Eileen Thornton

Eileen Thornton, herself a collector of many fine book bindings now in Special Collections, raised the profile of the library through the use of exhibits held in the Miller Rare Book Room, or near the library entrance.

Students inspecting a George Bernard Shaw exhibit in the Miller Rare Book Room.

Talking machine exhibit in 1957 just inside the library entrance.

Preparing an exhibit in the foyer of the library entrance in 1959.

Carnegie at night, 1960. 

Students working together in 1961.  A consultant's report in 1963 confirmed a very critical opinion of the capacity, safety, and facilities available for students in the Carnegie Building.  It recommended the construction of a new library building.

Eileen Thornton in 1964. She would retire in 1971 after paving the way for the construction of a brand new library building that would forever alter the use and meaning of the Carnegie Library for Oberlin College.