The relationship between the library and many of the historic buildings on campus dates back to the University’s birth. The University was conceived in 1873, but it wasn’t until its first building, Deady Hall, was constructed in 1876 that both the University and the library came into being. Deady Hall was the first home of the main library, housing about 200 volumes in Professor Mark Bailey’s classroom. The library then led a nomadic life from 1876 to 1937, not only growing but meandering through six different buildings in seven moves.
According to University archives, Deady Hall had only been standing for seven years before it was put up for sale because of fiscal troubles. The fate of the library and the
University seemed unsure, but their destinies were certain in the mind of Henry Villard. A wealthy Northwest railroad promoter and something of a good Samaritan, Villard gave the school a charitable grant.

In 1886, with all debts paid, the University built its second building, and it was named in his honor. The northwest corner of Villard Hall
became the main library’s second home; by then, it had grown to 2,000 volumes. The fledgling library was brought back to Deady Hall in 1894. And a year later, the now 5,000 or so books were sent to the first floor of the newly acquired Collier House.
George H. Collier had sold his house and nine acres of land to the young University for $5,000. The upper floor became the president’s residence, and the University’s third president, Dr. Frank Strong, promptly moved in. President Strong soon decided all of Collier House should be the president’s home, and from 1898 to 1907, the library’s home was in Friendly Hall. Friendly Hall was constructed in 1893 and named after Samuel Friendly, one of the University’s early patrons.

The growing stacks of library volumes had now been in four different buildings. In 1907, a building was constructed specifically to house the growing number of books, but until 1921, the building had no name. Then, prominent lawyer W.D. Fenton endowed the University library with 12,000 law books, and the building was named in his honor.
Brenda West, a student assistant in the math library — now located in Fenton Hall — said it’s apparent the building was designed as a library.
“The rooms have the same stacks that were used for books all those years ago,” she said. “They were built to last, and they have.”
The stacks in Fenton Hall are not currently set up for patrons, but are primarily used for archival book storage. However, according to University Librarian Deb Carver, the library system would like to put Fenton Hall to good use.
“Right now, Fenton Hall is used primarily as storage space,” Carver said. “However, we would like to
acquire the funds to remodel the building so that it becomes a branch of the main library and can accommodate student and patron use.”
The Directory of American
Libraries indicates that by 1930, the University’s library had grown to 209,624 volumes. It was clear that the books needed a new building. In 1937, the current building was constructed, and the main library moved to its present home.
Carver said the number of acquisitions has grown to 2.4 million, a number which only includes books and bound journals. As technology has grown, the library has been
no exception.
“Ten to 15 percent of our acquisitions now come in electronic form, such as e-books and e-journals,” Carver said. She said the ability to access library materials electronically is a mixed blessing.
“On one hand, the access is phenomenal,” she said, “However, rights, ownership and long-term availability of materials have all become factors.”
As the number of library acquisitions continues to grow, the next step appears to be an off-campus, high density storage space. “I see this move as inevitable,” Carver said. “The cost to build off-site is a fraction of building in the heart of campus.”