"The columns of the Caroliniana Library evoke a sense of heritage, continuity, and quietude. We think of the building as a local landmark. In reality, however, it is neither quiet nor local. It is a hive of activity, and it becomes more meaningful when we remember outside forces that have influenced every aspect of its evolution. The Caroliniana building was designed by Robert Mills and built in 1840 as the first freestanding academic library in the...