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	These societies were supposed to be democratic, meaning that any qualified student could gain membership. On occasions they became selective and took on a resemblance to social fraternities or sororities. During the period 1870 to 1900, as athletics were not highly developed, the literary societies and clubs furnished most of the extra-curricular activity. The Douglas Literary Society, named after John Henry Douglas, one of the founders of the College, was active for a few years. The Dorian Society, which was founded in 1874, has perhaps the longest and most striking record of any society that ever existed in the school. This society was composed of both men and women who met weekly for literary drill. Their programs were of varied nature, as they were interested in the field of fine arts as well as literature. They had many public entertainments, the financial proceeds of which were used for purchasing pianos for the Music Department. The records show the purchase of two pianos by the Dorian Society for the benefit of the Music Department, of which they were sponsor. This society had a room on the third floor of Founders Hall assigned to them, in which room there was a stage and equipment for dramatic productions. The Lowell Reading Club was organized in 1880 and lasted until 1884, at which time Ellen Wright organized the Browning Circle for the study of literature. This organization was open to interested persons outside of the student body and had a long period of useful service, lasting up to about 1906. For many years the College Library was housed in the west wing on the second floor of College Hall. It was substantially adequate, but the accrediting agencies demanded a separate building for library purposes. In order to meet this demand, a successful campaign for raising the funds was carried out in 1940. Mr. And Mrs. Grant Fairley gave $10,000 to start the drive. Mrs. Leanna Gilbert of New Vienna, Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer of New York City added substantially to the fund, as did the Board of Trustees and the Faculty of the College.
	The building was constructed in 1941 at a cost of only $42,000 under the direction of Dr. W. R. Pyle. It is a structure to which additions can be made as the need arises.
	Sheppard Arthur Watson, President of Wilmington College from 1940-1947, at the dedication of the Library addition, September 28, 1965, when the Library was named for him. Ellen Wright (Class of 1875), College Librarian, 1911-1920. In the early history of the library, the librarians were usually some member of the faculty. Ellen Wright became librarian when she retired from her duties as teacher of Latin. Marguerite Mitchell (Class of 1910), College Librarian, 1921-1954. Marguerite Mitchell became librarian in 1921 and for a number of years served both as librarian and registrar. Hans Fabian, Director of Libraries (and Assistant Professor of Modern Languages), 1954-1960. Deckard Ritter (1894-1984), Director of Libraries, 1961-1962. Author of How Can I Keep From Singing?: Collected Songs and Verses. Willis H. Hall (Class of 1925), Professor of History and Government, Acting Director of Libraries, 1962-1965. Author of Quaker International Work in Europe Since 1914. He went on to serve an additional decade at the Library in the capacity of Curator of the Quaker Collection. Robert H. Yockey, Director of Libraries, 1965-1976. Formerly Library Director at Bethany College in West Virginia from 1958-1963. Larry A. Kroah, Library Director, 1977-1983. He went on to complete a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan, and served as a Librarian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. Linda Barr (Class of 1972), Acting Library Director, 1983-1985. She went on to serve as Librarian at the University of the Virgin Islands. James T. Nichols, Library Director, 1985-1991. He went on to complete a Ph.D. at Indiana University and served as a Librarian at SUNY Oswego. Jennilou Grotevant, Director of Watson Library, 1991-2000. She went on to serve as Registrar at Chatfield College, and Library Director at the Kettering College of Medical Arts. Ina Kelley, Interim Director of Watson Library, 2000-2001. She served as College Archivist, Curator of the Quaker Collection, and Head of Special Collections from 1981-2004. David Gansz, Director of Watson Library, 2001-2005 Formerly Library Director at Naropa University. He is the author of Quaker Education: What Is It?, and editor of Educating for Peace and Social Justice and The Sacred Mission of Quaker Education. He went on to be Dean for Learning Support and Information Systems at Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio.
	Matilda Davis, Interim Co-Director of Watson Library, 2005 Patti Kinsinger, Interim Co-Director of Watson Library, 2005
			Wilmington College Library Through The Years

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	Wilmington College | S. Arthur Watson Library | Pyle Center Box 1227 | 251 Ludovic Street | Wilmington, Ohio 45177 | 937.382.6661, ext. 345 | 1.800.341.9318 | Fax: 937.383.8571