Consider this: a library not just as a repository of books. Imagine it as a living, breathing testament to a university’s growth. That is exactly what the University Library is.
Welcome to the Macdonald-Kelce Library. It stands as a cornerstone of The University of Tampa. Its history is deeply entwined with the university’s own. The University Library’s story began modestly. In September 1933, the original library resided within the Tampa Bay Hotel’s ballroom. This space was next to the main lobby. Anna Regener from Hillsborough High School helped assemble the initial collection. These books and magazines were gifts. Cornell, Harvard, and Carlisle Barracks were among the donors. Local citizens also contributed generously. Harry F. Barrell and Perry G. Wall donated thousands of books.
The ballroom quickly proved too small. The library moved to the hotel’s former main dining room that same month. Charlotte Anne Thompson took over from Ms. Regener. She directed the library until her retirement in 1969. Thompson briefly returned as director from 1974 to 1977. She became UTampa’s first Librarian Emerita.
Conditions were far from ideal back then. The library lacked air conditioning and adequate heating. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided ventilation. The nearby Plant Field hosted the Florida State Fair every February. The noise from racing autos and diesel generators disrupted students.
Dr. David M. Delo, UTampa President, spearheaded campus improvements. A new library was a major project. Federal funds and private donations made it possible. Merl Kelce contributed the largest donation. In October 1969, the 49000 sqft Merl Kelce Library opened.
Continued enrollment growth spurred the need for expansion. Technological advancements came at the right time. CD-ROM files and online databases saved space. Shelves were replaced by study rooms. More public-access computers became available.
The “Take UT to the Top” fundraising campaign helped fund these changes. Donations from the Macdonald Foundation and the Jaeb Family enabled upgrades. The library was renamed the Macdonald-Kelce Library in 1999.
Improvements continue. The University Library now offers wireless computer access. Digitized archives are available online. Laptop computers can be checked out. The Minaret student newspaper and Moroccan yearbook are digitized.
The University Library actively serves students, faculty, and staff. Its aim is to broaden understanding and improve lives. It enables contributions to the greater good.
Reflect on the journey of the University Library. From a humble ballroom collection to a modern hub of knowledge, it embodies UTampa’s spirit of growth. The University Library stands ready to serve future generations.