As one door closes, another door opens. This is certainly true of Fondren Library in 2024, as we say goodbye to the Science Information Center (SIC), fondly known to Mustangs as the “blue side” of Fondren. The SIC building is now closed, and the facility will soon make way for the construction of the new Rees-Jones Library of the American West.
The SIC was dedicated in November of 1961 and originally housed the Science Library, Graduate Research Center of the Southwest, Graduate School offices, SMU Herbarium (at one point containing about 250,000 botanical specimens), SMU Press, and the Department of Mathematics and Experimental Statistics. The facility was funded by three Dallas foundations representing Texas Instruments, Incorporated and Geophysical Services Incorporated; Mr. and Mrs. Erik Jonsson and their children; and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDermott and their daughter Mary, also receiving support from the Trustees of the Graduate Research Center, Inc. It was built due to the growing interest in the sciences during the post-World War II period and to support research conducted by scientists, mathematicians, engineers and others interested in related fields. In fact, the Science Library was once part of a national network that allowed users to access unclassified reports of major organizations such as NASA, allowing researchers to make use of real-world knowledge relevant to their area of study. The library also took part in the Industrial Information Services (IIS) program, providing businesses with information on new products, processes and more.
And now, as loved as the SIC has been on campus, the building makes way for the future. Though the Libraries have planned construction to minimize disruption, occasional noise may occur during the renovation. Our Main Desk staff can guide you to quieter study spaces within the library, and earplugs are available at supply stations throughout Fondren. If you are searching for additional study space, there is good news for you. Open this term is a new reading room, located in the Hillcrest Exhibit Hall space across from the Fondren Centennial Reading Room. Additionally, some items in Fondren Library are being stored elsewhere during construction, but you can still access them! Place an Interlibrary Loan request, and you can pick it up at Fondren when it arrives.
We are looking forward to an exciting fall, and SMU Libraries staff are always around to help with anything you may need!
For more updates on construction at the Libraries, please monitor our construction FAQ.
Sources: 1962-63 Course Catalog; The SMU Campus at 100; Architecture at SMU by James F. White; Graduate Research Center, Inc. Brochure; Texas Industry 1966; Joan Gosnell, university archivist, SMU Archives.