By Steve Nichols
Libraries serve to preserve and protect the information that people deem important to themselves. Libraries are frequently associated with history, after all, they are a nexus for the entire written record and provide insight into our origins. Libraries are essential for connecting people with their past. And, however, libraries themselves are culturally significant in some circumstances when the building itself has left an indelible print upon human history. Libraries from around the United States have been or are being preserved in order to protect their historical values.
Historic preservation of libraries is a topic that concerns several communities both large and small in the United States. However, many libraries have to vacate their historic buildings and move into new buildings in order to accomodate their collections, patrons, and the ever changing world of technology.
What is Historic Preservation?
Historic Preservation is the, “act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property” (Schwier, 2008).
There are numerous laws for historic preservation, both at the federal and state levels. According to the National Register Criteria, Historic libraries are those that are fifty years or older (Schwier, 2008).
Why Preserve Libraries?
There are several reasons why communities decide to preserve their libraries, rather than construct new ones. Economically, it may be less expensive to remodel or add onto an older structure. In some instances, it there may even be tax exemptions if a historic structure is renovated rather than having a new library built (Schwier, 2008). Taking preservationsit measures, regardless of the historical value of the library, can also save money and energy in the long run as future renovations will not be needed as much (Trinkley, 1992).
Culturally, libraries have always been siginificant to people. People also love connecting with the past. As Claudine Lieber notes, “…libraries evoke memories, and people adore historical reconstruction… All the evidence of this ever-increasing concern about preservation and an established taste for cultural heritage is present…” (Lieber, 2007).
Ryan Schwier sums up why historic libraries should be preserved:
“The process of historic preservation is designed to
revitalize living communities and sustain a collective
memory of our past. Everyone can participate. Historic
public libraries take on a particularly important role in
the preservation of memory. They are identified with
people or events from our past and continue to
function as modern institutions of learning.” (Schwier, 2008)
Out With the Old…
As much as people love history and its icons that they try to preserve, a problem is encountered when the old meets the new. Especially with libraries, many old structures are incapable of supporting modern technologies unless massive renovations are undertaken. Logically, the older the buidling is, the more likely it is that greater renovations will be needed to modernize it. Renovating on such a scale can risk the preservation of historic libraries; but, as times have changed, libraries have been able to update without completely altering the original structure. However, many small libraries, especially Carnegie libraries, have not been able to modernize the layout of their libraries and so they have turned to construction of new buildings.
The libraries around the United States that were built out of the monatary donations of Andrew Carnegie in the late 1800s and early 1900s provided for a major change in how public libraries functioned. Before the Carnegie libraries, many public libraries were closed stacked (Schwier, 2008), that is, the books were not available for the public to pull off the shelf, rather librarians and pages performed that duty, ultimately restricting free access to infromation. Carnegie’s program to establish public libraries in cities and towns provided for open floor plans in the libraries that allowed for easy access of library materials (Schwier, 2008). Again, Ryan Schwier gives excellent insight into the Carnegie libraries:
“Carnegie libraries are highlighted here based on their prominence, high survival rate, and overall recognition…Carnegie libraries were revolutionary in their open access design. Architectural standards were not developed by Carnegie nor were they required for his library grants (Van Slyck, 1991). Instead, importance was placed on economy and efficiency. Open floor plans were encouraged by a pamphlet circulated to all communities receiving grants. The pamphlet, Notes on the Erection of Library Buildings, a publication developed by Carnegie’s secretary, James Bertram, was based on a combined analysis and critique of architects and librarians (Van Slyck). The specialties of diverse, local architects, uniquely interpreting the Notes, helped develop a balance of function and design quality that has had a permanent affect on library construction.” (Schwier, 2008)
The Carnegie libraries may have changed the way public libraries were planned and presented to the public, however, they were not designed to expand in response to patron growth and changes in information materials. Over the years, many public libraries have had to move out of the old Carnegie buildings because the structures are too small to support modern technologies such as computers while still having a functional layout (Schwier, 2008).
Many Carnegie libraries are no longer in use as libraries. Some have been demolished and others have been integrated into communities in other roles. The Carnegie library in Anderson, Indiana was turned into a fine arts center (Schwier, 2008). The former South Branch Library in Toledo, Ohio also serves as a commmunity building (Personal Communication, 12/1/2008). The new South Branch features better lighting and is more physically accessible to all patrons, amongst other improvements (Personal Communication, 12/1/2008). However, due to the overall abundance of Carnegie libraries and libraries modelled off of Carnegie libraries, some of them are not protected under historic preservation laws and have been removed from society permamently.
