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A SALUTARY INFLUENCE books, there was a periodicals collection. Some three hundred "current magazines," he noted, were being received. The Modern Book Club was still functioning, and Knickerbocker was considering organizing other persons interested in supporting the library. Also, he was contemplating purchase of a microfilm reader, a motion picture projector, and a record collection, none of which the library then had. A crucial step in the development of the library occurred in the fall of 1950, when the first two professionally trained assistants joined John Knickerbocker on the staff. Then, in preparation for the 1954 Middle States visit, Walter Langsam more than doubled the amount budgeted for books, periodicals, and binding. These two steps help explain why the team was able to conclude that the library was "reasonably adequate in relation to the existing undergraduate program of instruction." This latter comment was intended to establish that the collection was not sufficient to support the graduate work which was then being discussed, but it could also be interpreted to refer to the team's belief that, while the collection was "reasonably effective in support of instructional objectives," it could be made "more useful." What was needed was faculty support for encouraging greater student use of the library. The team concluded that much rested on the librarian's willingness "to exercise initiative in having this building made more attractive and useful, in improving the collection in size, content, and condition, and in improving the quality and extent of service to more adequately meet the needs of the students." Less than a year after taking office, President Paul turned his attention to the library. In his June 1957 report to the trustees, he listed the work that needed to be done in the building and declared that "as we grow it must be accepted that the library is the center for our educational life." In June 1959, as he and the other trustees were reaching the conclusion that much additional space was needed for the collection, either by a new building or a major addition to the existing one, the General relieved John Knickerbocker of his duties and named Lillian H. Smoke as his successor.181 Under the direction of its new head, the library entered upon a period of unprecedented growth and usefulness to the College. The addition to Schmucker Library which was completed in 1962 doubled the space available for housing and managing the collec- 181Wife of the head of the psychology department, Mrs. Smoke served as acting librarian for one year. After a one-term leave of absence, Knickerbocker became historian and director of the new Civil War Institute, which was housed in the former bookstore building. He was serving in that capacity when he died in 1964, after which the institute was disbanded and its collection was returned to the library. 89