, and this resulted in the Library having a very large display window at street level, which often exhibited books on particular topics to entice the student passerby.
With regard to the interior of the Library, "Seating in the center is almost completely of the individual carrel type, of which there are sixty-four. All of these carrels are equipped with electrical outlets, and some have tape player decks or record turntables." 1970 Library Annual Report, courtesy Parkland College Archives.
In the early years, the LRC was serving a student body of about 3,500 and a faculty of about 150. A quarterly report for the LRC which dates from Fall 1967 shows a total of 9,000 books in the collection. The number of non-print materials at the time included one motion picture film and 11 rolls of microfilm. By 1970 the LRC contained approximately 30,000 volumes. It was estimated that the collection would grow at a rate of 7,000-10,000 volumes per year.
With the passage of time, needs change and technology enhances the
educational process. Parkland Library is quite timeless though,
providing a solid mission and purpose, no matter what the year."It is not enough that instruments of learning be available. Students must be thoroughly grounded in their use and the enjoyment that comes from experience with them. The learning resource center makes the tools of learning available, and it is the shared task of the faculty and community to aid students in the fullest utilization of these tools." Educational Specifications for Parkland College, June 1968.
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Photo top: Flanked by the donors of a collection of books are David L. Johnson (second right), former LRC Director, and Dr. William M. Staerkel (third right), founding president of Parkland College.
Photo at right: Student looks perplexed as she searches the LRC's old card catalog.
Photos courtesy Parkland College Archives.
| In this Issue |
| National Library Week |
| Page 1 |
| Student Assistants |
| Page 2 |
| Frances Drone-Silvers |
| Page 3 |
| 35th Anniversary |
| Page 4 |
| Web Page |
| Page 5 |
| Out and About |
| Page 6 |
| Looking Ahead |
| Page 6 |
| Library Hours |
| Page 6 |
|
Photo Gallery |
| One Last Look |
|
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