Facilities

The original library building was first built in 1929 and was designed by Charles Platt.  That 22,000 square foot structure, which is still nearly one half of the current library, displays the primary architecture of the building. Extensive wood carved paneling, mouldings, and marble were used in the original building and may be observed in the west entryway and the Freeman, Dole and Garver Rooms.  Most of the library’s endowed areas and meeting spaces are in this original area of the library, also.

In 1989, there was a major renovation and expansion of the library by the architecture firm Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott.  During this renovation, a 30,000 square foot addition to the original library building was designed to integrate with the original library structure and to provide an additional contemporary interior.  It also provided the library with a second entrance that faces the main inner-campus quadrangle.

Currently, the library facility houses approximately 104,000 circulating books as well as movies and other media.  In addition to its circulating collection, the library also houses an extensive Special Collection archive containing both books and artifacts from the school’s storied past.  Many of these artifacts are displayed in the shelves of the McLean Gallery on the second floor of the library.

On each floor of the library, computer stations are  available for use.  There are also laptop computers available for students to borrow at the Circulation Desk.

The entire library is wi-fi enabled, and there are ample electrical outlets available for students to plug in their own electronic devices.

Please see the menu to the left for further information about the endowed areas of the library and for information about gaining access to the Special Collections and meeting rooms here at the OWHL.