Alexander M. Bracken Library
The new library was made possible by Ball State President, John Pruis, as he decided to use state funds for the project. Many exciting projects, displays, and materials were added. In 1976, Elisabeth Ball donoted the Bicentenary Liberty Bell to be displayed in the new Bracken Library. On March 26th, the library was dedicated by Stephen Bailey, the vice president of the American Council on Education, Washington, D.C. Over the next few years, a John Steinbeck Collection was added, the Friends of Bracken Library was formed, the title of the head library was changed to Directory of Library, the Office of Library Instruction was created, and citizens of Indiana became permitted to check out materials.
In 1982, Michael Wood became the Dean of University Libraries and major changes occurred in the internal organizational structure of the libraries. The next year, the library's public services were consolidated and reorganized and the gate to the Periodical/Reserve area was removed, allowing open access.
By 1985, an item was being checked out every 30 seconds at the library. This called for a new automated card catalog and circulation system that provided access to 300,000 records to be added in 1987. By 1990, Bracken had begun to use online circulation and "smart" barcodes to keep the library current with technological advances. In 1996, E-mail-a-Librarian services were added to the library's homepage.
During the 2000s, the library focused on the use of technology as it continued to meet the needs of its patrons. In 2003, the library added an Information Technology Assistance Center, redesigned the library's website, introduced wireless Internet, purchase laptops, projectors, and digital camera for borrowing, and implemented the Online Technology Training service. In 2004, the library created the Digital Library Initiative (now the Digital Media Repository) and CardCat, the current OPAC, was installed.
In 2005, the library celebrated its 30th anniversary. During this year, a virtual 360 degree tour of the library was made available online.
Today, Bracken library continues to be a focal point of the Ball State University campus. The library is constantly utilized by students, faculty, staff, and the local community.
Information gained through conversations with Ball University Staff and from http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/libraries/collectionsanddept/archives/collections/universityarchives/exhibits/bracken/ablibrary and http://cms.bsu.edu/academics/libraries/collectionsanddept/archives/collections/universityarchives/exhibits/bracken/timeline