Contact: Melissa Cox Norris, Director of Library Communications, (513) 556-1558 or melissa.norris@uc.edu
October 3, 2005 -
The year 2005 marks Blegen Library’s 75th anniversary at the University of Cincinnati. University Libraries will mark this occasion with a cake and punch reception to be held Thursday, October 13, 2005 from 3:30-5pm in the Blegen Library Lobby. At the event, Dean and University Librarian Victoria A. Montavon will speak and Kevin Grace, Head of the Archives and Rare Books Library and University Archivist, will discuss "The Cultural Meaning of Blegen Library's Architecture."
On display in the Blegen Library lobby are two exhibits showing the history of the building and highlighting some of its architectural features. In addition, an online exhibit, Blegen Library at 75, has been created by the Archives and Rare Books Library and can be viewed online at www.libraries.uc.edu/libraries/arb/archives/exhibits2/blegennew/BLEGEN~1_files/frame.htm.
Opened in 1930 as the Main Library, Blegen served in that capacity until 1978 with the opening of a new Central Library (now called Langsam Library). Today, Blegen houses the Gorno Memorial Music Library, the John Miller Burnam Classics Library, the Curriculum Resources Center, and the Archives and Rare Books Library, as well as the Department of Classics, and offices for University Libraries’ Digital Projects Department (formerly the University of Cincinnati Digital Press).
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Melissa.Norris@uc.edu or call (513) 556-1558.
In commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of Blegen Library, The History of University Libraries, 1895-2005, by Don Heinrich Tolzmann has been published and will be available at the October 13th event. An online version is available in .pdf format via the Archives and Rare Books Library Web site.
The Archives and Rare Books Library has posted on its Web site the 1949-1951 Biennial Report on the General Library Building (Blegen Library). Visit their Web site to read this report as well as additional information about the building and the anniversary.
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