======================== JeffNEWS, May 17, 1994 ======================== 1994: Scott Memorial Library's Centennial Year Exhibit Depicts Library's Progress -------------------------------------------------------------- It's hard to imagine Jefferson without a library. But that was precisely the case for much of the University's first 70 years. "To gain access to books, medical students in the 19th century relied on the private libraries of the physicians they studied under or depended on the book collections of medical fraternities and medical societies," explains Peter Nelson, University archivist and special collections librarian. "When they had a few spare dollars, students could purchase their own books." The humble beginning of the Scott Library comes to life in the exhibit "Scott Memorial Library 1894-1994: The Early Years" on display in the Scott Library, second floor. This exhibit, documenting the library's first 25 years, is one of several that will commemorate the library's centennial. In 1894 there still wasn't a library - in the strictest sense of the word - just a rented reading area with journals and donated books for Jefferson medical students in the local YMCA at 10th and Walnut streets. In 1895 Jefferson ceased being run as a proprietary school (whereby the faculty rented space from the College and divided the profits among themselves) and came under the active governance of a Board of Trustees. In addition, the curriculum expanded to four years. As the College progressed, a library emerged as a necessity. So, in 1896 the reading rooms were moved from the YMCA to an area now occupied by the Curtis Building. These rooms doubled as a recreational area and provided a place to hold social gatherings at night. This building remained the library's home until 1929, when it moved to the College Building. The library officially became the Scott Memorial Library in 1931. How Times Have Changed Here are examples of how far the library has come over the last 100 years: o The library of the early 1900s served as a makeshift housing office, providing students with information on apartments and boarding houses. From 1916 to 1968 it also fulfilled a secondary role as the college bookstore. Today, the library still serves many functions, but its basic business is to provides materials that support the educational, research and patient care goals of the University. o In the past, students had to leave a deposit to borrow books overnight. Jeffersonians can now use their Jefferson identification badge to borrow materials at no charge. o In its early days, only faculty members and medical students could use the library's collection. Today, the resources of the library are available to community members as well as staff and students. o The library used to be closed during the summer months. Not until World War II would the library be open year round. The library also has extended hours for the convenience of its users. In fact, Jeffersonians can access the library's holdings 24 hours a day via their modem and computer. o What began in 1896 as an assortment of 700 volumes has grown significantly to become an outstanding collection of 170,000 volumes. Through JEFFLINE, the library's electronic information system, users have access to Jefferson's own resources, as well as to the online catalogs of other libraries and to the Internet. o Library staff in the early decades numbered two or three individuals. In 1994, there are 17 full-time professional librarians and 24 support staff members to meet the needs of Jefferson's population. Now, a well-stocked, well-staffed and accessible library is something modern-day Jeffersonians can take for granted. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information provided by: Editor, JeffNEWS (215) 955-6204 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------