The History of Syracuse University's Bird Library: A Hub of Learning and Innovation

Syracuse University, founded in 1870, boasts a rich history marked by academic innovation and a commitment to providing resources for its students and the broader community. Among its most significant landmarks is the Ernest Stevenson Bird Library, affectionately known as Bird Library, which has served as the heart of intellectual life on campus since its opening in 1972.

The Genesis of Syracuse University

The story of Syracuse University begins with a resolution passed at the February 1870 Methodist State Convention in Syracuse, aiming to establish a university. This led to efforts to raise $500,000 for its endowment, with the city of Syracuse contributing $100,000. Reverend Jesse T. Peck, later elected president of the Syracuse University Board of Trustees, proposed purchasing fifty acres of farmland in southeast Syracuse. On March 24, 1870, the Board of Trustees signed the University charter and certificate of incorporation, officially establishing Syracuse University.

In September 1871, the University inaugurated its College of Liberal Arts in rented space within the Myers Block in downtown Syracuse, admitting forty-one students, including seven women. Alexander Winchell was inaugurated as Syracuse University's first Chancellor in February 1873. The Hall of Languages, the first building on the new campus, was dedicated that following May.

Early Libraries at Syracuse University

Before Bird Library, the University's collections were housed in various locations, including a space in downtown Syracuse and later on the first floor of the Hall of Languages in 1873. John P. was the first librarian and worked at the University from 1871 to 1875. Syracuse University became a government depository library during this time. A significant addition to the library's holdings was the collection of German historian Leopold von Ranke, donated by Dr. John M. on the condition that a library be built to house it. Consequently, the Von Ranke Library (now the Tolley Humanities Building) was constructed to accommodate this valuable collection, and the University's collections were transferred there.

In 1905, James D. Phelps secured a donation of $150,000 from Andrew Carnegie for a new university library, provided the university raised an equal sum as an endowment for the library. However, the need for a more modern and spacious library continued to grow.

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The Construction and Opening of Bird Library

The groundbreaking for Bird Library took place in 1969, during Chancellor William Pearson Tolley's tenure. Designed by the Syracuse architectural firm King and King Associates, the library boasts seven floors and more than 212,000 square feet. The total cost of construction was $13.8 million. Ernest Stevenson Bird, a member of the class of 1916, donated $3 million for its construction, leading to the library being named in his honor. Additional funding came from George Arents, the federal government, parents of Syracuse University students, trustees, and other private donors.

Bird Library officially opened its doors to the Syracuse University community in September 1972, with Chancellor Melvin Arnold Eggers in office at the time. A formal dedication ceremony was held on April 6, 1973, where Chancellor William Pearson Tolley delivered the dedication address.

The opening of Bird Library marked a significant upgrade to the university's library facilities.

The Move and Initial Impact

The transition to Bird Library involved a massive relocation effort. Over one million volumes, along with millions of manuscripts, pamphlets, and microforms, were moved from Carnegie Library, the library annex, and various branch libraries. This process began on July 31, 1972, and took over a month to complete.

The new library quickly became a central hub for students. Library users increased dramatically, from 1,500 to 7,000, in the first two months after Bird Library opened. This surge in usage underscored the library's importance to the university community.

Design and Features

Bird Library was designed with the architectural style of the time, featuring a pedestrian bridge that allowed patrons to enter on the second floor. The library was designed to be a social space, with bright, friendly gathering and study areas.

Opar, who had worked as a library student assistant throughout her undergraduate career, recalls that "Bird Library was everything Carnegie Library wasn’t. Back then, you didn’t go to the library to hang out. Carnegie had these big study areas throughout, but Bird gave students comfortable study spaces. That was a big difference. Bird was a more open and uplifting space, with bright colored chairs and beautiful oak furniture."

Structural Testing

On August 17, 1973, the library was temporarily closed to conduct stress tests on the structure. This testing, requested by the State Dormitory Authority, involved layering concrete blocks on the 5th floor to simulate a load of 150 lbs. per square foot, with readings taken every three hours. These tests ensured the building's structural integrity and its ability to support the weight of the extensive collections.

Bird Library Today

Today, Bird Library remains the busiest academic building on the Syracuse University campus, attracting more than one million visitors annually (pre-COVID-19). In addition to housing general collections and resources, Bird Library is home to several campus-wide resources, including:

Syracuse Abroad
Center for Learning and Student Success
Blackstone LaunchPad
Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement
Digital Scholarship Space
Faculty Commons
Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
Women in Science and Engineering
Special Collections Research Center

Renovations and Modernization

Bird Library has undergone renovations to adapt to the changing needs of students and faculty. In 2019, renovations were completed to provide space for the new Center for Undergraduate Research, and in 2021, further renovations created space for the new Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

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University Archives

The University Archives plays a crucial role in preserving the history of Syracuse University, including the story of Bird Library. The Archives collect, preserve, and provide access to records that document the University's history from its founding in 1870 to the present. These records include:

Records of Chancellors and the Board of Trustees
Records of schools, colleges, and departments
Papers of faculty, staff, and alumni
Records of student organizations
University and student publications
Audio and moving image recordings
Photographs, slides, and other visual images
Memorabilia
Dissertations and master’s theses

The University Archives actively seeks to collect records documenting historically under-represented students, faculty, and staff at Syracuse University.

The Significance of Bird Library

In his dedication remarks, Chancellor Emeritus Tolley emphasized the significance of Bird Library:

"The significance of this building is the increased opportunity it provides for learning. It is a new opportunity for the city and the county, for business and industry, for old and young, for everyone in the community as well as university students and members of the faculty. It is a community resource of the highest importance. It adds a new dimension to the cultural life of our city. It opens doors of opportunity to learn that we have not had before. . . . This is a learning center designed for people to use. . . This is a building that makes real the spirit of learning."

50th Anniversary Celebration

In September 2022, Syracuse University celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bird Library with a series of events, including:

Remarks from Professor Rick Burton ’80 and Scott Pitoniak ’77, authors of Forever Orange: The Story of Syracuse University
Remarks from David Seaman, current University Librarian and Dean of the Libraries
Photo opportunities with a ‘green screen’ background of Bird Library photographs
Trivia history from 1972 and Bird Library displayed on digital screens
Commemorative buttons and sticker giveaways
Anniversary cake and refreshments

Syracuse University: A Legacy of Growth and Transformation

Syracuse University has evolved significantly since its founding. After World War II, the University transformed into a major research institution, with enrollment increasing due to the G.I. Bill. By the end of the 1950s, Syracuse ranked twelfth nationally in terms of sponsored research.

The University has also expanded its academic offerings and facilities. In 1962, Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr. donated $15 million to begin construction of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

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