About the library

Dr. Mattoon, the first president of Biddle University now Johnson C. Smith University provided library services to the students through his home library.  In 1879 a fire destroyed Dr. Mattoon’s home and library.  The fire brought added concerns to secure an adequate library facility for students use.  The first library facility was housed in a large airy room on the 1^st floor of Biddle Hall, the first administrative building.  The library had a total of 2,500 volumes, some newspapers, and magazines donated by scholarly ministers.

When Dr. Sanders, the first black president of JCSU took office he acquainted himself with Booker T. Washington, and spoke on several occasions regarding the need for a library facility.  Booker T. Washington had earned the confidents and friendship of Mr. Andrew Carnegie.  Booker T. Washington introduced Dr. Sanders to Mr. Carnegie, from this introduction, the philanthropist agreed to provide $12,500 towards the erection of a new library facility in which the University had to match.  The Board of Freedman accepted this offer.  In 1911, the Carnegie Library was opened under Dr. H. L. McCrorey administration.  

There was only one part-time librarian from 1911 to 1924.  Charles H. Shute became the full time librarian, making the library accessible from 8 am. to 10pm.  The library also began to separate the theological library collection from the college collection in 1924, thus making Mr. J. C. Byrant assistant librarian in charge of the theological collection.

Theodus. L. Gunn became the first trained librarian with a Bachelor of Library Science degree from Hampton Institute in 1930.  R. L. Rann became his assistant in charge of overseeing the theological collection, which was moved in 1944 to Mrs. Johnson C. Smith’s cottage.  This marked the first distinct of separate collection.

The Carnegie Library continued to improve with more renovations in 1955.  After renovations, the library could not keep up with the expanding academic program, increased enrollment and the standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  In 1967 a new library facility was erected in honor of James Buchanan Duke for his generous donations to the institution through the Duke Endowment.  Mr. Gunn retired and Mrs. Mattie S. Grigsby became head librarian, increasing library services and reorganizing the structure of library collection. 

According to Mrs. Grigsby 1973 annual report of the library holdings, the library had 79,389 books, 575 periodicals, 1, 331 microfilm, 107 films, and over 543 cassettes and records.  She also reported on several special collections, which were added to the library holdings, such as, the Curriculum Materials, the Hoover Collection, the Niemeyer Collection, the Brewer Collection and the Black Cultural Collection.  The special collection was later filed with the regular collection and the Curriculum Materials is filed in a special room.