The year 1963 was a time that reflects many differences when compared to today.

For example, the cost of a gallon of gas was thirty-one cents. Phones were attached to walls. A computer weighed as much as a small car. Teenagers lit up their bedrooms with lava lamps. The song, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys, topped the music charts. The most popular TV show was “The Beverly Hillbillies.” “Cleopatra” was the top grossing movie. The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Many things have changed since 1963, but a few things have remained the same.

In 1963, the Paul H. Thompson Library at Fayetteville Technical Community College opened its doors for the first time, and for 60 years, the Library has been a center of learning for our community.

The majority of work that occurs at the Paul H. Thompson Library is serious work, but the Library is about to have some fun, in celebration of the 60th birthday.

All are invited to drop in on Sept. 6 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Paul H. Thompson Library, located at 2221 Hull Road on the Fayetteville campus of FTCC.

At noon, enjoy the best 1960s-themed birthday party ever held in honor of a library. Participants will win great prizes and be given the opportunity to “strain the brain” to complete a scavenger hunt.
Guests can also visit archival displays and see if anyone in our pictures from long ago is recognized. We’ll also have a display of 60s-themed books on cooking, culture and history.

FTCC students, faculty and staff are invited to dust off their tie-dye shirts and platform shoes to enter the 60s costume contest. This free event is open to the public.

The Paul H. Thompson Library provides access to many campus and online resources that can help students with their classroom assignments.

In addition to books and periodicals, book displays, study rooms with high-tech white boards for team collaboration, desktop computers, laptops, electronic databases, and much more are available at the Paul H. Thompson Library.

Open archives are available on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. where students can look through photographs, yearbooks and other archived materials.

In addition to the Paul H. Thompson Library, FTCC’s Student Learning Center is available to students interested in receiving additional academic assistance to make the learning experience a successful one.

Other campus resources include the All American Veterans Center, the Career Development Center, the Fitness Center, computer labs, and disability and accessibility support services.

The staff members of the Paul H. Thompson Library at FTCC’s Fayetteville campus are pleased to celebrate the 60th birthday and invite you to join the celebration and discover how Fayetteville Technical Community College helps students enrich lives and reimagine futures.

If you have questions about the Paul H. Thompson Library at FTCC, please contact Director of Library Services, Mary DiRisio, at drisiom@faytechcc.edu or 910-678-7351.
If you have questions about FTCC in general, email contactus@faytechcc.edu.