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Hofheimer Library Celebrates a Half Century
Since its opening in September 1969, Hofheimer Library has always been more than just a library
University News | August 29, 2019
By Laynee H. Timlin
Community gatherings, parent councils, Virginia Symphony summer camps, and art shows have all been held in VWU’s Henry Clay Hofheimer II Library. Throughout the years, it’s been home to the VWU president’s office, the “Help Desk,” and new student orientations. It’s even been the site for a funeral.
Hofheimer Library has always been a space at the heart of the campus for creating connections and exchanging knowledge and ideas. And, during the 2019-20 academic year, in honor of its 50th anniversary, the campus community will celebrate the Library’s importance in the institution’s history with fun facts about the past, new opportunities in the present and robust plans for the future.
Hofheimer Library was first built 50 years ago as part of Phase II of the college’s physical expansion program. According to VWU Archivist Stephen Mansfield, whose office is on the second floor, in 1966, plans for the new library building—even then referred to as the symbolic and physical center of the college--won a national award of merit for design from the American Institute of Architects. The new building opened in 1969, just in time for Virginia Wesleyan's first class of seniors to use it. The dedication ceremony was held in March 1970 with former Virginia Governor Colgate W. Darden serving as the keynote speaker at the event.
“Prior to that time the original library was housed in Village I, which was built during the first phase of construction in the college’s early years,” said Mansfield. “Hofheimer Library has evolved from 5,000 donated books piled in a second floor storeroom of the Coca Cola plant in downtown Norfolk to its present location with a collection now consisting of hundreds of thousands of items in print, audio/visual, microform, and electronic formats.”
Mansfield, also former Vice President for Academic Affairs and Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College, said that the first library director, Edwin Samuel Clay III, managed the move to the current location. He was succeeded by Roland Nicholson, who carefully crafted the book collection from 20,000 volumes to more than 60,000 during his 14 years of service to the VWU library. When Nicholson died, one of his last wishes was to have his funeral take place in Hofheimer Library. The service was conducted on the reading room floor.
“Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the library presents an ideal time to focus on the many purposes the library has served throughout the university’s history and how its functions have evolved through the years,” noted Director of Hofheimer Library Susan Erickson. “Since it’s very beginning, it’s never been just a library, and it's never been just about books; it has always been a place for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, technology and interaction. Though the physical space is still important, now digital space also connects us to others."
The library staff, under Erickson’s leadership, has recently completed a comprehensive strategic planning process with input from stakeholders. The plan uses a framework that focuses on strengths and employs a systems approach. Beginning with the aspiration “to be the heart of campus,” the plan articulates a mission to be “an innovative and inclusive environment that engages and inspires learners.” Goals of the plan are: embracing a collaborative leadership approach to academic success; dynamically and responsively curating the information landscape; intentionally designing spaces to meet a range of existing and emerging needs; meaningfully engaging in exploring and adopting technologies that advance teaching, learning and research; and fostering holistic personal and intellectual development and strengthening a sense of community in the service of humanity.
Throughout the year, the Library will post photos and facts about its rich history. Plans are also in the works for a rededication ceremony for Hofheimer Library in March 2020. Erickson says she hopes to unveil new displays from the Archives on the first floor where they will garner more attention and provide valuable information to the library’s visitors in a more prominent place. She envisions the displays changing periodically to showcase vital aspects of the university’s history.
Fundraising efforts are underway to support the resources needed for the new displays and 50th anniversary plans. To support the 50th anniversary of Hofheimer Library, please contact Sharon Laderberg, Assistant Vice President of Advancement at sladerberg@vwu.edu.