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Today in College History

Adams Library is Dedicated

May 7, 1963: The James Pickwell Adams Library, which had been in use since January 1, was formally dedicated on May 7, Cap and Gown Day. The impressive structure was named in honor of the Chairman of the Board of the Trustees for State Colleges who served from 1955 through 1960. Keynote speaker at the ceremony was Dr. Barnaby Keeney, President of Brown University, where Dr. Adams had served as vice president. The library, designed by Providence architect Lester J. Millman, was designed to seat up to 1,000 students and accommodate up to 300,000 volumes. Its initial collection totaled 44,000 volumes. The children’s collection was named in honor of Amy Thompson, Professor of English from 1924-1963, and the reference room would be named to honor Katherine L. Cuzner, who served the library for 39 years prior to her retirement in 1966. The building also featured an art gallery, television studio, curriculum resource center, three classrooms, three conference rooms, and the offices of the Graduate Division. While smoking was prohibited in most public areas of the facility, a smoking room was established at the building’s southwest corner. Total cost of the building was $997,500, funded by state-backed general obligation bonds.