Bookin’ it out of here
silence with her deadly “shhhh,” libraries hold many emotions and memories.
On the Utah State University campus, this couldn’t be more true for than for the Merrill Library.
The Merrill Library has been around for longer than many students are aware.
University archivist Bob Parson said when the original library was built in 1930 it was called the College Library. It wasn’t until 1971 that the library was named the Milton R. Merrill Library.
Dr. Merrill retired in 1971 from years of service to USU. Later that same year, he passed away. From 1959-65, he served as USU’s first vice president under President Daryl Chase. He was a political scientist and loved books, Parson said.
The Merrill Library that stands on the east side of the Quad today is not the original building from 1930, Parson said.
In 1964, university officials began thinking about building a new library. Instead of moving the library to a new location, they wanted to keep it central to the Quad.
They ended up building around and on top of the existing library. It was completed in 1967.
The original library was much smaller than the one students know today.
Parson said the original library could hold up to 250,000 volumes. The current Merrill Library can hold over one million books.
“I’m not going to lie, there’s a hell of a lot of books in the library,” said Chris Norris, student serials worker.
The library was used for various things, including an art gallery in the front and the “Man and His Bread Museum” in the basement. Parson said the name of the museum was talking about “the things man used to feed himself.”
Some students wonder if the library is haunted, Parson said “There’s not an old building on this campus that isn’t haunted. But personally, I’ve never seen any ghosts, and I walk around this library in the dark all the time.”
No date has been set for the demolition of the library and information regarding how it will be destroyes has not been released.
John Elsweiler, associate director for public services at the library, said “I’ve been in the building for 19 years. I’ll be sentimental when they tear it down.”
USU Police and the fire department may use the library before demolition to train for real-life situations, Elsweiler said.
The area where the library is now will be turned into green space, Elsweiler said. Eventually, a new agricultural science building will be built there, but not until the funding comes in.
“The new library offers the future of the campus,” Elsweiler said. “I’ll miss the building, but we’re very excited about moving.”
-hollyadams@cc.usu.edu
Merrill Library, taken in the 1940´s, the original library held only 250, volumes (Special Collections)
Merrill Library 2005, with the current additions the library can now hold over one milion books. (Ryan Talbot)