Time and Change is a weekly series highlighting the history of some of Ohio State's storied traditions.
THEN
Ohio State’s main library was originally located on the first floor of University Hall. In 1893, it was moved to Orton Hall, but many faculty members wanted a dedicated building on campus.
Known then as the Main Library, construction began in 1910. The building opened to students in 1912 and was renovated three more times.
Between 1947-1951, a ten-floor expansion was constructed for the main library stacks and the building was widened. In 1951, the library was renamed William Oxley Thompson Memorial Library after Ohio State’s fifth president.