The Passing of Floyd R. Erickson,
Founding Director
of the University Library

Floyd R. Erickson, the founding Director of Libraries, California State University, East Bay from 1958 through 1980, passed away on January 24, 2008 at his residence in Thousand Oaks, California. Erickson was the third administrator hired by the University - then known as the Alameda County State College. His charge was to plan library services and acquire collections to support academic programs.  He opened the new college’s first library services at temporary quarters in the former Sunset High School campus, in Hayward, California. The library was housed in the girls’ locker room and gymnasium.

When the University moved to the new Hayward campus site, the library home was the Cave in the Science Building. Erickson worked closely with architects as the new library was designed and constructed.  He was involved in every aspect of the building project, from space design to the selection of the furniture.

Before coming to CSUEB, Erickson had been the Assistant Director at Long Beach State College for eight years, and Catalog Librarian at Humboldt State College. He was born in Superior, Wisconsin and held degrees from Superior State Teachers College, University of Minnesota, and Long Beach State College.

Although Erickson retired from the college in 1980, the following year - in recognition of his expertise and knowledge of books, and for the contribution he made during his years as the Director - the University named the library’s special collections room after him: the Floyd R. Erickson Special Collections Room.

After 25 years in retirement, Erickson’s love for special collections was undiminished. He reconnected with the University Library in 2005 by establishing the Floyd R. Erickson Special Collections Endowment. The University Library acknowledged his contribution as the founding director at its First 50 Years Celebration reception in the library on September 27, 2007, in the presence of the university faculty emeriti, and thanked him for his endowment.

Erickson will be remembered for his quick wit, intelligence, and his gracious and kind nature. His knowledge of, and love for, books are especially reflected in the holdings of the Floyd R. Erickson Special Collections Room within the library. He is survived by his three children and their families.