25 Years of Struggle and Achievement Remembered

A Brief History of the Women's Studies Library at OSU

Linda Krikos and Virginia Reynolds
(Spring 1997)

The momentum of the feminist movement and the advent of women's studies courses inspired women on the OSU campus to request a separate Women's Studies Library in 1972. Several women, including reference librarian Beth McNeer, recognized that such a library would be an integral component of the academic, interdisciplinary Women's Studies program being developed. They began purchasing books and producing Women Are Human, an information sheet and annotated list of books of interest to women. Donations from sororities and women's organizations initially funded a small collection of books and journals housed within the Undergraduate Library.

As ad hoc Women's Studies reference librarian, Beth McNeer, with the help of other OSU librarians, especially Reggie Brown and Carol Krumm, piloted the collection through its initial stages, organized a file of information resources for women, and provided Women's Studies reference assistance to students and faculty.

With the establishment of the Office of Women's Studies in 1975, the desire for a formal separate library intensified. The goal was partially realized in October 1976 with the appointment of Abby Kratz as the official half-time Women's Studies librarian. She had a budget of $3,590. In August 1977, a separate library became a reality when the collection moved to the second floor of the Main Library. Virginia Reynolds joined the staff as the full-time Library Bibliographic Assistant, a position she still holds. The collection consisted of 1,463 cataloged volumes, 38 serial titles, 48 microforms and archival material. Circulation for the first year totaled 3,539.

By 1980, the women's studies program had advanced academically and developed into a Center for Women's Studies, and the Library was an official departmental library. The collection expanded to 4,000 cataloged volumes, 64 serials, and 569 microforms. The budget was $8,000 and circulation mushroomed to 9,747. The Library had also obtained the entire inventory of Isis Books, a feminist bookstore in New York unable to stay in business. Other materials, particularly memoirs, autobiographies and other primary sources, were transferred from the Main Library stacks.

Under the literary expertise of Martha Lawry, appointed as Women's Studies Librarian in 1979, Women Are Human evolved into the Women's Studies Review, the first publication in the US devoted solely to reviews by and about women. The new publication was distributed to over 1,000 students and faculty at Ohio State and elsewhere. Adrienne Zahniser, who became the Librarian in 1980, continued as editor until 1988 when the Review combined with the Center for Women's Studies' The Sojourner to become Feminisms. Responsibility for the publication then transferred to the Center.

During this time period, Adrienne fought to keep the collection intact and under her direction. Important microforms sets were added to the collection, which by now numbered over 12,000 volumes and included an extensive pamphlet file. In 1990 Linda Krikos assumed the tasks of Women's Studies Librarian.

The 1990-91 academic year marked the admittance of the first class in the newly approved MA in Women's Studies degree, and in 1995 the Center became the Department of Women's Studies. Professor Krikos guided the Library into the electronic age with bibliographic instruction on the complexities of the new databases. The Library had moved to a new area of the second floor and had become an official unit of the Main Library.

As of late 1996, the collection consisted of almost 18,000 cataloged volumes, over 100 serial titles, and nearly 2,000 microforms. Materials circulated over 26,000 times during 1995-96. Circulation grew as Ohio colleges and universities accessed the collection through the OhioLink program. Additionally, an electronic index to women's studies materials was mounted on the Library Resources Network, and a small video collection was begun. The microforms collection is particularly strong and contains papers of individuals, families, and organizations as well as many historical journals.

The Women's Studies Library continues to grow and evolve. It slightly expanded its space in 1997-98 and can preserve less used, fragile materials in the Book Depository. A Web site was added in time for the 1998-99 school year

The staff strives to build on the strengths of the collection, reinforce other areas as publishing patterns change, and remain cognizant of new directions in the library field. The Library's goal is to provide the best possible service to the Department of Women's Studies as well as other courses or projects that focus on women or contain a component on gender.

Women's Studies Librarians have included:

• Beth McNeer (Ad Hoc), 1972-1976
• Abby Kratz, 1976-1978
• Martha Lawry, 1979-1980
• Adrienne Zahniser, 1980-1989
• Susan Cull (Acting), 1989-1990
• Linda Krikos, 1990-present.

The Women's Studies Library will be moving due to the upcoming renovation of the Main Library. See the schedule of the move and temporary location of materials.

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