Library Mission and Vision Statements

University Mission and Vision Statements

     Mr. Paul V. Galvin

History of the Paul V. Galvin Library

The Paul V. Galvin Library was formed in 1985, consolidating IIT's Kemper and Stuart collections after the departure of the John Crerar Library in July 1984.

The building was designed by architect Walter Netsch and built in 1962. It is a 92,000 square-foot facility with a pleasing modern aesthetic.

In the 23 years since, the Galvin Library and the IIT Library System have undergone considerable changes. Technological advancements have had the greatest impact, as they have in almost every academic library. Development of the ILLINET Online statewide catalog has allowed us to discontinue updating the card catalog. In addition, we have implemented access to web databases for both indexing and full-image access to resources. Implementation of extensive interlibrary loan and document delivery services mean that we have quick access to millions of documents both statewide and nationally.

The Galvin Library has also evolved from a single building to the centerpiece of the IIT Library System. This includes the Louis W. Biegler Library on the IIT Rice Campus in Wheaton and the Graham Resource Center in IIT's historic S.R. Crown Hall. The Galvin Library has also forged a close relationship with the library at IIT's Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions and the Moffet Library at the National Center for Food Safety and Technology. 

Paul V. Galvin

Paul V. Galvin, the entrepreneur who founded Motorola Inc., exemplified the will to achieve that IIT seeks to inculcate in its students.

Motorola's resounding success was based on Mr. Galvin's bold, venturesome nature and his ability to encourage enterprise in those who worked for him.

He started two unsuccessful ventures before starting the company that has since grown to be a leader in high technology electronics with $5.5 billion in annual sales.

Born in 1895 in Harvard, Illinois, he was educated in the public schools there. He attended the University of Illinois for two years and spent two years in the U.S. Army during World War I, moving from the rank of private to captain by the time of his discharge.

In 1919, after returning to Chicago to await a promised oil company job in Texas, he took a temporary job in a storage battery company. In 1921 he formed the Stewart-Galvin Battery Company in Marshfield, Wisconsin, in partnership with Edward Stewart. Their company lasted only a few years: in 1923 tight money and the company's remote location forced them to close.

Returning to Chicago, he worked until 1926 as personal secretary to Emil Brach of Brach Candy Co. Then, once again, Mr. Galvin joined Edward Stewart in a storage battery business, but this time in Chicago. By then, however, their product--storage batteries for radio--was no longer in heavy demand, and he was unable to market a new product in time to forestall bankruptcy in 1928.

At a public auction Mr. Galvin bought back his plans and equipment for his new "battery eliminator" that allowed battery powered radios to operate on household current.

A new company, the Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, began with less than $600 in startup capital and five employees. the company, later renamed Motorola, manufactured home radios as well as battery eliminators. Just as the business began to turn a profit, the Depression hit. This time, however, the company survived. Its products soon began to reflect the founder's understanding of the importance of new kinds of communication equipment.

His company's achievements also reflected Mr. Galvin's belief in scientific advancement and his emphasis on engineering and research. Under his leadership, the company introduced the first practical car radio, two-way mobile communications, war-time "Walkie-Talkies," and, by introducing the first practical television set, helped make television a mass medium.

Mr. Galvin continued as president and chief executive of Motorola until 1956, when he became chairman and his son Robert succeeded him as president.

That year he also received the Electronics Industries Association's highest honor, the Medal of Honor. Earlier he had served as president of its predecessor organization, the Radio Manufacturers Association, and had been a director for many years.

By order of Pope Pius XII he was named a Knight of Malta and a Knight of St. Gregory, two of the Catholic Church's highest honors for laymen. He also was awarded an honorary doctorate by Loyola University of Chicago. Mr. Galvin was also a director of the Evanston Hospital Association, the Arthritis and Rheumatism Association and the Marillac Association Center.