Robert Hutchings Goddard Library

Robert Hutchings Goddard Library. It is the main academic library of Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving as a central hub for research and study. The facility is named in honor of the pioneering rocketry scientist and longtime Clark University professor, Robert H. Goddard. Since its opening, the library has been integral to the university's mission of fostering rigorous inquiry and interdisciplinary scholarship.

History and namesake

The library was constructed and opened in 1969, a project that significantly expanded the university's academic infrastructure during a period of growth. It is named for Robert H. Goddard, often hailed as the father of modern rocketry, who conducted his groundbreaking research while a professor in the Clark University physics department. Goddard's launch of the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926 in Auburn, Massachusetts cemented his legacy in the history of science and technology. The decision to name the library for Goddard reflects the university's pride in his transformative work and its commitment to innovation, a theme continued by the university's George Perkins Marsh Institute.

Architecture and design

The building is a notable example of Brutalist architecture, designed by the renowned architectural firm John M. Johansen. Its imposing concrete form, characterized by bold geometric shapes and textured surfaces, is a distinctive landmark on the Clark University campus. The interior was designed to prioritize functionality and flexible study space, with multiple floors housing open stacks, reading areas, and administrative offices. A significant later addition, the Jeppson Laboratory, was connected to the library, further blending academic spaces for the sciences and humanities.

Collections and resources

The library's holdings encompass over 600,000 volumes, alongside extensive collections of government documents, microforms, and electronic resources. It houses important special collections, including the Robert H. Goddard Collection of papers and artifacts, and the Frank Stanton Collection of American Broadcasting Company archives. As a selective depository for United States government publications, it provides access to a vast array of federal documents. The library also maintains strong collections supporting the university's noted programs in geography, psychology, and Holocaust and genocide studies, with deep resources related to scholars like Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung.

Services and facilities

The library offers a wide range of services, including research assistance, interlibrary loan through the Academic and Research Collaborative, and instruction in information literacy. Key facilities include the Godard Map Room, which contains a substantial collection of maps and atlases, and the University Archives, which preserves the institutional history of Clark University. The building provides numerous individual and group study spaces, computer labs, and media viewing rooms. It also offers access to major academic databases and digital collections, supporting research across disciplines from environmental science to cultural studies.

Role in the university

As the intellectual heart of Clark University, the library is central to undergraduate and graduate education, supporting the curriculum of all departments and schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences and the Graduate School of Geography. It actively collaborates with research centers like the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Adam Institute for Urban Teaching and School Practice. The library hosts academic events, exhibitions, and lectures that engage the campus community, such as those related to the Lasky-Barajas Lecture Series. Its role extends beyond mere repository, functioning as a dynamic partner in the university's commitment to "challenge convention" and "change our world," principles championed by former president G. Stanley Hall.

Category:Clark University Category:University and college libraries in Massachusetts Category:Buildings and structures in Worcester, Massachusetts Category:Brutalist architecture in Massachusetts Category:Libraries established in 1969