William & Mary Libraries’ William & Mary Press republish The College of William & Mary: A History, Vol.1 & Vol. 2
2026 Library Publishing Showcase Week: Cultivating the Commons
The College of William & Mary: A History, Vol.1 & Vol. 2
Published by William & Mary Press
A two-volume history, published for the College of William & Mary’s tercentenary in 1993, chronicles its first three centuries. Volume 1 covers the first two centuries of founding, expansion, and struggle. Volume 2 details the modern era’s rebuilding, expansion, and evolution into a major public institution.
Sharing important institutional history
This two volume set, a core publication on the history of our institution, was out of print and thus inaccessible. Converting it to a digital edition was welcomed by the university and was immediately adopted by courses. We’re pleased to re-share this work with our community and alumni.
Why library publishing?
The demand for access to this out-of-print history led the Special Collections & Research Center to consider reprinting. Instead of physical copies, W&M Libraries’ W&M Press chose digital editions to highlight the advantages of library publishing. This approach allowed for updates, including color images, and ensured availability in various accessible digital formats. Through library publishing, these books are now available for classroom use and are freely available to everyone, demonstrating how library publishing can revive important, inaccessible works.