Postwar Boom
The “postwar boom” of the 1950s led to significant developments on campus. This included the opening of a new library. The push for a new library was also brought on by the desire for accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The college administration had been working towards accreditation since the 1940s, but were held back by several major recommendations made by the Middle States committee. One of these recommendations was a new library building.
The new library was crucial not only to Caldwell’s Middle States accreditation, but to accommodate the increasing collection. Sister Eileen and Sister Aquin, Caldwell’s first librarians, understood the need to develop a collection in all subject areas to satisfy curriculum requirements. They soon outgrew their existing space in Rosary Hall. Their needs coincided with those of the Middle States team, and soon plans were underway for a new building. Everyone on campus held benefits to contribute to the new library - students held dances, raffles, bake sales and other events and shared the proceeds with the library fund.
The groundbreaking took place on December 18, 1950, and was presided over by Monsignor John L. McNulty, President of Seton Hall University, and Mother Joseph Dunn.
To transfer the books from the old library in Rosary Hall to the new library across campus, Caldwell students formed a “bucket brigade” on February 8, 1952. In the bitter cold, they formed a long line between the two buildings and passed books from one person to another. They sang songs and the faculty served coffee and donuts until the work was done. The local newspaper, The Progress, reported, “Never, but never, will there be another day at Caldwell College, as was Friday, February 8. This was the sort of day our grandchildren will hear about.”
