Thomas R. Buckman

Thomas R. Buckman succeeded Nyholm in September 1968. Buckman came to Northwestern from the University of Kansas, where he had been director of libraries since 1961. Buckman holds a B.A. from the University of the Pacific, and M.A. and B.S.L.S. degrees from the University of Minnesota.

Buckman's short but eventful tenure was taken up with staff reorganization, the completion of plans for the new building, and the move into the new building.

Buckman's concept of organization, under which the library system is organized today, is a division of library activities among assistant university librarians, who report to the university librarian. To achieve this, he appointed an assistant university librarian for collection development in 1968; and in 1969, assistant university librarians for public services and technical services, as well as a budget and planning officer.

In 1971 the position of assistant university librarian was created to include the duties of the budget and planning officer.

In order to more fully develop staff potential, Buckman organized the Assembly of Librarians, a professional staff forum for the discussion of library problems and grievances as well as intellectual stimulation. An annual performance review procedure and a continuing appointment system were also implemented under Buckman.

Most significantly, Buckman presided over the opening of the Northwestern University Library, completed in 1970 at a cost of $12,321,906, or $31.00 per square foot, with 330,000 square feet of assignable space.

The building received major funding from several sources. Frank C. Englehart, for whom the north tower is named, gave $2,500,000 toward the building and $1,600,000 for its maintenance. Grove M. Hermann, Sr., Shirley Hermann, and Robert Hermann gave $2,500,000 for the east tower, which is named the Grover M. Hermann, Jr., Tower. In recognition of a gift of $2,500,000 from members of the Derring-McCormick family, the south tower was named Deering Tower. The plaza, dedicated May 10, 1971, bears the name of Kenneth Burgess in recognition of a gift of $125,000 from the family. Among others, the International Harvester Company presented a gift of $300,000, and $3,200,000 came from the federal government under Title I and Title II. Among additional donors were Julius J. Abler and the Inland Steel-Ryerson Foundation. The main entrance to the library, the Lantern Entrance, named for its shape, was a gift from the A. T. McIntosh Company.

The mammoth task of moving into the new building involved transferring and merging three major collections from Deering's stacks, underground storage, and the Business Library from level two of Deering. Although a few collections were moved without disruption of service on December 1, the major parts of the move occurred between December 18 and January 19, 1970. The library closed, circulation of books ceased, and all library services were suspended. The Map Library was moved from University Hall into new quarters in the lower level of the new building, and every collection in Deering was relocated in expanded quarters. Some name changes of departments occurred concurrent with the move. The Rare Book Room became Special Collections, and Documents became Government Publications. The term "collection" was used to indicate a "department," and "library" indicated a "branch".

The dedication of the new NU Library took place on the Library Plaza on the afternoon of October 21, 1970. A short "Dedication Concert" by the University Symphonic Wind Ensemble conducted by John P. Paynter was followed by speeches from University Chancellor Dr. J. Roscoe Miller, the Chairman of the Library and Planning Committee Dr. Clarence Ver Steeg, University Librarian Thomas Buckman, Architect Walter A. Netsch, University President Robert H. Strotz, and the President of Associated Student Government Eva L. Jefferson. The principal speaker, Newton N. Minow, urged a rededication to the purpose of a university, "the search for truth and its communication to succeeding generations."

At a program held that evening at the Orrington Hotel, the principal speaker, Gordon N. Ray, president of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, spoke on "The Idea of Disinterestedness in the University."

Another dedication ceremony had been held the day before. The Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies was formally opened on October 20. In naming the Africana collection for Professor Herskovits (1895-1963), the library recognized his invaluable contributions to the initiation and development of the collection. The distinguished Kenyan novelist Ngugi Wa Thiongo cut a ribbon in the presence of Mrs. Herskovits, Chancellor Miller, the university librarian, and many other guests. William Bascom and Sterling Stuckey read papers. A full record of the proceedings, The Opening of the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies , was published in 1973.

On June 30, 1971, Buckman resigned as university librarian to become president of the Foundation Center in New York.

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