Valley Library

Valley Library
Name	Valley Library
Location	Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Valley Library. The William Jasper Kerr Library, commonly known as the Valley Library, is the main academic library of Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. A central hub for research and learning, it underwent a major transformation at the end of the 20th century, emerging as a modern facility that blends historic elements with innovative design. It serves as a critical resource for the university's students and faculty, housing extensive collections and providing a wide array of services to support the institution's land-grant mission.

History

The library's origins trace back to the early collections of Oregon Agricultural College, with its first dedicated building opening in 1918. For decades, it was known as the William Jasper Kerr Library, named for the institution's long-serving president. By the late 20th century, the facility was deemed inadequate for the growing university. A landmark gift from alumni F. Wayne Valley and Imogene Valley enabled a complete renovation and expansion project, which was completed in 1999. This transformation, led by architects BOORA Architects and guided by the vision of university librarian Karyle Butcher, reimagined the library as a collaborative learning environment. The renewed building was renamed The Valley Library in honor of its benefactors, while the original William Jasper Kerr name was retained for the building's historic west wing.

Architecture and design

The library's architecture is a celebrated fusion of old and new, preserving the historic Classical Revival facade of the original 1918 structure while adding a large, light-filled modern addition. The design by BOORA Architects emphasizes natural light, open spaces, and user-friendly layouts. A central, five-story atrium serves as the building's dramatic heart, featuring monumental staircases and providing visual connections between floors. Key design elements include the incorporation of Pacific Northwest materials like maple and stone, and thoughtful integration of public art, such as the hanging sculpture "Convergence" by Ed Carpenter. The design has received awards from the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association.

Collections and services

The library maintains a comprehensive collection supporting Oregon State University's academic programs, with particular strengths in fields like forestry, oceanography, agriculture, and the history of science. It provides access to millions of physical and digital items, including books, journals, government documents, and electronic databases. Key services include research assistance from subject-specialist librarians, course reserves, and interlibrary loan through networks like the Orbis Cascade Alliance. The library is a designated regional depository for United States government publications and a patent and trademark resource center recognized by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Special collections and archives

The library houses several distinguished special collections that document unique areas of scholarship. The OSU Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) holds the university's archives, rare books, and manuscript collections. Notable holdings include the Atomic Energy Commission records, the Linus Pauling papers, which document the work of the Nobel Prize-winning alumnus, and the Beverly Cleary papers, relating to the celebrated children's author. Other significant collections focus on the history of forestry, wave research, and alternative press publications, providing primary sources for researchers from around the world.

Technology and facilities

The library is equipped with extensive technological resources to support contemporary academic work. Facilities include hundreds of public computers, collaborative workstations, multimedia production labs, and a makerspace. The building offers a variety of seating and study environments, from silent individual carrels to group study rooms and technology-enabled classrooms. It provides robust wireless internet access throughout and hosts the university's institutional repository, ScholarsArchive@OSU, for disseminating scholarly work. The library's infrastructure supports digital scholarship initiatives and the preservation of born-digital archival materials.

Role in the university community

As the intellectual center of Oregon State University, the library plays a vital role in campus life beyond its collections. It hosts numerous events, including author readings, exhibitions from its special collections, and workshops on research skills and digital tools. The building is a popular study destination and social hub, with spaces like the First Floor West information commons seeing heavy use. It actively collaborates with faculty on information literacy instruction and supports the university's research enterprise through data management services and open access advocacy. The library's transformation has been credited with revitalizing the campus's north quadrant and strengthening the academic culture of the institution.

Category:Oregon State University Category:Libraries in Oregon Category:Academic libraries in the United States