ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

Academic Library Buildings Awards

No. 5, May 1968

ACRL News Issue (A) of College & Research Libraries, Vol. 29, No. 3

Three U.S. academic library buildings have been selected to receive architectural awards in the fourth Library Buildings Award Program sponsored jointly by The American Institute of Architects, The American Library Association, and The National Book Committee.

Presentation of the award citations to libraries and architects were made at special ceremonies planned to coincide with National Library Week on April 21-27.

Project: Saint John’s University Library¹ Collegeville, Minnesota

Architect: Marcel Breuer, FAIA and Hamilton P. Smith, AIA Architects

New York, New York

Owner: St. John’s Abbey & University

Librarian: Reverend Benjamin Stein, O.S. Reverend Ronald Roloff, O.S.

General Contractor: Gunnar I. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Jury Comment:

“This college library is a simple and direct solution, executed with restraint and good taste. The architect was aware of the need for flexibility. The interiors are quiet and conducive to reading and studying. The use of structural ‘trees’ seems appropriate to the large size of the main reading room.”

Project: Hofstra University Library¹ Hempstead, Long Island, New York

Architects: Warner Burns Toan Lunde, New York, New York

Owner: Dormitory Authority of the State of New York

Librarian: Dr. Ellsworth G. Mason

Engineer: Severud-Perrone-Fischer-Sturm- Conlin-Bandel

Landscape Architect: M. Paul Friedberg & Associates

General Contractor: Gerace & Castagna, Inc. Jury Comment:

“A crowded academic quadrangle and a campus divided by a major expressway created difficult problems in designing the new library for Hofstra University. The architect provided an attractive and efficient solution in a twostory pavilion surmounted by an eight-story central tower. The principal reading and staff areas in the new building, which are contained in the pavilion, service the majority of library users, including undergraduates. The tower contains those portions of the collections and services most used by graduate students and faculty.”

Project: Library Institute for Advanced Education

Princeton, New Jersey

Architects: Harrison & Abramovitz, New York, New York

Owner: Institute for Advanced Study

Librarian: Dr. Judith Sachs

Engineer: Paul Weidlinger

Landscape Architect: Clark and Rapuano

General Contractor: Matthews Construction Company

Photo Credit: Ezra Stoller

Jury Comment:

“This simple, yet elegant, project is very well detailed, well appointed, and well furnished. It presents an ingenious solution to the overall lighting scheme. The roof is pierced and beam coves allow natural light to beautifully enter the building.”

Pictures of award-of-merit academic library buildings are on pages 136 and 137.

Notes

1. Saint John’s University library was supported by federal funds under Title I of the Higher Education Facilities Act; the Hofstra University library was supported by federal funds under Title II of that Act.