Drake Library - Prior to 1937
Originally submitted by Bethany Jackson on October 20, 2011, Drake University Oskaloosa College: After many years of battling with financial struggles, Oskaloosa College, located in Oskaloosa, Iowa, moved its location to Des Moines, Iowa. The city of Oskaloosa had promised $30,000 to the college in order to help with the up-keeping of the school, but unfortunately the city could not keep their promise after the Panic of 1857.[1] The Panic of 1857 began after a New York branch of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. fell after an enormous embezzlement. Many problems occurred including British investors removing money from American banks, grain prices fell, and large amounts of layoffs occurred due to buildups of manufactured goods. In September of 1857, 30,000 pounds of gold were lost at sea during a trip from the San Francisco Mint to eastern banks. No clear recovery was evident in the United States until after the Civil War. The South’s superiority of their economic system was justified because they were not hurt as much during this panic. [2] It was suggested to move Oskaloosa College to Des Moines in hopes of a better turn out of students. Oskaloosa College purchased three areas of land within and outside the northwest corner of the Des Moines’ city limits. After receiving a $20,000 gift from General Francis Marion Drake, a college was designed to be built in the city of Des Moines. The college was named after F. M. Drake because of his generous gift to the college.[3]
Drake University: After planning an administration building (now “Old Main”) that included dormitory rooms, a kitchen, a dining hall, a chapel, offices, and classrooms, Drake University officially opened on September 20, 1881. The library at Drake University was also located in this library and was well-furnished in 1881, containing many books, newspapers, and magazines. Approximately two hundred new volumes were added each year to the growing library.[4] Lyman S. Bottenfield was in control of the library at Drake University from the beginning in 1881 until 1887. When librarians were needed, the Chancellor of Drake University’s daughters were chosen to fill these positions. During the time when the Chancellor was in charge, the book collection was scarce. The medical school and law school didn’t have many resources to use in the library. Bottenfield served in the library from 1887 to 1893, and then he dedicated his life to teaching English literature.[5] The Chancellor’s three daughters, Henrietta D. Carpenter, Jennie Carpenter, and Mary Adelaide Carpenter were appointed the librarians until 1897. Henrietta was the librarian from 1887 until 1890, when her sister, Jennie took over the library and continued until 1897, and then Mary was selected as the librarian and Dean of Women.[6] The books that were in the library in 1881 were a pool of different collections that numerous people had donated. General Drake and A.I. Hobbs had added many different sources to this assortment of resources. In the library, maps, charts, and other useful equipment along with books were found. B.O. Aylesworth, the President of the University at the time, made his two thousand volume collection available to students.[7] Although Drake University’s library was lesser than others, it didn’t go without recognition. In 1898 the library received the title, The Library of the World’s Best Literature__, which was made possible only by Governor Drake’s generous donation. Another award received was the __English Men of Letters.[8]
The New Library: By the beginning of the century the library had been moved to the old chapel in the main administration building of the University. The first librarian noted in the new location was May Sedgwick. Although Drake had a growing library, great enthusiasm was prominent in the university catalogue when describing the new library that the city of Des Moines would soon be building. A $250,000 library would be built in Des Moines to serve as the Des Moines Public Library. The broad research facilities would be available to Drake students, as well as the community of Des Moines. In 1904, new library hours were set in attempt to accommodate students’ studies more. The library was open from 8:00a.m. to 12:30p.m, 1:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. and on Saturday mornings from 8a.m. to 12:00p.m. The library contained 8,451 volumes and 551 of those had been added during the 1904-1905 school year. The total amount of money spent on books for the school year of 1904-1905 was $337.81; $114.00 of that had been spent on the Law Library alone. The total for salaries for that school year came to $665.00. During the 1904-1905 school year, Drake University spent $158,815 on total expenses. The library only totaled $1,722 of that. A this time, only 1219 students were enrolled at Drake.[9]
Carnegie Library:
In 1905, just a few short years after the library moved into the old chapel, a gift of $50,000 for a new library was given by Andrew Carnegie to President Bell. The only circumstances were that the University had to raise an equal amount of money. Drake University couldn’t turn down such a generous offer and quickly began fundraising. The 1907-1908 school year brought upon many discussions of the new library. The initial plan was to build the library on the southeast part of the campus, but a quieter spot on campus was found. April 9, 1907 marked the groundbreaking for the Carnegie Library. The building was 74 X 102 feet and constructed of brick and stone. The library was ready for use the next year. High school classes that were being taught on campus were held in the basement and the main floor rooms were occupied by liberal arts classes until the rooms were needed for another activity.[10]
Cowles Library:File:Cowles B.Jackson.2011 align="right" caption="Cowles Library-Photo by Bethany Jackson AS'15 on October 6, 2011"
On Christmas morning of 1936, the Director of Libraries of Drake University received a phone call from President Morehouse. President Morehouse went on to explain that Drake University had received a $100,000 gift from the Gardner Cowles Foundation for a new library. Gardner Cowles, Sr., had been a member of the Drake Board of Trustees since 1926 and heard that the Carnegie Library was no longer a suitable library for the developing university. A sketch of the intended library was drawn by Grover Hubble and weekly meetings were held to review the sketches. The completed building was ready for student use on February 7, 1938.[11]
Google References:
1)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 2)Schachmurove, Y. (2011, June 1). A historical overview of financial crises in the United States. Pozna////ń University of Economics Review, 11 ( 1)//. Retrieved from http:''ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ca1982d8-ff48-46a9-9e1d-4b2ce4b46774@sessionmgr110&vid=3&hid=101 3)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 4)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 5)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 6)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 7)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 8)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 9)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 10)Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA. 11) Slavens, T. P. (1962). A History of the Drake University Libraries. (Unpublished Master of Arts dissertation). Drake University, Des Moines, IA.