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History of Penn College Buildings: Madigan Library

The purpose of this guide is to document the evolution of our campus from its origin in the Williamsport High School to the present day. It includes buildings and other spaces rented during the WTI, WACC, and PCT eras to meet the demands of increased enr

College Library

           

Named for:                                                                                     

Roger & Peggy Madigan                                      

Articles:

  Facts:

  Built: 2005-2006 

  Architect:  Murray Associates Architects, P.C.                                                                            

  Dedicated: 2006                                                                                 

  Specifications: 104,000 square feet

  Building plans available in Archives? Yes

John T. Shuman (left) with former student, Joseph Gehret.

Named for: John T. Shuman, 1906-2004

Shuman taught English to students of the Williamsport Technical Institute and was the author of several books designed to teach spelling and English to vocational education students. His book English for Vocational and Technical Schools  (1936, 1954) influenced the teaching of language arts in vocational education through out the United States. He also wrote the texts Machine Shop Work (1943)  and Fundamental Shop Training for Those Preparing for War Service (1943.) Shuman became assistant director of Williamsport Technical Institute.

The Learning Resources Center changed its name to the John T. Shuman Library in September 1994.

 

Facts

Dedicated: Sept. 28, 1994.

The John T. Shuman Library occupied space on the first and second floors of the Learning Resources Center in the Lifelong Education Center. The Children's Learning Center is located in the area that was the former library.

Building Plans Available in Archives? Original plans for the Lifelong Education Center (LEC) are not held in Archives, but floor plans for the library portion of the LEC are.

 

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Student worker at the circulation desk.

The library was located in the Lifelong Education Center from 1981 until 2006. In 1994, its named changed to the John T. Shuman Library.

Building Plans Available in Archives? Original plans for the Lifelong Education Center (LEC) are not held in Archives, but floor plans for the library portion of the LEC are.

                                                                              

                                                                  Library Director David Siemsen standing near the circulation desk in the Learning Resources Center.

 

Built: 1980

Specifications: 50,703 gross sq. ft.

In May 1968, the library moved to the Rishel Building at 1221 West Third St., where it shared rented space with classrooms and offices.The J.K. Rishel Furniture Company, also know as Unit 14,  leased space to the college.  The Rishel Building housed the library from 1968 until 1981.

Building Plans Available in Archives? No

 

                                          

                 Student & faculty volunteers move books from the library in the former laundromat to the Rishel Building.

The Williamsport Area Community Collage quickly outgrew the space allocated to it in the Williamsport High School library (1964-1966) and leased space in a former laundromat at 1225 West Fourth Street from 1966-1968. The library shared  the renovated laundromat with counseling services.

Building plans available in Archives? No

 

Student working at the circulation desk.