Library History

Lou Dean started the DMC Library in 1966 with four shelves of books in the canning cellar of the farmhouse that Ira C. Darling donated. By 1967 the DMC library had become a branch of Fogler Library, the library of the University of Maine at Orono. With the aid of Dr. James C. MacCampbell, university librarian, the collection continued to grow. The DMC Library at that time had about 500 books, subscriptions to over 50  marine science periodicals, a reprint collection, and a file of government reports on microfilm. Books and periodicals concerned with all areas of marine science were collected, including shipbuilding, marine engineering, naval architecture, weather, fishing, and subjects related to the Maine coast.

In 1969, Lou Dean was hired as a half-time librarian and the holdings were moved to the top floor (attic) of the Horse Barn (Wentworth Hall).  It shared space with a kitchen and dormitory on the second floor.

In the early 1970's, the Department of Oceanography expanded its teaching program and additional volumes and journals were purchased resulting in a growth surge.

In 1980, the Library was moved to the main floor of the Horse Barn. The collection numbered 5,500 books. The type of items being collected gradually changed over the years, to meet the needs of DMC researchers. In 1983 DMC researchers were studying polychaete biology, coastal geomorphology, beach dynamics, bivalve aquaculture, microbial ecology, estuarine chemistry, biogeochemistry, plankton ecology, benthic ecology, marine paleontology, paleoceanography, algal taxonomy and ecology, and crustacean taxonomy and ecology.

By 1990, the Library housed 10,000 bound volumes. but overcrowding expanded overflow to the attic and the Cow Barn attic (McGuire Hall). 

In 1993, a small dining hall located on the same floor as the Library was converted to a current journal reading room in an attempt to keep up with rising demand for space.

By 2000 the library contained 13,000 bound books/journals and subscribed to 135 journals. Due to the lack of space for bound volumes, 30% of the Library's holdings were stored elsewhere. In 2001 a library expansion project got underway. Eventually plans to expand the library at Wentworth Hall were changed. Instead the Kresge classroom was converted into library space and a building was added.