Architectural Data and Facts

Building and Location:

• The John Crerar Library
  The University of Chicago Library
  5730 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637

  The Library is near the center of campus, on the west side of the Science Quadrangle

Architects:

• The Stubbins Associates of Cambridge, Massachusetts
  Loebl, Schlossman, and Hackl of Chicago (associate architects)

Construction Manager:

• Schal Associates of Chicago

Structure:

• The four-story structure is rectangular in shape and houses mechanical rooms, compact shelving, a conference room, and general library facilities on the three above-ground levels. Library staff workstations are concentrated on the main floor. The exterior of the building is horizontal in organization and mass, but the details of the design reflect the vertical character of the original gothic campus. The entire facade is limestone (supplied by Harding & Cogswell of Bedford, Indiana) and recalls the fenestration of the older buildings on campus. The upper floor cantilevers eleven feet beyond the lower floors.

Significant Stylistic Features:

• A skylight in the central three-story atrium introduces natural light to the building while giving the library patron a sense of the library's physical plan.

  Suspended in the atrium is a sculpture of aluminum and Waterford crystal by Chicago artist John David Mooney.

  A freestanding limestone entry arch in the Tudor style complements the architectural style of the original campus. Crerar's motto, the University's motto, and the name of the building were carved in stone by Galloy and Van Etten, Inc., of Chicago
  
  Crerar motto:  Non est mortuus qui scientiam vivificavit (translation:  "He has not died who has given life to knowledge")

Size:

• 160,836 gross square feet of floor space. Approximate east-west dimension: 135 feet. Approximate north-south dimension: 294 feet.

Costs:

• Approximately $22 million, including all fees, equipment, furniture, landscaping, site preparation, moving and other costs.

Sources of Funds:

• The John Crerar Library, foundations, corporations, individuals, and University revenue. A roster of principal donors is permanently located in the atrium of the Library.

Book Capacity:

• 1.3 million volumes. 770,000 volumes on 27 miles of conventional shelving from the Library Bureau; 530,000 volumes on 12 miles of movable compact shelving from the Space Saver Corporation.

Seating Capacity:

• Total of 650 seats for readers, including 182 on the main floor, 212 on the second, 220 on the third, and 36 on the lower level.

Furnishings and Equipment:

• Library tables and carrels from the Library Bureau are light oak to match the interior finishes. Study chairs are by Thonet; office furnishings are from Steelcase.

Flooring:

• Granite floors in the atrium and main staircase areas are from Cold Springs Granite Company of Cold Springs, Minnesota. Most staff offices, reference, and reading areas use carpeting supplied by Patrick Carpet Mills. Vinyl composition tile is in bookstacks and technical services areas. The exterior granite stairs are from the Texas Granite Corporation of Marble Falls, Texas.

Lighting:

• Incandescent lighting is in office and study areas. In the book stacks, timed fluorescent lights are at right angles to shelves to allow changes in stack spacing. All lights were manufactured by Garcy Lighting Company of Chicago.

Heating and Air Conditioning:

• A high-efficiency variable air volume design uses four separate fans to provide unusual flexibility and economy.

Security:

• A highly adaptable, multi-function system provides continuous protection of people and library materials from fire, theft, and vandalism. It also provides surveillance and traffic control of selected areas. It was designed by Gage-Babcock & Associates and was installed by Forest Security Systems. One component of the system uses 3-M's equipment for book theft detection.

Dates:

• Merger agreement: April 13, 1981
  Groundbreaking ceremony: October 4, 1982
  Closing of Crerar services at 35 West 33rd Street: July 31, 1984
  Opening day: September 10, 1984
  Dedication: November 1, 1984