University of Illinois In-plant Turns 100

It's not often that an in-plant gets to celebrate a century of service, but in Urbana, Ill., on Friday, the University of Illinois Press, Illini Union Document Services and Campus Mail celebrated their 100th anniversary. In fact the mayors of both Urbana and Champaign declared the day "Print Day" in honor of the occasion.

Part of the exhibit on the in-plant's 100-year history.

It was June 2, 1918, when the University Board of Trustees voted to establish the University Press, which then included Document Services and Campus Mail. As noted in the board's minutes 100 years ago: "We have been discussing for several years the organization of a University Press to take over gradually the entire work of printing and publishing, which is done by the university through its various departments. I think that important savings could be effected and a much more efficient organization of the publishing work of the university be brought about."

That in-plant flourished for decades, growing to 95 employees and nine campus print centers by the early 2000s and boasting a six-color press. But an operating deficit almost killed it in 2011. In fact, it was slated for closure, and much of its equipment was sold, but then a deal with the Illini Student Union preserved a portion of it, and it was rechristened Illini Union Document Services, an all-digital operation.

A century-old document announcing plans to create an in-plant at the University of Illinois.

On June 1 at the Illini Union Art Gallery, a reception was held for faculty, staff, students, former employees and community members. To acknowledge the longstanding impact Illini Union Document Services, Campus Mail and University of Illinois Press have had on the campus and to recognize their evolution in printing and publishing services, Champaign Mayor Deborah Feinen and Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin officially declared June 1st "Printing Day" in Champaign and Urbana during the reception.

Guests of the exhibit were treated to an engaging visual history of the university’s printing history, including archival photos and artifacts, with descriptions of the role each played in the history of Document Services.