Sterling Memorial Library is a critically important scholarly research center for the University. It is the largest library on campus, housing immense and irreplaceable collections of maps, newspapers, journals, manuscripts, microfilms, coins, ancient clay tablets and over four million books. This collection is Yale's greatest academic asset, essential to the University's mission of advancing teaching and research. It is a significant attraction for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and researchers from around the world. When Sterling Memorial Library was built in 1930, it reflected the state of the art in building construction. By the end of the 1980's, the Library was faced with the convergence of new regulatory requirements, growing collections, unforeseeable programmatic requirements, and physical deterioration in the building which threatened the well-being of the collection.

Although the Area Plan for the Library addressed only one building, the resulting project was of such size that it needed to be implemented in phases. The scope of the first phase, the renovation of the seventeen-level book stack tower, was based on the highest priorities of the Library -- preservation of the collection and compliance with modern safety standards. Components of this work included a comprehensive building structural renovation that included window replacement, installation of a new fire alarm and fire suppression system, new elevators and new air conditioning for the preservation of the books.

A challenge for Sterling Memorial Library from Senior Corporation Fellow Richard J. Franke '53 stimulated millions of dollars of contributions from other donors in support of work to the stack tower and first floor. The first phase also included restoration of the Starr Main Reference Room, thanks to support from The Starr Foundation; the Periodical Reading Room in recognition of Mr. Franke's generosity; the Cowles Reference Center in Manuscripts and Archives, thanks to a gift from the family of the late William H. Cowles III '53 in his memory. Other donors supporting library renovations include David Kruidenier '44 and the Hon. Ivan Selin '56E, '58M.Eng., '60Ph.D and Mrs. Nina C. Selin. The Campaign raised a total of more than $35 million for Sterling Memorial Library projects.

While design was under way, the project scope was increased to include the construction of a new music library. A commitment from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has partially underwritten construction of the Irving S. Gilmore Music Library, now being constructed in the Sterling Memorial Library complex. Construction has been under way for over a year and completion is expected near the end of 1998. Planning is about to begin to develop the scope for the second phase of renovation.