This month’s cover features a 1965 image of students studying in the Athens College, now Athens State University, library from page 122 of the 1965 Columns Yearbook. According to the yearbook, the library was at the time located in Founders Hall, which also housed administrative offices, meeting rooms, and classrooms. The accompanying story indicates that while well equipped for the time, plans for a completely renovated and expanded library were under way. Established in 1822, Athens State University is the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the state of Alabama. Founders Hall was constructed circa 1843. The current Kares Library, which also houses the University Archive, was constructed in 1996.

The image is sourced from the Yearbook Collection at the Athens State University Archive. Learn more about the archive at https://libguides.athens.edu/archives.