1915 Cedrus Yearbook

The Library NE OF the greatest assets of any college is its library. This fact was early realized by the faculty of Cedarville College and in the fall of 1895, Dr. McChesney made an appeal to the congregations of the Reformed Presbyterian church for contributions to a library. In answer to this appeal over twelve hundred volumes were donated, and a number of the leading periodicals and magazines were provided for the reading tables. For a number of years the present chemistry recitation room was used for a library and managed jointly by faculty and students. Such an arrangement only partially met the needs of the students. During the holiday season of 1905, through the efforts of Dr. David McKinney and Hon. Withelaw Reid, Andrew Carnegie offered Cedarville College a gift equal to the sum it could raise for an endowment. Twelve thousand dollars were secured within one year, and the present building was completed in the fall of 1908. Arrangements were made with the township for a union library, and about five thousand volumes are now found on its shelves, while many of the leading periodicals and magazines are found on its reading tables. The shelves will hold seventeen thousand volumes, and books are being added every year. Space forbids telling of the activities in the library; for, besides the reading rooms, there are reception rooms, domestic science rooms, a physics laboratory, a seminary room and library, an office, and the President's room. It has meant and does mean a great deal to the students as well as to the outside patrons, and its outlook is very encouraging.