2003 Edmon Low Library's 50th Anniversary

The content on this page remains on the Web site as a historic reference of the 2003 award-winning marketing campaign to celebrate the Edmon Low Library's 50th anniversary.

The Celebration • Events • Stories • Our Sponsors • Contribute

The Celebration

In February 1953, the Edmon Low Library opened its doors for the first time. Since then, the Library has served generations of students, and its distinctive and graceful image is often used to represent the University as a whole. The upcoming school year marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the building and to commemorate this golden anniversary, the Library is planning a yearlong celebration beginning November 2002.

The theme of the anniversary year is That was Then, This is Now. Suzanne Thompson, Library Director of Development says, "Our programming this year will highlight the many changes over the last fifty years. Our focus is on library services, collections, technological advances and new challenges facing the Edmon Low Library in the 21st century."

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Events

The following is list of keystone events in the celebration. Click the links for more information.

• November 8, 2002, 6 pm
  H. Louise & H.E. "Ed" Cobb Speaker Series featuring S.E. Hinton
  This event was the kickoff of the celebration.
  
• February 24, 2003, 2 pm
  Rededication Ceremony
  Please join Dr. Edward R. Johnson, Dean of OSU Libraries, and the Friends of the OSU Library as we celebrate 50 years of building pride. President David J. Schmidly will rededicate the building to the OSU Community and the state of Oklahoma. The Rededication will begin in the Library Reading Room and will adjourn to the South Lobby for a ribbon cutting and refreshments. This event is free and open to the public.
  
• September-October 2003
  Listening to the Prairie: farming in nature's image, a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute
  
• October 17, 2003 6:30-8:30 pm
  Reunion of Past and Present Library Employees
  Join us for a come and go reception during Homecoming Walk-around. Meet former co-workers, tour a traveling Smithsonian exhibit, and enjoy refreshments with us.
  
• November 7, 2003
  H. Louise & H.E. "Ed" Cobb Speaker Series, featuring author and award-winning documentary film maker, Ken Burns
  This event marks the end of our yearlong celebration. Dinner will be served in the elegant Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room. Burns will give after dinner remarks. A signing reception with Burns will follow in the South Lobby.
  

The library holds many events throughout the year. Visit www.library.okstate.edu/news/calendar.htm to see a complete list.

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Our Sponsors

The Library would like to thank the following individuals and organizations.

50th Anniversary Sponsors

BancFirst • Judge Tom & Emma Adele Bennett • Patrick & Patricia Cobb • Victor & Melanie Cobb • Richard & Marti Dermer (Hideaway) • Verne Dermer • Elizabeth Semtner Edwards • Sidney & Margaret Ewing • Jim & Lisa Fain • Leroy & Martha Fischer • Friends of the OSU Library • Joe Garner • Kevin & Priscilla Gerfen • Jack & Helen Jane Givens • James & Ann Halligan • Charles & Carol Headrick • Helmerich Trust • Walter & Peggy Helmerich • Jill Holmes • Adeanya Hunt • Edward & Benita Johnson • Johnny & Sheila Johnson • Chris Degner & Cheryl Jones Degner • Claud Kniffin • KOSU • Paul & Judy Lambert • Helaine Lemon • Ed & Mary Malzahn • William & Eileen McCarron • Jim & Ann McKellar • Ross & Billie McKnight • John & Maryanne Mowen • O'Collegian • OSU Alumni Office • OSU Athletics Office • OSU Foundation • Eva Perry • Steve & Susan Raybourn • Roscoe & Charlie Lou Rouse • David & Janet Schmidly • Mark & Lisa Snell • Stillwater National Bank • Stillwater NewsPress • Glenn & Hilda Stinchcomb • Dean & Carol Stringer • Phil & Patricia Tolbert • Suzanne Thompson • Pierre Wood • John & Kay Williams • James Wise

50th Anniversary Partners

Theodore Agnew • Bonnie Ann Cain • John & Cindy Dobson • John & Caroline Linehan • Rich & Jennifer Paustenbaugh • Manuel & Anne Prestamo • Butch & Carolyn Savage • Thomas Ford • Patrick Ward • Luellyn Wright

Contact Suzanne Thompson, Director of Library Development at (405) 744-6323 or suzytho@okstate.edu to become a sponsor of the OSU Library's 50th Anniversary.

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Contribute

Fundraising efforts for the anniversary year focused on increasing the Library's Endowment and modernization and renovation of the building. Our four targets for building improvements are the Library Plaza, the Reading Room, the Special Collections Facility, and the creation of the Student Success Center on the first floor.

If you are interested in any of these projects, it's not too late to contribute. Contact the Director of Library Development at (405) 744-6323 or lib-pub@okstate.edu.

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Calendar of Events Friends of the OSU Library
Have You Ever Worked at the Library? Do you have a Library story to share?
Phone: (405) 744-7331 E-Mail: lib-pub@okstate.edu