| Foundation
Notes — Libraries |
| It
would be difficult to find a more colorful narrative of
the frontier than the life reminiscence of Charles P.
Blakeley, a Missouri-born ex-Confederate soldier who literally
escaped the Civil War to participate in the 1864 Montana
gold rush. Finding the life of a miner in Virginia City
too difficult, Blakeley became one of the first settlers
on the West Gallatin River and embarked on a remarkable
career as a lawman, territorial legislator, town promoter
and county assessor. It is with no small amount of hyperbole
that Leeson's 1885 "History of Montana" describes the
tale of Blakeley as one "fraught with vivid and interesting
incidents and sorrowful and thrilling anecdotes." |
| Fortunately
for present day historians and scholars, Blakeley felt
moved to record some of those "thrilling anecdotes" shortly
before his death in 1912 on over 400 handwritten pages
which have recently been acquired by the Montana State
University Libraries Special Collections. Blakeley's remarkable
autobiography is accompanied by legal documents, letters
and memorabilia which help put this outstanding pioneer
story into context. "This is extraordinary stuff," according
to Patricia Dennison, library director for development
and relations. |
| The
renovation of MSU's Renne Library is nearing completion.
Those who have recently entered the building will have
immediately noticed the difference. Perhaps most striking
is the bright light that ties the circulation counter
and main lobby with the elevated reference area and the
Heathcote Court. The Heathcote Court, formerly ponds and
planters, is now a relaxed area of seating, new book display
and beverage bar ("The Brewed Awakening")--an indoor version
of the village green. It is expected the entire renovation
project will be completed by the end of November. The
result will be a library that looks fresh and vibrant
and which will be a far safer and more comfortable working
and study environment for both staff and students. |
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| Also,
new and prominent in the library's main lobby is a major
donor recognition installation. The form is a tree sheltering
male and female students reading books. The foliage of
the tree is composed of copper, silver and gold colored
metal plates symbolizing various level of giving. We hope
that through this beautiful piece of art our major donors
will feel both appreciated and honored by being recognized
and that prospective donors will be inspired to join those
already honored. |
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While the renovation has moved forward, the library has
not lost sight of its commitment to continue building
quality paper-based collections. At the same time, the
library continues to develop its electronic resources.
Building healthy endowments is essential to support necessary
levels of collection growth and access to electronic resources,
ensuring the library remain central to the university's
missions of teaching, research and service. |
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