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University Libraries

History of the Curriculum Library (Laboratory) at Western Illinois University

Barb Grindstaff, Curriculum Library Unit Coordinator, recently authored an extensive history of the Curriculum Library (Laboratory) at Western Illinois University.

The Curriculum Laboratory was established in Memorial Library in 1964, although the 1962-1963 WIU telephone books have it listed.  It was originally part of the Library Science Department and housed in Memorial Library on the third floor.  During this time it was staffed by members of the Library Science Department and/or faculty of the Memorial Library itself.  Prior to the Fall Semester 1971, the Curriculum Laboratory was moved to room 35 of Horrabin Hall (the Laboratory School building) until the school closed in 1973.  The laboratory was then moved to Horrabin Hall 72, the Curriculum Library’s current location.  Over the years, the laboratory and the administration of it fell under various departments.  In 1991, the Curriculum Library became a branch of University Libraries, and in 2000, the Curriculum Library items were incorporated into the library collection.  In 2005, the rooms in Horrabin Hall were renumbered, and the Curriculum Library became room 80.  For the story on the history of the Curriculum Library, please visit http://www.wiu.edu/libraries/curriculum_library/history.php. 

“I am still trying to put a complete list of the Curriculum Laboratory staff together,” says Grindstaff, “I would love to hear from anyone who worked, or knows someone who worked in the Curriculum Laboratory”.  Please contact Barb Grindstaff at BA-Grindstaff@wiu.edu or by calling (309) 298-1101. 

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