How the University of Maryland Architecture Library Avoided Closure and Emerged as a Professional Library

How the University of Maryland Architecture Library Avoided Closure and Emerged as a Professional Library by Cindy Frank and Christine Henry

In June 2014, the dean of libraries at the University of Maryland announced the libraries’ plan to close the architecture branch library over the summer due to permanent budget cuts that had been handed down from the state of Maryland. After many e-mail messages, a petition, phone calls, and letters, the dean of libraries gave the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation a reprieve of one semester to come up with some creative alternatives to closing. This article explores the process from announced closing to task force report and final decision.