Imagine moving thousands of books. That’s precisely what happened when the University of Tampa’s library moved into the Macdonald-Kelce Library. This library stands as the information access center for the entire university. It supports instruction research and service learning.
The Macdonald-Kelce Library wasn’t always its current name. Originally the library was housed in Fletcher Lounge. Fletcher Lounge was located in Plant Hall from 1933 to 1969. Imagine the grand ballroom transformed into a haven for books. Donations poured in from prestigious institutions. Cornell Harvard and Carlisle Barracks all helped grow the collection. Local citizens also gave generously. Harry F. Barrell donated 5000 books. Mayor Perry G. Wall matched that donation. James C. Alvord contributed 4000 books.
Anna Regener served as the first librarian. But the Grand Salon proved too small. The library moved to the hotel’s former main dining room. This space is now known as Fletcher Lounge. In the summer of 1969 the library moved again. Student volunteers and library staff relocated the collection. They moved it to a newly constructed building. This building was later named after Merl C. Kelce.
Merl C. Kelce was a St. Louis industrialist. He was also a benefactor of the University of Tampa. In 1999 the library received its present name Macdonald-Kelce Library. The Macdonald family’s generosity transformed the facility. It became a state-of-the-art information resource center.
The Macdonald-Kelce Library officially opened on October 19 1969. David M. Delo University of Tampa’s President presided over the dedication. Funding for the new library reached $1.3 million. It was raised through the Tampa Library Fund campaign. A federal construction grant added $427661. Merl C. Kelce donated an additional $250000. His gift was the largest single contribution to the university at the time. The total cost reached $1519108.
The building’s architecture reflects Mid-century Modern design. It is influenced by the Sarasota School of Architecture. The open-plan structure allows natural light to flood the interior. Moorish arches echo Plant Hall’s architectural style. They are a distinctive feature of the building’s facade.
The three-story building spans 49000 square feet. It was designed to hold more than 200000 volumes. It also provides seating for many patrons. The library has undergone renovations in 2003 and 2016. A 2003 donation from the Jaeb Family funded interior design and technology upgrades. These upgrades created “The Robert and Lorena Jaeb Reference & Technology Center.” Interior renovations in 2016 included new lighting fixtures and a new HVAC system.
Inside the Macdonald-Kelce Library you can find many resources. There are two computer labs. There are also study carrels. Collaborative study rooms and private study rooms are available. A classroom supports faculty teaching. A curriculum room aids educational instruction programs.
The library houses a vast collection of materials. Most items are located on the second floor. They are arranged using the Library of Congress classification system. Older print periodicals and microfilm are stored off-site. The library holds roughly 172300 titles.
The archives and special collections are housed on the second floor. They include the University of Tampa’s archival documents. These documents cover administrative departmental and committee records. The archives also contain artifacts and information about the university’s and west-central Florida’s history.
The Florida Military Collection is also within the Macdonald-Kelce Library. It began as a joint venture. It was between the Suncoast Chapter Association of the United States Army and the University of Tampa. It is “one of the largest private libraries of books and documents on military subjects in the Southeast United States.”
The library also curates the University of Tampa’s Institutional Repository. This digital service collects preserves and distributes the intellectual output of the UT community. The Macdonald-Kelce Library is a selective Federal Depository Library. It provides free access to resources of the United States government. It retains roughly 30% of the resources of the United States Government Printing Office.
The Macdonald-Kelce Library offers a digitized archive. It includes the University Archives Special Collections and Manuscripts. It also offers the Institutional Repository Lectures and Exhibits.
So the Macdonald-Kelce Library is more than just a building. It is a dynamic hub of knowledge and resources. It is a testament to the power of donations and dedication. It is a place where the past meets the future.