PSU Magazine Spring 1994

Friends of the Library Alumni and fac ulty are fo rming Friends of the Library, and their initia l project is a memoria l to Jean Black, Po rtland State's first librarian . Black, who di ed in 1992, tarted the library at th e Vanport Extension Center in 1946, an<l we nt on to serve as head libra ri an until her retirement in 1969. "Jean wa a good administrator and really did a lot fo r the University," says Dick Halley, profe or emeritus of economics and a membe r of the Friends steering committee. "When the Vanpo rt flood de troyed the library in 1948, Jean was at a library convention in G eorgia. he heard the news and started collecting books at the conven– tion to build the li brary back aga in. Nothing fazed her. " After th e flood, Black moved what was left of the library to the O regon shipyard campus. She moved it aga in to O ld Main (Lincoln Hall) in 1952, to Smith Memo ria l Center in 1960, and to its present location in 1968. Today, the Branfo rd Price Millar Libra ry is nearly double the size of that o riginal Jean Black, PSU's first librarian building, with its modern five-story curved glass wall fac ing the Pa rk Blocks. "Students need to know that this beau t iful library hasn't always been here. The groundwork fo r it was la id by Jean and other devoted li brary staff and fac ulty in the ea rl y yea rs of the U nive rsity, " says Pete r G rund fosse n '58, '66 MST , who is heading up the Friends' first project. 'Cause we are! The sixth edition of Portland State's biggest and best celebration is just around the corner. We're working hard, and we're looking for people like you to help out. Give us a call if you'd like to join in on the preparations for the '94 Tailgate or donate an auction item. 725-5067 G rund fo sen , a legislat ive li aison with the Assoc iation of O regon Hou ·ing Authorit ie , says he is lobbying fo r a bronze bust of Blac k to be placed in the entry of the li brary. "Of course th e Friends teering committee will have to dec ide what an appropriate memo ri a l would be, but l want omething that today' · student ca n see and from which they can learn some of the schoo l's hi sto ry," he says. Members of th e Friend of the Library stee ring committee, in addition to G rund fosse n and Ha lley are: Professor Kenneth Butler, Na ncy Fargo '82, Nancy Ga t '62 EdD '84, W.T. (Bill ) Lemman (Vanpo rt) , Linda Hansen Ma rlia, Ga ry 0. Rob inson '6 l MA '73, Mary Lou Wendel Webb '69 MS '73, and Professor Charles M. White. Indi vidua ls or orga nizati ons interested in jo ining the Friend of th e Library or in contri buting to the Jean Black memo ri al may send a check in any denomination to the Friends of the Li brary, P U Foundation , P.O. Box 243, Portland, O R 97207. Members' names will be disp layed in the li brary. D We're raffling a new Miata this year! It'll be fun! Stay tuned! TAILGATE PSU 1994 Ultimate Tailgate Auction Friday, September 30 Portland Marriott PRING 1994 19