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Current Exhibit

Malcolm A. Love Library 50th Anniversary

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The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Love Library on the San Diego State campus. The impulse that spurred the construction of this new library in 1970 has much to do with the expansion of San Diego State under Malcolm A. Love, the 4th President of San Diego State who served from 1952 to 1971. During his nineteen years as President, he was able to transform San Diego State College into a university. When he retired in 1971, student enrollment had reached more than 30,000, and full-time faculty rose to 1,128. In addition, San Diego State received more than $6 million in research money and was able to establish graduate degrees in 52 programs. With the extraordinary growth of students, faculty and facilities, plans emerged for a great new library to house over one million volumes to be named in honor of President Malcolm A. Love. Construction of the new library began in 1968. It was completed in 1970 and dedicated to President Love in May, 1971.

This exhibit is a selection from hundreds of photographs in the University Archives Photograph Collection documenting the 3-year construction of the Malcolm A. Love Library, from renderings, to blueprints, to groundbreaking, to completion in 1970. Also included are photos from opening day and the dedication of the Library in 1971. Issues from the Daily Aztec reporting on the progress of the building are included as well.
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