In Warsaw, Illinois, the old Carnegie-style Library was torn down in order to accomodate the needs of the community (Schaller, 2007). The Carnegie library had served Warsaw since 1916, but the building was not adequate enough to meet patron needs in terms of physical and geographic accessibility, as well as computer and technology needs (Schaller, 2007). Opened in 2006, the new library in Warsaw did not completely forsake the past, incorporating several of the features from the 1916 library. The circulation desk, a glass book case, tables, and chairs were all taken from the old Carnegie-style library and placed in the new one (Schaller, 2007). Since then, the Warsaw Public Library has experienced an increase in patronage at the new location (Schaller, 2007).
What’s Old is New…
In some towns and cities in the United States, libraries have moved into old buidlings. In Yspilanti, Michigan, a library is housed in a former post office that was built in 1914 (Lieber, 2007). Also, in Fayettville, New York, the library resides within an old furniture factory. In these cases, the libraries have helped to preserve buildings that are historically significant to the local community, giving them a unique blend of local history. The Toledo Heights Branch (Personal communication 10/8/2008), a unique Tudor style WPA library from the early 1940s, incorporates its own history into the library floor plan, featuring much of the originial furniture; it also makes good use of the old fireplace as the center of the teen reading area.
Many towns and cities have preserved the historical value of their libraries, at least in an abstract sense, the original structures and contents no longer in existence. In Los Angeles, after its library nearly burned down, there was the option to build an entirely new library for the city, however, the library was reconstructed to as it had appeared before the fire. (Lieber, 2007). In Pittsburg, the Carnegie-style libraries have been restored to their original beauty (Lieber, 2007). In Hays, Kansas, part of the library has been rebuilt to appear as it did in the late 1800s ( “…when Buffalo Bill walked down its streets..” Lieber notes) (Lieber, 2007).
Though not necessarily having to do with historic preservation, but rather providing a historic atmosphere, many libraries are incorporating old and classical looking features into the layout of their buildings. In Denver, the post modern library has modelled some of the rooms to appear as medieval dungeons (Lieber, 2007). Many other libraries have incorporated old furniture and decorative fireplaces into cozy reading areas (Lieber, 2007). Wooden rocking chairs can also complete the ‘historical’ appearance in childrens areas.
Conclusions…
Historic preservation is an important subject to many people. Libraries are responsible for storing history and providing access to it. Numerous libraries, not only in the United States, are important as buildings for their own historic value. Andrew Carnegie’s libraries changed the way public libraries functioned and how they were laid out to the public. These buildings are of vast historic value, and many have been protected under law and still function as public libraries. However, many of these structures, not being intended to grow as populations do, are outdated and can at times be restrictive to the free access of information, be it the physical accessibility or the technological accessibility. In these instances, the libraries have been forced to move into more economical and efficient structures that meet patrons needs; while the older buildings are, hopefully, used by the local communities in some other role, thus preserving the buildings. Preserving a library’s past while still being able to provide a free flowing access to information can be hard to accomplish.
How might preserving a library building fall under the idea of “free access to information” (perhaps in an abstract way)?
How do you think Andrew Carnegie would react to the public libraries of today, knowing how he thought public libraries should be used?
Do you personally know of any old library buildings that have been preserved, restored/reconstructed, or demolished?
Is there too much emphasis placed on the historical significance of a library building? How much more important is material kept in the library than the building itself?
As technology requires libraries to constantly moderize, do you think that eventually historic library buildings will resemble anything that they used to? Or will they simply appear the same on the outside?
Useful Links:
Carnegie Libraries – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_library
Carnegie Library of Pittsburg – http://www.clpgh.org/about/milestones.html
Los Angeles Public Library Fire – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Public_Library
Medford Carnegie Library Building – http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080908/NEWS/809080309
Hays Public Library – http://www.hayspublib.org/hplhist.php
Toledo South Branch Library – http://toledolibrary.org/about/location.asp?brch=South
Warsaw Public Library – http://www.warsawlib.org/index.php
Works Cited
Lieber, Claudine. (2007). Be a Guest: A French Look on American Libraries. Library Administration and Management 21 (4) Fall, 2007. ALA.
Schaller, Ann. (2007). Warsaw Public Library. Illinois Library Association Reporter 25 (1) Fall, 2007.
Schwier, Ryan. (2008). The Brick and Mortar of Information: Preserving Indiana’s Historic Public Libaries. Indiana Libaries 27 (1) 2008.
Trinkley, Michael. (1992). Preservation Concerns in Construction and Remodeling of Libraries: Planning for Preservation. South Carolina State Library, Columbia. September, 1992.
Library Layout 