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

By Lisa Robbins, ASU News
August 20, 2026

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.

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

This story originally appeared on ASU News.