CARLI Digitized Book of the Month – March 2016


From: Joliet Junior College

The Shield (1956)

This photo of the Joliet Junior College library in 1956 looks like a set from a 1950s television show. It seems to embody the idea of what a library was supposed to look like in the 1950s. Ms. Skidmore looks as though she may even have her hair in a bun, for goodness sake.

But, I love this photo. I love the heavy, dark wood furniture that reminds me of the libraries of my own youth. I love the sitting student who is consulting a giant reference book, pencil just visible in his right hand, ready to take notes. I love the standing student who appears to be ready to hang onto Ms. Skidmore’s every word. And, most of all, I love Ms. Skidmore and her big friendly smile and her bun and her cat’s eye glasses that are not too dissimilar to my own.

Maybe I am feeling a wee bit maudlin this Friday afternoon, but in the midst of the changes, upheavals and uncertainty facing higher education, with academic libraries along for the ride, I take some comfort in this photo. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not yearning for some return to a supposed “simpler time.” I love my smartphone and my tablet and the ability to find millions of full-text journal articles with a few keystrokes.

Our spaces have changed. Our services have evolved. Our collections have evolved. But, we are still in the business of helping students and connecting them with the information, tools and resources they need to succeed in their studies and in life. And, if I can remember that, maybe I can weather the changes yet to come.

Written by Alice Creason, Head of Library Technology and Technical Services, Lewis University

This volume was contributed by the Joliet Junior College. You can find this volume others from CARLI participant libraries in the Internet Archive.