Temple University turns 125 this year, and from modest beginnings in 1884, it has grown into the nation's 28th-largest university and fifth-largest provider of professional education. When Temple's founder, Russell Conwell, began tutoring young men over a century ago, he also gave them access to his personal study library. Therefore, the Libraries are also celebrating 125 years, as Conwell immediately recognized the crucial connection between libraries and learning.
As the university has evolved, so have its Libraries. Current collections support every department and discipline in our 17 schools and colleges with rich, deep collections. The Libraries also provide leading-edge services and serve as a rapidly expanding cultural and intellectual center for the campus community and beyond. Our dedicated staff works to continually expand and improve these services and collections, which are so integral to the university's academic life.
We are also continually working to improve the facilities and spaces we offer our communities. On Temple's Main Campus, you will find a new cafe and media center at Paley Library. On the Health Sciences Campus, library staff has overseen the opening of a stunning new library facility--the Simmy and Harry Ginsburg Health Sciences Library. This beautiful new space seats over 1,000, boasts 175 public workstations, and is home to a rich collection of electronic and print materials.
I would love to hear what you--our user community at Temple--thinks of these changes to our libraries. I also welcome your suggestions for collections, services, and what we can do to meet your needs better. Please post a suggestion to our blog or contact me.
I look forward to seeing you in our libraries soon.
With warmest wishes,
Larry P. Alford
Dean of University Libraries