Olin Library
When Rollins College was founded in 1885, its library collection consisted of a Bible and a dictionary. More than 100 years later, students have at their disposal considerable library resources ranging from ancient tomes to the latest technology in information retrieval.
The Olin Library, a $4.7 million gift of the F.W. Olin Foundation, was dedicated in 1985. Rising impressively near the shores of Lake Virginia, the four-level, 54,000-square-foot structure retains the Spanish Colonial architecture that dominates the campus. A second gift of $2.7 million established the Olin Electronic Research and Information Center. The Center features the latest technology, including computer workstations, a variety of software applications, online databases, full Internet access, color printers, and digitizing equipment. These tools facilitate student creativity as they pursue research questions, and prepare multimedia presentations and Web pages.
The Library’s collections reflect the liberal arts mission of the College and strongly support the curriculum through a generous budget. Holdings currently include more than 303,000 volumes, 1,600 periodical and serial subscriptions, 13,200 periodicals available through electronic resources, 42,000 government documents, a number of special collections, and hundreds of compact discs, digital video discs, and videotapes.
The College Archives and Special Collections Department, housed on the first floor of the Olin Library, provides further opportunities for research in rare books and manuscripts and the historical records of Rollins College. Special collections emphasize the liberal arts character of the Library. Examples include the William Sloane Kennedy bequest of Whitmaniana; the Jesse B. Rittenhouse library of modern poetry and literature, including her correspondence with many literary personalities; the Mead and Nehrling horticultural papers; and an outstanding collection of Floridiana. The Archives offer a wealth of information to local historians, collecting both documents of the institution and extensive holdings on the history of Winter Park.
The Library faculty are information professionals who, in addition to providing individual reference and research consultation, teach courses in research methods to Rollins undergraduate and graduate students. The Olin Library is an integral part of the instructional, intellectual, and cultural life of Rollins College.
For more information, 407- 646-2521.
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