The PSC Library is open M-Th 8am-4:30pm. PSC Librarians are available through the "Chat Now" button or via email at librarians@prairiestate.edu.
Finals Fest
Monday, May 5 - Thursday, May 8, 2025
Monday, May 12 - Thursday, May 15, 2025
Library Circulation Desk
Finals Fest returns to the library the week before final exams and the week of finals. From Monday, May 5th - Thursday, May 8th, and then Monday, May 12th - Thursday, May 15th we will have snacks and beverages to keep you going. This event is free and the coffee will flow until you turn in your last final.
Seeds and Seedlings
Monday, May 5, 2025
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
North End of the Atrium
The PSC Library, Professor Angela Hung, and the Sustainability Club are teaming up to help you start your spring garden and relax before finals. Seedlings will be available for a donation, or you can start your own seeds to take home. Seeds and Seedlings is Monday, May 5th from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the Atrium.
Library Carnival
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Scholar’s Garden
The PSC Library is hosting a spring carnival to kickoff Finals Fest. Our Library Carnival will feature games and snacks to treat you before finals. The Library Carnival will be in the Scholar’s Garden on Wednesday, May 7th from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Our rain location is the library classroom.
by Alex Altan, College Archivist and Interlibrary Loan Librarian
In this article, I discuss Prairie State College’s and the Archives' histories. I also provide information about some of the collections created by former Bloom Township Junior College and PSC students. Lastly, I provide some useful information about how to use and search both the physical and digital Archives.
Early History of Prairie State CollegeWe can’t talk about the history and development of Prairie State College without mentioning its predecessor, Bloom Township Junior College. The idea to create affordable, vocational training at community colleges had been floating around educational circles since the 1920s. The GI Bill allowed soldiers returning from WWII to enter college, making higher education more accessible to many. Racial minorities did not see the same benefits.
Illinois was key in the development of the community college movement in the late 1940s and early 1950s. After long discussions and budgetary issues were resolved, a new community college was created under Bloom Township in 1957 and started teaching transfer liberal arts and occupational technical courses. Bloom Township Junior College was named after the township. The school’s name was changed to Prairie State College later in 1967.
Finding a location for the campus was a big problem. The College had to use the basement of the First Presbyterian Church and some of the classrooms in Bloom High School until the fall of 1959, when the new campus was completed. The new college building was the first building in Illinois erected specifically for junior college use. Classes were first held in this building during the fall semester on September 10, 1959.
Aerial view of the original site of Bloom Township Junior College Fall 1959
In addition to the liberal arts and technical programs, they added two new academic programs to the curriculum: nursing in 1966 and dental hygiene in 1967.
Nursing students getting their caps before the graduation ceremony, ca. 1976
The Dental Hygiene/Dental Assisting Program was established in 1967
Dental assisting students working with a patient
As the College continued to expand and add more academic programs, the founders appointed a new administrative board. They oversaw all academic programs, finances, the new College President, and other issues. Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Albert Martin was appointed as the first president on July 14, 1966. Seven members of the first Board of Trustees were elected on August 13, 1966.
First President Albert Martin
Original members of Board of Trustees from left to right
Standing: F.C. Price, Henry Nicolai, Cornelius Verduin, and Robert Sauer
Sitting: Edward Opila, Dale Collins (the Board President), and Reverend H.D. Cockerham
Now let’s talk about the history of the PSC Archives and what they collect and store.
History of the PSC Archives
As the College grew and new departments began to open, it became clear to the administration that lots of records and documents would be generated. A college archive would be needed to preserve and store this history. In 1973, Prairie State College became the first community college in Illinois to establish an archive. Former History Professor Dr. Richard Sherman was appointed as the College Archivist.
Former President, Historian, and Archivist Dr. Richard Sherman
The Archive’s collection was started and developed from donated documents from departments, as well as faculty and staff.
Although the Archives initially began to collect records from the College’s departments, the mission of the Prairie State College Archives was changed in 2014 to: The mission of the Prairie State College Archives is to collect, organize, preserve and make accessible the archival records of historic value to the College. The archives are not a repository of all official records of the Prairie State College.
What type of collections does the PSC Archives have?
The Archive collects and stores a variety of materials that showcase PSC’s history and development as an educational institution. Among the collections are old catalogs and class schedules you may not find in other college departments, thousands of photographs of important events like graduations, convocations, sporting events, student awards ceremonies, and groundbreaking ceremonies. These collections are in both physical and digital formats.
The Archive also has a massive collection of newspaper clippings of news and announcements about the College dating back to the 1960s. Another collection worth mentioning is the digital copies of the oral history interviews and transcriptions that were conducted by the former Archivist Dr. Richard Sherman. They can be searched by clicking on the digital archives link on the library website.
Some of the other collections include: minutes and agendas of board meetings, important college and Illinois community college board (ICCB) reports, local surveys and studies regarding enrollment trends, blueprints, and maps of the college buildings.
Prairie State College graduation event circa 1980
Collections that were created by the students
Student works, such as newsletters, bulletins, yearbooks, costume designs for plays, and framed pictures of those plays, are just some of the collections that can be found in the Archives and digital archival collection.
Yearbooks (1959-1970)
Framed photos of student plays
Prairie State College performing arts students present: "Great Jumping Contest" October 1972
Where and how to search digital and physical collections
The majority of the physical collections are located in Room 1222 at the PSC Library. Patrons can visit and search the physical collections by making an appointment with the College Archivist, Alex Altan, either at 708-709-3500 or by email at aaltan@prairiestate.edu. Physical archive collections do not circulate outside the library. However, photocopies are allowed in the library either under the supervision of the College Archivist or a reference librarian.
Digital collections can be browsed and searched through the link in this sentence.
Digital copies of yearbooks can be viewed through the link in this sentence.
PSC Librarians and the College Archivist Alex Altan created the following research guide for further information and terminology about the Archives.
The College Archivist, Alex Altan is available to answer any questions from 8:00 to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
In May, every person on campus is short on time. Therefore, our book display theme is short stories and essays for when you are short on time. Stop by the library for the full display, or if you are busy, the ebooks are below.
 The Thing Around Your NeckChimamanda Ngozi Adichie |
 The BeautiesAnton Chekhov |
 DublinersJames Joyce |
 After the QuakeHaruki Murakami |
 Life CeremonySayaka Murata |
 Tenth of December StoriesGeorge Saunders |
Lastly, the library is here for you; reach out with any questions at Ask a Librarian!
