Brown University and Academic Library History

Historians of both higher education and academic libraries tend to select institutions for study based on current prestige or reputation. This often means that some academic libraries and their parent institutions, which may have made significant historical contributions, are ignored. At Brown University, particularly from 1827 to 1855, during the tenure of President Francis Wayland, major strides were made in the development of academic libraries and librarianship. But even prior to 1827 Brown was a pacesetter. The list of "firsts" is impressive and includes both technical and public services. The Brown University Library had the first executive committee established to oversee the library; the first permanent library fund dedicated exclusively to acquisitions; the first professional librarian; the first card catalogue; and, perhaps, the first collection development policy