1926

George Merrick and more than 5000 guests attended the University of Miami’s dedication on the Coral Gables campus on February 4, 1926.

1926

The University of Miami opened at the Anastasia Hotel in Coral Gables. Classes began on October 18, 1926 at the Anastasia Hotel in Coral Gables, which was considered a temporary campus due to time and budget constraints. There was a library in the building.

1940s

The move to the main campus started in 1946. In December 1949 the first central library was created. William G. Harkins was the first library director from 1946 to 1951.

1950s

Various departments of the library were housed in separate buildings around the campus until the construction of the Richter Library. Construction was done in two phases with a two-story building from Dec. 1959 to July 1960 and a the final portion from April 1961 to April 1962s

1959

The new library was named after Otto G. Richter, 1892 - 1959, an accountant from Pittsburgh. He was one of the biggest benefactors of the university in the 1950s.

Groundbreaking was in 1959.

1961

The Richter Library under construction.

1962

Guests pose at Richter's dedication ceremony on June 10, 1962 with Otto G. Richter’s portrait.

Library Director Archie McNeal at the dedication.

1962

The Library featured this grand staircase in the lobby. The Library also had an escalator, a very modern feature at that time.

1985

The exterior of the stack towers were originally covered in blue tiles. In earlier years, the Library had closed stacks. Graduate students were the only students allowed access to the closed stacks.

2000s

The Library's major renovation saw the addition of the Dauer Clock Tower, the Roberto C. Goizueta Pavilion for the Cuban Heritage Collection, and a major renovation of the first floor and lobby.