Huie Library (1949)

In 1949, Huie Library moved from its former location in a remodeled Dining Hall into the newly constructed Arkansas Hall. A two-story, V-shaped structure of Georgian Colonial design, the combination library-auditorium conformed in style with the newer buildings on the campus and was fireproof. Constructed on the extreme southwest corner of the campus and facing east toward the campus proper, the air-conditioned building housed the Library and the Henderson Museum in the left or south wing and the Auditorium in the right or north wing.

Huie Library now had shelf space for 52,000 volumes; it could seat 180 people in the reading room. The Library also featured a film and record collection, listening rooms, and work rooms. Mrs. Huie stated that "our policy as custodian of your library is to carry out the slogan of our great school and convince you that your library is a 'library with a heart in it'".

Henderson formally dedicated the Library-Auditorium in a special program from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Auditorium on October 19, 1949. Dr. Wesley E. Peik, Dean of the College of Education, University of Minnesota, and president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, made the dedicatory address. In his speech on "Better Teachers for Our Times," Dr. Peik "cited the drastic need for more teachers and better teachers in the postwar world." J. H. Lookadoo, chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented Arkansas Hall and the Cafeteria-Commons (also built at that time) to the State of Arkansas. A. B. Bonds, Jr., Commissioner of Education and graduate of the Class of 1935, accepted for the State, since Governor Sidney McMath could not attend.

Besides those already mentioned, other guests on the campus to attend the formal ceremony included former President J. P. Womack; Mrs. Ruth T. Day, widow of former President Joseph A. Day; Mrs. Alice M. Ellis, wife of former President Matt Ellis; and members of the Board of Trustees. Several presidents from other Arkansas colleges also attended.

In 1967, Huie Library moved to its first purpose-built building, and has remained there since. The former space in Arkansas Hall was remodeled for classrooms and offices.