 | From left: University Librarian Alice Prochaska, John and Carmen Thain, President Richard C. Levin, and William H. Wright II '82 cut a ribbon to dedicate the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Library. |
Yale community members, alumni, parents and friends of the University gathered
for the official dedication of the the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Library on
Nov. 30.
T H I S
Reconstruction of Bass Library celebrated
The underground facility, which replaces the former Cross Campus Library (CCL),
is named in honor of the the lead benefactors of the reconstruction project.
The day began with a symposium titled “Creating Today’s Library,” which
explored advances in library science at Yale, and ended with a ceremonial ribbon
cutting and reception honoring the project’s supporters.
Alice Prochaska, University librarian, welcomed more than 150 guests to the
dedication. “Totally transformed,” she said, “the new Bass
Library is intended to provide for the study and learning needs of the Yale
community, flexibly and collaboratively, for generations.”
Constructed in 1971, CCL had long served as a focal point for undergraduate
scholarship, but after 35 years of service, it was demolished to make way for
an improved facility. Prochaska’s vision of a modern library guided the
reconstruction, framing a modern space for individual and collaborative study,
infrastructure for advanced research and new media, and a layout designed to
facilitate student interaction between the undergraduate library and the larger
University library system.
To help fund this vision, Anne and Robert Bass ’71 made a commitment
to match contributions of $10,000 to $500,000, and more than 160 donors responded
to the challenge. Boasting a design by architectural firm Hammond Beeby Rupert
Ainge, the Bass Library opened this fall after 15 months of construction led
by Barr & Barr.
Prochaska expressed her gratitude to donors including the Basses, Donna L.
Dubinksi ’77, William H. Wright II ’82, and Carmen and John Thain.
She also acknowledged the many other donors who participated in the challenge,
and the individuals who worked to facilitate the construction process. She
then invited Claire Halloran, library services assistant, to describe her unique
perspective on the new library.
Halloran, who has served Yale’s libraries for 42 years, quipped about “the
intensely fluorescent world that was CCL” before expressing her appreciation
for the newly rebuilt facility. She offered anecdotes about former students
who once frequented CCL, from producer David S. Milch ’66 to Geoffrey
C. Tabin ’78, the first Yalie to climb Mt. Everest. “From here,” she
said, “magnificent people have gone out to care for our world.”
Wright spoke about how much it meant to him to support the “throbbing
heart of Yale.” His gift established the Wright Reading Room, located
beneath Sterling Memorial Library in the former Machine City. He said, “If
I have one hope, it is that every student who comes into these rooms would
find knowledge, wisdom and judgment to solve the great problems of the world.”
The Thains were also cited for their generous support of the project, recognized
in the library’s new café. John Thain, the newly appointed CEO
of Merrill Lynch, praised Yale’s attention to its undergraduates; his
daughter Nicole is a senior here. “This was a way for us to give back
and contribute to the student experience,” he said. Already a popular
destination for students, the Thain Family Café offers refreshments
prepared with organic and local ingredients, secured through the Yale Sustainable
Food Project.
In his remarks, President Richard C. Levin thanked the Basses for their leadership
support in reconstructing the library as well as their longtime commitment
to the University; their previous giving has included a $20 million contribution
in 1996 to renovate Berkeley College. He also expressed his gratitude to alumni,
parents and friends who followed the Basses lead. “The Wright Reading
Room and the Thain Family Café are the anchors of the new library,” Levin
said.
Levin offered particular praise to Thomas Beeby for designing the Bass Library,
which he described as a great place for anyone learning to be a scholar.
“The undergraduate library is the heart of Yale College,” said Levin. “You
can see the map of different fields of knowledge right before your eyes.” As
a gesture of thanks, he presented Wright and the Thain family with architectural
photos of their named spaces. 
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Now anyone can ‘audit’ popular Yale courses via Internet
Two seniors receive prestigious Marshall Scholarships
Yalies win international debate competition in Chinese language
True-blue tales of holiday giving
Custodian brings brand-new bikes to needy youths
Athletes hope to light the smiles of city youngsters
Rededication ceremony held for Silliman College
Reconstruction of Bass Library celebrated
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Yale receives $12.4 million grant to oversee study . . .
Research to examine causes of heart attacks in young women
Project will assess impact of vaccine against virus . . .
Yale scientists discover biomarker linked to . . .
Work in Ob/Gyn is recognized with grants, honors
Two Divinity School professors earn special honors
Graduate students boost social skills in networking workshop
Research reveals that children tend to ‘over-imitate’ actions of adults
Yale bioengineers have developed a more effective method . . .
Postdoctoral fellow wins fellowships for cancer cell research
Exhibit of original menorahs celebrates the Festival of Light
Alumna intern discovers firsthand the positive impact of United Way
A ‘thank you’ from United Way
Social anthropologist will examine ‘Why Creationism Isn’t Science’
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Barry Goldberg, devoted career to the safety of athletes
Dr. James Kenney, was the ‘doctor’s doctor’ to many
Dr. Nicholas Spinelli, was active in alumni affairs
Longtime professor Stanton Wheeler dies on Dec. 7
Memorial service for Eugene Waith
Stately affairs
Campus Notes
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