Moving a College Library
1938 style
Some time ago, while visiting St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York to learn more about Thomas Merton’s time there, I discovered many interesting things on the campus. At the top of the list is the beautiful Friedsam Memorial Library (where Merton did spend some of his time).
One of the fascinating things about the history of the library, opened in 1938, is how the books were moved from the old library to Friedsam.
How about this for logistics management? On February 17, 1938, the books went directly shelf-to-shelf from the old library in Alumni Hall to shelves in the new library via the hand-to-hand ‘‘bucket-brigade’’ seen in the photo below. No worries about locating the Dewey-decimal number!
Notice the “boardwalk” and that books were handled two at a time. Let’s hope the students received “extra credit” for their efforts.
The library, designed by architect Chester Oakley, is considered by many to be the most beautiful building on campus, and one of Oakley’s masterpieces.
It was funded by Colonel Michael Friedsam, a New York City businessman who “had the majority of his fortune set aside to form a foundation that donated money to institutions that promoted the betterment of youth and the human condition. St. Bonaventure was deemed to be such an institution.”1
To learn more about Mr. Oakley, Col. Friedsam, and the rich symbolism found both in and outside of Friedsam Memorial Library, please visit the page maintained by the university archives here. It’s well-worth a look.
Friedsam Memorial Library (sbu.edu)
How clever! I also enjoyed the article you linked…Thank you.