The library was built in 1937 from the bequest of Alice Greenwood Chapman. Chapman was a graduate of Milwaukee Female College and a member of the Board of Trustees of Milwaukee-Downer College. Image printed in Milwaukee-Downer College bulletin, 1962 with the caption: "At the circulation desk three students are checking out books while another examines the 'closed reserve' card index. Working behind the desk are student aides. Among the various campus jobs available in the library are typing, filing, shelving returned books, creating displays, and assisting at the circulation desk."