From the Polar Star, Nov. 1, 1957
From the Top
By John Mehler, University Librarian

            New developments are afoot for the University Library.  I feel that you’d like to know a little history of the Library and what lies ahead.
            From the opening of the then Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines until 1936 the Library was housed in various rooms in the Main Building.  The move to its present quarters over the gym was made in 1936.  Grace C. Clark is listed as Instructor of Physical Education and Librarian in the catalogue for 1926-27.  This is the first listing, in the catalogue, of a Librarian.  Prior to this time, Mrs. Patty, who before her marriage was on the staff of Whitman College, did the cataloguing and in general supervised the Library.
            The Library was fortunate in its early days to receive many gifts which enabled it to offer basic books to the students.  Gifts play an important part in Library’s program today.  Witness the recent $5,800 bequest by Dr. Victor Farrar, which will be used to build up the history collection.
            The move to the present location was a necessary one because conditions in the Library rooms in Old Main were similar to the crowded conditions which exist today.  Naturally, being placed over a gym is not the most ideal place for a library, but a move had to be made and there was no place else to go.  There were some improvements, if they can be called that, when the rifle range was moved to Main and when the University Engineer fixed the backstops so they wouldn’t vibrate.
            Which brings us to the point where soon (sometime in 1959) the Library will again move.  The move this time will be to plush new quarters in the multi-purpose building, a move which everyone is looking forward to with pleasure and anticipation...

25 years ago

From the Northern Sun/Polar Star, Oct. 29, 1982
Behind the Ping-Pong Table
By John DiBene, ASUA President

            Once again, student housing has created controversy for the University.  This issue is different from the past, though, because the arguments do not center on whether or not a dorm is needed or will be given priority, but, instead, on what it will look like.  To give you the facts, the current plan calls for a town-house type of apartment complex with two bedrooms, a kitchen, etc., which can be used to house both married families and single students.  The cost of construction is estimated at $13.2 million.  The design has been approved by all appropriate officers of the University, including Chancellor O’Rourke and the President’s office.  The Fairbanks Assembly and A.S.U.A. have issued strong endorsements (both unanimous for the proposal.  The Board of Regents have raised the current objections….
            Despite the objections, the proposal does warrant support from the Regents and from Juneau.  The project is one of the best planned in the history of the University, and it correlates with student demand.  It provides flexibility—graduate students, married families, single students—all can be housed in one reasonable facility, which is of extreme benefit to a campus which has regular changes in student population.  It doesn’t impact the overly crowded food service facility, which will require a massive expansion with a traditional dorm.