 | This 1929 photo shows Sterling Library under construction. "Here is incarnate the intellectual and spiritual life of Yale," President James Rowland Angell said of the building at its dedication in 1931. |
In 1918, there came news of an unprecedented bequest that would transform the center of the Yale campus: John William Sterling, a wealthy Yale alumnus (Class of 1864), had bequeathed $17 million with the only stipulation that the University build "at least one enduring, useful and architecturally beautiful edifice, which will constitute a fitting memorial of my gratitude to and affection for my alma mater."
At the time, University Librarian Andrew Keogh was coping with a collection that had doubled in size since 1905 to over one million volumes, and Yale decided that the principal memorial should be Sterling Memorial Library.
This year, Yale is marking the 75th anniversary of Sterling Memorial Library and celebrating the work of the entire University Library system, now housed in 22 buildings. The inaugural event in that celebration, a special exhibit on Sterling Memorial Library, is now on view in the building that the alumnus' bequest built.
Curated by Judith Ann Schiff, chief research archivist at the University Library, the exhibit of materials from Manuscripts and Archives features selected renderings by the architect, James Gamble Rogers; photographs of clay models of the ornamental sculpture by René Chambellan and stained glass windows by Owen Bonawit; and letters and documents by Keogh, Yale President James R. Angell, and early champions of the library. A selection of photographs -- including the depiction of various stages of the interior and exterior construction of the library, and documentation of the opening and dedication and the founding of the Yale Library Associates in 1930 -- are also on display.
By the opening of the academic year 1930-1931, Sterling Memorial Library, although not officially completed, was in operation. For nearly 12 years university administrators, librarians and faculty had worked cooperatively with the architect to create both the finest library possible and a "fitting memorial" to its benefactor. Keogh and his staff undertook the monumental task of organizing a central library from three core buildings and collections scattered throughout the campus. The librarian's only disappointment was that his request for a five-million-volume facility resulted in only a 3.5-million-volume facility. In 1930 the library, which boasted a seating capacity for 2,000 readers, was completed at an expenditure of nearly $8 million, with an additional maintenance fund of $2 million provided by the Sterling Trustees.
While the building was taking shape, English professor Chauncey Brewster Tinker worked to encourage the donation of collections and funds. In a landmark address to the alumni in 1924, the professor stated: "There are three distinguishing marks of a university: a group of students, a corps of instructors, and a collection of books, and of these three the most important is the collection of books." He reminded the alumni that no university or civilization could exist without "the recorded thought of the past," and recounted Keogh's fear that the magnificence of the library building would overshadow its purpose.
The librarian, only half in jest, had suggested that a motto be inscribed over the entrance, "This is not the Yale Library. That is inside." Tinker then pointed out to those alumni whose primary interest was teaching rather than research, "you must have teachers here who are men and learned men," and "a library of millions of volumes, with strange books in it, out-of-the-way books, rare books and expensive books." The alumni listened to Tinker and Keogh, and donated generously and thus the association of the "Yale Library Associates" was born.
Since the opening of the Old Library in the 1840s, the collection had grown from 20,000 volumes to nearly 2 million by the time Sterling Memorial Library opened in 1930. Carved by the entrance are the words: "The library is the heart of the university," and at the heart of the University Library is the collection of originally 40 books contributed by Yale's founding ministers. To honor them, the 17 surviving volumes were hand-carried by librarians in a ceremonial procession from the old library and placed as the first books in the new library. Just as Sterling's lofty book tower and inner spaces extended the observer's vision, the library extended its holdings. New types of library materials were acquired including manuscript collections, maps, wartime ephemera, photographs and sound recordings.
At the dedication in April 1931, President James Rowland Angell praised "the librarian, the architect and the builder" who "conjured up a dream of surpassing majesty and then translated it into innumerable ingenious and gracious forms. Here is incarnate the intellectual and spiritual life of Yale."
The events celebrating the Sterling Library's 75th anniversary season will continue through April. Renowned historian David McCullough '55 B.A. will give a special lecture titled "The Heart of the University" on Oct. 21, to celebrate both the anniversary of the building and the 75th anniversary of the Yale Library Associates. In addition to the exhibit, which will be on view until the end of January, the anniversary celebration will also include a variety of other special events. The "Treasures of the Yale Library" series will include special tours, lectures and open days catering to students, faculty, staff and the general public.
The Sterling Library, 120 High St., is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-midnight; Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 p.m.-midnight.
T H I S
University celebrates Sterling
Library's 75th anniversary
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
University greets its newest freshmen
Freshman Address by President Richard C. Levin
Freshman Address by Yale College Dean Peter Salovey
President of China to speak at Yale Sept. 8
New dean to promote 'values' seminars at SOM
Scientists correct key error in measurement of global warming
ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Joel Podolny named Beinecke Professor of Management
Emilie Townes is appointed to Andrew Mellon Professorship
Thomas Troeger is designated as the Cox Lantz ProfessorGrant to support research into reducing pain of pediatric surgery
Invitation to Yale community: Meet the new World Fellows
University celebrates Sterling Library's 75th anniversary
Conference will focus on role of religion in public life
Yale engages in special community projects during 'Days of Caring'
Yale hockey star Helen Resor is picked for U.S. Women's National Team
Descendents of John Davenport to converge on campus
The Cinema at Whitney, a new film society, begins weekly screenings
Heart-attack patients seeking after-hours care . . .
While You Were Away: The Summer's Top Stories Revisited
Cell biologist named Bayer Fellow
IN MEMORIAM
Abraham Goldstein, former dean and criminal law scholar
John-Michael Montias, economist and expert on Vermeer
Drama school hosts a memorial tribute to . . . Benjamin MordecaiCampus Notes
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