The McPherson Library, the heart of the University of Victoria, is marking 60 years since its opening. Originally a place for books and student study, it has evolved into a vibrant community hub while maintaining its core functions.
The McPherson Library, considered to be the heart of the University of Victoria, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.
The library, one of the first buildings on the campus, was critical to the transformation of Victoria College into a full-fledged university. His was not the first gift to the university, which has enjoyed strong community support since the very beginning. Before McPherson died, civic leaders had already raised $2.2 million, inspired in part by the promise that W.A.C. Bennett’s Social Credit government would match what they raised.
It was ready for occupancy in August 1964, when 150,000 books were moved from the Ewing Building at the old college site — today, we call it the Lansdowne campus of Camosun College — to the McPherson Library. It took 10 days to complete the move. That year, the library unveiled its plans for a computer system. Each evening, the day’s punched-card record of loans and returns would be fed into the computer. The next morning, the library would have an updated record of who had what, along with computer-printed overdue notices to send out.
By 1982, the library’s collection had reached one million volumes, with nearly 1.5 million items in microform. A decade later, the library was pushing into the electronic age, offering more than 100 online databases, covering all disciplines, as well as easy access to CD-ROMs. Trained as an electrical engineer, Mearns started his career as a meter reader at B.C. Electric, stayed with the corporation when it became B.C. Hydro, and was the executive director in charge of the construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam in the 1960s.
Bengtson, who is only the third person to run the library, after Dean Halliwell and Marnie Swanson, says the centre allows the library to be part of the expanding, interconnected global information network that is being driven by the evolution from analog to digital knowledge creation and access.
Mcpherson Library University Of Victoria 60Th Anniversary Campus Heart Community Hub
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UVic rowing program brings Olympic pedigree to hosting Canadian university championshipIt is perhaps appropriate the University of Victoria is hosting the Canadian university rowing championships Saturday and today on Elk Lake.
Read more »
UVic named among top Canadian universities for most employable gradsThe University of Victoria (UVic) ranked number eight out of 10 Canadian institutions included in the Global Employability University Ranking, released Thursday.
Read more »
Halifax homicide: Library employee Lana Pinsky remembered for her literacy legacyLana Pinsky’s friends and co-workers at the North End Public Library are remembering her as a joyous soul and reflecting on the legacy she left behind. She was killed last month.
Read more »
CRD board to mull closer look at funding for regional arts venuesThe CRD board is considering hiring a consultant to look at new funding options for the McPherson — currently just funded by Victoria — Royal and Charlie White theatres
Read more »
B.C. person suing Vancouver police, library alleging assaultDyami Corriveau alleges they were assaulted by police at Vancouver’s Main Library on May 1.
Read more »
Ottawa Public Library providing financial literacy resources, here's what you need to knowNovember marks Financial Literacy Month and the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) is providing resources to help residents make good financial decisions.
Read more »