Learn about milestones in the history of the Indiana University Kokomo Library, starting with the dedication of the Main building in 1965.
1965
Twenty years after being established as an Indiana University extension center, the Main building is dedicated at the new Indiana University Kokomo campus on South Washington Street. The Library is located on the north side of this building.
1969
The Library became a selective participant in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).
1980
The McNaughton Rental Book Plan began. This program continues today and is known as our Bestsellers collection.
1990
Information Online (IO) was installed as the first online catalog for the Indiana University libraries. IO included materials acquired as far back as 1976. By the summer of 1990, most library materials were barcoded, and the circulation component began operating in 1991. An IU borrower's card thus became necessary to check out items.
1991
The library newsletter was renamed to Check It Out! following a campus-wide contest. Chemistry Professor – now Adjunct Lecturer – Dr. Marcia Gillette won the contest.
1993
The card catalog was removed from the Library.
1995
The new library building was dedicated in its new location on the southwest side of campus. The building houses the library, Art Gallery, Kresge Auditorium, and Alumni Hall. The library's spiral staircase remains a campus feature.
2000
The Library became a state documents depository for Indiana. The Kokomo-Howard County Public Library previously held this position.
2003
A proxy server was added to allow 24/7 access to electronic library resources from off campus. IU students, faculty, and staff can now access library resources from anywhere and at any time.
2006
The Library Instruction Classroom and Computer Assisted Reference Services (CARS) rooms were renovated into the current Information Literacy Classrooms 1 and 2.
2009
The interlibrary loan system ILLiad was implemented and streamlined the process of requesting materials from libraries around the world. In 2017, ILLiad was succeeded by Tipasa. The library also enhanced its online resources by purchasing its first streaming video collections: Films On Demand and American History in Video.
2012
Following the completion of an extensive government documents weeding project, the Library was chosen as the FDLP Spotlight Library in October. An article was posted on the Government Publishing Office website, as well as the FDLP Connexion Newsletter.
2015
The Library introduced a single service desk at the library's entrance. The service desk offered expert assistance for Circulation, Computer Services, and research help. Computer Services relocated to a new walk-up window in 2017, but Circulation and research assistance is still available at the desk at the library's entrance.
2017
The renovated first floor of the library was unveiled, and the Library hosted an open house to celebrate the project's completion. The renovation added 9 new study rooms to the library's first floor, as well as a modernized service desk, condensed shelving, and many new seating options.