Place: The Cunningham Memorial Library of Indiana State University

Abstract

When one thinks of a library, often the first image that comes to mind is a brick or stone building. However, one should also remember that a library is a gathering place. Within its walls are carefully gathered or collected resources, whether electronic, print, or sound. Beyond such artifacts, the library is moreover a gathering place for people, be it library faculty and staff, or the patrons which they serve. It is a place for people to work, investigate, socialize, or repose. Indiana State University’s Cunningham Memorial Library (CML) embodies both these concepts. Yes, it is a physical structure, but even more so it is a gathering place. What follows is an exposition of the library’s rich history, its buildings, its collections, and the means through which it gathers people into its fold – library faculty, staff, and patron alike.