Didn’t UTSA students call it the heart of the campus? The John Peace Library stands here as a testament to knowledge, community, and a vision for the future.
The John Peace Library wasn’t just built. It was dedicated on December 13, 1974. The University of Texas Board of Regents honored John R. Peace II. He was a champion for bringing a four-year public university to San Antonio.
Before this building even existed, Peace showed his commitment. In 1973, he donated his collection of early Texana books and manuscripts. These items are now available to the public in the UTSA Library’s Special Collections.
San Antonio architect O’Neil Ford designed the John Peace Library. He envisioned it as a central plaza for the university. At the time, UTSA was the largest new university under construction in the United States. Completed in late 1975, the library cost $10,120,489. It became UTSA’s largest building at 225,891 square feet.
Imagine the scene six weeks before opening. Truckloads of books arrived. There were 4,100 boxes containing 150,000 volumes. Thirty library employees worked tirelessly. They sorted and shelved everything for student access. The John Peace Library finally opened on June 2, 1976.
Initially, the John Peace Library housed 350,000 volumes. Two hundred thousand of those were on microfilm. Study space accommodated about 1,300 students. The John Peace Library remains UTSA’s largest library. It has four floors with resources, study spaces, academic support, and a food court.
Before the John Peace Library building, UTSA became a depository for government documents in 1973. This allowed the library to receive free materials from federal agencies. These included scientific reports, engineering reports, and statistical data.
The John Peace Library moved into the digital age in 1989. It switched from a traditional card catalog to an online computer system. Twenty-six terminals became available for users searching for library materials.
Michael Kelly was UTSA’s first director and dean of libraries. He served for 33 years. Kelly guided the formation of both the John Peace Library and the Downtown Library. He built the library’s initial collections under budget constraints. He also started a student library resource fee. This fee helped add to collections and staff.
Krisellen Maloney became dean in 2009. She led a multimillion-dollar renovation of the John Peace Library. This included the Faculty Center, Learning Commons, and the Applied Engineering and Technology Library. She also supported the development of UTSA’s Special Collections.
The John Peace Library completed a five-year renovation in July 2014. This supported UTSA’s goal to become a Tier One research university.
Today, the John Peace Library offers over 2,200 seats and 370 computers. There is an Information Commons. GroupSpot facilitates collaboration. There are quiet study areas and 44 reservable group study rooms. The Faculty Center on the 4th floor supports faculty professional development. The Assembly Room provides a 120-seat venue for academic events.
The John Peace Library continues to evolve. It serves as a vital hub. It supports the academic and research needs of the UTSA community. Its history reflects dedication, innovation, and a commitment to student success.