Conflicting Philosophies: Two University Librarians and a Presidential Bibliophile

Abstract

ABSTRACT Minor Myers jr. was president of Illinois Wesleyan University (iwu) from 1989 until his death in 2003. This case study explores how one personal interest of this president—that of a life-long book collector—influenced the university's library collections and its leaders. Myers arrived with a desire to make iwu a nationally recognized, Phi Beta Kappa–affiliated institution. As one tactic for achieving these goals, Myers actively engaged in library collection development through practices shaped by his methods of book collecting. Bulk acquisitions—through gifts-in-kind and lot purchases—and a prohibition on weeding aided in his pursuits. His vision for the library challenged the style of the first university librarian (ul) who resigned two years after Myers' arrival. The actions of the second ul to serve under Myers demonstrate a successful method for librarians seeking support for professional initiatives who encounter administrators with strong opposing ideas.