Though it would be impossible to note the creation of every rare book or manuscript collection or library in the history of the United States, I here attempt to hit key events, historical figures, and movements. You will notice many points on the timeline directing you to additional information, mostly electronic sources, however, a final post (in the year 2000) will direct you to a variety of print sources as well.;xNLx;;xNLx;Though this timeline covers the history of rare book and manuscript libraries in the United States, it is important to note that this could be the story of many specialized libraries, such as art libraries, in the United States. The story begins with increasing complexity in library systems due to growth spurred on by the broadening number of Americans attending higher education. The story catches up to the present with the maintenance and transformation of collections due to digitization, and even the decline of many libraries as we face greater economic constraints as a country.;xNLx;;xNLx;Where we are headed based on this history is not evident, but if growth has been spurred on by the increasing number of those seeking higher education, it is easy to see a future where that growth has to stop or change in some way. Ultimately, the history and future of rare book libraries, and all libraries, in the United States is inextricably tied to education and funding.
The University of South Carolina library building was completed, the first free-standing university in the county.
Colleges existed in the United States from roughly 1636 when Harvard University was founded as New College.
Gore Hall, Harvard's first free-standing university library, was opened.
Alfred Chapin was an avid collector of rare books and an alumnus of Williams College, a member of the class of 1869.
In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell graduates from the Medical Institution of Geneva, N.Y., becoming the first American woman to receive her medical degree.
Morgan Hall, Amherst College's first free-standing library, opens.
Ainsworth Rand Spofford served as the Librarian of Congress from 1864 to 1897.
The University of Michigan's first free-standing library opens.
The Newberry Library, a private research library that today houses a variety of rare and unique books and manuscripts, was founded by Walter Loomis Newberry. The background image of this timeline is of the permanent building of the Newberry, which was not completed until 1893.
The Lunt Library, Northwestern University's first library, is completed.
As university library systems become increasingly complex, rare book and manuscript collections begin to separate out from the general university library holdings.
Henry E. Huntington founds the Huntington Library, a private rare books and manuscripts research library with particularly strong holdings in British and American history and literature. The library is located in San Marino, CA.
A larger, updated library space is built for the university by architect Albert Kahn.
The Clements Library is a rare book library specializing in Americana.
The Deering Library succeeded the Lunt Library as the university's primary library.
See also: Ainsworth Rand Spofford.
In 1917, Amherst College's library moves from Morgan Hall to the Converse Library. Twenty-one years later, the first rare book room, or 'treasure room,' is added to the library when an addition is made.
The Rare Books and Manuscripts Section (RBMS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) traces its roots back to 1948.
The University of Georgia's first Special Collections department was formed.
Following the continued expansion of university library systems in the first half of the 20th century, a second library boom comes in the sixties. This boom results in several university library expansions as well as in the construction of several free-standing rare book and manuscript libraries.
The Lilly Library, Indiana University's (Bloomington) first free-standing rare books and manuscripts library is dedicated.
Yale Library's free-standing rare book library, the Beinecke, opens to the public.
Additions are made to the University library: a tower, and two attached library buildings.
The University Library, the sucessor to both the Lunt and Deering libraries, was built in 1970.
By the 1980s, the practices of special collections had changed substantially, and they had become much more welcoming.
Though many rare book and manuscript libraries still contain a card catalog, which the backlog often keeps them from converting, technology has crept into rare books and manuscript libraries over the years.
So far in the 21st century, library funding has taken a downturn as the economy has gone through various rough patches.
Click more for a list of resources relating to rare book libraries, librarianship, and the collecting of rare books.
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