The Farmville Herald

First In Development Program: New H-SC Library Building Completed

A new library, the first major building in Hampden-Sydney College's ten million dollar development program, now stands virtually complete.

Paul L. Grier, librarian, said today, "we are anxious to move in, and hope to start shifting the books from one building to the other by the end of the week."

The architects, Randolph Frantz and Associates, of Roanoke, have not completed their inspection of the building, although they have approved the floors. Such approval cleared the way for installation of steel stacks, and this phase of furnishing the building was expected to begin Monday morning.

The library, built at a cost of $295,850 by Mottley Construction Company, will not be turned over to the college until the architect gives his final approval. That is expected in the very near future. The cost of the library, fully equipped, runs to about $400,000.

Built for 600

The building, a three level brick structure, will have capacity of 100,000 volumes. Modern in design on the interior, the library will provide facilities for 600 students, a number designated as the eventual size of the student body.

Special features of the library include three seminar rooms, faculty studies, a listening room and 93 cubicles for study by individual students.

One of the striking features of the exterior of the library is a Hampden-Sydney seal mounted on the front. The seal was prepared by Charles C. Renick, professor of sculpture at Richmond Professional Institute. The replica of the 18th century college seal weighs 2,300 pounds and is five feet in diameter. It was placed 39 feet above the entrance.

Activities Building

Across the street, a first in the history of college is taking shape, a student activities building. An addition to the old library, erected about 1890 and restored after a fire in 1946, is going up. Also, included in the $318,263 contract held by Mottley Construction Company are extensive renovations for the interior of the present library.

The student activities building will provide dining facilities for 600 students. The basement level of the entire building will be a recreation area, and the second floor of the 11,000 foot additional to the existing structure will house quarters for various school organizations.

The library will see its first use by students with the beginning of the fall term. The building will be dedicated Homecoming Day, November 28. The student activities building is to be ready for use in February, 1962.

The two buildings are part of the first phase of the college building program targeted for completion by 1976, the bicentennial year for the institution. Funds are being provided by a special campaign among alumni and friends and a drive within the Synod of Virginia, Presbyterian Church, United States.

Three new faculty homes have also been built in this phase of the program.

Eggleston Library

The Joseph Dupuy Eggleston Library is the name chosen by the board of trustees of Hampden-Sydney College for the new library on campus.

Dr. Eggleston was president of the college from 1919 to 1939. He was president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute from 1913 to 1919 and prior to that time was superintendent of public instruction for the Commonwealth of Virginia.