This summer, Drexel students, faculty and administrators met with the Dean of Libraries for informal conversations about the future of the Libraries' physical spaces.

Perhaps you're wondering why the lower level of W. W. Hagerty has been closed... 'The Libraries escaped damage from both the earthquake and hurricane Irene, but unfortunately the tremendous amount of rain in the days following proved to be too much for the city's drainage system, and we had some water damage in W. W. Hagerty's lower level as a result. We are working with University Facilities to get the lower level re-opened as quickly as possible so that students can use the space, but also want to make sure that we are adhering to all appropriate safety measures,' Danuta A. Nitecki, Dean of Libraries said today. The lower level is scheduled to re-open on Monday, September 19th. If, in the meantime, you need to access resources that are kept in the lower level, please alert a staff member at the circulation desk.

[caption id='attachment_217' align='alignleft' width='282' caption='William Walsh Hagerty (1916-1986) with the plaque, bearing his name, in the lobby.'][/caption] William Walsh Hagerty was appointed President of the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1963 where he served until 1984. During his tenure, Hagerty was responsible for expanding the campus to include new colleges and programs. His work increased enrollment to over 12,500 students, doubling the previous enrollment and increasing the budget from million to million dollars. In 1970 Hagerty guided the institution through its transition to University status, leading the way for the Drexel University that exists today. In 1983, Drexel named a new library on campus after President Hagerty. W. W. Hagerty Library opened in October 1983 and continues to bear his name. Shortly after, in 1986, Hagerty passed away. Article by: Jenny James Lee historical information from the Drexel University Archives and Libraries' Website: http://www.library.drexel.edu/about/wwhagerty.html.

[caption id='attachment_28' align='alignright' width='179' caption='(c) American Libraries Association'][/caption] Drexel University's W. W. Hagerty Library is featured on the cover of the American Library Association's Choice Magazine for April 2011. More than 35,000 academic librarians, faculty, and key decision makers rely on the reviews in Choice magazine and Choice Reviews Online for collection development and scholarly research. Choice reaches almost every undergraduate college and university library in the United States. Visit Choice Magazine online. 'On the Cover.' Choice Magazine. Annapolis Junction, MD. April 2011. Web. 13 April 2011.