Lamont Celebrates 40th Year

When Lamont Library opened in 1949, The Crimson described the then-futuristic building as a "Pepsi Cola bottling factory" outside and an "automat" inside.

The novelty of the first library dedicated to undergraduates seems to have dissipated over time, but that will not prevent the library from commemorating its 40th anniversary today. According to Associate Librarian Jon Lanham '70, a jazz band will play in the lobby and refreshments will be served to help Lamont celebrate its birthday.

"For one time only, food in Lamont," Lanham said.

The anniversary of the library comes in the midst of a trend towards automation, according to Heather E. Cole, librarian of the Hilles and Lamont Libraries. Cole said the library began using the computerized card catalog system HOLLIS this fall and expects to completely automate the circulation system in the next few years.

"This birthday celebration is kind of a way of marking the place in time. Lamont is going to look very different in five years," said Cole.

Originally built because the much larger Widener Library did not offer undergraduates easy access to all books, Lamont has expanded its resources to include more than 200,000 volumes and 8000 reserve readings today, library officials said.

Greatest Assets

Cole and others said that they considered Lamont's large reserve holdings and accessibility to undergraduates the library's greatest assets.

"While other Harvard libraries have different purposes, the goal of Lamont should be to serve the special needs of undergraduates," said Librarian of Harvard College Yen-Tsai Feng.

Many students have said it is easier to find books in Lamont than in Widener, which houses the largest collection on campus.

`Uncomfortable in Widener'

"I don't get lost in Lamont. Everything is easy to find and there are always people around to help you. I'm uncomfortable in Widener; its overwhelming," said Ronie-Richele Garcia '91, who said she has been to Widener only three times.

In recent years, however, the Yard library has acquired a reputation of being a noisy social center for students. "If I have to go to a library, Lamont's a good mix of burying yourself in your studies and, on the other hand, hanging out with all your friends," said David R. Tunnell '92.