"I have been so impressed and gratified with the tremendous endowment support which the Libraries have enjoyed over the years. This very generous support has allowed us to build superior collections and services for our users."--Dean Julia M. Rholes

In 1849, one year after The University of Mississippi opened its doors, Jacob Thompson, one of the founding fathers of the University and a member of the Board of Trustees, presented a collection of books as a nucleus for a library. The University gratefully accepted the gift, and the Board immediately appropriated $500 for the future purchase of additional books.

The library, housed on the third floor of the Lyceum Building, was managed by a faculty member, appointed to a one-year term. Open only two hours a week, students were employed to handle the light workload.

By 1870, the Board established a Reading Room, which contained newspapers and periodicals for student and faculty use. In 1882 the Reading Room and Library were combined into one large room in the Lyceum, but there was still no full-time librarian. In the fall of 1884 Miss Julia H. Wilcox filled that role and took charge of the library.

At the heart of every outstanding university is an outstanding library. It is the reservoir of knowledge essential to the basic educational experience.

Today, The University of Mississippi Libraries includes the John Davis Williams Library, the Science Library which is housed in the Thad Cochran Natural Products Center, and an Annex building. The three library facilities hold 1,268,000 volumes and more than 12,392 current periodical and serial subscriptions. The Libraries also provide access to over 140 electronic databases and 5,967 electronic journals.

Private gifts are essential to help support the University Libraries in the areas of materials acquisition, technology upgrades, and collections development. Your gift to the University Libraries can have an impact on all current and future students who attend Ole Miss.



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Julia M. Rholes
Dean/University Libraries
662-915-7093
jrholes@olemiss.edu


Michael Upton
Asst Director of Development
662-915-3027
mupton@olemiss.edu