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W. W. and Ella Fondren began their family's association with SMU in 1919. Their gift of Humble Oil stock shares in 1935 funded the construction of the Fondren Library. It was completed in 1940 and had most of the characteristics of a library building of that period.
By 1968, Fondren Library, with the largest collection on campus housing materials in the humanities, social sciences and business, had already outgrown its original walls. Once again through the generosity of the Fondren Family and Foundation along with federal assistance as authorized through the Higher Education Facilities Assistance Act, the library was enlarged by a four floor addition to the east end of the building. The west end of the original Fondren Library now houses the DeGolyer Library of Special Collections and the Norwick Center for Media and Instructional Technology.
Fondren Library was designated as a selective federal depository in 1925 and receives approximately 70% of government depository publications. Fondren Library also offers a state of the art Assistive Technology Center . The Information Commons combines traditional reference assistance with computer lab technology and support service in an inviting casual environment on the first floor. Fondren Library is also home to the CUL Interlibrary Loan Department. A wide range of user education classes is offered by librarians in three computer classrooms.
For more information, see contacts, campus maps, floor plans, and stack guide -- or call 214-768-2326.
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"Newest addition to the quadrangle is the air-conditioned Fondren Library. With its opening, a long-felt need will be filled" Silver Anniversary Rotunda 1940 |
