It stands as a monument, a resource and a beacon from the top of The Oval, but the stories behind the walls of the William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library tell the stories from decades of Ohio State history.
The original library on campus was located in University Hall, with faculty members serving as the part-time librarians. By 1893, the collection had grown so large, it was moved to Orton Hall. The library was opened only during daylight hours until 1896, because of undependable lighting.
A shortline railroad was laid through campus in 1910 to carry construction materials to the present day site of the Main Library. January 6, 1913 marked the grand opening for the $250,000 construction project.
The addition of the eight-story tower of bookstacks began in 1949 and was completed in 1951.
The tower has played host to several socially unacceptable events over the years. In early November 1987, a problem arose when semen and urine stains appeared in several locations throughout the eight floors.
“The problem of sexual activity in those alcoves has been around for a long time,” said Steve Sterrett, then director of communiction, in Nov. 1987.
The clean-up and disgust that followed the incidents brought about changes in security throughout the library. The provost’s office provided funding for security patrols in Feb. 1989 to begin manning the library for illegal activity. The security still remains throughout the main library.
Above the main entrance, carved into the bottom of the stone columns, are the seals of the United States, the Northwest Territory, the State of Ohio and OSU.
The second, and most recent completed addition, occurred in 1977. It consisted of four new stories on the Neil Avenue side of the facility.
Plans for revamping the library for a third time are underway. A task force issued a report in June 1998 and progress has been steadily made. Construction is to begin in July 2005 and is projected to be completed in Sept. 2008.
The William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library provides students, faculty and staff with microfilms, reference works, newspapers and other guides for study, all why the well-known statue of former university president Thompson keeps a close watch.
