A Pictorial History of Samford University Library

Cadets pose in front of the Library at Howard College's Marion campus in 1858. The library at Howard College began with a gift from the Alabama Baptist State Convention in 1842. In 1850, the library reported in the Report on the Public Libraries of the United States of America to have 1,500 volumes. The library was open for research one day a week for 30 minutes. In 1854, the library and all of its holdings were destroyed by fire. In 1855, the library was relocated to the Administration building, which is pictured here. The library was recognized as a government depository in 1884.

Howard's first president, Samuel S. Sherman was personally involved in developing the collection by going door to door in Marion, Alabama, with a wheelbarrow asking for donations.

In 1887, Howard College relocated to Birmingham. The library initially occupied one room of Montague Hall at the East Lake campus.

The first mention of a librarian was in 1900. A cataloging system was first used in 1917. Bibliographic Instruction began in the 1940's. By 1948 the library had grown to use an entire building.

Interlibrary loan was first offered as a service in 1950. In 1957, Howard College was moved to its present location.

Here, students study in the new library building, completed by late 1956.

F. Wilbur Helmbold, an alumnus of Howard College, was chosen for the position of head librarian at the new campus, following the departure of Mabel Willoughby, head librarian since 1931. He arrived on May 1, 1957, to begin his duties.

Undated photographs show the Reference Dept. and a student studying in the stacks.

In 1993, the north wing of the library, the Hudnall Library, was added, increasing the library capacity by 50%.