Carl B. Ylvisaker Library
“Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development” [1]. From its inception, Concordia has taken this mindset to heart. The library, in its many forms, has always been at the heart of Concordia’s campus, providing a social and educational space for Cobbers.
Concordia’s history has shown that its library is not quick to change. The first library of the college was a simple reading room in what we now know as Bishop Whipple Hall [2]. It was not until 25 years later, in 1907, that a new library room was prepared as a section of the newly finished New Main building [contemporarily referred to as Old Main] [3]. In 1922 the college completed construction of a new building named Grose Hall. The entire first floor of this new hall was dedicated to the now-thriving library, which the institution lauded as “one of the finest collections of books in the Northwest for college work” [4]. Finally, in 1956 the doors to the new library were opened after over a decade of delays [5].
Since its opening, the Carl B. Ylvisaker Library has remained a stable center of the campus. It originally held room for 125,000 books across two sprawling levels. In 1971, a $950,000 expansion to the library added two additional stories onto the library for shelving [6]. This expansion was the last grand project and gave us the imposing tower of knowledge that we see today.
On the grounds immediately outside the library entrance, we can see several changes since the original photograph was taken. The tree in the foreground of the picture has since been removed, a casualty of the Centennial Mall project and the construction of the bell tower in 1990 [7]. Two plaques were installed in the early 1990s. The first, dedicated in 1992 on the south-facing wall near the east entrance, honored the co-founders of the C-400 club, J. Luther Jacobson and Eugene Paulson [8]. The second, dedicated in 1993 on the east facing wall near the east entrance, honored Carl B. Ylvisaker [9].
Inside, many changes have occurred over the years. The colorful mosaic that greets visitors just inside the library’s entrance was dedicated in 1981 as a celebration of the library’s 25th anniversary [10]. The piece was created by David Hetland, an alumnus and director of director of communications at Concordia, with funds provided by then-current and former staff of the library.
An essay by David Sparer
[1] Kofi Annan, BrainyQuote. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/k/kofiannan399822.html#rYQlvJ96Drc8Xc0w.99 (accessed December 17, 2013).
[2] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991), 22.
[3] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991), 52.
[4] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991), 75.
[5] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991), 224.
[6] Carroll Engelhardt, On Firm Foundation Grounded (Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991), 259.
[7] Paul J. Dovre, To the Concordia Community, May 11, 1990. Letter. Concordia College archives, Centennial Mall/Campanile.
[8] Unknown photographer. “About C-400.” Photograph. Concordia College Archives, Carl B. Ylvisaker Library (Exterior). P507.
[9] Unknown photographer. “Dedication of Carl B. Ylvisaker library relief.” Photograph. Concordia College Archives, Carl B. Ylvisaker Library (Exterior). P9307E.
[10] Louise Snortland, “Dedication for mosaic is tomorrow,” The Concordian, October 2, 1981.