Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library
Quick Info
Building # 1013 | Abbreviation: LB
University Libraries
- Main Library
- Dean of Libraries' Office
- Joe Muggs Coffee
School of Library and Information Studies
Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library contains over a million books and supports teaching and research needs in humanities, social sciences, and government information as the campus’ main library. Gorgas provides computers for searching the Libraries’ catalog and other helpful databases as well as for access to the Internet. The Gorgas Library also has adaptive technologies equipment for users with disabilities.
The building consists of five floors and a lower level. The ground floor contains copiers, a study area, classroom, and computer area along with a Joe Muggs Café. A microform collection and reader are also available on this floor. The second floor holds the information desks, the Dean of Libraries’ Office, and group study rooms equipped with whiteboards. The third floor has a large study room and houses the music collection in a separate area. The fifth floor contains the school of Library and Information Sciences, an art gallery, and the Book Arts program. For library hours please refer to the UA Libraries schedule.
The current Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library was built in 1939 and the pre-existing Gorgas Library was renamed Carmichael Hall. It was decided that the new Gorgas would be built where the old University Library had been before the Civil War. Ruins of the old library can be found underneath the semi-circular plaza in front of the building. Gorgas is named for the university’s postmistress and librarian Amelia Gayle Gorgas (1826-1913) who was the wife of Confederate General Josiah Gorgas (1818-1883), the University’s 8th president and librarian.
Images
Information collected from The University of Alabama : a guide to the campus by Robert Oliver Mellown (Tuscaloosa : University of Alabama Press, c1988), The University of Alabama, a pictorial history by Suzanne Rau Wolfe (University : University of Alabama Press, c1983), and the Gorgas Library Web site.