2020 Gumbo Final - Book - Page 81
The Historical Hill Memorial
T
Hill Memorial Library celebrates lengthy
history, opens study spaces for finals week
he Hill Memorial Library boasts a long history
within the stacks of manuscripts, comics,
rare books and historical items that draw in
researchers from all parts of the world.
Hill Memorial Library was completed in 1903 and
located downtown with the old LSU campus.
When the University’s campus moved to where
it stands today, the original Hill Memorial Library
building stayed, but was torn down in the mid1950s. A new Hill Memorial Library was built on
the current campus and was dedicated in 1926.
The current Hill Memorial Library was designed
by Theodore Link, who also designed the shape
of the Quad. The library has a digital collection
of the architectural drawings that Link did of the
University’s campus. When Middleton Library
opened in 1958, everything was moved from
Hill Memorial Library to Middleton Library. The
collections were moved from Hill to Middleton
through a conveyor belt out of the second floor
window of Hill, through the Quad to Middleton.
Story: Katherine Manuel
Photo: Bella Biondini
Design: Chloe Bryars
After Middleton was built, Hill Memorial Library
was not part of the library systems again until
the early 1980s when Middleton became too
crowded. During the 1980s, the University
decided to renovate Hill Memorial Library and
outfit it for special collections. The “Hill Memorial
Library” sign had the word “library” scratched out
during those years because it was not part of the
library system. The word “library” is still scratched
out today on the original sign on the building.
Associate Dean for Technology & Special
Collections for the LSU Libraries Gina Costello
said the main use of Hill Memorial Library during
the time it was not in the library system was
for architecture classes.“It was primarily for
architecture students,” Costello said. “They had
strung hammocks between the columns and they
had all kinds of stories.” She said the architecture
students were able to make large models in the
building because of the high ceilings and the
amount of space. “We are really happy that the
original library is now again a part of the libraries,”
Costello said.
Costello said the LSU special collections library
is one of the largest and most comprehensive
libraries that document the history of Louisiana
and the lower Mississippi Valley. Costello said
the library hosts many classes today - mainly art,
history and English.
The library has a large collection of artists’ books
and materials related to architecture and design,
so those collections also bring in many students.
Costello said when classes are held at Hill,
materials are brought out and put on tables for
students to interact with them. “We say it’s like a
laboratory for the humanities,” Costello said. “We
want you to touch the materials, we want you to
interact with them. We’re not a museum, so things
are not behind glass.”
Costello said researchers come from all over the
world to do research at Hill Memorial Library.
Recently, a researcher from France came to
Baton Rouge for three summers in a row just to
do research in the collections at Hill Memorial
Library.“LSU really should be very proud of
what we have here,” Costello said. “We have a
wonderful staff, and our collections are world
class, they really are.”
Aside from research, the library has a room where
events and programs are hosted throughout the
year. Usually events correspond with the exhibits
that the library displays. There are two floors in
the building with exhibits, and those switch out
about twice a year.
“We’ve had everything from comics exhibits
because we have a pretty large comics collection,
to extremely rare books and materials.” Costello
said. Anyone is allowed to do research in the
library or look at the exhibits. This year, students
have the unique opportunity to study in the library
for finals. Civil and environmental engineering
freshman Madalyn Mouton said opening quiet
study spaces in Hill Memorial Library is a good
idea. “The Hill Memorial Library is very studiousfeeling and successful-feeling and great for being
completely quiet,” Mouton said.
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