The College Library: 1925-1956

When the Maryland State Normal School at Salisbury opened in 1925, the northwest wing of the main administrative building (now Holloway Hall) served as the library. By 1929, the collection had grown to include approximately 5,000 volumes and subscriptions to over 40 magazines. In order to obtain accreditation in 1937, the School hired its first trained librarian, Grace Strickland Chaires; Chaires, who took leave between 1943 and 1946 to join the U.S. Naval Reserve, remained the Head Librarian until 1969. After further accreditation in 1942, it became clear that the College Library would need its own building in order to house the ever-expanding collections.

The first College Library, now northwest Holloway Hall, in 1932

Grace Chaires, Head Librarian from 1937 to 1969, assisting a student at the College Library circulation desk in 1939

The College Library was occasionally referred to as “The Home of the Brave,” circa 1940s

Students studying in College Library, located in what is now Holloway Hall’s northwest wing, circa 1940s

Assistant Librarian and future Campus Elementary School Librarian, Anna Jones Cooper, assisting students (Curtis McDowell, left, and Bob Travers, right) at the circulation desk in 1950