Max Chambers Library

Our Strong Tradition

The UCO Max Chambers Library has a deep-rooted tradition of student, faculty, staff and community involvement. Founded in 1894 the Library began with a gift from the Lyceum Society, the forerunner of today's debate team. They raised $26 to purchase the Library's first collection of books which were housed on the second floor of Old North.

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Our Challenge

Today's students live their lives around the clock expecting twenty-four hour access to resources of all types. In the digital age, when information has never been more accessible, the ability for the library to manage, sort, and certify information has never been more important. Students rely on libraries for information that is not just current but credible.

Meanwhile, technology has altered library services in tremendous ways. The need to build, manage, and maintain numerous electronic resources—including databases, research publications, and archives—means today's library does far more than it did a generation ago. Today the library is a place to study, to do research, to think and learn, to meet friends and to work collaboratively.

With your help, the Library will continue to be a source of knowledge and pride for the entire university community.

Our Priorities

Capital Projects

$1.75 Million

In order to make Max Chambers Library more welcoming and inspiring, we will improve study spaces with comfortable soft seating areas, create more group collaborative spaces, build a new library instruction classroom, enhance our Multimedia Center and replace old elevators.

Collections

$550,000

Keeping collections current requires a constant stream of acquisitions. Books can cost hundreds of dollars. Academic journals and databases can cost many thousands of dollars each. Funding for collections also will support preservation and cataloging—two essential functions that require highly skilled, specialized staff members who can ensure that library resources can be found and accessed. Access to these sources is vital to maintain the educational excellence of UCO.

Equipment

$350,000

Today technology places great demand on our resources as laptops need to be replaced every few years and new robust Wi-Fi networks are needed for students to connect to the internet and library resources.

Unrestricted funds

$350,000

Unrestricted funds will allow library officials to refine services, expand programs, and make special purchases. These funds will enable the Library to respond quickly to the unanticipated learning and research needs of students in the days ahead.

For more information on giving to the library, contact Nicole Willard, Assistant Director, at (405) 974-2885 or nwillard@uco.edu.

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