Welcome to the Tarleton State University Libraries
The library staff look forward to helping you navigate the increasingly complex and information-rich learning environment. They will assist you in finding material for your classroom assignments and your research endeavors; show you how to use both web-based and print resources; or just find a quiet place to study.
As the world of information becomes more complex, your library seeks to provide ongoing services and resources to enable you to make your educational experience a success. The Library Learning Commons provide a place for collaborative study and work spaces where students can interact with cutting-edge technology, research resources, support services, good coffee, and each other.
Whether your next visit to the library is real or virtual, the library staff are here to help. We welcome your comments and suggestions for improving library service.
Value Statement
We believe in providing equitable service that promotes discovery through teamwork and collaboration.
Mission and Goals
The Tarleton State University Libraries serve as the communal heart and sanctuary of the University offering equitable access, fostering discovery and inspiration while delivering distinctive services with genuine purpose. Our goals include:
- The libraries provide a welcoming environment that strives to meet the needs of each individual.
- The libraries provide a variety of resources to facilitate the community’s educational, personal and professional growth.
- The libraries provide services to meet the educational needs of Tarleton students, employees, and community.
- The libraries provide services to meet the professional and instructional needs of the faculty.
- The libraries provide meaningful and coordinated professional development opportunities for library staff to build skills which support university advancement.
- Locate, apply for and utilize outside sources of funding.
Library History
The Dick Smith Library, named for a highly respected Tarleton professor and benefactor, has grown from one room into a three level structure with 83,500 sq. ft., seating for over 700 users, and housing over 1 million items. Beginning in 1894, when the school was known as Stephenville College and books were shelved in a church ante-room, the Library was shifted about and located in a strange array of college departments including the President’s office, the college bookstore, and the dining hall. The Library was given its own home in 1956, when a new building was erected. It was a two-story structure that surrounded an open mezzanine. A renovation and addition to the library in 1985 doubled its size, and enhanced the utility, and beauty of the library. Included in the expansion was an audio-visual room, computer lab, and meeting rooms.
The library has kept pace with the latest in technology to provide a variety of electronic resources, research databases, and services. A $5.2 million renovation and expansion was completed in 2006. While the library’s exterior remained relatively unchanged, the interior changes included spacious study areas, group study rooms, an instruction classroom, a multi-purpose meeting center, a comfortable student lounge with coffee bar, reconfigured stacks, AV listening rooms, and a Special Collection Suite.
The 2011 building renovation started with the relocation of seldom used items in the periodical and reference collections to remote storage. This made room for a renovation of the west side of the facility to accommodate the Center for Educational Excellence (CEE) offices, which was followed by a $2 million renovation of the remaining main floor area into the Library Learning Commons. Opening in 2014, the Library Learning Commons provides a campus “hub” for collaborative study and work spaces where students can interact with cutting-edge technology, research resources, and support services like the writing center, tutoring service, and technology helpdesk, as well as a cafe.