The University of Kansas’ “First Librarian”

In September 1878, during a post-graduate visit to the University of Kansas campus, nineteen-year-old Caroline “Carrie” Morehouse Watson ran across then chancellor James Marvin hunched over a desk working on paperwork. This encounter would be the beginning of Watson’s impressive tenure in KU’s libraries. During an interview with the Kansas City Star, Watson recalled the conversation that led to her employment:

“’I wish I could do that for you,’ I told the chancellor. ‘Perhaps you could,’ he replied and so pointedly that I knew he must have felt the need of someone to help in that corner. 'If I let you take charge here, do you think you could keep order?’ he asked me. ‘You could do this work and look after the library.’”

So began Watson’s 43 years at the University of Kansas. Beginning as an assistant librarian and the Chancellor’s part-time secretary, she was promoted to University Librarian in 1887, becoming the first person to occupy the position full time. Watson took on the responsibility of overseeing the collection of about 2,500 volumes — mostly government documents — that resided in a room in Old Fraser Hall.

Watson retired as University Librarian in 1921 but was still a continued presence on campus. She worked as Librarian Emerita as well as a part-time employee until her death in 1943. While Watson was no longer a full-time faculty member, she joined KU faculty in bringing the library’s needs to then Chancellor Ernest H. Lindley, who asked the state’s legislature for funds for a new library that could house the University’s growing collection as well as provide study and administrative spaces. After being granted a sum of $250,000 construction began on a new building, and Watson Library opened in 1924.

Carrie Watson moved from Massachusetts to Lawrence when she was six months old. A few years later, in 1863, her family experienced what is now known as Quantrill’s Raid — an attack on Lawrence by pro-slavery forces that saw nearly 200 men and boys killed and much of Lawrence burned. Watson and her family survived by sneaking out their back door, and she went on to attend KU for seven years, both for preparatory work (what would be akin to high school today) and university. Watson was a part of the university’s fifth graduating class of 10 students.

While serving as Assistant Librarian, Watson began taking courses in librarianship, mostly over summer breaks. She also traveled to the Boston Athenaeum, Harvard Library, and Boston Public Library to gain additional training. Watson’s quest for, and sharing of, knowledge of librarianship did not end with her appointment as University Librarian. During her tenure it was important to her to visit other libraries around the country and connect with other professionals to learn what she could, and she also would visit smaller, fledgling libraries across Kansas to impart what knowledge she could. This is a snippet of an undated and incomplete manuscript found in Watson’s personal papers, where she discusses the state of Kansas libraries.

Below: “Library Conditions in Kansas,” an undated and incomplete manuscript written by Carrie Watson (Call Number: PP 116).

The exact reason for this plaque’s creation is unknown, as it “appeared after renovation,” according to the note that accompanies it in its housing. It was found under a portrait of Carrie Watson, attached to an oak book stand.

Left: Plaque commemorating Carrie Watson’s years of service to KU Libraries, date unknown (Call Number: RG 32/0 Artifacts).

Taken early in Carrie Watson’s tenure as University Librarian, by the time this photo made its way to the Alumni Office at the University some 46 or 47 years had passed. Those four and a half decades had done little to dampen the working spirit of Carrie Watson, who was still at the University and would be for another five or six years.

Left: Photo of University faculty and staff, including Carrie Watson, taken 1891 or 1892 (Call Number: RG 32/0 Photographs).

Left: Carrie Watson and her colleague, Mable Rogers, in the Librarian’s office at Spooner Library, undated (RG 32/0 Photographs).

Left: Paperweight with picture of the Lawrence windmill (1863-1905). Call Number: RG 32/0 Artifacts.

During Watson’s tenure the holdings of KU’s library saw rapid growth, and its holdings moved to the newly built Spooner Library (now Spooner Hall) in 1894. By the time of her retirement in 1921, the library’s holdings had expanded to 140,000 volumes, 1,185 periodicals, and 121 newspapers.

Left: Carrie Watson in her office, 1930s (RG 32/0 Photographs).