On March 14, 1989, the High Library broke ground, beginning a monumental journey on campus to create a centralized hub of learning that celebrates the traditions and vision of Elizabethtown College.
The library was made possible in part thanks to a $1.5 million pledge by the High Foundation, led by alumnus and Trustee S. Dale High ’63, H’93, P’86 – the largest gift to the College at the time. Hundreds of additional loyal alumni and friends of the College contributed $13.2 million in a capital campaign to fund the building.
The location of the library, constructed between Alpha Hall and Baugher Student Center, was chosen to both physically and symbolically link residential and academic areas, and was designed contextually to be in harmony with existing buildings and enhance the campus environment. The new library transformed the campus, replacing Zug Memorial Library and significantly increasing the College’s capacity to host volumes while allowing Etown to offer students more resources and support for creative and critical inquiry.
Dedicated on Sept. 22, 1990, the High Library is now home to over 121,000 print volumes and 1,325,000 e-books, along with games, media, newspapers, periodicals, and more.
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- (L-R): S. Dale High ’63, H’93, P’86 and President Gerhard Spiegler at groundbreaking, 1989
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- (L-R): S. Dale High, Wayne Nicarry, Carlos Leffler, unidentified, and Gerhard Spiegler at High Library groundbreaking, 1989
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- High Library construction, 1989
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- High Library construction, 1989
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- Students bringing books from the former Zug Memorial Library to the new High Library, 1990
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- High Library Dedication, 1990
Throughout Elizabethtown College’s 125th anniversary year, follow along as we share 125 compelling stories about the College’s defining moments, alumni stories, and fun facts since our founding in 1899 at etown.edu.