1970s – The University of Akron Archives and Special Collections

1970

– Library faculty granted eligibility for tenure

– University Archives becomes member of Ohio Network of American History Research Centers

– Card catalogs and shelf list microfilmed for security reasons

1971

– Library budget surpasses $1 million

– Groundbreaking for new University Library

– Library personnel tops 60 employees

– Library goes “online” with acquisition of OCLC cathode ray tube computer terminal

– Library subscribes to first databases

– University administration moves to library in wake of Buchtel Hall fire

1972

– New University Library constructed

– Library holdings pass 300,000 mark

– Dorothy Hamlen retires after three decades of service

– University Archives renamed Archival Services

– John V. Miller becomes Director of Archival Services

1973

– New University Library opens

– New University Library dedicated and named Bierce Library

– Library budget exceeds $1.5 million

1974

– University Library starts acquiring and cataloging materials for Wayne College Library

– Total holdings surpass 700,000

– Lois Myers (Assistant Professor of Bibliography) retires after 35 years service

1975

– Library users tops 1 million annually

– Library joins the Center for Research Libraries (CRL) and Northeast Ohio Network of Major Academic Libraries (NEOMAL)

1976

– AHAP moves to Simmons Hall

– Library personnel tops 70 employees

– Library begins conversion of catalog records to machine-readable form

– OCLC terminal (online catalog) installed in S&T Library

1977

– University Library becomes charter member of OhioNET

– Reference requests surpass 10,000 mark

– Library hours top 100 hours per week

– Codaphone installed in library to provide patrons 24-hour service

– Online cataloging of non-book materials begins

– Friends of the University Library membership tops 400

1979

– Library holdings surpass 1 million items