After much consideration, the Librarians have decided that we need to update our rules in Ohrstrom.
Rule #1: In general, only one book at a time can be taken out.
Rule #2: Students are not permitted to take out two novels in succession.
Rule #3: Strict silence shall be observed in the Reading Room, and the number of students shall be limited to the number of Library chairs in the room.
Wait, what?? April Fool’s! Actually, these were a few of the first (very real) rules for members of the Library Association. Obviously, we don’t have these same rules today, but it is fun to look back and see what rules early students at SPS had to follow!
The Library Association was formed by Rev. Hall Harrison in 1874. Members were entitled to check out books and were granted use of the reading room. Annual dues ranged from $1.00-$5.00. The Library Association was managed by an Executive Committee consisting of the librarian, teachers, and students representing all forms. The committee was responsible for purchasing books, cataloging, shelving, supervising the reading room, and checking books in and out. They met regularly on the first Saturday of the month.
The Library Association held two public meetings each year, in March and June. The meeting included a reading of the Library Report, an address by the President, and two literary readings – the Library Poem and the Library Oration – which were written and read by upper formers, faculty members, or returning alumni. Both the Poem and the Oration were later published in the Horae Scholasticae. The Library Association also held an annual Library Dinner in the spring.
The Library Association continued as a student organization for over one hundred years, with group photos appearing in the yearbook until the mid-1970’s and mentions right up to the closing of Sheldon in 1991. Today’s Library Proctor program, started by Library Director Kevin Barry in 2010, is reminiscent of the old Library Association, allowing a small group of student leaders to help maintain the library for the SPS community.
Speaking of the library…the librarians send a big thank you to the many students who filled out our recent survey. Swing by Ohrstrom in the coming weeks and months to see some of the changes being made based on your suggestions!
(Cover photo credit: Ohrstrom Library in the spring, Michael Seamans)
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