History of the Jackson Library: Jackson Library: Stanford GSB

History of the Jackson Library

Interactive Timeline

The Early Years

1925

The Stanford Business School opens, founded from the inspiration of Stanford alumnus (and future US President) Herbert Hoover. Although there is no formal library yet, the staff begins to collect books and subscribe to over 80 journals.

1933

The Library is formally inaugurated on April 3. Stanford President Ray Lyman Wilbur allocates room 429-B in Jordan Hall as an autonomous library under the direction of the Graduate School of Business. The collection is established with 1000 volumes and assorted reports.

1937

The Library is moved into the newly reconstructed Assembly Hall in Building 120 in the Stanford Quad. Students appreciate the increased space, the additional book stacks -- and the air conditioning.

1941

The Library now contains almost 8,000 volumes and 85,000 pamphlets. School enrollment drops so low during the war years that the faculty is reduced to a skeletal staff. The Library remains busy by meeting the research needs of 2,500 soldiers enrolled at Stanford for Army Specialized Training.

Honoring Dean Jackson

1956

The Library is named the "J. Hugh Jackson Library" in honor of the retiring Dean.

A New Building

1966

The Jackson Library is moved into the newly constructed Graduate School of Business building between the Oval and Memorial Auditorium. This facility, known today as GSB-South, still houses the Library, many offices, classrooms, and Bishop Auditorium. Library Director Marion Smith is instrumental in securing space for the Library in the new building.

1969

The political turbulence of the times affects the Library as Business School students strike against President Nixon's policies in Southeast Asia. Windows are broken by rocks hurled in protest, and political signs such as "Dump Dick" and "GSB says Out of Cambodia" are posted.

1970

Computer automation has its first impact on Jackson Library when the serial catalog records are automated. Bound into the "Red Book" for periodical searching, the computer-generated records greatly increase access to the collection; they continue to be produced until 1995.

1977

Marion Smith steps down as the Library's fourth and longest-serving Director to date.

1979

The roof above the Library is remodeled to create an additional floor for high-density compact storage. This proves an ideal place for the storage of archival corporate reports; the reports collection is one of the world's largest.

Entering the Information Age

1983

The first computers for student use are installed in the Library. These pioneer machines include a DOS IBM, an Apple III, and an Apple Lisa, and are used primarily for Lotus spreadsheets and word processing.

1987

Compact Disc technology emerges, and Jackson Library is among the first to offer a CD-ROM database for patron use, Compact Disclosure; it is locked in an acrylic shroud to maintain security and accountability for use.

1989

The Loma Prieta Earthquake rocks the campus, and Jackson Library is seriously damaged. Walls crack, bookstacks topple, and a flood of water drenches significant portions of the collection. The Library's main floors are closed for many months, during which time extensive retrofitting to guard against future quake damage is undertaken.

1990

The Library acquires its first full-text article database, Business Periodicals Online. This initially temporary donation is an essential aid to researchers while most of the Library collection lies inaccessible due to repairs.

Toward a New Century

1991

The rapid growth of electronic information sources serves to foster some fundamental alterations in the Library's organization and service. As the lines between computing support and libraries grow less distinct, the Library joins with Computing Services to create a new department in the School known as Information Resources.

1992

The new Rosenberg Corporate Research Center in the Library is dedicated. A generous gift from Claude and Louise Rosenberg transforms the heart of the Library's current business information sources. The focal point of the Rosenberg Center is a network of computer workstations, each providing access to a broad range of business databases.

1994

Jackson Library goes on the Internet. The Library's Web page becomes available at www.gsb.stanford.edu/jacksonlibrary. In addition to offering easier access to on-site library information and databases, it provides links to Internet sites selected for their value to business researchers.

2000

Jackson Library joins in the 75th anniversary celebrations at the School with a special historical display of the Library's past.

Over the years, the Library's collection has increased and diversified to meet the changing research and teaching needs of the School. With over 400,000 volumes, 1600 periodical subscriptions, and numerous electronic databases, the Jackson Library collection is widely recognized as one of the premier academic business resources in the world and Jackson Library is poised on the edge ready to meet the challenges of providing information in the electronic age.

2004

The Library undertakes a complete redesign of its Website, engaging GSB faculty, students, and staff in the process to best support the changing information seeking behavior of the community. The improved site is intuitive and easy to navigate.

The Library releases its own browser toolbar in October 2004. Named by a student winner of the toolbar naming contest, FastJack is a time-saving tool. It offers just-in-time access to personalized library resources on the Web.

Jackson gains its first logo. The logo represents how we leverage existing and emerging technologies to provide access to quality information.

2005

Jackson Library is remodeled to make better use of space and invite collaboration.

2006

The Library received the 2006 Center of Excellence Award for Service from the Special Libraries Association.

Jackson Blog is unveiled in September 2006. Connecting with the blogger community at the Business School, Jackson Library bloggers regularly share informal conversations on faculty research, alumni businesses, business news, and new resources in the library.

2007

The Library site gets a new look and feel with increased functionality as the entire GSB site undergoes a redesign.

2008

Jackson Library's 75th Anniversary.
Jackson Library commemorates the past and toasts the future with a gala celebration.