The Buchanan Family Reading Room, located on the library's fourth floor (Room 448), is a study lounge for Honors College students. Honors College students have access to the room by swiping their MTSU ID card. The room also serves as an event space. For more information on holding your event in the Buchanan Room contact Clay Trainum. The Buchanan Reading Room honors the late Dr. James M. Buchanan, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, and was funded by James Buchanan’s nephew Jeff Whorley and his wife, Lisa, along with matching gifts from The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by the student-loan corporation.
In recognition of the important contributions made by the Buchanan family to the middle Tennessee region and beyond, the Walker Library has named this prominent reading room in their honor. The Buchanan Reading Room, overlooking the library atrium, includes displays of items which describe the family's contributions. Through use of this room, students, faculty, and visitors gain an understanding of the family's roots and contributions to the development of the region.
The Buchanan Family Reading Room is located on the fourth floor of the Walker Library, adjacent to the atrium, where it offers an enhanced environment for student research and study.
The Reading Room has wall space for displaying framed documents and pictures, a window wall providing an abundance of natural light, as well as special pendant lighting for indirect indoor illumination. Wooden picture hanging molding and exhibit cases accommodate important family items.
The Buchanan Family Digital Collection documents the family of James McGill Buchanan (1919-2013), MTSU alumnus and 1986 winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics. His family has deep roots in middle Tennessee, including an 18th-century settler of Nashville and 19th-century Governor. Mr. Buchanan earned his B.S. at Middle Tennessee State Teachers College in 1940, followed by his M.A. in Economics at UT-Knoxville and his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago.
The Graduate Student Reading Room is located on the 2nd floor of the library, in Room 263.
Graduate Students have access to the room by swiping their MTSU ID card.
