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60 years at Hayden Library

From a late-night study spot to a center for community exploration, Hayden Library has been at the heart of student life for generations of Sun Devils

A black and white photo of a large library building under construction

Construction on Hayden Library in 1965. Its grand opening was held in 1966. Photos courtesy ASU Archives

August 20, 2026

Editor's note: This story was featured in the fall 2026 issue of ASU Thrive.

Shelves lined with books, the hum of low conversation, the quiet thrill of finishing a paper. It’s the atmosphere defining Hayden Library since the doors opened in 1966.

Each year, Hayden Library welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors. With seating for more than 2,100, the library features enhanced study areas, community-driven book collections, a variety of research services and interdisciplinary learning labs, an entire floor devoted to innovation and two reading rooms designed to draw attention and provide greater access to the ASU Library’s Special Collections.

Hidden gems among them include an original illustrated version of “Alice in Wonderland” by Salvador Dalí, historic photographs and maps of the Grand Canyon, and the collected papers of Native American writer and poet Simon Ortiz.

Here’s a look back at the library over the years.

1960s

Black and white photo showing an outdoor open lower level of a building — When Hayden Library first opened in 1966, a dry moat, finished as a landscaped walkway, surrounded the building on all sides.

A black and white photo from 1967 depicting students walking on ASU's Tempe campus in front of Hayden Library — Students congregate outside of Hayden Library in 1967.

1970s

Black and white photo from the 1960s with groups of students sitting at library tables studying — Students study at Hayden Library in 1972.

A black and white photo of a young man sitting on the floor of a library looking at a book — 1972 photo

It’s inspiring to think about the decades of people who have walked through this building, worked in this building, studied in this building and made memories here.
Marilyn MurphyASU communications specialist, ’08 BFA in photography

1980s

2000s

ASU's Hayden Library as seen against a sunrise with pink and blue fluffy clouds behind it — Hayden Library completed a major renovation in 2020 that returned the entrances to the the main level.

A large open area with chairs and couches that students sit in to study at Hayden Library — Students relax and study in the new open spaces at Hayden Library in this 2022 photo.

Today

A student stands in front of cases with insect samples — The Naturespace room at Hayden Library features a hands-on natural history collection with specimens like shells, beetles and feathers. Photo by FJ Gaylor

Library resources for students and the community

Makerspace — sewing machines, vinyl cutters, 3D printers, a full-service audiovisual studio
Naturespace — natural history specimens, a feather bank, a seed library and specialized books; plus, online 3D explorer
Data Science and Analytics Hub — open labs, machine learning workshops, data visualization training; plus, a variety of digital tutorials
Map and Geospatial Hub — mapping and spatial analysis software, 50,000-plus maps, 20,000-plus aerial photos, geospatial datasets for location-based research and an online 3D explorer
Labriola National American Indian Data Center — collections by Indigenous scholars, writers and artists, as well as oral histories and digital archival materials
Special Collections — rare books, historic photographs and other materials in the Wurzburger Reading Room

Two students look at a 3D printer in a library space — The Makerspace room give students access to tools like a 3D printer. Photo by Armand Saavedra

Two men look at a collection of Star Wars toys on display in a library room — Hayden Library is also home to special collections like the "Star Wars" collection from Nicholas A. Salerno. Photo by Emma Fitzgerald

Arts, Faculty, ASU Thrive, Campus students, Tempe campus, Humanities, University news, Academics, ASU Library, University

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