Remember Dorothy Murray Crosland’s name. This tower bears her name. Dorothy M. Crosland Tower stands tall as a testament to her dedication.
Dorothy Murray Crosland served as librarian. She worked at Georgia Tech from 1927 until her retirement in 1971. She became director of libraries in 1953.
Her leadership saw significant achievements. The Price Gilbert Memorial Library and Crosland Tower were constructed under her guidance. Crosland Tower was previously known as the Graduate Addition. It was renamed in 1985 to honor her.
Dorothy Murray Crosland played an instrumental role. She helped admit women to Georgia Tech. She also developed a graduate program in information science.
The Georgia Tech Library consists of two parts. The S. Price Gilbert Memorial Library and Dorothy M. Crosland Tower make up the library. The Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons connects to the library.
Judge Sterling Price Gilbert donated Coca-Cola stock. He stipulated that the proceeds build a new library. Ground broke for the S. Price Gilbert Memorial Library in 1951. The building was dedicated in 1953. The Graduate Addition opened in 1969.
Paul M. Heffernan designed the S. Price Gilbert Library. He was a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Architecture.
A large-scale renovation modernized Crosland Tower in 2017. The renovation opened up the space. It changed the veneer to allow more natural light. Finishes and MEP systems were upgraded. The Crosland project finished before the spring 2019 semester.
The library’s collections are extensive. They include over 2.4 million books. There are also bound periodicals and serials. The collections include government documents and technical reports. There are cartographic materials too. The library provides access to online databases and e-journals.
The Archives and Special Collections department preserves Georgia Tech’s history. It includes rare books about science and technology. A science fiction collection is also available. Photographic collections and manuscript collections are preserved.
The Science Fiction Lounge is on the first floor of Crosland Tower. It features items from the Bud Foote Science Fiction Collection. The Archives Reading Room is also on the first floor.
The Innovation and Ideation Studio is on the second floor of Crosland Tower. It includes a library classroom. The Data Visualization Studio and retroTECH lab are on the third floor. The Graduate Student Community is on the sixth floor.
Dorothy Murray Crosland left a lasting legacy. This tower stands in her honor. She shaped the Georgia Tech Library into what it is today. Remember her name and her contributions as you explore this tower.