Colorado State University History

CSU LIBRARY HISTORY

The Library first opened its doors in 1880 as a small reading room in the Old Main building. The growing library moved out of the Main Building in 1905 into its own building (currently Laurel Hall).  An addition to the library in 1915 doubled its space.   With each passing year the library required more space and in 1928 a new building was constructed (currently the TILT Building) on the west side of the Oval.

In 1957, Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College became Colorado State University and the library was not considered adequate as a university library.  In 1958, the State Board of Agriculture authorized preliminary planning for a new library and, though the process took years, in 1965 the new Morgan Library was dedicated. 

Although the Morgan Library provided more space, campus needs soon outgrew the library’s ability to serve.  In 1994, President Albert Yates designated the library as a priority and implemented the “A Promise Fulfilled” campaign to raise $22.6 million to renovate part of the library and add a new addition.  The successful campaign enabled the library to add several computer labs and an electronic information center.  More than 300 public access computers were added for students to pursue research online, email, and work on special projects.  The official dedication of the library, scheduled in September of 1997, was delayed a year due to the devastating flood that hit the campus.

THE 1997 FLOOD

Shortly after midnight on July 28, 1997, significant rainfall began.  As the following evening arrived, the rain turned into a deluge and water overwhelmed Spring Creek, wreaking havoc in central Fort Collins.  Five people lost their lives in the flood and almost 70 people sustained injuries.  The campus was hard hit and sustained more than $140 million in damage.  The Morgan Library was particularly ravaged.  Water poured into the basement of the library, submerging the bound periodicals, book collection, offices and other areas.  Approximately 430,000 volumes were damaged.

Removal of the materials could not take place until the area had been pumped out and the vendor chosen to treat the damaged materials had set up a workspace.  It took fourteen days to pack up and remove all of the damaged volumes.  By that time mold had developed on most volumes as well as the library shelves, walls, and floors.

Books and periodicals were freeze-dried to remove water and eliminate mold growth. After books were frozen, they were thawed, gently cleaned, and vacuumed. Not all volumes were salvageable. Those with less than 30% damage were repaired by being rebound, having damaged pages replaced with copies, and covers replaced before being returned to the shelves.

To rebuild the collection, the library set up a donation center for books and journals. Approximately 10-15% of the titles donated were found to be exact matches for damaged materials and were added to the collection, along with an additional 5% that were new titles.  It took until 2004 for recovery and replacement of the damaged materials to be complete.

THE LIBRARY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

As the digital age progressed users had changing needs.  In 2006 the library was redesigned with study areas and computer workstations.  Another renovation took place in 2011, along with the creation of a new wing at the Book Storage Facility on Lake Street to ease storage crowding in the library.  A coffee shop called “Morgan’s Grind,” and a newly constructed addition for 24/7 access named “The Cube” were new features following the renovation. 

Currently, the Morgan Library offers expansive seating for studying, the 24/7 study space, collaborative group learning spaces, computer labs, Internet video conference rooms and classrooms, quiet study areas, and offers access to over two million books and journals.