Fun fact: Cal Poly did not have a dedicated library building until 46 years after classes were first held on campus in San Luis Obispo in 1903.
Then known as the California Polytechnic School, a three-year secondary school, the future university had a modest start.
Cal Poly’s first library was next door to Cal Poly Director Leroy Anderson’s office in the original 1903 administration building. His secretary doubled as librarian.
In 1916, the library moved to the second floor of the science building later called Anderson Hall.
It was relocated to classroom units near the center of campus in 1939.
The library’s next stop was the second floor of the clock tower building, where it occupied six classrooms. That structure is now known as the Cotchett Education Building.
When the Dexter Library opened in September 1949, it was a $700,000 statement that the college was growing.
The library was named