Gilmore Warner succeeded N. Orwin Rush as college librarian in October 1945, arriving at Colby after his post as acting librarian at Middlebury College and working at the New York Public Library. He received degrees from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. Other position held included head of the English department at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
Warner’s primary achievement was the organization and relocation of library materials to Miller Library on Mayflower Hill. In a Colby Echo column in 1946, Warner provided details about the spacious and impressive Miller Library facility. Featured were the large reading room with reference books, the extensive open stacks with individual study desks, the new card catalogue and more efficient service areas, the centralized Reserve Room, and the handsome Treasure Room for Special Collections materials.
In January 1947, Warner was succeeded by James Humphry III as college librarian but remained at Colby as Associate Librarian and teaching courses in the History department.
LIBRARIAN WARNER AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
While he made improvements in the library facilities on the old campus, Warner administered affairs of the Colby College Press, made presentations to the Colby Library Associates and other groups, and consulted with Professor Carl Weber on oversight of the college’s rare books, which by 1946 were located in temporary quarters in the women’s union on the new campus.
Works consulted:
The Colby Echo. Waterville, ME: Colby University/Colby College. 20 March 1946. Web. 4 March 2015.
The Colby Echo. Waterville, ME: Colby University/Colby College. 29 January 1947. Web. 4 March 2015.
Report of the Librarian, 1945-1948. Colbiana Collection. Colby College Special Collections.