National Magazine Features The Ames Library

Oct. 22, 2002

The Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University is featured as a cover story in the October 2002 issue of University Business.

The magazine's special report is titled "The College Library in the New Ages," and The Ames Library is one of two libraries chosen as case studies in examining the challenge of building a new facility that will last in the 21st century. In addition to The Ames Library, the other case study is Schow Science Library at Williams College.

In describing the challenge that The Ames Library presented, Geoffrey Freeman, a partner in the Boston-based architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott (SBRA) that designed the new Illinois Wesleyan facility, said "Our main challenge at Illinois Wesleyan was to design a library that is more than a 30-year building; one that will last for generations."

The piece goes on to describe ways in which The Ames Library was created as a "critical center," in Freeman's terms. "The library," Freeman is quoted as saying, "should be able to evolve within its walls."

In addition to Freeman, the magazine piece quotes Illinois Wesleyan University Librarian Sue Stroyan and President Minor Myers jr.

The Ames Library, which observed its grand opening in February 2002, has had an immediate impact on the University with significant increase in usage patterns. The initial survey in February showed a 160 percent increase in library patrons, and later surveys have indicated continued increases in usage.

The Ames Library, a 103,000-square-foot, five-story building, replaced the 42,000-square-foot Sheean Library, which was constructed in 1968. The Ames Library accommodates more than 400,000 volumes, along with a minimum of 100 computer workstations and seating for approximately 500 located throughout the building.

The facility has a 75-seat multi-media teaching auditorium on the lower level; a 48-seat information technology center on the first level, including a 28-seat computer teaching lab; and a 40-seat, state-of-the-art media center with three group study rooms. A bronze statue of the famous explorer, scientist and teacher John Wesley Powell is located in the two-story first floor rotunda that will also serve as a gallery for the John Wesley Powell Collection of Pueblo Pottery, acquired during his explorations in the 1800s.