Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Helm Library

Namesake - Margie Helm was born in Auburn, Ky. “She received her B.A. degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in 1916, and the M.A. degree in 1933 from the University of Chicago Graduate Library School. Miss Helm became assistant librarian at Western in 1920, librarian in 1923, and Director of Library Services in 1956. She served in this capacity, and as Head of Library Science, until her retirement in 1965. Miss Helm is a member of numerous professional organizations and has contributed articles to various publications. She won the Business and Professional Women’s Club award in 1950 as the Outstanding Business Woman of Bowling Green. She was honored in 1964 as the Outstanding College Librarian for Kentucky by the Kentucky Library Association” [Peaks of Progress]

History - When the building was first opened in 1931, it was used as a gymnasium that could seat 5,000 people. Upon the completion of Diddle Arena in 1963, the building was renovated into a 70,000 square foot library to accomodate over a 1/2 million volumes on three floors with a seating capacity for 1,000 students. The building also housed the Library Science and Industrial Arts departments along with librarians. The library was dedicated on October 14, 1967.

Additions -

1965 - renovation and conversion to a library, estimated at $1 million

See also - Recitation Hall, Cedar House, Gordon Wilson, Cravens and Margie Helm Personal Papers.

Sources -

College Heights Herald - 1963 December 7, p. 12
1964 January 13, p. 7; January 15, p. 1
1965 September 30, p. 31
1966 February 17, p. 9; October 20, p. 3
1967 January 12, p. 5; October 5, p. 7; October 14, p. 12; November 16, p. 1
1971 February 5, p. 1
1990 April 3, p. 2
1992 September 22, p. 1; October 20, p. 17; October 29, p. 9
1994 February 8, p. 11

Vertical File - available in Harrison-Baird Reading Room

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008