Thomas Tredway Library

Thomas Tredway Library is the central academic library serving the students and faculty of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Opened in 1990, it consolidates the collections and services of several predecessor campus libraries into a modern facility designed to support the liberal arts curriculum. The library is named in honor of Thomas Tredway, the college's tenth president, whose leadership was instrumental in its planning and construction. It functions as a vital hub for research, collaboration, and intellectual discovery within the Quad Cities region.

History

The library's origins trace back to the founding collections housed in Old Main and later in the Denkmann Memorial Library, a building gifted by the family of Frederick Denkmann, a partner in the Weyerhaeuser timber empire. By the late 20th century, the need for a consolidated, modern facility became apparent under the administration of President Thomas Tredway. The project received significant support from the Rock Island community and notable donors, including a major grant from the United States Department of Education. Upon its completion, the new library absorbed the holdings of the Denkmann Memorial Library and the science library, creating a unified resource center. This consolidation coincided with the college's strategic initiatives to enhance its academic profile, paralleling developments at peer institutions like Luther College and Wheaton College.

Collections and services

The library's collections encompass over 250,000 print volumes, extensive microform archives, and access to numerous digital databases and electronic journals. Special collections include the Augustana College Archives, the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center, and the Midwest Writing Center archives. It provides access to major academic resources such as JSTOR, Project MUSE, and the Oxford English Dictionary. Services for students and scholars include research consultations with liaison librarians, interlibrary loan partnerships with institutions in the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, and instruction in information literacy. The library also manages the college's institutional repository, preserving faculty scholarship and student theses.

Architecture and facilities

Designed by the architectural firm Hansen Lind Meyer, the structure is a prominent example of late-20th-century academic library design, emphasizing natural light and open sightlines. The four-story building features a central atrium, numerous group study rooms, a 24-hour computer lab, and the Gerber Center for Student Life. Distinctive spaces include the Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center reading room and the Marx Center for Lutheran Studies. The facility is equipped with wireless networking throughout and dedicated areas for media production and digital scholarship. Its location at the heart of campus, near the Carlsson Evald Hall and the Centennial Hall, reinforces its role as an intellectual crossroads.

Role in the Augustana College community

As the primary academic support unit, the library is integral to the teaching mission of Augustana College. It hosts foundational courses for the first-year Augustana curriculum and supports major-specific research in departments from Biology to Scandinavian Studies. Librarians collaborate closely with faculty on assignments and curriculum development, often participating in programs like the College's Summer Research Symposium. The building serves as a popular gathering place, hosting events from the Office of Student Life and exhibitions from the Art History department. Its resources are also utilized by community members and researchers from neighboring institutions like Western Illinois University.

Namesake and significance

The library is named for Thomas Tredway, who served as president of Augustana College from 1975 to 2003, one of the longest tenures in the institution's history. His presidency oversaw significant growth in campus infrastructure, academic programs, and financial endowment. The library stands as a physical testament to his vision for a collaborative, resource-rich learning environment. Its significance extends beyond its collections, symbolizing the college's commitment to the liberal arts tradition within the context of modern information technology. It represents a key chapter in the history of Augustana College, linking its Swedish American heritage to its contemporary identity as a selective liberal arts college in the Midwestern United States.

Category:Libraries in Illinois Category:Augustana College (Illinois) Category:Buildings and structures in Rock Island, Illinois Category:Education in Rock Island County, Illinois