“This will be among the very best libraries in the Midwestern part of this nation, of which we should all be proud.” With these remarks, the University of Toledo’s eleventh president, Dr. Glen R. Driscoll, accepted the one millionth volume to be added to the University Libraries’ collection upon the occasion of the dedication of the William S. Carlson Library on November 16, 1973. This volume, along with photographs, artifacts, and documents related to the history of Carlson Library will be on display in the Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collection in celebration of the library’s 50th anniversary from November 16, 2023 through January 20, 2024. The exhibition presents the history of the Carlson Library in the following five chapters: An overview of the history of the University of Toledo Libraries; A look at the tenth university president, William S. Carlson, for whom the library was named; The path to development of what was the largest and most expensive building on main campus at the time; Commemoration of the men and women who have stepped in to lead the library since its inception in 1917; and An exploration of the work of the Friends of the Library group, which was to benefit the library in any manner possible. In addition, several cases will display selections of rare books, many of which were acquired through the help of the Friends. This virtual exhibition captures the exhibition's details organized into chapters and corresponding case views. It also features photos of the exhibition space with links to the library catalog records of the books on display, and provides a search box to explore the exhibition further.

The virtual exhibition presents the structure and content of the physical exhibition in digital form using a Web template designed for most devices (laptop, smartphone, and desktop).  It remains accessible indefinitely after the Canaday Center dismantles this exhibition in January 2024.  

Credits

Physical Exhibition: Sara Mouch, Tamara Jones, Amy Blair, and Emily Davis

Virtual Exhibition: Arjun Sabharwal

View all exhibit area photographs or a selected chapter case from the menu above. Select an image below for larger view and description. Use the left and right arrow to move between exhibits.