Past Milestones
The legacy of Friends' support provided over the past six decades is closely linked to the growth and expansion of the Smith College Libraries. Many of the libraries' most distinctive collections were either created or shaped by the generosity of Friends. The level of Friends' commitment can be seen too in the variety of initiatives undertaken beyond providing annual support for library operations.
Milestones of Friends' Support
A library is the heart of a place of learning …Margaret Storrs Grierson '22
1941-42
Grace Fuller '03 suggests the establishment of a Society of Friends of the Smith College Library (FSCL). President Herbert Davis presents the idea to the Alumnae Association. Membership would be based upon "…an expression of interest in the library and desire to assist its improvement." The FSCL was formally established on February 20, 1942 and college archivist Margaret Storrs Grierson'22 was named secretary. A plan to create a library "treasure" room of rare books was launched.
1943-45
The enrichment of the newly created "Works of Women Writers" collection becomes the primary focus of the Friends. Elisabeth Cutter Morrow '96 was named first chairperson.
1946
The Works of Women Writers is renamed the Sophia Smith Collection (SSC). Under the inspired leadership of Margaret Storrs Grierson, it becomes the first women's manuscript archive in the United States. In honor of her 50th Cass reunion, Elisabeth Cutter Morrow makes possible the purchase of a first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493).
1948
Historian Mary Ritter Beard is invited to speak at the first Friends' annual meeting on May 1st to address the need to document women's part in history. The society boasts 775 members. Professor Mina Kirstein Curtiss '18 gives a lecture on Proust in conjunction with an exhibition of her personal collection of Proust letters, rare editions and photographs, which she later donated to the rare book room. The Margaret Sanger papers are acquired through the efforts of member Dorothy Hamilton Bush '17.
1951
The FSCL helps fund a position in the SSC. An annual membership fee of $1.00 is introduced.
1956
The tradition of presenting an occasional "keepsake" to members is established with the printing of a pamphlet discussing the 13th century manuscript Bible that was presented to the library by member Louis H. Silver.
1959
Eleanor Roosevelt becomes a member after donating biographical material to the SSC as a gesture of support. The 50th anniversary of the William Allan Neilson Library is celebrated at the Friends Annual Meeting.
1960
Sponsor member Helen Hills Hills '08 donates $350,000 towards the erection of an addition to the library.
1963
The Friends' publication program is launched with the printing of the pamphlet, Hawthorne's Two Engagements.
1965
Margaret Storrs Grierson '22 retires after 23 years of devoted service to the College Archives, the Sophia Smith Collection and the FSCL. The Friends pay tribute by establishing the Margaret Storrs Grierson Endowed Fund to benefit the College Archives and the Sophia Smith Collection.
1967
FSCL funds a half-time position of assistant to the bibliographer of the SSC. The fifth pamphlet in the publication program, Hear Me for My Cause (a selection of letters by Margaret Sanger) is printed.
1971
Friends help the college match a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to launch an oral history project assessing Smith's role in the contributions of women's colleges to higher education in the U.S, the results of which would be published in time for Smith's centennial celebration in "A Century of Women's Education". Henry James in Northampton is published.
1976
An oral history project is sponsored to record the reminiscences of retired Smith faculty and staff. The project is coordinated by Gertrude Smith '28. The Louise Wolff Kahn '31 Library Fund - the largest endowed fund ever received by the library - is established by Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Kahn and Friends.
1979
The FSCL committee raises $12,000 for the establishment of the FSCL Book Fund. This fund continued to be a target of Friends support for some time. By 2002 it was generating $10,800 annually for new acquisitions. FSCL publishes Through the Grecourt Gates, by Eleanor T. Lincoln. The Class of 1929 honored former chair and classmate Susan Lyman by donating $3,500 towards the furnishing of a new Friends' Office and $1,500 to the FSCL Endowed Book Fund.
1981
A new FSCL logo is designed by Barbara Blumenthal '75 based on a 17th century bookbinding tool. Funding is provided for the purchase of equipment for the newly created Non-Print Resource Center.
1982
An annual Student Bookplate Design Contest is established with support from Ann Safford Mandel '53. The Sylvia Plath collection is purchased by the college with help from individual friends and a $2,000 contribution from the FSCL committee.
1985
Composition #1, a painting by Ilisha Helfman '79, is purchased in honor of Jill Ker Conway's term as President. Another fund is established in memory of Margaret Storrs Grierson Fund, this time to benefit the Sophia Smith Collection.
1989
A program is introduced to purchase books in honor of graduating student library workers.
1995
FSCL sponsors Books Illustrated: A Symposium Celebrating the Work of Ruth Mortimer. First annual reception for graduating student library workers.
1997
The executive committee votes to establish the FSCL Preservation Fund for repair and restoration of fragile materials. The first in a series of information panels for students is held on careers in library and information sciences.
1999
Preservation Awareness Week: a series of lectures, workshops and films to raise awareness about all aspects of conservation and preservation of paper based materials.
2000
An annual professional development award is introduced for library staff. Support is provided for SSC Agents of Social Change conference.
This timeline is based on the keepsake produced by Enid Mark '54 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary celebration, April 12, 2002.
