J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library

When the Brigham Young University Library in the Heber J. Grant building became too large to fit within the Grant building, a new edifice was constructed and completed in the summer of 1961. The new library building was given the name J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. In 1973, an addition to the library was completed and the resulting building was renamed the Harold B. Lee Library. S. Lyman Tyler continued as director from the dedication in 1961 until 1966. Donald K. Nelson served as library director from 1966 until the Harold B. Lee Library replaced it in 1973.

Variant names

JRCL

Clark Library

Brigham Young University. J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library

J. Reuben Clark Library

BYU Library

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Library

Description

Established: 1961

Abolished: 1973

Location: Provo, Utah (1961-1973)

Functions

Like most university libraries, the Clark Library served all regularly enrolled students and faculty with research and study needs. The collections grew quickly during this period, jumping from 700,000 bound volumes to 900,000 between 1968 and 1970, and reached over a million volumes by 1972. The library was also a depository of United States, Canadian, Mexican, and United Nations government documents.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The director of the library oversaw the collections and reported to the president of the university.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (1961-1973)

Subordinate unit: J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. Circulation Dept. (1961-1966)

Subordinate unit: J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. Public Services (1966-1973)

Subordinate unit: J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. Special Collections (1961-1973)

Subordinate unit: J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library. University Archives Division (1961-1973)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Library (1961)

Later unit: Harold B. Lee Library (1973)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1961-1962: p. 57 (new Clark library completed summer of 1961)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1964-66: p. 55 (J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Library first named so in catalogs; a large collection open to all regularly enrolled students; library also a depository for United States and Canadian government documents)

Brigham Young University General Catalog, 1970-72: p. 58 (library grew quickly--from 700,000 volumes in 1968-70 catalog, to 900,000 volumes in the 1970-72 catalog)

Brigham Young University General Catalog, 1972-73: p. 62 (collections reached a million bound volumes)

Brigham Young University General Catalog, 1973-74: p. 59 (depository extended to United Nations and Mexican documents)

Brigham Young University Library Centennial History, 1976: p.173 (directors and dates of service)

History of the Harold B. Lee Library, 2012, URL: lib.byu.edu/services/libhistory.php, Information Gathered: J. Reuben Clark Library completed in 1961, renamed HBLL in 1973.

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2010-00064

LCCN: n 82166185

Creator: UPB