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History
The Webster C. Pendergrass Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Library serves those seeking information and scholarship in areas important to UT’s Institute of Agriculture and the citizens of Tennessee. Pendergrass Library offers onsite and virtual use of its resources through an active program of outreach, client services, and current technology. Pendergrass Library holds the majority of the University Libraries’ collections for agriculture, natural and environmental sciences, food sciences, and veterinary medicine. Over 160,000 books, journals, CD/DVDs, microforms, and data sets are available for study and research. The Library is a United States Government Depository for documents from the US Department of Agriculture.
The one-story facility was constructed in 1974 and is fully handicapped accessible. Pendergrass Library features compact shelving in the stacks for greater collection storage and easy access. Extensive computer resources are available, including over 40 computer workstations. Laptop computers are available for 24 hour check out. Five group study rooms may be reserved or used if available; each room contains a computer, tile board, paper pad easel, television with local stations and a VCR, table, and chairs. Many tables and individual carrels are located through out the library with seating for 200 patrons. The Alcove provides flexible meeting and study space and the library is popular gathering place on the Agriculture Campus.
Prior to the construction of the Veterinary Hospital complex, which currently houses Pendergrass Library, several other locations served as libraries for the Ag Campus, including the old Morrill Hall, Science Hall, new Morrill Hall, and two locations in Morgan Hall. The first separate library on the Ag Campus was established for the School of Agriculture, Horticulture and Botany in 1880. A special collection was added within the next ten years by the federally funded Experiment Station and was latter merged into the main collection.
Named for Distinguished Scholar
Dedication plaque mounted in the hallway outside Pendergrass Library:
Named by the board of trustees in honor of Dr Webster Pendergrass, whose 41 years of distinguished service to the university of Tennessee and to Tennessee agriculture included: agricultural extension agent, Wilson, Dickson, and Henry counties 1936-1944; instructor of agronomy 1946-1947; extension agronomist 1947-1957; dean of agriculture 1957-1968; vice chancellor for agriculture 1969-1970; and vice president for agriculture 1970-1979. At the time of his retirement in 1979 Dr Pendergrass headed the university’s institute of agriculture, an organization of more than 2000 employees with statewide responsibility for teaching, research, and extension programs in agriculture and veterinary medicine. A native of Pickett County Tennessee Dr. Pendergrass was a UT graduate with a doctorate from Harvard University. He achieved state, national, and international acclaim for his work to increase world food production. Dedicated February 24, 1984
Reference
Smith, Horace C. “Chapter III: Buildings, Farms, Library and Other Facilities.” An Honored Calling: A History of the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources. Institute of Agriculture: Knoxville, TN (1999): 31.
For further information on the history of Pendergrass Library or any facet of the University of Tennessee, please visit University Archives.
