Founders Library

Founders Library is a historic library located on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., serving as a central hub for academic research and study. The library was established in 1939, with the support of notable figures such as Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, Ralph Bunche, and Thurgood Marshall. It has since become an integral part of the university's academic landscape, providing access to a vast array of resources, including materials on African American history, Civil Rights Movement, and African diaspora studies, with contributions from scholars like W.E.B. Du Bois, Carter G. Woodson, and Langston Hughes. The library's collections and services are also utilized by researchers from nearby institutions, including the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution.

● History

The history of Founders Library is closely tied to the development of Howard University, which was founded in 1867 by Oliver Otis Howard and Henry Highland Garnet. The library's establishment in 1939 marked a significant milestone in the university's growth, with the support of prominent figures like Mary McLeod Bethune, Charles Hamilton Houston, and Sterling Allen Brown. Over the years, the library has undergone several renovations and expansions, including a major renovation in the 1980s, which was funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Ford Foundation. The library has also been recognized for its contributions to the preservation of African American cultural heritage, with partnerships with organizations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and African American Museum in Philadelphia.

● Architecture

The architecture of Founders Library is a notable example of Art Deco design, with a striking façade and interior features that reflect the style of the 1930s. The building was designed by Albert Cassell, a prominent African American architect who also designed other notable buildings on the Howard University campus, including Douglass Hall and Cramton Auditorium. The library's design has been praised for its functionality and aesthetic appeal, with features like a grand reading room, a rare book room, and a microfilm room, which have been used by researchers from institutions like the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and Yale University. The building has also been recognized for its historical significance, with listings on the National Register of Historic Places and the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites.

● Collections

The collections at Founders Library are diverse and extensive, with over 1 million volumes and a wide range of digital resources. The library's holdings include materials on African American history, African studies, and Latin American studies, with notable collections like the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center and the Channing H. Tobias Collection. The library also has a strong collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Zora Neale Hurston. In addition, the library provides access to a range of digital resources, including JSTOR, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost, which are used by researchers from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Services

The services offered by Founders Library are designed to support the academic and research needs of the Howard University community. The library provides a range of services, including research assistance, instructional support, and interlibrary loan services, which are used by students and faculty from departments like the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, and College of Engineering and Architecture. The library also offers a range of study spaces and collaboration rooms, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and furniture, and are used by students from institutions like the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and American University. In addition, the library provides access to a range of digital tools and software, including Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office, which are used by researchers from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, NASA, and National Science Foundation.

● Notable Features

Founders Library is home to a number of notable features, including the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, which is one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of African American history and African diaspora studies in the world. The library also features a rare book room and a microfilm room, which provide access to rare and unique materials, including works by Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Maya Angelou. In addition, the library has a number of exhibition spaces, which showcase the work of African American artists and scholars, including Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Gwendolyn Brooks. The library's special collections also include materials related to the Civil Rights Movement, including papers and artifacts from notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, which are used by researchers from institutions like the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and Smithsonian Institution.