The Evolution of the American Academic Library Building

Citation

Harrison, K.C. (1998), "The Evolution of the American Academic Library Building", Library Review, Vol. 47 No. 4, pp. 238-239. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.1998.47.4.238.2

In this book, David Kaser has traced the history of American academic library buildings from the eighteenth century to date. He estimates that about 1,800 such buildings have been erected in the period, and he is the first to point out that only a small selection could even be mentioned in his book, let alone be treated in any sort of detail. Kaser is, however, uniquely placed to have prepared such a volume. A former director of libraries of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and of Cornell University, he has been a consultant in the design of more than 220 college and university libraries, and is known internationally as a member of IFLA’s Standing Committee on Buildings.

His approach is in the first place strictly historical. The first six chapters refer to library buildings since 1840, and show that initially European models were followed. The tendency was towards classical revival styles in the South, with gothic revival in the North. Illustrations of these are shown, from the Carolinas to Yale, CT, and Haverford, PA. But after the end of the Civil War, more purely American styles began to evolve. As college and university librarians became more professional, they also became more influential and more vocal in their demands from architects. W.F. Poole of the Chicago Public Library, was one of the first to criticise architects, doing so at the very first ALA conference of 1876. The architectural profession naturally responded, but after peace‐making efforts by W.I. Fletcher, librarian of Amherst College, a new and rewarding dialogue took place between architects and their library clients.

Kaser’s book continues with a chapter on Carnegie and the period from 1900 to 1910, and follows with another chapter headed “Enter the Behemoths, 1910‐1945”. He points out that one of the most significant innovations of this period “grew from recognition that stack towers could seemingly be pushed ever higher”. Stanford University erected a stack of 17 tiers, and the University of Texas one of 27. Post‐war changes in style and layout soon manifested themselves: Hardin‐Simmons College produced the first modular planned library in 1947, and others quickly followed. Kaser devotes a whole chapter to changes in design, structure and style in the post‐war decades, followed by another on the contemporary modular building. This latter chapter will perhaps be the most relevant for present‐day librarians. He talks about the overuse of glass and the consequent revulsion against it . He pays full tributes to the work and influence of Ralph Ellsworth, Keyes Metcalf, William Jesse and others. The volume features numerous figures, tabulations and plates, the latter being of poor quality, though they are better than no illustrations at all. An appendix provides a chronological list of academic libraries constructed in the USA from 1840 to 1994. There is also a bibliography of books and articles consulted.

During the last 100 years or so, librarians outside the USA have learnt much from their American counterparts, and this book should help to continue the process. From it they should find guidance on the models to be followed, as well as ideas and designs to be avoided because they have been tried in the USA and found wanting.