John B. Cade Library

The library at Southern University is first documented in a May 1, 1889 report requesting more books. After the institution moved from New Orleans to Scotlandville in 1914, the book collection was housed in a bookroom on the top floor of the Academic Building. At that time, the collection contained 2,800 volumes and 5,400 pamphlets, valued at $4,200. The library remained housed at that location until 1940. The first person recorded to be responsible for overseeing this collection was Bessie Howell, who held the position from 1928-1929. A bulletin entitled “Library Leaves” informed faculty and students about new acquisitions.

In 1929, Camille Stivers Shade became Southern University’s first professional librarian. She served as Head Librarian for 42 years, and devoted three additional years of service to the library as Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) librarian. Under Shade’s leadership, the library grew from one room to a two-story building completed in 1941, with a seating capacity of 277. Within two years, the collection grew to 20,000 volumes and 10,000 government documents. In 1959, an addition was made to the building, doubling public service capacity.