Finding love amongst the books
The Merrill Library has played a key role in students’ lives for nearly a century, and now the library needs the help of all those who have spent long hours there.
“We’d like to hear from people who may have actually met their true love while spending time in the Merrill,” said Linda Wolcott, vice provost of University Libraries. “People come to the library to socialize and meet new people, because the library is part of the social life associated with the university.”
Kim Winger, public relations specialist for University Libraries, said, “We are looking for any interesting stories tied to the Merrill – ideally people who have had the library play a part in their love story.”
Winger said the team of University Libraries representatives she is working with has heard several rumors of students who met and fell in love in the library, and the team is currently looking to gather the information and compile the data.
The findings will possibly be featured in several of USU’s publications, like alumni newsletters and magazines, Wolcott said, as well as displayed in the Merrill library’s archives for years to come.
“We aren’t limiting the project to love stories alone,” Wolcott said. “Many people might have humorous stories or memories tied to the library. We want to include stories of students who have an association with the Merrill that affected their lives.”
“The whole idea of starting something like this project is to raise awareness of the fact that the Merrill Library is leaving soon,” Winger said.
The new library, currently being constructed, will open during fall semester next year, Wolcott said, and the Merrill will be torn down soon after and replaced by a new building.
“The library has been here since the early 1930s, so we imagine there is plenty of nostalgia associated with memories of the Merrill,” Wolcott said.
John Elsweiler, associate director of library public services, said several years ago the Merrill Library was one of very few buildings on USU’s campus.
He said the library was a very central location, and people inevitably have many memories of the building.
The University Libraries representatives want to encourage students to pass the word along that memories of the Merrill are being compiled.
They said USU students can play a large part in gathering love stories and fond memories of the building
Elsweiler said students can help the cause by letting their grandparents and parents who are alumni of the university know memories of the Merrill are wanted and needed.
“We are interested in hearing about the role the Merrill has played in people’s lives,” Wolcott said. “We assume the library played a lead role in the lives of students over the years, but we don’t get to hear the stories. It would be fun to hear why people feel attached to the library.”
Generations have been served by the Merrill Library, and organizers of the project hope to hear stories from all of them, Winger said.
Winger said there is no deadline in place for love stories and memories, but students are encouraged to send them in as soon as possible.
University Libraries is encouraging students and alumni to share the story of how they met, what role the Merrill played in their love story and to include any wedding photos or pictures during courtship, according to the press release.
For those who have love stories and memories to contribute, send the story and picture to: Utah State University Libraries, Attention: Kim Winger, 3000 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322-3000, or e-mail kim.winger@usu.edu.
-lexiek@cc.usu.edu