Commemoration of the Three Millionth Volume
- 1846
- University of Buffalo founded. Medical Library established.
- 1909
- Law School Library established.
- 1913
- Courses in liberal arts first offered at the University and a general library collection begins. (View an accession list for some of these early books)
- 1922
- Ruth Bartholomew appointed first University Librarian.
- The General Collection moves to Foster Hall.
- At this time money was allotted by the University Council for the purchase of books which were recommended by the heads of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacy. Students were not allowed direct access to the stacks.
- 1923-1924
- Library Committee of the University of Buffalo Council consists of Mrs. Edward H. Butler, Philip Becker Goetz, and George D. Crofts.
- December 1927
- The main library is moved from Foster Hall to Hayes Hall.
- The Chemistry and Pharmacy collections remain in Foster, forming a departmental library.
- 1928-1929
- Science Library formed in Foster Hall, combining natural sciences, chemistry, pharmacy, and medical books.
- Thomas B. Lockwood contributes money for the erection of the Lockwood Memorial Library.
- 1934
- Charles D. Abbott named Director of Libraries.
- April 1,1935
- Lockwood Memorial Library opened for use.
- May 15,1935
- Formal dedication of Lockwood Library. (Read the dedication speech given by Chancellor Samuel P. Capen)
- 1935-1936
- "The Friends of Lockwood Memorial Library" formed.
- 1937
- Poetry Collection established; the Council authorized the Chancellor to request the assistance of the Carnegie Corporation in developing a manuscript collection of American and British poets from 1880 to the present.
- 1951-1952
- Lockwood Library becomes a depository for the publications of the Atomic Energy Commission.
- 1955
- Polish Collection established.
- The post of Assistant Director of Libraries is created and filled by James Heslin on March 1.
- 1956-1957
- Major administrative changes occur. For details, see "Annual Report, 1956-1957."
- 1958
- Chemistry Library established.
- 1960-1961
- Health Sciences Library created through the combination of the libraries of Medicine, Dentistry, Biology, Nursing, and Pharmacy.
- 1962
- University of Buffalo becomes part of the State University of New York.
- 1962-1963
- Lockwood Library becomes a depository library for United States Government documents.
- Lockwood Library obtains the Human Relations Area Files (HRAF.)
- 1964
- University Archives established.
- 1965
- Mathematics Library opened.
- 1966
- Engineering Library, Physics Library, and Geology and Geography collections merged to become the Science and Engineering Library.
- 1967
- University Libraries join the Association of Research Libraries.
- 1968
- One Millionth volume added to the collections.
- 1970
- Music Library opened. (Read a brief history of the Music Library)
- 1973
- Undergraduate Library (UGL) established. (Read about the early days of UGL)
- Central Technical Services (CTS) formed. (Read a brief history of CTS)
- 1975
- Architecture and Environmental Design Library opened. (Now called Architecture and Planning Library)
- April 19, 1979
- Dedication of Lockwood Memorial Library on the North Campus.
- 1981
- Two Millionth volume added to the collections.
- 1983
- Geac automated circulation sytem implemented.
- 1987
- Center for Book Preservation opened.
- 1990
- BISON (Buffalo Information System ONline) inaugurated.
- 1995
- Digital library initiative is begun.
- 1996
- BISON implemented with public graphical interface workstations.









