Linderman Over the Years

Lehigh University, founded in 1865, did not always possess a library. The University’s collections were previously held in Packard Hall before the construction of Linderman Library. Funds for the library were donated by Asa Packer, the founder of Lehigh University, who named the library after his daughter, Lucy Packer Linderman. Linderman Library was constructed and opened in 1877. The library was constructed under the supervision of famed Philadelphia architect Addison Hutton. It consisted of a semi-circular plan, with a unique exterior in the Venetian style of architecture. It was constructed of Potsdam sandstone with granite ornamentation. Inside, there was a reading space, fifty by forty feet, which included bookcases too. A beautiful stained glass sky-light formed a dome over the center of the reading area, known as the Rotunda. Also, the building included a basement for storage of books and another area where students could study. The building was lighted by gas when it was first built. The Library was located at the heart of the campus, near the University Center. While the library was very well constructed, it did not have a high capacity for the vastly growing Lehigh University. With the increase of students over time, the library changed as well. Since it was erected, Linderman Library has undergone several structural modifications , and different directors have overseen the library and its funds.

The renovations aimed to make Linderman Library both more efficient, and more appealing to students. The first renovation took place in 1929. It was funded by alumni and in part through borrowing from the University’s endowment. The borrowed money would eventually be paid back. The renovation consisted, mainly, of the addition of the 7750 square foot reading room which led to a general increase of people using the library. The 1929 renovation also expanded the number of volumes the library could hold to over 400,000 books. The first renovation greatly increased the traffic of students that came in and out of the library daily.

The renovation of 2005 changed Linderman Library in many ways. One of the main problems with the library was the lack of air conditioning and space to house books and periodicals. One of the earlier resolutions to the lack of space was the introduction of a new library, the Fairchild-Martindale Library (abbreviated FML). It was initially called the Mart Science and Engineering Library after its opening in 1969, having its name changed to Fairchild-Martindale Library after a major addition in 1985. The Fairchild-Martindale Library was built at the foot of campus and provided more space for periodicals and books.

The 2005 renovation was completed in 2007. It transformed the lower level of the library, by adding Lucy’s Cafe, a cafe named after Lucy Packer Linderman, as well as the gallery found in the basement. Furthermore, air conditioning was installed in the library, greatly increasing the student traffic to Linderman Library. The addition of air conditioning not only made students more comfortable in going to Linderman, but also increased the ability for Linderman Library to preserve aging volumes. The 2005 renovation also provided Linderman with structural changes in the rotunda. Prior to the renovation navigation in the rotunda was difficult, but the problem was alleviated with the addition of several new staircases. Overall, the renovation made the library a more appealing place for students.

Linderman Library, over time, has required a large amount to build its collection of books. Funding stemmed initially from the donation from Asa Packer, and was followed by further funding from alumni and Lehigh University. With these finances and the work of its first director, William H. Chandler, the library amassed a large working collection and rare books collection. Collections in many different fields (Science, History, Literature, Humanities) make Linderman useful for students with broad interests. Linderman Library experienced an addition of 5,000 volumes a year until the abrupt halt of its funding in 1893. The funding was not revived for several decades. The original Library was designed to house 150,000 volumes. This number increased greatly over time, with over 500,00 volumes being held in the library today. Many unique collections such as the Darwin Collection are held in Linderman. The rarest volumes, as well as those pertaining to the University can be found in Special Collections which opened in 1878, which is the part of the library that is dedicated to handling and use of Lehigh University’s rare books and manuscripts.

Gatlin Casey ('18) and Raja Singh ('18)