On Tuesday, April 9, ETSU’s Sherrod Library celebrated its 25th anniversary since its opening in 1999. The event of celebration was held at Borchuck Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where cake and lemonade were provided as well as lawn games and live music from the campus Bluegrass band. Buctainment was also present with a free street sign-making station for students and speeches were held by ETSU representatives who expressed gratitude and commemoration for the library’s honorable past and bright future ahead.

David Atkins is the dean of the Sherrod Library where he has worked since 2018. When he first joined Sherrod, the library had been 20 years old, he discussed the presence of the building from the outside had been striking, and learning the history behind it only amplified its potential for the new generations to come.

Exterior construction photo of Sherrod Library. (Contributed/Archives of Appalachia)

“There has been so much change in libraries, at the same time, there’s a lot of the core of what we do that doesn’t change in terms of curating collections, providing services and providing that connection to the past,” Atkins said. “That legacy, that stewardship is important.”

Keeping the building’s core values of student learning while also preserving its promise of innovation, the library has added spaces where community members can display their artwork and explore their creative expression, which can be found on the first floor, as well as a new 3D printing space and exhibit on the third floor. These spaces also double as meeting places where students can work, interact and connect.

Old photo taken inside Sherrod Library. (Contributed/Archives of Appalachia)

“What we’re hoping to do is sort of recapture that idea and energy with some of the new spaces and services that were bringing online to fulfill that promise that people made in 1999 to make this a library for the 21st century,” Atkins said.

Blair Jones is the associate dean of the Sherrod Library and has been in the position for over a year. Encouraging student exploration, Jones mentioned that the purpose of these new spaces is not only to assist in education but also to spike new possible interests and career paths for all students no matter their major.

“We’re trying to create a space here that’s inviting, welcoming and accessible,” Jones said. “We have a spot for anyone to use this equipment and technology in the way they want to.”

Preparation for this milestone began last summer for students, staff and members to come together and see their efforts in physicality as a community. With a rich history and a bright path ahead, the library will now prepare to work and better the building for the next milestone.

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