Welcome to the Library
By Maya Hodison and Tommy Waisner
The first Baker University library was started around 1871. At the time the only campus building was Parmenter, so the library was in Parmenter. It stayed in Parmenter until the early 1900s when Baker trustee Nelson Case donated $8,000 to construct a library building.
With Case’s $8,000 donation, a $25,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie, and $36,000 from the university’s library endowment fund, Baker constructed Case Library in 1907. The library remained in Case Hall until the 1950s when the current library, Collins Library, was completed.
Collins Library has had several renovations since its original construction, most notably the Spencer Wing that was designed and built in 1962 to house the Quayle Bible Collection. In the 1990s stained glass windows were added to the third floor of the library. The windows came from Centenary Hall, which was demolished.
Locating and Navigating
Collins Library is located at 518 8th Street on the campus in Baldwin City, KS. The building has three stories and each has a specific use.
The first floor has multiple computer labs, which throughout the school day, are used as classrooms for digital/technology courses, such as Digital Media. There are also computers and tables in a big, open space in which students use to complete personal work.
First Floor Map
Floor two is where a wide variety of print books, e-books, and other research methods are. There are multiple enclosed study rooms, and areas where students can work alone or in groups.
The third floor is the quietest floor of the library. Students may come up to the third floor, if they are studying alone and want complete silence. Each floor is useful to every student’s needs.
Students can find various resources in the library, such as how to find student tutors, study abroad programs, computers and printers, books for research, and more.
Collins Library currently houses the university library, Quayle Bible Collection, university archives, and Kansas United Methodist archives, as well as plenty of classroom and study space for students and faculty.
Student Academic Success (SAS), which is a group directed by Kathy Wilson and Samantha Cheek, is a great resource offered in Collins Library. They coordinate services for students who seek academic help. It provides free support to all Baker students outside of the classroom.
SAS services can be found in the lower level of the library between the hours of 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. It provides support to international students, student-athletes, and others who need help balancing college life.
The organization also serves students with physical or medical disabilities or those in need of temporary or permanent accommodations in those areas.
Collins Library offers more resources, like the writing center, where students can receive aid with essays and other writing assignments. The writing center is coordinated by Bill Pore. Other staff in the library include Dr. Robin Liston and Jason Thoren.
Students on campus can be found utilizing the library’s flowing resources every day.
Photos by Tommy Waisner
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