History of the Henry Madden Library

The Henry Madden Library is the largest academic library in the San Joaquin Valley. Its collection reflects the diverse interests of the academic community as well as several generations of conscientious collection development. A variety of specialized collections of rare and historical materials all contribute to the Library’s importance as a major academic resource for the region.

The existing University library was planned for a campus of 13,000 FTE. The CSU, Fresno campus currently has 17,055 FTE. The disparity between the size of the library based on formula generated calculations and the number of students (FTE) represents one of the largest deficits in the entire CSU system. The library as it currently exists provides approximately 40 percent of formula generated space for the proposed master planned enrollment of 25,000 FTE.

The Henry Madden Library, at present, consists of three distinct phases:

• Phase I was erected in 1956 and encompasses approximately 36,386 ASF over two floors and a mezzanine. The mezzanine structure is integrated with the steel bookshelf framing and does not meet current seismic standards.

• Phase II added 40,213 ASF to the west in 1965 extending the two floors and mezzanine of Phase I and adding a partial basement.
• In 1980, Phase III was constructed to the south, tying into Phase I. This final phase increased the library area by 68,695 ASF. This phase, the South Wing, is part of the construction project and will be remodeled in 2008.

Read about the New Library: The expansion of the Henry Madden Library