On July 31, the “Resolution Celebrating the George A. Smathers Libraries Centennial” was signed by the UF Student Government Senate. This bill details library student resources, branch locations and special collections. Senator Pedro (Reese) Rubio learned about the Smathers Centennial from Instagram and proceeded to write bill that helps officially mark the Libraries’ historic year through student government and “encourages all students to participate in honoring the Smathers Libraries’ centennial.”
STUDENT SENATE BILL 2025-1164
TITLE: Resolution Celebrating the George A. Smathers Libraries Centennial
AUTHOR(S): Senator Pedro Rubio
SPONSOR(S):
WHEREAS, the University of Florida is home to a vast system of libraries that foster curiosity in education, learning, research, and academics across many different disciplines known as the George A. Smathers Libraries; and,
WHEREAS, the system of libraries is comprised of six campus locations proudly named Smathers Library, The Health Science Center Library, Architecture and Fine Arts Library, Library West, Education Library, and Marston Science Library, and provides students with access to stimulation, support, protection, and care as a third space [1]; and,
WHEREAS, the Smathers Library, formerly the University Library, was the first dedicated library building having been constructed in 1925 and making the year 2025 the centennial of the founding of the George A. Smathers Libraries [2] [3]; and,
WHEREAS, the Smathers Library offers one of only three Latin American and Caribbean academic collections in the country as part of its five preeminent collections; and,
WHEREAS, these five preeminent collections – the P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History, the Isser and Rae Price Library of Judaica, the Map & Imagery Library, the Latin American and Caribbean Collections, and the Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature – are unique collections that are part of the 14 total curated collections that can be found at the Smathers Library [ 4]; and,
WHEREAS, the George A. Smathers Libraries are the largest academic resource system in the state of Florida, boasting a catalog of more than 5.5 million print volumes and 537 unique digital collections [5]; and,
WHEREAS, accounting for students’ financial sensitivities, these libraries provide students access to a plethora of academic journals, iPads, record players, lactation rooms, gender inclusive bathrooms, sensory spaces, a Wudu station, inclusive spaces, and meeting spaces, as well as research and citation help, information literacy and fact-checking, and student success initiatives from dedicated librarians, archivists, and employees [6]; then,
THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the University of Florida Student Senate formally recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of the George A. Smathers Libraries.
THEREFORE, LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED, that the Student Senate commends and honors the students, librarians, faculty, and staff who have contributed to the Smathers Libraries’ excellence over the past century.
THEREFORE, LET IT FINALLY BE RESOLVED, that the University of Florida Student Senate encourages all students to participate in initiatives honoring the Smathers Libraries’ centennial, recognizing the impact of its system of libraries on student learning, academic discovery, and campus culture.